The 80s and 90s were the golden age for action movies. We had stars like Arnold, Keanu, Cruise, Harrison, Seagal, Stallone, and so many more! But which ones are the best? It's time to vote!
1 Raiders of the Lost Ark v 16 Hard Boiled
Harrison Ford may be the action hero that appears the most times in this bracket, and Indiana Jones is one of his most iconic roles. From the boulder trap at the beginning to melting Nazi faces off at the end, every moment is action-packed and unforgettable.
In this John Woo action masterpiece, Chow Yun-Fat plays a police detective who must infiltrate the mob to take a gun smuggling ring. Woo, as usual, creates innovative and compelling visuals to go along with a "hard-boiled" story that sticks with you.
8 Face/Off v 9 Goldeneye
The 90s were a magical time, where things like Face/Off could happen. Basically, give John Woo a pile of money, Nick Cage, John Travolta, and a ludicrous plot that sounded like some high fraternity brothers came up with it, and you’ve got action movie magic. Cage and Travolta play criminal and cop who… trade faces. Because of course they do. It’s amazing.
The first and best Pierce Brosnan entry into the James Bond franchise, and the first one post-Albert Broccoli. With Sean Bean, Alan Cumming, and Judi Dench, and a great video game, you could say that Goldeneye saved the franchise.
5 The Iron Giant v 12 Road House
Featuring the voice of Vin Diesel in one of his earliest roles, Cold War tensions are high in this tale of an unlikely friendship between a boy and a giant robot from outer space.
If Road House taught us anything, it was that a) pain don’t hurt; and b) there’s no problem that Patrick Swayze can’t fix with his fists and his hair. Swayze stars as James Dalton, a bouncer at a local dive-bar, who ticks off the wrong people. Ben Gazzara fills the villain role admirably, and Kelly Lynch plays Dalton’s love interest (who is, of course, a doctor). This movie has stood the test of time thanks to a memorable script and Swayze’s charm.
4 Escape from New York v 13 The Crow
In John Carpenter’s future world, a walled-off Manhattan has become a free-for-all prison. When a hijacked Air Force One crashes inside, it’s up to Kurt Russell’s antihero Snake Plissken to save the President.
An iconic action flick that's known more for the tragedy surrounding it than for the actual story, The Crow is a creepy and atmospheric tale about a supernatural hero who rises from the dead to exact his revenge.
6 The Terminator v 11 Muppet Treasure Island
The early 80s were the peak time for action movies, and The Terminator is at the top of that peak. Directed by James Cameron (who has five movies on this bracket and is unquestionably the greatest action movie director of all time) and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, this movie took the most elusive sci-fi action concept—time travel—and made it epic. This is the movie that made Arnold a one-name icon. And it just might be the most iconic movie in this whole bracket.
Tim Curry stars as the infamous pirate Long John Silver in this classic swashbuckling tale, told only as the Muppets can.
3 Tombstone v 14 Batman
“I’m your huckleberry…” You almost don’t have to say anything more when describing Tombstone. But the thing is, you can. Whether it is the famed shootout at the OK Corral or Wyatt’s quest for the reckoning of the Cowboys, bullets fly, blood is spilled, one liners are dealt with the precision of Wyatt’s Colt pistol, ironically named Peacemaker.
Tim Burton’s original helped launch the Superhero Movie Era with a rich, atmospheric Gotham City and a (surprisingly, to many) solid lead in Michael Keaton. By toning down the camp and ramping up the action, “Batman” was a game-changer.
7 Cliffhanger v 10 Beverly Hills Cop
Sly Stallone commands an entire mountain in this treacherous tale about a heist gone wrong. When the evil John Lithgow loses $100M on a snowy mountain, the only solution is to bully the best guide around into helping him find it. The only problem? That guide is Sylvester Stallone.
The year is 1984, and the biggest star in the world is Eddie Murphy. Coming off his unbelievable run on Saturday Night Live, Murphy was ready to transition from comedian to megastar. Beverly Hills Cop gave him that vehicle. From the iconic theme song, to the supporting performances (Bronson Pinchot, anyone?), to the memorable moments (banana in the tailpipe, anyone?), this movie is simply iconic.
2 Rambo: First Blood II v 15 George of the Jungle
Sylvester Stallone’s iconic John Rambo exploded from his low-budget debut and outran the Napalm to become a global phenomenon in the summer of ’85. (Can you believe Sly was Rambo and Rocky IV in the same year?)
In Brendan Fraser’s first major box office success, and also a rare film that caters to the female gaze, George must save Ursula and his animal friends from the evil Lyle van de Groot, all while watching out for that tree.
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