10 Action Movies With the Best Fighting

Published Sep 17, 2026, 5:20 PM EDT

Marcel is a writer who is passionate about most movies and series. He will watch anything that's good. He is a content manager by day and a videographer when needed. Marcel used to work at a major streaming service based in Asia Pacific as a Content Specialist and was the Distribution Manager for a local movie distribution company.

The action genre is filled with endless movies, and the movies on this list are all about the fighting; it's not just people brawling with their bare hands or with a weapon. Indeed, fights are the centerpieces of the action movies that entertain and thrill the audiences. The best films in this genre also use the fights to advance their characters' journey, making those set pieces integral to the film.

Movies on this list have different approaches to fighting. Some draw from traditional martial arts and Hong Kong action cinema, while others combine combat styles with modern stunt work and visual effects. Films like The Matrix helped redefine how Hollywood could present martial arts, while movies such as The Raid and John Wick emphasize the physicality and intricate choreography. But one thing is for sure: they present the best fighting in action movies.

'Atomic Blonde' (2017)

Image via Focus Features

Atomic Blonde follows Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), an MI6 agent sent to Berlin during the final days of the Cold War to investigate the murder of an undercover agent and recover a list of double agents. Directed by David Leitch in his first solo feature film, the film also stars James McAvoy, John Goodman, and Sofia Boutella.

Taking a page from the John Wick films, Atomic Blonde turns Theron into a full-fledged, bone-breaking action star. With Leitch's background as a stunt performer, Theron's Lorraine is put through the wringer in the best possible ways for an action film. The stunt choreography shows her as exhausted and gasping for breath as she takes down every bad guy. The film's use of long takes emphasizes the intense action choreography and Theron's commitment. In a genre that's filled with John Wick imitators, Atomic Blonde is one of the best of its kind.

'The Protector' (2005)

Image via The Weinstein Company

The Protector centers on Kham (Tony Jaa), a young Thai martial artist whose family has spent generations caring for elephants. When his beloved elephants are stolen and transported to Australia, Kham travels to Sydney to recover them, only to discover that the animals have become part of a criminal operation connected to a powerful crime boss. His search takes him through the underworld of illegal operations and gangsters.

Also known as Tom Yum Goong in its native country, The Protector is exceptional for its showcase of Muay Thai through Tony Jaa's exceptional physical abilities. The film marks Jaa and director Prachya Pinkaew's second collaboration after the equally great Ong Bak, and this film shows that they have levelled up. The fights are fast, painful, and remarkably physical, with each strike giving every encounter a distinctly different texture from other martial arts films. The movie's most famous sequence, of course, is the long single-take fight in which Kham battles his way through several floors of a building.

'Fearless' (2006)

Image via Edko Films

Fearless follows Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), a martial artist who has become one of China's most famous figures for challenging international fighters and winning. His tragic past shapes him into a fearless fighter unafraid of any challenger. As he approaches his biggest competition yet, his fighting is no longer for personal glory, but also a source of pride for the country.

The action sequences in Fearless reflect Huo's character journey rather than being mere set pieces. His early fights are aggressive and fueled by his ego, while the later fights demonstrate the control and maturity he has developed after experiencing loss. The choreography also gives different opponents distinct fighting styles, showing that Huo is adaptable to all kinds of challenges. Huo is arguably one of Jet Li's best performances, as he's not only showcasing his physical prowess but also dramatic acting. The longer director's cut has more action sequences and also features Michelle Yeoh.

'The Matrix' (1999)

Image via Warner Bros.

In The Matrix, Thomas Anderson, aka Neo (Keanu Reeves), is an ordinary computer programmer by day, but then his whole world changes when Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) reveals the truth about reality. It turns out that the world he knew is a simulation, and in the real world humans are enslaved by machines. Together with Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus, Neo joins the resistance, tries to understand the rules of The Matrix and embraces his destiny.

Heavily influenced by martial arts cinema, the action in The Matrix is revolutionary. The fusion of wire-fu and explosive Hollywood action is simply a joy to watch: the dojo fight between Neo and Morpheus is a fantastic example of how the style fused so well. And of course, there is the bullet time, which elevates the action to new levels. What's amazing is that the action never overpowers the cerebral themes of the film, but enhances them. Numerous action movies around the world have been influenced by The Matrix, showing that this seminal work by The Wachowskis changed the language of action movies.

'Hero' (2002)

Image via Miramax

Hero tells the story of a nameless warrior, played by Jet Li, who arrives at the court of the King of Qin claiming to have defeated three legendary assassins, Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Long Sky (Donnie Yen). As he recounts how he supposedly defeated each of them, the king begins to suspect that his story does not quite add up. The film then reveals different versions of the events, with each account presented through its own distinct visual palette.

The action in Hero is probably the most distinct one among the films on this list. Director Zhang Yimou is famously a visual magician, and the way he uses action choreography as practically brush strokes is simply breathtaking. In the carefully constructed sequences, the fighters frequently appear to move with a mysterious grace, while the fights are ethereal and almost meditative. Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung all bring different physical qualities to their characters. Not for nothing, Hero ranks high as one of the most beautiful movies ever made.

'The Raid' (2011)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

The Raid follows Rama (Iko Uwais), a member of an elite Indonesian police tactical unit whose team attempts to raid an apartment block controlled by a ruthless crime lord. The straightforward operation turns into a nightmare as each level is filled with the crime lord's henchmen. Rama has to fight his way up and also confront his brother, who is part of the crime organization. The stripped-down story gives Gareth Evans room to expand the action and escalate the tension with every floor.

The explosive action turned The Raid into a modern action classic. The choreography is packed with Indonesian pencak silat techniques and creates fights that are brutally fast but brutal and almost hypnotizing. The camera stays close enough to appreciate the performers' abilities while still maintaining enough spatial clarity to understand where everyone is. Having had a martial arts background before, Uwais, Joe Taslim and Yayan Ruhian perform the stunts themselves. Despite being filled with endless fights, The Raid is never boring thanks to its relentless pace.

'The Furious' (2026)

Image via Lionsgate Entertainment

The Furious follows Wang Wei (Xie Miao), a mute handyman whose life is turned upside down when his young daughter is kidnapped by a criminal network. Wei decides to find her himself, hunting the people responsible for the kidnapping. Along the way, he encounters Navin (Joe Taslim), a journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared and is going after the same criminal organization.

Director Kenji Tanigaki is a veteran stunt coordinator and action director who has worked in movies such as SPL: Sha Po Lang and Rurouni Kenshin. His background helps him to direct the movie around the physical abilities of its performers. The result is a jaw-dropping series of martial arts set pieces. Xie Miao and Joe Taslim make a deadly duo, and they're supported by great martial artists such as Yayan Ruhian, Jeeja Yanin, and Brian Le, making the choreography feel lethal and creative, presented in a very clear framing without too many cuts. The Furious is one of the best movies of 2026.

'John Wick: Chapter 4' (2023)

Image via Lionsgate

John Wick: Chapter 4 sees the end of John Wick's (Keanu Reeves) war against the High Table. Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) is now given authority to deal with Wick, forcing the Baba Yaga to run from Osaka to Paris to evade and also fight the forces out to kill him. The film also stars Ian McShane, Hiroyuki Sanada and Donnie Yen.

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the biggest and most ambitious film in the series. The action choreography is undoubtedly brilliant, as we've seen in the previous three films. However, what separates this film from the predecessors is the creative and stylish choices for the action sequences. In one of the action sequences set in Paris, there's a super cool overhead-shot shootout that follows Wick through an apartment building. The camera gives the audience a clear understanding of where everyone is while allowing the choreography to unfold continuously, almost like a video game but still very cinematic.

'The Raid 2' (2014)

Image via Sony Pictures Classics

The Raid 2 follows Rama (Iko Uwais) as he now goes undercover to infiltrate the criminal organization responsible for corrupting the police force. Rama finds himself caught between the ambitious Uco (Arifin Putra), the son of crime boss Bangun (Tio Pakusadewo), and Bangun's more cautious approach to maintaining his empire that controls two gangs.

Gareth Evans amps up the action and the scope of the story in this sequel. The fights are more visceral and fun at the same time, with Rama battling different kinds of adversaries. From the memorable muddy prison yard fight to facing the deadly duo Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Man to the legendary boss fight in a cramped kitchen, all of them are a masterclass in action filmmaking. Evans frequently allows the camera to stay close enough to the performers that you can actually appreciate the movement and impact. Then there is the famous car chase, which is also a marvel of sheer spectacle.

'Drunken Master II' (1994)

Image via Golden Harvest

Drunken Master II follows Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan) as he is torn between following his strict martial artist father's rules of peace and taking a stand against a group of criminals attempting to smuggle Chinese artifacts out of the country. The film, which is also known as The Legend of Drunken Master, also stars Ti Lung and Lau Kar-leung.

This film catapulted Jackie Chan into an international star and is widely praised by critics outside of China. Chan's choreography combines traditional martial arts with physical comedy so seamlessly. His fights are built around objects, environments, timing, and improvisational-looking reactions. This style becomes his trademark and is also transported when he made his Hollywood films. The most difficult thing about this choreography is that it feels spontaneous, while in reality, they are incrediblly precise.

Drunken Master II