Top Action Movies Of The 2010s: Best Picks For Each Year

People often think of the best action movies as coming from the 1980s and 90s, but the 2010s also produced some truly great films. That decade offered both exciting new stories and highly awaited sequels that didn’t disappoint.

The 2010s delivered a fantastic range of action movies, from superhero blockbusters and exciting international films to adaptations of popular books, and even one that earned Academy Award recognition. Every year of the decade featured at least one standout action film that ranks among the best in recent memory.

2010: Inception

The action genre had a great start to the decade, with exciting films like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Kick-Ass, The Other Guys, The Book of Eli, The Expendables, Predators, and Iron Man 2. But Christopher Nolan’s Inception was the biggest hit of them all.

The movie Inception centers around a skilled team of thieves who usually steal secrets from people’s dreams. This time, however, they’re given a different, much more challenging task: to plant an idea into someone’s subconscious. If they succeed, the team’s leader, Dom, will finally be able to reunite with his children after years of separation.

While not a typical action film, Inception is packed with thrilling moments. Each deeper level of the dream world brings more excitement, including a dramatic train crash, a spectacular fight in zero gravity, and a gun battle in the snow. Few movies are as genuinely exciting as Inception.

2011: The Raid

2011 delivered a lot of exciting action movies. Superhero fans enjoyed films like Captain America: The First Avenger and X-Men: First Class, while those who love intense fight scenes could watch Warrior and Real Steel. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and the fast-paced sequel Fast Five were also big hits that year.

It’s hard to beat The Raid, which many consider a top-tier action movie of all time. This Indonesian film centers on a police team infiltrating a towering apartment building controlled by a drug lord, and their brutal fight through waves of criminals to reach him.

The brilliance of The Raid lies in its straightforward concept. The film gets right to the point, avoiding unnecessary complexity. It delivers relentless, expertly choreographed action sequences that are truly thrilling. This fast pace and incredible action are what make The Raid a standout movie.

2012: Dredd

2012 was a fantastic year for action movies, with big hits like The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Skyfall, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spider-Man. While films like Jack Reacher and 21 Jump Street were also popular, Dredd stands out as the best of the bunch.

The movie Dredd has a very similar setup to The Raid, and that’s a key reason why it’s effective. It’s based on the Judge Dredd comic and centers around Dredd and his new partner as they’re assigned to enter a massive 200-story building to stop a dangerous drug lord and her crew.

Though similar to The Raid, Dredd offers enough unique elements to keep you completely engaged. Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, and Lena Headey deliver compelling performances, and the action is truly spectacular. The film has gained a dedicated following and fans are still hoping for another installment.

2013: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I remember 2013 being the year for action sequels! Everyone was talking about Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, The Wolverine, and Fast & Furious 6 – they were all huge successes. There were some really fantastic original films too, like Snowpiercer, World War Z, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim – films that could have easily been standouts in any other year. But honestly, it was the sequels that really defined 2013 at the box office.

After the massive success of The Hunger Games, it was natural to make a movie based on the second book, Catching Fire. Many fans actually believe the film adaptation of Catching Fire is even better than the first movie. This is largely because Katniss isn’t isolated for most of the story; instead, we see her fighting alongside Peeta and other previous winners, creating a much more intense and powerful battle.

Catching Fire delivers bigger and more exciting action sequences than the first film. The movie maintains a high level of suspense throughout, culminating in a thrilling cliffhanger that sets up the final two movies in the series.

2014: Kingsman: The Secret Service

Okay, let me tell you, 2014 was a tough year for action fans. Picking just one best movie felt impossible! You had incredible entries from Marvel – I’m talking films like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, and X-Men: Days of Future Past that are still among their very best. Plus, Edge of Tomorrow was a fantastic sci-fi surprise, and we were introduced to the awesome John Wick! It was just a really strong year overall for the genre.

Despite strong competition, Kingsman: The Secret Service comes out on top. This film, directed by Matthew Vaughn, is based on a comic book and tells the story of a young man recruited into a secret spy agency who must save the world from an environmental terrorist. While the plot itself isn’t new, the movie succeeds thanks to its engaging actors and impressive action sequences.

The movie features a lot of exciting action, especially during the protagonist’s training. The fight scenes are fantastic, particularly those with Gazelle, a deadly assassin who fights with blades attached to her feet. But the highlight is a brutally intense fight that takes place in a church – it’s a must-see for fans of action movies.

2015: Mad Max: Fury Road

Image made by Yailin Chacon

2015 was a huge year for action movies, with major releases like Avengers: Age of Ultron, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Spectre, and Furious 7. Other notable action films that year included Creed and Sicario.

But Mad Max: Fury Road is the clear winner. While the other films are good, Mad Max: Fury Road is simply outstanding. It successfully revived a franchise after 30 years and proved to be the best movie in the series, telling the story of Max and Furiosa as they fight against a ruthless warlord in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world.

Mad Max: Fury Road was a huge hit, earning almost $400 million at the box office and receiving 10 Academy Award nominations. It ultimately won six Oscars, largely thanks to the incredible practical effects used in its spectacular action scenes. Many consider Mad Max: Fury Road to be one of the greatest action films of all time.

2016: Captain America: Civil War

Zade Rosenthal/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

2016 offered a diverse range of action movies, including the Western remake The Magnificent Seven, the terrifying zombie film Train to Busan, and popular superhero movie Deadpool. The Nice Guys is a particularly hilarious and well-made action comedy, and Kung Fu Panda 3 delivers a fantastic animated adventure.

When it comes to non-stop action, Captain America: Civil War is hard to top. As the third film in the popular Captain America series, it feels a lot like another Avengers movie due to the huge number of superheroes involved. Plus, the film introduces exciting new characters like Black Panther and Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Captain America: Civil War skillfully balances a complex plot with thrilling action. From the exciting opening in Lagos to the intense chase in Bucharest and the unforgettable airport battle, the movie consistently delivers a captivating experience while still telling a compelling story.

2017: Baby Driver

2017 was a great year for action movies, with a lot of exciting options. Marvel released several hits like Thor: Ragnarok, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and the highly praised Logan. We also saw popular sequels to John Wick and Jumanji, plus fun new films like Atomic Blonde and American Made.

Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver really stands out. Wright developed the idea over many years, and the film centers on a talented getaway driver desperate to leave a life of crime because he owes a powerful criminal a large sum of money. This setup allows for some truly amazing action sequences.

Edgar Wright crafted incredibly stylish and exciting car chases in Baby Driver. What really sets the action apart is how perfectly it’s synced to the film’s music. Baby Driver was a critical success and is often considered Wright’s finest work.

2018: Avengers: Infinity War

Marvel/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

2018 was packed with exciting action movies! Marvel delivered hits like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Deadpool 2, and Black Panther. We also saw popular films like Incredibles 2, Ready Player One, and Upgrade. But even with all those great options, Mission: Impossible – Fallout would have likely been the biggest action movie of the year in any other time.

It’s tough to beat Avengers: Infinity War when it comes to non-stop action. Unlike many Marvel films, it maintains a fast pace throughout, with almost every scene packed with fighting as the heroes battle Thanos’ forces both on Earth and in space, leading up to two huge climactic battles.

In Avengers: Infinity War, the story focuses on Thanos as he tries to collect the Infinity Stones and carry out his plan to eliminate half of all life. Meanwhile, the Avengers desperately try to stop him. Many consider this film to be the high point of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for its incredible action sequences.

2019: John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

While Avengers: Endgame delivers an epic battle, it doesn’t have non-stop action like the previous movie. 2019 also included films like 1917 and Alita: Battle Angel, but it wasn’t a particularly strong year for action films overall. This is why John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum stands out as the clear winner.

Honestly, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is one of the best action movies in recent years. It builds on everything that made the first two John Wick films great, taking the action and world-building to a much larger scale. This time around, John is being hunted by the High Table, so he truly has nowhere to hide.

Let me tell you, the action in this one is relentless. We’re talking dogs fighting alongside John, a ton of knife-throwing, and a climactic gunfight that’s honestly up there with the best I’ve ever seen. Some are even saying John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum could be the defining action film of the 2010s, and honestly, I’m starting to agree.

2025-11-03 22:39