10 Most Intense Action Thriller Movies That Are Perfect if You Love ‘Taken’

Wouldn’t it have been clever if the Taken sequels were titled Found and Returned? However, Hollywood is full of what-ifs. The original Taken remains a classic, largely due to its thrilling action, relatable hero, and a truly memorable line: “I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.”

If you enjoyed Taken, you’ll find plenty of similar action movies. Many of them feature a skilled hero who unleashes a powerful response when criminals harm someone they care about. These films demonstrate that crossing the wrong person can have devastating results, and the villains often face harsh consequences – and discover that apologies aren’t always enough.

‘Harry Brown’ (2009)

Michael Caine doesn’t fit the typical action hero mold, but he’s surprisingly capable – or at least, his stunt double is! In the film Harry Brown, he plays a retired Royal Marine and veteran of The Troubles. When his only friend is killed by local criminals, the elderly Harry takes matters into his own hands and decides to bring justice to his neighborhood.

Though not Michael Caine’s most famous movie, Harry Brown is a powerful and gritty look at crime and the failings of the legal system that’s well worth watching, especially for fans of British films. The movie features a strong supporting cast of British actors, including Charlie Creed-Miles and Orla O’Rourke, but it’s Caine’s excellent portrayal of a man fed up with crime that truly makes the film stand out.

‘Commando’ (1985)

It’s no surprise that many action heroes are named Jack or John. When you see a character named John in an action movie – like John Wick, John Rambo, or John McClane – you can expect some serious action! John Matrix, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Commando, fits the bill. He’s a retired Special Forces colonel enjoying a quiet life until a former dictator kidnaps his daughter and forces him to commit a murder. But John isn’t taking orders anymore – especially not from someone who threatens his family.

It’s hard to beat the iconic ’80s action of John Matrix prepping for battle in Commando – from camouflaging his face to arming himself with a ridiculous number of weapons, and even flipping a whole telephone booth with a person inside! Interestingly, the role was originally intended for Gene Simmons of KISS. While lifting a guitar is a feat for a musician, lifting an entire telephone booth clearly takes a former bodybuilder like Schwarzenegger. He was perfectly cast, and it’s a shame we never got a sequel to this classic film.

‘The Foreigner’ (2017)

Martin Campbell, despite not consistently reaching the heights of his earlier film Casino Royale, still delivers solid movies occasionally, and The Foreigner is a prime example. The film centers on Ngoc Minh Quan (Jackie Chan), a London restaurant owner and Vietnam War veteran, who seeks revenge after his daughter is killed in a terrorist attack. He believes Liam Hennesy (Pierce Brosnan), a high-ranking Northern Irish politician, is involved. Get ready for a thrilling ride!

This action thriller starts like many others released directly to video, but it quickly sets itself apart with surprising twists and a fast-paced story that will keep you engaged. Don’t expect the usual Jackie Chan comedy – this film is much more serious and grounded in reality, with Chan playing a character who rarely shows emotion. Pierce Brosnan also delivers a strong performance as a politician whose world expands beyond his professional duties.

‘The Equalizer’ (2014)

There have been a couple of remakes of the classic show, The Equalizer. If you’re deciding which one to watch – the TV series with Queen Latifah or this action movie starring Denzel Washington – go with the film. Washington plays Robert McCall, a skilled ex-Marine and intelligence officer who’s trying to live a peaceful life in Boston. But when he discovers his young friend, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), is being forced into prostitution by the Russian mafia, he’s compelled to take action!

Director Antoine Fuqua scored a major success with The Equalizer, earning Sony Pictures a huge profit and securing two sequels. He made an excellent casting choice with Denzel Washington, a frequent collaborator. Russell Crowe, who previously worked with Washington on American Gangster, was among the first to express interest in the project. The entire cast delivers strong performances, with Chloe Moretz shining as Teri, despite Washington’s leading role. Don’t miss the scene at Home Mart!

‘The Man from Nowhere’ (2010)

Chad Stahelski, the director of John Wick, has shared that his film drew significant inspiration from the Korean action movie The Man from Nowhere, and the similarities are noticeable. The story begins with Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin), a quiet pawnshop owner who forms a bond with a young girl named So-mi (Kim Sae-ron). However, their peaceful life is disrupted when So-mi is kidnapped by a criminal organization due to her mother’s debts, forcing Tae-sik to reveal a hidden and dangerous past as a trained operative.

“The Man from Nowhere” is a thrilling and visually stunning film that works equally well as a crime story and an action movie. The impressive camerawork puts you right in the middle of the intense fight scenes. Director Lee Jeong-beom expertly portrays South Korea’s criminal underworld while also touching on difficult themes like the struggles of parenthood and poverty. It’s a shame we haven’t seen Won Bin in another film since – we hope he returns to acting soon!

‘Exterritorial’ (2025)

German action movies often don’t get the recognition they deserve, and Exterritorial is a perfect example. The film kicks off when Sara Wulf (Jeanne Goursaud), a former soldier in special forces, takes her son to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt to apply for a visa, but he suddenly vanishes. When she reports it, officials claim she never brought a child and suggest her PTSD is causing her to hallucinate – a huge mistake on their part!

Christian Zübert’s film, Exterritorial, is a captivating and intense thriller, beautifully scored by Sara Barone. It offers a surprisingly insightful look at both mental health and the challenges of parenthood. Though the film deals with the unsettling tactic of gaslighting, it’s empowering to watch the protagonist, Sara, stand up for herself. Ultimately, the story is strong and well-executed. Single-location action films can be tricky, but this German Netflix production pulls it off flawlessly, delivering a truly impressive experience.

‘Shelter’ (2026)

Although Jason Statham often plays a retired hitman or secret agent, Shelter stands out as more intelligent than many of his recent films. The story is also more complex, focusing on his character, Michael Mason, as he attempts to safeguard a young girl while being pursued by assassins from his former employer.

Jason Statham, often known for playing the lone action hero, delivers a more committed performance in this film. While it’s not a showcase of his acting range, he approaches the role with a surprising level of seriousness. The movie also boasts beautiful cinematography, particularly in the opening scenes shot on the scenic Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland – the landscapes are truly breathtaking!

‘Nobody’ (2021)

I never imagined seeing Saul Goodman – or rather, Bob Odenkirk – in an action role, but he’s surprisingly good at it in the movie Nobody. It makes you wonder why he hasn’t been cast in this kind of film before. The story kicks off when some criminals break into his home and steal his daughter’s bracelet, and he sets out to get it back.

Written by one of the creators of the John Wick movies, Nobody delivers a similar brand of thrilling, hard-hitting action. Bob Odenkirk is fantastic in a role that’s different from his usual work, and director Ilya Naishuller deserves credit for the incredibly well-done fight scenes. While the movie could have benefitted from even more action, what’s there is sure to be impressive – especially the fight on the bus!

‘Man on Fire’ (2004)

As a huge Denzel fan, I always thought he was incredible, and the early 2000s really saw him dive into action roles. Man on Fire, based on the A.J. Quinnell novel, is one of the best examples. It features him as John Creasy, a troubled ex-Marine and CIA operative who takes a job protecting a little girl in Mexico. When she’s kidnapped, though, it unleashes a side of him nobody wants to mess with – he becomes absolutely relentless.

This fast-paced and visually striking film by Tony Scott delivers a surprisingly strong message about fighting crime, even though it’s full of action and energy. Scott and Denzel Washington always made a great team, and Washington clearly enjoys his role. But the movie isn’t just focused on him; Dakota Fanning gives a memorable performance as the young girl, and many felt she deserved even more recognition, though she did receive a nomination for Best Young Performer from the Critics’ Choice Awards. Despite some script issues, her work shines through.

‘John Wick’ (2014)

John Wick is a powerfully emotional and action-packed film that will likely leave you feeling good long after you’ve seen it. It’s the movie that revitalized Keanu Reeves’ career, starring him as a grieving widower and former hitman. When a cruel gangster and his crew attack him, killing his puppy and stealing his classic 1969 Ford Mustang, he embarks on a mission for revenge.

Keanu Reeves delivers a strong performance as the film’s heartbroken lead, and really carries the story. But the action sequences are the true highlight – they’re incredibly impressive and helped make ‘Gun-Fu,’ a style of fast-paced gun and martial arts combat, famous. Even if action isn’t usually your thing, you’ll likely be amazed. This movie is also more focused than later films in the series, with less emphasis on complicated world-building and a smaller cast of characters. It’s worth watching, even if you don’t intend to continue with the franchise.

2026-04-02 05:05