Epic Action backdrop

Epic Action movies

Big-scale action movies with city-to-world stakes, massive set pieces, and nonstop spectacle.

161. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Action Adventure Fantasy Epic Action Adventure Epic
7.4
20142h 24minNew Zealand, United States
Director: Peter Jackson

Overview

Following Smaug's attack on Laketown, Bilbo and the dwarves try to defend Erebor's mountain of treasure from others who claim it: the men of the ruined Laketown and the elves of Mirkwood. Meanwhile an army of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler is marching on Erebor, fueled by the rise of the dark lord Sauron. Dwarves, elves and men must unite, and the hope for Middle-Earth falls into Bilbo's hands.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Deception in negotiation, Uneasy alliances under pressure, Treasure as motive and burden, Greed versus responsibility, Unity across factions

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

162. The Last: Naruto the Movie

The Last: Naruto the Movie
Action Romance Animation Epic Action Romantic Epic
7.6
20141h 54minJapan
Director: Tsuneo Kobayashi

Overview

Two years after the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, the moon that Hagoromo Otsutsuki created long ago to seal away the Gedo Statue begins to descend towards the world, threatening to become a meteor that would destroy everything on impact. Amidst this crisis, a direct descendant of Kaguya Otsutsuki named Toneri Otsutsuki attempts to kidnap Hinata Hyuga but ends up abducting her younger sister Hanabi. Naruto and his allies now mount a rescue mission before finding themselves embroiled in a final battle to decide the fate of everything.

Themes

Power and control, Duty vs loyalty, Trust under manipulation, Rescue mission ethics, Moon as looming threat, Legacy burden

Available on

Netflix
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

163. Exodus: Gods and Kings

Exodus: Gods and Kings
Adventure Drama Action Adventure Epic Historical Drama
6.0
20142h 30minSpain, United States
Director: Ridley Scott

Overview

The defiant leader Moses rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.

Themes

Ancient egypt oppression, Old testament influence, Biblical epic scale, Bible as catalyst, Slaves resistance, Ancient egypt resilience

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

164. Parasyte: Part 1

Parasyte: Part 1
Science Fiction Horror Action Drama Bio-Genetic Sci-Fi
6.8
20141h 49minJapan
Director: Takashi Yamazaki

Overview

Humanity is suffering from a series of mysterious murders across the globe, known as the 'Mincemeat murders'. High school student Izumi Shinichi has a parasite living off him, having replaced his right hand, and he might be the discoverer of truth.

Themes

Power and manipulation, Fear of the other, Body autonomy vs invasion, Dual consciousness conflict, Survival ethics under threat, Emotional estrangement

Available on

Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

165. Cooties

Cooties
Comedy Horror Action Science Fiction Thriller
5.7
20141h 28minUnited States
Director: Jonathan Milott

Overview

A mysterious virus hits an isolated elementary school, transforming the kids into a feral swarm of mass savages. An unlikely hero must lead a motley band of teachers in the fight of their lives.

Themes

Elementary school crisis, Virus driven behavior, Kids survival under stress, Teacher solidarity under threat, Virus spread dynamics, Elementary school anxiety

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

166. Dracula Untold

Dracula Untold
Horror Action Fantasy Vampire Horror Epic Action
6.2
20141h 32minUnited States
Director: Gary Shore

Overview

Vlad Tepes is a great hero, but when he learns the Sultan is preparing for battle and needs to form an army of 1,000 boys, he vows to find a way to protect his family. Vlad turns to dark forces in order to get the power to destroy his enemies and agrees to go from hero to monster as he's turned into the mythological vampire, Dracula.

Themes

Family under threat, Duty versus power, Temptation by dark powers, Protective desperation, Power corrupts heroism, Loss of humanity

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

167. Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead

Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead
Horror Action Comedy Zombie Horror Epic Action
6.2
20141h 38minAustralia
Director: Kiah Roache-Turner

Overview

Barry is a talented mechanic and family man whose life is torn apart on the eve of a zombie apocalypse. His sister, Brooke, is kidnapped by a sinister team of gas-mask wearing soldiers and experimented on by a psychotic doctor. While Brooke plans her escape Barry goes out on the road to find her and teams up with Benny, a fellow survivor – together they must arm themselves and prepare to battle their way through hordes of flesh-eating monsters in a harsh Australian bushland.

Themes

Survival under threat, Family as motive, Control of the undead, Improvised technology in crisis, Sacrifice under pressure, Paramilitary exploitation, Moral compromise in crisis

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

168. Wolves

Wolves
Horror Action Werewolf Horror Epic Action
5.3
20141h 30minCanada, France
Director: David Hayter

Overview

The coming-of-age story of Cayden Richards. Forced to hit the road after the murder of his parents, Cayden wanders lost without purpose... Until he meets a certifiable lunatic named Wild Joe who sets him on a path to the ominous town of Lupine Ridge to hunt down the truths of his history. But in the end| who's really hunting whom?

Themes

Deception and manipulation, Adoption and lineage, Outsider belonging, Identity pressure, Pack politics, Violence restraint

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

169. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Action Crime Thriller Organized Crime Modern Noir Thriller
6.5
20141h 42minUnited States
Director: Frank Miller

Overview

Some of Sin City's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Detective ethics, Power abuse and corruption, Revenge and survival, Murder dynamics, Urban decay and peril

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

170. The Expendables 3

The Expendables 3
Action Adventure Thriller Epic Action Rescue Mission Adventure
6.1
20142h 6minUnited States, France
Director: Patrick Hughes

Overview

Barney, Christmas and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks, who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables -- but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.

Themes

Power and accountability, Loyalty versus self-interest, Covert operations under pressure, High tech vs old-school, Old guard vs new blood, Betrayal and taunt dynamics

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.