30 Best Action Films of the 2020s (So Far) You Absolutely Must Watch

The 2020s have already given us a wild mix of precision crafted set pieces, audacious stunts, and bold new voices. From pulse quickening originals to franchise entries that actually raise the bar, there is plenty to keep your watchlist stacked. This roundup gathers the most exciting rides of the decade so far, spanning spy games, superhero showstoppers, madcap martial arts, and monster sized showdowns.

You will find practical stunt wizardry alongside eye popping VFX, intimate character work beside loud crowd pleasers, and a steady stream of inventive fight scenes that feel fresh. Whether you want meticulous choreography, crunchy hand to hand brawls, or roaring aerial combat, these picks deliver. Queue them up and enjoy the adrenaline.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

This sequel arrives like a shot of pure aviation bliss. The flight photography places you in the cockpit with blistering clarity, and the training beats build tension until the final mission erupts with soaring exhilaration.

It also understands the heart of a legacy story. Mentor and student dynamics have real warmth, the humor lands without undercutting stakes, and every triumphant payoff feels fully earned.

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ (2023)

This entry pushes balletic mayhem to operatic heights. Locations become playgrounds for dizzying long takes, and the inventive staging turns stairs, streets, and clubs into unforgettable arenas.

Amid the spectacle, the mythic underworld deepens. Quiet beats give weight to the relentless momentum, and the closing stretch leaves a stylish mark that lingers.

‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)

This chapter transforms sweeping prophecy into propulsive action. Sand skims, blades clash, and large scale warfare moves with thunderous purpose across a harsh and mesmerizing world.

It balances intimate resolve with grand destiny. Every charge and duel carries emotional consequence, making the spectacle feel both epic and personal.

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)

This saga rides like a roaring engine that never cools. Convoy battles crackle with practical chaos, and the geography of motion is always crystal clear.

At its core stands a fierce tale of survival and will. Character choices drive every explosion, and the result is both brutal and beautiful.

‘RRR’ (2022)

Here is action as joyous mythmaking. Set pieces blend kinetic combat with musical swagger, and each sequence finds a new, audacious way to ignite the screen.

The friendship at the center powers the fire. Loyalty, sacrifice, and defiance turn spectacle into story, and the finale arrives with thunderous satisfaction.

‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ (2023)

This mission delivers practical stunt fireworks with precision. Train tops, cliff faces, and tight quarters become tense puzzles that snap together with pleasing clarity.

The ensemble brings charm and spark to every twist. Smart gadget play mixes with old school craft, and the cliffhanger leaves the fuse burning.

‘The Batman’ (2022)

This detective driven crusade fights with weight and grit. Fights feel bruising, chases roar through rain slicked streets, and every shadow carries threat.

Beneath the cowl lies a measured evolution. The city feels alive and wounded, and the arc from vengeance to responsibility lands with power.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)

This multiverse sprint turns art into action. Frames burst with color and invention, while each chase and showdown is a creative remix of style and speed.

The story never loses its heart. Family, friendship, and choice ground the fireworks, and the closing beat sets the stage with bold confidence.

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)

This multiverse whirlwind blends heartfelt family drama with wild martial arts. Laundry and taxes collide with bagel fueled absurdity, and the fight scenes hit with playful ingenuity.

Amid the chaos, tenderness leads the way. Small acts of kindness become heroic, and the final grace note feels wonderfully complete.

‘Prey’ (2022)

This stripped back hunt is lean and thrilling. The wilderness becomes both battleground and character, with crisp tactics and resourceful combat that keep tension high.

The lead performance anchors the chase with resolve. Clever problem solving turns the odds, and the final face off lands with primal satisfaction.

‘Nobody’ (2021)

This suburban brawler flips the switch from quiet to ferocious. Fights are messy in the best way, full of improvisation and bruised determination.

It weaves humor through the carnage without losing bite. You root for the comeback, then cheer when the skills finally explode.

‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

This spy farewell packs clean, high stakes set pieces. From tight escapes to heavy firepower, the rhythm moves with confident control.

It also closes a character chapter with feeling. Loyalty and love give the action real consequence, making the final choices resonate.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)

This origin story dazzles with crisp choreography. A bus sequence and a scaffold scramble show off nimble camera work and fluid movement.

Family history powers the spectacle. The push and pull of legacy shapes every fight, and the finale blooms with lyrical wonder.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

This mission goes loud, weird, and wonderfully unhinged. Creative powers meet unruly combat, and every skirmish has a splashy personality.

Beneath the chaos beats a surprising heart. The oddballs find connection, the jokes actually punch, and the action hits with colorful bite.

‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)

This monster tale brings towering menace with sharp clarity. The human scale tactics feel scrappy and brave, and each strike carries weight.

It pairs spectacle with moving stakes. Survival and courage shine through fear, turning destruction into a stirring fight for hope.

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (2022)

This ocean bound chapter flows with graceful momentum. Underwater pursuits and aerial clashes interlock with smooth visual rhythm.

Family bonds give the thrills a steady pulse. The quieter moments glow, then the final act crashes in with tidal force.

‘The Northman’ (2022)

This vengeance saga swings with primal fury. Battles feel muddy, smoky, and brutally tactile, with choreography that cuts straight to the bone.

Myth and fate guide the charge. Visions and oaths shape each strike, building toward a fiery reckoning.

‘Bullet Train’ (2022)

This neon lit ride is a nonstop scuffle of crossed agendas. Tight spaces force inventive fights, and the banter keeps energy high.

The ensemble chemistry crackles. Every encounter builds to a wild crescendo that sticks the landing with cheeky style.

‘Extraction 2’ (2023)

This follow up doubles down on visceral momentum. Extended one take passages deliver raw immediacy, and the stunt team leaves nothing on the table.

The character core stays strong. Resolve, regret, and duty frame the violence, giving the bruises meaning.

‘Tenet’ (2020)

This brain bending thriller turns time into a combat tool. Set pieces unfold with mind melting precision, and the mechanics click in satisfying ways.

It rewards attention without losing drive. Cool stoicism meets grand ambition, and the finale ties loops with sly confidence.

‘Sisu’ (2022)

This gritty survival tale swings from quiet menace to explosive payback. Minimal dialogue lets the action speak, and each encounter lands with crunchy impact.

The setting becomes a character of its own. Cunning traps and stubborn will turn the tide in gnarly fashion.

‘Extraction’ (2020)

This hard charging rescue story delivers pounding momentum. Urban gauntlets and sharp vehicular work keep the pressure constant.

A wounded protector at the center gives it shape. The bond that forms amid chaos makes the final push hit harder.

‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ (2021)

This titan clash is pure spectacle with clear geography. City sized haymakers and playful power moves make for gleeful destruction.

It understands why we show up. The buildup teases, the reveal delights, and the brawl goes big and satisfying.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023)

This farewell adventure pairs raucous mayhem with tender beats. Creative teamwork fuels lively fights that bounce with musical rhythm.

Found family threads pull tight. Jokes and tears share space, and the closing stretch lands with warm catharsis.

‘The Creator’ (2023)

This sci fi action tale looks stunning and moves with purpose. Compact tech skirmishes and sweeping pursuits feel grounded and tense.

At its heart lies a search for connection. The bond between protector and ward guides the fire toward a soulful end.

‘Monkey Man’ (2024)

This debut arrives with hungry energy. Hand to hand showdowns snap with raw impact, and the camera keeps every blow legible.

It marries revenge with community. The fight becomes a rallying cry, and the final surge feels rousing and bold.

‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)

This stunt world romp is a love letter to practical craft. Gags, car rolls, and foot chases feel tactile and breezy.

The romance and comedy never undercut the thrills. Charm carries the setup, then the finale cashes in with crowd pleasing payoff.

‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)

This team up swings between unruly humor and crunchy action. Swords, claws, and quick quips fly with gleeful abandon.

Amid the chaos, the duo dynamic shines. The chemistry brings warmth, then the set pieces spike the energy again and again.

‘Civil War’ (2024)

This road bound war story delivers tense, ground level engagements. Street to street movement feels immediate and unnerving.

The human lens keeps it sharp. Journalists push forward through fear, and each choice lands with sobering force.

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ (2024)

This follow up charges into monster mayhem with playful swagger. Tag team brawls and colossal moves keep the pace lively.

It leans into colorful fun. The stakes are big, the hits are bigger, and the final combo sends you out grinning.

Share your favorites from the decade so far and tell us which picks you would add in the comments.