The Best Action Movies of 2025

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Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good action movie? From nail-biting thrillers to those over-the-top, explosion-filled blockbusters, the genre consistently delivers. Now, 2025 has been a weird year for movies overall, and I’ll admit, it felt like we were short on the usual dose of high-octane action. Some of the releases just didn’t quite hit the mark. But I’m here to tell you that wasn’t the whole story. 2025 actually delivered some fantastic Hollywood action flicks, and a few real hidden gems that deserve your attention. So, buckle up – we’re about to dive in!

Even though major franchises like Mission: Impossible and the Marvel Cinematic Universe weren’t releasing new films in 2025, there were still lots of exciting action movies for fans. This list focuses only on films where action is the main genre, so we’ve left out movies like F1 and The Toxic Avenger. Now, here are MovieWeb’s picks for the best action movies of 2025.

12
‘Sovereign’


Briarcliff Entertainment

Let’s start with a surprisingly popular show that appeared in June. If you enjoyed Parks and Recreation and imagined Ron Swanson taking a strong stand against the government, you should check this out. stars as Jerry Kane, a single dad who raises his son by teaching him to be fiercely against the government. Sovereign is particularly relevant today and features powerful, emotional action – it’s not a big-budget spectacle, but it packs a serious punch.

11
‘Novocaine’


Paramount Pictures

Action movies often stretch the limits of believability when it comes to how much punishment a hero can take. The movie Novocaine cleverly addressed this by featuring a character who simply can’t feel pain. This allowed The Boys to create a truly wild and unrestrained action film, fully embracing its unique idea. With scenes ranging from retrieving a gun from a fryer to deliberately breaking glass on his knuckles, the actor fully committed to the role, making for a thrilling and consistently entertaining movie.

10
‘Fight or Flight’


© Vertical Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for action movies that take place on planes – they just instantly get my heart racing! And this year, Fight or Flight really delivered. It’s exactly the kind of wild, over-the-top fun I love, especially because it clearly took inspiration from the incredible action of John Wick. The movie stars Hartnett as Lucas Reyes, a mercenary thrown into a seriously dangerous situation: he’s tasked with finding someone called ‘The Ghost’ while on a flight, but it quickly turns out almost everyone else on board is also an assassin looking for the same person. It’s non-stop action, and honestly, it doesn’t pull any punches. There’s even a scene where Hartnett is fighting bad guys with a chainsaw… at 30,000 feet! It’s easily one of the most exciting and completely bonkers movies I’ve seen all year.

9
‘Warfare’


© A24 / Courtesy Everett Collection
 

Unlike most action movies, Warfare doesn’t focus on thrilling shootouts for entertainment. Instead, it aims to realistically portray the brutality and horror of violence. Co-directed by the creator of Civil War, the film almost transcends the action genre due to its serious subject matter and complex themes. Featuring incredibly realistic and intense gunfights—thanks to co-director and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza—Warfare might not be the most fun watch on this list. However, it’s a film every action movie fan should experience at least once.

8
‘Nobody 2’


Universal Pictures

The action movie Nobody returned to theaters this year with a sequel. Given how popular the first Nobody was, the title feels a little misleading. Whether the new film lives up to the original is debatable, but it was definitely one of the most exciting action movies of 2025. Bob Odenkirk, at 63 years old, didn’t miss a beat, delivering even more impressive and skillfully choreographed fight scenes and shootouts that built on the style of the first film.

7
‘Black Bag’


Focus Features

Want a thrilling spy story? Absolutely. Black Bag, released in March, delivers on the hype. The film centers on a married couple, both intelligence agents, when one is suspected of being a spy. Her husband is assigned to investigate and uncover the truth. It’s a tense, emotionally charged, and action-packed film with a touch of classic British spy sophistication – James Bond fans will love it!

6
‘Hierarchy’


Sabi

You don’t need a huge budget to make a fantastic action movie—just a strong director, a well-written story, and exciting action. If you haven’t seen Hierarchy yet, now’s the time! It’s currently sixth on our list, and for just $100,000, director Russel K. Reed delivers a thrilling heist film. It follows the classic “one last job” formula, with intense gunfights that rival those in Heat (though Michael Mann’s film is still the gold standard). Don’t let the low budget deter you—Hierarchy is a movie you won’t soon forget.

5
‘Tornado’


Lionsgate

It’s no secret that samurai films and Westerns often borrow from each other. But what happens when those worlds truly collide? You get Tornado. The film features Jack Lowden and Koki, who play a father and daughter living in 18th-century England. When a dangerous gang threatens them, the daughter bravely decides to fight back and free her family. If you enjoy classic Western gunfights combined with exciting swordplay, Tornado is a must-see – check it out as soon as you finish reading this!

4
‘Ballerina: From the World of John Wick’


Lionsgate

Whenever a new John Wick movie comes out, it almost always ends up on “best action films of the year” lists, and this one is no exception. While Ballerina, a spin-off starring Ana de Armas, might not quite reach the heights of the main John Wick films, it’s still a fantastic action movie with amazing fight choreography. If the John Wick connection and Ana de Armas aren’t enough to convince you, just know this: it features an incredible fight scene with flamethrowers!

3
‘Predator: Badlands’


20th Century Studios

While many big movie franchises faced difficulties in 2025, the Predator series experienced a strong revival. Following the success of Prey, which offered a fresh take on the formula, Predator: Badlands successfully re-established the action-packed world. Director Dan Trachtenberg returned, focusing the story on the alien hunters themselves. The film features Elle Fanning as an android and centers on a new predator determined to prove his worth to his clan. Boasting impressive visual effects and a compelling narrative, Predator: Badlands is the closest the franchise has come to matching the quality of the original movie.

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2025-12-21 21:36