The 70+ Best New & Recent Action Movies, Ranked
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The 70+ Best New & Recent Action Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated May 24, 2024 29.2K views 87 items
Ranked By
22.8K votes
2.2K voters
8 reranks
Voting Rules

Vote up the action movies that were released on or after January, 1 2021.

Latest additions: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Atlas, Golden Kamuy
Most divisive: Black Widow
Over 2.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Best New Action Movies of the Last Few Years

What are the best recent action movies? Now is your chance to decide. There are a lot of modern action films to choose from. Action films have been wowing audiences for a long time, but they are currently more popular than ever. Advancements in computer technology - such as the ability to digitally erase safety wires - has allowed for the design and execution of never-before-possible stunts. New cinematography techniques and special camera equipment allow those stunts to be photographed as never before. In short, the best new action films make you feel as though you're participating in the danger right alongside the characters onscreen.

It also helps that several actors have shown a willingness to do their own stunt work, which provides the movies with an extra dose of realism. That sort of devotion gives them an extra edge of excitement. 

Vote up your favorites from this list of new action movies. Then check back as new and recent action-packed movies are added to the list. 

  • Extraction 2
    1
    Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Golshifteh Farahani
    7 votes
    After being presumed dead, mercenary Tyler Rake returns for another high-stakes mission.
  • Free Guy
    2
    Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery
    215 votes
    When a bank teller discovers he's actually a background player in an open-world video game, he decides to become the hero of his own story -- one that he can rewrite himself. In a world where there's no limits, he's determined to save the day his way before it's too late, and maybe find a little romance with the coder who conceived him.
  • Top Gun: Maverick
    3
    Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly
    80 votes
    After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.
  • Nobody
    4
    Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Alexey Serebryakov
    264 votes
    Hutch Mansell fails to defend himself or his family when two thieves break into his suburban home one night. The aftermath of the incident soon strikes a match to his long-simmering rage. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must now save his wife and son from a dangerous adversary -- and ensure that he will never be underestimated again.
  • John Wick: Chapter 4
    5
    Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen Ji-Dan, Bill Skarsgård
    18 votes
    With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.
  • No Time to Die
    6
    Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux
    159 votes
    James Bond is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service. However, his peace is short-lived as his old CIA friend, Felix Leiter, shows up and asks for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain who's armed with a dangerous new technology.
  • The Tomorrow War
    7

    The Tomorrow War

    Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons
    212 votes
    In The Tomorrow War, time travelers from 2051 deliver an urgent message: humanity is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. High school teacher and family man Dan Forester (Chris Pratt), is drafted to fight in the war - determined to save the world for his young daughter. Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) and his estranged father (J.K. Simmons) in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet. This action-packed sci-fi thriller layers themes of destiny, survival, and family amidst the chaos of an interstellar conflict.
  • The Suicide Squad
    8
    Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena
    243 votes
    The government sends the most dangerous supervillains in the world -- Bloodsport, Peacemaker, King Shark, Harley Quinn and others -- to the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Armed with high-tech weapons, they trek through the dangerous jungle on a search-and-destroy mission, with only Col. Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave.
  • Black Widow
    9
    Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour
    223 votes
    In Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) steps into the limelight. A past filled with perilous secrets and espionage takes center stage in this action-packed Marvel extravaganza. Haunted by her history as a spy prior to becoming an Avenger, she confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy arises. With ties to her past, it's a race against time. Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), a sister-figure, joins her in this high-stakes ballet of bullets and betrayals. Taskmaster, a formidable adversary, adds to their woes. It's an explosive exploration of one of the Avengers' most enigmatic characters - a story about family, identity, and redemption.
  • Red Notice
    10
    Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot
    124 votes
    Red Notice is an action-comedy heist film that brings together a high-profile cast in a globe-trotting adventure. When the FBI's top profiler (Dwayne Johnson), is forced to team up with two rival criminals - a notorious art thief (Ryan Reynolds) and a fabled con artist (Gal Gadot) - the trio embarks on a mission to hunt down and capture the world's most wanted art pieces. The film is packed with slick action sequences and witty banter. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Red Notice plays with themes of trust, deception, and the blurred lines between lawful pursuit and criminal escapades.
  • The King's Man
    11
    Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson, Rhys Ifans
    80 votes
    The King's Man serves as a prequel to the Kingsman series, exploring the origins of the independent intelligence agency. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film follows Orlando, the Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes), as he seeks to thwart a collection of history's worst tyrants and criminal masterminds who are plotting a war to wipe out millions. The themes of duty, sacrifice, and the cost of war permeate this action-packed spy thriller. The movie blends historical fiction with stylized action sequences, offering a deeper look into what motivates individuals to become protectors of peace in a world on the brink of chaos.
  • Fast X
    12
    Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson
    7 votes
    Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything -- and everyone -- he loves.
  • Mortal Kombat
    13
    Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson
    149 votes
    Hunted by the fearsome warrior Sub-Zero, MMA fighter Cole Young finds sanctuary at the temple of Lord Raiden. Training with experienced fighters Liu Kang, Kung Lao and the rogue mercenary Kano, Cole prepares to stand with Earth's greatest champions to take on the enemies from Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe.
  • Rurouni Kenshin: The Final
    14
    Takeru Satô, Emi Takei, Mackenyu
    49 votes
    In 1879, Kenshin and his allies face their strongest enemy yet: his former brother-in-law Enishi Yukishiro and his minions, who've vowed their revenge.
  • Gunpowder Milkshake
    15
    Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino
    64 votes
    Gunpowder Milkshake is an action-packed thriller that immerses viewers in the gritty world of female assassins. The story follows Sam (Karen Gillan), a lethal hitwoman who was raised by a ruthless crime syndicate that her mother, Scarlet, once worked for. Fellow assassin Scarlet (Lena Headey), returns to aid her daughter after a high-stakes mission goes awry. As Sam crosses paths with a young girl whose life is in danger, she becomes a target herself and must reunite with her estranged assassin mother. The film brings together themes of maternal bonds, redemption, and defiance. The film presents a backdrop of stylish and over-the-top action sequences.
  • The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard
    16
    Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek
    117 votes
    Bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid are back for another life-threatening mission; still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius's even more volatile wife; soon, all three are in over their heads when a madman's sinister plot threatens to leave Europe in total chaos.
  • Fast and Furious 9
    17
    Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
    66 votes
    Dom Toretto is living the quiet life off the grid with Letty and his son, but they know that danger always lurks just over the peaceful horizon. This time, that threat forces Dom to confront the sins of his past to save those he loves most. His crew soon comes together to stop a world-shattering plot by the most skilled assassin and high-performance driver they've ever encountered -- Dom's forsaken brother.
  • Uncharted
    18
    Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali
    48 votes
    Treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan recruits street-smart Nathan Drake to help him recover a 500-year-old lost fortune amassed by explorer Ferdinand Magellan. What starts out as a heist soon becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Santiago Moncada can get his hands on it. If Sully and Nate can decipher the clues and solve one of the world's oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure -- but only if they can learn to work together.
  • Army of the Dead
    19

    Army of the Dead

    Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick
    73 votes
    After a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble by venturing into the quarantine zone for the greatest heist ever.
  • Those Who Wish Me Dead
    20
    Angelina Jolie, Finn Little, Jon Bernthal
    39 votes
    Still reeling from the loss of three lives, Hannah is a smoke jumper who's perched in a watchtower high above the Montana wilderness. She soon encounters Connor, a skittish boy who's bloodied, traumatized and on the run in the remote forest. As Hannah tries to bring him to safety, she's unaware of the real dangers to follow: two relentless killers hunting Connor, and a fiery blaze consuming everything in its path.
  • The Ice Road
    21

    The Ice Road

    Liam Neeson, Benjamin Walker, Laurence Fishburne
    69 votes
    The Ice Road is a thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of frozen waterways in northern Canada. The main protagonist is Mike McCann (Liam Neeson), an ice road trucker with a no-nonsense attitude. The plot kicks into gear when a remote diamond mine collapses, trapping a group of miners. McCann leads an impossible rescue mission over a thawing ice road to deliver the heavy drilling equipment needed for the rescue. His brother Gurty (Marcus Thomas), is a war veteran with aphasia. The film layers themes of survival with the bond between siblings and portrays corporate greed.
  • Kate
    22
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Woody Harrelson, Miku Patricia Martineau
    37 votes
    Slipped a fatal poison on her final job, a ruthless Tokyo assassin has less than 24 hours to find out who ordered the hit and exact revenge.
  • Snake Eyes
    23

    Snake Eyes

    Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Haruka Abe
    60 votes
    An ancient Japanese clan called the Arashikage welcomes tenacious loner Snake Eyes after he saves the life of their heir apparent. Upon arrival in Japan, the Arashikage teach him the ways of the ninja warrior while also providing him something he's been longing for: a home. However, when secrets from Snake Eyes' past are revealed, his honor and allegiance get tested -- even if that means losing the trust of those closest to him.
  • News Of The World
    24
    Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Mare Winningham
    55 votes
    Five years after the end of the Civil War, Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl taken by the Kiowa people. Forced to return to her aunt and uncle, Kidd agrees to escort the child across the harsh and unforgiving plains of Texas. However, the long journey soon turns into a fight for survival as the traveling companions encounter danger at every turn -- both human and natural.
  • Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning
    25
    Takeru Satoh, Kasumi Arimura, Kazuki Kitamura
    34 votes
    Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning is a 2021Japanese jidaigeki action film directed by Keishi Ōtomo, and the fifth installment in the Rurouni Kenshin live-action film series based on the manga series by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The second of a two-part "Final Chapter," the samurai goes up against mysterious weapons dealer who controls the underworld of China revealing the secret of "Jujishou."
  • Boss Level
    26
    Frank Grillo, Naomi Watts, Mel Gibson
    58 votes
    A retired military operative finds himself in a never-ending time loop on the day of his death.
  • Outside the Wire
    27
    Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Emily Beecham
    39 votes
    In the near future, a drone pilot sent into a war zone finds himself paired up with a top-secret android officer on a mission to stop a nuclear attack.
  • The Marksman
    28
    Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick, Juan Pablo Raba
    44 votes
    Jim is a former Marine who lives a solitary life as a rancher along the Arizona-Mexican border. But his peaceful existence soon comes crashing down when he tries to protect a boy on the run from members of a vicious cartel.
  • Chaos Walking
    29
    Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland, Mads Mikkelsen
    59 votes
    In the not-too-distant future, Todd Hewitt discovers a mysterious woman who crash-landed on his planet. It's a dystopian world where all the females have disappeared, and all the men are afflicted by a force that puts their thoughts on display. Vowing to protect her, the duo must navigate dangerous terrain as Todd discovers his inner power and unlocks the planet's dark secrets.
  • The Protégé
    30
    Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson
    33 votes
    The Protégé is an action-packed thriller that spins the tale of Anna (Maggie Q), a skilled contract killer. Trained from a young age by her mentor Moody, portrayed by the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, she excels in a world of assassination and intrigue. When Moody is mysteriously killed, Anna's world is turned upside-down, leading her on a global quest for vengeance and truth. Another layer of complexity is added to the plot through the character of the charming but lethal adversary (Michael Keaton). The plot creates twists of loyalty and betrayal, through Anna's pursuit of her own identity beyond the shadows of her past. The film digs into themes of revenge, mentorship, and self-discovery.