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These praiseworthy actionthrillers are sadly overlooked, and deserve a place among the all-time greats of the genre. The action thriller is a unique breed, and it combines the explosiveness of action with the suspense of the thriller. The films usually involve crime or international conspiracies, and most tell larger-than-life stories that practically jump off the screen.
What separates an action thriller from a plain old action film is its complicated plot, and the fact that it relies on suspense to make the story even more engaging. Action is all about the spectacle, while the action thriller keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Nevertheless, there is considerable overlap between the two.
The genre has been popular for decades, with notable examples going all the way back to the 1960s and beyond. Though the standard of action has greatly improved in the years since, the early flicks still pack a powerful punch. Nailing the perfect action thriller isn't easy, and it takes a deft blending of both of its genres.
Because there are so many action thrillers, it's easy to overlook a few hidden gems. Some movies are tanked by poor critical reception, or were merely released at the wrong time. Others are only just now becoming accepted as classics, with new audiences discovering them every year. No matter why, these overlooked action thrillers need more praise.
Next Of Kin (1989)
With movies like Road Houseon his resume, Patrick Swayze deserves credit as a bona fide action star. 1989's Next of Kin is sadly overlooked, and is one of the late star's best movies. It concerns a Chicago policeman who is out for revenge after his brother is killed by a mobster. Next of Kin is all about the catharsis of revenge.
With a strong cast that also includes Liam Neeson and Bill Paxton, Next of Kin is a well-acted action thriller. Though it isn't the most intelligent script ever put on screen, the suspense and gunfights are enough to make it worth a watch. The movie has noir-inspired grit and visuals, separating it from run-of-the-mill action fare.
Out Of The Furnace (2013)
Christian Bale's films usually get a lot of attention, but Out of the Furnace is a Bale flick that has been mostly forgotten. Bale plays a down-and-out steelworker who takes on a local crime syndicate after his brother goes missing. The simple revenge plot is supplemented by strong themes that tackle working-class issues.
Bale is naturally exceptional in the lead role, and he brings his usual intensity to the part. Unlike many other action thrillers, Out of the Furnace has a slower pace that relies more on development than bombastic thrills. Nevertheless, that deliberate pacing draws the viewer in for the explosive climax. It isn't perfect, but it certainly deserves to be remembered.
The Grey (2011)
The last 15 years or more of Liam Neeson's career has been dominated by action roles, and The Grey is one of his best movies. An oil rig crew crashes in the frozen landscape of Alaska, and must fight their way through the elements in order to survive. Instead of taking on ruthless criminals, Neeson battles Mother Nature herself.
The man vs nature archetype is well-represented in the thriller genre, but The Grey is a refreshing and modern take. The harsh landscape gives the film an almost otherworldly look, and the characters are written in a natural and engaging way. Neeson gets to be his usual badass self, which is what most audiences are looking for in an action thriller.
F/X (1986)
F/X is the only film on this list with a sequel, and yet it is still widely underrated and practically forgotten today. It concerns a Hollywood effects creator who is hired to stage a mobster's assassination. This makes him the mob's next target. The low-budget twisty thriller keeps the viewer guessing until the last moment.
Every part of the movie is original and fun, and it celebrates everything that makes action thrillers entertaining. Like the movie itself, the cast is a highly underrated assortment of character actors like Brian Dennehy and Tom Noonan. Even though the sequel isn't very good, F/X is a hidden gem from the '80s.
Monkey Man (2024)
Monkey Man hit the scene, made its money, and promptly faded into the background only a few years after its release. Director and star Dev Patel plays a man who makes money by losing fights, only to turn his blind rage against his city's criminal underworld. Monkey Man is a rare John Wick clone that's actually original.
The film is a rush of style and action, blending Bollywood sensibilities with the usual American movie tropes. Patel's character is developed just enough to keep things interesting, and it strikes a fine balance between action and thriller. Monkey Man is still being passed over despite the fact that it's one of the best recent action thrillers.
Walking Tall (1973)
A cornerstone of the 1970s Rednexploitation movement, Walking Tall is one of the decade's best hidden gems. Returning home to find his small town has been corrupted, Buford Pusser becomes the sheriff and cleans up the criminal element using vigilante justice. Like Death Wish, Walking Tall is a response to rising crime in the U.S. in the 1970s.
Joe Don Baker stars in his signature role, and the B-movie icon gives a stellar performance. Walking Tall switches gears from a grindhouse action flick into a suspenseful thriller as Pusser's machinations have deadly consequences. Though it's a product of its time, Walking Tall is a brilliant action thriller from the golden age of cathartic shoot-em-ups.
Payback (1999)
Payback is one of the forgotten blockbusters of the 1990s, and is inexplicably absent in the conversation around the decade's best action thrillers. Mel Gibson is a criminal betrayed by his own gang. After being left for dead, he uses his gun to exact deadly revenge against his former allies. Despite being a blunt story, Payback is still a clever film.
It builds suspense slowly, adding more and more stakes as the story progresses. The action is used sparingly, so every bullet fired has actual consequences. Payback plays fast and loose with its morals, so it challenges the viewer to engage with the themes instead of simply mesmerizing them with gunfire. Considering its success, it's a wonder the film isn't talked about.
Southern Comfort (1981)
Few films put the thrills in the action thriller genre like Southern Comfort, and it's a downright harrowing experience that borders on horror. A national guard regiment is sent into the Louisiana swamp to train, but are slowly picked off by the locals. Walter Hill's thoughtful suspense masterpiece is a direct response to the realities of the Vietnam War.
The action is serious and gruesome, and every death turns the tide of the movie. It's a rich and thematic film, meant to dredge up a trauma that was still fresh in the early '80s. Though the swamp scenes are exciting and grim, the finale is one of the most suspenseful sequences in the entire action thriller genre. Southern Comfort is often overlooked because it's a challenging watch.
RocknRolla (2008)
Guy Ritchie's films are rarely overlooked, but RocknRolla is a brilliant action thriller that doesn't get enough attention. When some small-time crooks try to break into the real estate game, they must confront larger criminal forces. With its snappy dialogue and almost musical flow, RocknRolla is a wild ride.
All of Ritchie's hallmarks are present, from his dynamic characters to his sly sense of humor. The thing that really holds RocknRolla back from being a classic is that it came on the heels of so many other great flicks just like it. Ritchie's style permeated the action thriller space in the Aughts, and it was simply overshadowed by bigger hits that drew more attention.
Point Blank (1967)
Though it's slowly becoming recognized as a neo-noir masterwork, John Boorman's Point Blank has been on the back pages of movie history for decades. Lee Marvin is a criminal who is double-crossed by his partner. He returns years later and teams with his enemy's girl to get revenge. Complex and stylish, Point Blank uses suspense as deftly as any classic flick.
Marvin's somber performance sells the gravity of the story, and there is a realistic grit not usually found in films from that era. Though the action is scant compared to modern movies, Point Blank's writing and execution put most contemporary films to shame. It isn't the easiest movie to find, but it is certainly worth discovering.
