The Best Action Movies of 2016
Ranked By
7.5K votes
1.1K voters
3 reranks
- 1Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Karan SoniIn the genre-bending action-comedy Deadpool, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary. After being subjected to rogue experimentation that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, he adopts the alter ego Deadpool. With his dark humor and penchant for breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool seeks revenge on the man who nearly destroyed his life. Morena Baccarin stars as Vanessa, Wade's love interest, while Ed Skrein plays Ajax, the villainous subject of Deadpool's wrath. This movie has won several awards including two Critics' Choice Awards and a Golden Trailer award. It's a wild ride through unexpected twists and turns, balancing intense action sequences with sharp wit.More Deadpool
- Dig Deeper...Weapon And Combat Details Fans Noticed In The 'Deadpool' Movies
- And Deeper...16 Deadpool Hot Takes We Too Need Healing Powers To Recover From
- #60 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- 2Chris Evans, Robert Downey, Scarlett JohanssonThe 2016 action-packed superhero flick Captain America: Civil War features an ideological rift erupting within the Avengers. This factional split is spearheaded by two strong-willed leaders - Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). The plot centers around the regulation of superhuman activities, a proposal that divides the Avengers into opposing camps. This Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, features an ensemble cast including Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Chadwick Boseman in his debut as Black Panther. A thrilling exploration of loyalty and morality set against high-stakes global politics, it's a standout in the superhero genre.
- #230 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #10 of 185 onThe Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time
- #7 of 33 onThe Best Movies In The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked
- 3Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdamsIn the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Doctor Strange, we follow the journey of an acclaimed neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). After a devastating car accident damages his hands and derails his career, he embarks on a quest for healing that leads him to the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Under her tutelage, Strange begins to master the mystic arts, revealing an unseen world of magic and alternate dimensions. As he grows in power, he must confront Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a rogue sorcerer bent on upsetting the balance of reality. A tale steeped in mysticism and action, Doctor Strange is a unique entry in Marvel's superhero genre.More Doctor Strange
- #180 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #19 of 185 onThe Greatest Comic Book Movies Of All Time
- #12 of 33 onThe Best Movies In The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ranked
- 4Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Alan TudykRogue One: A Star Wars Story is a riveting interstellar adventure. Set in the expansive Star Wars universe, this standalone film follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), a rebellious outcast with a complex past. She's drawn into the Rebel Alliance's daring plan to steal the blueprints of the Empire's Death Star. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards, also features characters like Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), a dedicated rebel intelligence officer, and K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), a reprogrammed Imperial droid. It's an engaging mix of action, sci-fi and war drama, showcasing the desperate struggle for freedom against overwhelming odds. The film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
- Dig Deeper...Fan Theory: Why ‘Rogue One’ Is Actually A Horror Movie
- And Deeper...All The References To Other Star Wars Films In Rogue One
- #223 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- 5James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer LawrenceIn the 2016 blockbuster, X-Men: Apocalypse, ancient mutant Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) awakens from a thousands-of-years slumber. Misinterpreting the world's state, he recruits a team of powerful mutants, including Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order. Professor X (James McAvoy), leading the young X-Men, must thwart this disastrous plan. A collision course is set for both sides in this action-packed superhero film that delves into themes of power, loyalty, and survival. This ninth instalment in the X-Men series showcases an ensemble cast grappling with their most formidable foe yet.More X-Men: Apocalypse
- 6Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. SimmonsChristian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a mathematics savant with more affinity for numbers than people. Using a small-town CPA office as a cover, he makes his living as a freelance accountant for dangerous criminal organizations. With a Treasury agent (J.K. Simmons) hot on his heels, Christian takes on a state-of-the-art robotics company as a legitimate client. As Wolff gets closer to the truth about a discrepancy that involves millions of dollars, the body count starts to rise.More The Accountant
- 7Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Viola DavisIn the action-packed, comic-book inspired film Suicide Squad, a motley crew of incarcerated supervillains become unlikely heroes. This band of misfits includes the enigmatic Deadshot (Will Smith), the unhinged Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and the fiery Diablo (Jay Hernandez). Under the manipulative control of government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), they're dispatched on a dangerous mission to save the world from an ominous threat. The twist? They're all expendable. With their freedom at stake, this is their chance to do some good - whether they want to or not. Amidst chaos and conflict, Suicide Squad explores the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.More Suicide Squad
- 8Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl UrbanA surprise attack in outer space forces the Enterprise to crash-land on a mysterious world. The assault came from Krall (Idris Elba), a lizard-like dictator who derives his energy by sucking the life out of his victims. Krall needs an ancient and valuable artifact that's aboard the badly damaged starship. Left stranded in a rugged wilderness, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the crew must now battle a deadly alien race while trying to find a way off their hostile planet.
- 9Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Alicia VikanderIt's been 10 years since Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walked away from the agency that trained him to become a deadly weapon. Hoping to draw him out of the shadows, CIA director Robert Dewey assigns hacker and counterinsurgency expert Heather Lee to find him. Lee suspects that former operative Nicky Parsons is also looking for him. As she begins tracking the duo, Bourne finds himself back in action battling a sinister network that utilizes terror and technology to maintain unchecked power.More Jason Bourne
- #38 of 104 onThe Best Film Franchises, Ranked
- #130 of 149 onMovies That Should Never Be Remade
- #20 of 73 onThe Greatest Movies About CIA Agents & Operatives
- 10Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan HawkeLooking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue seizes control of the Old West town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.
- #90 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #135 of 190 onThe Best Movies For Men
- #49 of 114 onThe Greatest Movie Remakes Of All Time
- 11Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy AdamsIn Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, a clash of iconic heroes unfolds. Batman, portrayed by Ben Affleck, is a vigilant crusader of Gotham City, while Superman, played by Henry Cavill, is the revered savior of Metropolis. Their worldviews collide when they perceive each other as threats to humanity's safety. The movie, directed by Zack Snyder, is an action-packed spectacle that sets the stage for the formation of the Justice League. It features memorable performances from Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and Gal Gadot making her debut as Wonder Woman. This superhero drama intertwines political undertones with epic battles, crafting a cinematic universe where gods and men are forced to coexist.
- 12Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy RyanBullied as a teen for being overweight, Bob Stone (Dwayne Johnson) shows up to his high school reunion looking fit and muscular. While there, he finds Calvin Joyner (Kevin Hart), a fast-talking accountant who misses his glory days as a popular athlete. Stone is now a lethal CIA agent who needs Calvin's number skills to help him save the compromised U.S. spy satellite system. Together, the former classmates encounter shootouts, espionage and double-crosses while trying to prevent worldwide chaos.
- 13Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis HodgeInvestigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) springs into action after the arrest of Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), an Army major accused of treason. Suspecting foul play, Jack embarks on a mission to prove that the head of his old unit is innocent. After crossing paths with the law, Reacher must now go on the lam to uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy that involves the death of U.S. soldiers.
- 14Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan FreemanAfter the death of the British prime minister, the world's most powerful leaders gather in London to pay their respects. Without warning, terrorists unleash a devastating attack that leaves the city in chaos and ruins. Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) springs into action to bring U.S. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) to safety. When Asher falls into the hands of the sinister organization, it's up to Banning to save his commander in chief from a horrible fate.
- 15Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy IronsCal Lynch travels back in time to 15th-century Spain through a revolutionary technology that unlocks the genetic memories contained in his DNA. There, he lives out the experiences of Aguilar de Nerha, a distant relative who's also a member of the Assassins, a secret society that fights to protect free will from the power-hungry Templar Order. Transformed by the past, Cal begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills necessary to battle the oppressive organization in the present.
- 16Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie RiceIn the vibrant, gritty heart of 1970s Los Angeles, The Nice Guys unfolds, a rollicking neo-noir comedy-thriller directed by Shane Black. The film's unlikely duo, rugged enforcer Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) and struggling private eye Holland March (Ryan Gosling), are forced to collaborate in order to solve the case of a missing girl and the seemingly unrelated death of a porn star. This labyrinthine plot thickens into a world of conspiracy and corruption. It's an engaging blend of humor, action, and mystery, punctuated by the chemistry between its leads and their navigation through a captivatingly chaotic era.More The Nice Guys
- Dig Deeper...The 25 Best Movies Like 'The Nice Guys,' Ranked
- #322 of 630 onThe 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
- #31 of 63 onThe Very Best New Noir Movies
- 17Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee JonesCriminal is a 2016 American science fiction action crime thriller film directed by Ariel Vromen. The film is about a convict who is implanted with a dead CIA agent's memories to finish an assignment. The film stars Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones, in the second collaboration between all three following the 1991 film JFK.
- 18Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben FosterLooking to escape from his dying world, the orc shaman Gul'dan utilizes dark magic to open a portal to the human realm of Azeroth. Supported by the fierce fighter Blackhand, Gul'dan organizes the orc clans into a conquering army called the Horde. Uniting to protect Azeroth from these hulking invaders are King Llane, the mighty warrior Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel) and the powerful wizard Medivh. As the two races collide, leaders from each side start to question if war is the only answer.More Warcraft
- #34 of 115 on50+ Movies That Need Sequels
- #18 of 50 onThe Best Movies With Elves
- #7 of 15 on15 Bad Video Game Movies That Are Actually Good
- 19
The Take
Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon - 20Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Jessie T. UsherAs the Fourth of July nears, satellite engineer David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) investigates a 3,000-mile-wide mother ship that's approaching Earth. Fortunately, 20 years earlier, nations across the world started to use recovered extraterrestrial technology to develop an immense defense program. When the alien invaders attack with unprecedented force, the U.S. president, teams of scientists and brave fighter pilots spring into action to save the planet from a seemingly invincible enemy.
- #96 of 138 onThe 100+ Best Disaster Movies Of All Time
- #65 of 66 onThe Most Patriotic Movies of All Time
- #14 of 15 onThings We Kind Of Like In The Garbage Trend Of ‘Requels’
- 21Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego LunaAn ex-convict (Mel Gibson) and his estranged daughter (Erin Moriarty) go on the run from her drug-dealing boyfriend (Diego Luna) and his vicious cartel.
- 22Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Naomi WattsTris (Shailene Woodley) escapes with Four (Theo James) to journey beyond the wall that encloses Chicago. For the first time, they leave the only city and family they have ever known to find a peaceful solution. Once outside, they learn shocking new truths that render old discoveries meaningless. As the ruthless battle threatens humanity, Tris and Four quickly decide who to trust to survive. Tris must ultimately make difficult choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
- #319 of 369 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #87 of 104 onThe 100+ Best Third Movies In A Film Series
- #5 of 11 onMovies With Cliffhanger Endings That Never Paid Off
- 23
Jane Got a Gun
Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, Noah EmmerichPanic strikes Jane Hammond (Natalie Portman) when her outlaw husband John returns to their farm with bullet wounds. Expecting the worst, she brings her young daughter to safety and travels to the home of Dan Frost (Joel Edgerton), a boozing ex-lover who may be her only hope. With Dan now on her side, Jane prepares for a showdown with the vengeful John Bishop and his gang of thugs. Looking to settle an old score, Bishop must now contend with the gun-toting Jane and her new partner.More Jane Got a Gun- #230 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #13 of 15 onMCU Actors' Most Violent Non-MCU Roles, Ranked By Sheer Ownage
- #51 of 109 onThe 90+ Best Female Action Movies, Ranked
- 24Bruce Willis, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Claire ForlaniTo get back in the good graces of her murderous boss (Bruce Willis), a seductive thief (Claire Forlani) recruits an ex-lover (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) to steal rare and valuable gems.
- 25Alan Ruck, Darby Stanchfield, Ashley Bell
- 26Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Marko ZarorSultan is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language sports-drama film directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. A fictional wrestling champion (Salman Khan) from Haryana struggles with a successful career that creates a rift in his personal life.
