2025 has delivered a few action sequels, e.g. The Accountant 2, but they haven’t quite lived up to their predecessors. To be fair, it’s rare that a sequel lives up to or surpasses its predecessor, regardless of genre. But the following four action films, they managed to not just live up to what came before but surpass them. The reasons for their superiority vary. Sometimes it’s because the first one was an admirable debut step, but it was essentially just an average overall film. Other times it’s because the sequel took what was already impressive about the original movie and did its most successful elements even better.

Note that they had to be straightforward action movies, though. Meaning no sci-fi action flicks. In other words, don’t scratch your head and raise a brow when you get through the list and don’t spot Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

1) Lethal Weapon 2

At the very least, Lethal Weapon 2 is as good as its predecessor. Even without Shane Black writing the script (he did come up with the general story), it plays as smart and energetic, with an even better main villain than the first film’s. And, while the chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover was strong the first time out the gate, it’s even stronger in round two.

Lethal Weapon 2 also has what are arguably the franchise’s three most iconic scenes. For one, there’s the tragic beach-set death of Patsy Kensit’s Rika van den Haas. Two, Arjen Rudd’s (Joss Ackland) delivery of “Diplomatic immunity!” just before he’s shot by Roger Murtaugh (Glover), who mutters “has just been revoked.” And three, there’s the scene of Murtaugh on a toilet that has been outfitted with a bomb, set to blow as soon as he gets up. Not many sequels are blessed with a scene that is both that intense and that hysterical.

Rent Lethal Weapon 2 on Amazon Video.

2) John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum

If any action franchise has done an impeccable job of building an entire cinematic world, it’s John Wick. And, of the four excellent mainline films, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is the best. At 131 minutes it’s not as overwhelming in length as the subsequent film and ends with perhaps the best gunfight of the franchise (when John and Charon team up to defend the Continental.

Furthermore, like all the Wick films, there are a few characters who go a long way towards expanding this whole world. Mark Dacascos’ fanboy assassin Zero is a hoot, Halle Berry’s Sofia Al-Azwar is perhaps the best Wick ally, and Asia Kate Dillon’s Adjudicator is a terrific corporate-style villain with ice in their veins. Not to mention, when it comes to fight choreography, this chapter may very well be at the top of the heap (which is no small compliment). For one, there’s the bladed weapons battle in the first act, where John takes on about a dozen assassins in a shop selling only tools of death. Then there’s the lengthy sequence where he teams up with Sofia and her two pups in a fight that, thankfully, the two pups walk away from.

Stream John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum on Hulu.

3) The Expendables 2

If every installment of The Expendables saga was as solid as The Expendables 2, it may very well be the best Jason Statham action franchise. But that is far from the case. The original film is fine, and, for varying reasons, the latter two installments are total duds.

This was the one where all the pieces in place. The cast’s chemistry is stronger, just about every action star who should be here is here (and actually joining the fight this time), and it comes equipped with a pretty terrific villain performance by Jean-Claude Van Damme. None of the Expendables movies are high art, but The Expendables 2 is the one that leans into not being high art with a big smile on its face, and it works.

Stream The Expendables 2 on Peacock.

4) Mad Max: Fury Road

Loaded with at least two iconic performances, action sequences that play out at a breakneck pace, and a ton of cool vehicles, Mad Max: Fury Road was quickly heralded as not just one of the best action movies in a long time, but of all time. And that’s a fair proclamation, because it very much is.

Everything about Fury Road works, from the frantic pacing to the untraditional structure (the movie basically just starts without build-up and never lets off the gas). It may have been a living hell to make, but it was sure worth it, because George Miller’s return to the franchise decades after Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome leaves even The Road Warrior in the rearview mirror.

Stream Mad Max: Fury Road on Netflix.