Ever since the inception of the medium, films have been defined by their great action. While strong performances and clever writing are certainly important to a film’s success, momentum and movement on screen allow filmmakers to show their creativity. The action genre has certainly grown in popularity over the last century, with critical films like Die Hard, The Matrix, and Mad Max: Fury Road proving what the genre was capable of.
However, a film doesn’t need to be broadly defined as an “action film” to include impressive sequences of suspense and intrigue. There are many reasons that a non-action film may contain an action sequence. Sometimes it is critical to advancing the plot, inserting a sense of comic relief, or giving brutal context about the surrounding events. The insertion of a great action sequence into a drama film or a rom-com shows how truly fungible genres can be; it’s often that the best films of all time combine more than one influence.
These are the most action-packed non-action movies, proving that some good old-fashioned thrills are always welcome, no matter the narrative. From John Huston’s adventure epic The Treasure of the Sierra Madre to Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to the Golden Age of Hollywood, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, this list features the most thrilling and heart-pumping films that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
From Martin Scorsese’s crime epic Goodfellas to David Fincher’s dark comedy Fight Club, this list showcases the most action-packed non-action movies that will keep you entertained. Whether it’s the stunning animation of Disney’s The Lion King or the heart-pumping stunts of Ocean’s Eleven, this list is the perfect blend of action, suspense, and intrigue. So, buckle up and get ready for the most thrilling ride of your life!