Top 30 Ranked

The Best 2009 Action Movies Ranked

Epic Blockbusters and High Octane Thrills

Explore the best action cinema has to offer. From sci-fi spectacles to intense martial arts, discover top rated movies from a classic year of film.

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About 2009 Action Movies

Looking back at 2009, the action genre felt like a runaway train trying to decide which set of tracks to follow. It was a transitional period where the gritty realism of the mid-2000s began to collide with the dawn of the interconnected mega franchise. The result was a year that offered everything from grounded revenge tales to digital revolutions, making it one of the most eclectic windows for adrenaline junkies in recent memory.

If any single film defined the year, it was James Cameron’s Avatar. While critics often debate its narrative depth today, its impact on the action spectacle cannot be overstated. It was a sensory bombardment that changed how we perceived scale and movement. We weren't just watching a battle; we were submerged in a three dimensional ecosystem. It proved that the blockbuster was moving toward total digital immersion, for better or worse.

However, 2009 was also the year that Pierre Morel and Luc Besson gave us Taken. This film did something remarkable by pivoting away from the youthful, parkour-heavy energy of the era and handing the reins to Liam Neeson. It reinvented the elder statesman as a lethal instrument of precision. The lean, mean, and intensely focused nature of the film reminded audiences that you didn't need a hundred million dollars to create a classic. You just needed a guy with a specific set of skills and a claustrophobic editing style that made every punch feel like a car crash.

The genre also took a sharp turn into the conceptual with District 9. Neill Blomkamp used high stakes science fiction to deliver some of the most visceral combat sequences of the decade. The integration of alien weaponry and gritty, documentary style camerawork gave the action a tactile sense of danger. It was proof that smart, socially conscious storytelling could peacefully coexist with scenes of experimental rifles blowing things to smithereens.

We also caught a glimpse of the shifting tectonic plates in the franchise world. Star Trek managed to make space travel feel like a high speed chase again, injecting a sense of youth and kinetic energy into a brand that had grown somewhat stiff. Meanwhile, Fast and Furious reunited the original cast and pivoted the series away from street racing subculture toward the global heist epic it would eventually become. It was the moment the engines truly started roaring for the modern era of the blockbuster.

Even the outliers of 2009 had a certain bite to them. Sherlock Holmes transformed a Victorian detective into a bare knuckle brawler, while Crank: High Voltage pushed the limits of sheer cinematic insanity to a point that has arguably never been topped. Whether it was the polished precision of the blockbuster or the raw energy of the independent scene, 2009 was a year where the genre refused to sit still. It was loud, chaotic, and experimental, serving as the perfect bridge between the practical past and the digital future of cinema.

The Complete Rankings

Based on the top picks in drafts on SnakeDrafts

See Top Ten
30
2009 Action in Mulan: Rise of a Warrior (2009)
Mulan: Rise of a Warrior
2009

When barbarian hordes threaten her homeland, the brave and cunning Mulan disguises herself as a male soldier to swell the ranks in her aging father's stead. The warrior's remarkable courage drives her through powerful battle scenes and brutal wartime strategy. Mulan loses dear friends to the enemy's blade as she rises to become one of her country's most valuable leaders — but can she win the war before her secret is exposed?

Adventure
Drama
1h 55m
Jingle Ma Choh-Sing
Vicky Zhao, Chen Kun, Hu Jun, Jaycee Chan
29
2009 Action in Redline (2009)
Redline
2009

A daredevil driver is determined to compete in Redline, the most popular race in the galaxy. The race only occurs every five years, but in order to participate he must overcome the mafia, the government and even love.

Animation
Action
1h 42m
Takeshi Koike
Takuya Kimura, Yu Aoi, Tadanobu Asano, Takeshi Aono
28
2009 Action in Prison Break: The Final Break (2009)
Prison Break: The Final Break
2009

Michael and Sara wed, but the happiness is short-lived when the Feds apprehend her for the murder of Michael's mother, Christina. Once a hit is ordered on Sara, the team reunite to break out the increasingly vulnerable target.

Action
Drama
1h 29m
Kevin Hooks
Wentworth Miller, Sarah Wayne Callies, Dominic Purcell, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe

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27
2009 Action in Sin Nombre (2009)
Sin Nombre
2009

Sayra, a Honduran teen, hungers for a better life. Her chance for one comes when she is reunited with her long-estranged father, who intends to emigrate to Mexico and then enter the United States. Sayra's life collides with a pair of Mexican gangmembers who have boarded the same American-bound train.

Drama
Action
1h 36m
Cary Joji Fukunaga
Paulina Gaitán, Edgar Flores, Kristyan Ferrer, Tenoch Huerta Mejía
26
2009 Action in Crazy Racer (2009)
Crazy Racer
2009

Assassins, scammers, gangsters, cops, a washed-up bicycle racer, and a body continually cross paths; usually with negative outcomes.

Comedy
Action
1h 39m
Ning Hao
Huang Bo, Jiu Kong, Morris Rong Xiang, Jack Kao
25
2009 Action in Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword (2009)
Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword
2009

The Mystery Inc. gang takes a trip to Japan and finds themselves circling Asia and the Pacific in a treasure hunt, racing against the vengeful Black Samurai and his Ninja warriors to find the legendary Sword of Fate, an ancientblade fabled to possess extraordinary supernaturalpowers.

Family
Mystery
1h 14m
Christopher Berkeley
Casey Kasem, Frank Welker, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn
24
2009 Action in Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
2009

Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.

Animation
Science Fiction
1h 52m
Masayuki
Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yuko Miyamura, Maaya Sakamoto
23
2009 Action in Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009)
Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars
2009

Seven years have passed after the battle of Teppelin... Humans have since reclaimed the surface of the earth and enjoy an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity. However, humanity's increasing population growth triggers the sudden emergence of an unknown, powerful enemy. The fearsome, manipulative power of the mysterious Anti-Spiral proves too overwhelming for humans to even fight back. When everyone becomes desperate and loses hope, Team Dai-Gurren members reunite to stand up once again!

Action
Science Fiction
2h 6m
Hiroyuki Imaishi
Tetsuya Kakihara, Yukari Fukui, Marina Inoue, Katsuyuki Konishi
22
2009 Action in 12 Rounds (2009)
12 Rounds
2009

When New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a multimillion-dollar heist, the thief's girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal mastermind enacts his revenge, taunting Danny with 12 rounds of near-impossible puzzles and tasks that he must somehow complete to save the life of the woman he loves.

Action
Thriller
1h 48m
Renny Harlin
John Cena, Aidan Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris
21
2009 Action in Solomon Kane (2009)
Solomon Kane
2009

A nomadic 16th century warrior, condemned to hell for his brutal past, seeks redemption by renouncing violence, but finds some things are worth burning for as he fights to free a young Puritan woman from the grip of evil.

Adventure
Fantasy
1h 44m
MJ Bassett
James Purefoy, Pete Postlethwaite, Alice Krige, Mackenzie Crook
20
2009 Action in Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li (2009)
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li
2009

When a teenager, Chun-Li witnesses the kidnapping of her father by wealthy crime lord M. Bison. When she grows up, she goes on a quest for vengeance and becomes the famous crime-fighter of the Street Fighter universe.

Action
Adventure
1h 37m
Andrzej Bartkowiak
Kristin Kreuk, Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Michael Clarke Duncan
19
2009 Action in Push (2009)
Push
2009

After his father, an assassin, is brutally murdered, Nick Gant vows revenge on Division, the covert government agency that dabbles in psychic warfare and experimental drugs. Hiding in Hong Kong's underworld, Nick assembles a band of rogue psychics dedicated to destroying Division. Together with Cassie, a teenage clairvoyant, Nick goes in search of a missing girl and a stolen suitcase that could be the key to accomplishing their mutual goal.

Science Fiction
Action
1h 51m
Paul McGuigan
18
2009 Action in Blood: The Last Vampire (2009)
Blood: The Last Vampire
2009

On the surface, Saya is a stunning 16-year-old, but that youthful exterior hides the tormented soul of a 400-year-old "halfling". Born to a human father and a vampire mother, she has for centuries been a loner obsessed with using her samurai skills to rid the world of vampires, all the while knowing that she herself can survive only on blood like those she hunts.

Action
Adventure
1h 31m
Chris Nahon
Gianna Jun, Allison Miller, Liam Cunningham, JJ Feild
17
2009 Action in The International (2009)
The International
2009

An interpol agent and an attorney are determined to bring one of the world's most powerful banks to justice. Uncovering money laundering, arms trading, and conspiracy to destabilize world governments, their investigation takes them from Berlin, Milan, New York and Istanbul. Finding themselves in a chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk.

Action
Thriller
1h 58m
Tom Tykwer
Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen
16
2009 Action in Whiteout (2009)
Whiteout
2009

The only U.S. Marshal assigned to Antarctica, Carrie Stetko will soon leave the harsh environment behind for good – in three days, the sun will set and the Amundsen-Scott Research Station will shut down for the long winter. When a body is discovered out on the open ice, Carrie's investigation into the continent's first homicide plunges her deep into a mystery that may cost her her own life.

Action
Crime
1h 41m
Dominic Sena
Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Tom Skerritt, Columbus Short
15
2009 Action in Pandorum (2009)
Pandorum
2009

Two crew members wake up on an abandoned spacecraft with no idea who they are, how long they've been asleep, or what their mission is. The two soon discover they're actually not alone – and the reality of their situation is more horrifying than they could have imagined.

Action
Horror
1h 48m
Christian Alvart
Ben Foster, Dennis Quaid, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue
14
2009 Action in Dragonball Evolution (2009)
Dragonball Evolution
2009

On his 18th birthday, Goku receives a mystical Dragonball as a gift from his grandfather. There are only six others like it in the whole world, and legend has it that whoever possesses all seven will be granted one perfect wish. When the arrival of a dark force triggers a tragedy, Goku and his companions are propelled into an epic quest to collect the seven Dragonballs and save the Earth from destruction.

Action
Adventure
1h 25m
James Wong
Justin Chatwin, Chow Yun-Fat, Joon Park, Jamie Chung
13
2009 Action in Crank: High Voltage (2009)
Crank: High Voltage
2009

Chelios faces a Chinese mobster who has stolen his nearly indestructible heart and replaced it with a battery-powered ticker that requires regular jolts of electricity to keep working.

Action
Thriller
1h 36m
Mark Neveldine
Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam, Efren Ramirez
12
2009 Action in Surrogates (2009)
Surrogates
2009

Set in a futuristic world where humans live in isolation and interact through surrogate robots, a cop is forced to leave his home for the first time in years in order to investigate the murders of others' surrogates.

Science Fiction
Action
1h 29m
Jonathan Mostow
Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, James Cromwell
11
2009 Action in 2012 (2009)
2012
2009

Dr. Adrian Helmsley, part of a worldwide geophysical team investigating the effect on the earth of radiation from unprecedented solar storms, learns that the earth's core is heating up. He warns U.S. President Thomas Wilson that the crust of the earth is becoming unstable and that without proper preparations for saving a fraction of the world's population, the entire race is doomed. Meanwhile, writer Jackson Curtis stumbles on the same information. While the world's leaders race to build "arks" to escape the impending cataclysm, Curtis struggles to find a way to save his family. Meanwhile, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of unprecedented strength wreak havoc around the world.

Action
Adventure
2h 38m
Roland Emmerich
10
2009 Action in The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
2009

Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day's work for dispatcher Walter Garber into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.

Crime
Thriller
Why it ranks

Tony Scott brings his signature jittery tension to the New York subway in a claustrophobic battle of wits and weaponry. The film thrives on its rapid-fire editing and the mounting pressure of a ticking-clock scenario that feels dangerously authentic.

9
2009 Action in Ninja Assassin (2009)
Ninja Assassin
2009

Ninja Assassin follows Raizo, one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge.

Action
Adventure
1h 39m
James McTeigue
Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Rick Yune
Why it ranks

A crimson-soaked homage to classical martial arts cinema, this film utilizes shadow and light to choreograph some of the decade's most fluid blade work. The action is uncompromisingly sharp, favoring acrobatic lethality and stylized gore.

8
2009 Action in Gamer (2009)
Gamer
2009

Mind-control technology has taken society by a storm, a multiplayer on-line game called "Slayers" allows players to control human prisoners in mass-scale. Simon controls Kable, the online champion of the game. Kable's ultimate challenge becomes regaining his identity and independence by defeating the game's mastermind.

Action
Thriller
1h 35m
Mark Neveldine
Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgwick
Why it ranks

This twitchy, hyper-edited satire captures the frenetic energy of third-person shooters with a jarring and effective aesthetic. It serves as a cynical, high-octane commentary on spectator violence that feels increasingly prescient.

7
2009 Action in Watchmen (2009)
Watchmen
2009

In a gritty and alternate 1985, the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown. But after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so they uncover a sinister plot that puts all of humanity in grave danger.

Mystery
Action
Malin Åkerman, Patrick Wilson, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode
Why it ranks

Zack Snyder translates graphic novel panels into a brooding, hyper-stylized deconstruction of the vigilante mythos. Each frame is meticulously composed to emphasize the brutal, slow-motion impact of gods and men colliding in a rain-slicked alternate history.

6
2009 Action in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
2009

Sam Witwicky leaves the Autobots behind for a normal life. But when his mind is filled with cryptic symbols, the Decepticons target him and he is dragged back into the Transformers' war.

Science Fiction
Action
Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Peter Cullen, Hugo Weaving
Why it ranks

Michael Bay orchestrates a maximalist symphony of pyrotechnics and complex mechanical engineering that defies the limitations of traditional frame rates. It is an assault on the senses that prioritizes scale and metallic friction over all else.

5
2009 Action in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
2009

After seeking to live a normal life, Logan sets out to avenge the death of his girlfriend by undergoing the mutant Weapon X program and becoming Wolverine.

Adventure
Action
1h 47m
Gavin Hood
Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins
Why it ranks

Hugh Jackman’s feral intensity carries this visceral origin story through a series of bone-crunching set pieces and explosive escapes. The film excels when it leans into the raw, unbridled savagery of its central anti-hero amidst a chaotic mutant arms race.

4
2009 Action in Terminator Salvation (2009)
Terminator Salvation
2009

All grown up in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor must lead the resistance of humans against the increasingly dominating militaristic robots. But when Marcus Wright appears, his existence confuses the mission as Connor tries to determine whether Wright has come from the future or the past -- and whether he's friend or foe.

Action
Science Fiction
1h 55m
McG
Why it ranks

Trading neon-lit nights for a sun-bleached, industrial apocalypse, this installment finds its power in the crushing weight of metal-on-metal combat. The sound design alone creates a visceral sense of dread that elevates the mechanical insurgency to terrifying heights.

3
2009 Action in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
2009

From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. JOE team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.

Adventure
Action
1h 58m
Stephen Sommers
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Lee Byung-hun, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Why it ranks

Stephen Sommers delivers a candy-colored explosion of localized gadgetry and high-speed pursuits that captures the unadulterated joy of an afternoon toy box brawl. It is a hyper-kinetic piece of pop-art military fiction that never slows down to catch its breath.

2
2009 Action in Fast & Furious (2009)
Fast & Furious
2009

When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Conner. But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And the two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

Why it ranks

By pivoting from street racing to high-stakes urban warfare, this entry successfully retooled the franchise into a heavy-hitting tactical powerhouse. The reunion of the original cast injects a palpable grit that anchors the film's relentless, gasoline-soaked choreography.

1
2009 Action in Avatar (2009)
2009

In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

Action
Adventure
Why it ranks

James Cameron redefined the cinematic landscape with an immersive, bioluminescent spectacle that pushed motion-capture technology into a new dimension. Its sheer scale and kinetic environmental storytelling remain the gold standard for high-concept world-building.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts

2009 was a pivotal year for action cinema as it blended gritty realism with the emergence of interconnected mega franchises. This mix led to a diverse range of films, from high-octane sci-fi spectacles like 'Avatar' to intense martial arts movies such as 'Ninja Assassin,' catering to varied audience tastes.

Science fiction heavily influenced 2009's action movies, evident in titles like 'Terminator Salvation' and 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.' These films incorporated futuristic technology and imaginative worlds, elevating traditional action sequences with advanced visual effects and complex narratives.

Among 2009's action offerings, 'Ninja Assassin' stands out for its intense martial arts choreography and stylized fight scenes. It brought a raw, kinetic energy to the genre, contrasting with the high-tech and science fiction-driven films of the same year.

Yes, films like 'Fast & Furious' and 'The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3' combined thrilling action sequences with compelling crime and thriller narratives. These movies delivered adrenaline-pumping moments while engaging audiences with suspenseful plots and character-driven drama.

2009's 'Watchmen' and 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' played significant roles in evolving superhero cinema by presenting darker, more complex characters and morally ambiguous stories. These films set the stage for later superhero movies to explore deeper themes beyond traditional good-versus-evil tropes.

Directors like James Cameron, Zack Snyder, and Michael Bay brought distinct visions that defined 2009's action landscape. Cameron's epic storytelling in 'Avatar' introduced groundbreaking visual effects, while Snyder's stylized approach in 'Watchmen' and Bay's explosive set pieces in 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen' showcased diverse directorial influences.

Films like 'Gamer' and 'Pandorum' experimented with storytelling by merging action with psychological thriller and horror elements. These movies pushed genre boundaries, offering unconventional narratives and atmospheric tension alongside traditional action sequences.

Several 2009 action films, such as 'Surrogates,' explored themes of technology's impact on humanity and identity. This reflection of contemporary concerns through high-concept sci-fi narratives added thematic depth to the action genre during that year.
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