So the decade has come to an end, and it was more or less a solid one for action films. With it came many lists of the best action movies of the decade, which featured the usual suspects of titles, such as the John Wicks, The Raids, the Mission: Impossibles, and so on. But what about the under the radar action films? Action films that go greatly unseen by the masses, but are vigorously lauded by dedicated action fans like myself? The gems, if you will. Well, ladies and gentlemen, do I have a list for you! And to help me bring it to you, I have brought together an esteemed assortment of some of the most intelligent and influential action movie analysts from all over. So, without further ado, here are The Top 50 Action Gems of the Decade! – The Cinema Drunkie https://thecinemadrunkie.wordpress.com/
50. CHALLENGE OF FIVE GAUNTLETS (2018)
What Len Kabasinski has accomplished with the resources at his disposal is extraordinary. An old fashioned kung fu adventure of the highest order made on the lowest budget (reportedly just under $10,000), Challenge of Five Gauntlets proves Kabasinski is a filmmaker overflowing with invention. And with well staged action sequences, stellar directing, fine performances from all actors involved (including the legendary Leo “Low Blow” Fong) and a genuinely compelling story, Challenge Of Five Gauntlets will be Kabasinski’s calling card for years to come, and the ultimate answer to any question on whether he is anything but a talented filmmaker. – The Cinema Drunkie https://thecinemadrunkie.wordpress.com/
49. OUTLAWED (2018)
2018 saw the rise of a new breed of action hero in Adam Collins who is a former member of the Royal Marines and since leaving that life behind he has parlayed that experience into a promising career in the stunt world. Now taking center stage, Collins wore all hats as he stars, produced and co-directed the film with Luke Radford. Outlawed is a brutal and raw throwback film to the glory days of the 80’s and 90’s when action ruled the cinemas. With a minimum budget, Collins has created an indie action pic that is polished and slick with rousing action sequences that would rival anything seen in bigger budgeted films. The ending alone is worth the price of admission and is an action lover’s dream come true with enough on screen violence to satisfy even the most jaded action fan. Collins breaks out into one man army territory and it is simply a thing of bloody beauty. With Outlawed, Collins cements himself as the next new action star in the making. – John M. Jerva, Action-flix editor & founder https://action-flix.com/
48. DEATH FIGHTER (2017)
I really REALLY like this film. It kind of came out of nowhere when it was released to home video because it was apparently filmed like 4 or 5 years before it was actually released. I actually think Kickboxing legend Joe Lewis was dead for years when this actually became available on VOD, DVD, etc. I think what stands out about this film most is the fight choreography which I think is exciting and outstanding. I’ve seen tons of Don “The Dragon” Wilson’s films and he’s probably in his mid to late 50’s while filming this and in my opinion he has some of his BEST fight work in this film. Couple that with Cynthia Rothrock who was in her 50’s when filming this one too and looks amazing. The film really feels like a martial arts film that would have come out in 1987…..and I like that. – Len Kabasinski, Writer/Producer/Director https://www.patreon.com/killerwolffilms
47. YES, AUNTIE! (2019)
There’s no doubt that 2019 was a shittier than shit year for me, but nothing will take away the experience I had the night I got to screen this feature-length sequel to a 2016 webseries, joining the company of the film’s cast, and a Sammo-approved Hong Kong cinema legend. And on my birthday, no less! Joey Min cross-dresses for his feature debut playing a modern day suburban kung fu legend whose life as a steadfast auntie living with her pugilistically-gifted niece finds them going toe-to-toe with a pompadour-wearing gangster and corrupt law enforcement. The results are a mix of zany and bizarre comedy with a touch of heart, and kinetic Hong Kong-style kung fu action, admirably performed by burgeoning upper-eastern local stunt and film talents. – Lee B. Golden III, Film Combat Syndicate – founder and editor
https://filmcombatsyndicate.com
46. RECOIL (2011)
I was blown away by Recoil. Steve Austin’s track record as an action star is spotty due to the fact that he’s been in some junky efforts like Tactical Force and The Stranger, but Recoil is one of his best – if not his very best – action film. The script by John Sullivan (who has written some low budget horror films) is surprisingly smart and believable, and the direction by Terry Miles feels assured and accomplished. The action scenes are tight and convincingly planned out, and Austin’s character behaves in a realistic fashion. His final fight with Trejo (who’s very good in the film) is great. MMA fighter Keith Jardine (from Tactical Force) has a nice fight with Austin at about the halfway point. This one is highly recommended. – David J. Moore, Author of WORLD GONE WILD: A SURVIVOR’S GUIDE TO POST-APOCALYPTIC MOVIES and THE GOOD, THE TOUGH, AND THE DEADLY: ACTION MOVIES AND STARS.
45. DARC (2018)
This is a solid film to view just to see how to make a professional looking East meets West film for less without actually looking amateuristic or like a Maverick Home Ent./Troma release. Produced by one of Seagal’s former business partners and feeling like it’s another one for the Taken/John Wick crowd, this film provides solid build-up without dragging and is def one of Armand Assante’s better recent film entries (as he even gets a cool end fight scene) after almost a decade’s worth of wasted cameos in lesser productions. The Yakuza portrayal in this film is also far more plausible feeling and makes one feel like their intelligence is never insulted nor like the writers are too often bending reality to create their own illusion – Cameron Sully, Writer/Producer https://theactionelite.com/author/cam-sully/
44. GRIDLOCKED (2015)
Bored with PG-13 movies aimed at children? Well, Gridlocked is the answer. It’s hard R action with blood squibs and no noticeable CGI or shaky cam. It’s actually one of the most satisfyingly violent action movies I’ve seen in quite some time and is impressively slick. This is a throwback to the era of great action movies (the 80’s and 90’s) with references to Lethal Weapon and a storyline that feels like a Die Hard flick with a side order of Assault on Precinct 13. Although it follows a similar formula to other action movies, it doesn’t fall into the usual cliches and does something a little different, giving us memorable characters and time to get to know everyone in-between the slaughter. The final half hour is action movie heaven with shoot-outs, fist fights and awesomely brutal violence which should have you cheering in the aisles. – Eoin Friel, editor & founder of The Action Elite https://theactionelite.com
43. GET THE GRINGO (2012)
This film should have been much bigger than what it was in my opinion. Mel Gibson is fantastic in it and really channels a character very close to his character of “Porter” in PAYBACK. So if you loved PAYBACK like me, then you’ll probably really enjoy GET THE GRINGO. It’s well shot, well acted, and has a nicely paced story. A very slick looking film and even though it didn’t get the huge theatrical release it LOOKS and FEELS like it should have which is more than can be said for the direct to video efforts of say fellow-action star Steven Seagal. – Len Kabasinski, Writer/Producer/Director https://www.patreon.com/killerwolffilms
42. SAFE (2012)
Safe is one of Jason Statham’s best films, it’s a no holds barred action film once you get passed the 20 minute mark, the action is brutal and incredibly satisfying, particularly the subway fight, the story is simple, but effective, the direction is solid, it moves at an incredibly fast pace which I love, and it never tries to be anything than what it’s supposed to be: a fun action film which is lacking in mainstream action films nowadays. This is definitely one to recommend if you haven’t seen it. Trust me, you’ll want to watch it again after seeing it! – Jonathan Mark, Writer https://theactionelite.com/author/jonathan-mark/
41. UPGRADE (2018)
Just when you think the well is dry where vigilante movies are concerned, a movie like 2018’s Upgrade comes along completely disproving that theory. Upgrade put a serious sci-fi spin on the vigilante genre as “technophobe” Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) finds himself agreeing to having a revolutionary computer chip planted inside of him by tech genius, Eron Keen (Harrison Gilbertson), after Grey and his wife are attacked by some genetically enhanced baddies, resulting in the death of his wife and leaving Grey paralyzed. The chip promises to give Grey the ability to walk again, which is why he agrees to do it… but it ends up turning him into a genetically enhanced vigilante. This proved to be great news for fans of vigilante movies and horrible news for the guys that killed Grey’s wife. – Chris The Brain, Writer https://www.bulletproofaction.com/
Check out Action-flix for 40-31, Bulletproof Action for 30- 21, Film Combat Syndicate for 20-11 and Ultimate Action Movie Club for 10-1!