Epic Action backdrop

Epic Action movies

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

281. Kill Bill: Vol. 2

Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Action Crime Thriller Epic Action Serial Killer Crime
8.0
20042h 16minUnited States
Director: Quentin Tarantino

Overview

The Bride unwaveringly continues on her roaring rampage of revenge against the band of assassins who had tried to kill her and her unborn child. She visits each of her former associates one-by-one, checking off the victims on her Death List Five until there's nothing left to do … but kill Bill.

Themes

Revenge and justice, Vigilante justice, Mother daughter bonds, Sibling relationship under strain, Martial arts mastery, Survival under captivity, Training under mockery

Available on

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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

282. Walking Tall

Walking Tall
Adventure Drama Action Thriller Epic Action
6.2
20041h 26minUnited States, Canada
Director: Kevin Bray

Overview

A former U.S. soldier returns to his hometown to find it overrun by crime and corruption, which prompts him to clean house.

Themes

Vigilante justice, Small town corruption, Military discipline clashes, Police power dynamics, Narcotics crackdown, Leadership accountability

Available on

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

283. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.

Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.
Action Fantasy Adventure Science Fiction Epic Action
6.4
20031h 31minJapan
Director: Masaaki Tezuka

Overview

Mothra and her fairies return to Japan to warn mankind that they must return Kiryu to the sea, for the dead must not be disturbed. However Godzilla has survived to menace Japan leaving Kiryu as the nation's only defense.

Themes

Political gamble with science, Human control of machines, Sacrifice for protection, Duty versus precaution, Open-ended fallout, Technology outpaces policy

Available on

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

284. The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai
Drama Action War Historical Drama Epic Action
7.8
20032h 34minUnited States
Director: Edward Zwick

Overview

Nathan Algren is an American hired to instruct the Japanese army in the ways of modern warfare, which finds him learning to respect the samurai and the honorable principles that rule them. Pressed to destroy the samurai's way of life in the name of modernization and open trade, Algren decides to become an ultimate warrior himself and to fight for their right to exist.

Themes

Cultural assimilation and resistance, Tradition versus modernization, Trauma and moral injury, Leadership and responsibility under conflict, Imperial power vs popular agency, Honor and loyalty under pressure

Available on

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

285. The Matrix Revolutions

The Matrix Revolutions
Adventure Action Thriller Science Fiction Epic Action
6.7
20032h 9minUnited States
Director: Lana Wachowski

Overview

The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines as Neo fights to end the war at another front while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.

Themes

Underground world tension, Killer robot threat, Subway reality conflict, Virtual reality disconnect, Machine town power, Philosophy faith truth

Available on

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

286. Underworld

Underworld
Fantasy Action Thriller Dark Fantasy Epic Action
7.0
20032h 2minUnited States
Director: Len Wiseman

Overview

Vampires and werewolves have waged a nocturnal war against each other for centuries. But all bets are off when a female vampire warrior named Selene, who's famous for her strength and werewolf-hunting prowess, becomes smitten with a peace-loving male werewolf, Michael, who wants to end the war.

Themes

Vampire werewolf divide, Centuries of war, Betrayal and alliance, Bloodline destiny, Revenge as motive, Power struggles across factions

Available on

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

287. Open Range

Open Range
Western Drama Action Revisionist Western Epic Action
7.4
20032h 19minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Kevin Costner

Overview

A former gunslinger is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Frontier justice vs law corruption, Land control and open-range livelihood, War memories shaping choices, Communal defiance and town resistance, Retirement and reinvention after violence

Available on

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

288. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Action Thriller Science Fiction Epic Action Computer Threat Thriller
6.3
20031h 49minGermany, United Kingdom
Director: Jonathan Mostow

Overview

It's been 10 years since John Connor saved Earth from Judgment Day, and he's now living under the radar, steering clear of using anything Skynet can trace. That is, until he encounters T-X, a robotic assassin ordered to finish what T-1000 started. Good thing Connor's former nemesis, the Terminator, is back to aid the now-adult Connor … just like he promised.

Themes

Dystopian warfare ethics, Man versus machine, Preemption vs autonomy, Trust in technology, Ai existential threat, Protective sacrifice

Available on

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

289. 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out

44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out
Action TV Movie Epic Action True-Story TV Movie
6.3
20031h 26minUnited States
Director: Yves Simoneau

Overview

After a failed bank robbery, two heavily armed men hold the Los Angeles Police Department at bay for 44 minutes.

Themes

Police siege response, Armed confrontation under time pressure, Armament policy implications, Media coverage shaping perception, Trauma and resilience among responders, Interagency coordination under stress


290. The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Reloaded
Adventure Action Thriller Science Fiction Epic Action
7.2
20032h 18minUnited States
Director: Lana Wachowski

Overview

The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machine sentinels digging to Zion in 72 hours, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity must find the Keymaker to ultimately reach the Source.

Themes

Freedom within simulation, Trust in mentors, Choice under system design, Reality versus illusion, Power of code, Human resilience under threat

Available on

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