Movies make up such a huge part of our lives. From drama to action, romance to horror, movies give us everything. Hollywood movies have traversed all lines of genre and have given the world movies that can be loved. One genre in particular that stands out is action, because of some of the best action movies in Hollywood. The industry is shaped by its Cowboys in the wild west to the Superheroes in Gotham city. Here are 12 action movies in English that keep your heart racing even after the end credits.
1. The Dark Knight
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman
Legacy: With an IMBD rating and Rotten Tomatoes, this movie chronicles the tale of Gotham city’s vigilante, Batman and his arch-nemesis the Joker. This is one of the best action movies in Hollywood of all time. It follows the typical cat and mouse chase but with Christopher Nolan’s Genius. The action sequences and visuals keep the audience gripped throughout. This remains one of Hollywood’s top action movies because of the characterization and depth of the storyline. The superhero has got you on his batmobile throughout the film.
2. The Matrix
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano
Legacy: This successful movie marks the starting of the legendary Matrix Trilogy. Despite it venturing into the genre of cyberpunk sci-fi, this movie remains one of the best action films of Hollywood. This Hollywood action film not only keeps you transfixed but transports you to an alternate reality. The film focuses on the journey of Thomas Anderson, a computer programmer fighting a war against the computers. The depth of the story gives a dimension to it, setting it apart from any other action film in English.
3. The good, the bad, The ugly
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach
Legacy: As the music plays the cowboys enter the scene. The boots glittering against the harsh and mundane dessert. We can call it “the Hollywood action film”. Shot in 1966 this classic set the standards for action movies in English. It revolves around the three characters The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. This is a story taking place during the American Civil War, two bounty hunters, Blondie and Tuco form an uncomfortable partnership to find the lost treasure. Angel Eyes, a plunderer, too has his eyes on the prize. How these diverse personalities travel the same journey makes for one of the best action movies in English cinema. So saddle up to travel the journey with these men.
4. Star Wars: Episode V – The empire strikes back
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz
Legacy: This is the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy. This is not only regarded as the best film of the series. But it also earns the accolade of being one of the best movies of all time. The best action movies in Hollywood are the ones that have perfect punches with a purpose. This movie is set three years after the first installment. The empire launches a full-scale attack forcing the rebel alliance to go underground. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker is training to be a Jedi under Master Yoda despite Darth Vader’s attempts to turn him to the dark side. The series in itself a must watch as it has given as some of the best action movies in English. So if you haven’t caught up yet begin the story now and may the force be with you.
5. The Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong
Legacy: When one thinks action one cannot help but think of Arnold Schwarzenegger. This film is the second installment in the Terminator franchise. In this film, the very same cyborg who was sent to kill Sarah is now faced with the task of protecting her son, John Connor. This Hollywood action film that is also sci-fi is regarded as one of the best movies of the franchise. It follows the experiences and journey of Model 101 to the judgment day. Grab some popcorn to prepare yourself for this gripping tale.
6. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott
Legacy: This is the first movie of the Indiana Jones franchise and is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The film sets up the story of the daring archaeologist who ventures into the deserts of Egypt. He goes up not only against his rival but against the Nazis themselves. Explore the arcs of the characters in the Hollywood action blockbuster.
7. Lawrence of Arabia
Cast: Alec Guinness Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, José Ferrer, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, Arthur Kennedy, Omar Sharif, Peter O’Toole
Legacy: A movie based on the life of T. E Lawrence, this movie is one of the best British films of all time. The year is 1935 when Lawrence is dead. The movie traces his life back to his heroic acts during world war 1. His war is one with the Turks. The movie is based on true events has been called one of the best action movies in Hollywood.
8. Aliens
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Jenette Goldstein, William Hope, Al Matthews, Bill Paxton.
Legacy: This is the second installment of the second franchise and has been called the greatest sequel of all times. The movie follows the life of Ellen Ripley as she returns to the moon where she and the crew meet an alien who is not happy to see them. This movie involves the adventures of the crew and the space marines against the hostile creatures. This typical man vs alien movie is given depth making it a one of a kind English action film that brings it to the list of best action movies in Hollywood.
9. Metropolis
Cast: Gustav Fröhlich, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge and Brigitte Helm
Legacy: Metropolis is a german expressionist science-fiction film. This movie shot in 1927 far surpasses all expectations. The movie happens during the Weimar period. It is a kind of urban dystopia. This German-English classic action film set all benchmarks for science fiction movies to follow. Hollywood has been greatly inspired by the work in this action sci-fi thriller. The film’s message is encompassed in the final inter-title: “The Mediator Between the Head and the Hands Must Be the Heart”.
10. The treasure of Sierra Madre
Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett
Legacy: It is an American action-adventure film. It is a neo-western style film. It is an adaptation of B. Tavern’s book of the same name. It follows the story of two young men driven by poverty to find gold in Mexico. The adventure movie following the journey of these two is filled with sequences that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. It is an English action movie that is a must-watch for all movie lovers.
11. Die Hard
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bonnie Bedelia
Legacy: The story follows the NYPD detective John Mclain’s brave venture in the Nakatomi Plaza. Shot in one building with a fixed time frame of the night the movie builds up the tension of the audience by making them experience the feelings of the actors. This movie has made Bruce wills’ name synonymous with action. As the first installment in the series of action films. This Hollywood action movie is one to watch out for.
12. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough
Legacy: It’s a movie happening on the road. We can call it as long one road battle scene stretched out as a movie. There is constant movement throughout the movie that is led by the escape of Max Rockatansky from the cult leader, Immortan Joe. The post-apocalyptic dessert as a background provides the foreground fight for the importance it requires. The scenes and fights filled with intricacies and well-choreographed sequences keep the audience hooked on the road journey. It is all in the details is something the director keeps proving with the fast action wide-angle shots. This road journey is one worth taking as the audience gets to experience some of the best action movies of Hollywood.
