Action movies aren’t often major awards contenders, but there are some that have been nominated for Best Picture. Between thrilling chase sequences, explosive set-pieces, and incredible fight choreography, action movies have been a cornerstone of Hollywood cinema and perfect escapism for decades. However, when it comes to the Academy Awards, these releases go unfairly overlooked and find themselves on the outside looking in. As difficult as many action movie scenes are to pull off, the Academy gives preferential treatment to dramas and character-driven narratives, whether it’s fair or not.
Though there are tons of action-filled movies that have been nominated for Best Picture, those are predominantly fantasy films and war epics, not straight action movies. The Academy has had a historical bias toward certain genres since its inception, as there have been only six horror movies nominated for Best Picture, too. However, a select few action movies have been nominated for Best Picture, and in a couple of cases, they’ve even won. While more action movies should arguably have been nominated for Best Picture in the Academy Awards’ 95-year history, there are 11 movies that are inarguably the gold standard of the action genre.
11 King Solomon’s Mines (1950)
King Solomon’s Mines is an epic cinematic treasure hunt film that follows Allan Quatermain (Stewart Granger) and his team as they search for the legendary diamond mines of the titular King Solomon. As the film was released over 70 years ago, the movie’s Best Picture nomination was significant for the action genre. While action flicks were seen as nothing but popcorn entertainment at the time, the exotic locations, beautiful cinematography, and imaginative escapism of King Solomon’s Mines validated the genre. Action sequences have obviously advanced exponentially since 1950, but King Solomon’s Mines paved the way for the likes of the Indiana Jones movies and Die Hard with its white-knuckle entertainment.
10 Captain Blood (1935)
Captain Blood is one of the earliest and still among the best swashbuckler movies, as it follows Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn), a physician who became a pirate in the Caribbean during the 17th century. At the time, the high-seas battles were on another level and audiences hadn’t seen anything like it, making it the biggest cinematic spectacle at the time of the movie’s release. The movie featured huge-scale sword fights, Flynn was a roguish hero audiences loved, and the film’s resonating romance story helped Captain Blood appeal to everybody.
9 The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)
Movies about the Prince of Thieves peaked early on thanks to 1938’s The Adventures of Robin Hood. One of Errol Flynn’s best movies, this adaptation of the legend sees the actor chewing the scenery as the titular outlaw. It is also full of vast landscapes, vibrant costume design, and stunning cinematography, which completely elevated the action genre at the time. The Adventures of Robin Hood is a completely immersive action movie full of drama, and it laid the groundwork for other historical epic action movies like Gladiator to become successful decades later.
8 The Fugitive (1993)
Based on the classic TV show of the same name, The Fugitive is an action thriller that follows Dr. Richard Kimble, a man framed for the murder of his wife who must clear his name while on the run. This is one of the most thrilling cat-and-mouse chase movies, and the serious dramatic actors Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones’s powerful performances and shared screen time brought prestige to the adaptation. The roles could have easily been too goofy if played by anyone else. While most action movies are about the set pieces, The Fugitive is character-driven first and foremost, and that helped it become an Oscars darling.
7 Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther made history as the very first superhero film to earn a Best Picture nomination, which not even The Dark Knight achieved. The movie follows King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) protecting the technologically advanced Wakanda from Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The 2018 release was a cultural phenomenon when it was released, as it celebrated African heritage in a way that no other movie on this scale ever had, explored serious social issues, and had some of the most innovative world-building in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In that respect, while some of the digital effects might be lacking, it comes as no surprise that Black Panther was a Best Picture nominee.
6 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Arriving 36 years after the original movie, the 2022 release achieved the unthinkable, as Top Gun: Maverick is better than Top Gun. The sequel is a flawed masterpiece, as it might not even reveal who its actual villain is, but it manages to involve audiences on an emotional level that critics and general audiences wouldn’t have thought was possible for a Top Gun movie. Top Gun: Maverick leaves audiences in tears due to Maverick (Cruise) and Iceman’s (Val Kilmer) friendship, which significantly helped the film’s Oscar chances. However, the jet action sequences are so jaw-dropping and unbelievable that audiences could think they were CGI, but they’re entirely practical.
5 The French Connection (1971)
The French Connection is one of the grittiest but most exciting takes on narcotics detectives, as the movie follows the now iconic New York City detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman). While The French Connection is as much of a crime drama, the 1971 film is full of action scenes, including shootouts, on-foot chases, and one of the greatest movie car chases, which set a new standard in Hollywood. In this case, The French Connection was not only nominated for Best Picture but won. William Friedkin also won Best Director and Hackman won Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
4 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of Michelle Yeoh’s best movies, and it became a shock success thanks to its incredible martial arts action intertwined with a profound love story. The movie is set in ancient China and follows skilled warriors searching for a legendary sword that has been stolen. The gravity-defying fight sequences and jaw-dropping wirework took martial arts movies to the next level, totally earning its Best Picture nomination. The movie also earned a bigger platform for a type of cinema that isn’t commercial, and it introduced new audiences to what martial arts movies are capable of.
3 Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator is set in Ancient Rome and follows Maximus (Russell Crowe), who seeks revenge on Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) for the death of his family. While there have been so many revenge flicks that have the same narrative, Gladiator‘s historical accuracy, ambitious scope, and epic gladiatorial combat put the movie way above its peers. The iconic and impeccably choreographed arena battles haven’t been beaten in the two decades since its release, and the epic Gladiator ending is unforgettable. Gladiator won Best Picture, beating Traffic, Erin Brockovich, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Crowe also won Best Actor, along with the film deservedly winning a number of technical awards.
2 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The fourth film in its franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road is better than any other Mad Max movie. The 2015 release elevated the scrappy franchise in a way that has never been done before, as the low-budget series was turned into an epic, vibrant action flick with unimaginable practical effects. The movie also has a just as ambitious story involving the road trip from hell, and it looks like exactly that on screen. While Max (Tom Hardy) is the titular character, Furiosa (Charlize Theron) steals the show, and the movie’s strong feminist message along with heart-pounding sequences involving 10-ton vehicles made it a deserving Best Picture nominee.
1 Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark started one of the biggest movie franchises ever, and Harrison Ford instantly made Indiana Jones iconic in the 1981 movie. The classic film follows the famous archaeologist racing against the Nazis in search of the Ark of the Covenant, and the movie was the big bang of modern action-adventure movies. Almost every film in the genre to this day follows Raiders of the Lost Ark’s formula, as it’s a masterclass in balancing action, humor, and suspense. Between the fictional take on history and Ford’s portrayal of Indy, Raiders of the Lost Ark is timeless and the best of all the action movies nominated for Best Picture.
