The Best 2023 Action Movies, Ranked
Movies officially release in 2023, and while all genres have good offerings, it's a big year for action films. Almost every major action movie of the last decade has come out this year, but which ones are worth remembering once the year is over?
CinemaBlend has highlighted the best and most memorable action films of 2023 with a healthy selection that will be remembered for years to come. Luckily, most of them are already available to stream, so those trying to find out what will be offered throughout the year will be able to do so easily. Here's a selection of genres and movies that kept us intrigued from start to finish, ranked from best to best.
15. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Clash of the Mutants gave us more than thrills and exciting action. We also saw turtles for the first time, which felt very young. With the franchise rebooted, it seems like this new style has finally taken off, allowing for more stylized action that should justify several sequels. Plus, with one exception, this is the funniest action movie on this list and the whole family will enjoy it.
14. Dungeons and Dragons. honor among thieves
If you missed Dungeons & Dragons. You are not alone among the thieves of honor . The film, directed by Chris Pine, received much praise, and some, like CinemaBlend's Dirk Libby, were disappointed that it performed so poorly at the box office . However, commercial success shouldn't stop anyone from trying the game, especially if they're a fan of board games. The use of the bear owl is a bit controversial , but otherwise this is a fairly accurate film.
13. Equation 3.
I don't know how many times father and son have starred in two different action films in the same year, but I'm pretty sure it happened in 2023. Denzel Washington concluded The Equalizer trilogy with a novel that's a little scarier than the first. . in parts, but overall it's a solid and accessible film for both newcomers and veterans of the franchise. It's an action movie starring Denzel Washington, and honestly that's all we can accept.
12. mother
Jennifer Lopez isn't the first name people think of when it comes to the action movie genre, but the actress certainly made her mark on the genre with Mom . The film ranked among Netflix's top ten films of all time, although reviews were divided. CinemaBlend's Sarah El-Mahmoud is a big fan of The Mother and wrote an excellent article justifying its place on this list.
11. Creator
John David Washington's Don't Lose Your Father was also the first action film to be released this year, and coincidentally, The Creator was just as divisive as the response to The Equalizer 3 . Whatever happens, fans of Gareth Edwards' sci-fi are in for a stunning visual treat with the director's latest outing, Rogue One . The Creator may not have the most original idea in Hollywood, but let's be honest, that can be said about 90% of sci-fi action films. It's a compelling show and might be worth a watch for those looking for a change of pace from the grittier films in the series.
10. Airplane
Gerard Butler and Mike Colter make up the fighting duo you never knew you needed in 2023, and it's great to see them working together. When a plane is forced to make an emergency landing on a war-torn island, the pilot must team up with a suspected assassin to rescue a rebel leader's passenger. The name may not do it justice, but this plane is worth a look.
9. Indiana Jones and the Collector of Fates
Harrison Ford will return to Indiana Jones in the latest iteration of the character. Indiana Jones is a fun fight against the Nazis, full of moments like the Tangier chase scene that emulate some of the best moments from the franchise's past. While Ford likely won't return after Indiana Jones and Deadpool , director James Mangold revealed that Jones never finished his final scene as a character . The film is now available with a Disney+ subscription for those who won't be able to watch it in theaters.
8. Extraction 2
The sequel to Extraction has a lot to work with and I think it lives up to most expectations. Personally, this makes me less and less protective of Chris Hemsworth in action films in order to defend Chris Hemsworth as Thor in the MCU. Some will criticize Extraction 2 for relying more on action than the original, but for those who initially saw it as popcorn fun, I think it's better.
7. Kill Boxon
Netflix has a lot going on in Kill Boxoon , probably the best South Korean action movie I've seen in a long time. While I think it's common for killers to try to live a normal life and make a living by killing, perhaps it's easiest to believe in action movies. Gil Bok-soon's journey between loving mother and ruthless killer is amazing, especially given the John Wick influence in this foreign film. This release also has the option to watch it with subtitles or an English dub, and I think both options are worth watching for those who want to see a great action film.
Mission 6: Impossible - approx.
Tom Cruise is still going strong as Ethan Hunt in Mission: Impossible. In Dead Reckoning , although the ending drags things out, the setting is worth the price of admission. Let's just say, sit down and pretend that Tom Cruise hasn't been one of the masters of the action genre throughout his career. No one can be Ethan Hunt like him, and time is running out to see how much we can enjoy it. Enjoy the ride and stay on the edge of your Mission seat. Impossible 8
5. Killer
Don't let this film's slow start put you off: David Fincher's Netflix film is definitely an action thriller. However, the film moves more slowly and deliberately than the other films on the list, but the stellar cast led by Michael Fassbender makes the wait worth the wait as it is one of the best revenge films out there. exciting I've seen enough time My only complaint is that I was blown away by Tilda Swinton in The Killer , but I think I could say the same about all of her films.
4. Polite Society
Set to release in 2023 , Polite Society stands out as a true genre buster, offering an original idea that will appeal to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. It's a coming-of-age comedy about a British-Pakistani teenager who wants to become an explorer and worries that his older sister will marry into the wrong family. From here we get visual spectacle of martial arts in loose clothing, plenty of jokes and more that we don't see in a typical action movie. CinemaBlend's Sarah El-Mahmoud loved The Mayor's Society , and I'm sure anyone who decides to watch the film will feel the same.
3. X fast
We all know what's happening now. The Fast and the Furious franchise may be one of the most thought-provoking films you'll ever see, but it's not ten films plus a spin-off, boring action movie. The addition of Jason Momoa to the mix really breathes life into Fast . It's sad to think that this long-running franchise is coming to its planned end.
2. Sisu
The term "Finnish action" isn't something you hear often, but Shizu falls into that category and is well worth the wait. A former Finnish soldier's luck changes when he finds a gold nugget, but a Nazi soldier quickly changes his luck and tries to take it for himself. This is one of those very violent and perhaps a little unrealistic action movies with some deaths, or at least I hope so. However, those who enjoy fast-paced action and shocking violence will enjoy this superb film.
1. John Wick. Chapter 4:
John Wick has long been the gold standard for action films, so it's no surprise that the fourth film made our list of the best films of 2023. Eric Eisenberg of CinemaBlend gave John Wick: Chapter 4 5 stars in his review, highlighting it. The film is simply a great long-term performer, and justifiably so. This is a top-notch action film from start to finish, and the prospect of a fifth film terrifies me.
2023 is a big year for action films, but overall there are plenty of great films to remember. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend as we look back at some of the year's best genres and look forward to a year of cinema that I think people will be talking about for a long time.
