10 Great Action Movies From the 2010s That Nobody Ever Talks About

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Many action movies from the 2010s remain popular even now, over a decade later—it’s surprising how quickly time has passed! Beyond the big superhero films from Marvel and DC, movies like Inception, The Other Guys, Fast Five, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and Olympus Has Fallen are still frequently rented and rewatched by audiences.

These movies are also really enjoyable, but they haven’t received as much attention as some other popular films. If you haven’t checked them out, I recommend giving them a watch.

10) Safe House

Look, putting Daniel Espinosa’s Safe House at the bottom of this list isn’t about the film being bad. It’s just… everyone talks about it, and it feels a little overexposed, especially considering how popular it was back in 2012. It was a genuine box office success, which is great, but it makes it stand out a bit differently from the others on this list.

Similar to Law Abiding Citizen, this movie doesn’t get the recognition it deserves for being so well-made and thrilling. While the script isn’t amazing, the strong chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington really makes the film work, despite its unusual pairing.

Stream Safe House on Starz.

9) The Losers

It might surprise you to learn that Chris Evans, known for his work in Marvel films, actually starred in a DC movie! It was called The Losers, but unfortunately, it didn’t get much attention when it was released in theaters back in April 2010.

It’s disappointing that The Losers doesn’t get the attention it deserves, because it’s a really enjoyable action-comedy with a great cast – many of whom went on to become stars. It’s a lighthearted, fast-paced movie that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not, and encourages viewers to just have fun with it.

Stream The Losers on YouTube TV.

8) The Book of Eli

A prequel series to The Book of Eli was once planned, with John Boyega of Star Wars fame attached to star, but the project never materialized. As a result, the original film remains a somewhat overlooked action movie from the early 2010s set in a post-apocalyptic world.

As a film buff, I’d describe The Book of Eli as a bit like Mad Max, but with a really interesting twist. Imagine if Max was blind and tasked with protecting this incredibly important book – and, no surprise, it turns out to be the Bible! It really hits the spot if you’re into Westerns, love seeing Gary Oldman chew the scenery as a villain, and appreciate a strong performance from Denzel Washington. Honestly, it’s a solid entry into the post-apocalyptic genre and well worth a watch.

Stream The Book of Eli on YouTube TV.

7) Drive Angry

While Drive Angry isn’t the absolute best intentionally low-budget action film of the 2010s (we’ll discuss that one later), it’s a really enjoyable ride if you’re okay with a focus on style and thrills over a deep story. Similar to Mandy, it features a devil cult, but Mandy is a film you can approach with more seriousness. Interestingly, Nicolas Cage delivers a much more restrained performance in Drive Angry compared to his work in Mandy.

This movie deliberately embraces a campy, over-the-top style, clearly aiming to profit from the recent popularity of 3D films like Avatar. While it didn’t stay in theaters for long, it’s a fun and exciting way to pass the time. William Fichtner is particularly entertaining as a demon sent to recapture John Milton (Nicolas Cage), who has escaped from Hell seeking revenge on the group responsible for his daughter’s death.

Stream Drive Angry on Prime Video.

6) Hanna

As a film buff, I remember being really impressed with Saoirse Ronan in Hanna. She was already known for her dramatic work in Atonement (also directed by Joe Wright), but Hanna totally showed a different side of her – she really proved she could carry an action film, and it totally worked! It was an early sign of just how incredibly versatile she is as an actress.

Okay, so it’s not the kind of edge-of-your-seat spy movie like The Bourne Ultimatum, but honestly, I found it really compelling as a story about someone growing up. And let me tell you, just seeing Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett act together is worth the price of admission! If you enjoy it, you should definitely check out the TV series that came out a few years ago – it’s good stuff.

Stream Hanna on Peacock.

5) Machete

Machete is a wildly over-the-top movie – you’ll either absolutely love it or completely hate it. There’s no middle ground. It’s the kind of film where you either enjoy seeing Danny Trejo rappel down a building with a gun-wielding enemy’s insides, or you don’t. Similarly, you’ll either appreciate Steven Seagal’s surprisingly self-aware performance, which culminates in him being stabbed with a sword and simply giving up, or you won’t.

What’s enjoyable about the first Machete film is that it successfully captures the spirit of a grindhouse movie without being overly excessive. The sequel, Machete Kills, went too far. The original struck a good balance, cleverly mixing over-the-top action with a surprisingly smart political storyline. A perfect example is the climactic fight scene: a car literally bounces a man into the air with its hydraulics, all while another character pulls machine guns out of an ice cream truck. It was outrageous, but in a good way.

4) Unstoppable

Tony Scott’s last movie, Unstoppable, delivers the thrilling action that fans wished Speed 2 had. It’s a relentlessly paced film about a runaway train, filled with dynamic camera work and constant near-misses that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Denzel Washington really stood out as a leading action star throughout the 2010s, particularly with The Equalizer films. However, Chris Pine deserves recognition too – his performance alongside Washington was equally impressive.

Stream Unstoppable on fuboTV.

3) Overlord

Several films have clearly taken cues from the work of John Carpenter. Examples include The Guest, starring Maika Monroe and Dan Stevens, and the recent horror film Primate. However, many believe Overlord is the most successful of these inspired movies.

This film is incredibly original and stands out from the rest. It begins as a typical, hard-hitting war movie, but then takes a surprising turn, adding a zombie element that makes it even more intense. It’s easily one of the best action-horror movies of the last ten years.

Stream Overlord on Prime Video.

2) American Ultra

I’ve always been fascinated by Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart – they both have people who really dislike their acting, but I think they have amazing chemistry. It was super obvious when they first worked together in the hilarious and charming movie Adventureland, which is still one of my favorites from 2009. While their second pairing in American Ultra wasn’t quite as magical, they still had a great dynamic together.

Even though it was written by Max Landis, American Ultra is a surprisingly original spy comedy. It really sets itself apart within both the spy and comedy genres. Plus, Walton Goggins is fantastic as a delightfully maniacal hitman – that’s reason enough to give it a watch! But the movie’s true strength, much like Adventureland, is its genuine heart.

Stream American Ultra on Cinemax.

1) Upgrade

Upgrade was a financial success for Blumhouse and showcased Logan Marshall-Green’s acting talent. While it wasn’t a mainstream blockbuster, it quickly gained a dedicated following. Similar to The Terminator, it’s a thought-provoking, action-packed sci-fi film made with a limited budget.

Upgrade blends cyberpunk visuals with gruesome body horror, a story of a man merging with technology similar to RoboCop, and action reminiscent of John Wick. It’s a truly original revenge story.

Stream Upgrade on Netflix.

What are your favorite action movies from the 2010s? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss them with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-03-26 20:16