The 1990s added several blockbusters to various genres. However, the decade was a great one for action film lovers. The decade had a promising beginning with outstanding performances by Hollywood stars in action-packed films like The Hunt For Red October, Die Hard 2, Predator 2, RoboCop 2, Total Recall, and Lionheart. Film studios continued the streak of action films throughout the 1990s, making it one of the best decades for the genre.
Though the 1990s favored the action genre and many other categories, it only carried on the unforgettable legacy of the 1980s. First Blood (1982), The Terminator (1984), Commando (1985), Police Story (1985), Predator (1987), and the exciting Indiana Jones film franchise are some of the action movies that redefined the genre before the ’90s. While it’s almost impossible to rank the best action-packed movies of the 1990s, these entries stand out for the most obvious reasons.
1. The Matrix (1999)
Exhilarating action meets innovative sci-fi in this mind-bending classic of the 1990s. The film explores a dystopian world where humans are controlled by intelligent machines. Written and directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, The Matrix marked the beginning of a spectacular franchise that brought Keanu Reeves to greater international prominence. The film also stars Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano.
2. Mission: Impossible (1996)
Mission: Impossible was an instant hit upon its release in a decade of several blockbusters. From the iconic theme song to breathtaking stunt performances, Mission: Impossible has the right elements to become a fan favorite among action lovers and didn’t disappoint. Tom Cruise‘s penchant for taking up daring stunts peaked in this first installment of the Mission: Impossible film series, endearing loyal fans to the franchise.
3. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
An epic sequel, the second installment in the Terminator film series continued the exploits of the advanced killing machines. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Patrick teamed up to interpret a thrilling plot that blends sci-fi and action perfectly. The franchise introduced some of the most iconic villains in cinematic history, standing out as one of the best action-packed movies of the 1990s.
4. The Rock (1996)
Directed by Michael Bay, The Rock guarantees a non-stop adrenaline rush with its breathtaking narrative. The film follows former Special Air Service captain John Mason (Sean Connery) and an FBI chemist Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) as they race against time to rescue hostages from a rogue group and stop a deadly chemical weapon. In addition to its compelling plot delivered by charismatic actors, The Rock earned a spot among the best action-packed movies in the 1990s by showcasing spectacular stunts.
5. Blade (1998)
Blade solidifies Wesley Snipes‘ status as an action star of the ’90s with other roles in films such as Demolition Man (1993), Rising Sun (1993), Money Train (1995), and U.S. Marshals (1998). He played the titular character in Blade, a superhero who possesses vampire powers without their weaknesses. The film garnered a cult following and spawned two sequels Blade II (2002) and Blade: Trinity (2004).
6. Speed (1994)
Starring Keanu Reeves as LAPD officer Jack Traven, Speed takes audiences on a rollercoaster ride. The action thriller follows Jack’s mission to save passengers on a rigged bus scheduled to explode if the speed drops below 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). The main cast includes Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper with supporting roles by Joe Morton and Jeff Daniels.
7. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Die Hard with a Vengeance matched the success of its predecessors in a beloved franchise that began with John McTiernan‘s Die Hard in 1988. Bruce Willis reprised his role as NYPD detective John McClane while Samuel L. Jackson played McClane’s partner Zeus Carver. The detectives team up against a psychopathic terrorist who plans to detonate bombs across New York City.
8. Demolition Man (1993)
In a futuristic dystopian world, Sylvester Stallone‘s LAPD officer John Spartan and Wesley Snipes’ crazy criminal Simon Phoenix unleash violence with heart-stopping action sequences. During an era when such technology was still far-fetched, Demolition Man leveraged innovative ideas like self-driving cars and automated restaurants to stand out. The film also stars Sandra Bullock, Benjamin Bratt, and Nigel Hawthorne
9. Face/Off (1997)
Face/Off is one of the classic action thrillers that emerged from the ’90s. Directed by John Woo, Face/Off boasts a unique plot that explores an intriguing concept of identity theft. The film follows the chaos that erupts after a terrorist (Nicolas Cage) swaps his face and identity with an FBI agent (John Travolta) through an experimental surgery. In addition to being a box office hit, grossing $245 million, Face/Off also earned critical acclaim for its mindblowing standoffs and gunfights by Cage and Travolta who received praise for their performances.
10. Men In Black (1997)
While 1997 featured tough competition in the action genre, Men in Black arguably snagged the crown. A blend of science fiction, action, and comedy, the film revolves around government agents known as “men in black” who are tasked with dealing with extraterrestrial threats. Will Smith (Agent J) and Tommy Lee Jones (Agent K) play the lead roles in this epic blockbuster. Check out these movies like Poor Things.
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