10 Greatest Action Performances of the 21st Century, Ranked
The 21st century has been a great time for action cinema. We have seen long-running franchises reinvent themselves for the new generation, and there are also new action movies that resonate with audiences worldwide. All of them are usually anchored by the memorable performances of the main stars. While action stars of the old Hollywood were simply defined by big muscles and big explosions, today’s best bring depth, vulnerability, and technical mastery to the genre.
Here, we take a look at the greatest action performances of this century. From Hollywood icons redefining blockbuster franchises to martial arts masters pushing the limits, the action heroes of the modern era have elevated their craft into something closer to art. A truly great action performance isn’t just about the choreography or the set piece, but the way an actor embodies the character fully. They remind us that great action isn’t only about spectacle, but it’s also about the emotions and commitment that leave a lasting impression after the movie ends.
10
Charlize Theron – ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
As Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road, Charlize Theron commands the screen with a presence that steals the movie from the title character, Max (Tom Hardy). Furiosa is a hardened warrior who leads a desperate escape across the wasteland to free Immortan Joe’s wives. Theron gives the character layers that not only show her tough side but also her vulnerability, making her relatable to the audience and eventually making her a fan-favorite.
Charlize Theron is not a stranger to action movies, having starred in other hits like Atomic Blonde. Still, Furiosa made her an action star, as her performance stands out with her complete physical transformation and total commitment to the role. She shaved her head, weathered the desert conditions, and performed many of her stunts. The fight choreography, particularly Furiosa’s brutal and desperate brawl with Max, is as much about character as combat, showing her resilience and tactical mind at work. Theron’s Furiosa redefined the modern action heroine, not just someone who kicks ass but also the beating heart of the movie.
9
Yayan Ruhian – ‘The Raid’ (2011)
As Mad Dog in the bone-crunching Indonesian actioner The Raid, Yayan Ruhian became an instant cult icon. His character is terrifying not just because of his fighting ability, but because of his sheer joy in violence. When the heroes of the films, Rama (Iko Uwais) and Sergeant Jaka (Joe Taslim), storm the apartment complex, they meet their ultimate opponent in Mad Dog. Unlike most villains, Mad Dog relishes combat, smiling as he trades blows, dragging out fights to savor every moment.
From an action standpoint, Ruhian’s performance is a masterclass. As an athlete and also a teacher of the martial arts, Pencak Silat, his talents are undeniable. His climactic two-on-one showdown shows that he’s the final boss. His silat fighting style is raw, fast, and devastating, but it’s his physical charisma that makes it so memorable. Unlike clean-cut martial arts heroes, Ruhian brings a scrappy, feral quality that makes his fights feel dangerous and unpredictable. He makes such an impression in his appearance that he’s invited back to the sequel, The Raid 2, as an entirely new character. Hollywood also can’t get enough of him, as he starred in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
8
Daniel Craig – ‘Casino Royale’ (2006)
In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig reinvented James Bond for the new generation. His Bond isn’t the suave, unflappable spy of the past like Sean Connery‘s, but a force of nature. Craig’s Bond is a man capable of incredible violence as he’s still learning how to control it. While the film later focuses more on the poker game, there were plenty of astonishing action sequences in this bold reimagining, from the brutal bathroom fight in the opening to the intense parkour chase.
Craig’s action performance is supported by his physicality and character work. The fight scenes are not clean; they’re messy and exhausting, showing that Bond hasn’t refined his ways. The film’s willingness to strip Bond of his trademark invincibility, with him hurting and bleeding, shows a different side of Bond that audiences have rarely seen before. The latter films eventually brought Craig’s Bond much closer to his classic archetype, but Casino Royale is exceptional for trying to break the mold for the decades-old character, making this film one of the best Bond movies ever.
7
Jet Li – ‘Hero’ (2002)
In Zhang Yimou’s epic Hero, Jet Li plays Nameless, a warrior who claims to have defeated three legendary assassins to gain an audience with the King of Qin. The film’s unique narrative lets Li explore different shades of the character, from the triumphant warrior recounting his exploits, to the calculating schemer weaving tales of deception, to the selfless man who ultimately chooses peace over bloodshed. Li’s restrained performance gives Nameless an intensity, while also showcasing his masterful action choreography.
Jet Li’s performance in Hero is remarkable because it turns martial arts into a form of visual poetry. His duels against heavyweights Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung aren’t just battles of skill, but expressions of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. Li’s choreography is measured and deliberate, complementing Yimou’s use of color and atmosphere to elevate combat into something operatic. Unlike his flashier roles in earlier kung fu films, here Li embraces stillness and precision, proving that action can be graceful as it is powerful. It’s an incredible experience to see martial arts choreography used as storytelling. With Li in the lead, Hero is one of the century’s most beautiful action epics.
6
Matt Damon – ‘Bourne’ Franchise (2002–2016)
Jason Bourne is the role that transformed Matt Damon from a dramatic actor into a full-fledged action star. As a trained agent struggling with amnesia, Damon plays Bourne with a mix of vulnerability and lethal instinct. He’s haunted, disoriented, and desperate to uncover his past. Yet when danger comes, Bourne’s training kicks in, and he moves with chilling precision, usually utilizing every object at his disposal to complete his missions.
Damon’s performance reshaped Hollywood action cinema with its realism and grit. In The Bourne Ultimatum, particularly, the fight choreography is stripped of flash, relying instead on brutal efficiency and close-quarters combat that feels both practical and immediate. Even in his weakest entry, Jason Bourne, the Treadstone agent still moves like a calculated machine designed only to triumph, making him one of the best spies in cinema. Damon’s dedication to stunt work and his understated acting style made Bourne feel authentic, which in turn influenced the way James Bond and countless other action heroes were reimagined.
5
Tony Jaa – ‘Ong-Bak’ (2003)
Tony Jaa burst onto the international stage with Ong-Bak, playing Ting, a villager sent to Bangkok to retrieve a stolen Buddha head. The plot is straightforward, but Jaa’s screen presence makes it unforgettable. Ting is portrayed as pure, loyal, and almost naïve, which contrasts perfectly with the brutality of the urban underworld he fights through. Jaa brings sincerity to the character, grounding him as a spiritual warrior whose battles are motivated by devotion and duty.
Jaa’s action performance was extraordinary because of his commitment to realism. With no wires, no CGI, Jaa showcases raw, bone-crunching Muay Thai executed at full speed. His leaps, elbows, and acrobatics are done with ferocity and authenticity, giving Ong-Bak a visceral edge that cinema hasn’t felt since it first witnessed Jackie Chan‘s first death-defying stunt. Jaa brought a national fighting style to the global stage, redefining what martial arts films could look like. His blend of athleticism, fearlessness, and purity of form makes this one of the most groundbreaking action performances of its era. Jaa himself broke through Hollywood when he starred in Furious 7.
4
Michelle Yeoh – ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)
In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Michelle Yeoh plays Yu Shu Lien, a warrior torn between love, loyalty, and duty. Yeoh brings strength to the character, conveying Shu Lien’s longing for a life she cannot have while maintaining the resolve of a seasoned fighter. Her relationship with Chow Yun-fat’s Li Mu Bai is marked by restraint and aching tenderness, making her emotional battles as compelling as her physical ones. Yeoh makes Shu Lien graceful yet human, a character defined by honor but still bound by heartbreak.
As an action performance, Yeoh’s mastery of wire-fu choreography elevates the film into a poetic spectacle. She executes intricate swordplay and balletic combat sequences with precision, but what makes them powerful is the emotional weight behind each strike. Her fight with Zhang Ziyi’s Jen Yu is not just a display of martial arts prowess, but a layered duel between experience and youthful recklessness. Yeoh, of course, was not new to intricate action sequences, having worked with Jackie Chan in Supercop and in the Bond franchise in Tomorrow Never Dies. Her eventual Oscar win showcases her action prowess while showing her depth as an actor. Nevertheless, her turn in Ang Lee’s groundbreaking film remains her best action performance.
3
Keanu Reeves – ‘John Wick’ Franchise (2014 – 2023)
Keanu Reeves resurrected his action star status with John Wick, a franchise that turned a simple revenge story into a global phenomenon. As the retired hitman pulled back into the underworld after the loss of his wife and the killing of his dog, Reeves delivers a performance that belongs to the action genre hall of fame. John Wick isn’t just a killing machine. He’s a man weighed down by grief, with every fight carrying the shadow of his personal loss.
Without this now-iconic character, Reeves would have made the list with his performance in The Matrix sequels. However, his commitment to these films is simply astonishing. He trained in judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and tactical gunplay, executing long, unbroken takes that showcase his precision and stamina without the crutch of rapid editing. Reeves’ stoic presence gives the character gravitas and a unique personality that, combined with his physical feats, makes John Wick an action icon. Reeves’ turn as Wick across five movies, including this year’s spin-off, Ballerina, proves that it is one of the greatest action performances of the century.
2
Donnie Yen
‘Ip Man’ Franchise (2008 – 2019)
In the Ip Man movies, Donnie Yen embodies the legendary Wing Chun master with a mix of dignity and explosive power. His portrayal of Ip Man goes beyond the typical martial arts hero. He’s a calm, disciplined family man who only fights when necessary, but when he does, it’s with a precision and speed that leaves both opponents and audiences stunned. Across four films, Yen balances Ip Man’s role as a protector of tradition and community with his personal struggles, whether facing off against Japanese occupiers, Western fighters, or the inevitable modern world.
Yen’s performance as one of the greatest in modern action cinema is boosted by his ability to merge technical brilliance with emotional beats. The fight choreography is breathtaking, from the iconic scene where he takes on ten black belts at once to the more intimate duels that showcase Wing Chun’s fluid, close-quarters style, and Yen executes them with unmatched sharpness and grace. Not just the physical fights — his presence, subtle expressions, and controlled energy give each confrontation dramatic weight. By embodying Ip Man with such authenticity, Yen elevated the character into a cultural icon and helped bring Chinese martial arts cinema back into the global spotlight.
1
Tom Cruise
‘Mission: Impossible’ series (1996–2025)
Mission: Impossible‘s Ethan Hunt has evolved into one of the definitive action heroes of modern cinema, thanks to Tom Cruise‘s commitment. Across eight films, seven of them released in the 21st century, Cruise plays Hunt as a man constantly caught in impossible stunts to save the world from devastation. For audiences, Hunt is synonymous with his wild stunts, but in the series’ universe, Hunt has such an obsessive commitment to doing the right thing that he has to do those crazy leaps and jumps.
Cruise’s performance stands apart because he’s both the actor and the stuntman, embodying a daredevil authenticity few others attempt at this scale. He’s essentially redefined what audiences expect from an action star; it is not just enough to look cool holding a gun, but an action star has to try to perform the stunts themselves to heighten realism, which, for Cruise, means physically putting his life on the line. The visceral thrills of the Mission: Impossible series aren’t just from spectacle, but from the knowledge that it’s really Cruise dangling off cliffs or piloting helicopters. With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Cruise has outdone himself and firmly cemented Ethan Hunt as the most thrilling action hero of the century.
