Underrated Action Movies Nobody Talks About (But Should)
There are countless action films that deliver impressive stunt work, inventive set pieces, and sharp craftsmanship yet rarely show up in everyday recommendations. This list gathers titles from different countries and styles so readers can quickly find solid options that slipped past the usual spotlight. Each entry includes specific production details, key collaborators, and release information that help you decide what to watch next without guessing what you are getting.
You will see films that use practical effects, ambitious location work, and distinctive fight choreography across police thrillers, martial arts showcases, espionage yarns, and high concept rides. To keep things useful, every item highlights who made it, who stars in it, how it was put together, and how it reached audiences, along with clear notes on settings, runtime, and ratings when relevant.
‘Dredd’ (2012)
Directed by Pete Travis from a screenplay by Alex Garland, this British and South African production stars Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey. The movie was filmed largely at Cape Town Film Studios with additional work in Johannesburg and uses high speed photography to visualize its signature Slo Mo sequences. Anthony Dod Mantle handled cinematography and Paul Leonard Morgan composed the score.
The film adapts the 2000 AD character and presents a confined siege structure that keeps nearly all action inside a single mega block. It has an R rating, runs under two hours, and was released by Lionsgate in North America and Entertainment Film Distributors in the United Kingdom.
‘The Raid’ (2011)
Written and directed by Gareth Evans, this Indonesian action showcase stars Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, and Joe Taslim. Fight choreography centers on pencak silat, with Uwais and Ruhian leading design for hand to hand sequences. The production shot in Jakarta with interior sets built to represent a high rise complex.
The original score was composed domestically, while the North American cut features music by Mike Shinoda and Joseph Trapanese. Distribution included Sony Pictures Classics in the United States, and the runtime stays close to the hundred minute mark with hard hitting violence throughout.
‘The Night Comes for Us’ (2018)
Timo Tjahjanto directs this Indonesian crime action film starring Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, and Julie Estelle. The production brought back members of the team behind ‘The Raid’ for fight choreography and weapons handling, and it filmed across multiple Indonesian locations with extensive practical effects for combat scenes.
The movie was released globally by Netflix, which made it easily accessible to audiences outside Southeast Asia. It features Indonesian language dialogue with English subtitles available on release, and the runtime extends a little over two hours with frequent ensemble brawls and bladed weapons work.
‘Upgrade’ (2018)
Leigh Whannell wrote and directed this sci fi action thriller starring Logan Marshall Green, Betty Gabriel, and Harrison Gilbertson. The film was shot in Melbourne with production support from Goalpost Pictures and Blumhouse, and Stefan Duscio served as cinematographer. Composer Jed Palmer delivered an electronic score that matches the near future setting.
Vehicle and on foot sequences blend practical stunt work with restrained visual effects to keep the action grounded. The movie carries an R rating for strong violence, runs around the hundred minute mark, and was distributed in theaters and on digital platforms with wide availability after its initial release window.
‘Wheelman’ (2017)
Writer director Jeremy Rush centers this story almost entirely inside a car with Frank Grillo in the lead role. The production used compact rigs and mounted cameras to keep the perspective inside the vehicle while shooting at night on Boston streets with a small footprint crew. Producers included Grillo and Joe Carnahan through their WarParty banner.
The film premiered on Netflix as a direct to service release, which allowed a quick worldwide rollout. It runs under ninety minutes, concentrates on real time tension, and relies on practical driving rather than green screen composites for its chases.
‘The Villainess’ (2017)
Directed by Jung Byung gil, this South Korean action film stars Kim Ok vin with Park Hee soon, Shin Ha kyun, and Sung Joon. The production is known for long take sequences that combine stunt team choreography with seamless camera moves, including an opening section that uses point of view framing. Park Jung hun handled cinematography and Koo Ja wan composed the score.
Next Entertainment World distributed the film domestically with festival play helping international sales. Dialogue includes Korean and some Chinese and Japanese lines, and the running time lands near two hours with a focus on firearms, blades, motorcycles, and wire assisted falls staged on practical sets.
‘A Company Man’ (2012)
Writer director Lim Sang yoon presents a contract killer story set inside a front company environment with So Ji sub and Lee Mi yeon in the lead roles. Principal photography took place around Seoul business districts and residential areas to match the corporate cover concept. The film features contained shootouts and close quarters fights with practical effects.
Distribution in South Korea came through Showbox with additional licensing across Asia and home video markets. The runtime stays just under two hours and balances office interiors, industrial zones, and nighttime exteriors, with dialogue primarily in Korean and limited English exchanged during business interactions.
‘Headshot’ (2016)
Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto direct this Indonesian action piece starring Iko Uwais, Chelsea Islan, and Julie Estelle. The film showcases bone crunching choreography designed by the Uwais team with an emphasis on sticks, knives, and empty hand techniques. Production worked across coastal and rural locations as well as warehouse interiors.
The movie premiered in a genre focused festival section and expanded through Screenplay Infinite Films and XYZ Films partnerships. It has an R rating, a runtime that pushes past the hundred minute mark, and multilingual subtitles available on release for international audiences.
‘Drug War’ (2012)
Johnnie To directs this Mainland set crime thriller starring Louis Koo and Sun Honglei. The film was produced by Milkyway Image and shot on location in northern Chinese cities with a focus on police procedure and undercover work. It uses restrained music and clean sound design to ground surveillance and stakeout scenes.
The release reached both domestic and international markets through festival play and art house distributors. The runtime lands around one hundred minutes, and the movie features Mandarin and Cantonese dialogue with English subtitles common on overseas editions.
‘Chocolate’ (2008)
Directed by Prachya Pinkaew, this Thai action showcase stars Yanin Vismitananda, known as Jeeja Yanin. Stunt coordination came from the Panna Rittikrai team, delivering full contact falls and acrobatic exchanges across markets, a dojo, and a multi level factory. Shooting took place in Bangkok and coastal areas.
Distribution was handled by Sahamongkol Film International in Thailand with wide home release in North America and Europe. The film runs under two hours, includes Thai and some Japanese dialogue, and ends with outtake footage that spotlights the level of risk taken by the stunt performers.
‘Ninja: Shadow of a Tear’ (2013)
Isaac Florentine directs this martial arts sequel starring Scott Adkins and Kane Kosugi. The production filmed in Thailand and neighboring regions, making extensive use of real locations for alley fights, gym confrontations, and countryside chases. Tim Man served as fight choreographer with a strong emphasis on blades and joint locks.
The movie was released on disc and digital platforms in multiple territories with a compact runtime that favors frequent set pieces. Dialogue features English with supporting Thai lines, and the production keeps visual effects to a minimum to showcase performer skill.
‘Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning’ (2012)
John Hyams continues the franchise with Scott Adkins in the lead and appearances by Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren. The film shot primarily in Louisiana with interior work that favors practical lighting and handheld camerawork during close quarters encounters. The tone leans into psychological elements while maintaining full scale fight scenes.
Magnet Releasing handled North American distribution with a limited theatrical run alongside video on demand. The runtime extends past one hundred minutes, the rating reflects strong violence and language, and the production mixes English dialogue with sparse subtitled lines in select scenes.
‘Safe’ (2012)
Boaz Yakin directs this New York set action thriller starring Jason Statham and Catherine Chan. Filming used city streets, subway platforms, and hotels with additional work in Philadelphia doubling for Manhattan locations. Cinematographer Stefan Czapsky shot the action with a clean, legible approach that favors quick practical gags over heavy digital work.
Lionsgate released the movie in wide theatrical play followed by home formats and streaming windows. The film runs under two hours, carries an R rating, and features English dialogue with segments in Mandarin and Russian connected to gang and police elements.
‘Haywire’ (2011)
Steven Soderbergh directs with Gina Carano as the lead alongside Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Douglas, and Antonio Banderas. The production shot on location in Dublin, Barcelona, and New Mexico, with Soderbergh credited under his regular cinematography and editing pseudonyms. Composer David Holmes provides a jazz inflected score.
The movie was distributed by Relativity Media domestically with international partners handling overseas markets. It is rated R for violence and language, runs under two hours, and stages fights using minimal music to emphasize the sound of impacts and room acoustics.
‘Spectral’ (2016)
Nic Mathieu directs this military science fiction action film starring James Badge Dale and Emily Mortimer with Bruce Greenwood in support. Production shot in Budapest using real streets and industrial sites to double for a war torn Eastern European city. Weta Workshop supplied prop design for weapons and armor while digital effects vendors delivered creature and energy effects.
The film was acquired and released by Netflix for a global debut after an initial studio schedule shift. Dialogue is in English with Albanian and Romanian heard in background scenes, the runtime is near two hours, and the story emphasizes gadgetry and urban tactics captured with large scale practical smoke and debris effects.
‘The Man from Nowhere’ (2010)
Lee Jeong beom writes and directs this South Korean action thriller starring Won Bin and Kim Sae ron. The production relies on grounded knife and gun choreography and makes heavy use of night exteriors, pawnshop interiors, and cramped apartments. CJ Entertainment handled domestic distribution with strong attendance that placed the film at the top of the local box office for its release year.
International sales brought the movie to North America and Europe with subtitles and later dubbing options available. The runtime is a little under two hours, the rating notes strong violence, and the sound mix highlights footwork, blade draws, and silenced firearms to support suspense.
‘The Berlin File’ (2013)
Ryoo Seung wan directs this espionage action film starring Ha Jung woo, Han Suk kyu, Jun Ji hyun, and Ryu Seung beom. Location work includes Berlin landmarks and Eastern European sites, and action director Jung Doo hong coordinated large scale gun battles and foot chases. The production features multilingual dialogue that includes Korean, German, English, and Arabic.
CJ Entertainment released the film domestically and managed overseas rollouts through partners. The runtime sits around two hours with an emphasis on dense urban geography, safe house interiors, and embassy spaces that shape the staging of the set pieces.
‘Ronin’ (1998)
Directed by John Frankenheimer, this European set thriller stars Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, and Stellan Skarsgard. The film is noted for practical car chases that were staged in Paris and Nice using professional drivers and real traffic control. Robert Fraisse served as cinematographer and Elia Cmiral composed the score.
United Artists handled worldwide distribution with a wide theatrical release before home formats and television play. The runtime runs a little over two hours, the rating cites strong violence and language, and the production used multiple camera cars to capture high speed maneuvers without relying on obvious digital tricks.
‘The Long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)
Renny Harlin directs from a screenplay by Shane Black with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson leading the cast. Principal photography took place in Ontario and New York state with extensive winter night work and practical explosions overseen by experienced stunt coordinators. The music is by Alan Silvestri and the editing emphasizes clear spatial geography during shootouts.
New Line Cinema distributed the movie widely in North America and internationally. The runtime is close to two hours, the rating cites strong violence and language, and the production design moves from small town settings to urban locations to support the escalating action.
‘Extreme Prejudice’ (1987)
Walter Hill directs this borderlands action piece starring Nick Nolte and Powers Boothe with Michael Ironside and Clancy Brown in support. The movie was shot in Texas and Mexican border regions with dusty town exteriors and bar interiors that favor practical pyrotechnics. Matthew F Leonetti handled cinematography and Jerry Goldsmith composed the score.
Theatrical distribution was handled by Tri Star with subsequent home video releases that kept the title in circulation. The film carries an R rating, runs under two hours, and features large scale firefights that draw on military tactics and western influences staged with squibs and practical effects.
‘The Yakuza’ (1974)
Sydney Pollack directs this crime drama with action elements starring Robert Mitchum and Ken Takakura. The screenplay was developed by Paul Schrader and Robert Towne and filming took place in Tokyo and Kyoto with location photography that captures traditional homes, bars, and back alleys. Dave Grusin composed the score.
The film was distributed by Warner Bros with prints sent to international markets soon after its domestic run. It has a measured pace that builds to bursts of violence, runs a little under two hours, and features dialogue in English and Japanese with subtitled sections as needed.
‘The Way of the Gun’ (2000)
Christopher McQuarrie writes and directs with Ryan Phillippe and Benicio Del Toro leading a cast that includes Juliette Lewis, Taye Diggs, Nicky Katt, and James Caan. The production shot in Utah and California with long form shootouts that prioritize tactics, reloading, and movement. Cinematography is by Dick Pope and practical effects teams handled bullet hits and glass work.
Artisan Entertainment released the film in theaters followed by strong home video availability. The runtime is near two hours, the rating notes pervasive violence and language, and the sound mix emphasizes suppressed and unsuppressed small arms to maintain realism.
‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ (2015)
Guy Ritchie directs this spy action caper starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Alicia Vikander with Elizabeth Debicki and Hugh Grant in support. The movie was shot across Rome, Naples, and London with production design by Oliver Scholl and costumes by Joanna Johnston. John Mathieson provided cinematography and Daniel Pemberton composed a prominent score.
Warner Bros handled global distribution with a wide theatrical rollout and later streaming availability. The runtime sits around two hours, the rating reflects action violence and language, and the film uses period tech, vintage vehicles, and practical driving to stage its set pieces.
‘Flash Point’ (2007)
Wilson Yip directs with Donnie Yen starring alongside Louis Koo and Collin Chou. Donnie Yen served as action director, integrating mixed martial arts grappling and striking into Hong Kong police action staging. The production used urban locations and riverfront industrial zones for large scale brawls and street fights.
Distribution covered Asian markets through regional partners with later disc releases bringing the film to North American viewers. The runtime is under two hours, dialogue is in Cantonese with subtitles on international editions, and the movie relies on full contact choreography and in camera falls.
‘Runaway Train’ (1985)
Andrei Konchalovsky directs this survival action thriller starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, and Rebecca De Mornay from a story developed by Akira Kurosawa. The production shot on real rail lines in cold weather conditions with a mix of stage work and exterior photography to capture the movement of multiple locomotives. Cinematography is credited to Alan Hume.
The film was distributed by The Cannon Group with theatrical play followed by extensive television and home video circulation. The runtime is just under two hours, dialogue is in English, and the production used practical train rigs and minimum rear projection to keep the action tangible.
Share the underrated action picks you would add in the comments so other readers can discover them too.
