My Favourite Action Movies of 2025: Top 15 Picks

I don’t usually put together “Best of” lists because choosing favourites is never easy. There’s also the inevitable debate about which movies should or shouldn’t have made the cut. However, 2025 delivered plenty of entertaining action films, from brutal martial arts thrillers and explosive Hollywood blockbusters to exciting international productions.

This list brings together my 15 favourite action movies of 2025. Some stood out because of their incredible fight choreography, others impressed me with their memorable villains, and a few simply delivered the kind of over-the-top action entertainment that makes the genre so much fun.

These rankings are based on my personal enjoyment rather than an attempt to create a definitive list of the year’s best films. If you love hard-hitting fight scenes, intense shootouts, revenge stories, and larger-than-life action heroes, here are my favourite action movies of 2025.

15. K.O.

K.O. came out of nowhere for me. I watched it on Netflix several months ago and was pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it turned out to be.

The film features plenty of brutal fight scenes and maintains a strong pace, keeping the action moving without making the experience feel unnecessarily drawn out. It might not have received the same attention as some of the year’s bigger releases, but it made enough of an impression to earn a place on my list.

Sometimes, a straightforward action film with solid fights and good pacing is exactly what you need.

14. Deathstalker

Let’s be honest: the original Deathstalker movies are hardly masterpieces of cinema. They are the kind of lovable trash that has its own charm. However, this new instalment, which feels more like a sequel than a remake, is easily my favourite version of the franchise so far.

Daniel Bernhardt is perfectly cast as the sword-wielding antihero, bringing the physical presence and fighting ability the role demands. The film is packed with graphic kills and plenty of bloody fantasy action.

My main disappointment was the lack of nudity, which feels like a missed opportunity given the franchise’s exploitation-movie roots. Perhaps the sequel will deliver more of what fans expect.

13. Sisu 2: Road to Revenge

Sisu 2: Road to Revenge is one of the most outrageously entertaining action films I watched in 2025. It takes the over-the-top violence and relentless action associated with the first movie and delivers another blood-soaked ride.

I loved every ludicrous minute of it. The action is exaggerated, the violence is extreme, and the film embraces its larger-than-life approach rather than trying to be realistic.

It is a shame that the movie did not become a bigger hit or receive more attention from action fans. For me, this sequel delivers everything I wanted from another instalment in the Sisu series.

12. Osiris

William Kaufman remains one of my favourite independent action directors working today, and Osiris is another entertaining addition to his filmography.

This science-fiction action film has an unmistakable Aliens-style atmosphere, combining military action, an extraterrestrial threat, and plenty of intense encounters. It also looks impressive and maintains a pace that keeps the story moving.

While it might not reinvent the science-fiction action genre, Osiris offers enough action and atmosphere to make it an enjoyable watch, especially for fans of independent action cinema.

11. Affinity

Directed by Brandon Slagle and starring Marko Zaror, Affinity is a fight-filled independent action film that offers plenty of reasons for martial arts fans to pay attention.

The action is a major attraction, but the movie also benefits from a cool musical score and a memorable villain in Brahim. These elements help give the film its own personality rather than making it feel like just another low-budget action release.

If you enjoy discovering independent action films featuring talented martial artists, Affinity is well worth adding to your watchlist.

10. Havoc

Despite the rather unconvincing visual effects in the opening car chase, I had a great time with Havoc. Gareth Evans, the filmmaker behind The Raid, knows how to stage intense action sequences, and that talent is on full display here.

Tom Hardy is well cast as Walker, a brooding police officer caught in a dangerous situation. His physical performance and screen presence fit the film’s gritty atmosphere.

The movie builds toward a bullet-riddled finale that delivers the kind of chaotic, hard-hitting action I was hoping for. While not every visual effect works, Evans’ ability to create memorable action moments makes Havoc one of my favourite Hollywood action releases of the year.

9. Ballerina

It is unfortunate that Ballerina struggled at the box office because I consider it a worthy addition to the John Wick universe.

The film features several fantastic action set pieces, with elaborate choreography and creative combat sequences that fit the franchise’s established style. It manages to expand the world of professional assassins while giving its own story room to develop.

The flamethrower sequence is a particular highlight and ranks among my favourite action moments in the franchise. For fans of stylish gunplay, close-quarters combat, and elaborate stunt work, Ballerina offers plenty to enjoy.

8. The Old Woman with the Knife

International action cinema delivered some fantastic films in 2025, and The Old Woman with the Knife was one of the most memorable for me.

The film features brutal fight scenes and a compelling central character who proves that age does not have to be a limitation when it comes to action. Its protagonist brings a different kind of presence to the genre, making the story stand out from the usual young-assassin formula.

I particularly enjoyed the film’s hard-hitting combat and the way its central character challenges expectations. It is another reminder that exciting action cinema can come from a wide range of countries and storytelling traditions.

7. The Accountant 2

I have a real soft spot for The Accountant movies, and the sequel delivered another entertaining combination of action, humour, and character interaction.

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are especially enjoyable together. Their performances as bickering brothers provide plenty of laughs, giving the film a lighter side between its more intense sequences.

The action is superb, and the movie builds toward an epic final shootout that gives fans plenty to remember. The chemistry between the leads is a major part of what makes The Accountant 2 work so well.

For me, it is an excellent example of an action sequel that understands what made its predecessor enjoyable while giving the characters more room to interact.

6. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Is Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning overlong and convoluted? Absolutely. But those issues did not stop me from enjoying its extraordinary action sequences.

Tom Cruise once again demonstrates why he belongs among the greatest action stars of all time. The film delivers enormous set pieces, impressive physical stunts, and the kind of large-scale spectacle that has become a defining feature of the franchise.

Although the story can be complicated and the running time is substantial, the action provides more than enough reasons to keep watching. Few modern franchises consistently aim for this level of practical spectacle.

For anyone who enjoys ambitious stunts and cinematic action on a grand scale, The Final Reckoning remains one of 2025’s major highlights.

5. Prisoner of War / Diablo

I struggled to decide which Scott Adkins film I enjoyed more, so I am including both Prisoner of War and Diablo in the same position.

Prisoner of War is packed with impressive fight scenes and ranks among my favourite films featuring Adkins. His physical ability and martial arts skills remain a major attraction for anyone who appreciates carefully choreographed combat.

Diablo is another entertaining action film, helped considerably by Marko Zaror’s memorable villainous performance. Zaror brings a formidable presence to the screen, making the confrontations especially enjoyable.

Both films offer the kind of hard-hitting action that fans of Scott Adkins expect. Rather than choosing one over the other, I am happy to celebrate them together.

4. Nobody 2

Nobody 2 is arguably even better than its predecessor, delivering excellent fights and one of my favourite action finales of the year.

Timo Tjahjanto proves once again that he understands how to stage violent, energetic, and entertaining action. His direction gives the film a strong identity, with combat sequences that are both creative and satisfying.

The movie builds on the appeal of the original while delivering enough memorable moments to stand on its own. I would happily see Tjahjanto direct another entry in almost any major action franchise because he is one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the genre.

For me, Nobody 2 is a standout sequel that deserves a place near the top of any personal action-movie list for 2025.

3. Ghost Killer

From Kensuke Sonomura, the director associated with the Baby Assassins action films, Ghost Killer features a wonderfully unusual concept that might not appeal to everyone.

However, its fight scenes are absolutely jaw-dropping. Sonomura has a strong understanding of physical action and choreography, and the film makes excellent use of those strengths.

The central idea gives the movie a distinctive flavour, but it is the action that makes it such a memorable experience. The final showdown is one of the year’s best and provides a fitting highlight for a film that consistently delivers exciting combat.

For martial arts fans who enjoy inventive premises and technically impressive fights, Ghost Killer is an easy recommendation.

2. The Shadow’s Edge

Jackie Chan returned with what I consider his best film since The Foreigner. The Shadow’s Edge is a compelling action thriller featuring excellent fights and a villain who is genuinely hateful.

Chan remains a fascinating screen presence, and the film gives him plenty of opportunities to demonstrate why he has been such an influential figure in action cinema. The action is exciting, while the antagonistic presence adds tension to the story.

The combination makes this one of the year’s most satisfying action films for me. It is also the kind of movie I can imagine revisiting once it becomes available on home video.

With its memorable confrontations and strong central performances, The Shadow’s Edge easily earns the runner-up position on my list.

1. The Furious

Taking the top spot is The Furious, which I saw as part of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The film is a major showcase for Joe Taslim and Miao Xie, both of whom demonstrate why they deserve recognition among the world’s most exciting action performers. Their physical performances and fighting abilities are a huge part of what makes the movie so exhilarating.

Director Kenji Tanigaki also deserves enormous credit. His experience with action choreography helps deliver the kind of hard-hitting, memorable fight sequences that martial arts fans crave.

I came away from the film convinced that it was something special. For me, The Furious was the fight film of the decade, and I could not wait for more people to experience it when it became more widely available.

That is why it takes the number-one spot on my favourite action movies of 2025 list.

Final Thoughts: My Favourite Action Movies of 2025

Looking back at 2025, I think it was a terrific year for action fans. From independent martial arts films and international thrillers to major Hollywood productions, there was plenty to enjoy.

Some of my favourites stood out because of their fight choreography, while others impressed me with their memorable villains, spectacular stunts, or sheer entertainment value. Films such as The Furious, The Shadow’s Edge, Ghost Killer, and Nobody 2 were particularly memorable for me, while Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning and Havoc delivered major action spectacle.

Of course, this is a personal list, and there will always be films that other viewers would rank differently. That is part of the fun of discussing action cinema.

What were your favourite action movies of 2025? Did I miss a film that deserved to be included? Let me know which titles would make your own top 15.

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