10 Great Action Movies With Lots of Good Sequels

Often, one story isn’t enough. After enjoying a fantastic movie, you might want to experience more of that world, whether it’s based on imagination or real events. Luckily, creators are usually happy to provide it. Movie studios and directors often prefer to build on what’s already popular – characters people already love and worlds with established fan bases – because it’s a safer investment.

Success in the movie business is never a sure thing. Often, sequels don’t live up to the original and can actually diminish its quality. When watching them, you end up enjoying the new content while also wondering what other, potentially better, stories could have been explored.

Fortunately, many great movies have sequels, especially in the action genre. Some sequels build on the original, others fix earlier problems, and some simply deliver more of the same exciting experience that fans already love.

Here are 10 great action movies with lots of butt-kicking sequels.

‘American Ninja’ (1985)

The movie *American Ninja* was originally intended to star Chuck Norris, but he didn’t want to hide his face, so Michael Dudikoff took the lead role instead. In the first film, Dudikoff played Joe Armstrong, a Marine stationed in the Philippines who battles a group of ninjas called the Black Star Order. While David Bradley replaced him as the main character in the third movie, Dudikoff returned to play the lead in the fourth and final *American Ninja* film.

This Marine Hates Guns

One common criticism of Michael Dudikoff is that he tends to play very similar characters, making it seem difficult for him to stretch his acting abilities. However, the *American Ninja* films showcase him as a truly talented action star of the 80s and 90s. He’s also incredibly likable on screen, often choosing honor over simply using a weapon. Despite director Sam Firstenberg leaving after the second movie, the sequels are all excellent, tackling important issues like drug trafficking, biological weapons, and terrorism, all while delivering some incredibly memorable action scenes.

‘Dirty Harry’ (1971)

Following his success in Westerns during the 1960s, Clint Eastwood wanted to show his range as an actor. He took on the role of Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan in the film *Dirty Harry*, where he pursues a dangerous, mentally unstable sniper. The character was loosely based on the real-life Zodiac Killer, a notorious serial killer from Northern California. Eastwood was so dedicated to the role that he reprised it in all four of the film’s sequels – a commitment he’s never shown to any other series.

Criminals Beware!

The *Dirty Harry* films consistently improve throughout the series, and the third installment, *Sudden Impact*, features the unforgettable line, “Go ahead, make my day.” But these aren’t just simple action movies. The five films also touch on important topics like support for police officers and gender equality at work. *Dirty Harry* heavily influenced many action films that followed, including *The Rookie* and *The Protector*. Fans are hoping for a continuation of the series in the future.

‘Ip Man’ (2008)

While many younger fans know Donnie Yen from John Wick, he’s been a well-known actor for years. He’s especially famous for playing Ip Man, a skilled Wing Chun master who protects his community during the Japanese invasion in China during World War II. The character is based on a real person, and Yen played him in three follow-up movies.

Donnie the Great

What makes the *Ip Man* movies so good is that while they all look similar on the surface, each one explores a different idea. The first film focuses on simply surviving, the second on adjusting to change, the third on finding peace, and the fourth on facing the inevitable end. A fifth movie is supposedly being made, and it will be interesting to see what it’s about. But it’s worth watching the whole series not just to see a bit of history, but also to learn valuable lessons about doing what’s right and living with honor.

‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987)

I was so excited when Richard Donner, after being sidelined from the *Superman* movies, delivered *Lethal Weapon*! It’s such a classic buddy cop film. Mel Gibson plays Martin Riggs, a really reckless cop who’s dealing with a lot of personal pain after losing his wife, and he’s paired with Danny Glover as Roger Murtaugh, a more level-headed family man who’s nearing retirement. The movie follows them as they work to bust a heroin smuggling operation. And the best part? Mel and Danny were fantastic together and came back for all three sequels!

Ying and Yang

While the *Lethal Weapon* movies deal with serious issues like PTSD, racism, suicide, and drug abuse, they don’t get preachy. You can still have fun simply enjoying the action, even if you’re not interested in the deeper themes. The action isn’t particularly innovative – it’s mostly car chases and shootouts – but it’s consistently entertaining. A television reboot followed, but was unfortunately hampered by production problems. However, there’s talk in Hollywood about a potential fifth movie.

‘Police Story’ (1985)

Jackie Chan created *Police Story* after a disappointing experience on the film *The Protector*. He had hoped *The Protector* would be his big break into Hollywood, but things didn’t go as planned. Thankfully, that setback led to *Police Story*, where Chan plays a Hong Kong police officer dealing with both a personal crisis and the responsibility of protecting someone in danger.

Chan’s Most Cherished Work

You’re in for a treat with one of Jackie Chan’s most iconic stunts: he hangs onto a speeding double-decker bus using only an umbrella! *Police Story* is a classic underdog tale, showing a courageous police officer battling powerful and corrupt enemies. The five sequels continue this exciting theme. Interestingly, Chan himself considers the original *Police Story* his greatest achievement – quite a statement considering his incredible filmography, which includes hits like *Rush Hour*, *Rumble in the Bronx*, and *The Legend of the Drunken Master*.

‘The Expendables’ (2010)

It’s understandable if you assumed the classic action heroes wouldn’t work for each other. However, several of them did! Sylvester Stallone brought them together in *The Expendables*, a film about a skilled team of mercenaries hired to take down a dictator in Latin America, and even more stars signed on to participate later.

An Avengers-Type Teamup

Look, *The Expendables* isn’t winning any awards for being brilliant, and honestly, neither are the sequels. But you know what? I’d much rather watch a fun, over-the-top action movie with some lovable tough guys than something that tries too hard to be clever. This whole franchise feels like it was made for people like me – fans of classic action movies and those of us who grew up loving the 80s and 90s. Sure, the heroes are a little older now, but they can *still* deliver a knockout!

‘Once Upon a Time in China’ (1991)

Jet Li plays Wong Fei-hung, a famous martial arts master and hero of 19th-century China, in *Once Upon a Time in China*. The film shows Wong Fei-hung dealing with the challenges brought by increasing Western influence. It became a beloved classic and launched a series of five sequels and a TV show, all released within just six years.

The Greater the instability, the Greater the Action

If you’re looking for exciting movies that combine action with historical and political themes, the *Once Upon a Time in China* series is a great choice. Jet Li is fantastic in the lead role! Don’t let the fact that he’s not in the fourth and fifth movies stop you from watching them – they’re still really enjoyable. Plus, the films have a memorable soundtrack, featuring a catchy theme song inspired by a traditional folk tune from the Ming Dynasty.

‘The Fast & the Furious’ (2001)

Many fans consider the original *The Fast & the Furious* to be the strongest film in the franchise. It began as a story about Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), an undercover police officer who investigates a group of street racers suspected of robbing cars on the highway. The movies have since become increasingly extravagant, with later installments featuring storylines about space travel and preventing global war.

It’s All About Cars, Money, and… Family

Most fans agree the *Fast & Furious* series started to decline after *Furious 7*, though there’s still plenty to enjoy in the earlier films. *Fast Five* is generally seen as the high point, where the movies shifted from street racing to big-budget action adventures. Dwayne Johnson’s introduction as Luke Hobbs is often credited with revitalizing the franchise. Let’s hope the upcoming final movies learn from past criticisms and deliver a satisfying conclusion.

‘John Wick’ (2014)

The movie *John Wick* starts when a young mobster, Iosef Tarasov (Alfie Allen), makes a huge mistake by breaking into the home of John Wick (Keanu Reeves), killing his dog and stealing his car. It turns out Wick is a retired hitman, and he seeks serious revenge. The following movies show Wick caught in a dangerous conflict with his former employers, who are now trying to kill him.

No Stop Force

If you’ve ever wanted an action series that’s both exciting and intelligent, John Wick delivers. It starts with a straightforward revenge plot, but quickly expands into a complex world governed by the High Table – a powerful organization overseeing the best assassins globally. The films are also packed with impressive talent, featuring stars like Scott Adkins and Donnie Yen, offering something for every action movie fan – both well-known and hidden gems.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Bruce Willis became famous as a comedic actor in the 1980s, but he successfully switched to action movies with his role in *Die Hard*. In the film, he plays John McClane, a police officer who attempts to reconcile with his wife at her company Christmas party, only to find the building under siege by terrorists. The *Die Hard* sequels raise the stakes even further, with terrorists targeting airports and whole cities.

Yippee Ki-Yay

You can always enjoy rewatching *Die Hard*. While the first movie is considered a masterpiece, some people think the sequels can’t possibly live up to it. They’d be surprised! The series actually kept getting better, especially the fourth film, *Live Free or Die Hard*, which introduced an exciting cyber-attack storyline. The fifth movie isn’t quite as strong, but it’s still fun for Bruce Willis fans and anyone who loves action movies.

2025-10-08 05:06