Best Action Movies of the Decade

The action genre has always been one of the staples of cinema and this past decade has seen it evolve in ways not seen since The Matrix came onto the scene, way back in 1999. Though stylistically the genre tends to follow trends that are popular with audiences (i.e., quick cuts and shaky cam popularized by the Jason Bourne films), recent years have seen technology push the genre to new heights. Whether it’s CGI to create visuals unthinkable in decades past, or to give the illusion of single-take sequences that would be physically impossible to shoot, to a pushback and call for a lack of technology and more practicality, the genre has seen a renaissance of sorts, with some of the most memorable, and profitable, films of all time. Here are some of best action films of the 2010s. ~Paolo Maquiraya

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Comments & Discussion

  1. Mario • May 12, 2019 @ 9:49 AM

    This movie has one the most beloved charasmatic character ever created out of CGI. Displayed more humanity than most real live actors. Gracias Brasil por tu apoyo…Viva Alita!

  2. Robert Y • May 12, 2019 @ 1:30 PM

    Totally agree, best action movie – and even best movie in my eyes- is a well deserved title.

    This movie isn’t perfect, but it does a lot of things movies nowadays don’t quite have. An amazing character that leaves you feeling genuinely inspired months after you’ve seen the film. It introduces you to a completely new world; it doesnt feel like like a generic sci-fi city or the overly-used new york, Iron City actually feels like a town that people live in! Action sequences are very unique! They aren’t simple fist fights, they carry out an anime-elegance style. And motorball was amazing.

    James Cameron, Jon Landau, Robert Rodriguez, Rosa Salazar, and the entire team did a phenomenal job on this movie. For that reason, it truly deserves this title and a sequel!

  3. Richard Garrison • May 15, 2019 @ 5:45 PM

    I saw Alita battle angel at a sneak preview on January 31 i was totally blown away it was an awesome movie i can’t wait for the blu ray release so i can own alita battle angel. If you haven’t seen it go see it

  4. Robert Y • May 15, 2019 @ 6:31 PM

    Note, my earlier comment from May 12 was for Alita: Battle Angel. I didn’t know comments would be included in the main page of this list. Oops!

  5. Eeliya • May 15, 2019 @ 6:55 PM

    Alita is indeed one of the best action movies of decades and might not seem like it but this movie takes the CGI to a whole new level.
    This movie inspired me to read the manga and I have to say that this is one the best manga adaptation.

  6. StarOfElyon • May 15, 2019 @ 6:55 PM

    Alita Battle Angel is an amazing movie! I’m so sorry I couldn’t see it more than 21 times. Family commitments and weather prevented me.

  7. Leonhardt Euler • May 15, 2019 @ 7:44 PM

    Alita: Battle angel is a very good action movie. There indeed are many cyborgs fights
    with sometimes explosions. The action scenes are impressive, well choreographied, rather realistic and with very good CGI. Also, Robert Rodriguez is Alita’s director, and he is well-known for having made many good action movies in the past. If you like the action genre, then you should watch Alita:Battle angel, I recommand it!

  8. gtatrik • May 15, 2019 @ 8:03 PM

    Alita is the best of art in this era, Anyone who hasn’t watched this movie, watch it!!..

  9. Faith Armentrout • May 15, 2019 @ 8:17 PM

    This is Rodriguez’s best work. This is cinimatographer Bill Pope’s (The Matrix, Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim) best work. This might actually be one of the most beautifully shot movies ever made. The lens work, the CG from WETA Digital, the color-grading. The action storyboarded by Rodriguez himself and choreographed by the team behind Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I could go on about how stylized and 90’s James Cameron’s script is, but the technical achievements alone make the stand as one of the most important films going forward in the 21st century.

  10. Brittany Nicole D • May 15, 2019 @ 10:52 PM

    Alita Battle Angel is the BEST movie of all time in my opinion, it has left a massive impact on me, I absolutely loved it. Amazing characters, cast, visuals, CGI. Definitely the BEST action scenes I’ve personally seen, and Alita herself is such an amazing and empowering character that you can easily relate to and fall in love with. It is such an amazing movie and deserves the trilogy that James Cameron has planned!

  11. John Frick • May 15, 2019 @ 11:07 PM

    I love this movie so much. I typically love the oldies, but after two decades of having my top 5 of all time being from the 1930s or 1940s, Alita Battle Angel has risen to the top of my list of thousands of movies watched.

  12. BugMan • May 15, 2019 @ 11:56 PM

    Some great films on this list, but ALITA still has me thinking about her months later.

  13. David A Goemaat • May 16, 2019 @ 12:23 AM

    Alita: Battle Angel is one of very few movies to really rock my world. When you watch a movie and then have a rough week at work because you just want to get back and watch it again, you know it is a seriously amazing movie. I love Alita and have been reading her manga. She is my favorite superhero and I am very hopeful for a sequel.

    Remember Alita army, we do not stand by in the presence of evil!

  14. 3dmoviefan • May 16, 2019 @ 12:49 AM

    Alita: Battle Angel has the best use of 3D I’ve ever seen, the best special effects, the best fight scenes, the most heart, and most importantly, the most likeable, relatable, and inspiring main character in any movie I’ve seen, action or otherwise. I feel that the professional critics were very unfair, and their negative reviews kept many who would have loved this movie away from theaters, where they could have seen Alita: Battle Angel in its most glorious and immersive form in 3D IMAX. I feel compelled to do my part to spread the word to those who missed it in the theaters to see it in its 3D digital release on July 9 or 3D Blu-ray on July 23. Many movie fans agree with me that the best chance of Alita: Battle Angel being surpassed in greatness any time soon is if sequels are made off the financial success it deserves.

  15. Jer • May 16, 2019 @ 1:24 AM

    This, this is a good list. I like it!

  16. Kaven • May 16, 2019 @ 1:37 AM

    Alita certainly deserves its place in the list. Beautifully choreographed and shot fight scenes, but combined with deep backstory and very lovable characters. Above all Alita herself.

  17. Chris T • May 16, 2019 @ 3:59 AM

    Alita Battle Angel is the best movie that I have seen in a long time. Movie got ton of actions, the best fight sequences, and heart! Such a great movie. I would highly recommend this to anyone! It is truly a cyberpunk opera of awesomeness!

  18. K!NA • May 16, 2019 @ 4:47 AM

    WETA Digital has taken CGI to another level with ALITA: Battle Angel. James Cameron (Producer/Director) was ready to make the movie 10years ago but Computer Graphic Imagery fell short of his expectations. Come forward 10years and you clearly see the ground-breaking wizardry that WETA has produced along with the expert eye for detail by James Cameron. Combined with the excellence of actor Roza Salazar as Alita and the supporting cast of movie award winners, they have created a classic that will definitely stand the test of time. I have no doubt the graphics will be a template for the movie industry to follow.

  19. Zoey Lee • May 16, 2019 @ 12:40 PM

    I can’t believe I fell in love with a fictional character this hard. And I’d do it again any day of the week. She made me smile, and she made me cry, and she made me feel exactly the same way she feels on the screen. And it’s an action movie. Don’t get me started on how badass I think she is. UWU. Love it!

  20. movie buff screen junkie • May 28, 2019 @ 9:46 PM

    Kingsman: The Secret Service and fast and furious ???!!!!!!!!! are u serious ????? those were the worst of action on this list as it was all noise and nothing of substance

  21. Gyula • May 29, 2019 @ 12:25 AM

    First I didn’t really care about Alita: Battle Angel… For some reason I hate animes and so far I hated every anime movie adaptation as well. But one of my friends convinced me to watch it with him and I fell in love with this movie. Rosa Salazar gives an amazing performance and fill the character with life so well it’s hard not to like her from the first moment she’s on screen. And the action scenes are the best I’ve ever seen in my life in a movie.

  22. ANDREW HURST • June 1, 2019 @ 1:38 AM

    This is a great list! My favorites are Alita: Battle Angel and The Edge of Tomorrow. Found a few that I haven’t seen and will definitely check out!

  23. MandatoryCarry • June 5, 2019 @ 12:26 PM

    Alita might be the most important movie since ST;ANH… Before that was THX 1138.
    Before that was Why We Fight, from WWII.

    “Are you ready…”


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