The 1990s were the decade for action movies. From Mission: Impossible to The Matrix, some of the best action thriller franchises were born in the ’90s. From Speed to Face/Off, some of the best action movies came out in the ’90s and left an indelible mark on action filmmaking. There’s nothing quite as intoxicating as watching a larger-than-life action hero delivering cheesy lines and escaping unscathed from impossible encounters, and directors and actors in the 1990s knew that. And in 2025, some of the best action movies from the decade will turn 30.
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Some great action movies from the 1990s that barely anyone remembers were grounded or gritty and toned down the extravagance of the hero persona, thus leaning into the thriller component of the genre. The best part of the action movies from the ’90s is perhaps the lack of a blueprint. Formulaic revisions of genre conventions didn’t rule the big screen, and imaginative movies were being made. That is why viewers feel that many 1990s action movies deserved a sequel.
You are watching: 10 Best Action Movies Turning 30 In 2025
10
Desperado
Directed By Robert Rodriguez
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10/10
Desperado
Desperado is a 1995 action film directed by Robert Rodriguez, featuring Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi, a musician seeking vengeance for the murder of his lover. The film follows El Mariachi’s quest to confront a drug lord responsible for the tragic event. Salma Hayek co-stars as Carolina, providing both romantic and practical support. Desperado balances intense action sequences with its deeply personal storyline, expanding upon the mythos established in Rodriguez’s earlier film, El Mariachi.
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Release Date
August 25, 1995
Runtime
1h 44m
Cast
Antonio Banderas
, Salma Hayek
, Joaquim De Almeida
Director
Robert Rodriguez
Salma Hayek’s Hollywood breakthrough happened through this Robert Rodriguez action blockbuster. The chemistry between her and Antonio Banderas is as simmering as the explosion they walk away from at one point in Desperado. Banderas is charismatic, funny, and looks effortless, flying through the sky amid a shower of bullets as he takes down bad guy after bad guy without pausing to take a breath. The action choreography is clearly meant to make Banderas’ character seem over-the-top, but it’s just restrained enough to feel believable.
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Desperado has the makings of a classic Hollywood blockbuster – charming actors, over-the-top explosions, passionate exchanges between the male and female leads, a dramatic and scary villain, and just about enough extravagance to entertain without going overboard. Danny Trejo’s appearance, though small, leaves an unforgettable mark. Quentin Tarantino delivers a hilarious joke alongside other lines during his cameo, and Joaquim de Almeida plays a ridiculously over-the-top villain. The accompanying music works in perfect sync with the editing to create the perfect entertainer.
9
GoldenEye
Directed By Martin Campbell
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9/10
GoldenEye
PG-13
ActionAdventureCrimeThriller
The seventeenth installment in Eon Productions’ James Bond movie franchise, Goldeneye marks Pierce Brosnan’s first time playing MI6 agent James Bond. Goldeneye follows 007 as he works to prevent a former fellow agent from using a satellite weapon to attack London in order to cause a global financial crisis. Also stars Sean Bean, Famke Janssen, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, and Judi Dench.
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Release Date
November 16, 1995
Runtime
130 minutes
Cast
Pierce Brosnan
, Sean Bean
, Izabella Scorupco
, Famke Janssen
, Joe Don Baker
, judi dench
Director
Martin Campbell
Writers
Ian Fleming
, Michael France
, Jeffrey Caine
, Bruce Feirstein
Pierce Brosnan’s iconic James Bond debut in GoldenEye, which he never topped, turns 30 this year. Him, alongside Dame Judi Dench as M, the new head of MI6, brought James Bond into a new era. Bond is still womanizing, suave, and impossibly skilled at everything, but his association with the Queen in the changing political climate and his serial womanizing are aspects that GoldenEye addresses. To top it off, Famke Janssen plays an unforgettably badass henchwoman who comes respectably close to getting the better of Bond.
While the ’90s was the decade of over-the-top action blockbusters, GoldenEye is a bit nuanced with its genre. While there are big explosions and unrestricted gun violence, it’s also a classic spy thriller. Unlike a few of its prequels, GoldenEye brings Bond back to his spying ways, dealing with double-crossing agents and Soviet secrets, and a grand scheme against Britain. He isn’t just dealing with drug lords and mob bosses anymore. Moreover, while she’s still a typical Bond girl in many ways, Izabella Scorupco’s character is fleshed out beyond Bond’s fascination with her beauty.
8
Die Hard: With A Vengeance
Directed By John McTiernan
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Die Hard: With a Vengeance
R
ActionThriller
Die Hard: With a Vengeance, the third installment in the Die Hard series, follows New York detective John McClane, portrayed by Bruce Willis, as he teams with civilian Zeus Carver. Together, they navigate a series of challenges orchestrated by the antagonist Simon in an attempt to save innocent lives in the city.
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Release Date
May 19, 1995
Runtime
128 minutes
Cast
Bruce Willis
, Samuel L. Jackson
, Jeremy Irons
, Larry Bryggman
, Graham Greene
, Anthony Peck
, Nicholas Wyman
, Kevin Chamberlin
, Colleen Camp
, Sam Phillips
, Michael Alexander Jackson
, Aldis Hodge
, Sharon Washington
, Stephen Pearlman
, Mischa Hausserman
, Edwin Hodge
, Robert Sedgwick
, Tony Halme
, Bill Christ
, Anthony Thomas
, Glenn Herman
, Kent Faulcon
, Akili Prince
, Ardie Fuqua
, Mike Jefferson
Director
John McTiernan
Writers
Jonathan Hensleigh
Main Genre
Action
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The Die Hard franchise bounced back after a disappointing second film with Die Hard With a Vengeance. It expands the main character by putting him in his natural habitat – the streets of New York City. It features a delectable mix of mystery and action, using the former to set up the latter at various points throughout the movie. Bruce Willis’ John McClane goes back to being a hero cop instead of an over-the-top action hero, but the racial politics in Die Hard With a Vengeance might be a little sketchy, especially by today’s standards.
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Letterboxd Ratings For Die Hard Movies |
|
|---|---|
|
Movie |
Rating |
|
Die Hard |
4.06 |
|
Die Hard 2 |
3.32 |
|
Die Hard: With a Vengeance |
3.70 |
|
Live Free or Die Hard |
2.92 |
|
A Good Day to Die Hard |
1.80 |
However, casting Samuel L. Jackson alongside Willis was a genius decision, as the buddy-comedy vibe of their chemistry helps balance the intensity of the mystery thriller that quickly picks up pace and paves the way for McClane to show off his incredible stunt work. In the hands of John McTiernan, the franchise found what had made Die Hard such a masterpiece – a grounded narrative, cool but believable stunts, genuine character development, and an unlikely friendship. Unfortunately, the franchise never improved again from there on out.
7
The Blade
Directed By Tsui Hark
30 years ago, Tsui Hark deconstructed the wuxia genre with his take on Chang Cheh’s The One-Armed Swordsman (1967). Edited by the director himself, the action is frenzied, chaotic, and difficult to keep track of. No shot is held for longer than a couple of seconds and every movement is met with a cut to a different angle, adding to the frenetic energy of the action sequences, which is a significant departure from the almost dance-like choreography of wuxia films, which uses slow editing to highlight the elegance of the warriors.
Everyone’s in pain, struggling to find hope as they reconcile with personal losses.
There’s something jaded about The Blade. Everyone’s in pain, struggling to find hope as they reconcile with personal losses. The editing choices for the action complement this world design, as there isn’t enough grace to focus on, even though the slow buildup in the first half is accompanied by beautiful cinematography. The disillusioned characters, gritty action sequences, high-contrast imagery, and the stunning set pieces are all elements of new and old waves of wuxia filmmaking that Hark blended for his movie.
6
Crimson Tide
Directed By Tony Scott
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9.9/10
Crimson Tide
R
ThrillerActionDrama
Crimson Tide is a submarine thriller directed by Tony Scott, set during a period of political turmoil in Russia. The film follows Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter, played by Denzel Washington, who clashes with Captain Frank Ramsey, played by Gene Hackman, over the interpretation of orders from the US government. As tensions rise, the crew of the USS Alabama must navigate the crisis and prevent a catastrophic outcome.
Release Date
May 12, 1995
Runtime
116 Minutes
Cast
Denzel Washington
, Gene Hackman
, Matt Craven
, George Dzundza
, Viggo Mortensen
Director
Tony Scott
Writers
Michael Schiffer
Main Genre
Thriller
Studio(s)
Hollywood Pictures
, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
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While Denzel Washington and Quentin Tarantino had a feud over the latter not getting credited for Crimson Tide, despite contributing to the writing, 30 years later, the movie’s legacy is as one of Washington and frequent director Tony Scott’s greatest collaborations. Set on a submarine, it follows Washington’s character as he attempts a coup against his superior, played by Gene Hackman, to prevent the latter from worsening conditions with Russia during the Cold War.
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Despite being a single-location movie set inside a submarine, Crimson Tide never feels claustrophobic. The temptation to use visually cramped frames in a movie that hinges on suspense to build up to action scenes is naturally high, but Scott prioritizes character drama instead. Crimson Tide is more a movie on personal motivations, conflicting perspectives, and military protocols than on nuclear war and the prospect of action that it presents.
5
Baashha
Directed By Suresh Krishna
30 years ago, Tamil cinema changed forever. The template for blockbuster entertainers created by Suresh Krishna and Rajinikanth with Baashha is still used today, and filmmakers in 2025 will undoubtedly try to recreate its success. The basic narrative structure of a man forced to revisit past demons due to a triggering event in the present that sets up flashbacks before he eventually reconciles in the end after overcoming his present day troubles isn’t new today, but Baashha did it first.
What makes Baashha so iconic is its indelible mark on the industry. Rajinikanth’s charismatic, sincere, and passionate performance, possibly the finest of his whole career, brings to life a complicated, charming, pompous, and unbelievably competent action hero. He may be playing a regular man, but the avalanche of catchy dialogue, the adept use of the film’s score, his show-stealing gestures, and his stardom make the character practically a superhero. Raghuvaran’s performance as the villain matches Rajinikanth’s energy stride for stride, and rewatching Baashha 30 years later feels like revisiting the birth of the modern blockbuster action movie.
4
Tokyo Fist
Directed By Shinya Tsukamoto
It is intuitive to link physical violence to body horror, and yet, Tsukamoto’s Tokyo Fist is perhaps the only boxing movie that leans into the horror of a gory showdown. With unrestricted violence inspired by stagnation and hurt feelings, captured through handheld cinematography and stylistically edited to ensure viewers feel the physical impact of every blow, Tokyo Fist is a meditative action movie. It ponders on the staleness of existence in an urban setting which has drained everyone of creativity and joy in pursuit of the ideal life as they run through a dead-end cycle of eating, working, and sleeping.
To fully appreciate the extreme body horror perspective on the action genre in Tokyo Fist, it helps to watch the first two Tetsuo movies that Tsukamoto made before it. His imaginative use of body horror genre conventions become easier to understand in the context of how he uses them in the Tetsuo movies.
See more : 10 Best G-Rated Fantasy Movies, Ranked
A messy rumination on masculinity, Tokyo Fist explores the liberating effects of inflicting wounds and the unbridled adrenaline rush felt from physical altercations after days of the body and the mind feeling like they have shut down from mechanical repetition of the same patterns. It sets up the premise of fighting to create a canvas on which the idiosyncratic brushstrokes of a dysfunctional love triangle can paint a claustrophobic image of delirious push and pull made of blood, sweat, and tears to express illicit desires and withheld truths.
3
Ghost In The Shell
Directed By Mamoru Oshii
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9.7/10
Ghost in the Shell
TV-MA
AnimationActionCrime
Ghost in the Shell explores the story of Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg public-security agent in 2029 Japan, assigned to track down a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. As she delves deeper into the case, she confronts questions of identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human. The film is directed by Mamoru Oshii and is based on the manga by Masamune Shirow.
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Release Date
December 8, 1995
Runtime
83 Minutes
Cast
Atsuko Tanaka
, Akio Otsuka
, Iemasa Kayumi
, Koichi Yamadera
, Yutaka Nakano
, Tamio Ôki
, Tesshô Genda
, Masato Yamanouchi
Director
Mizuho Nishikubo
, Mamoru Oshii
Writers
Shirow Masamune
, Kazunori Itô
Main Genre
Animation
Expand
One of the most influential anime movies of all time, Ghost in the Shell came out 30 years ago and further advanced the ideas about technology and identity that its predecessors like Blade Runner (1982) had explored. With a gorgeous world design where architecture becomes a symbol of oppression and the human body a machine to be exploited as one sees necessary, it explores the complicated relationship between body and mind in an age of technological advancement. There have been many Ghost in the Shell movies since, but none parallel the original in quality.
Apart from inspiring video games, anime movies and series, Ghost in the Shell also inspired an American live action movie featuring Scarlett Johansson, which was largely panned by critics and was a commercial failure.
The philosophy behind the main character’s journey into disintegration is perfectly captured by the contrast between the stagnancy of the backdrop and the energy and fluid visuals of the foreground, as seen in rain-drenched chases and gunfights. While the presentation of nudity can feel frustratingly steeped in traditional male gaze tactics, it’s an intentional choice that deconstructs the concept of femininity. The climax isn’t simply about transcending the physical form of a body, but about transcending the caged scrutinization that the body as feminine is subjected to.
2
Fallen Angels
Directed By Wong Kar-wai
Wong Kar-wai’s action movie, which is spiritually a successor to his breakthrough movie Chungking Express, is a film of conflict. Firstly, it couldn’t be more contrasting to its predecessor if it tried to – this is set in a seedy criminal world of fast-paced action where rumination is a luxury only discovered in unexpected moments of morbid humor. And secondly, within the film itself, while adrenaline and action play a large part, the cinematography and characterization create a stagnant emotional purgatory from which one can never escape.
It attempts to establish a thesis about the greater relevance of the journey as opposed to the destination one is headed to.
The loosely strung-together stories about characters whose lives inevitably collide in the liminal spaces where Fallen Angels unfolds as an action thriller create a meandering effect that has an interesting impact on the action-heavy moments. On the one hand, suspense and excitement are the primary driving emotions that push the film and its narratives forward, but on the other hand, it meanders in spaces of fleeting human connection, as if shorn of all urgency as it attempts to establish a thesis about the greater relevance of the journey as opposed to the destination one is headed to.
1
Heat
Directed By Michael Mann
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8.7/10
Heat
R
ActionCrimeDocumentaryDramaThriller
Michael Mann’s classic crime thriller Heat was released in 1995 and stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro as two men on opposite sides of the law whose live become tangled and destabilized in an intense game of cat-and-mouse. When one heist led by master thief Neil McCauley is compromised due to a clue left behind, LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna finds himself obsessed with pursuing them in an ever-escalating war – one that may cause significant collateral damage.
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Release Date
December 15, 1995
Runtime
170 minutes
Cast
Al Pacino
, Robert De Niro
, Val Kilmer
, Jon Voight
, Tom Sizemore
, Diane Venora
Director
Michael Mann
Writers
Michael Mann
Studio(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Expand
Michael Mann’s melancholic action classic is the first movie Al Pacino and De Niro have worked in together since The Godfather II (1974), and as one would expect, their collaboration under Mann’s watchful eyes created a masterpiece that’s still revered three decades later. A modern noir movie, Heat presents Los Angeles as a destructive force, where people lose themselves and their sense of purpose as they fall deeper and deeper into wells of sorrow they dug for themselves, to depths from where violence is the only means of escape.
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4
Mann’s meditation on masculinity is accompanied by the typical traits of the genre – obsessed characters who doom themselves and their loved ones in pursuit of perfection, the adherence to dated codes of honor in a changing world that rejects such regressive principles, and visual grammar which brings the characterization of the protagonists to life in the presentation of Heat‘s setting. The violence isn’t goofy or over-the-top, it’s designed with precision and accuracy to convey the dangerous and gritty nature of the characters’ lives. Heat is the perfect neo-noir action movie.
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Category: Entertainment