Epic Action backdrop

Epic Action movies

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

291. Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly
Action Adventure Drama History Biographical History
6.4
20031h 50minAustralia, France
Director: Gregor Jordan

Overview

After getting threatened by Kelly's friends and family, Constable Fitzpatrick places the blame on Ned Kelly and exaggerates what happened. With the biggest ever award available, Kelly and his gang set into the wild, to remain hidden from everyone who seeks them. Even if it means having his family arrested, the members of the Kelly Gang stay hidden and plan a way to get their names cleared.

Themes

Betrayal and loyalty, Folk hero paradox, Colonial authority vs populace, Wealth redistribution, State violence and legitimacy, Media portrayal vs public perception

Available on

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

292. When the Last Sword Is Drawn

When the Last Sword Is Drawn
Action Drama History Historical Drama Epic Action
7.4
20032h 17minJapan
Director: Yojiro Takita

Overview

Kanichiro Yoshimura is a Samurai and Family man who can no longer support his wife and children on the the low pay he receives from his small town clan, he is forced by the love for his family to leave for the city in search of higher pay to support them.

Themes

Loyalty to clan and family, Economic precarity and duty, Memory-guided decisions, Loyalty vs family tensions, Migration for higher pay, Upheaval-era dynamics


293. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Adventure Fantasy Action Quest Fantasy Adventure Epic
8.8
20022h 59minNew Zealand, United States
Director: Peter Jackson

Overview

Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers--Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. Frodo and Sam are trekking to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin. All along, nefarious wizard Saruman awaits the Fellowship members at the Orthanc Tower in Isengard.

Themes

Power and corruption, Loyalty under pressure, Sacred quest under strain, Environmental destruction, Good versus evil, Betrayal and captivity

Available on

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

294. Equilibrium

Equilibrium
Action Science Fiction Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi Epic Action
7.3
20021h 47minUnited States
Director: Kurt Wimmer

Overview

In a dystopian future, a totalitarian regime maintains peace by subduing the populace with a drug, and displays of emotion are punishable by death. A man in charge of enforcing the law rises to overthrow the system.

Themes

Betrayal and deception, Underground resistance, Emotion suppression, Authoritarian enforcement, Drug-based control, State propaganda

Available on

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

295. Hero

Hero
Drama Adventure Action History Historical Event
7.9
20021h 39minHong Kong SAR China, China
Director: Zhang Yimou

Overview

During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Loyalty under manipulation, Legitimacy through violence, Patriotism vs personal loyalty, Public spectacle of power

Available on

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

296. Reign of Fire

Reign of Fire
Adventure Action Fantasy Epic Action Dark Fantasy
6.2
20021h 41minIreland, United Kingdom
Director: Rob Bowman

Overview

In post-apocalyptic England, an American volunteer and a British survivor team up to fight off a brood of fire-breathing dragons seeking to return to global dominance after centuries of rest underground. The Brit -- leading a clan of survivors to hunt down the King of the Dragons -- has much at stake: His mother was killed by a dragon, but his love is still alive.

Themes

Leadership under crisis, Survival under siege, Resource scarcity, Intergroup alliance, Technology vs nature, Dragon reproduction dynamics

Available on

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

297. Minority Report

Minority Report
Science Fiction Action Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi Political Thriller
7.6
20022h 25minUnited States
Director: Steven Spielberg

Overview

John Anderton is a top 'Precrime' cop in the late-21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a murder charge.

Themes

Precrime ethics, Paranoid governance, Surveillance state, Predicted crime dilemma, Tech noir mood, Minority report uncertainty, Control and autonomy

Available on

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

298. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
Adventure Action Science Fiction Space Sci-Fi Epic Action
6.6
20022h 22minUnited States
Director: George Lucas

Overview

Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot into the heart of the Separatist movement and the beginning of the Clone Wars.

Themes

Wedding allegiances, Senate power struggles, Investigation into army, Romantic tension, Teenage rebellion dynamics, Space opera politics

Available on

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

299. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
Action Animation Science Fiction Cyberpunk Anime
7.8
20011h 55minJapan
Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

Overview

The year is 2071. Following a terrorist bombing, a deadly virus is released on the populace of Mars and the government has issued the largest bounty in history, for the capture of whoever is behind it. The bounty hunter crew of the spaceship Bebop; Spike, Faye, Jet and Ed, take the case with hopes of cashing in the bounty. However, the mystery surrounding the man responsible, Vincent, goes deeper than they ever imagined, and they aren't the only ones hunting him.

Themes

Corporate malfeasance, Paranoia and amnesia, Vaccination ethics, Bounty driven pursuit, Weather-enabled vaccine spread, Bioengineered pathogen

Available on

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

300. The Mummy Returns

The Mummy Returns
Adventure Action Fantasy Adventure Epic Epic Action
6.4
20012h 10minUnited States, Morocco
Director: Stephen Sommers

Overview

Rick and Evelyn O’Connell, along with their 8-year-old son Alex, discover the key to the legendary Scorpion King’s might: the fabled Bracelet of Anubis. Unfortunately, a newly resurrected Imhotep has designs on the bracelet as well, and isn’t above kidnapping its new bearer, Alex, to gain control of Anubis’s otherworldly army.

Themes

Memory through reincarnation, Pyramid fate control, Duty to family, Tomb legacy, Ancient egypt memory, Protecting the son

Available on

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