Many of the best action films are based on real-life events that resonate with audiences. More often than not, films that portray reality have been easily associated with images of war, but this “myth” has been overcome many times with the release of relatively recent blockbusters, such as The Fighter, The Revenant, and 12 Years a Slave.
From coverage of political events to retellings of infamous prison escapes and well-known individuals who struggled in life, the greatest movies of the action genre demonstrate a certain degree of originality. However, they also stick to the historical truth and try to offer the most accurate interpretation of it onscreen.
10 Patriots Day (2016)
Patriots Day Deals With Terrorism In A Haunting Story
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An account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis’s actions in the events leading up to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the aftermath, which includes the city-wide manhunt to find the terrorists behind it.
Director Peter Berg Release Date December 21, 2016 Cast Kevin Bacon , Dean Neistat , Michelle Monaghan , Alex Wolff , J. K. Simmons , Rachel Brosnahan , Jake Picking , John Goodman , Michael Beach , Vincent Curatola , Mark Wahlberg , Melissa Benoist Writers Eric Johnson , Matt Cook , Peter Berg , Paul Tamasy Main Genre Drama Expand
Receiving largely positive reviews from film critics and the general public, Peter Berg’s Patriots Day delivers a modest yet exciting representation of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and the subsequent manhunt of two self-radicalized Islamist terrorists, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Previously collaborating with Berg in Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon, Mark Wahlberg’s performance as Sergeant Tommy Saunders is worthy of appreciation and admiration.
However, the consensus indicates that Patriots Day oversimplifies its true story, as it’s been accused of under-representing the victims and lacks a broader political context that could have explained the terrorists’ motivations in better terms. Berg’s action thriller may not reach the same level of emotional resonance as some other movies, but with an IMDb score of 7.3 and plenty of tense sequences, it has plenty to offer fans of the genre.
9 Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
Escape From Alcatraz Delivers Action With Authenticity
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Escape From Alcatraz recounts the 1962 escape attempt from the infamous maximum-security prison by inmates Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. The film stars Clint Eastwood as Morris and is directed by Don Siegel. This tense drama explores the planning and execution of the daring escape amidst the harsh conditions of Alcatraz, delving into the human spirit’s drive for freedom against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Director Don Siegel Release Date June 22, 1979 Cast Clint Eastwood , Patrick McGoohan , Roberts Blossom , Jack Thibeau , Fred Ward , Paul Benjamin , Larry Hankin , Bruce M. Fischer Writers J. Campbell Bruce , Richard Tuggle Runtime 112 Minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
Perhaps more than any other movie, Don Siegel’s Escape from Alcatraz debunks the myth that an action film based on true events must be about war. It recounts the 1962 prisoner escape from the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island and all of the action that comes with such a fraught story.
In real life, the FBI concluded its investigation after 17 years, citing that the prisoners most likely drowned in the cold Pacific Ocean. However, the U.S. Marshals Service case is still open.
Escape from Alcatraz has been hugely praised for its ability to closely follow the details of the actual escape at the time, adding a distinctive authentic touch to the film. This includes the depiction of the main characters (the fugitives) and that of Clint Eastwood as Frank Morris (the leader of the escaped gang). Escape from Alcatraz also offers a realistic look at the regimented day-to-day life in the prison.
8 Ip Man (2008)
Ip Man Reignites Worldwide Interest In Martial Arts Films
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Directed by Wilson Yip, Ip Man is a biographical martial arts film starring Donnie Yen as Ip Man, the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster and mentor to Bruce Lee. Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the film depicts Ip Man’s efforts to protect his community and preserve his martial arts traditions despite the atrocities of war.
Director Wilson Yip Release Date December 12, 2008 Cast Donnie Yen , Simon Yam , Siu-Wong Fan , Hiroyuki Ikeuchi Writers Edmond Wong Runtime 106 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
Bruce Lee’s phenomenal career as a martial artist and actor until his untimely death could be owed to one single person: Yip Man, popularly known as Ip Man. Until 2008, there were only minor discussions about who Bruce Lee’s teacher and mentor was and what his life looked like when he was still anonymous, but Wilson Yip’s biographical action film answers a lot of the questions about the topic.
Related The 10 Best Fights In The Ip Man Movies, Ranked
Ip Man’s fight scenes are among the best modern-day hand-to-hand action sequences, and here are the ten stand-out brawls from the series.
Ip Man succeeds in contextualizing the events of the film socially and culturally, especially the China of the 1930s, together with the challenges and hardships faced by the Chinese population during the Japanese occupation. Another lauded aspect of the film is its talent at intertwining an engaging narrative structure with exceptional martial arts choreography that is coordinated and directed by the renowned Sammo Hung. Ip Man is both an excellent action film and a fascinating look at an iconic figure in the martial arts world.
7 Captain Phillips (2013)
Tom Hanks Is Yet Again A Captain On The Verge of Chaos
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Starring Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips tells the story of the titular captain whose cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009. A fictionalized version of real-life events, the film follows Captain Phillips and his crew as they fight for their lives against a group of Somali pirates led by Abduwali Muse. Besides Hanks, Barkhad Abdi and Catherine Keener also star.
Director Paul Greengrass Release Date October 11, 2013 Cast Tom Hanks , Barkhad Abdi , Barkhad Abdirahman , Catherine Keener , Faysal Ahmed , Mahat M. Ali , Michael Chernus , David Warshofsky Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony , Columbia Pictures Writers Billy Ray , Richard Phillips , Stephen Talty Runtime 134 Minutes Budget $55 million Main Genre Biography Expand
Captain Phillips is a compelling action film based on the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking by Somali pirates. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the film excels in creating a tense and realistic portrayal of the harrowing events that never skimps on the action. Tom Hanks delivers an exceptional performance as Captain Richard Phillips, an American merchant mariner taken hostage, capturing the character’s fear, emotional depth, and leadership under extreme pressure. The film is noted for its gripping realism, with Greengrass’ documentary-style approach immersing viewers in the chaotic and claustrophobic environment of the hijacking.
The portrayal of the Somali pirates, particularly Barkhad Abdi’s character, adds depth, showing their desperation and humanity, rather than painting them as mere antagonists. While some aspects are dramatized, the film remains faithful to the essential facts, offering both thrilling action and insightful commentary on modern piracy.
6 Into The Wild (2007)
Into The Wild Teaches Courage and Self-Belief Above All
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Into the Wild (2007) is a biographical drama directed by Sean Penn, which chronicles the journey of Christopher McCandless, played by Emile Hirsch. After graduating from college, McCandless donates his savings and abandons his possessions to travel across North America, seeking to live in the Alaskan wilderness. The film explores themes of freedom and self-discovery, based on Jon Krakauer’s 1996 non-fiction book.
Director Sean Penn Release Date October 19, 2007 Cast Emile Hirsch , Marcia Gay Harden , William Hurt , Jena Malone , Brian H. Dierker , Catherine Keener Writers Sean Penn , Jon Krakauer Runtime 150 minutes Main Genre Adventure Expand
Directed by Sean Penn, Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who left his possessions and life in society to live in the Alaskan wilderness in an abandoned city bus in the 1990s. Based on Jon Krakauer’s book, the film focuses on McCandless’s journey and personal quest for meaning and freedom.
While it includes moments of adventure and physical challenges, such as McCandless’s trek through the wilderness and encounters with nature, its primary focus is on the philosophical and existential aspects of his expedition. The film explores themes of self-discovery, idealism, and the complexities of human connection, making its select action scenes stand out even more. Furthermore, Emile Hirsch’s performance as McCandless and Penn’s direction bring originality to the story, making Into the Wild a poignant and thought-provoking drama rather than a conventional action film.
5 The Fighter (2010)
Christian Bale Enters The World Of Sports
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The Fighter is a biographical sports film based on the true story of boxer Micky Ward and his older brother Dicky Eklund. Micky, who has fallen from grace after his legendary bout with Sugar Ray Leonard and losses along the way, is participating in an interview that he believes is about his boxing career but turns out to be a piece on crack addiction. Seeking redemption and a way back into the ring, Mickey and Dicky train together to restore their family’s honor and repair a broken home.
Director David O. Russell Release Date December 17, 2010 Cast Melissa Leo , Christian Bale , Amy Adams , Mark Wahlberg , Jack McGee Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Paul Tamasy , Scott Silver , Eric Johnson Runtime 116 minutes Budget $25 million Expand
Another variation on the action genre, The Fighter is a sports drama based on the real events of the 1980s. David O. Russell’s biopic recounts the true situation of boxer Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg, and his turbulent rise in the boxing world with the help of his older half-brother, Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale), a former boxer battling drug addiction. Even though the film does not feature a multitude of action-packed sequences, the few it does pack a punch, especially when paired with The Fighter‘s emotional and familial struggles.
Christian Bale’s performance, which won him an Academy Award in 2011, is a mastery of acting, a tour de force that brings depth to the complex relationship between the brothers. Having a character-driven foundation, the film blends gripping drama with action moments, making it compelling and emotionally engaging.
4 Argo (2012)
Argo Uses Meta-Cinematic Techniques To Present The Iranian Hostage Crisis
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Argo is a historical thriller adapted from the memoir of CIA operative Tony Mendez. The film follows Mendez as he infiltrates Tehran, Iran, by pretending to be filming a sci-fi movie during the Iran hostage crisis at the beginning of the 1980s. Ben Affleck stars as Mendez as he infiltrates to save the six escaped embassy staff members.
Director Ben Affleck Release Date October 12, 2012 Cast Ben Affleck , Bryan Cranston , Alan Arkin , John Goodman , Victor Garber , Tate Donovan Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Chris Terrio , Tony Mendez , Joshuah Bearman Runtime 120 Minutes Budget $44.5 million Main Genre Biography Expand
Argo is a highly acclaimed film based on real events, blending historical thriller elements with taut action scenes. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, it tells the story of the 1979-1981 Iranian hostage crisis, focusing on a covert CIA mission (called the “Canadian Caper”) to rescue six American diplomats trapped in Tehran. According to CIA operative Tony Mendez’s 1999 memoir, this covert mission consisted of “scouting” locations for a supposed science fiction movie. Therefore, the primary strength of Affleck’s Argo lies in its intricate storytelling and political intrigue, which only help its action components soar.
While there are moments of intense drama and high-stakes sequences, particularly in the final escape scene, the film’s appeal comes from its suspense and how it portrays a real-life mission that relies more on strategy than violence. Argo won the Academy Award for Best Picture, garnering applause for its direction, acting, and ability to keep audiences on edge.
3 The Revenant (2015)
Leonardo DiCaprio Is On A Quest For Vengeance
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Inspired by the true events in the life of Hugh Glass, The Revenant is an action-drama movie that sees Leonardo DiCaprio in the starring role. Betrayed and left for dead by one of the members of his hunting group, Glass finds himself contending with some of the harshest elements imaginable while tending to his deadly wounds, as his will to carry on and need for revenge push him to carry on in this gripping tale of survival.
Director Alejandro González Iñárritu Release Date December 25, 2015 Cast Will Poulter , Leonardo DiCaprio , Paul Anderson , Tom Hardy , Domhnall Gleeson Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Alejandro González Iñárritu , Mark L. Smith Runtime 156minutes Budget $135 million Expand
Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant is an emotional and heart-breaking Western action film grounded in real events. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, an early 19th-century frontiersman who, after being savagely mauled by a bear, embarks on a perilous journey for survival and vengeance. His performance earned him an Academy Award in 2016, capturing the raw physicality and determination of Glass’s quest to obtain vengeance for his murdered son.
The Revenant includes the harrowing bear attack and brutal skirmishes, alongside other intense, raw sequences. What is so striking about the film is its relentless depiction of nature’s brutality and the human will to endure in times of crisis. Moreover, the film’s breathtaking cinematography, alongside its immersive, naturalistic direction, elevates the tension throughout. While not action-packed in a conventional sense, The Revenant masterfully conveys visceral, high-stakes moments, making it a remarkable cinematic experience based on real-life resilience.
2 Braveheart (1995)
Braveheart’s Epic Battle Scenes Stand Out
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Mel Gibson directs, produces, and stars in Braveheart as William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a rebellion against the English monarchy in the 13th century. As his army grows, Wallace becomes a symbol of hope and freedom for his people.
Director Mel Gibson Release Date May 24, 1995 Cast Mel Gibson , Sophie Marceau , Patrick McGoohan , Angus Macfadyen , james robinson , Sean Lawlor , Sandy Nelson , James Cosmo Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Randall Wallace Runtime 178 Minutes Budget $72 million Main Genre Biography Expand
Widely regarded as an excellent action film, Braveheart is based on a true story, although it takes significant creative liberties with historical authenticity. Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, the film narrates the story of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the First War of Scottish Independence against English rule. The movie is celebrated for its epic battle scenes and emotional intensity, making it a standout in the action genre. Braveheart excels in its portrayal of large-scale combat, with gripping sword fights, cavalry charges, and brutal medieval warfare. Its sweeping cinematography and stirring musical score enhance the sense of grandeur and heroism.
Nonetheless, historians and writers have pointed out several inaccuracies, such as Wallace’s relationship with Princess Isabella and the depiction of his role in Scotland’s fight for independence. Despite this, Braveheart remains a powerful, emotionally charged action film, with iconic scenes and a memorable performance by Gibson, cementing its place as a cinematic classic.
1 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Chiwetel Ejiofor Has A Career-Defining Role As Solomon Northup
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Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northrup, a free black man from New York who, in 1841, is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Separated from his family, and forced to endure intense brutality at the hands of his new masters, Northrup works tirelessly to stay alive and regain his freedom. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, with a cast that includes Lupita Nyong’0, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Director Steve McQueen Release Date January 9, 2014 Cast Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Fassbender , Brad Pitt , Lupita Nyong’o , Benedict Cumberbatch Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment , Searchlight Pictures Writers Steve McQueen , John Ridley Runtime 134minutes Budget $22 million Expand
12 Years a Slave is a memorable film that should be taught as the most significant lesson of humanity’s past 200 years. It is indeed a powerful historical drama whose plot is entirely reliant on Solomon Northup’s 1853 slave memoir about a free Black man from New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 1840s. A masterpiece directed by Steve McQueen, the film is a raw and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of slavery, with intense emotional and physical scenes buoyed by great action.
Chiwetel Ejiofor’s portrayal of Solomon Northup is spellbinding, while Lupita Nyong’o won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Patsey. While it includes moments of violence and tension, 12 Years a Slave is all about survival, resilience, and injustice, making it an impactful action film based on real events.