TAGGED AS: Action, dceu, MCU, movies, Superheroes
(Photo by Universal/Everett Collection.)
Along with horror films like A Quiet Place Part II, action movies have been instrumental in demonstrating signs of vital life at the 2021 box office. Nobody made an unlikely commercial action hero out of Bob Odenkirk as theaters were re-opening, and afterwards, massive blockbusters like F9, Black Widow, and Godzilla vs. Kong drew huge crowds that approached pre-pandemic levels. On streaming, we’ve seen attention-grabbing hits like Hulu’s Boss Level, two Zack Snyder jams (Army of the Dead and his mythical director’s cut of Justice League), and Netflix’s Gunpowder Milkshake. And now we’ve collected every Fresh and Certified Fresh action movie from the year.(And don’t forget to check out our ongoing guides to the best horror movies of 2021, and the best movies of 2021.) —Alex Vo
#28
Adjusted Score: 58674%
Critics Consensus: Its runtime passes painlessly enough, but The Vault‘s slickly engineered thrills are dulled by familiarity.
#27
Adjusted Score: 68042%
Critics Consensus: Maggie Q’s still waiting for the action movie that really deserves her — but until then, The Protégé hits just hard enough to satisfy.
#26
Adjusted Score: 74104%
Critics Consensus: A squarely traditional ’90s-style action thriller, Those Who Wish Me Dead is elevated by Taylor Sheridan’s propulsive direction.
#25
Adjusted Score: 80730%
Critics Consensus: Its craft isn’t quite as sturdy as some of the classic adventures it’s indebted to, but Jungle Cruise remains a fun, family-friendly voyage.
#24
Adjusted Score: 68700%
Critics Consensus: Prisoners of the Ghostland is far from Sono’s most distinctive work, but viewers in the mood for a deliriously gonzo genre mash-up featuring an explosive performance from Nicolas Cage just might have a ball.
#23
Adjusted Score: 81508%
Critics Consensus: If it lacks the original’s bracingly original craft, The Matrix Resurrections revisits the world of the franchise with wit, a timely perspective, and heart.
#22
Adjusted Score: 80044%
Critics Consensus: Wrestling just enough stakes out of its thin plot, Wrath of Man sees Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham reunite for a fun, action-packed ride.
#21
Adjusted Score: 81671%
Critics Consensus: An ambitious, over-the-top zombie heist mashup, Army of the Dead brings Zack Snyder back to his genre roots with a suitably gory splash.
#20
Adjusted Score: 70457%
Critics Consensus: As a story, Space Sweepers isn’t as adventurous as its star-navigating protagonists — but relatable characters and impressive effects keep it from drifting out of orbit.
#19
Adjusted Score: 37826%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#18
Adjusted Score: 37826%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#17
Adjusted Score: 86860%
Critics Consensus: Zack Snyder’s Justice League lives up to its title with a sprawling cut that expands to fit the director’s vision — and should satisfy the fans who willed it into existence.
#16
Adjusted Score: 77699%
Critics Consensus: Boss Level powers up the increasingly crowded time-loop genre with a gleefully over-the-top sci-fi action thriller that revels in its own excess.
#15
Adjusted Score: 96282%
Critics Consensus: Delivering squarely on its title, Godzilla vs. Kong swats away character development and human drama to deliver all the spectacle you’d expect from giant monsters slugging it out.
#14
Adjusted Score: 84086%
Critics Consensus: Part creature feature, part war movie, and part social commentary, Shadow in the Cloud doesn’t always blend its ingredients evenly — but it’s frequently pulpy fun.
#13
Adjusted Score: 102857%
Critics Consensus: Black Widow‘s deeper themes are drowned out in all the action, but it remains a solidly entertaining standalone adventure that’s rounded out by a stellar supporting cast.
#12
Adjusted Score: 81729%
Critics Consensus: Blood Red Sky makes the most of its high-concept vampire story, delivering a fast-paced treat for genre enthusiasts.
#11
Adjusted Score: 94989%
Critics Consensus: Combining a clever concept, sweet, self-aware humor, and a charming cast, Free Guy is frivolous fun.
#10
Adjusted Score: 86992%
Critics Consensus: It doesn’t add many new ingredients to the genre, but action fans in the mood for an old-school thriller will be happy to buy what Copshop is selling.
#9
Adjusted Score: 98611%
Critics Consensus: Nobody doesn’t break any new ground for the genre, but this viscerally violent thriller smashes, shatters, and destroys plenty of other things — all while proving Bob Odenkirk has what it takes to be an action star.
#8
Adjusted Score: 105331%
Critics Consensus: It isn’t the sleekest or most daring 007 adventure, but No Time to Die concludes Daniel Craig’s franchise tenure in satisfying style.
#7
Adjusted Score: 37992%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
#6
Adjusted Score: 92864%
Critics Consensus: Raging Fire forsakes character development to go all in on action — and fortunately, writer-director Benny Chan Chi-Shun and star Donnie Yen are more than capable of delivering the goods.
#5
Adjusted Score: 109706%
Critics Consensus: Enlivened by writer-director James Gunn’s singularly skewed vision, The Suicide Squad marks a funny, fast-paced rebound that plays to the source material’s violent, anarchic strengths.
#4
Adjusted Score: 108639%
Critics Consensus: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn’t entirely free of Marvel’s familiar formula, but this exciting origin story expands the MCU in more ways than one.
#3
Adjusted Score: 115308%
Critics Consensus: A bigger, bolder Spider-Man sequel, No Way Home expands the franchise’s scope and stakes without losing sight of its humor and heart.
#2
Adjusted Score: 103641%
Critics Consensus: A darkly humorous revenge thriller with satisfying depth and a dash of savory quirk, Riders of Justice makes another compelling case for Mads Mikkelsen as an all-purpose leading man.
#1
Adjusted Score: 100920%
Critics Consensus: The Paper Tigers blends action, comedy, and heart to produce a fresh martial arts movie with plenty of throwback charm.
