For the first time, action films are being recognized with a Best Stunt Design award at the Oscars, which will not only highlight the skill and artistry behind these exciting movies but also make people more aware of the immense talent required to create such adrenaline-pumping entertainment.
As a devoted cinephile, it’s essential to clarify: Not all action films deserve the prestigious honor of an Academy Award. In fact, most action flicks fall short of this accolade. Many are just average, while some are downright disappointing.
After listing our top picks for the best action movies from the past decade, which would have been strong contenders for the Best Stunt Design Oscar had it existed earlier, we now turn to the opposite end of the spectrum. Today, we’re diving into the least impressive action films from the last ten years – ones you might want to avoid unless your mood is particularly masochistic. (Rest assured, there’s no judgment if that’s the case; everyone has their moments.)
These numerous action films have a multitude of flaws, much like the 2010 movie Legion. They lack smooth action sequences, are poorly constructed, and their plots are confusing. The acting is mediocre, they rely heavily on bad computer effects, and their adaptations from comic books, video games, and previous, superior films feel clumsy. At their core, they fail to deliver the excitement that viewers expect from an action film.
Here are ScreenCrush’s picks for the ten worst action movies of the last ten years…
The 10 Worst Action Movies of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)
10. Infinite (2021)
In the midst of the pandemic, numerous remarkable films found their way onto streaming platforms or straight to home video. (Sadly, my favorite movie from 2021 followed this unfortunate trend.) Even in a world without pandemics, a streaming release would have been far too modest for the quality that “Infinite” deserved. This film featured Mark Wahlberg, who turned 50 during production, portraying a directionless young man yearning for meaning in his seemingly squandered existence. His character then uncovers that he is an “Infinite,” an individual capable of recalling all past lives, along with the acquired knowledge and abilities from those lives. Wahlberg seemed more disengaged than I felt while watching this, and it’s tough not to sympathize; “Infinite” feels like a cheap imitation of “The Matrix,” boasting a big-budget production and a mediocre script.
9. Expend4bles (2023)
As a film enthusiast, I’ve always found “The Expendables” series to be more about creating an exciting marketing pitch than delivering on its promise as a franchise. Don’t get me wrong; the concept of legendary action stars joining forces for one final hurrah (or, well, four final hurrahs) is a brilliant marketing ploy. However, when it comes to the films themselves, they’ve ranged from mediocre to downright disappointing, and this latest installment, “Expend4bles,” was no exception. It barely scratches the surface of its own concept; with Stallone and Lundgren being the only original action heroes left, their roles are surprisingly minimal.
Apart from a fleeting brawl between Jason Statham and Iko Uwais, this film fails to deliver as an exhilarating action movie. The special effects are largely CGI, and they not only look subpar but also create a tone that is entirely inconsistent with the gritty, practical fight scenes of the 1980s. It’s ironic how appropriate the title of these films feels now more than ever.
8. Red One (2024)
7. Geostorm (2017)
How did Dean Devlin, the co-writer of iconic disaster films like Independence Day, manage to mess up Geostorm, a movie about a destructive storm threatening the planet? The explanation is straightforward: As director, Dean Devlin overshadowed his own screenwriting talent, which might as well have been that of William Shakespeare. Geostorm moves at a snail’s pace, with only the last 30 minutes offering amusingly absurd action sequences. The remainder of the film features Gerard Butler portraying a genius scientist (granted), attempting to unravel a mystery on a weather satellite in space (fair enough). Not even Ed Harris wielding a rocket launcher could salvage this disaster. (A Geostorm penned by William Shakespeare – now that’s an idea I would gladly pay $15 for, watching it on the big screen.)
6. Meg 2: The Trench (2023)
In the original film, Meg wasn’t like Jaws or its sequel, Jaws: The Revenge. I gave a favorable review for this movie back in 2018. However, this dull sequel fails to show even a glimpse of a Meg (a term referring to the megalodon, an enormous prehistoric shark) throughout its lengthy runtime as the characters explore an illicit deep-sea mining operation. The film lasts over 90 minutes before the action involving the shark starts – by then, I was too disengaged to appreciate it.
5. Morbius (2022)
On April 1, 2022, the release of Morbius felt more like an elaborate April Fool’s Day joke on moviegoers. The final product deviated significantly from its trailers, with many scenes and plotlines seemingly absent. It seemed as though during post-production, the entire film underwent a drastic overhaul to ensure it was obvious that it wasn’t part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Regrettably, that was virtually the only thing that was clear about Morbius, which appeared to be a hodgepodge creation reminiscent of Dr. Frankenstein’s monster; stitched together from disparate storylines and characters that didn’t quite fit, then brought to life in a chaotic and disjointed manner.
4. Borderlands (2024)
> In a future book chronicling Cate Blanchett’s remarkable career, her transition from composing the score for ‘Monster Hunter’, a project that seems like a desperate need for a paycheck for her character Lydia Tár, to the lifeless video game adaptation, will make an intriguing contrast. Despite the poor quality of the movie adaptation of the ‘Borderlands’ franchise (and I’m being generous with that assessment), it was somewhat refreshing, after several well-regarded recent video game adaptations and series, to encounter one that was consistently subpar. It seems nature is gradually improving its taste in cinema.
3. Suicide Squad (2016)
1. In this movie, if there was no Suicide Squad, the predicament they are tasked to resolve wouldn’t have arisen in the first place. The villain of the piece is a member of the Suicide Squad who rebels, and the central part of the story revolves around saving a secret character, who later reveals themselves as the originator and leader of the Suicide Squad. Essentially, in this film, the Suicide Squad serves as both the source of, and remedy for, all the plot issues, much like Homer Simpson describes alcohol.
2. The original concept for the Suicide Squad, as imagined by director David Ayer, might have been coherent, but by the time the movie hit screens, it had been dissected into cinematic slaw. A word of warning: Don’t hold out hope that the “Extended Cut” will make the film any more enjoyable. The Suicide Squad didn’t need to be extended; it was already overlong in its original form. This marked the lowest point of the DCEU (Rest In Peace). However, James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad represented a considerable improvement from the original.
2. Madame Web (2024)
In a similar vein to many Marvel films prior to Marvel Studios, the movie “Madame Web” appears somewhat awkward about its comic book origins. This sentiment is shared by Dakota Johnson, who portrays the title character. However, since her character, Cassie Weeb, never goes by the name Madame Web in the film, it’s questionable if she can truly be considered a title character. Johnson dons neither a superhero costume nor does she embody the role of a traditional superhero throughout the movie, further emphasizing this awkwardness. To put it mildly, everyone seems somewhat self-conscious about their roles in the film. Given the circumstances, such feelings are not entirely unjustified.
So, what exactly is happening in this movie? It’s absurd, eccentric, and sometimes hard to follow, making “The Amazing Spider-Man” seem like “Spider-Man 2.” Watching it with Kevin Feige would undoubtedly be an amusing experience.
1. China Salesman (2017)
In essence, the 2018 movie titled “China Salesman” features a fight supposedly between boxing champion Mike Tyson and action star Steven Seagal. However, I use the term ‘supposedly’ as it’s unclear if Tyson and Seagal were ever in the same room at the same time during this scene. (If their stuntmen earned well for this sequence, they deserved even more.) This epic battle ends with a disastrous turn – a fitting description given that the entire scene culminates in a tragic, terrible conclusion. With some noticeable body doubles and peculiar dialogue deliveries, you have an incredibly strange, exceptionally poor action film. Absolutely, utterly, completely awful.
Or, more casually:
The 2018 movie “China Salesman” has a fight between Mike Tyson and Steven Seagal, but it’s uncertain if they were ever in the same place at the same time during filming. (If their stuntmen got paid well for this scene, they deserved more.) The final result is a messy, unfortunate disaster. Add in some obvious stand-ins and bizarre line readings, and you get a truly odd, terrible action movie. It’s really, really bad.
“Noteworthy” Recommendations: Bright, The Dark Tower, Fantastic Four (2015), Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Independence Day: Resurgence, Rambo: Last Blood, Rebel Moon: Part Two – The Scargiver’s Role, Red Notice, Robin Hood (2018), Warcraft.
Part Two – The Scargiver’s Role” as it was not necessary in this context and could potentially cause confusion for some readers.
The 10 Most Ridiculous Tropes In Action Movies
1. Coming Out Of Retirement… Or Vacation
In many action-packed films such as “A Good Day to Die Hard”, “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”, and “John Wick”, the main characters are often on the verge of a peaceful retirement or vacation. However, it doesn’t take long for them to be drawn back into their next dangerous assignment. It seems like this pattern is unavoidable, right? Despite being either disillusioned by past experiences or wiser with age, these characters usually yearn for a quiet life at home. That is, until they receive the call to action – and then they’re back in business. But let’s be clear, they won’t be happy about it! To put it another way, as Danny Glover’s character from “Lethal Weapon” series once said, “I’m getting too old for this nonsense.
2. Running In Heels
Remarkable Movies: Jurassic World, Catwoman, Inferno
Ginger Rogers famously said, “A woman can do anything a man can do, only she does it in high heels and backwards.” However, we believe that her statement was figurative rather than literal, especially when compared to the fast-paced action depicted in many movies. These films often feature characters running at top speed, which is already challenging without wearing 6-inch stilettos. Yet, surprisingly, numerous heroines seem to manage this feat without even pausing to remove their heels first. It’s peculiar because if their footwear did indeed affect them, it would be evident in the way they run or move. But in these movies, neither their speed nor agility appears to be affected at all.
3. Saving The Villain
Certain films introduce their antagonists early on, while others keep viewers guessing until a surprising plot twist. However, once these villains emerge, it’s usually evident that the main characters aim to either defeat them or prevent them from causing harm to innocent people. It seems incredible when these heroes elect to spare their foe instead, even when given the chance. This act of mercy is commendable on the part of the protagonist, but it strays from what one would expect in reality.
Examples: Daredevil, In The Line Of Fire, Spider-Man: No Way Home
4. Attackers Patiently Wait Their Turn
In the world of filmmaking, a common practice, often seen as more practical than aesthetically pleasing, is the strategic, one-on-one confrontation between the villains and the hero. Although it might seem logical for the antagonists to assault the protagonist in a coordinated attack, this would result in a chaotic, confusing battle scene. Individual fights are easier to capture on camera and can prolong the action. However, it does feel somewhat odd when these bad guys patiently line up, taking turns to engage in combat. For instance, films like “Kill Bill Vol. 1,” “Constantine,” and “The Matrix Revolutions” have employed this technique.
5. Invincible Main Characters
We’re not discussing fictional characters with genetic enhancements that make them invincible. Instead, we’re focusing on human action stars who somehow miraculously survive every bullet wound, injury, and beating, as if they were immune to harm. In reality, even a single wound could be life-threatening, but these characters continue undeterred, which is impressive — yet, it strays far from the truth.
We’re not referring to superpowered beings with unnatural resilience. Instead, we’re looking at ordinary human action heroes who seem to defy physical limitations by surviving every gunshot, injury, and beating without a scratch. In reality, even a small wound could be fatal, but these characters never show any signs of being harmed, which is amazing — but also highly unlikely.
6. Ticking Time Bomb
The “ticking time bomb” trope can be quite thrilling. It’s a useful tool for ramping up tension, making the situation feel incredibly urgent. However, the issue lies in how the remaining time on the clock rarely matches the length of the scene. Although this discrepancy can be explained by the art of editing, it still feels odd when a scene drags on while you know full well that time is running out.
7. Ending In Romance
In many action movies featuring Keanu Reeves, such as “Speed,” “Jurassic World,” “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” and “The Matrix,” there’s a common theme where the protagonist and the female lead end up in a romantic relationship despite their initial meeting being under extreme circumstances. As Keanu Reeves’ character in “Speed” says, such relationships rarely last. However, it seems that on-screen, they often do, even after the characters have been through life-threatening ordeals together. This romantic twist is a common trope in movies, and it’s not unusual to find it in action films as well. While fights and gun battles excite audiences, a heartfelt kiss can evoke cheers. However, in real life, the chances of finding yourself in a dangerous situation with an attractive companion and then hitting it off are quite low.
Despite Keanu Reeves’ character in “Speed” stating that relationships born under intense circumstances seldom last, many action films, such as “Jurassic World,” “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “The Matrix,” and “Speed” itself, often portray the main characters becoming romantically involved after having survived harrowing experiences. This romantic twist is a common element in movies, and it’s not unusual to find it in action films as well. While action scenes and gunfights keep audiences entertained, a tender kiss can be just as thrilling. However, the likelihood of experiencing such a situation in real life is quite low.
8. Never Reloading A Gun
Many action movies follow this pattern. The standard rule that firearms can only hold a certain number of bullets is frequently disregarded. Characters are seen firing their guns from motorcycles, cars, or buildings, with no need to stop and reload. It’s understandable since their weapons appear to be never-ending in ammunition. Even when a character does pause to reload, it’s usually after a large number of missed shots.
The original text:
So many action movies are guilty of this. The regular conventions of firearms — namely, the notion that they can only hold a finite amount of bullets — is routinely ignored. Whether they’re firing from a motorcycle, out of a car window, or on top of a building, these characters have no time to reload their guns. And that’s fine, considering their weapons never seem to run out of ammunition. Even when a character does reload his or her gun, it’s after an obscene number of missed shots.
Many action movies often disregard the common firearm convention that they can only carry a limited number of bullets. Characters are depicted firing their guns from various locations such as motorcycles, cars, or buildings without any need to reload. It’s acceptable given that their weapons appear to have an infinite supply of ammunition. In fact, even when a character does take the time to reload, it’s usually after a large number of missed shots.
9. Leaving Your Hair Down
Distinct Instances:
Bold Font: Wonder Woman, Iron Man 2, Thor
This trope is commonly seen in superhero action films, given that the characters are derived from comic book figures. In comics, heroes can maintain long waist-length hair while battling crime as they’re merely illustrations. However, this reasoning doesn’t quite apply to live-action productions. Marvel has addressed this inconsistency by designing Black Widow. Initially appearing in Iron Man 2 with a cascade of loose curls that miraculously avoid tangling during combat, Black Widow. In her solo film, Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), adopts a more functional braided hairstyle.
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10. So Many Explosions
In many action films, you’ll find an abundance of destructive scenes featuring explosions. When the plot gets murky, setting things ablaze or causing them to shatter seems like a go-to solution. Whether it’s a building or vehicle, if it can accommodate a bomb, it might just be targeted. Explosions are a staple of action films, but their overuse can turn them into something amusing rather than exciting. It’s worth remembering that there are subtler methods to create tension and excitement within a storyline without resorting to explosive spectacles.
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2025-04-28 17:56