It’s no secret that action has become one of the most prolific and iconic genres of film, with each generation having a wide selection of legendary titles that break the mold and achieve legendary status. The 2020s have already made massive waves when it comes to exciting action filmmaking, whether it be dynamic original films likeThe NorthmanandTenetor the latest installments in beloved franchises likeJohn Wick: Chapter 4andAvatar: The Way of Water. While everyone will have their opinions on which recent action movies are the best, the communal opinion of Letterboxd users offers a deeply unique perspective.
Letterboxd’s status as a social platform catered to younger, digital-era-savvy film fans has made the selection of films that achieve high ratings distinctly different from other film spaces and platforms. With an increased focus on animation as an art form as well as filmmakers from across the world, Letterboxd has made great strives to introduce the true best of the best when it comes to modern film. Action filmmaking is no different, withthe decade’s best action movies so far getting a wide array of love and attention on the platform.
10’Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' (2023)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.96/5
While the MCU has been largely seen as hit or miss throughout the 2020s,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3easily stands out as their clear greatest work of the decade so far in the eyes of Letterboxd users. The film follows the intergalactic superhero team still dealing with the pain that has come from the loss of Gamora, although they are once again tasked with taking down a vicious evildoer, The High Evolutionary. The mission proves to be especially personal for Rocket, who has a deep and troubled past with the Evolutionary.
While many of Marvel’s other trilogies have been very divided and less than coherent due to the swapping of directors and focus on overall universe building,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3was able to stick the landing for theGuardianstrilogy as a whole.James Gunnprovides a consistent throughline in each installment, with seamless themes and messages that are fully realized and delivered in a beautiful final chapter and love letter to the characters and world.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3lived up to all the hype surrounding it and more, making it an instant fan favorite on Letterboxd.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Watch on Disney+
9’Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 3.99/5
While most legacy sequels are often considered generic rehashes and major downgrades compared to the classic status of the original film,Top Gun: Maverickisthe rare exception that outdoes the original. The film follows Maverick doing what he does best: flying incredibly fast planes high in the sky as he dodges the promotion that would force him to leave the skies forever. However, his unique skills and attitude make him the perfect man for a seemingly impossible job, acting as a teacher for a new group of Top Gun pilots to train them for a dangerous mission with Herculean stakes.
Top Gun: Maverickbuilds upon what had already worked in the originalTop Gunwhile elevating and expanding upon the material with the capabilities of modern filmmaking and technology.The film has a deep dedication and love for the practical aspects of its action, making brilliant usage of real-life fighter jet action to achieve the most octane and powerful cinematic scope possible.Top Gun: Maverickwas so widely beloved and successful that it earned a nomination for Best Picture, achieving what very few sequels and even fewer action movies have accomplished.
Top Gun: Maverick
8’All Quiet on the Western Front' (2022)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.00/5
A modern German remake of one of the most powerful and influential anti-war films of all time,All Quiet on the Western Frontdoesn’t hold back in showing the true horrors and brutalities of the First World War. The film follows the perspective of young Paul Bäumer, who, while initially excited at the prospect of joining the war and fighting on the front lines with his pals, soon has his dreams destroyed when he firsthand experiences the dread of battle. As he continues forward, Paul’s innocence and view of life are slowly but surely stripped away from him.
While the film still features the same spectacular story and anti-war themes of the original masterpiece,All Quiet on the Western Frontmakes its modernization known through its visuals and execution. There is an effective mixture ofhorrific war-torn bloodshed and tense, edge-of-your-seat actionpresent within this modern remake that faithfully adapts and evolves to the modern stylings of contemporary war films. It finds great value in following in the footsteps of films like Saving Private RyanandDunkirk, finding great success among critics and Letterboxd users.
All Quiet on the Western Front
7’The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart' (2023)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.02/5
Acting as the feature-length finale to one ofthe most beloved adult animated seriesof all time,The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heartfeatures everything a fan of the original show would want in a final chapter. The film takes place directly after the series finale, with seemingly everyone in the country searching for the whereabouts of Hank Venture. Simultaneously, several mysterious secrets from the past bubble to the surface, threatening to completely change everything.
The Venture Bros.was already made famous thanks to itseffective balance of action and comedic satire of the espionage adventure genreof cartoons, and the cinematic scope ofBaboon Heartonly furthers these facets. The film achieved the seemingly impossible task of effectively tying up loose ends and bringing together 20 years of storytelling in a single 84-minute experience, acting as the perfect love letter. Fans reciprocated this swan song of an experience with its near-unanimous praise, resulting in its high ranking on Letterboxd.
The Venture Bros.
6’Godzilla Minus One' (2023)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.08/5
WhileGodzillahas always had a dedicated fanbase over the years,Godzilla Minus Onereached new heights for the franchise in terms of mass critical acclaim and resounding success. The film takes place in Japan soon after their loss in World War II, with a palpable dread and pain dominating the nation. Following the perspective of failed kamikaze pilot Koichi Shikishima, he attempts to continue through the hardships of life, made increasingly difficult by the constant reappearance and destruction of Godzilla.
Godzilla Minus Oneaccomplishes what very few other kaiju movies have, delivering a compelling and resonating plot that has audiences care just as much about the human characters as the on-screen monster destruction. The emotional turmoil that Koichi and his friends go through in the film serves toamplify the action and weight of Godzilla’s emphatic sequences. As far as a modern kaiju action movie is concerned,Godzilla Minus Oneis aboutas close as one can get to being perfect.
Godzilla Minus One
Watch on Netflix
5’Hundreds of Beavers' (2022)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.15/5
Taking the zany, limitless possibilities of a slapstick cartoon and bringing it to the world of live-action,Hundreds of Beaversis a beautiful ode to this classic era of slapstick and absurdity. The film follows a former applejack salesman who finds his business destroyed during a harsh winter as he is forced to fight against the forces of nature and many woodland creatures. As he hones his craft and becomes a successful fur trapper, he is soon forced to go up against his greatest enemy yet: a powerful legion of beavers.
Hundreds of Beaversis the type ofoff-the-wall chaotic action experience that is tailor-made for the digital eraof filmmaking, creating a work of art that is emblematic of the stylings and sense of humor of the 21st century. There is simply no other action movie or comedy quite like it, which has helped it attain a massive following asone of the biggest cult classics of recent memory.Hundreds of Beaverswill only continue to cement its legacy as more and more experience its hilarious vision, with the Letterboxd community, by and large, falling in love with it.
Hundreds of Beavers
Watch on Hoopla
4’RRR' (2022)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.20/5
One of the biggest and most prominent action movie releases from India in recent memory,RRRtook the world by stormwith itsmaximalist style and jaw-dropping action sequences. The film follows a duo of legendary revolutionaries as they journey away from their homes, become the best of friends, face off as rivals, and then reconnect in the name of freedom and revolution for India. It blends action, drama, and music to create a fully complete package that keeps the audience glued to their seats and deeply invested for the 3-hour runtime.
RRRserved as a beautiful reminder for many that exceptional action blockbuster filmmaking is possible in all parts of the world, not just in the U.S. The film is one of the most exhilarating and commanding blockbuster experiences in recent memory with an uncanny ability to amp up the audience and get them excited for all the stellar visuals, masterful choreography, and top-notch action sequences.
3’Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time' (2021)
Neon Genesis Evangelionis one of the most celebrated and iconic animated series of all time. The original finale film of the series,The End of Evangelion, is consideredone of the greatest animated films of all time. However, series creatorHideaki Annowould find himself remaking the Evangelion story in a series of films known as Rebuild of Evangelion, starting with 2007’sEvangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone. Fourteen years later, the remake ofEnd of Evangelioncame out; somehow,Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Timelived up to all the hype.
Thrice Upon a Timenot only brilliantlyretold and maintained the magic and themes of the original animated masterpiecebut also built upon and expanded them in accordance with a modern audience and culture.Letterboxd has not particularly been shy about its love of the Evangelion franchise, withEnd of Evangelionhavinga #23 spot on the highest-rated films of all timeon the site. While not nearly as high as the original,Thrice Upon a Timestill has a similar level of love and acclaim on Letterboxd, havingan acceptable #182 spot.
Watch on Amazon
2’Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.30/5
The Best Picture-winning sci-fi action masterpiece that charmed the hearts and minds of people around the world,Everything Everywhere All at Oncehas easily become one of the most defining films of the 2020s so far. The film follows aging Chinese immigrant Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), who, during an already difficult day, is thrust into the chaotic world of alternate universes after learning she is the key to saving the multiverse. Training and receiving the ability to tap into versions of herself from other dimensions, Evelyn must take on insurmountable odds to save what is most important to her.
Everything Everywhere All at Oncehas a distinct and effective blending of science fiction worldbuilding,meticulous kung fu choreography, and zany, raunchy comedy, quickly becoming a hit among critics and audiences alike. However, what helped the film quickly cement its status as a modern-day classic was its ability to strike a nerve with itsemotional and gracious story of generational trauma and depression. While it at one point held the spot as the #1 highest-rated film on Letterboxd,it now holds the #142 spot, a still highly respectable placing as one of the site’s highest-rated films.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
1’Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' (2023)
Letterboxd Average Rating: 4.45/5
Easily one of the biggest smash hits and critical success stories of the 2020s so far,Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verselived up to the already gargantuan legacy of the first film and delivered a visual feast that continues to define modern action animation. The film sees Miles Morales continuing his role as his universe’s only Spider-Man, only to be reunited with old friend Gwen Stacy on a journey across the multiverse. However, there soon becomes a divide in perspectives that sees Miles becoming the target of the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People from across the multiverse.
The initialInto the Spider-Versewas already one of the most acclaimed and beloved animated movies and action movies of the 2010s. However,Across the Spider-Verseimmediately staked a claim with some of the best action the 2020s has to offer. The sequel builds and expands upon the concepts and animation style of the first film, bringing the medium of animation to its absolute limits ina cavalcade of beautiful colors and powerful dynamic sequences. One can only hope thatthe upcomingBeyond the Spider-Versecan somehow stick the landing and cap off this already iconic trilogy.
