A Glean movie guide
The Action Hall of Fame
Pure adrenaline, start to finish.
From high-octane chases to masterclass choreography, these are the genre's absolute peaks.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Mad Max: Fury Road
A relentless, high-octane chase through a wasteland that redefined the possibilities of practical stunt work.
An apocalyptic story set in the furthest reaches of our planet, in a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, and most everyone is crazed fighting for the necessities of life. Within this world exist two rebels on the run who just might be able to restore order.
- 02
Die Hard
The definitive 'one man against many' thriller that set the blueprint for the modern action hero.
High above the city of L.A. a team of terrorists has seized a building, taken hostages, and declared war. One man has manages to escape... An off-duty cop hiding somewhere inside. He's alone, tired... and the only chance anyone has got.
- 03
The Matrix
A mind-bending fusion of Hong Kong-style martial arts and revolutionary visual effects.
Set in the 22nd century, The Matrix tells the story of a computer hacker who joins a group of underground insurgents fighting the vast and powerful computers who now rule the earth.
- 04
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
A masterclass in pacing that combines groundbreaking digital effects with high-stakes practical chases.
Ten years after the events of the original, a reprogrammed T-800 is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from the shape-shifting T-1000. Together with his mother Sarah, he fights to stop Skynet from triggering a nuclear apocalypse.
- 05
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The foundational adventure film that perfected the art of the cinematic set piece.
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
- 06
The Dark Knight
A gritty urban crime epic that grounds its superhero roots in visceral, large-scale practical action.
Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker.
- 07
John Wick
A lean, stylish revenge tale that introduced a new era of intricate 'gun-fu' choreography.
Ex-hitman John Wick comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.
- 08
Aliens
A high-tension transition from horror to military sci-fi featuring iconic practical creature effects.
Ripley, the sole survivor of the Nostromo's deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, returns to Earth after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. Although her story is initially met with skepticism, she agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426.
- 09
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
A breathtaking showcase of death-defying practical stunts and relentless forward momentum.
When an IMF mission ends badly, the world is faced with dire consequences. As Ethan Hunt takes it upon himself to fulfill his original briefing, the CIA begin to question his loyalty and his motives. The IMF team find themselves in a race against time, hunted by assassins while trying to prevent a global catastrophe.
- 10
The Raid: Redemption
A claustrophobic martial arts masterpiece featuring some of the most technical combat ever filmed.
Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable safe house for the world's most dangerous killers and gangsters. Until now, the run-down apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the bravest of police. Cloaked under the cover of pre-dawn darkness and silence, an elite swat team is tasked with raiding the safe house in order to take down the notorious drug lord that runs it. But when a chance encounter with a spotter blows their cover and news of their assault reaches the drug lord, the building's lights are cut and all the exits blocked. Stranded on the sixth floor with no way out, the unit must fight their way through the city's worst to survive their mission. Starring Indonesian martial arts sensation Iko Uwais.
- 11
Heat
A sprawling crime drama famous for its hyper-realistic sound design and tactical urban shootouts.
Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.
- 12
Top Gun: Maverick
A rare sequel that surpasses the original with stunning, real-world aerial cinematography.
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell finds himself training a detachment of TOP GUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen.