Action and adventure movies have been the leaders of box office successes for nearly three decades. Some important elements within action films set the genre apart for audiences. First, the himbo/leading man was the biggest contribution to action movies. Secondly, a team of opposites being assembled for a mission is a significant opener to any action film. Finally, at least one person is walking away from an epic explosion.

These elements, along with perfect casting and writing, make up the essential action movie everyone should watch. While superhero movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Dark Knight stand out within their own genre, they raised the bar for action movies altogether. Classic action stars like Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, and Bruce Willis became icons for their roles as action heroes. Below are 20 of the most essential action movies fans of the genre should see at least once.

20 Shaft

The first in a six-part saga surrounding a suave detective is an essential watch. For pure nostalgia, Shaft takes new fans back to 1970s America, just off the cusp of the civil rights movement. Shaft stands the test of time with its fight sequences and groovy dialogue.

19 Die Hard

20th Century Fox

The film that made Bruce Willis a bona fide action star is Die Hard. He portrays John McClane, the savior of hostages taken by terrorists. Die Hard is an essential watch for Willis’ performance of the ultimate action hero.

18 National Treasure

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Starring Nicolas Cage and Sean Bean, National Treasure is an action-adventure film you can’t miss! Ben (Cage) is on a mission for a rare artifact with his colleague Ian (Bean), who eventually betrays him. The rat race that ensues, plus Cage’s comedic lines, make this film stand out in the trilogy.

17 Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Marvel

In the Steve Rogers trilogy, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best installment. The film introduced the next Cap, Sam Wilson, but also gave audiences insight into Steve’s inner battle with morality. Of course, the reason to watch is for the most epic fight scene in history: the elevator sequence, which the show Community paid homage to, according to Screen Rant.
Related: The Most Underrated Action Movies of the 1990s, Ranked

16 Revenge

Monkey Pack Films

A woman-led action film that turns bloody is an essential watch. Revenge centers on a woman betrayed by her boyfriend and left for dead. She survives and begins to hunt them all down.

15 Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back

20th Century Fox

The mega-franchise became a hit with action and fantasy fans because of the second film in the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back. In Episode V, Leia becomes more prominent in the storyline. Of all the Star Wars films, this one sets the tone for Luke accepting the Jedi mission to avenge his father.

14 The Expendables 2

Millennium Films

An unlikely group of mercenaries are hired to complete a mission that goes terribly awry. In this action comedy, some of the original himbos are cast in a film full of explosions, self-deprecating humor, and some of the best fight scenes. The Expendables 2 is essential for bringing Bruce Willis in as a bad guy.

13 The Mummy Returns

Universal Pictures

Another sequel in the mix is The Mummy Returns. The sequel is a masterpiece in CGI, storyline, and introducing new characters. By watching The Mummy Returns, you’ll see why lead actor Brendan Fraser is deserving of every award nomination.
Related: 14 Most Iconic Heroic Action Movie Lines of the 1980s

12 Rush Hour

New Line Cinema

In the 90s, action star Jackie Chan and comedian Chris Tucker united for one of the funniest action movies ever. Rush Hour is the story of the ultimate odd couple who become the best crime-solving duo. The film stands among action films for the comedic time of both Chan and Tucker.

11 Mission: Impossible

Paramount Pictures

The saga that continues to give is the Tom Cruise-led Mission: Impossible. In the first film, Ethan’s (Cruise) war with the CIA begins. Cruise was already an action movie icon, but Mission: Impossible made him a legend.

10 The Bourne Identity

Universal Pictures

Another saga that turned an acting icon into a legend was The Bourne Identity. Movie fans were aware of Matt Damon, but with his portrayal of Jason Bourne, he became a top contender for action hero. The film is essential for action movie fans because the focus is on a man who forgets who he is without forgetting other skills.

9 Bad Boys

Sony Pictures

Comedians Martin Lawrence and Will Smith became action movie legends when they teamed up for Bad Boys. The film centers on two detectives who were framed and must fight for their innocence. According to The Cinemaholic, a fourth installment to the Bad Boys saga is in the works.

8 Machete

20th Century Fox

Actor turned restaurateur Danny Trejo stars in the action film Machete. Gore is often reserved for horror films but Machete fused action and gore beautifully. The film is essential to the action genre for balancing the best elements of every film genre.

7 The Dark Knight

Warner Bros. Pictures

Of the coveted roles in Hollywood, playing Bruce Wayne/Batman is definitely on the list. Yet Christian Bales’ portrayal of the masked crusader is what sets The Dark Knight apart. The movie is essential because it has everything action fans want in a film.

6 Independence Day

20th Century Fox

During the mid-90s, alien invasion movies were all the rage. Many of them were dramas or comedies, but Independence Day is one of the action movies that stand out. Independence Day is an essential film because the science fiction aspect really adds a thrill to the overall plot.

5 300

Warner Bros. Pictures

Based on a graphic novel, 300 is another film in the action genre that brings in gore. The film depicts the historic war between 300 Spartans and one million Persians. According to Spartapedia, most of the film is historically accurate apart from several elements, like the Spartan’s war gear.

4 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Paramount Pictures

Angelina Jolie’s career as an action lead soared with the video game-inspired film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. In addition to the impeccable cast, the film’s fight sequences are something to behold. By watching this action film, you’ll see why Jolie became an action star that outranks plenty of her contemporaries.

3 Transformers

Paramount Pictures

Of the aforementioned action films, only one features aliens as the antagonists. Yet fans of a popular 80s animated classic know better. Transformers is an essential action film for alien robots who are split into two factions: one that protects humanity and the other that wants human life obliterated.

2 Raiders of the Lost Ark

Paramount Pictures

Harrison Ford’s best role is arguably the famed archaeologist and occult expert Indiana Jones. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, he fights Nazis in order to save the world. The film is an essential action film because of the close calls Indy and his crew encounter.

1 Fists of Fury

Golden Harvest

Bruce Lee is one of the most prolific action stars for bringing Chinese culture and martial arts to the big screen. In Fists of Fury, he portrays Chen Zhen, a kung fu master visiting his home to find his mentor dead. Screen Rant reveals that Chen Zhen is an important character because he represents a man proud of his Chinese heritage.