Top 10 Action Movies of 2025: Box Office Rankings

Animated films were the biggest draw at the box office in 2025, but action movies also performed very well. Last year offered a diverse range of action films, including superhero adventures, hard-hitting dramas, and a compelling sports movie packed with exciting moments.

2025 was a great year for action movies, offering something for everyone. We saw familiar franchises return, one long-running series wrap up, and a brand new saga begin. Plus, a huge international hit helped make the year’s top action films truly exceptional.

The Accountant 2 – $103.3 Million

The 2016 film The Accountant did well in theaters, but it’s mostly known now for being shown frequently on channels like TNT. Few people anticipated a sequel after almost ten years, but one was made – and it’s surprisingly good.

What really grabbed me about this film was the relationship between Christian Wolff, played by Ben Affleck, and Jon Bernthal’s character, Braxton. They’re total opposites, which made every scene they had together so compelling. Honestly, the chemistry between Affleck and Bernthal was a huge part of what made the movie work – they really carried it!

Audiences who saw The Accountant 2 in theaters found it to be a thrilling, action-packed experience, feeling they got a good return on their ticket purchase. Most viewers thought the sequel was as good as, or even better than, the first film, and it earned $103.3 million at the box office.

Karate Kid: Legends – $117.1 Million

The new movie, Karate Kid: Legends, feels like a strange addition to the Karate Kid series. The franchise had largely faded from public attention until Cobra Kai brought it back, but this latest film doesn’t really connect to the show or offer much in the way of references to it.

Although the recent Cobra Kai movie had a satisfying conclusion, it probably would have earned more if it had featured some of the show’s beloved characters. However, fans were thrilled to see Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan together on screen.

The movie Karate Kid: Legends earned $117.1 million and continues the series well, despite receiving mixed reviews. A common criticism was that the film surprisingly spent a lot of time on boxing training – with the protagonist, Li Fong, teaching Victor Lipani – and didn’t feature enough karate action.

From The World Of John Wick: Ballerina – $137.2 Million

Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

Most original ideas don’t become huge franchises, but John Wick is a remarkable exception. What began as a straightforward action movie – about a retired hitman seeking revenge for his wife’s last gift, a dog – has become a much larger phenomenon.

The story has expanded significantly with lots of new background details, and characters are now traveling the world as the movies continue to be very successful. In 2025, a spin-off called From the World of John Wick: Ballerina was released, focusing on Ana de Armas as Eve Macarro, a ballerina trained in the ways of the Ruska Roma.

Although the movie earned $137.2 million, it was considered a letdown considering Keanu Reeves starred in it and the previous films had done so well. However, viewers who did see it enjoyed a thrilling action movie with incredibly over-the-top fight sequences.

Dhurandhar – $137.2 Million

In 2025, many of the year’s biggest movie successes came from outside the US. Ne Zha 2 earned the most money worldwide, and other international films like Detective Chinatown 1900, Dead to Rights, and 731 also performed very well. Dhurandhar was particularly popular, becoming the highest-grossing international action film of the year.

Dhurandhar is a Hindi-language Indian film that follows a secret counter-terrorism mission. The story centers on an Indian agent who goes undercover in Karachi, Pakistan, to dismantle a criminal network and stop a terrorist group. This film is planned as the first of two parts.

The film Dhurandhar was a commercial success, earning $137.2 million and sparking excitement for a follow-up. However, critics had varying opinions, and the movie has faced some criticism for not being entirely accurate and for its political themes.

One Battle After Another – $208.3 Million

Okay, so One Battle After Another definitely has thriller elements, but trust me, there’s plenty of action to keep it firmly in this category. And critics are loving it – Paul Thomas Anderson snagged a Golden Globe for Best Director, and he’s up for an Oscar in the same category. It’s a really strong film, and the accolades are well-deserved.

The movie has received positive attention for its actors, particularly Teyana Taylor, who won a Golden Globe for her supporting role, and newcomer Chase Infiniti. The story centers around a former revolutionary, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his daughter as they are pursued by a dishonest military officer, forcing them to flee.

Honestly, when I first heard about One Battle After Another, I didn’t think it would be huge. But it really surprised me! It turned out to be a big success, earning over $208 million globally. I think the main reason was a fantastic mix of things: having a major star like Leonardo DiCaprio definitely helped, but it was also all the positive buzz and recommendations from people who’d already seen it that really got everyone talking.

Thunderbolts* – $382.4 Million

The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t been as consistently strong lately. While some projects are great, the quality of movies and shows has become uneven, and ticket sales have generally been declining, with Deadpool and Wolverine in 2024 being a notable exception.

In 2025, three movies were released, and despite being the lowest-grossing, Thunderbolts is often considered the best by fans. The film faced a challenge because it didn’t include any famous superheroes, focusing instead on a team of antiheroes, most of whom don’t have superpowers, relying primarily on a super soldier serum.

Thunderbolts focused on a compelling story that united its characters through shared hardship. Florence Pugh’s outstanding portrayal of Yelena Belova was central to the film, establishing the team as potential successors to the Avengers. The movie earned a respectable $382.4 million at the box office.

Captain America: Brave New World – $415.1 Million

Though Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps (leaning more towards science fiction than action) were generally well-received as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: Brave New World is largely considered the least successful of these three films, and the weakest of all four Captain America solo movies.

Despite not reaching the heights of previous Marvel films, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” still earned an impressive $415.1 million, suggesting a positive future for Sam Wilson as Captain America. Unfortunately, critics weren’t as enthusiastic, and the reviews were generally less positive.

Critics haven’t been kind to Captain America: Brave New World, giving it a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The main issues were the story and special effects. Although Anthony Mackie’s performance was a highlight, the film made an unusual connection to the 2008 The Incredible Hulk, which many viewers had forgotten.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning – $598.7 Million

It appears the long-running Mission: Impossible series starring Tom Cruise has concluded after almost three decades. The last two films, while continuing the story, didn’t quite reach the level of success – either in terms of critical reception or box office numbers – achieved by 2018’s Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

In Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Ethan Hunt and his team are back, racing against time to prevent a dangerous AI called the Entity from causing global destruction. The film is packed with intense action, and Tom Cruise delivers exactly what audiences expect from a Mission: Impossible movie.

The movie features some truly amazing moments, like the thrilling submarine scene and the high-stakes plane chase, which deliver the action fans expect from this series. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Fallout, The Final Reckoning‘s box office success of $598.7 million was still remarkable.

Superman – $618.7 Million

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced some challenges, DC Comics has had a much harder time. Their efforts to create a connected universe of films haven’t really worked out, with their biggest hits being separate stories like 2022’s The Batman. Now, James Gunn is taking on the task of revitalizing the DC film franchise.

This Superman movie kicks off a fresh take on the classic hero and his world. The story centers on Superman battling the villain Lex Luthor, while also dealing with public concern after the truth about his origins is revealed. The film was a major success, earning over $618 million at the box office.

The success of the new Superman film really comes down to James Gunn’s understanding of the character. Dave Corenswet portrays Superman as a genuinely hopeful figure who believes in the best of people and embraces his human side. This approach feels fresh and exciting, and audiences are eager to see what comes next.

F1: The Movie – $633.1 Million

Surprisingly, the highest-grossing action movie of 2025 worldwide turned out to be a sports film. Though F1 doesn’t have typical action elements like gunfights or fighting, it delivers plenty of thrills and definitely qualifies as an action-packed experience.

Joseph Kosinski, who also directed Top Gun: Maverick, uses a similar visually dynamic style in this film. The exciting races are filmed with cameras inside the cars, putting you right in the action. You’ll find yourself reacting to every twist and turn – gasping at crashes and cheering for your favorite drivers.

Despite surprising expectations with a $633.1 million worldwide gross, F1 truly shines on a large IMAX screen. Combined with its Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, the film is clearly a success.

2026-02-12 18:55