Only A Real Movie Fan Can Name All Of These Action Movies
- by Colin Leggett
- – on
- in Movies and TV
There's nothing quite like a good action movie to get the pulse thumping and deliver on some great thrills. Over the years, there have been plenty of great action flicks released, all of them delivering fun in their own unique ways. These movies are packed with great fights, car chases, and heroes that audiences really want to cheer for. They also often feature villains that are compelling in their own right, ones who put up a great challenge to the heroes.
Action films are the kinds of movies that can really take an audience out of their comfort zone. They often ask the people watching to consider what they might do in these impossible situations, which makes them all the more fun to watch. After all, what's more entertaining than watching people get themselves out of seemingly inescapable positions, only to ultimately win the day for the entire world? There are some truly amazing action films out there, some of which have even received awards and critical acclaim for the excellent filmmaking that went into them.
Only a real movie fan, one who has seen so many films that it would be impossible to count them all, could name every one of these great action films!
What is the title of this buddy-cop action comedy about mismatched partners?
Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan star in this action-comedy about two cops from very different worlds. Chan is a detective from China who must work with Tucker's motormouthed LAPD detective in order to rescue the daughter of a diplomat from China. The film had many hilarious sequences, as well as some truly incredible stuntwork provided by Chan himself. The film was also followed by two sequels. The two actors were praised for their chemistry in the film, with both Tucker and Chan delivering hilarious performances in their own unique ways. So what is the title of this hilarious action comedy?
What is the name of this movie starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta?
This movie stars John Travolta and Nicolas Cage as two men who are working against each other. Cage plays a criminal who is constantly tailed by Travolta's FBI agent. After Cage's character is in a plane crash, he slips into a coma. In order to discover the location of an explosive device, Travolta has a team of doctors replace his face with Cage's to talk to his brother. However, Cage also wakes from his coma, and has the team of doctors put Travolta's face on his body. The movie is filled with action, but is also ridiculously silly and completely unrealistic.
What is the name of this action film set inside someone's dreams?
this action-packed film has a strange twist: most of it takes place in people's dreams. A team of professionals who specialize in extraction (the stealing of ideas from people's minds by infiltrating their dreams) is tasked with a different type of job, one that is much more difficult: putting an idea into someone's mind. This requires the team to dive into multiple dream levels, each of which is more dangerous than the last. The film was praised for its inventive storytelling, and also for its use of practical effects, particularly during a fight scene that takes place in a rotating hallway.
What is the title of this comic-based action film about a team of mutants?
Comic book movies had a hard time in the 1990s. Many of them were not very well-made and ended up being critical flops. However, that all changed in 2000 with the release of this film. Based on a long-running comic book series, the film followed a band of mutants as they joined together in order to stop a common enemy. The film was the first in a long series of films that told the stories of various mutants and their incredible abilities. This film essentially made superhero movies a viable form of entertainment again, though it would still be a few years before they got really good.
What is the title of this star-studded action flick?
This movie is a giant action extravaganza that is packed to the gills with famous action stars, including Sylvester Stallone (who also directed), Terry Crews, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and Jet Li. Though the movie's plot is all but nonexistent, it was still fun for audiences to watch all of these individual action heroes come together to appear in one big movie. Full of memorable moments and fun performances, this film made its mark on the world of action films and was followed by two sequels. There was even talk at one point of a spin-off film with an all-female cast.
What is the title of this 80s action movie starring Kurt Russell?
John Carpenter directed many great films, most of them within the horror genre, but he was not afraid to step into the realm of action films as well. Here, he teamed up with an actor he worked with multiple times (Kurt Russell) to make a film about a future where part of the United States has been converted into a giant jail. Unfortunately, someone very important ends up trapped in this location, and it is up to Snake Plissken (Russell) to go in and rescue him. The film was followed years later by a sequel that did not have anywhere near the same amount of praise as its predecessor.
What is the title of this action movie about breaking into Alcatraz?
Michael Bay followed up his very first movie with this action film, which starred Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery. In the film, a team of former soldiers storms Alcatraz and threatens the entire city of San Francisco with chemical devices. Cage plays an FBI chemist who must storm the island jail with a team of Marines, as well as Connery's character, who once escaped from Alcatraz, and therefore knows the best ways to get back inside. The film is filled with amazing action, and also stars Ed Harris as the villain. According to Wikipedia, Quentin Tarantino was an uncredited screenwriter on the film.
What is the title of this film about a wall-crawling superhero?
Years before the role was played by Tom Holland, this classic comic book character, who is one of the most famous superheroes in popular fiction was played by Tobey Maguire in this film by Sam Raimi. The film tells the hero's origin story, including the tragic loss of a beloved family member. The film was a lot of fun and set the bar high for following superhero films. It also starred Willem Dafoe as the famous villain, the Green Goblin. It was followed by two sequels, one of which was truly great and one that was fairly disappointing to fans and critics.
What is the title of this action film about an airplane carrying some rough customers?
The 1990s were a wild time for action films, most evidenced by some of the weirder and more extravagant plots featured in action films, including this one. Nicolas Cage stars in this film as a man who is sent to jail after accidentally taking out a man while defending his wife from an attack. He is set to be released but must catch a ride on a plane full of other convicts. Unfortunately for Cage, these convicts have other plans, and take over the plane, forcing it to take them somewhere else. Cage works from the inside to help the authorities bring the plane down.
What is the title of this sci-fi action movie set on Mars?
Science fiction action films have always had a more difficult job of selling their premises, but luckily this movie, directed by Paul Verhoeven, drew its inspiration from a story by famed sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick. The movie follows a man who is having strange dreams about Mars and decides to visit a business that can implant false memories into his mind, letting him think that he has taken a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, the process reveals that the man was actually a spy who had his memory wiped and is now being hunted down. He returns to Mars, but there is no way of knowing how much of what is happening is real.
What is the name of this cop movie starring Clint Eastwood?
Clint Eastwood has starred in plenty of action films throughout his life (some of them even as recently as 2018), but this movie may be one of his most famous. In it, Eastwood plays a dedicated detective who is constantly in danger of crossing the line in his work. He is chasing after a dangerous person who has taken out innocent people and needs to be stopped. The film was actually based on real events that were taking place at the time, and even Eastwood's character was based on a real person (although this person was not nearly as tough or imposing as Eastwood).
What is the title of this movie about a man on the run?
This is one of the most famous and critically-acclaimed action films of the 1990s and even earned an Oscar for the performance of Tommy Lee Jones as a dedicated US Marshall. Harrison Ford plays a man whose wife is taken out by a one-armed man, but he is charged with the crime. He escapes and must run from the law while trying to figure out who set him up and prove his innocence to the people who are chasing him. This movie was based on a classic television show of the same name and never stops to catch its breath.
What is the title of this critically acclaimed James Bond movie?
James Bond is always getting into some pretty dangerous situations, and over several decades, he has constantly taken out villain after villain. However, in this critically-acclaimed recent addition to the Bond franchise, the secret agent finds himself facing off against a new kind of enemy: one that knows the inner workings of MI6 and wants to take out M (Judi Dench, in her final turn in the role). Daniel Craig returned as James Bond, and faced off against a villain named Silva, played by Javier Bardem. The fil;m featured a song by Adele which won the Academy Award for best original song.
What is the title of this imaginative sci-fi action film?
Luc Besson has made a name for himself directing truly out-there action films, including this science fiction cult classic starring Bruce Willis and Gary Oldman. Willis stars as a cab driver who ends up with a woman in his backseat who is actually the key to all life in the universe. There are some truly bad people after her, and Willis has to figure out how to keep her safe. The film featured some really great special effects and makeup, and also had some really memorable scenes. Chris Tucker appeared in this movie as well, playing a similarly fast-talking character.
What is the name of this action movie about cops and robbers?
Michael Mann is one of the most famous directors in Hollywood, and he is mostly known for his artistic and moody takes on typical action genres. In this, one of his most famous and celebrated action films, a dedicated detective played by Al Pacino is caught in a cat and mouse game with a prolific bank robber played by Robert De Niro. The film received a lot of praise from critics for its excellent storytelling, outstanding performances, and one particular action sequence that takes place after a botched bank robbery. The film also starred Natalie Portman, Val Kilmer, and Tom Sizemore.
What is the title of this action film about a bus that can't slow down?
Homer Simpson once described this movie using its title several times in his description, but still thought it was called "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down." Starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, this memorably awesome action film from the 1990s really does center around a bus that can't slow down, as there is an explosive wired to it that will go off if the bus goes slower than 85 miles per hour. This movie set the tone for many of the action films that came after it, but none of them could ever match the sheer thrill ride of this film's story.
What is the title of this satirical action comedy about a secret agent's marriage?
James Cameron has directed plenty of great and memorable action films throughout his time working in Hollywood. While many of them have received a lot of critical praise, this one may be one of his most subversive and original films ever. A CIA agent has kept his life a secret from his family. They believe that he is just a salesman, but he is really putting his life on the line every day. The agent's wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, becomes involved with a car salesman who, in a twist, tells her he is really a spy. Eventually, the agent must work to rescue her from the bad guys.
What is the name of this movie about a futuristic police officer?
Paul Verhoeven directed this film with the intention of both making an action film and satirizing them. In the future, Detroit has fallen into a state of near complete lawlessness. While out on patrol, a cop is gravely wounded and facing his end. However, a robotics company is able to rebuild him as a new hybrid of both man and machine. This new police officer patrols the streets and keeps the citizens of the city safe, but he still must contend with some dangerous criminals, as well as a new law enforcement robot that is intended to replace him as the ultimate solution to crime.
What is the title of this fifth film in a famous car franchise?
The Fast and Furious films have gone from being a small crime film that centered around the world of street racing to being a legitimate franchise of big-budget action films. In this, the fifth installment of the series, the good old Fast and Furious gang must work to keep Dom (Vin Diesel) out of the hand s of the authorities after he is wrongly accused of a crime. This film introduced Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs, who is now appearing in his own spinoff film with Jason Statham, who is also reprising his role from the Fast and Furious films.
What is the title of this film about a man with a set of skills rescuing his daughter?
Liam Neeson introduced himself to a new generation of filmgoers as a legitimate action hero in this film, written by Luc Besson and directed by Pierre Morel. Neeson plays a man who is a retired CIA agent who is very protective of his family, particularly his daughter. After he lets her go on vacation to Paris, she gets herself into trouble and Neeson must travel there to rescue her himself. The film was followed by two sequels, neither of which could ever really live up to the first one. The movie also contained one of the greatest short monologues in action film history, which quickly became very popular.
What is the name of this film about a man who has lost his memory?
Matt Damon stars in this action film which is based on a series of famous spy novels by author Robert Ludlum. Damon is a man who has partial amnesia and cannot remember who he is. After he is attacked by people who have come to find him, he discovers skills that he never knew he had. He goes on the run while still being hunted by the people who trained him, and must figure out who he really is and why he is being pursued. The film was followed by two sequels, as well as a spinoff starring Jeremy Renner in a similar role.
What is the name of this famous buddy cop movie from the 1980s?
Shane Black is known as a writer who loves to lean into the banter between his characters, and it all started with his script for this film, which is regarded as being one of the best entries in the buddy cop genre. Veteran cop Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover, must partner up with Riggs, played by Mel Gibson, who is a loose cannon and constantly putting himself in danger. This is due to the loss of his wife, but Murtaugh must help Riggs to find some meaning in his life before he gets himself or anyone else into a situation where they are taken out while they solve a big case.
What is the title of this film about soldiers facing off against an alien?
Speaking of Shane Black, he also had a small part in this film, which is what led to his script being picked up and made into a film. In this movie, Black and some other famous actors play a team of mercenaries who, while on a mission, encounter a being from another planet that begins hunting them down for sport. Eventually, the only soldier left alive must face this alien on his own and put his survival skills to the test. This film was followed by several sequels, including two that crossed it over with yet another famous science fiction franchise.
What is the name of this film about the most famous superhero in the world?
Warner Bros and DC knew they had their work cut out for them with the formation of the MCU, and they started their own cinematic universe which came to be known as the DCEU. The first film in that world was this one, which starred Henry Cavill as the most famous superhero in modern history. After his home planet is lost, this hero ends up on Earth as an infant where he is adopted by a couple in Smallville. As he grows up, he discovers his amazing abilities and strength, deciding to use it to save humankind whenever he can.
What is the title of this film about a team of secret agents working outside the system?
Tom Cruise returned as Ethan Hunt in this installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, which was directed by animation veteran Brad Bird (who also directed The Incredibles). In this outing, Hunt, as well as his fellow IMF agents, must work outside the system after they are disavowed when they are framed for a crime they did not commit. The film contained some truly great action sequences, including one of the best in the series, where Ethan Hunt must climb the outside of the Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world. The film co-starred Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, and Jeremy Renner.
What is the name of this film about a woman being hunted by a robot from the future?
This thrilling science fiction action film from 1984 was directed by James Cameron and kicked off a huge franchise that is still churning out movies. In this very first installment, a woman named Sarah Connor is pursued by a robot sent back from the future to take her out before she gives birth to a son who will lead the human armies against the robot uprising of the future. Luckily, a human has also been sent back to protect her. The film was followed by a highly-acclaimed sequel that took the mythology of the first film even deeper and featured some incredible special effects.
What is the name of this classic action film about an explorer looking for a powerful relic?
This famous and classic action film kickstarted an entire franchise and put Harrison Ford in one of his most famous recurring roles. Playing archaeologist Indiana Jones, Ford sets out on a journey to find an ancient artifact that may hold immense power. Unfortunately, he is facing off against a group of people who want to use the artifact's power for nefarious purposes. There are some truly great action sequences in this film, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and written by George Lucas. The film was followed by three sequels, one of which was released almost 20 years after the previous entry.
What is the title of this film about a world built inside of a computer simulation?
The Wachowskis put themselves on the map as action filmmakers to watch after the release of this groundbreaking film which blended action, science fiction, and philosophy all into one memorable story. Keanu Reeves starred as a programmer who is looking for a man named Morpheus. When he finds him, he discovers that his entire existence has been simulated by machines that have taken over the planet in the far future. Together, the remaining humans enter this computer simulation in order to take out the machines and the malicious programming that tries to stop them. The film was followed by two sequels.
What is the name of this movie about an epic team of superheroes?
It might seem pretty common these days for superheroes to show up in each other's films and team up to fight the bad guys, but back in 2012, the idea of more than one superhero appearing in a film together was entirely unheard of. That all changed with the release of this film, which combined four superheroes into one amazing team to save the world. This film was the culmination of all the previous films in the MCU, and even though it was a huge risk and a massive undertaking, it ended up being a massive hit, and still stands the test of time as one of the greatest superhero films ever made.
What is the title of this action-packed sci-fi sequel?
James Cameron had made a name for himself after directing The Terminator, enough so that he was given the chance to direct a follow up to a massively successful science fiction thriller. In this film, Sigourney Weaver reprises her role as Ellen Ripley, the only survivor of the previous film. This time around, she wakes up after being in stasis many years in the future and must team up with a group of marines to investigate a mining colony that has gone silent. There, Ripley and the marines encounter a familiar enemy, one that Ripley knows is far more dangerous than anyone could anticipate.
What is the name of this film about a man who is an excellent driver?
Jason Statham had appeared in a couple of crime thrillers in the past, but he really put himself on the map after appearing in this film, which marked him as a rising action star to watch. In this film, Statham plays a man who is exceptionally skilled at driving. He works for some less than upstanding characters, moving cargo for them from one place to another. He only has three rules: no names, no changing the deal, and no opening the package. However, after he hears noise coming from his trunk during a job, he opens the package to find a woman whom he decides to protect.
What is the title of this action-packed film about a hitman who comes out of retirement?
Keanu Reeves returned to his action roots with this hard-hitting film about a former hitman who is pulled back into the business. After his wife passes away, she leaves a gift for Reeves's character: a puppy. Though he does not know what to make of this dog at first, he quickly grows to love it. Unfortunately, he makes the wrong people mad. They break into his house and take his dog's life. He decides to hunt them down and take them out, which strikes panic into the criminal community, as they know that he is one of the greatest assassins in history, and will always complete his mission.
What is the title of this driving, post-apocalyptic action sequel?
Even though Mel Gibson owned the role for many years, Tom Hardy stepped easily into the lead part of this post-apocalyptic film series that often centers around people driving all kinds of creative and dangerous vehicles across the desert. In this entry, the main character finds himself in a city where water is being rationed by a man who controls everything. The people must bend to his will or go without. He has several wives, who all make a run for it with the help of a lieutenant played by Charlize Theron. The film was praised for its use of stunts and practical effects.
What is the title of this critically-acclaimed superhero sequel?
Christopher Nolan had already knocked it out of the park when he reinvigorated Batman for the big screen with Batman Begins, but audiences could not be fully prepared for how great his follow up would be. Considered to be one of the greatest superhero films ever made and one that changed the genre (for better and worse), this film found Batman going up against his most classic nemesis, the Joker (played by Heath Ledger, who passed away shortly before filming was complete). The film was a huge accomplishment both in terms of filmmaking and superhero storytelling. It set the bar high for superhero films that would follow.
What is the title of this superhero film about a billionaire who has a change of heart?
This is the superhero movie that kickstarted the entire MCU. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, a billionaire whose company manufactures dangerous items for use in combat. After he is taken by a group known by the seven rings, his heart is fitted with an electromagnet to keep shrapnel away from it. While being held by the group, he builds a suit out of scrap metal that allows him to escape. When he returns home, he decides to keep doing good for the world by building more advanced suits and eventually becoming a superhero. He is approached by an unknown figure at the end of the film who is putting a team together.