The 70+ Best Romance Action Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated May 23, 2024 65.2K views 74 items
Ranked By
4.5K votes
1.1K voters
1 reranks
Voting Rules

Vote up the romantic action movies that really put you in the mood.

Diving headfirst into the dynamic world of romance action movies, we uncover a realm where passion intertwines with exhilarating sequences, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. These are films that juxtapose tender moments with edge-of-your-seat excitement, effortlessly merging elements of love and danger. In this realm, you'll discover a treasure trove of cinematic gems that have successfully married action and romance, providing film aficionados with an adrenaline-infused dose of love. 

The allure of these best adventure romance movies lies in their ability to captivate and entertain, showcasing the distinctive strengths and appeal of both genres. The magic happens when the thrill of combat converges with heart-wrenching love scenes, creating an irresistible cocktail of emotions that strikes an unparalleled chord with viewers. The depiction of love amidst chaos serves as a testament to the unique niche these romantic action movies have carved out in the cinema industry. 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a great example, an epic tale where a devastating love story is blended with remarkable action sequences, resulting in a film that is hailed as one of the genre's finest masterpieces. Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a high-octane thrill ride that blends sensual romance and thrilling action in a narrative featuring undercover assassin spouses. Other standouts include Casino Royale, a action film  in which super-agent James Bond has a sultry love affair, and Deadpool, a superhero flick that unexpectedly merges into an unforgettable romance action movie.

To make viewing more convenient, every film entry comes with easy-to-spot streaming buttons for platforms like HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, ensuring smooth sailing towards your next viewing experience. 

Action romance movies are the beating heart of cinema, offering the best of both worlds. They serve up tantalizing narratives that intertwine passionate romance with high-stakes action, leaving viewers entranced. As you embark on this cinematic journey, be prepared to immerse yourself in heart-stopping fight scenes and swoon-worthy love stories that will certainly have you coming back for more. 

Most divisive: North by Northwest
Over 1.1K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 70+ Best Romance Action Movies, Ranked
  • Mr. & Mrs. Smith
    1
    Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn
    461 votes

    Mr. & Mrs. Smith is the pinnacle of the best of the best action romance movies of all time. The film has everything for anyone who loves both genres could ever dream of, including two sensual and fantastic leads in Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, some truly remarkable and death defying action, and a romance that feels believable and heartfelt while still living in a world of utmost danger. When a married couple finds out they are both hiding secret identities working for rival assassin agencies that have hired hits on one another, the film dilutes into a fantastical and nonstop action thrill ride that oozes charisma, charm, and romanticism.

  • Knight and Day
    2
    Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard
    231 votes

    Knight and Day was the pinnacle of cheesy, sappy, and downright manic action romance movies showcasing an absolutely absurd premise that is held together by two stars at the absolute top of their games. Cameron Diaz provides the heart and Tim Cruise provides the action in this hilarious, never say enough action thriller that takes the boyfriend-is-a-spy trope and dials the ridiculous meter up to a thousand. Arguably some of the best action scenes of any film on this list are showcased in death-defying glory in Knight and Day, and the film continues to be a cult classic and one of the most absurd and best romance action movies of all time.

  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
    3
    Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
    127 votes

    Impossibly remarkable action, a devastating love story, and a cast in front of and behind the camera on the top of their respective games, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a masterclass on how to create the best romantic action movies of all time. The film is a love letter that pays the utmost respect to both genres while simultaneously creating a genre unto itself with lavish and extravagant action set pieces and a realistic and painful depiction of what it means to truly love. A mesmerizing depiction of romance and action movies, a steel romantic adventure, and a story that has withstood the test of time, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a film that comes around once in a lifetime, and changed cinema as we know it. 

  • Deadpool
    4
    Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein
    203 votes

    In a switch that virtually no one saw coming, Deadpool, the foul-mouthed, comedy-driven, superhero film actually focused all its energy on becoming a fantastic romance movie, and it thrived by combining superhero elements with the traditional tropes of romantic movies. While the film still managed to keep its edgy tone, the National Women's Day joke, in particular, coming out of left field and knocking it out of the park, it is the brilliant and pitch-perfect chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin that elevates this from traditional superhero flick to one of the best romance action movies the genre has ever seen.

  • Casino Royale
    5
    Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen
    167 votes

    James Bond has always been quite the lady's man, but he has never had quite the intimate and sensual relationship with a woman as he had in Casino Royale. A film where romance takes a front seat and gritty action further drives home the fact that this isn't your grandpa's 007 anymore, Casino Royale is a fascinating departure and rebranding of the James Bond franchise and delivers a fascinating and painfully realistic look at love, heartbreak, and nonstop action. Daniel Craig made the roll completely his own in his first-ever portrayal of the characters, and his relationship with Eva Green's character still remains one of the greatest in the franchise's history.

  • Baby Driver
    6
    Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James
    279 votes

    In 2017, director Edgar Wright made arguably one of the best romantic action movies of all time with his non-stop action thrill ride that turned music into one of the most inspiring tools in film, Baby Driver. Baurofdully mixing elements of action and romance, Baby Driver delivered some of the most breathtaking and jaw-dropping action set pieces of the decade in a hyper-stylized fashion that only Edgar Wright could deliver. With an incredible cast, an interesting story, and an overall atmosphere of fun and heart, Baby Driver delivers a truly fantastic work of art that is a testament to both the action and romance genres.

  • This Means War
    7
    Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy
    133 votes

    When movie lovers think of the stereotypical spy action romance movies that swept the nation throughout the 2010s, most minds go to one film, 2012s This Means War. An over-the-top, ridiculous, and utterly bonkers movie with not one, but two boyfriends-is-a-spy tropes wedged inside of it, the film delivers exactly what lovers of this niche subgenre want. Breakneck action, cheesy dialog, sappy romances, and a cast of remarkably pretty people headlines by Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, and Reese Witherspoon sweep audiences away from their normal lives and deliver an adventure romance movie so bonkers, they can't help but live, love, and laugh at what they are witnessing.

  • The Mask of Zorro
    8
    Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones
    63 votes

    An adaptation of the legendary Zoro story starring Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones that simply oozes charm, charisma, sensuality, and machismo; The Mask of Zoro has all of these elements and more in one of the best romance action movies of the 90s. Showcasing dozens of spectacular swordfights and lustful dialog between the two leads, the film simply overwhelms the senses with an animalistic magnitude that all culminate in one of the finest swashbuckling adventures the world has ever seen. Love, lust, action, comedy, and romance, The Mask of Zoro offers audiences everything they could ever dream of in a romance and action movie.

  • A Knight's Tale
    9
    Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell
    57 votes

    An epic dramatic romantic adventure movie, A Knight's Tale is a modern action romance masterpiece that thrills, chills, and delivers some mystifying action setpieces. The late Heath Ledger steals the show, delivering a heartfelt, powerful, and pitch-perfect performance of a man looking to win the heart of his true love in the midst of medieval times. The film may be a bit campy and remarkably modern for a period piece, but A Knights Tale delivers such fantastic and fascinating moments of action and romance that it is nearly impossible not to get swept away in the lovely adventure that is unfolding before audiences' eyes.

  • Mr. Right
    10
    Sam Rockwell, Anna Kendrick, Tim Roth
    117 votes

    A film ripped straight out of the 2000s, Mr. Right plays all the stereotypical beats of the best romance adventure movies but manages to feel fresh and fun thanks to wonderful performances from Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick. The story is fairly simple, a girl falls in love with a guy, but the guy just so happens to be a hitman on the run from the cartel and chaos ensues. While it might not actually be all that simple, the film wears its cheesiness and absurdity on its sleeve and provides fans with a thrilling, hilarious, action-packed romantic comedy that is incredibly likable. Rockwell and Kendrick steal the show and deliver a believable and realistic adventurous romance. 

  • Killers
    11
    Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck
    117 votes

    Spy romantic action movies were all the rage in the 2010s for one reason or another, and Killers was arguably the film that started this bizarre but effective trend. Ashton Kutcher and Katherin Heigl star as a married couple with secrets, the main being that the husband was a former elite assassin who recently found out someone has put a contract on his head, so now he must defend his love and his life. It could be argued that the film is not particularly a good movie, but it is one heck of a good time, as the chemistry between Heigl and Kutcher is astounding and the action scenes will leave audiences on the edge of their seat. Stereotypical husband-is-a-spy trope behind, the film will leave a smile on the face of anyone looking for a good action romance movie.

  • The Bodyguard
    12
    Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp
    82 votes

    A film that is carried by the palpable connection and chemistry between its two stars, The Bodyguard is a remarkably romantic and heartfelt story of a titular bodyguard who falls in love with the female pop star he is supposed to be protecting, and his torn heart between duty and romance. Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner elevate this fairly stereotypical forbidden love film into one of the best action love movies of all time. The chemistry between the two is through the roof, and while the action scenes may not be anything to write home about, they are given more power and gravitas as audiences will undoubtedly be sucked into this forbidden romance.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
    13
    Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom
    53 votes

    While many simply associate the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise with Johnny Depp's incredible portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow, it is important to remember that the franchise started with but a simple love story between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan in The Curse of the Black Pearl. A fun swashbuckling adventure with a heartfelt and romantic undertone, The Curse of the Black Pearl is one of the best romance action movies that sadly doesn't get considered romantic nearly enough. Adventurous, romantic, hilarious, and epic in scale, this wonderful sword-fighting pirate tale more than lives up to the hype over two decades after its release.

  • Spider-Man: Far From Home
    14
    Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal
    81 votes

    Every mainstream Spider-Man movie has hints and moments of romance, but no film plays these moments as big or as important as Spider-Man Far From Home. A film that is nearly completely centered on the budding romantic relationship between Peter Parker and MJ, and uses action as a story beat to further emphasize these two youngsters' romance. Awkard, shy, and often uncomfortable, Far From Home portrays young love better than nearly any other film, and at the end of the day it is still a Spider-Man movie, so fans know there is going to be some incredible action. While it may have been unsuspected, Spider-Man: Far From Home is one of the finest movies with action and romance.

  • True Lies
    15
    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold
    80 votes
    In True Lies, a high-octane blend of action-comedy and spy-thriller, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) leads a double life. By day, he's a dull computer salesman married to Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis), but by night, he's a top-secret government agent combating international terrorism. When his two worlds collide following an investigation into illegal arms sales, chaos ensues. Director James Cameron expertly orchestrates this rollercoaster ride of suspense, humor, and explosive stunts. The film scooped up an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, testament to its groundbreaking spectacle.
  • Romancing the Stone
    16
    Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito
    87 votes
    In the thrilling 1984 adventure-comedy Romancing the Stone, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner), a successful but unfulfilled romance novelist, is hurled into an unexpected real-life escapade. When her sister's life is threatened, Joan must deliver a treasure map to her captors in Colombia. Alongside Jack Colton (Michael Douglas), a roguish opportunist with his sights set on the potential fortune, Joan embarks on a perilous journey full of danger and intrigue. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, proving its entertainment value along with its narrative strength.
  • Red
    17
    Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich
    34 votes

    Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren shine in Red, an action-packed thrill ride designated to showcase that just cause they're old, it doesn't mean they can't kick seriously some butt. A fun and fascinating romantic action movie, Red features action first and foremost while leaving the sappy relationship stuff mainly at the door, but still sprinkles just enough in to incorporate a sweet and adorable love and action movie. Wickedly fun and a throwback to action films of the 80s, Red delivers an incredibly fun time, especially for senior citizens, that will keep the whole family thoroughly entertained. 

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
    18
    Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin
    52 votes

    Edgar Wright has proven that he has mastered the action and romance movies throughout his illustrious career, however, no film manages to scratch the itch that both genres manage to leave better than Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. An adaptation of the comic book series of the same name, the film brings to life the pages of the book in the most fascinating and beautiful way, showcasing breathtaking action sequences that have rarely ever been seen on screen, while keeping the heart of the film firmly on the love between these two charming and eccentric individuals. Inarguably one of the best romance adventures of the 21st century and a film that defies all the odds, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World re-wrote the book on how to make a modern action love movie.

  • The Bounty Hunter
    19
    Jennifer Aniston, Gerard Butler, Christine Baranski
    109 votes

    The 2010s seemed to bring in a wave of a very particular type of romantic action movies, and no film perfectly embodies this trend more than The Bounty Hunter. A rom-com with just a dash of action enough to keep those less enthralled with love entertained, the film brings all the tropes that have become defined in the genre throughout the decade. A pair of unlikely individuals who need to work together to solve a massive problem while one kicks all the butt and the other acts as they've never even seen a fight before, all leading up to the ultimate sappy love connection. The Bounty Hunter is tried, it's true, and it delivers exactly what an action love movie needs.

  • The Thomas Crown Affair
    20
    Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary
    54 votes
    Bored billionaire Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) decides to entertain himself by stealing a Monet from a reputed museum. When Catherine Banning (Rene Russo), an investigator for the museum's insurance company, takes an interest in Crown, a complicated back-and-forth game with romantic undertones begins between them. In an attempt to find out where Banning's loyalties lie, Crown returns the painting and essentially turns himself in, hoping that Banning's feelings for him will lead to an escape.
  • Date Night
    21
    Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg
    67 votes
    In Date Night, a comedy film full of intrigue and action, Phil Foster (Steve Carell) and Claire Foster (Tina Fey) are a typical suburban couple stuck in a marital rut. To reignite the spark, they plan an exciting date night in New York City's trendy downtown dining scene. However, when mistaken for thieves by mobsters, their evening out turns into a wild goose chase through the city. Amidst the chaos and danger, the Fosters rediscover their shared love and commitment. Directed by Shawn Levy, this frolicsome adventure tests the strength of marriage against a backdrop of crime and comedy.
  • Avatar
    22
    Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver
    52 votes
    In Avatar, paraplegic ex-Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) finds a new lease on life on the alien world of Pandora. Aided by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), he embarks on a mission involving avatars, bodies that resemble the planet's native Na'vi inhabitants. As Jake explores Pandora's lush biosphere, he grows close to Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a fierce Na'vi warrior. Their bond deepens as they face corporate forces driven by Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) that threaten Pandora's existence. This epic science fiction film directed by James Cameron snagged three Academy Awards for its groundbreaking visual effects and art direction.
  • Keeping Up with the Joneses
    23
    Ella Cyr, Bella Lotz, Bryn Vale
    67 votes

    Two radically different families' lives are thrust upon one another in a wacky and hilarious adventure where each needs to teach the other how to live life. While this fairly bland explanation of an adventure romance movie may seem generic, in Keeping Up with the Joneses, it is brought to life magnificently thanks to outstanding performances from John Hamm, Isla Fisher, Zach Galifianakis, and Gal Gadot. A remarkably fun date night movie that couples can watch and turn their brains off to and get a good chuckle, Keeping Up with the Joneses may not be the best action and romance movie, but it delivers a fun, lighthearted, and heartfelt time.

  • Mission: Impossible III
    24
    Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ving Rhames
    61 votes
    Mission: Impossible III is an adrenaline-fueled action thriller, the third installment in the globally acclaimed franchise. The film pivots around super-spy Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), who is pulled back into action after a period of semi-retirement. Hunt's mission, should he choose to accept it, involves stopping a ruthless arms dealer named Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Amidst high-stakes espionage and heart-stopping stunts, Hunt must also protect his beloved Julia Meade (Michelle Monaghan) from danger. Directed by J.J. Abrams, this movie adds a layer of personal stakes to the usual explosive spectacle that defines the Mission: Impossible series.
  • The Jewel of the Nile
    25
    Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito
    27 votes
    Novelist Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is living with adventurer boyfriend Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) on his yacht. But she leaves when Omar (Spiros Focas), the head of a North African nation, asks her to visit his country and write about him. Jack intends to go on a pleasure cruise to Greece, but when he learns that Joan is a pawn in Omar's quest to polish his image and gain greater power, he partners with continent-hopping criminal Ralph (Danny DeVito) in a quest to free her.
  • Allied
    26

    Allied

    Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris
    33 votes

    Allied may have failed to capitalize on the Academy Award campaign it desperately wanted, but in return, it gained a fairly large cult following, many of whom claim the film to be one of the best action romance movies of all time. Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard give palpable performances as lovers whos relationship gets pushed to its limits during World War II. The film manages to beautifully mix elements of real-world war action and intense relationship drama into a story that will have audiences hanging on the edge of their seat to find out if this charming and remarkable couple will make it out both together, and alive. 

  • Fool's Gold
    27
    Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland
    45 votes

    Throughout the 2000s, Matthew McConaughey was the king of romantic action movies, and no film solidified his reign atop the rom-com action kingdom more than Fool's Gold. An absolutely absurd treasure hunt storyline highlighted by rappers-turned-gangsters, billionaires, and arch nemesis only begins the wacky and wild ride that is Fool's Gold, and while the film may be utterly bananas, it is without a doubt fun and entertaining. The action setpieces are surprisingly elaborate and well-directed and the romantic connection between McConaughey and Kate Hudson is wonderfully done, creating a fairly good romance action movie.

  • The Legend of Tarzan
    28
    Alexander Skarsgård, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson
    37 votes
    It's been nearly a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), also known as John Clayton III, left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife Jane. Danger lurks on the horizon as Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a treacherous envoy for King Leopold, devises a scheme that lures the couple to the Congo. Rom plans to capture Tarzan and deliver him to an old enemy in exchange for diamonds. When Jane becomes a pawn in his devious plot, Tarzan must return to the jungle to save the woman he loves.
  • True Romance
    29
    Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper
    73 votes
    In the offbeat crime film True Romance, Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), a comic book store clerk, falls for a call girl named Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette). Their whirlwind romance takes a dangerous turn when Clarence confronts and murders Alabama's pimp. Suddenly, they find themselves on the run with a suitcase of cocaine that belongs to the Mob. The duo's desperate bid for freedom leads them from Detroit to Hollywood, pursued by ruthless gangsters and corrupt cops. Directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino, this 1993 movie weaves an unpredictable tale of love and violence against the backdrop of America's underbelly.
  • Desperado
    30
    Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Joaquim de Almeida
    43 votes
    In Desperado, Antonio Banderas stars as El Mariachi, a musician turned vigilante on a relentless quest for vengeance. The movie, directed by Robert Rodriguez, is an adrenaline-fueled ride through the dusty streets of Mexico. It's a mix of action and drama, featuring high-octane shootouts and intense confrontations. Co-starring Salma Hayek as Carolina, the fiery bookstore owner who aids him in his mission, Desperado is a stylishly violent tale of retribution that won't disappoint fans of the genre. A sequel to Rodriguez's 1992 film El Mariachi, it's filled with memorable moments that prove its worth as part of this trilogy.