Top 10 Best Movie Action Sequences

Spilling a ridiculously overpriced bucket of popcorn because a fictional vehicle just did a backflip over a helicopter is a universal cinematic joy. We absolutely live for that rush.

Adrenaline spikes happen when directors trade quiet dialogue for screeching tires and gravity-defying stunts. Certain sequences completely shatter the speedometer to leave viewers entirely breathless. Grab a seatbelt and prepare for the wildest thrill rides ever caught on film.

1. Rescuing Morpheus - The Matrix

   Rescuing Morpheus in The Matrix begins after Neo and Trinity enter a guarded government building to free Morpheus from Agent custody. The sequence includes a lobby gunfight, an elevator explosion, and Neo providing cover fire with a minigun from a helicopter while Trinity pilots it. It ends with Neo using a tether attached to the helicopter to catch Morpheus out of a skyscraper window before they escape.

   Slow motion at its best. Simply amazing.

2. The Destruction of the Death Star - Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

   The destruction of the Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope takes place during the Rebel assault on the battle station orbiting Yavin. Rebel pilots fly through a trench to target a thermal exhaust port that leads to the station's reactor core. Luke Skywalker fires the decisive proton torpedoes just before the Death Star can destroy the Rebel base.

   One of the most epic moments in film history.

   Really big moment in this series.

3. The Batpod Chase - The Dark Knight

   The Batpod chase in The Dark Knight occurs after Batman pursues the Joker through Gotham City at night. When the Tumbler is heavily damaged, Batman ejects from it on the Batpod and continues the pursuit between traffic and underpasses. The chase ends when Batman uses tow cables to flip the Joker's semi-truck, allowing Jim Gordon to capture the villain.

   Totally amazing. A beautifully choreographed chase with all sorts of twists and turns.

4. Storming the Beach - Saving Private Ryan

   Storming the beach in Saving Private Ryan depicts the Allied landing on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion of June 6, 1944. Captain Miller and his unit come under machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire as they move from the surf toward German defenses. The scene follows the soldiers from the landing craft through the seawall breach and the assault on the bluffs.

   One of the most graphic and realistic scenes captured on film.

5. The Boulder Chase - Raiders of the Lost Ark

   The boulder chase in Raiders of the Lost Ark happens after Indiana Jones retrieves the golden idol from a booby-trapped temple in Peru. He triggers a rolling stone boulder and runs through the collapsing passageways while avoiding traps. After escaping outside, he is confronted by Belloq and the Hovitos before fleeing by seaplane.

   This is freakin' legendary. This scene has been parodied so many times, from video games to The Simpsons and Robot Chicken.

6. The Cave Troll - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

   The Cave Troll sequence in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring takes place in the Chamber of Mazarbul inside Moria. After the Fellowship is attacked by orcs, a cave troll enters the room and batters the group with a chain and spear. Frodo is stabbed during the fight, but his mithril shirt prevents the blow from killing him.

   This scene is everything to love about The Lord of the Rings series.

7. The Motorcycle Chase - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

   The motorcycle chase in Terminator 2: Judgment Day begins when the T-1000 pursues John Connor through Los Angeles after John escapes on a dirt bike. The chase moves from city streets into a concrete flood-control channel, with the T-1000 driving a semi-truck and the Terminator arriving on a motorcycle. It concludes when the truck crashes and the liquid-metal Terminator emerges from the wreck.

   When that big rig rams through the wall and lands. One of the best holy crap moments ever.

8. The Bride vs. the Crazy 88 - Kill Bill: Vol. 1

   The Bride's battle against the Crazy 88 in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 takes place in the House of Blue Leaves restaurant in Tokyo. The Bride fights O-Ren Ishii's gang using a katana against dozens of opponents across the dining floor and the balcony. The battle reduces the gang to a few remaining members before the Bride steps outside into a snow-covered garden to face O-Ren directly.

   This over-the-top scene was such a great climax to one of the bloodiest films ever made.

9. Maximus vs. Tigris - Gladiator

   Maximus vs. Tigris in Gladiator occurs in the Colosseum after Commodus arranges for Maximus to fight the undefeated gladiator Tigris of Gaul. Tigris enters the arena with trained tigers chained near the combat space to restrict Maximus's movement. Maximus defeats Tigris but refuses to kill him after the emperor orders the execution blow.

   Tigers, swords, and blood. Hell yeah!

10. Obi-Wan vs. Anakin - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith

    Obi-Wan vs. Anakin in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith happens on Mustafar after Anakin Skywalker turns fully to the Sith. The duel moves through control rooms, lava platforms, and floating mining structures while the two exchange lightsaber attacks and Force maneuvers. It ends when Obi-Wan gains the high ground and disables Anakin on the volcanic bank.

    You can say what you want. Personally, I thought this Star Wars captured the intensity of the originals. And this fight pulverized the original Obi-Wan and Darth Vader fight.

The Newcomers
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    Shootout on the Train - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

    The shootout on the train in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows takes place after Holmes and his allies board a train while escaping Moriarty's forces. Assassins attack from within the train and from outside positions, leading to exchanges of gunfire through compartments and carriage walls. The action continues until Holmes and Watson neutralize the remaining heavily armed attackers.

12. ?

    Avengers vs. Thanos - Avengers: Infinity War

    The Avengers vs. Thanos sequence in Avengers: Infinity War includes several connected battles as different teams confront Thanos in New York, on Titan, and in Wakanda. Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and the Guardians attempt to restrain him on Titan while other Avengers fight to stop his forces from reaching Vision in Wakanda. Thanos ultimately acquires all six Infinity Stones and uses them to activate the Gauntlet.

The Contenders

13. Narrator vs. Himself - Fight Club

    Narrator vs. himself in Fight Club is revealed after the Narrator realizes that Tyler Durden is a projection of his own mind. Security footage and witness reactions show the Narrator physically fighting himself in public spaces while believing Tyler is a separate person. The confrontation becomes central to the plot when he tries to stop actions he had already set in motion under Tyler's identity.

14. Ellen Ripley vs. the Alien Queen - Aliens

    Ellen Ripley vs. the Alien Queen in Aliens takes place aboard the Sulaco after the Queen stows away on the dropship. Ripley enters a cargo bay wearing a power loader and confronts the Queen after Newt is threatened. The fight moves through the hangar until the Queen is blown out through an airlock.

    It was one of the most memorable moments in cinematography.

15. Kham vs. the Juggernauts - The Protector

    Kham vs. the juggernauts in The Protector features Kham fighting multiple large opponents in a temple complex. The scene emphasizes Tony Jaa's use of elbows, knees, and throws against progressively bigger fighters. It is staged as a succession of close-quarters bouts within a larger search for his stolen elephant.

    Nothing is more epic than seeing 10 roid-raged giants get owned by Tony Jaa.

16. Bank Robbery Exit - Heat

    The bank robbery exit in Heat begins when Neil McCauley's crew leaves a downtown Los Angeles bank after a robbery goes wrong. Police intercept them on the street, leading to an extended gun battle using rifles, shotguns, and moving cover positions. The surviving robbers retreat through city blocks while under sustained fire.

    This cannot be #18 and must be #1. This is Mann at his absolute peak, and he rarely dips below excellent. The musical score is perfect, and the acting is superb. Many have tried to copy this, and no one will succeed because this is essentially the best sequence in a brilliant movie.

17. Hit-Girl Shootout in the Narrow Hallway - Kick-Ass

    Hit-Girl's shootout in the narrow hallway in Kick-Ass happens when she attacks Frank D'Amico's hideout to rescue Big Daddy and Kick-Ass. She moves down a tight corridor using firearms and edged weapons against multiple armed men in rapid succession. The scene is presented with stylized color lighting and cross-cutting to the parallel torture sequence.

    An 11-year-old girl against 20 heavily armed adult men.

    She fearlessly channels the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, and the action sequence features the most awesome pistol clip drop-reload sequence in history.

    She manages to kill 19 of the 20 bad guys, but must be rescued by the hapless "Kick-Ass" in the finale.

18. Chariot Sequence - Ben-Hur

    The chariot sequence in Ben-Hur is the circus race between Judah Ben-Hur and Messala in a Roman arena. Teams of horses pull two-wheeled chariots around the track while drivers maneuver for position through collisions, whip strikes, and wrecks. The race ends after Messala is thrown from his vehicle and dragged by his own horses.

    Nothing ever filmed beats this scene.

19. The Car Chase - Bullitt

    The car chase in Bullitt follows Frank Bullitt as he pursues and is pursued by hitmen through the streets of San Francisco. The sequence features a dark green Ford Mustang GT fastback and a black Dodge Charger R/T moving across steep hills, intersections, and suburban roads. It concludes when the Charger crashes and explodes after leaving the roadway.

20. Wesley Shoots Up the Textile Mill - Wanted

    Wesley's attack on the textile mill in Wanted occurs near the end of the film after he returns to confront the Fraternity. Wesley enters the mill alone and fights through assassins across catwalks, work floors, and offices using firearms and curved-bullet shots. The sequence leads directly to Sloan's final confrontation with him.

    Wesley was really the man after that fate-inspiring shootout!

    This was by far the most action-packed scene.

21. Eli vs. like Twenty Guys in the Bar - The Book of Eli

    Eli's fight against a large group in the bar in The Book of Eli takes place when he enters a rundown settlement controlled by armed men alone to get water. A confrontation escalates inside the establishment, and Eli uses a machete in close quarters against multiple attackers. The fight shows that his combat ability is tied to heightened hearing, memory, and disciplined movement.

    Yes, I love this film. It's one of my favorite films of 2010. Great, smart storyline and superb action, of course.

22. Burj Khalifa Scene - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

    The Burj Khalifa scene in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol centers on Ethan Hunt's attempt to access a server room from the exterior of the world's tallest building in Dubai. He climbs the glass facade using electronic adhesion gloves while the IMF team runs a parallel deception operation inside the hotel suites. The sequence combines the climb, a failed equipment moment, and a sprint across the building's exterior before Ethan reenters the tower.

23. Mowgli vs. Shere Khan - The Jungle Book

    Mowgli vs. Shere Khan in The Jungle Book culminates after Shere Khan attacks during a fire in the jungle. Mowgli uses the environment, vines, and burning tree structures while the tiger pursues him through the collapsing area. The fight ends when Shere Khan falls into the fire below.

24. The Car/Subway Chase - The French Connection

    The car and subway chase in The French Connection follows Detective Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle as he pursues an elevated train commandeered by an assassin. Doyle races underneath the tracks in a civilian car through traffic, intersections, and near collisions while trying to keep pace with the train overhead. The pursuit ends after the train crashes and Doyle reaches the scene.

25. Gandalf vs. the Balrog - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

    Gandalf vs. the Balrog in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring begins on the Bridge of Khazad-dum as the Fellowship tries to escape Moria. Gandalf blocks the Balrog's advance and breaks the bridge beneath it, but the creature catches him with its whip as it falls. Their conflict continues beyond the bridge as both plunge into the abyss.

    A terror of the ancient world. Even a Cave Troll, a Predator, or the Queen of the Aliens would simply run away in a faceoff.

26. Desert Chase - The Good, the Bad, the Weird

    The desert chase in The Good, the Bad, the Weird is a large-scale pursuit across the Manchurian desert involving outlaws, soldiers, horses, and vehicles. Multiple factions converge while chasing a treasure map, creating overlapping gunfights and moving skirmishes across open terrain. The sequence builds toward the final standoff at the treasure site.

    As Tae-goo tears through the desert on his motorbike, with Do-won helping him dispatch their enemies on horseback, Chang-yi, the Ghost Market Thieves, and the entire Japanese army are in hot pursuit. You haven't had a chase scene quite like this one.

27. Car Chase Scene - Bad Boys II

    The car chase scene in Bad Boys II occurs during a pursuit on a highway after detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett follow a truck carrying stolen property. The chase escalates when vehicles loaded on the truck begin sliding onto the roadway and crashing into traffic behind it. The pursuit continues with gunfire, collisions, and a partial destruction of the transport vehicle.