While not as prevalent in the early years of cinema, the action movie has massively grown to be one of the most prominent and successful genres of film out there. From massive blockbuster franchises to dynamic and passionate independent films, action filmmaking continues to be one of the best ways to express filmmaking craft and talent. Many of these great action movies find themselves widely beloved and appreciated by critics; However, not every action film has received the recognition that they deserve.
Considering the mass differences and variations of opinions, it only makes sense that there would be a selection of films that, while critics may not have enjoyed, have found great acclaim from audiences thanks to their inherent qualities. Several of these films have even outgrown their initial critical receptions to be widely beloved and are now accepted by modern-day critics. These action movies easily prove that a film doesn’t have to be immediately accepted by critics to still be a great time.
10
‘Boy Kills World’ (2024)
Directed by Moritz Mohr
Easily one of the most underrated action movies of the 2020s so far, Boy Kills World takes a comedic edge to the concept of a lone, revenge-fueled man taking down the family of dictators ruling this dystopian future. The film immediately sets itself apart from the wide array of other John Wick-inspired action films with a high emphasis on stunts and choreography with its absurdist edge and overall sense of dark humor. The world of the film doesn’t shy away from showing a wide array of depraved characters and the sickening nature of a society built upon toxic power structures and the glorification of death.
Between all the comedic antics of its characters, the core of Boy Kills World is a sense of strong, gutteral violence that makes each kill feel impactful and full of weight. Even despite Bill Skarsgard giving a performance that doesn’t have him speak any dialogue, his physical performance and facial expressions do a great job of setting the mood and style for each scene. The voiceover narration from H. Jon Benjamin is also a great touch that adds to the film’s comedic edge and absurdity.
9
‘Con Air’ (1997)
Directed by Simon West
Few actors have had such a wildly fluctuating career in the eyes of critics as Nicolas Cage, who is equally capable of starring in a beautiful work of art as well as a mindless piece of drivel. However, one of Cage’s truly great action films was largely misconstrued by critics, who simply couldn’t connect with the wild, over-the-top nature of Con Air. While the film’s nonsensical premise and goofy performances made it a hard sell for critics, these are exactly the inherent quailties that have transformed the film into an 90s action classic.
Con Air‘s premise is just insane enough to garner interest while not being so ridiculous that it’s impossible to believe or take seriously, making for the perfect plot for a cheesy, over-the-top action film. Cage himself is the quintessential factor that makes the entire film work, as his performance is perfectly in line with the strange tone that the film is setting up, with each line managing to be funnier and more iconic than the last.
Con Air
- Release Date
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June 5, 1997
- Runtime
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115 minutes
8
‘Last Action Hero’ (1993)
Directed by John McTiernan
While Arnold Schwarzennegger is easily one of the most immediately recognizable and acclaimed action stars of all time, not all of his action movies have been widely revered by critics. While films like Terminator: Genisys and Hercules in New York may deserve their notorious reputations, Last Action Hero sticks out as a strange case where critics couldn’t connect with it despite being a blast from start to finish. While many critics of the time simply couldn’t get with its strange, meta approach to storytelling, it quickly garnered a reputation as one of the 90s best underrated classics.
Considering just how much love and praise that the film receives nowadays for being a brilliant examination of action movie culture and conventions, it seems strange that the film wasn’t a bigger hit during the 90s, at the height of Arnold’s popularity. It’s a goofy, exhilarating action comedy experience that is a must-watch for any and all fans of either action movies or filmmaking in general, as it was one of the first to truly break the barriers of meta commentary in action.
7
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1990)
Directed by Steve Barron
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have found themselves being adapted into film a multitude of different times, ranging from the recently beloved Mutant Mayhem to the wildly divisive Michael Bay-produced films. However, despite being the first film adaptation of the characters and an icon of 90s family movie action, the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was largely disliked by critics of the era. The barrage of one-liners and overall silliness of the execution proved to be too much for critics, yet it left a massive impact on the children of the 90s and beyond.
A lot of the inherent backlash behind this original film and its subsequent sequels from critics can be sourced back to a misunderstanding of the Turtles as characters by critics and their inherent appeal. While the candy-coated goofiness of the characters certainly stands out, it’s the dynamic fight choreography and fun dynamic between the brothers that has helped the film stand the test of time. The film has only grown more beloved as the years go by and the Turtles continue to be a defining icon in children’s pop culture.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Release Date
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March 30, 1990
- Runtime
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101 minutes
6
‘Bullet Train’ (2022)
Directed by David Leitch
Easily one of the biggest divides between critics and audiences of recent memory, Bullet Train proved to be a massive fan-favorite action comedy among audiences, while at the same time being wildly mixed among critics. The film is filled with fun action setpieces, a large cast of dynamic and entertaining characters, and a fun screenplay filled with callbacks, cameos, and an overarching theme of luck vs fate. Critics certainly appreciated the cast and action, but were still negative about the film due to its pacing, stating that its longer runtime has it feeling bloated.
However, when the film features some of the most entertaining and hilarious action setpieces of recent memory, it’s certainly easy to ignore a bit of pacing issues and go along with the wild ride. The film has already received enough positive word of mouth and acclaim from audiences to help it become a modern cult classic of action, only growing more beloved as the years go by. The film acts as a great point of perspective as to what critics are looking for out of modern action movies versus audiences as a whole, as a truly great action movie can just slip through the cracks due to differing expectations.
Bullet Train
- Release Date
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August 5, 2022
- Runtime
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126 minutes
5
‘The Last Dragon’ (1985)
Directed by Michael Schultz
A wildly entertaining mashup of martial arts action films and high-energy musicals, The Last Dragon is a one-of-a-kind action experience that could only truly be created in the 80s. Critics of the era simply couldn’t connect with this strange combination of genres and the tonal whiplash that comes with it, but the film has sustained a powerful legacy thanks to its endearing charm and infectious energy. The film has deep respect for both the martial arts movies and musicals that inspired it, creating a combination that is filled with personality and wit from start to finish.
While one would assume that the musical and action aspects of the film would detract from one another, they end up amplifying their inherent strengths to make for an unexpected combination of high entertainment value. The way that the film places an increased emphasis on the blending of cultures is still wildly explored and appreciated in a modern context, helping the film feel timeless in its execution and still just as entertaining today as it was 40 years ago.
4
‘Bad Boys II’ (2003)
Directed by Michael Bay
Michael Bay has had a massively divisive career that, more often than not, has been on the receiving end of massive vitriol and hatred from critics ever since the beginning. However, even despite it not being too dissimilar from his previous films in scope and approach, something about the execution and style of Bad Boys II makes Bay’s filmmaking style work better than it ever has before or since. The film takes no shame in showing off its various sleazy and trashy concepts, but the editing is so focused and the duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are so great together that it manages to work wonders.
Many critics were quick to write the film off as little more than mindless explosions and cheeky banter, yet this massively underplays the entertainment and catharsis that makes Bad Boys II so effective. Bay’s filmmaking strengths fit perfectly with the comedic tone and style of the Bad Boys franchise, making what is normally fodder for criticism from critics actually a great strength for the film as a whole. Even years later, the film’s infectious style and energy has been wildly influential and helping it maintain a status as an all-time favorite action comedy of the 21st century.
Bad Boys II
- Release Date
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July 18, 2003
- Runtime
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147 Minutes
3
‘Blade’ (1998)
Directed by Stephen Norrington
Long before the likes of the MCU or even the X-Men films would completely revolutionize what a great Marvel Comics adaptation to film could be, the defacto face of Marvel’s filmmaking ventures was Blade. The R-rated superhero film’s overwhelming sense of style and 90s sleekness make it wildly entertaining and wholly distinct, even among the wide array of modern Marvel films. However, critics weren’t able to fully connect with the film due to its relatively simplistic story, a facet that frankly is easily permissable when the action and style is this top-notch.
The film finds a perfect balance of blood-soaked brutality, energizing action sequences, and a fun, unique take on a vampire world that fully embraces its own mythos and mystique. Wesley Snipes fully engrosses himself into the role of Blade to provide one of the most effective leading action performances that the 90s have to offer, transforming Blade as a character into a household name of action. While critics are more positive towards the films nowadays, the entire Blade trilogy was initially widely mixed by critics, massively downplaying the strengths of both Blade and Blade II.
Blade
- Release Date
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August 21, 1998
- Runtime
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120 Minutes
2
‘Top Gun’ (1986)
Directed by Tony Scott
Considering just how much the film is nowadays celebrated for being an icon of 80s action, a pillarstone for Tom Cruise‘s career, and an overall exceptionally crafted display of fighter pilot action, it comes to a shock that Top Gun was initially a critical mixed bag. Critics of the era criticized the film’s relatively basic story and execution when it wasn’t in its high-flying action sequences, but it’s easy to see just how much the film’s best moments help it shine as an icon of action filmmaking.
Few other films have accomplished the level of dynamic aerial action as seen in Top Gun, which helped revolutionize and revitalize the very concept of what a fighter pilot action film could be. While reception to the film was mixed at first, it quickly grew to be one of the defining action experiences that the 80s had to offer, with its reputation growing more and more as one of the best 80s action movies. Even outside the action genre, the film is among the most beloved and rewatchable 80s movies, with it being difficult to imagine film culture without its influence.
Top Gun
- Release Date
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May 16, 1986
- Runtime
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110 minutes
1
‘Rush Hour’ (1998)
Directed by Brett Ratner
A beautiful combination of Hong Kong action filmmaking and American comedic stylings, Rush Hour is a glorious combination and blending of cultures that has stood tall as the quintessential action comedy of the 90s. Despite its inherent strengths, Rush Hour was much more divisive among critics upon its initial release, with many citing its unoriginal story and simply not preferring it over the array of great Hong Kong action comedies. With hindsight in mind, it certainly feels silly to criticise the film for originality, as the story is far from the defining selling point and biggest strength of the film.
Rush Hour is much more about the entertaining chemistry, both in terms of comedy and action, of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, as they bring out the best in each other to make a highly entertaining experience. As their friendship grows and evolves throughout the film, the action and stakes of the film also rise considerably, coming together to make the ultimate action comedy crowd-pleaser. While critics have largely come around on the strengths of Rush Hour, its mixed reception upon release is still shocking to this day.
Rush Hour
- Release Date
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September 18, 1998
- Runtime
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98 minutes
