11. Taken (2008)
AsJohn Wickreinvigorated Keanu Reeves,Takenreinvigorated Liam Neeson as an action star. He plays retired agent Bryan Mills who must rescue his daughter from the criminals who kidnapped her.
Even with its basic action clichés,Takensuccessfully banked on Neeson selling his age-defying physicality and gruff persona. Who could ever forget his iconic lines during that phone call?
It’s a very effective formula that seems hit-or-miss with many imitators, including Neeson’s other action vehicles and the two jadedTakensequels. Even so, Neeson taking down goons and gangsters in the originalTakenis satisfying, even on repeat viewings.
Related:The Best Movies About Kidnappings
10. Kate (2021)
Even female stars can show their range onJohn Wick-style fares. Small winners include the Jodie Foster-starring filmHotel Artemisand the Karen Gillan shoot-em-upGunpowder Milkshake, but I’m personally going for Netflix’sKate.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as the titular assassin, who’s sent on a mission against the Yakuza but ends up poisoned. With only 24 hours left to live, the jaded killer aims for vengeance.
Despite looking like every other hyper-stylized anime-inspired “girls with guns” thriller,Katetakes full advantage of Winstead in its action scenes and its elaborate swordplay.
9. The Equalizer (2014)
Loosely based on the hit 1985 series,The Equalizersees Denzel Washington as retired government operative Robert McCall, who uses his old tricks to avenge those who are vulnerable and close to him.
This is the creed he keeps, not just in this film but also in the sequel (and presumably in the upcoming third movie).
All things said, the revenge plot inThe Equalizer—in which McCall attempts to rescue a young girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) from dangerous Russian gangsters—is barebones but thrilling.
While it isn’t his most iconic action movie role, Washington brings his best qualities and some humanity into every scene.
Related:The Best Revenge Movies About Vengeance and Payback
8. The Bourne Identity (2002)
Looking back on theBournefranchise, it’s almost puzzling how indie darling Matt Damon became a bankable action star. But he did make a huge splash withThe Bourne Identity, which remains one of the most stylish and influential spy movies of all time.
There’s so much intrigue in the promise of watching an amnesiac man searching to recover his own identity. Turns out, he’s a dangerous assassin for a shady government agency.
The Bourne Identityis full of bare-knuckle fights, thrilling shootouts, and crafty car chases. Matt Damon lives and breathes as Jason Bourne, one of the most compelling anti-heroes in the genre.
Related:The Best Movies About Assassins and Hitmen
7. The Villainess (2017)
John Wickimitators aren’t limited to Hollywood and America. South Korea’sThe Villainessstands out as one of the best.
In this film, a female assassin who avenged her boyfriend’s death is captured by the government to be recruited as a sleeper agent—but past enemies soon interfere with her chance at a new life.
Titular assassin Sook-hee is a compelling one. Trained from childhood to be a cold-blooded killer, she’s matchless in her killing abilities and ruthless attitude. Yet, there’s a level of affection that makes her motives persuasive andThe Villainessa tense watch.
Related:The Best Female Killers and Murderers in Movies, Ranked
6. Nobody (2021)
Hot on the heels of his astounding success inBetter Call Saulcomes Bob Odenkirk in the bloody action movie calledNobody.
In this film, Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, an innocent father who—after fending off two robbers—toughens himself up to protect his family from a war he unknowingly sparked with a Russian gangster.
Produced by David Leitch, you can see theJohn Wickinspiration in every scene, to the point thatNobodycould be canon to the universe.
Related:The Best Movies About Gangs and Gangsters, Ranked
5. Die Hard (1988)
There are many great action movies throughout history that became definitive examples of the genre.Die Hardis absolutely one of them, so much so that the phrase “Die Hardin a (movie setting)” became a template for its many imitators.
That template was also instrumental in John Wick’s characterization and pathos. If you likeJohn Wick, you’ll loveDie Hard.
John McClane (Bruce Willis) is stuck fighting a gang of syndicates, using only his wits and one weapon to defend himself while rescuing his wife. That core motivation—even up against death-defying odds—is what makes him an iconic action hero.
Related:The Best Movies Like Die Hard (Including Clones and Ripoffs)
4. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Charlize Theron is tremendously consistent in the action-revenge flick genre, as evidenced byMad Max: Fury RoadandThe Old Guard. The lesser-knownAtomic Blondeis no exception.
InAtomic Blonde, Theron plays a lethal MI6 agent who’s sent to Berlin to investigate a fellow agent’s murder and retrieve a list of British spies.
Atomic Blondebrings out Theron’s best qualities as an action star, applying her stylish presence towards ruthless action scenes. And while it isn’t an original setting, the Cold War subtext elevates her character’s status into that of a memorable anti-hero.
Related:The Best Cold War Movies, Ranked
3. The Raid 2 (2014)
While the first movie (The Raid: Redemption) stressed the intense showdown between the police force and a criminal syndicate, the sequel (The Raid 2) doubles down on that showdown by pitting Rama against the syndicateandthe corrupt figures of his police force.
InThe Raid 2, there’s twice as much bare-knuckle combat, twice as many intense standoffs, and twice as many thrilling car chases. Among all that, the prison riot sequence is a standout.
As ever, Iko Uwais is amazing as Rama, who deals with a tough arc in this film. He’s one of the best elements of this epic duology.
Related:The Best Foreign Movies on Netflix Worth Watching, Ranked
2. Oldboy (2003)
Not long after the turn of the millennium, South Korea gave us this incredible neo-noir thriller that’s still making waves today.
Oldboyfollows a man named Oh Dae-su, who’s abducted and later released and persuaded to to track down his abductors. In doing so, he stumbles into dark truths about his past and his captivity.
This film is as violent and intense as revenge thrillers get, but director Park Chan-wook balances its grit with grace and a semblance of humanity in Dae-su’s arc. The iconic hallway fight—with its impeccable long-take choreography—is just icing on the cake.
Related:The Best Movie Fight Scenes With Great Choreography
1. Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003)
Quentin Tarantino is no stranger to one-man revenge plots, but his most memorable yet remains hisKill Billduology.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1is the ideal revenge flick, centering on a highly-regarded assassin who seeks bloody revenge against the organization who wronged her. Between this andKill Bill: Vol. 2, Beatrix Kiddo is one of the most iconic female movie characters in history.
Played by Uma Thurman, Beatrix never relents. Her world that encompasses the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad is too lethal to escape, making her revenge story one of the greatest in the genre.
Read next:The Best Female Anti-Heroes in Movies, Ranked
