10 Underrated Action Movies You Need To Watch

It’s always fun to stumble upon great action movies that haven’t gotten much attention. We all know the famous, blockbuster action films and the ones critics love, but discovering those lesser-known, surprisingly good movies is really rewarding.

These action movies were generally liked by audiences, but they’re often overlooked when people talk about the greatest films in the genre. They tend to be forgotten or don’t get the recognition they deserve, even though they’re all creative and worth watching. Many explore different types of action as well.

Monkey Man (2024)

Original SR Image by Yailin Chacon.

I first really noticed Dev Patel when he was amazing in Slumdog Millionaire way back in 2008. He’s been consistently great in so many different kinds of movies ever since, and it’s exciting to see that, as of 2024, he’s now started directing films himself!

Dev Patel’s first time directing a movie is with Monkey Man, an action film where he also stars. The movie follows Kid, a man seeking revenge against the corrupt figures responsible for his mother’s death in their village.

Monkey Man delivers thrilling action, with raw and intense fight scenes. Director Patel’s impressive work earned him a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut as a British Writer, Director, or Producer.

Although Monkey Man didn’t attract a large audience, earning only about $35 million at the box office, it’s a standout action film. The exciting action sequences, combined with Dev Patel’s impressive work as both director and actor, make it worthy of recognition among today’s best action movies.

The Rundown (2003)

Dwayne Johnson is now a globally recognized actor. He’s often seen in action films playing incredibly strong and resilient characters – a type of role that’s become a signature part of his work.

While Dwayne Johnson has starred in many action movies, The Rundown is notable because it came early in his career. Before this, he was mostly known for The Mummy films, so it was interesting to see him try something new. In fact, The Rundown remains one of his strongest and most enjoyable films.

Dwayne Johnson began a string of roles in jungle adventures with the film The Rundown. He plays Beck, a bounty hunter sent to Brazil to track down a loan shark’s son, but they quickly become entangled in a local uprising.

While The Rundown didn’t receive rave reviews, it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable action film. Dwayne Johnson shares great on-screen chemistry with his talented cast, including Seann William Scott, Rosario Dawson, and Christopher Walken.

Ballerina (2023)

Don’t mistake it for the upcoming John Wick spin-off! The 2023 film Ballerina, available on Netflix, is a fantastic South Korean action thriller about a woman seeking revenge and taking down her enemies.

I recently watched Ballerina, and it’s a really intense ride. It centers around Ok-ju, played by Jeon Jong-seo, who used to be a bodyguard but wants out of that life. Unfortunately, someone kills her friend – maybe even a girlfriend, it’s left a little ambiguous – and she’s pulled right back into the action. Honestly, the whole movie is basically 90 minutes of non-stop thrills!

Strong female-led action movies aren’t rare, and the basic idea behind Ballerina isn’t particularly unique. What really makes this film stand out is Jeon Jong-seo’s powerful performance and the exciting action scenes.

The Netflix movie Ballerina didn’t get a lot of initial attention, but viewers who watched it were very impressed. It currently has a strong 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the best films in its genre.

Predators (2010)

The Predator movies have had an up-and-down history. The original film is a beloved action movie from the 1980s, though the sequel didn’t quite live up to expectations for many fans. After a disappointing 2018 film, director Dan Trachtenberg breathed new life into the series with Prey, and there’s another installment, Predator: Badlands, on the way.

Lost among the other Predator films is the 2010 sequel, which hasn’t gotten much recognition. This is understandable, considering it followed some disappointing Alien vs. Predator spin-offs and came well before the 2022 reboot, but it’s a film that deserves a second look.

Okay, let me tell you about Predators. The premise is brilliantly straightforward: a bunch of dangerous people are kidnapped and dropped onto a planet that’s basically a hunting ground for, you guessed it, Predators. It’s a classic man versus monster setup, and honestly? It delivers. What that means is the whole film is just packed with non-stop action, and I was completely hooked.

With a solid cast including Adrien Brody and Alice Braga, and directed by Nimród Antal, Predators is a more enjoyable movie than many people realize. It doesn’t break new ground for the sci-fi action genre, but it’s packed with excitement and is simply fun to watch.

Kate (2021)

Kate is an action movie starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and it’s part of the growing trend of revenge films led by female characters. While it didn’t get a lot of attention when it was released on Netflix, Winstead delivers a strong performance, building on the skills she showed in 2020’s Birds of Prey and proving she’s well-suited to this type of genre.

Like many action movies, this one features Kate as a skilled assassin. After she shows mercy when killing a Yakuza boss – noticing his child nearby – her employers poison her, giving her just 24 hours to live.

On the last day, Kate focuses on getting revenge on the people who poisoned her, and she unexpectedly connects with the child of a Yakuza member. Winstead delivers a strong performance as the main character, and Woody Harrelson is particularly impressive in a supporting role.

The movie received mixed reviews, scoring only 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. A major criticism was its unoriginal story. However, if you’re looking for fun action and entertainment, you’ll likely enjoy it.

The Book Of Eli (2010)

Denzel Washington is now widely known for his role in The Equalizer films, but he delivered fantastic action performances in several other movies even before that series started.

One of Denzel Washington’s lesser-known films is The Book of Eli. Released in 2010, the movie feels like a classic Western, but it takes place in a future world destroyed by disaster, instead of the traditional Old West.

I really got into this movie because the story is so simple, yet compelling. Denzel Washington plays Eli, a really intriguing character who’s traveling across the country to get a book to a specific place. He faces a lot of danger along the way, constantly having to fight off different people who try to stop him. It’s a classic journey story, and Washington carries it beautifully.

The movie’s action scenes, directed by the Hughes Brothers, are particularly impressive, and the ending reveals a significant detail about the main character. Denzel Washington is supported by a fantastic cast, including Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, and Ray Stevenson, all of whom deliver memorable performances.

Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

In 2021, Netflix released two exciting action films that didn’t get enough attention. Both feature a skilled female assassin paired with a young girl on a dangerous mission. While Kate is one of them, Gunpowder Milkshake is the stronger and more enjoyable film.

Similar to Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who recently starred in a superhero film, Karen Gillan takes the lead in Gunpowder Milkshake. She plays Sam with a lot of energy and charm.

Sam, a skilled assassin, joins forces with a powerful group of women – including her own mother, played by Lena Headey – to safeguard a young girl from dangerous assassins who are trying to kill her. The film features a stellar cast, with performances by Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, and Chloe Coleman.

Gunpowder Milkshake is known for its incredibly imaginative action sequences, like a scene where Sam temporarily loses the use of her hands and has to find new ways to fight. Critics generally liked the movie, praising its bright visuals and exciting style.

Free Fire (2016)

It’s hard to find an independent action film with a more impressive cast than Free Fire. The action comedy, directed by Ben Wheatley, stars Brie Larson, Cillian Murphy, Sharlto Copley, Jack Reynor, and many other talented actors.

Free Fire is a fast-paced action movie centered around a meeting between rival gangs at an abandoned warehouse, which quickly erupts into a violent shootout. The film is filled with exciting action sequences and sharp, clever dialogue.

The movie features a fantastic cast, and everyone gives a strong performance, with plenty of humor. Critics also praised the script and the action scenes.

Free Fire is a great choice if you like action comedies, because it skillfully combines those two elements – something not many movies pull off successfully.

The Woman King (2022)

Viola Davis is now a highly acclaimed actress in Hollywood, so it’s surprising that one of her strongest performances almost went unnoticed. That’s what happened with The Woman King, where she plays the main character.

In the movie The Woman King, Viola Davis plays General Nanisca, the commander of an all-female fighting force in the Kingdom of Dahomey during the 1820s. This sets up exciting and large-scale action sequences.

Beyond Viola Davis’s performance, the film is greatly enhanced by director Gina Prince-Bythewood. She’s proven her skill since her early work on films like Love & Basketball, and she recently demonstrated her talent for action with Netflix’s The Old Guard before taking on The Woman King.

Despite not being a huge box office success when it came out, The Woman King was well-received by critics. It currently has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was also nominated for several Critics’ Choice Awards.

Dredd (2012)

The comic book series Judge Dredd was first adapted into a movie in the 1990s. While the film wasn’t a critical success, it gained a dedicated following over time. Many assumed that would be the only adaptation, but a well-received version was released in 2012.

The movie Dredd stars Karl Urban as Judge Dredd, taking on the role previously made famous by Sylvester Stallone. It’s set in a dark future where law enforcers have the power to arrest, judge, and punish criminals. Dredd and his new partner must restore order to a massive, 200-story building controlled by a powerful drug lord.

Dredd is a thrilling, fast-paced action movie, much like the acclaimed film The Raid. Judge Dredd and his partner (Olivia Thirlby) relentlessly fight their way through waves of criminals as they try to bring down the ruthless Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), and the action doesn’t let up for a second throughout the entire 95-minute film.

Despite being a truly excellent action movie, it didn’t get much attention when it was first released. It didn’t do well in theaters, but it’s slowly gained a dedicated following through positive reviews and recommendations, and there’s even a chance we might see another one someday.

2025-10-25 22:38