The life or death of an action movie is typically determined by box office figures and the amount of buzz generated by the film’s opening weekend. But some of the best action movies fly under the radar — not due to their quality, but due to their timing, the way they were promoted, or their failure to live up to the mainstream audience’s expectations.
Over the years, these underrated action movies have accumulated their own loyal fans and contributed to the genre in ways that are not always obvious.
Here are five of the most underrated action movies of all time — undeniable cult classics, if you will — that deserve much greater recognition than they’ve gotten.
- Dredd (2012)
“Dredd” is a master class in hard-hitting and stripped-down action. While its louder and more glamorous cousins are content to be flashy and extravagant, “Dredd” is happy to be understated. It’s a movie that largely takes place in a vast skyscraper dominated by criminals and stars an enforcer as he battles them in a series of room-to-room combats.
What sets “Dredd” apart is the realistic tone. The violence is not cartoonish. Every fight is intense, and every injury counts. That is why the film has generated a cult following.
What’s even more intriguing is how movies such as “Dredd” showcase how chaos can result in serious consequences. In the real world, scenes involving falls, blunt force trauma, or car crashes are similar to the types of incidents that often give rise to personal injury cases. Action heroes don’t have to pursue personal injury cases. But the rest of us will if life imitates art.
- The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
“The Long Kiss Goodnight,” a movie from the mid-90s, didn’t receive the attention it deserved when it was first released. Even so, it’s one of those movies that has truly aged well. It’s a well-balanced combination of witty lines, creative action scenes, and a fine performance by its leading actress.
Instead of non-stop explosions, it strikes the right balance between character development and action. The humor never feels out of place — nor does the action overshadow the film.
- Ronin (1998)
“Ronin” is often remembered for only one thing: the car chases. However, that doesn’t give the movie full credit, as the flick shows great intelligence and realism.
What makes “Ronin” an underrated movie is that it never explains everything to the viewer. It’s a more immersive experience this way. Realism in this movie is also shown in how injuries are depicted on screen. The characters don’t simply emerge unharmed from high-speed car chases and shootouts. That level of realism is a reminder that, as the world outside the screen knows, accidents are not reset at the end of the scene. They can have real-life repercussions.
- Equilibrium (2002)
“Equilibrium,” while flying under the radar, has some great stylized action scenes. The movie takes place in a future where emotions are suppressed, featuring a mix of martial arts, gunplay, and philosophical ideas.
The action choreography is memorable, but what makes the movie stand out is its emotional center. The violence is not just gratuitous, meant to look cool on film. It’s part of a larger narrative about control and freedom.
- Payback (1999)
“Payback” strips down the action movie genre to its most basic components: an unyielding hero, an uncomplicated objective, and a gritty environment.
Injuries in the movie are inconvenient and painful rather than heroic. Characters limp and bleed as they struggle. Such an approach reflects the real world more accurately than most action films do.
It doesn’t take millions of dollars or non-stop explosions to make an action movie stand out. In fact, some of the most compelling films in the genre can be found among those that simply get things done differently. If you’re in the mood for some action films that require attention and maturity to fully appreciate, the above-mentioned films are worth checking out.
They demonstrate that the best action films aren’t necessarily the loudest — they’re the ones that make a lasting impression.