10 Essential Action Movies of the 2000s, Ranked (original) (raw)
Published Feb 14, 2025, 5:41 PM EST
Danny Mills is an avid film and TV enthusiast with a love of many genres, from old Western tales and gritty action thrillers to magical Disney classics and Superhero adventures. He loves it all. As a List Writer for Collider for over a year, he's covered a variety of topics from the above media, ranging from beloved films and TV shows that'll stand the test of time to actor-targeted lists detailing their best work, the best things on Netflix, classic sitcoms, and everything in between. There’s a little bit of something for everyone. When he's not writing for the site, he's putting his love of entertainment into acting and working on his first-ever book!
Action movies. There's never a bad time to sit down and get engrossed in a world of epic fight choreography, edge-of-your-seat car chases, or super secret spy missions. A good action film can hook an audience from the moment they press play, and whether it's a reliable favorite chosen for a rewatch or a first-time watch-through, these features can be some of the most favorable for all-around action-packed fun.
Over the decades, many films have solidified themselves as some of the best from their generation, and the 2000s were no different. A few of these films are now twenty to twenty-five years old, but they remain just as iconic nowadays as they were when they were released, if not more so. If someone's in the mood for fast cars, then the beginning of the Fast and Furious franchise will be perfect. Casino Royale may be the best bet for those looking for a super secret MI6 mission with James Bond. Action movies have something for everyone to enjoy, and these ten from the first decade of the new century are sure to scratch that itch.
10 'The Fast and the Furious' (2001)
Directed by Rob Cohen
Vin Diesel and Paul Walker in Fast and the Furious
Image via Universal Pictures
For those fans of fast cars in their action movies, it's unlikely to find someone who's not at least heard of the Fast and Furious franchise. Now consisting of a whopping ten feature films and one spin-off, this extensive franchise may have grown significantly over the years, but it all began in 2001 with the release of the first movie.
A favorite for many due to its nostalgia, the original Fast and Furious focused on fast cars, illegal activity, and action-packed sequences with characters easy to get behind. What more could someone want from a movie of its kind? The series has expanded exponentially over the decades. But, the first film with Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, and the original cast will always hold a special place for fans of the Fast and Furious family long after the series ends, whenever that may be.
9 'Taken' (2008)
Directed by Pierre Morel
Bryan Mills talking on the phone in 'Taken' (2008)
Image via 20th Century Studios
Taken contains arguably one of the most quotable lines in action movie filmography. Without including the entire quote, "I will look for you. I will find you. And I will kill you." is an instantly recognizable takeaway from this film, and one fans will immediately remember forever. But one quote with endless meme-ability isn't the only thing that makes 2008s Taken one of the most memorable action movies of the 2000s.
Liam Neeson's portrayal as the ex-CIA officer with a very particular set of skills has become one of his best performances. The movie follows his character as he plays on those skills when his daughter and her friend are kidnapped at the hands of Albanian human trafficking terrorists. What follows is an exhilarating film filled with not only memes but gripping sequences and a fun, action-packed story to wrap it all together.
Taken
Release Date
January 30, 2009
8 'Transformers' (2007)
Directed by Michael Bay
Megan Fox as Mikaela Banes and Shia LaBeouf as Sam Witwicky encounter the Autobot leader Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) in 'Transformers' (2007).
Image via Paramount Pictures
Transformers may not be the most universally loved action movie of the 2000s, as its source material and characters aren't for everyone. However, it is undeniably one of the most iconic additions from the decade for the sheer impact its subsequent franchise has had on its fans.
This ever-expanding big-screen universe all started in 2007 when Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) purchased his first car, and it turned out to be an alien Autobot named Bumblebee. It happens, right? Transformers has become far more than just a standalone feature based on toys from Hasbro, transforming into a franchise of eight feature films. Sentient robot cars may not be everybody's cup of tea, but for the fans of this iconic series, its first installment will always be considered an essential action movie from the 2000s.
7 'Black Hawk Down' (2001)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Two Rangers face down a machine gun emplacement
Image via Sony
Ridley Scott's third film from the new century takes viewers on a big screen adaptation of a non-fiction book titled Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. This multi-Academy Award-winning feature tells a dramatized depiction of a Black Hawk helicopter shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.
Black Hawk Down takes audiences on a nailbiting two-hour viewing experience with the crew of the doomed helicopter as they fight to survive during the war in Somalia. The film performed very well despite a few criticized inaccuracies. It won multiple awards and garnered success at the box office, even with a limited run, and can be found on many personal lists of top war films following its release over twenty years ago.
6 'Mission Impossible III' (2006)
Directed by J. J. Abrams
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt kneeling down in Mission: Impossible 3
Image via Paramount Pictures
The Mission Impossible movies can be hit or miss. The first has become a classic and one of the best 90s action movies for many fans. The second installment missed the mark among critics and audiences and fell into the stereotypical bad sequel black cloud. The third picked back up and took audiences on another intense and thrilling mission with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and one of the franchise's most ruthless bad guys.
Mission Impossible III is the second and final installment of the MI movies released between 2000 and the start of the 2010s. It is considered the best of the two by many for its improvement in pacing, depth, and fight choreography. These movies have continued to get better with age, and while the third isn't the best of this eight-movie series, it's undoubtedly a turning point that paved the way for the overwhelming success that's followed in its path. The final film in this now iconic series will close out what has become one of the best action movie franchises of all time in May 2025.
Mission Impossible 3
5 'Kill Bill Vol. 1' (2003)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Uma Thurman in Kill Bill vol. I
Image via Miramax
This 2003 addition to Quentin Tarantino's list of brutal filmography falls into that category of "it's not what it looks like." Many fans of this iconic feature will say to watch it before watching the trailer. The trailer makes it look like some cheesy action flick with a bunch of witty one-liners and bad CGI, but that is far from the case.
Kill Bill Vol. 1 is an unforgiving story of revenge with some witty dialogue and enjoyably impressive fight choreography. It's also one of the most visceral action thrillers, easily capable of getting under the skin and in the head. Kill Bill and its sequel are arguably overshadowed in light of more recent additions from Quentin Tarantino, but they're an early insight into his notorious filmmaking style. In usual Tarantino fashion, this movie is gripping and engaging but is certainly not for the faint of heart, as it is especially graphic.
4 'The Bourne Identity' (2002)
Directed by Doug Liman
Matt Damon's Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity
Image via Universal Studios
The action genre is an expansive collection of films that's been growing for decades. However, some additions tend to spring to mind more than others when someone mentions the word action. The Bourne movies are some of them.
The Bourne Identity is the first installment of many adventures with Matt Damon's Jason Bourne and the subsequent franchise that followed. It depicts what happens when a man with no recollection of who he is or how he obtained expert fighting skills is pursued by those he cannot place. It's told in a way that keeps audiences as in the dark as its main protagonist is and constantly leaves people wondering what's to come. The last two movies weren't as well received, but the first and initial trilogy will always be a favorite.
3 'The Dark Knight' (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Image via Warner Bros.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
The Dark Knight could be considered an action movie, a superhero adventure, or a gritty crime drama. It's essentially all three but with a little bit of something everyone can enjoy, and it's one of the best films from the 2000s for many fans.
Being a fan of Batman and his iconic caped crusader persona isn't essential to enjoy The Dark Knight. The film's gritty and grimy appearance can appeal to anyone looking for a brilliantly executed story that takes place on the darker side of the streets. There's a reason it won over one hundred awards across multiple categories. It's been seventeen years since it was released, and this iconic comic book adaptation remains one of the best-written, best-performed, and most loved versions of a story told many times before.
2 'Gladiator' (2000)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Maximus yelling and spreading his arms while holding a sword in Gladiator
Image via DreamWorks Distribution
Gladiator's sequel was released just a few months ago. Initially met with some skepticism from those who felt the original should be left alone, it hushed many of those concerns when the movie finally hit theaters in November. While Gladiator 2 performed well overall, there is simply no competing with the 2000 original in the eyes of many fans.
Ridley Scott's original Gladiator feature has become one of the most iconic movies of the 2000s as a whole, not just in the action genre. It's gripping from start to finish and keeps viewers engaged with its powerful story and excellent stuntwork. It's one of the most rewatchable movies from the decade, more than deserving of its Best Picture win at the Academy Awards, and will always be an easy go-to.
1 'Casino Royale' (2006)
Directed by Martin Campbell
The infamous torture scene from Casino Royale - 2006
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
The James Bond movies are one of the most globally known film franchises ever created. As of 2025, twenty-seven feature-lengths have been made around the character, telling the adventures of an MI6 agent who goes by the codename of 007.
Casino Royale is the 21st installment of the Eon Productions Bond films. It is Daniel Craig's debut as the iconic character, and what a first impression it was. The Bond movies are known for many aspects, but their action sequences never fail to disappoint. Casino Royale went above and beyond what previous installments had done and was outstanding in its practical stunt choreography. Daniel Craig's performance paved the way for future successful endeavors, solidifying himself as a perfect fit for the character despite some initial uncertainty. Casino Royale remains one of the highest-rated and highest-grossing Bond features ever made.