Just when you think you have seen it all in the actionthriller genre, along comes another movie that takes things to another level. Rebel Ridge, Netflix’s latest pulse-pounding movie, has been topping viewership charts currently. It has been getting immense praise for its slick action, twist-filled plot, and incredible breakout performance from Aaron Pierre, who leads the movie as Terry Richmond, a former Marine who wages an all-out war against the local law enforcement after they wrongfully accuse him of stealing a bag of cash for his cousin’s bail.
However, while Rebel Ridge may be the fresh face on the block, the action thriller has long been delivering masterful movies that start off slow, then ratchet up the tension gradually to place its protagonist in a deeply unhinged and dangerous situation. Others, sometimes, go full throttle from the opening scene itself and bombard you with the most stunning action scenes and chases. Regardless of the pace, these action thrillers are captivating to watch.
If you have recently discovered a knack for thrillers after watching Rebel Ridge, we scoured the genre for you and selected 10 movies that are just as exciting. They also feature unanticipated plot twists and jaw-dropping climaxes. From Man on Fire to Extraction, here are 10 action thrillers that will keep you on the edge of your seat and promise a wild ride from start to finish.
10 Atomic Blonde (2017)
In Atomic Blonde, Charlize Theron plays a highly skilled MI6 agent named Lorraine Broughton. Set in 1989 in Berlin, during the end of the Cold War, the movie follows her as she’s dispatched to Berlin to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a list containing names of exceptional double agents. Upon arriving, Lorraine teams up with Berlin station chief David Percival and tries to unravel the mystery while battling enemies from all sides in her attempt to stay alive.
An Adrenaline-Fueled Spy Thriller
Atomic Blonde delivers intense action sequences doused in an 80s punk aesthetic. Its hyper-stylized visuals and brutal use of martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, and weapons is unprecedented in realism. Theron brings out the ferocity and determination of her leading role as she navigates double crosses and betrayals and proves women can headline action movies just as brilliantly. Combined with the moody score and kinetic direction by David Leitch, Atomic Blonde became a breakout hit and is a perfect watch for fans of Rebel Ridge.
9 Out of the Furnace (2013)
Out of the Furnace stars Christian Bale and Casey Affleck as brothers Russell and Rodney Jr. Baze. The former is a steel mill worker who would go to great lengths to protect his little brother, even if it lands him in jail. When Rodney mysteriously disappears after getting involved in a shady neighborhood of lies, secrets, and illegal bar fights, Russell must venture into the criminal underbelly of New Jersey and confront Harlan DeGroat, a ruthless crime boss.
A Neo-Noir Thriller Filled With A-Listers
The star-studded crime thriller by director Scott Cooper deserves a revisit for its intense storytelling, grim atmosphere, and raw performances. Speaking of which, while Bale and Affleck are central to the narrative, the supporting turns from Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, and Willem Dafoe elevate the movie. Like Rebel Ridge’s corrupt police officers, almost all the characters in Out of the Furnace are navigating rising stakes and blurring moral compasses. Though bleak, it proves meaningful in its social commentary.
8 Man on Fire (2004)
Based on the 1980 novel of the same name and directed by Tony Scott, Man on Fire revolves around ex-CIA operative John Creasy, who reluctantly accepts a job as a bodyguard to a nine-year-old Pita Ramos in Mexico City. When she is kidnapped, Creasy’s protective skills kick into overdrive and he launches an all-out war against her captors to get her safely back to her family. Along the way, Creasy discovers a conspiracy that threatens far more than Pita’s life.
A Hardcore Action Thriller
Denzel Washington gives a jaw-dropping performance as the battered but unbreakable Creasy, showcasing extensive skills in the fight sequences, which are filmed with raw humanism. His bond with Dakota Fanning’s Pita anchors the movie with genuine, heart-wrenching emotion. The rapid-fire action is balanced out by the drama. Like Rebel Ridge, the movie keeps you guessing through multiple twists and delivers a final catharsis that’s so worth it.
7 The Bourne Identity (2002)
The first installment in what turned out to be the most influential action franchise of all time, The Bourne Identity introduces audiences to the titular character, Jason Bourne, who is found on a fishing boat with two bullets lodged in his back. As a group of strangers tends to his wounds, Bourne gets frightening flashbacks from his past, and he tries to piece the mystery of his existence together while being hunted across Europe.
The Start of an Amnesiac Assassin’s Adventure
The Bourne Identity kick-started the action-spy genre for a decade, and it still holds up for redefining espionage thrillers by combining Hitchcockian intrigue with a solitary and sympathetic main character and subverting genre conventions every step of the way.
Matt Damon disappeared into the role of Bourne, bringing both physicality and emotional complexity to his character. The movie, directed by Doug Liman, featured more practical stunt work than CGI in order to keep things real, sophisticated, and engaging.
6 Bad Day for the Cut (2017)
Directed by Chris Baugh, Bad Day for the Cut follows a middle-aged, mild-mannered Irish farmer named Donal, who lives on a farm with his mother. However, one night, he wakes up and discovers that his mother has been killed in a home invasion. Determined to make the killer pay, he sets out to find him and unexpectedly gets embroiled in the ruthless criminal underworld of Belfast, Ireland.
An Average Person Pushed to the Brink
Baugh ratchets up the tension with the use of taut sequences. In the same vein as Rebel Ridge, Bad Day for the Cut features a protagonist with simmering nerves and a lack of streetwise experience, using his grit to defeat the bad guys. Nigel O’Neill, who plays Donal, is somewhat on the same path of vengeance as Aaron Pierre’s Terry and they both try not to succumb to the surrounding chaos. Overall, the movie, while underrated, makes an art out of stripped down, realistic action, and offers major entertainment.
5 Walking Tall (2004)
Former Special Forces officer Chris Vaughn returns to his hometown in Washington to discover that its once-thriving cedar mill has been closed down and replaced with a flashy casino run by Jaw Anderson. Chris also learns that Anderson and his corrupt associates are controlling the entire town through violence and intimidation. Determined to turn things around, Chris takes matters into his own hands, driving the plot towards an epic showdown.
A Righteous Man’s Fight Against Crime
Matching Terry’s solid form and unwavering determination, The Rock anchors the movie and delivers pure testosterone-fueled entertainment. Every brawl between his character and the antagonist is brutal and has lasting impact.
Walking Tall also exposes the deep-rooted decay and abuse of power in a society that corrupts ordinary lives and forces one man to make choices and struggle against impossible odds. Under Kevin Bray’s direction, Walking Tall is also never light or subtle, which makes it all the more engaging.
4 Shooter (2007)
In Mark Wahlberg’s illustrious filmography, Shooter is a standout because it highlights his range. He plays Bob Lee Swagger, an incredibly skilled sharpshooter and retired U.S. Marine sniper living a solitary life in the Wind River Range. He is coaxed back into action to protect the President of the United States. But when the tables turn on him, and he’s framed for murder, Swagger must use his expertise to unravel the mysterious conspirators before it’s too late.
When The Hunter Becomes The Prey
Inspired by the 1993 novel Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter, Shooter is a quiet but intense action thriller. It thrives under Antoine Fuqua’s sophisticated direction and Wahlberg’s praiseworthy turn as a hidden hero resisting the dark forces arrayed against him. The movie plays out as an ultra-slick cat-and-mouse game and features realistic fight sequences. The action is intelligent, and the political themes are gripping and relevant. Overall, Shooter fires on all cylinders as a must-watch.
3 Jack Reacher (2012)
Adapted Lee Child’s most popular character for the silver screen for the very first time is Christopher McQuarrie’s Jack Reacher. It begins with a random man taking out five random victims. But all the evidence ends up pointing to Iraq War veteran and drifter Jack Reacher. Not only does he try to deny his involvement in the killing, but Reacher also sets out to investigate the far-reaching conspiracy with the help of a few allies.
Earns a Place In the Canon of Crime Thrillers
Tom Cruise, already popular in the action genre, embodies Reacher with ease. Just like Rebel Ridge’s Terry, he has few people he can trust on his quest to peel back layers of a much larger scheme. McQuarrie infuses as much suspense and hard-boiled dialogue as he can into the timeless story of one man standing up against a corrupt, dishonest system to satisfy viewers.
Even though viewers criticized Cruise’s casting as Reacher, who is otherwise brawny and intimidating, the movie was successful enough to spawn a sequel titled Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.
2 Wrath of Man (2021)
Jason Statham’s fourth collaboration with director Guy Ritchie, Wrath of Man sees the actor play a mysterious man codenamed “H,” who joins a cash truck security crew in Los Angeles. He uses his exceptional skills to neutralize robbers, which soon attracts attention from FBI investigators. H reveals that his peculiar and highly effective set of skills are connected to an unusual past, and he’s now seeking vengeance for the same.
Statham Is Out On Another Mission
When it comes to the action genre, Statham is one of those actors who always deliver. Mesmerizing and ferocious as ever, he brings a lot to the table – a cool demeanor, brutal efficiency, and a steely resolve. The star also does justice to Ritchie’s cold and calculated vision for his character. Like Rebel Ridge, the plot twists and crunchy action constantly keeps viewers on the edge. Rather light-hearted in its premise and focused on entertainment, Wrath of Man is hailed by critics as “one of [Guy Ritchie’s] most surprising movies, at least in terms of style and tone.”
Directed by Sam Hargrave in his feature directorial debut and adapted from a script written by Joe Russo, Extraction is an action thriller that follows Tyler Rake, a former Australian SAS soldier who now operates as a fearless black market mercenary. His latest mission is his deadliest yet – to rescue the kidnapped son of a global crime lord from the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Rake ventures into the dangerous city, its crowded slums and back alleys, only to face the most ruthless assassins ever.
A Smart and Brutal Genre Film
When it first premiered on Netflix in 2020, Extraction was received with mixed reviews. Some praised the awesome stunt work, while others criticized the aimless violence. But for those looking for a movie filled with breathtaking scenery and bonkers entertainment, Extraction is a breezy watch. It features Chris Hemsworth’s intense performance as Rake, paired with memorable turns from Pankaj Tripathi and Randeep Hooda. The movie also constantly elevates tension like Rebel Ridge to take viewers on a rollercoaster journey.
