The Best 90s Action Movies

Chris

Usually, when people think of the greatest decade for action movies, the 80s are what they think of. After all, this is the era that gave us Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, the Rambo movies, and so many more. But, the 90s was just as important a decade, giving birth to just as many legends of the genre, and it was the last significant era for R-rated action flicks. But what are the best action films of the decade? It’s tough to say, but here are 10, plus an honourable mention, that we think we deserve a place in the pantheon.

Honourable Mention: Demolition Man

• Release Year: 1993
• Director: Marco Brambilla
• Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock
• Subgenre: Sci-Fi Action / Satire
• Known For: Dystopian future setting, “three seashells,” cult status
• Why It Matters: A once-underappreciated action film that became one of the defining cult classics of the 1990s.

When this came out in the fall of 1993, it wasn’t considered all that special. It apparently lost money at the box office, but within a few years, this Sylvester Stallone / Wesley Snipes mashup became a major cult classic, and now it’s one of the most beloved films of the era. Stallone stars as a cryogenically frozen cop who wakes up in an extremely PC utopia that seems more relevant every year. The script, which Heathers scribe Daniel Waters overhauled, has teeth, and it also gave Sandra Bullock her first significant role in a Hollywood film, paving the way for her to become one of the biggest stars of her era. I feel like we’re not far from the movie’s “verbal morality statute,” but let’s skip the three seashells, ok?

10. True Lies

• Release Year: 1994
• Director: James Cameron
• Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis
• Subgenre: Spy Action / Comedy
• Known For: Harrier jet finale, mix of comedy and blockbuster action
• Why It Matters: One of the last great practical-effects action spectacles before CGI became dominant.

This was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s last megahit and his last teaming, to date, with James Cameron. This domestic comedy mashup with tentpole action is a little un-PC these days (good!). The action sequences are masterful, and Schwarzenegger has never been so loose or comfortable playing a part. Jamie Lee Curtis is excellent as his wife, and the two should have been able to parlay this into a franchise, but Cameron was too busy ever to take the notion of a True Lies 2 seriously. He did, however, take the time to remaster the film in 4K (to mixed results).

9. The Matrix

• Release Year: 1999
• Directors: The Wachowskis
• Stars: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne
• Subgenre: Sci-Fi Action / Cyberpunk
• Known For: Bullet time, wire-fu action, philosophical themes
• Why It Matters: Revolutionized Hollywood action filmmaking and influenced an entire generation of movies.

While this may seem a little low on this list, the reason I maybe don’t consider it up there with a lot of the big 90s action movies is because it feels more like a product of the 2000s, as it was so influential it dominated the genre for years. This was a massive comeback for Keanu Reeves, made the Wachowskis iconic and had some of the greatest VFX and action ever put to screen, effortlessly meshing Hong Kong-style action with American tentpole movie making.

8. Total Recall

• Release Year: 1990
• Director: Paul Verhoeven
• Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone
• Subgenre: Sci-Fi Action
• Known For: Violent practical effects, Mars setting, ambiguity ending
• Why It Matters: A perfect blend of cerebral science fiction and over-the-top action filmmaking.

Do yourself a favour. Skip the 4K re-release of this movie, as the old-school effects don’t hold up well in high def. Yet, this Paul Verhoeven-directed epic is a masterpiece of action movie-making, and it’s so layered that you can watch it repeatedly. It has it all. Pulse-pounding action, gore, Schwarzenegger at his best, a kick-ass heroine, Michael Ironside getting his arms ripped off, a Jerry Goldsmith score, and an impossibly sexy Sharon Stone.

7. The Rock

• Release Year: 1996
• Director: Michael Bay
• Stars: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage
• Subgenre: Military Action / Thriller
• Known For: Alcatraz setting, explosive action, iconic score
• Why It Matters: Widely considered Michael Bay’s best and most character-driven action film.

For James Bond fans, this movie is extra special as it’s Sean Connery’s swan song to the spy genre, with him playing a very Bond-like hero. It’s cool to see this sixties legend get plopped down into a modern techno-thriller, and Connery rises to the occasion. It’s Michael Bay’s best film, with a solid musical score, Ed Harris as a sympathetic bad guy and the birth of another action icon, Nicolas Cage, to whom Connery symbolically passes the torch as the movie continues.

6. Fist of Legend

• Release Year: 1994
• Director: Gordon Chan
• Stars: Jet Li
• Subgenre: Martial Arts
• Known For: Choreography by Yuen Woo-ping
• Why It Matters: One of the most influential martial arts films ever made, helping shape modern action choreography.

Lest you think this list will be all American movies, one must acknowledge that some incredible action flicks were being made in Hong Kong. Jet Li teamed with Yuen Woo Ping for this remake of Bruce Lee’s Fist Of Fury, aka The Chinese Connection. The fights in this movie were a massive influence on The Matrix.

5. Drunken Master II

• Release Year: 1994
• Director: Lau Kar-leung
• Stars: Jackie Chan
• Subgenre: Martial Arts / Comedy
• Known For: Final factory fight sequence
• Why It Matters: Frequently considered the pinnacle of Jackie Chan’s physical performance abilities.

Jackie Chan always said he never understood why fans loved his sequel to Drunken Master so much, with his perception of the film marred by his rumoured creative conflicts with director Lar Kar Leung. Artistically and physically, this is Chan at his prime. However, it’s maybe the one movie of his where I’d say the North American re-edit is a bit better, with it changing the schlocky score and eliminating the dumb ending. 

4. Speed

• Release Year: 1994
• Director: Jan de Bont
• Stars: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock
• Subgenre: Action Thriller
• Known For: “Bus can’t drop below 50 MPH” premise
• Why It Matters: Helped redefine the modern high-concept action thriller.

No one thought this movie would amount to much in 1994. People laughed at Keanu Reeves starring in a Die Hard knockoff action thriller, with many saying it seemed like he was taking on a role meant for a guy like Steven Seagal (it was actually written for The Perfect Weapon star Jeff Speakman). Opening weekend changed everyone’s minds, and I remember convincing my dad to take me to see this instead of Beverly Hills Cop 3. We were both on the edge of our seats, and Reeves and co-star Sandra Bullock emerged from this as legends.

3. Hard Boiled

• Release Year: 1992
• Director: John Woo
• Stars: Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
• Subgenre: Heroic Bloodshed / Crime Action
• Known For: Hospital shootout, dual pistols, long takes
• Why It Matters: One of the defining Hong Kong action films ever produced.

John Woo left Hong Kong following the release of this action masterpiece, which teamed two of his favourite leading men, Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung. This has some of the greatest shootouts ever committed to film, and sadly, would mark the end of Woo’s collaborations with Chow Yun-Fat, although never say never.

2. Point Break

• Release Year: 1991
• Director: Kathryn Bigelow
• Stars: Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze
• Subgenre: Crime Action / Surf Thriller
• Known For: Surf culture, skydiving scenes, Bodhi character
• Why It Matters: Elevated the buddy-action formula into something emotional and philosophical.

Kathryn Bigelow brought a female perspective to this ultra-male bromance, which starred Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent trying to nail a team of surfing backrobbers, who turn out to be led by Patrick Swayze’s Bodhi, the zen surfer guru he’s become friends with. This legit masterpiece holds up brilliantly years later – ignore the remake they should have called Point Fake.

1. Terminator 2: Judgment Day

• Release Year: 1991
• Director: James Cameron
• Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton
• Subgenre: Sci-Fi Action
• Known For: T-1000 visual effects, groundbreaking CGI, emotional ending
• Why It Matters: Often considered the greatest action sequel and one of the most influential blockbusters ever made.

Is this the greatest sequel ever made? It must be. It’s no coincidence that Schwarzenegger/ Cameron collaborations bookend this list. This movie elevated the genre, with it an emotional rollercoaster that made many of us cry in the 90s. It’s Arnie at his best, with Linda Hamilton also emerging as one of the most incredible action movie heroines ever. Hasta La Vista Baby. 

FAQ

What are considered the best action movies of the 1990s?

Many fans and critics consider films like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Matrix, Point Break, and Speed among the greatest action movies of the 1990s due to their influence on filmmaking, stunts, visual effects, and action choreography.

Why are 1990s action movies so popular?

The 1990s represented a transition between practical stunt-driven filmmaking and modern CGI blockbusters. Many action movies from the decade combined practical effects, charismatic movie stars, and innovative visual techniques.

What was the most influential 90s action movie?

The Matrix is often considered the most influential because its bullet-time effects, cyberpunk themes, and Hong Kong-inspired choreography reshaped Hollywood action cinema in the 2000s.

What are the best martial arts action movies of the 1990s?

Highly regarded martial arts films from the decade include Fist of Legend and Drunken Master II.

What made Terminator 2 so groundbreaking?

Terminator 2: Judgment Day pioneered advanced CGI effects through the T-1000 character while also delivering emotional storytelling and large-scale practical action sequences.

Which 90s action stars defined the decade?

Actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves, Jackie Chan, Sylvester Stallone, and Nicolas Cage became defining action stars of the era.

How did Hong Kong cinema influence 1990s action movies?

Directors and choreographers like John Woo and Yuen Woo-ping brought stylized gunplay, martial arts choreography, and dynamic camera movement into mainstream Hollywood filmmaking.

Are 1990s action movies better than modern action movies?

Many fans prefer 1990s action films because they relied more heavily on practical stunts, physical performances, and practical effects rather than CGI-heavy spectacle.

What do you think of this list of some of the best 90s action movies? Would you have included the John McClane adventure Die Hard with a Vengeance or the “Steven Seagal vs. Tommy Lee Jones” classic Under Siege? Let us know by leaving a comment below.