These 10 Action Movies Are Actually Way Better Than Their Reviews Say

It’s hard to win with an Action

movie sometimes. The formula has to be just right, and if there is a little bit of overspill, that can quickly translate to overkill. A little bit of humor is needed to balance out the violence, but it can’t be too much, otherwise it’s a comedy. The violence is necessary, but it can’t be too much, otherwise it borders on horror territory. If the plot is too convoluted, then some action fans might get lost, and it ends up being a high-octane drama instead.

With so many rules just waiting to be broken, there are a huge number of action films that weren’t universally praised by reviewers, yet may have been judged too harshly. Some of them went on to spite the critics and earn millions at the box office, yet some sadly were affected by the negativity and never quite found their audience. Either way, there are many hidden action gems to find that will leave viewers punching the air with delight at the sheer awesomeness.

10

Soldier (1998)

17% On Rotten Tomatoes

A rare and unlikely flop for Kurt Russell, Soldier did something that went against the very reason he is such a beloved actor: It silenced him. The part he plays is reserved and war-ravaged, with a very non-verbal way about him, which works out well when he befriends a mute boy. While Russell does a good job in this different role, his charm and natural charisma get a bit lost in the lack of noise. That being said, there is actually a lot to enjoy in this otherworldly action movie.

Set in the same universe as Blade Runner, it shows what happens to people when they are no longer useful to society. As Todd 3465 gets sent to a planet of trash after years of service as a soldier, he tries to achieve a sort of peace and resolution in his newfound plight. But, no sooner does he find a sort of pleasant stillness, than he is forced back into action. And the action does not disappoint. While the film performed as badly with critics as it did with moviegoers, it has since found its cult following.

9

Supergirl (1984)

8% On Rotten Tomatoes

The Superman franchise was flying high by the time the 1980s rolled around. With a series of successful films starring the very bankable and charming Christopher Reeve, it made sense to expand the universe by focusing on his cousin, Kara. It has been proven with the six-season show that came about 30 years later that this story can be told successfully. However, the Helen Slater adaptation was not the one to do it. Filled with cheesy tropes and empty feminism, the film struggled to find an audience.

But, as with many flops of the past decades, Supergirl found a cult following that appreciates its camp action and flimsy dialog. Faye Dunaway is an antagonist worthy of all the accolades when it comes to high drama and sheer silliness. The visual effects are somehow worse than those displayed in ’70s films, but that just adds to the entertainment upon the umpteenth rewatch. It is possible that the idea might have been ahead of its time, so revisiting this nostalgic romp is actually quite satisfying.

8

Daylight (1996)

28% On Rotten Tomatoes

Sylvester Stallone is a bona fide action hero; there is absolutely no disputing it. But, since he committed fervently to this specific genre, he has also managed to accumulate a roster of not-so-great movies. The thing with such poorly rated films is, they can still be super entertaining. With a filmography that ranges from the heights of Rocky to the lows of Judge Dredd, there are many dud projects to choose from. But, one that might not have impressed the critics yet has a lot of redeeming qualities is Daylight.

The premise is uncomplicated: A group of people gets stuck in a tunnel as it collapses, and Stallone is, of course, charged with leading the group of survivors out. There are many similarities to The Poseidon Adventure, in that there is a group that refuses to go with him and then suffers the consequences. They encounter some stragglers on the way as well, and not everybody makes it out. Perhaps this lack of originality was what made reviewers judge it so harshly, but the truth is, there is enough tension and action motifs to keep viewers engaged throughout.

7

Armageddon (1998)

48% On Rotten Tomatoes

The 1990s were very kind to Bruce Willis. He was everybody’s favorite action hero and made some of the most beloved and hugely-grossing blockbusters of the decade. He also accumulated his fair share of flops, but he was such a beloved actor that it never seemed to impact his career. Armageddon was a huge box office hit, many seem to forget that it was not quite as successful with critics.

Sure, it’s cheesy, highly predictable, and extremely implausible, but it’s also so much fun. For some reason, 1998 was the year of the asteroid film. It could have been that the millennium was approaching, and people were anticipating the end of days, as Deep Impact was released the same year and had a very similar premise. But, the battle of the disaster movies was firmly won by Armageddon, as it made $200 million more worldwide than its rival, and also spawned an Aerosmith song that has been a karaoke staple for decades.

6

San Andreas (2015)

48% On Rotten Tomatoes

Disaster films tend to be hit-and-miss both with audiences and critics. There is very little that differentiates a successful film in this particular sub-category from one that might not hit as well. A lot is probably due to timing and casting, because plot-wise, they all seem to follow a very similar formula. There is a hero who must rescue those they care about from a very precarious and dramatic situation. In San Andreas, the hero happens to be Dwayne Johnson.

By 2015, The Rock had established himself as a go-to action star who could always save the day in the most spectacular fashion. This movie sees him tackling the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, with many things falling down, crashing, and exploding at a very high rate. He is tasked with saving his daughter and estranged wife, and, thankfully, he is a qualified pilot, which comes in handy amidst the destruction. While the plot is exactly as expected, the actual action in this film is extremely well done.

5

Batman And Robin (1997)

11% On Rotten Tomatoes

It’s hard to imagine the Caped Crusader as a camp and colorful movie extravaganza. The ’60s Adam West show certainly amped up the cheese and comedy factors, but when Tim Burton brought Batman back, he leaned in a bit more into the dark and moody side of the superhero. While Burton applied his signature brand of gothic edge in the two films he directed, when Batman Forever came around, it was much more technicolor and comical. Because of its success, the next installment went slightly too far in that direction.

While it is agreed that Batman and Robin effectively killed the franchise until Christopher Nolan got involved, it cannot be stated enough how enjoyable this movie is. Yes, it’s too colorful, the script is poor, and George Clooney might have been miscast, but some of the worst bits are the most entertaining to watch. Arnold Schwarzenegger is a very goofy Mr. Freeze, complete with terrible one-liners and polar bear slippers. The anatomically uncomfortable suits are hilarious to look at, and the movie somehow manages to raise the very important issue of global warming.

4

Bloodsport (1988)

48% On Rotten Tomatoes

This film cemented Jean-Claude Van Damme’s status as the go-to action star of the decade and ensured that his high-octane high kicks would be seen by audiences the world over. But, the reviews weren’t particularly kind to this ultra-violent revenge film that saw the protagonist enter an underground martial arts tournament. The fight sequences are gory but thrilling, and the movie certainly lives up to its title.

Chong Li, played by Bolo Yeung, is one of the fiercest and most terrifying action movie antagonists, and the fight that ensues between him and Frank is one for the ages. Bloodsport‘s script might leave a lot to be desired, but the film does what it needs to do. It provides action, a thirst for blood, and some extraordinary fight sequences. It did not set the box office alight, probably due to the niche topic and overt violence, but it has become such a genre-defying phenomenon that has resonated with martial arts fans everywhere.

3

Man On Fire (2004)

38% On Rotten Tomatoes

When an actor reaches the level of success and respect that Denzel Washington has, it usually stands to reason that any project that he appears in is of a certain degree of quality. Of course, he mostly competes with himself in that arena, because any film he stars in will be much better than one that he has not graced with his presence. That being said, it is strange that Man on Fire received such poor reviews. The plot is layered, the action is gritty, and the performances are very convincing.

Washington demonstrates his rage as the anti-hero with a heart of gold who shows his sensitive side to a precarious child, played skillfully by Dakota Fanning. Their relationship is the core of this very violent and visceral movie, and viewers never question why he does what he does. The characters make the audience invested, and the twists come out of nowhere. Clearly, audiences disagreed with the critics, as the movie has an 89% Popcornmeter score.

2

Gone In Sixty Seconds (2000)

26% On Rotten Tomatoes

An unlikely action hero, Nicolas Cage somehow managed to become one of the most prolific stars of the genre. With multiple high-thrills classics under his belt, he mixes brain and brawn in a way that resonates with audiences. With bankable projects like Con Air, Face/Off, and The Rock, Cage was riding a wave of success and universal adoration. Not to mention his Oscar, which immediately added that quality seal that the more cerebral action fans were looking for.

A lot of his other action projects saw patchy critical reviews and are all still worth exploring, but there’s a certain quality that Gone in Sixty Seconds has that makes it such a delightful time capsule. This came out before the Fast and the Furious franchise kicked off, and features just as much of a love affair with cars. As a retired criminal forced back into action, Cage shows the audience just what it was that made him great, racing against the clock to steal a number of vehicles in order to help those he cares about.

1

Road House (1989)

44% On Rotten Tomatoes

Audiences might mostly think of Patrick Swayze as a romantic protagonist from films like Ghost or Dirty Dancing, but he had an edge to him as well. Point Break showed it in the ’90s, but before that, he went even further into the realm of action with Road House. It remains one of his best performances, as he embodies a tortured soul with a shady past, who moves to a sleepy town ravaged by corruption and violence.

Before the questionable Amazon Prime remake, this original version was the go-to action film for those who like an underrated classic. The violence is top-tier, especially as James Dalton goes on his rampage, and the heartbreaking twist with Sam Elliott’s character is a dagger to the viewers’ hearts. Though the film did not get the critical appreciation it deserved, it has since become appreciated by generations of viewers and is a love letter to both the action genre, and to Swayze himself.