6 Sci-Fi Action Movies Better Than The Matrix

As a huge movie fan, I can tell you that The Matrix from 1999 is seriously one of the most important films of the last thirty years. It really changed the game for both science fiction and action movies, setting a benchmark that a lot of films still try to reach. But, honestly? As much as I love The Matrix, I think there are actually a few sci-fi action films out there that are even better.

Comparing action-packed science fiction movies to The Matrix is tough because many people think it can’t be beat. While The Matrix is a truly amazing film, several sci-fi action movies have actually surpassed its incredible action sequences over the years.

Tenet Is A Recent Sci-Fi Action Extravaganza That Deserves More Love

Comparing Tenet to The Matrix, a classic sci-fi action film, might sound strange. However, some people actually think Tenet is the superior movie, and they have a good point.

Despite not becoming as widely known as films like The Matrix or other Christopher Nolan blockbusters, Tenet is a remarkably inventive and visually stunning action film. With incredible special effects, a truly original story, and a complicated but fascinating concept, it’s a film that deserves more recognition than it’s received.

Look, I get why people hold The Matrix so high – it really changed things. And Tenet might not have that same level of cultural impact, but honestly, as a pure action movie, I think it’s even better. That highway chase running backwards? The final fight with armies moving in reverse? Every single action scene is just incredible. Plus, John David Washington’s character, the Protagonist, is one of the most unique and captivating leads I’ve seen in ages. Everyone loves Christopher Nolan, and for good reason, but it’s wild to me that Tenet isn’t more widely considered a total masterpiece. It really deserves that recognition.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day Is A Non-Stop Thrill Ride

There’s no question he’s a filmmaking powerhouse. He’s created some of the most memorable and successful Hollywood movies of all time, consistently breaking box office records with his iconic films.

James Cameron’s Avatar movies are huge box office successes, but many consider his earlier Terminator films to be his best work. The original The Terminator is a classic, low-budget sci-fi thriller, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) is still one of the most visually stunning and impressive sci-fi action films ever created. It was groundbreaking for its use of special effects at the time, and it still looks amazing after over thirty years.

With an all-time great action hero, a truly memorable villain in the T-1000, and some of the most incredible action sequences ever filmed, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is arguably a better sci-fi action movie than The Matrix. In many ways, T2 even influenced The Matrix, and while that doesn’t automatically make it better, it’s easy to see why T2 is considered the more exciting and influential science-fiction film of the 1990s.

Dune: Part Two Is A Masterpiece of Epic Proportions

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films have quickly become some of the most memorable and impactful science fiction movies of recent years. Many considered the original novel impossible to adapt into a film, but Villeneuve not only made it work, he created a thriving cinematic world. Dune: Part Two especially stands out for its spectacular action sequences – from massive battles to intimate fights – all filmed with impressive skill and a clear commitment to both epic scale and emotional depth.

With its stunning visuals, immersive world, and captivating characters, Dune: Part Two surpasses even The Matrix. While it’s too early to call it a timeless classic, it’s likely to be remembered as one of the most important science fiction films of the 2020s. Timothée Chalamet delivers a mesmerizing performance as Paul, and the film’s design and cinematography beautifully bring the planet Arrakis to life. The action sequences are fresh and unlike anything seen before in the sci-fi genre.

Aliens Is Another Game-Changing Sci-Fi Action Epic From The Legendary James Cameron

Following the massive success of The Terminator in 1984, and before revisiting those characters in T2, James Cameron delivered one of the best sci-fi sequels ever made with 1986’s Aliens. As a continuation of Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film, Alien, Aliens had a lot to live up to—and many fans believe it succeeded, even surpassing the original. While Alien was primarily a sci-fi horror film, Aliens leaned more into action and thrills, showcasing groundbreaking special effects, incredible action scenes, and memorable characters.

Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley is a legendary science fiction hero, and while she’s great in the original Alien, it was Aliens that truly made her an iconic action star. Aliens also pioneered many of the visual effects and techniques later used in The Matrix sequels, paving the way for spectacular, effects-driven sci-fi action movies. Though The Matrix is a brilliant film, Aliens remains a remarkable achievement in filmmaking.

Face/Off Is A Bombastic And Over-The-Top Masterpiece

Okay, so as a huge movie fan, let me tell you, Nicolas Cage is famous for going all-out with his performances – totally wild and over the top. And John Woo? The guy’s a master of action, especially those incredible, stylish sequences he made early in his career when he was a big deal in Hong Kong cinema. But I think the absolute best work from both of them is the 1997 film Face/Off. It stars John Travolta alongside Cage, and the premise is just brilliant: Cage plays a criminal, Travolta’s the FBI agent trying to take him down… but then they switch identities! It’s a ridiculously fun, over-the-top action movie, and honestly, it’s a masterpiece.

Nicolas Cage delivers a wildly energetic performance, and John Travolta matches his intensity. Director John Woo films it all with the skill and beauty of a true artist. Packed with over-the-top gun battles, slow-motion shots of birds in flight, and incredible car chases, the film is surprisingly more enjoyable – and arguably a better sci-fi action movie – than The Matrix, despite its somewhat ridiculous story and unusual acting choices.

Mad Max: Fury Road Might Be The Greatest Sci-Fi Action Film Ever Made

The Mad Max series is unusual in film history. It began with a low-budget movie in 1979, eventually becoming a trilogy starring Mel Gibson. While it gained a dedicated following, it didn’t reach mainstream popularity until 2015 with Mad Max: Fury Road. This film, which both revisited the original story and felt like a fresh start, featured some of the most impressive action sequences ever filmed.

George Miller is a master of action, and Mad Max: Fury Road delivers a non-stop, thrilling chase from beginning to end. The film is visually stunning, packed with incredible stunts and effects, and remarkably tells its story with very little dialogue – a true strength of the movie. Many consider Miller’s 2015 Mad Max: Fury Road to be superior to The Matrix, and for good reason.

2026-01-09 03:38