Action flicks are an incredibly important aspect of the film industry, with movie-goers loving nothing more than exhilarating action, fast-paced car chases, and gigantic explosions. However, an action flick would be nothing, without a tough, deadly, and of course, cool action star leading the way.
The term “action star” has been around for decades, with the earliest and most memorable action stars being greats such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and Sigourney Weaver, just to name a few. Now, there has never been a more impressive and inclusive roster of action stars, doing their own fight scenes and stunts, making them all instantly memorable. With many action movies spewing out of Hollywood by the year, we have also seen more and more action stars try and take the top spot of the greatest of all time. So, with that, here are some of the best modern day action stars.
9 Karen Gillan
Starting her career as a companion to the 11th Doctor, Karen Gillan quickly became a fan-favorite action star, first appearing as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. Since, her character as Nebula has been given more opportunities to prove why Karen Gillan is a true action star, while also appearing in the two rebooted Jumanji movies, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Nick Jonas, where Gillan simply stole the show. Similarly, Gillan appeared in the action-packed film Gunpowder Milkshake, alongside a stellar cast of Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, and Michelle Yeoh, and Gillan once again stole the show. While the film was fairly underwhelming, Gillan was simply explosive in the lead role, performing her own choreography, and cementing herself as one of the best modern day action stars.
8 Joe Taslim
First appearing in one of the greatest action movies of all time, The Raid, Joe Taslim quickly proved himself as a truly brilliant action star. Movie-goers may also recognize the star from Fast and Furious 6, Warrior, and 2020's Mortal Kombat. Although criminally not a household name, Joe Taslim proves himself, delivering exciting and fast-paced martial arts in every fight scene, as well as playing compelling and layered characters. For proof of why Joe Taslim is such a legend, simply watch The Night Comes For Us on Netflix.
7 Iko Uwais
Exploding onto the screen with The Raid, the Indonesian action superstar quickly became a fan favorite, appearing in many great modern martial arts classics, such as The Raid 2, Headshot, Triple Threat, and Beyond Skyline, as well as once again appearing alongside his Raid co-star Joe Taslim, in The Night Comes For Us. His incredibly fast-paced martial arts make way for many of the best action scenes in recent memory. Sadly, Hollywood hasn’t treated Iko Uwais with any of the respect he deserves, by casting him in many disappointing movies, such as Mile 22, Stuber, and Snake Eyes. However, hopefully his upcoming and very exciting appearance in The Expendables 4 can change this.
6 Scott Adkins
As easily one of the most underrated action stars of all time, Scott Adkins is simply an action movie legend. Unfortunately, most movie-goers will undoubtedly recognize his face, but sadly won’t put the respect to his name. Mostly appearing in excellent straight-to-DVD action epics, Scott Adkins is an action star that certainly delivers engaging, explosive, and top-notch action scenes, in such movies as The Accident Man, Triple Threat, the Ninja movies, and the Undisputed franchise.
5 Charlize Theron
After starting off her action career in fairly lackluster action flicks, Charlize Theron soon delighted fans as the deadly Furiosa in Mad Max Fury Road, quickly cementing Theron as a true action movie star. However, from there, her career as an action movie legend only got stronger. It wasn’t long before Theron starred in Atomic Blonde, arguably her best and most impressive role as an action star, performing her own stunts and choreography to perfection. Theron also starred in Netflix’s The Night Guard, an action-packed, creative thriller, adapted from the comic of the same name, which proved why Theron is one of the best in the genre.
4 Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh has been a phenomenal action movie star for decades. However, her recent appearance in the brilliant Everything, Everywhere All At Once, shot Yeoh back into the action star fold. While also delivering many awesome and creative action scenes in the 2022 comedy, Yeoh also made an exciting appearance in the MCU in Shang-Chi. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is still Yeoh's best action star demonstration, delivering rapid and exciting scenes, but her recent fan resurgence still proves she is not to be messed with.
3 Donnie Yen
Martial arts legend Donnie Yen has been one of the best in the genre for decades for good reason. The Ip Man himself has brought fast-paced, frenetic, and real action to every scene he is in, mostly seen obliterating his stunt performers with real and impactful hits, Yen quite often comes up with the choreography on the spot. He's famed for movies like, the Ip Man movies, Hero, Rogue One, and his highly anticipated appearance in John Wick Chapter 4.
2 Keanu Reeves
As a huge action star in the '90s with greats such as Speed and The Matrix, the 2000s didn’t do the star justice. Although appearing in many underrated action movies, like Man of Tai Chi, as well as Constantine, Reeves saw one of the best comebacks in Hollywood history in 2014, appearing in John Wick as the “Baba Yaga'' himself. Performing his own stunts and choreography in many action-packed scenes, Reeves quickly proved why he is one of the best. Going through very intense training for his role, Reeves set a standard for modern movie action stars, that many, such as Halle Berry and Charlize Theron, have tried to replicate, putting everything into their roles.
1 Tom Cruise
Was there really ever any doubt? No one quite compares to Tom Cruise's legacy on not just action movies, but the film industry as a whole. He's performed some of the best and most dangerous stunts in action movie history, from free-falling from 25,000 feet, to climbing the Burj Khalifa, and holding onto the side of a plane as it takes off. Tom Cruise is quite simply the best. His recent role in Top Gun: Maverick helped prove why he isn’t just a phenomenal action star, but a compelling actor as well.