Top 50 Ranked

Best 2014 Action Movies Ranked

Unforgettable Blockbusters and High Octane Cinema Spectacles

Explore the best action movies of the year. From Keanu Reeves' iconic comeback to superhero epics and martial arts masterpieces, discover top-rated hits.

Draft Best 2014 Action Movies with friends and our judges will crown a winner!

About 2014 Action Movies

Ten years ago, the landscape of action cinema felt like it was standing at a crossroads. The superhero industrial complex was tightening its grip on the global box office, yet 2014 remains one of those rare vintage years where the genre found a way to reinvent itself across several different fronts. It was a year defined by technical mastery, old school grit, and high concept science fiction that actually had something to say. Looking back, it felt like the industry was collectively waking up from a decade of shaky-cam fatigue and realizing that audiences were finally ready for clarity and style.

The seismic shift arguably started with John Wick. On paper, it looked like another direct to video bargain bin thriller starring a veteran actor whose star power was supposedly fading. Instead, Keanu Reeves and directors Chad Stahelski and David Leitch introduced the world to gun fu, a blend of tactical firearm precision and jujitsu that completely changed how Western action was choreographed. It moved away from rapid fire editing and toward wide, long takes where you could actually see the physical toll of the violence. It was sleek, neon drenched, and remarkably efficient.

While John Wick was rebuilding the foundations of the hitman thriller, Gareth Evans was perfecting the martial arts epic with The Raid 2. If the first film was a claustrophobic exercise in tension, the sequel was a sprawling crime odyssey. It contained some of the most punishing and intricately designed fight sequences ever put to film, particularly the mud soaked prison riot and the final kitchen showdown. It proved that international action was no longer just a niche interest for enthusiasts but a standard setter for the entire world.

Mainstream blockbusters were also experiencing a creative surge. Marvel Studios released Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which many still consider the high water mark for the franchise. By leaning into the aesthetics of a 1970s political thriller and emphasizing hand to hand combat over digital explosions, it gave the superhero genre a grounded weight it had been sorely lacking. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise and Doug Liman delivered Edge of Tomorrow, a whip smart sci-fi loop that used video game logic to create a movie that was as funny as it was thrilling. It was proof that an original big budget concept could still feel fresh if the execution was precise.

Even the world of animation and monster movies got in on the action. Godzilla returned to the big screen with a sense of scale and visual dread that respected the source material, while The Raid influenced choreography began to bleed into everything from television to low budget indies. 2014 was a year where the genre felt dangerous and experimental again. It reminded us that whether it was a man seeking vengeance for a puppy or an army fighting back a grounded alien invasion, the best action movies are built on a foundation of clear geography, physical consequences, and a distinct visual voice. It was a year that didn't just provide mindless noise, it gave us legends.

The Complete Rankings

Based on the top picks in drafts on SnakeDrafts

See Top Ten
50
2014 Action in Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears (2014)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears
2014

Posing as lovers on vacation, Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scrasath. Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation.

Action
Animation
59m
Kazuchika Kise
Maaya Sakamoto, Ikkyu Juku, Kenichirou Matsuda, Kazuya Nakai
49
2014 Action in Halo: Nightfall (2014)
Halo: Nightfall
2014

Set between the events of Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians… Halo: Nightfall tells the dramatic story of legendary man hunter and Naval Intelligence Officer Jameson Locke and his team as they are caught in a horrific biological attack while investigating terrorist activity on the distant colony world of Sedra. As they unravel a plot that draws them to an ancient, hellish artifact, they will be forced to fight for their survival, question everything and ultimately choose between their loyalty and their lives.

Science Fiction
Action
1h 59m
Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Mike Colter, Alexis Rodney, Alexander Bhat, Sarah Armstrong
48
2014 Action in Kung Fu Jungle (2014)
Kung Fu Jungle
2014

A martial arts instructor working at a police academy gets imprisoned after killing a man by accident. But when a vicious killer starts targeting martial arts masters, the instructor offers to help the police in return for his freedom.

Action
Thriller
1h 40m
Teddy Chan Tak-Sum
Donnie Yen, Charlie Yeung Choi-Nei, Wang Baoqiang, Michelle Bai

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47
2014 Action in '71 (2014)
'71
2014

A young British soldier must find his way back to safety after his unit accidentally abandons him during a riot in the streets of Belfast.

Thriller
Action
1h 39m
Yann Demange
Jack O'Connell, Sean Harris, Paul Anderson, Sam Reid
46
2014 Action in Non-Stop (2014)
Non-Stop
2014

Bill Marks is a Federal Air Marshall for whom every day is the same until this one. On this plane ride, he starts receiving text messages from someone claiming to be on the flight and threatening to kill passengers. In a race against the clock, he must identify and stop the killer to save everyone on board.

Action
Thriller
1h 47m
Jaume Collet-Serra
Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Scoot McNairy, Michelle Dockery
45

After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college. But when Jenko meets a kindred spirit on the football team, and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, they begin to question their partnership. Now they don't have to just crack the case - they have to figure out if they can have a mature relationship. If these two overgrown adolescents can grow from freshmen into real men, college might be the best thing that ever happened to them.

Crime
Comedy
1h 52m
Phil Lord
Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Peter Stormare, Wyatt Russell
44
2014 Action in Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper (2014)
Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper
2014

A rash of sniper attacks leaves the streets of Tokyo empty and the public terrified to go outside. It’s up to Conan and his friends to find the culprit, but the case goes deeper than it seems. Military cover-ups, conspiracies and murder abound in this fast-paced, thrilling mystery!

Animation
Action
1h 50m
Kobun Shizuno
Minami Takayama, Kappei Yamaguchi, Wakana Yamazaki, Rikiya Koyama
43
2014 Action in Man on High Heels (2014)
Man on High Heels
2014

Ji-wook is a virile detective with a reputation, but deep down in his heart, he always considered himself as a woman and finally decides to get a transsexual operation. However, his plan falls apart as vicious gang members start their revenge on him.

Action
Drama
2h 5m
Jang Jin
Cha Seung-won, Esom, Oh Jung-se, Park Sung-woong
42
2014 Action in In Order of Disappearance (2014)
In Order of Disappearance
2014

Upstanding community leader Nils has just won an award for "Citizen of the Year" when he learns the news that his son has died of a heroin overdose. Suspecting foul play, Nils begins to investigate, and soon finds himself at the center of an escalating underworld gang war between Serbian drug dealers and a sociopathic criminal mastermind known only as “The Count.”

Thriller
Action
1h 55m
Hans Petter Moland
Stellan Skarsgård, Bruno Ganz, Pål Sverre Hagen, Jack Moland
41

In a world divided into factions based on personality types, Tris learns that she's been classified as Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late.

Action
Adventure
2h 20m
Neil Burger
Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller
40
2014 Action in Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone (2014)
Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 4: Ghost Stands Alone
2014

The upcoming installment's story takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels. This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist "Fire Starter." An independent offensive unit led by Makoto Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice. Below the surface of the incident, lies the "tin girl" Emma and the "scarecrow man" Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking.

Action
Animation
59m
Susumu Kudo
Maaya Sakamoto, Ikkyu Juku, Kenichirou Matsuda, Aya Hisakawa
39
2014 Action in Batman: Strange Days (2014)
Batman: Strange Days
2014

A lost tale from Batman's past, the Dark Knight tracks a strange giant to the mysterious lair of Hugo Strange.

Action
Animation
3m
Bruce Timm
Kevin Conroy, Brian George, Tara Strong, Bruce Timm
38
2014 Action in The Pirates (2014)
The Pirates
2014

At the cusp of the founding of Joseon Dynasty, an envoy from China is delivering Emperor’s Ming’s Royal Seal. But nature in the form of a giant whale intervenes and swallows the royal seal. When a generous reward is offered to whomever can retrieve the royal seal from the belly of the whale, the race is on. A group of mountain bandits led by Jang Sa Jung and a group of pirates led by Yeo Wol go after the lost treasure, but who will get to to it first?

Action
Adventure
2h 10m
Lee Suk-hoon
Son Ye-jin, Kim Nam-gil, Oh Dal-su, Park Cheol-min
37
2014 Action in The Target (2014)
The Target
2014

At the same time as murder suspect Yeo-hoon is brought unconscious to the emergency room following a shooting incident, an assailant breaks into the house of Tae-jun, the emergency room's doctor in charge, and kidnaps his wife. The kidnapper calls the doctor and tells him to bring Yeo-hoon to him. To retrieve his wife, Tae-jun has no option but to save the patient and sneak him away before the police can notice.

Thriller
Action
1h 38m
Chang
Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Jin-uk, Yu Jun-sang, Jin Goo
36
2014 Action in The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014)
The Admiral: Roaring Currents
2014

Admiral Yi Sun-sin faces a tough challenge when he is forced to defend his nation with just 13 battleships against 300 Japanese enemy ships in the Battle of Myeongryang.

War
Action
2h 6m
Kim Han-min
Choi Min-sik, Ryu Seung-ryong, Cho Jin-woong, Jin Goo
35
2014 Action in Mary Kom (2014)
Mary Kom
2014

A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer 'Mary Kom' who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.

Action
Drama
2h 2m
Omung Kumar
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Darshan Kumaar, Shishir Sharma, Sunil Thapa
34
2014 Action in A Hard Day (2014)
A Hard Day
2014

After trying to cover up a car accident that left a man dead, a crooked homicide detective is stalked by a mysterious man claiming to have witnessed the event.

Crime
Thriller
1h 51m
Kim Seong-hun
Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Jin-woong, Jeong Man-sik, Shin Jung-keun
33
2014 Action in Son of Batman (2014)
Son of Batman
2014

Batman learns he has a violent, unruly pre-teen son, secretly raised by the terrorist group known as The League of Assassins.

Animation
Action
1h 14m
Ethan Spaulding
Jason O'Mara, Stuart Allan, Thomas Gibson, Morena Baccarin
32
2014 Action in One Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends (2014)
One Piece "3D2Y": Overcome Ace's Death! Luffy's Vow to his Friends
2014

The special takes place during the two year before the Straw Hats reunite on Sabody. Luffy is currently in Rusukaina training to get stronger to take on the New World. However the training is interrupted when Hancock's sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia, are kidnapped by the Byrnndi World, a pirate who was locked away on Level 6 of Impel Down but escaped during Luffy's invasion to save Ace, in order to lure Hancock to him and use her as a hostage against the World Government due to her Shichibukai status. Thus Luffy and Hancock head off to confront him and save Hancock's sisters.

Animation
Action
1h 45m
Naoyuki Ito
Mayumi Tanaka, Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Arata Furuta
31
2014 Action in Parasyte: Part 1 (2014)
Parasyte: Part 1
2014

Humanity is suffering from a series of mysterious murders across the globe, known as the 'Mincemeat murders'. High school student Izumi Shinichi has a parasite living off him, having replaced his right hand, and he might be the discoverer of truth.

Science Fiction
Horror
1h 49m
Takashi Yamazaki
Shota Sometani, Sadao Abe, Eri Fukatsu, Ai Hashimoto
30
2014 Action in Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent
2014

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.

Fantasy
Adventure
1h 37m
Robert Stromberg
Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Imelda Staunton, Sharlto Copley
29
2014 Action in The Connection (2014)
The Connection
2014

Newly transferred to the bustling port city of Marseille to assist with a crackdown on organized crime, energetic young magistrate Pierre Michel is given a rapid-fire tutorial on the ins and outs of an out-of-control drug trade. Pierre's wildly ambitious mission is to take on the French Connection, a highly organized operation that controls the city's underground heroin economy and is overseen by the notorious —and reputedly untouchable— Gaetan Zampa. Fearless, determined and willing to go the distance, Pierre plunges into an underworld world of insane danger and ruthless criminals.

Thriller
Crime
2h 15m
Cédric Jimenez
Jean Dujardin, Gilles Lellouche, Céline Sallette, Mélanie Doutey
28
2014 Action in Black Butler (2014)
Black Butler
2014

Set in the year 2020, following her supposed death, a young woman returns as the son of her noble family to precede the family's prestigious company, with a demon at her side to avenge her parent's murder.

Horror
Fantasy
1h 59m
Kentaro Otani
Hiro Mizushima, Ayame Goriki, Mizuki Yamamoto, Yûka
27
2014 Action in Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (2014)
Once Upon a Time in Shanghai
2014

A laborer moves to Shanghai in the hope of becoming rich. But ends up using his kung fu skills to survive. Remake of The Boxer From Shantung.

Action
Crime
1h 35m
Wong Ching-Po
Philip Ng Wan-Lung, Andy On Chi-Kit, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Michelle Hu
26
2014 Action in Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars (2014)
Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars
2014

Phineas and Ferb become the galaxy's unlikeliest last hope when they must return the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance.

Animation
Comedy
51m
Sue Perrotto
Vincent Martella, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ashley French, Dee Bradley Baker
25
2014 Action in Kaththi (2014)
Kaththi
2014

Kathiresan aka Kaththi, a criminal, escapes from the Kolkata prison and comes to Chennai, where he comes across his doppelganger Jeevanandham, fighting for his life after being shot at by unknown men. Kathir decides to pass off as Jeeva and make away with a lump sum amount but once he realizes who Jeeva really is, Kathir turns a crusader.

Action
Drama
2h 47m
A. R. Murugadoss
Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Sathish, Neil Nitin Mukesh
24
2014 Action in The Maze Runner (2014)
The Maze Runner
2014

A teenager with no memory of his past finds himself among a group of boys living in a walled enclosure surrounded by a massive, ever-changing maze. As he struggles to adapt to their rules and society, he begins to uncover clues that may lead to escape and the truth behind their confinement.

Action
Mystery
1h 53m
Wes Ball
Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee
23
2014 Action in No Tears for the Dead (2014)
No Tears for the Dead
2014

A hitman accidentally kills a little girl. Filled with regret, he wants to quit. But then to tie up loose ends, he is forced to go on another job, to kill the girl's mother.

Action
Thriller
1h 57m
Lee Jeong-beom
Jang Dong-gun, Kim Min-hee, Brian Tee, Kim Min-jae
22
2014 Action in Only You (2014)
Only You
2014

The passionate love between a former boxer and a beautiful blind woman.

Action
Drama
1h 45m
Hakan Yonat
Belçim Bilgin, İbrahim Çelikkol, Erol Demiröz, Cezmi Baskın
21
2014 Action in Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (2014)
Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion
2014

It is a dark time. The Jedi are no more, and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron fist -- bringing tyranny to the Outer Rim world of Lothal. Their ominous presence is a cloud over the planet, squashing any hope of freedom or a better life, especially for 14-year-old orphan Ezra Bridger. But the young con artist soon finds that destiny has other plans for him, as he encounters a small band of rebels who dare to strike back against the Empire.

Adventure
Animation
44m
Steward Lee
Freddie Prinze Jr., Vanessa Marshall, Taylor Gray, Tiya Sircar
20
2014 Action in Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
Batman: Assault on Arkham
2014

Batman works desperately to find a bomb planted by the Joker while Amanda Waller sends her newly-formed Suicide Squad to break into Arkham Asylum and recover vital information stolen by the Riddler.

Thriller
Animation
1h 16m
Ethan Spaulding
Kevin Conroy, Neal McDonough, Hynden Walch, Matthew Gray Gubler
19
2014 Action in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
2014

Following Smaug's attack on Laketown, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's hands.

Action
Adventure
Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom
18
2014 Action in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
2014

A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar tries to maintain dominance over his community of intelligent apes.

Science Fiction
Action
2h 10m
Matt Reeves
Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Toby Kebbell, Gary Oldman
17
2014 Action in American Sniper (2014)
American Sniper
2014

U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle takes his sole mission—protect his comrades—to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. His pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but also makes him a prime target of insurgents. Despite grave danger and his struggle to be a good husband and father to his family back in the States, Kyle serves four tours of duty in Iraq. However, when he finally returns home, he finds that he cannot leave the war behind.

War
Action
Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner, Cole Konis
16
2014 Action in Lupin the Third: Jigen's Gravestone (2014)
Lupin the Third: Jigen's Gravestone
2014

Lupin & Jigen have their sights set on a treasure called the Little Comet, which is located in the heavily fortified country of East Doroa. During the heist, Jigen is almost killed by a sniper named Yael Okuzaki. His specialty is preparing tombstones for his targets before executing them. It's said that no one can survive after Yael makes their tombstone.

Animation
Adventure
51m
Takeshi Koike
Kanichi Kurita, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Miyuki Sawashiro, Koichi Yamadera
15
2014 Action in Justice League: War (2014)
Justice League: War
2014

The world is under attack by an alien armada led by the powerful Apokoliptian, Darkseid. A group of superheroes consisting of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Shazam must set aside their differences and gather together to defend Earth.

Animation
Action
1h 19m
Jay Oliva
Michelle Monaghan, Alan Tudyk, Sean Astin, Shemar Moore
14
2014 Action in The Last: Naruto the Movie (2014)
The Last: Naruto the Movie
2014

Two years after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the moon that Hagoromo Otsutsuki created long ago to seal away the Gedo Statue begins to descend towards the world, threatening to become a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. Amidst this crisis, a direct descendant of Kaguya Otsutsuki named Toneri Otsutsuki attempts to kidnap Hinata Hyuga but ends up abducting her younger sister Hanabi. Naruto and his allies now mount a rescue mission before finding themselves embroiled in a final battle to decide the fate of everything.

Action
Romance
1h 54m
Tsuneo Kobayashi
Junko Takeuchi, Nana Mizuki, Jun Fukuyama, Chie Nakamura
13

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.

12
2014 Action in Fury (2014)
Fury
2014

April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and outgunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

War
Drama
2h 15m
David Ayer
11
2014 Action in Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno (2014)
Rurouni Kenshin Part II: Kyoto Inferno
2014

Kenshin has settled into his new life with Kaoru and his other friends when he is approached with a request from the Meiji government. Makoto Shishio, a former assassin like Kenshin, was betrayed, set on fire and left for dead. He survived, and is now in Kyoto, plotting with his gathered warriors to overthrow the new government. Against Kaoru's wishes, Kenshin reluctantly agrees to go to Kyoto and help keep his country from falling back into civil war.

Action
Adventure
2h 18m
Keishi Otomo
Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Munetaka Aoki, Kaito Oyagi
10

Five years after uniting the dragons and Vikings of Berk, Hiccup and Toothless soar beyond their homeland, charting the vast unknown. During one of their adventures, the pair discover a secret cave that houses hundreds of wild dragons -- and a mysterious dragon rider with a startling connection to Hiccup. And as the ruthless dragon conqueror Drago Bludvist rises to seize control of both dragons and people alike, Hiccup must step into his role as a true leader and, alongside his friends and Toothless, protect Berk from a devastating war.

Fantasy
Action
1h 42m
Dean DeBlois
Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Why it ranks

Taking the flight mechanics of its predecessor to panoramic new heights, this sequel offers a dizzying array of dragon-mounted tactical warfare. The animation serves the scale of the battlefield, making every banking turn and gout of flame feel immense.

9
2014 Action in Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends (2014)
Rurouni Kenshin Part III: The Legend Ends
2014

Shishio sets sail in his ironclad ship to bring down the government. In order to stop him, Kenshin trains with his old master to learn his final technique.

Action
Adventure
2h 15m
Keishi Otomo
Takeru Satoh, Emi Takei, Munetaka Aoki, Yu Aoi
Why it ranks

This grand finale sets a new standard for live-action swordplay, ditching excessive wirework for lightning-fast, grounded blade work. It is a stunning visual culmination that honors the weight of its protagonist's steel and his heavy history.

8
2014 Action in Big Hero 6 (2014)
Big Hero 6
2014

A special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.

Adventure
Family
1h 42m
Chris Williams
Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller
Why it ranks

Fusing Marvel’s DNA with Disney’s heart, this animated marvel delivers high-flying aerial maneuvers and sleek robotics with genuine panache. Its success stems from the seamless integration of emotional stakes and innovative, tech-heavy skirmishes.

7
2014 Action in The Raid 2 (2014)
The Raid 2
2014

After fighting his way through an apartment building populated by an army of dangerous criminals and escaping with his life, SWAT team member Rama goes undercover, joining a powerful Indonesian crime syndicate to protect his family and uncover corrupt members of his own force.

Action
Crime
2h 30m
Gareth Evans
Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Tio Pakusadewo, Oka Antara
Why it ranks

Gareth Evans expands his martial arts canvas into a sweeping crime saga that features some of the most punishingly intricate choreography ever captured on film. The sheer ambition of its sprawling set-pieces makes it a towering achievement in global action cinema.

6
2014 Action in Lucy (2014)
Lucy
2014

A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Action
Science Fiction
1h 29m
Luc Besson
Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked
Why it ranks

Luc Besson delivers a psychedelic, high-concept sensory assault that pushes the boundaries of the traditional revenge flick. It is a bizarre, visually daring experiment in transcendental evolution disguised as a propulsive urban chase.

5

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Why it ranks

A sophisticated pivot for the MCU, this sequel trades cosmic fluff for the gritty, tactile weight of a 1970s political conspiracy thriller. The hand-to-hand combat is shockingly aggressive, stripped of artifice to emphasize the physical toll of heroism.

4

McCall believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri, a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

Thriller
Action
Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour
Why it ranks

Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington craft a slow-burn vigilante thriller that weaponizes everyday hardware with brutal, methodical precision. The film excels through a grounded, stoic intensity that makes every burst of violence feel earned and impactful.

3

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Action
Science Fiction
2h 1m
James Gunn
Why it ranks

James Gunn transforms space opera into a sensory feast of color and classic rock, proving that ensemble chemistry can be just as explosive as the pyrotechnics. This vibrant spectacle prioritized personality and weirdness in an era of increasingly homogenized blockbusters.

2
2014 Action in John Wick (2014)
John Wick
2014

Ex-hitman John Wick comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.

Action
Thriller
1h 41m
Chad Stahelski
Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe
Why it ranks

Keanu Reeves returns with a lean, mean, and neon-soaked masterclass in gun-fu choreography that revitalized the lone-assassin subgenre. Its world-building is remarkably efficient, but the film's true soul lies in its rhythmic, visceral kineticism.

1

Major Bill Cage is an officer who has never seen a day of combat when he is unceremoniously demoted and dropped into combat. Cage is killed within minutes, managing to take an alpha alien down with him. He awakens back at the beginning of the same day and is forced to fight and die again... and again - as physical contact with the alien has thrown him into a time loop.

Action
Science Fiction
1h 54m
Doug Liman
Why it ranks

This sci-fi powerhouse utilizes a repetitive structure to refine its combat sequences into a slick, high-stakes game of trial and error. It is a rare beast that balances intellectual curiosity with bone-rattling exoskeleton warfare.

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'Edge of Tomorrow' tops the list due to its innovative blend of science fiction and action, combined with a compelling time-loop narrative and strong performances by Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Directed by Doug Liman, it stands out for its technical mastery and fresh approach to the action genre.

'John Wick,' directed by Chad Stahelski, revitalized the action genre with its intense choreography, sleek style, and Keanu Reeves' iconic comeback. It established a new standard for brutal yet elegant fight sequences, earning a high rank for its influence and popularity.

Both 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' are highly ranked for successfully blending action with humor, character depth, and high-stakes storytelling. They exemplify the growing dominance of superhero films in 2014 while maintaining originality and crowd-pleasing entertainment.

'The Raid 2' is celebrated for its extraordinary martial arts sequences and gritty crime narrative. Directed by Gareth Evans, it builds on the intense action of its predecessor, showcasing some of the most meticulously choreographed fight scenes in the genre that year.

While animated films are often categorized separately, 'Big Hero 6' and 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' are included here due to their strong action elements and compelling adventure stories. Both films combine family-friendly animation with dynamic action sequences, earning them a place among the best 2014 action films.

The 2014 action movies on this list highlight a resurgence of technical skill, narrative innovation, and blending of genres like science fiction, thriller, and fantasy. There's a notable emphasis on reinventing traditional action tropes with intelligence and stylistic grit, evident in films like 'Lucy' and 'Fury.'

'Lucy,' directed by Luc Besson, stands out for its high-concept science fiction premise combined with intense action and a unique take on human potential. Its blend of philosophical ideas and visceral sequences makes it a distinctive entry in 2014's action lineup.

This list focuses on critically and commercially acclaimed films, so some niche or less mainstream 2014 action movies might be absent. However, the selections capture the year's most influential and innovative action films, reflecting a comprehensive overview without major unexpected omissions.
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