.Action movies are one of the most popular film genres in America. In recent years, movies like Top Gun: Maverick, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and others have thrilled audiences and earned acclaim.

Interestingly, one of the most influential action movies of the 20th century was actually released all the way back in 1954, and didn’t come from America. Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, which was based on the true story of 17th century Japanese farmers hiring samurai to protect their village from being raided, has inspired filmmakers for decades and is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

In fact, in December 2025, Collider slotted Seven Samurai at the top of its list of the 75 Best Action Movies of All Time, Ranked.

Why Seven Samurai is No. 1

Collider’s Jeremy Urquhart writes that “there’s an argument to be made” that Seven Samurai shaped the modern action genre with its use of extended action sequences and “constant physical conflict (or the threat of it)” throughout the movie.

“It’s a 3+ hour epic revolving around a village whose inhabitants are being targeted by bandits, and so they enlist samurai (seven of them!) to help in defending themselves,” Urquhar says. “Its structure of forming a team, training, and then doing battle—each of the three taking up one act—has influenced countless other action movies, and the way it displays the combat is more visceral and believable than anything else from its era. Filmed action has become more bombastic since 1954, sure, but the majority of action movies owe something to Seven Samurai for paving the way for the genre as a whole. For that reason, it’s the greatest action movie of all time.”

Playing the long game

As Men’s Journal’s Jack Walters notes, Seven Samurai had immediate success in Japan but did not take off in America upon release.

“At 207 minutes, the film was facing an uphill struggle to even get audiences in seats in the first place,” Walters writes.

However, the film gained popularity and appreciation from viewers and critics as time went on. Additionally, modern filmmakers such as George Lucas, Denis Villeneuve, Martin Scorsese and others have gone on the record detailing the influence Seven Samurai has had on their careers.

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jun 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.