Only 11 action films have been nominated for Best Picture, but between Mad Max: Fury Road and The Fugitive, they are the gold standard of the genre.
Action movies aren’t usually major awards contenders, but there are a few that have been nominated for Best Picture. Between thrilling chase sequences, explosive set pieces, and incredible fight choreography, action movies have been a cornerstone of Hollywood cinema and perfect escapism for decades. However, when it comes to the Academy Awards, these premieres are unfairly overlooked and left on the outside looking in. As difficult as it is to pull off many action movie scenes, the Academy gives preferential treatment to dramas and character-driven narratives, whether that’s fair or not.
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Although there are tons of action-packed films that have been nominated for Best Picture, they are predominantly fantasy films and war epics, not pure action films. The Academy has historically had a bias toward certain genres since its inception, as there have only been six horror films nominated for Best Picture. However, a select few action films have been nominated for Best Picture and, in a couple of cases, have even won. While arguably more action films should have been nominated for Best Picture in the 95-year history of the Academy Awards, there are 11 films that are indisputably the gold standard of the action genre.
11 King Solomon’s Mines (1950)
King Solomon’s Mines is an epic treasure hunt cinematic film that follows Allan Quatermain (Stewart Granger) and his team as they search for King Solomon’s legendary diamond mines. Since the film was released more than 70 years ago, the Best Picture nomination was important for the action genre. While action movies were considered nothing more than popcorn entertainment at the time, the exotic locations, beautiful cinematography, and imaginative escapism of King Solomon’s Mines validated the genre. Action sequences have obviously advanced exponentially since 1950, but King Solomon’s Mines paved the way for people like him Indiana Jones movies and die hard with its exciting entertainment.
10 Captain Blood (1935)
captain blood is one of the first and still one of the best swashbuckler films, as it follows Dr. Peter Blood (Errol Flynn), a doctor who became a pirate in the Caribbean during the 17th century. At the time, battles on the high seas were on another level and audiences had seen nothing like it, making it the biggest cinematic spectacle at the time of the film’s release. The film featured large-scale sword fights, Flynn was a rogue hero that audiences loved, and the film’s resonant romantic story helped. captain blood appeal to everyone.
9 The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
Movies about the Prince of Thieves peaked early on thanks to the 1938s. The Adventures of Robin Hood. One of Errol Flynn’s best films, this adaptation of the legend sees the actor chewing up the scenery as the titular outlaw. It’s also filled with vast landscapes, vibrant costume designs, and stunning cinematography, which completely elevated the action genre at the time. The Adventures of Robin Hood is a completely immersive and drama-filled action film, and laid the groundwork for other historical epic action films like Gladiator to achieve success decades later.
8 The Fugitive (1993)
Based on the classic television show of the same name, the wanted is an action thriller that follows Dr. Richard Kimble, a man framed for the murder of his wife who must clear his name while on the run. This is one of the most exciting cat-and-mouse chase films, and the powerful performances of serious dramatic actors Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones and their shared screen time gave the adaptation prestige. The roles could easily have been too ridiculous had they been played by someone else. While most action movies are about set pieces, the wantedIt’s primarily character-driven, and that helped it become an Oscar favorite.
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7 Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther made history as the first superhero movie to earn a Best Picture nomination, which didn’t even The dark knight accomplished. The film follows King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) protecting the technologically advanced Wakanda from Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The 2018 release was a cultural phenomenon when it was released, as it celebrated African heritage in a way no other film of this scale had, explored serious social issues, and had some of the most innovative world-building in the Cinematic Universe. Marvel. . On that note, while some of the digital effects may be missing, it’s no surprise that Black Panther It was nominated for Best Picture.
6 Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
The 2022 release, 36 years after the original film, achieved the unthinkable: Top Gun: Maverick is better than Top gun. The sequel is a flawed masterpiece as it may not even reveal who its true villain is, but it manages to engage audiences on an emotional level that critics and the general public would not have thought possible for a long time. Top gun movie. Top Gun: Maverick leaves audiences in tears because of Maverick (Cruise) and Iceman’s (Val Kilmer) friendship, which significantly helped the film’s Oscar chances. However, the jet action sequences are so amazing and incredible that the audience might think they are CGI, but they are completely practical.
5 The French Connection (1971)
The French connection is one of the grittier yet exciting takes on narcotics detectives, as the film follows the now iconic New York City detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman). While The French connection Although a crime drama, the 1971 film is packed with action scenes, including gunfights, foot chases, and one of the best car chases in a movie, which set a new standard in Hollywood. In this case, The French connection Not only was it nominated for Best Picture but it won. William Friedkin also won Best Director and Hackman won Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
4 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
hidden dragon crouching tiger is one of Michelle Yeoh’s best films and became a surprise hit thanks to its incredible martial arts action intertwined with a deep love story. The film is set in ancient China and follows skilled warriors as they search for a legendary sword that has been stolen. The gravity-defying fight sequences and amazing wiring took martial arts movies to the next level, completely earning it its Best Picture nomination. The film also gained a larger platform for a non-commercial type of cinema and introduced new audiences to what martial arts films are capable of doing.
3 Gladiator (2000)
Gladiator is set in Ancient Rome and follows Maximus (Russell Crowe), who seeks revenge on Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) for the death of his family. While there have been so many revenge movies that have the same narrative, GladiatorThe historical accuracy, ambitious scope, and epic gladiatorial combat put the film head and shoulders above its peers. The iconic, impeccably choreographed arena battles have not been surpassed in the two decades since their release, and the epic Gladiator The ending is unforgettable. Gladiator won Best Picture, beating Traffic, Erin Brockovich, and hidden dragon crouching tiger. Crowe also won Best Actor, and the film deservedly won several technical awards.
2Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The fourth film in its franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road it’s better than any other Mad Max movie. The 2015 release elevated the franchise in a way it had never been done before, as the low-budget series was turned into an epic, vibrant action film with unimaginable practical effects. The film also has an equally ambitious story involving the road trip from hell, and it looks exactly like that on screen. While Max (Tom Hardy) is the main character, Furiosa (Charlize Theron) steals the show, and the film’s strong feminist message along with fast-paced sequences involving 10-ton vehicles earned it a well-deserved Best Picture nomination.
1 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the lost ark started one of the biggest film franchises in history, and Harrison Ford instantly made Indiana Jones an icon in the 1981 film. The classic film follows the famous archaeologist as he races against the Nazis in search of the Ark of the Covenant, and The film was the breakout success of modern action-adventure films. Almost all films of the genre to this day continue Raiders of the lost arks formula, as it is a masterclass in how to balance action, humor and suspense. Between the fictional view of history and Ford’s interpretation of Indy, Raiders of the lost ark It’s timeless and the best of all the action films nominated for Best Picture.