10 Most Action-Packed Fantasy Movies, Ranked

The fast-paced nature of action movies, especially those of the fantasy genre, provides a means for escapism, taking moviegoers to a universe where anything imaginable is impossible. Full-blooded action movies like Fast and Furious and Mission: Impossible defy the laws of logic (and sanity) for the purpose of entertainment. Where the most action-packed fantasy movies succeed is in their visual effects and choreographed sequences that transcend reality into a narrative world where exhilaration is a requirement.

The action genre features flashy explosions, brutal combat, mind-blowing warfare, and more that use sound design, cinematography, and special effects to engage the viewer’s senses. The value of these movies is appreciated at a higher level when viewers from the cinema seat. From high-seas adventures to literary epics, and a few campy installments in between, the best and most action-packed fantasy movies provide a comprehensive package of sight, sound, and stunts to wow viewers and create edge-of-your-seat thrills.

10 ‘Godzilla: Final Wars’ (2004)

Directed by Ryûhei Kitamura

It may not be critics’ favorite choice among all 38 Godzilla films, but Godzilla: Final Wars is the most action-packed. Released as a commemoration of five decades since the first film, Final Wars features the titular movie monster as he is revived from his frozen slumber to battle monsters and aliens around the world in a quest to save Earth. Godzilla battles 15 monsters throughout the runtime, making the movie a feat of non-stop action.

The installation combines action and entertainment, making it accessible to audiences who haven’t seen a single film featuring the iconic creature. It’s a movie one goes into knowing that you’re there for the laughs and the suspension of belief. Asking viewers to buckle up for two hours of straight monster battles sounds exhausting (and is), but the exaggerated and cheesy nature of the narrative and action earns a pass, making it one of the best Godzilla movies available.

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9 ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ (2011)

Directed by David Yates

The duel fans had been waiting a decade to witness onscreen arrived in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. As Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) works to destroy the last of Lord Voldemort’s (Ralph Fiennes) horcruxes, the dark forces have descended upon Hogwarts, culminating in the two connected wizards facing each other for the final time. While Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix gives audiences a taste of the wizarding action with Voldemort’s duel with Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), nothing compares to the full circle moment when the dark lord and the boy who lived meet on the rubble of Hogwarts.

Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Visual Effects. While the final duel was the most thrilling, the Battle of Hogwarts featured an epic army of young witches and wizards protecting their school. The film also included dragon fire, psychological warfare, and the iconic Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) quote: “I’ve always wanted to use that spell.”

8 ‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)

Directed by Patty Jenkins

Wonder Woman may not contain the high-octane action synonymous with superhero movies, but the movie is meticulous with its action, making it a contender for the best in the fantasy genre. The origin story finds the iconic hero before she donns a new identity as Diana (Gal Gadot), princess of the Amazons. When an American pilot (Chris Pine) crash lands on their secluded island, Diana learns of World War I, believing her powerful warrior skills can aid in stopping it. The movie is hailed as one of the best in the DCU.

The movie relies on a crafted narrative to carry the film instead of action for the sake of superheroes punching people and destroying buildings, which, while entertaining for some, isn’t a story. Wonder Woman is a fine example of using action to amplify a character arc as Diana realizes the true potential of her powers and purpose, especially during the No Man’s Land scene. Director Patty Jenkins and Gadot’s leading performance gave audiences a female-forward action film that didn’t comedically degrade or make a mockery out of its female warriors and their powerhouse fight sequences.

7 ‘The Mummy’ (1999)

Directed by Stephen Sommers

This fan-favorite was instrumental in shifting Brendan Fraser‘s career from a comedy star to an action hero. The Mummy features an explorer’s expedition in 1925 to recover Egyptian treasure hidden below the sand in the city of Hamunaptra. After discovering the treasure, they unintentionally awaken a 3,000-year-old undead priest, Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo), on a quest for revenge and in search of the reincarnation of his lost love.

The Mummy is a popcorn favorite for its dramatic action led by the charismatic Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The adventure and puzzle-piece action on campiness and melodrama, but it’s a story that audiences still return to today for mythological movies. From kicking in doors to gunfights, some supernatural slayings, and many dramatic close calls in between, The Mummy is secure in its identity and entertainment value.

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6 ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ (2017)

Directed by Taika Waititi

While all the Avengers movies feature hard-hitting (literally) action, as a standalone film, Thor: Ragnarok blends action and comedy under Taika Waititi‘s unique style. The third action-packed installment finds the titular Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) as they discover their powerful half-sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett), whose mission is to destroy their home and Asgardian civilization. Thor becomes imprisoned on the planet Sakaar and must best the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in a gladiatorial-style contest to secure his freedom and return to Asgard to defeat Hela.

Thor: Ragnarok pairs Led Zeppelin‘s “Immigrant Song” with the movie’s third-act battle, creating a badass music-fueled spectacle that stands out among the MCU’s formulaic final confrontations. However, the movie does remain loyal to the formula when it gives screen time to highlight each champion’s fighting style, from Hulk’s brute strength and Valkyrie’s (Tessa Thompson) winged warriors, to Loki’s deadly daggers and Thor’s electrifying hand-to-hand combat.

5 ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

From sword fights, canon fire, and “how did he do that” Jack Sparrow magic, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl remains the best of the franchise. After a crew of cursed pirates invade Port Royal and kidnap Elizabeth Swan (Kiera Knightley), blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) enlists the help of the pirate crew’s former captain, Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) to get her back. The five-time Oscar-nominated film kicked off what would be an epic fantasy trilogy (with many fans choosing to ignore installments four and five).

Accompanied by an epic score from Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer, the action sequences are that much more thrilling as the good, the bad, and the morally gray weigh anchor. The Curse of the Black Pearl is reminiscent of the classic Hollywood pirate films starring Errol Flynn like Captain Blood. While the second and third films would up the action ante, the franchise’s first film set the tone for high-seas fantasy action.

4 ‘Avatar’ (2009)

Directed by James Cameron

Winning the Oscars for Best Visual Effects and Cinematography, Avatar stunned viewers with its beauty and ability to translate motion-capture action sequences into thrilling onscreen magic. The blockbuster stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, a paraplegic grunt Marine sent to the otherworldly Pandora to take his deceased twin brother’s place in a scientific endeavor. Using his DNA, Jake is consciously linked to the physical form of the world’s native inhabitants, the Na’vi, whose mission is to gain their trust and discover their natural resources for the military’s use.

A technological feat, Avatar produces one of the best third-act showdowns in cinema as Jake, a collection of pilots, and scientists sides with Na’vi against the villainous Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and the full force of their operation. Explosions, gunfire, archery, Na’vi cavalry, and Ikran high-flying combat all lead up to Jake versus Quaritch where the battle for oxygen and the fate of Pandora comes down to one final sequence. Without the award-winning visuals and crafted performances under James Cameron‘s watchful direction, Avatar could have been just another sub-par fantasy film with okay action.

3 ‘Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)

Directed by George Lucas

In the longstanding franchise, this prequel holds the title for best action among all the films. Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith finds Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) pursuing other threats across the galaxy after he and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) rescue Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). As Palpatine forms a bond with Anakin to lure him to the Dark Side, Anakin must choose between those closest to him or embracing the Dark Side. Revenge of the Sith is the best of the prequels in more ways than one.

In typical Star Wars fashion, the first scene launches audiences into the galaxy’s action and concludes with the most epic lightsaber battle in franchise history and one of the best duels in cinematic history. The emotional build-up to Obi-Wan and Anakin’s clash is the ultimate depiction of good versus evil. What made the legendary scene even more badass was that the actors did the dueling themselves, electing not to use stunt doubles. This action sequence is a movie moment audiences wish they could relive the excitement of seeing for the first time again.

2 ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)

Directed by Ang Lee

This Oscar-winning movie is not only one of the best fantasy action movies but also one of the best martial arts movies of all time. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon stars Chow Yun-Fat as Li Mu Bai and Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien, lovers, and master warriors on a quest to recover Li Mu Bai’s sword, Green Destiny, after it is stolen by Jen Yu (Ziyi Zhang), a princess determined to become a warrior. The sword represents freedom, something Jen Yuh will stop at nothing to get.

One of Crouching Tiger‘s four Oscar wins was for Best Cinematography, deservedly so as the masterful technical craft amplified the rhythmic action sequences. The sword-wielding and hand-to-hand combat martial arts duels are like a dance where only the two characters involved know the choreography, presenting audiences with cinematic action that feels weightless and simultaneously high-stakes.

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1 ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Directed by Peter Jackson

The epic three-and-a-half-hour conclusion to the critically acclaimed trilogy features the best fantasy action. A Best Picture winner, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the culminating clash for the fate of Middle-earth as Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) reach Modor and ascend Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, while Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) lead the charge against evil at Mina Tirith.

The 11-time Oscar-winning feature presents viewers with 360 fantasy warfare action from the Battle of the Pellenor Fields to the Black Gate. The immersive visuals, cinematography, and performances create the foundation for these cinematic sequences to take center stage. The Return of the King was the long-awaited conclusion, making its fantastic storytelling and action all the more satisfying as moviegoers were presented with a narrative epic that exceeded expectations after three years of anticipation.

NEXT: The Best Action Movies of All Time, Ranked