After a year 2022 has given us RRR, Avatar: The Way of WaterAnd Top Gun: Maverick, it was hard to imagine that this level of action excellence could be achieved this year. But 2023 came through.
Well-known action franchises like John Wick and Mission: Impossible released dazzling new entries, long-standing genre auteurs like Michael Mann and Guy Ritchie breathed new life into their evolving styles, and nations around the world contributed their own depictions of jaw-dropping cinematic violence. Even television followed suit this year with a series of exciting action series.
I love action movies and have spent much of this year catching up on them. This list isn’t about the best action movies of the year (although there are many included), but rather the best action scenes of the year – from both movies and television. If you’re looking for the best action movies of the year, you’ll find them among the best movies of the year.
This list only includes films released theatrically or at home in the United States in 2023 (i.e. festival releases such as Chaos! are not eligible, but will be next year). It was incredibly difficult to narrow the number down to 10, so I’ve included some honorable mentions below. I haven’t seen it either Napoleon But it probably has strong and brilliant competitors Chaos! Technically this is a 2024 release, so unfortunately it’s not eligible here.
Here’s our list of the year’s standout action and fight scenes for you to enjoy at home. We’ve listed the 10 best at the top (in no particular order), followed by some honorable mentions and others you should consider. Where possible, we have included a link to view the scene. Let’s get into it.
John Wick: Chapter 4 – The Arc de Triomphe Chase
Where can you see the film: Starz or for digital rental/purchase
OK, I didn’t say a specific order, but we have To start here, because no film in 2023 has been more focused on non-stop action than John Wick: Chapter 4. Therefore, the most difficult thing for this film was to choose a single scene, because theoretically all of them John Wick: Chapter 4 could be considered the best action sequence of the year.
For me, though, it’s all about the car scene at the Arc de Triomphe. It’s a fascinating display of choreography, cinematography, danger and the enormous work Keanu Reeves put in to become the action star he is today. But I will also add a special shout out to the Sacré Coeur step sequence – Lionsgate did a 10 hour version of Keanu falling down the stairs
Bad City – Tak Sakaguchi is unstoppable
Where can you see the film: Prime Video, free with a library card at Hoopla or for digital rental/purchase
Bad city is a dark look back at Japan’s direct-to-video V-Cinema era starring former V-Cinema star Hitoshi Ozawa (Yakuza 0), but that’s not the main selling point. The main selling point is the combination of director Kensuke Sonomura’s hyperkinetic choreography with the martial arts of former underground street fighter Tak Sakaguchi, creating a hypnotic effect every time the latter is on screen.
Shin Kamen Rider – Super Speed
Where can you see the film: Prime Video
I’m not that depressed The Lightning So does everyone else, it seems (I think it’s better than most of DC’s other offerings of the year), but there’s no doubt that the film is a mess. Shin Kamen Rideron the other hand, there is no chaos – along with Maaveeranit’s one of the very best superhero films of the year and undoubtedly offers the best display of super speed of any film this year.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One – Train Crash
Where can you see the film: Digital rental/purchase
As if Sacré-Coeur intervenes John Wick 4, Dead Reckoning reminds us that action sequences can be both funny and exciting. It’s the perfect injection of slapstick hijinks into a stressful film (and sequence), drawing on Tom Cruise’s often underused skills as a comedian.
Ferrari-Mille Miglia
Where can you see the film: theatre
You might not think of a car race as an action sequence, but A) the Mille Miglia was no ordinary car race, B) this is Michael Mann we’re talking about, and C) that’s my list. One of the most intense sequences of the year, Ferrari
Blue Eye Samurai – Mizu vs. Thousand Claw Army
Where to watch the show: Netflix
One of the best shows of the year, Blue-eyed samurai Things really get going in the fifth episode. There’s actually nothing wrong with the previous four, only the fifth is that good. And it culminates in a brutal showdown as Mizu takes on an entire army alone. Admire her ankle-severing technique under the door.
The battle between Continental and Rooftop
Where to watch the show: peacock
I entered The Continental Cynically, I love the Wick films but didn’t really see the need for a Winston/Hotel backstory. But when I found out that action director Larnell Stovall would be joining the project, I completely changed my tune. Stovall peppers the show with strong action beats, but none are stronger than the third episode’s rooftop scene, which pits MMA-trained actress Nhung Kate against contortionist Marina Mazepa (Malignant). The best fights, real or fictional, often come from stylistic differences, and this one is a great example.
The Summary: No Way Out – Ma Dong-seok vs. Hong Joon-young
Where can you see the film: Nowhere yet! Justice for Ma Dong-seok!
The Roundup Trilogy was a box office sensation in South Korea, resting on the powerful shoulders and hard punches of star Ma Dong-seok. No escape is the strongest entry in the series to date, and Ma’s showdown with Korean MMA champion Hong Joon-young is one of the film’s many highlights. Combat is not fully available online. Instead, enjoy the aforementioned supercut of every nasty punch Ma throws No escape
Sakra – Donnie Yen vs. the World
Where can you see the film: Prime Video, Peacock, free with a library card on Hoopla or for digital rental/purchase
I had trouble following it hellis a labyrinthine plot, but I had no trouble enjoying this fight immensely. In it, star and co-director Donnie Yen destroys an entire room full of enemies while his punches land like shotgun blasts.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem – No Diggity
Where can you see the film: Paramount Plus
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse broke new ground with its fusion of different animation styles, but it was the trusty “Turts” that came through with the best animated action sequence in films this year. It’s rhythmic, funny, makes the most of the medium and, like the rest of the film, is full of goofy teenage joy.
Recognitions
Fist of the Condor — Opening Battle on the Beach (Hi-Yah!, Hoopla, Tubi, Plex)
Jawan – Father and Son Join Forces (Netflix)
Extraction 2 – The 21 Minute Oneer (Netflix)
The channel – The shooting in the bank (Digital Rent/Purchase)
Maaveeran – Sathya gets his powers (Prime Video)
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant – My ambush (Prime Video)
Kandahar – The Helicopter Chase (Hulu)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – The paper vulture (Netflix)
The killer – The killer fights against Sauron (Netflix)
The best of the rest
RDX – Boat fight (Netflix)
Lion – Coffee shop fight (Netflix)
Bloodhounds – The Bloodhounds against the giant (Netflix)
Warrior – Li Yong vs. [REDACTED for spoilers] (Max)
Sick – Parker vs. the Invader (Peacock)
Boy – Platoon battle (Netflix)
Thunivu — Dark Devil introduces himself (Netflix)
Furies — Bi’s last fight vs [REDACTED for spoilers] (Netflix)
Pathan – Train Battle (Prime Video)
Crime 2 – Van fight (Netflix)
Kill Boksoon – Red mark (Netflix)
The Wandering Earth 2 – Attack on Space Lift (Prime, Peacock, Hoopla)
Airplane – The captain’s interrupted phone call (Starz)
Hidden blade – Housing dispute (Prime Video, Hoopla)
Expendb4les — Jason Statham rides a bike around a ship with machine guns (digital rent/purchase)
The Squad: Home Run – Fight in the Sports Store (Hulu)
Drive on – Food court fight (Hoopla, digital rental/purchase)
Boudica — Final Siege (Hoopla, digital rent/purchase)
Silent Night – Garage fight (Theatre)
Twisted metal – The Sweet Tooth Machete Massacre (Peacock)
Titans – Nightwing finishes her off (Max)
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