10 Scariest Action Movies Of All Time, Ranked

Fight scenes, violence, and heroic deeds are all expected in a typical action movie, but some utilize aspects of the horror genre to make the scariest action movies out there. Not strictly horror or action, these films blend genres brilliantly to appeal to a wider range of audiences and push the boundaries of what the typical action movie can be. Although horror isn’t for all audiences, these films also tell compelling stories and incorporate strong character development to keep the viewer invested.

Many action movies that revolutionize the genre incorporate innovative techniques and introduce elements from multiple genres to keep them interesting and relevant. Action movies occupy a unique niche in filmmaking because they need to meet high expectations to earn respect in the field. Additionally, audiences go into action films expecting a certain type of movie, and when a project strays from the norm, it can garner mixed reviews. However, the best of the action-horror genre have become more than cult classics and are considered important parts of film history.

10
From Dawn Till Dusk (1996)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Quentin Tarantino might be best known for his work behind the camera, but in From Dawn Till Dusk, he co-stars with George Clooney in a fantastic take on the monster movie. A pair of brothers, Tanatino and Clooney, take a family hostage only to be confronted by a group of vampires. Though the pacing rarely lets up and gives the audience a moment to breathe, this is part of the fun of the movie. It’s not at the level of Tarantino’s other projects, but it works brilliantly as a B-movie with a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its many intertextual references.

9
28 Days Later (2002)

Directed by Danny Boyle

A young Cillian Murphy lends his talents to 28 Days Later, a pre-pandemic masterpiece about the fallout of a mass epidemic that starts a version of the zombie apocalypse. 28 Days Later is a great example of the best “fast” zombie movies, where the undead aren’t crawling at a glacial pace but are quick enough to make the characters run for their lives. This increases the stakes and tension of the movie, furthering the audience’s investment.

Though this may sound more like a post-apocalyptic film than an action movie, it has the best of both worlds, as the characters fight against zombies and other humans alike. While the pace of the zombies and the film rarely let up, it’s worth watching for the body horror and unbelievable twists. Additionally, the performances make 28 Days Later relevant among the many other pandemic films.

8
Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

Directed by George A. Romero

The follow-up to Night of the Living Dead, The Dawn of the Dead, expands upon the existing universe, creating an even more terrifying result. In this iteration of the zombie apocalypse, the world opens up, and the audience experiences a larger scale of what would happen if zombies roamed the Earth. However, the film ultimately returns to its roots, having the characters trapped inside a mall where they take their stand. The impact of The Dawn of the Dead on zombie movies and pop culture in general can’t be overstated. It’s a hallmark film that has inspired countless other filmmakers.

7
The Host (2006)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho

Before his massive international success with Parasite, Bong Joon-ho made a fantastic monster movie that called into question the intersection of class and environmental disaster with The Host. In the film, a mutated fish monster is created when chemicals are illegally dumped into a river, and the effects devastate humanity. A young girl is kidnapped, and her family works together to enter the quarantined zone where the monster has taken her.

The Host has gained popularity since its release thanks to Bong’s increased fame and success but also because of how universally the film captures the terror and uncertainty of the world. Although the effects that created the monster are a little dated, they hold up well for 2006, and the movie is more concerned with the human characters. Though the sequences involving the monster are grueling on their own, there are individual moments when the characters display amazing feats of human strength and courage.

6
Cloverfield (2008)

Directed by Matt Reeves

Cloverfield is significant because of the innovation in direction and visual style that Matt Reeves and the production team achieved by incorporating aspects of found footage filming. Using New York City as its setting also impacted the film’s success because it’s such an intriguing landscape to portray horror and action. It’s impossible not to identify with the characters who fight for their lives after a monster descends on their city. There’s a sense of dread throughout the story that makes the frightening moments more chilling, and the movie inspired multiple sequels because of its strong narrative choices.

5
Predator (1987)

Directed by John McTiernan

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars alongside Carl Weathers in Predator, a film that launched a franchise that got a recent update with Disney’s Prey. However, few films can beat the original for how well it introduced audiences to the terror of the Predator and how easily it capitalized on the fear the monster caused and the excitement for Schwarzenegger’s character, Dutch. Every action film needs a compelling hero, and Dutch fit the bill with physical strength and fighting skills. What Predator did best was bring action and sci-fi fans together for a movie that had enough weight to carry multiple sequels.

4
Evil Dead 2 (1987)

Directed by Sam Raimi

The Evil Dead movies might be campy and hilarious at times, but they’re just as terrifying as they are comical. Evil Dead 2 is the most horrifying installment because of the traditional horror setting of the cabin in the woods that traps Ash (Bruce Campbell) and his girlfriend Linda (Denise Bixler). In the sequel, director Sam Raimi has more fun and takes more liberties with the film since the audience already understood the world from the first movie. As Ash battles demons, the effects, fight scenes, and referential material are all increased in a sequel that far outweighs the original.

3
The Terminator (1984)

Directed by James Cameron

Schwarzenegger has starred in many action films but is known for his breakout role in The Terminator. As the maniacal killing machine, The Terminator, who’s hunting Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), Schwarzenegger perfectly embodies a cyborg with no morals, empathy, or concern for human life. The movie owes much to its predecessors in the noir and sci-fi genres, and it’s considered a seminal time travel movie for its intricate description of multiple timelines. In the years since its release, The Terminator has become a classic of the action genre, and the incorporation of tension and frightening elements contributed to that.

2
Blade II (2002)

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro is a master of dark fantasy, and the Blade films illustrate how action can be mystical and horrifying while still packing a serious punch. In Blade II, the stakes are higher than ever, and the battles between Blade (Wesley Snipes) and the vampire are better paced, which elevates the sense of urgency and makes the audience care about Blade. Criticism has been mounted that the characters are underdeveloped, but that doesn’t stop Blade II from being exactly what it set out to be. It’s a thrill ride full of vampire hunting and excellent visual effects.

1
Aliens (1986)

Directed by James Cameron

Sigourney Weaver returned as Ripley in Aliens, the sequel to Alien, a film that laid the groundwork for the best and scariest action movie of all time. Aliens takes everything that made Alien great and increases the emotional weight of the story’s outcome. In the first film, only Ripley’s life was at stake, but with other characters involved, she’s fighting for much more than herself. It was risky to have James Cameron take over for Ridley Scott, but it paid off enormously. The story is compelling, the performances are amazing, and there isn’t one moment of Aliens that feels unearned.