John Wick: Chapter 4 is the safest starting recommendation here if you want the pinnacle of modern action choreography, executed with breathtaking practical precision. The rest of the page helps you decide when a lower-ranked option fits your situation better.
#1 on this list
John Wick: Chapter 4
Best for the pinnacle of modern action choreography, executed with breathtaking practical precision
#2 on this list
Top Gun: Maverick
Best for real aerial combat footage that creates a sense of speed and danger CGI cannot replicate
#3 on this list
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best for action choreography that seamlessly integrates martial arts with absurdist comedy
#4 on this list
The Batman
Best for slow-burn, atmospheric action that treats fight scenes as terrifying survival encounters
Use this view if you want the shortlist compressed into fit, rating, and standout tags.
| Rank | Pick | Best for | Standout tags | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | The pinnacle of modern action choreography, executed with breathtaking practical precision | gun-fupractical stunts | 4.9 |
| #2 | Top Gun: Maverick | Real aerial combat footage that creates a sense of speed and danger CGI cannot replicate | practical aviationlegacy sequel | 4.8 |
| #3 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | Action choreography that seamlessly integrates martial arts with absurdist comedy | martial artscomedy | 4.7 |
| #4 | The Batman | Slow-burn, atmospheric action that treats fight scenes as terrifying survival encounters | noirtactical | 4.5 |
| #5 | Extraction | A relentless, one-take hallway sequence that redefined Netflix action standards | one-takebrutal | 4.3 |
John Wick: Chapter 4
editorialJohn Wick: Chapter 4 is especially useful for the pinnacle of modern action choreography, executed with breathtaking practical precision.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about the pinnacle of modern action choreography, executed with breathtaking practical precision and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by the quality of action choreography and spatial coherence, not the size of the explosions..
Top Gun: Maverick
editorialTop Gun: Maverick is especially useful for real aerial combat footage that creates a sense of speed and danger CGI cannot replicate.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about real aerial combat footage that creates a sense of speed and danger CGI cannot replicate and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by the quality of action choreography and spatial coherence, not the size of the explosions..
Everything Everywhere All at Once
editorialEverything Everywhere All at Once is especially useful for action choreography that seamlessly integrates martial arts with absurdist comedy.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about action choreography that seamlessly integrates martial arts with absurdist comedy and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by the quality of action choreography and spatial coherence, not the size of the explosions..
The Batman
editorialThe Batman is especially useful for slow-burn, atmospheric action that treats fight scenes as terrifying survival encounters.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about slow-burn, atmospheric action that treats fight scenes as terrifying survival encounters and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by the quality of action choreography and spatial coherence, not the size of the explosions..
Extraction
editorialExtraction is especially useful for a relentless, one-take hallway sequence that redefined Netflix action standards.
Why it stands out: It is especially strong if you care about a relentless, one-take hallway sequence that redefined Netflix action standards and want a pick that still feels aligned with Ranked by the quality of action choreography and spatial coherence, not the size of the explosions..
What is the best action movie of the 2020s?
John Wick: Chapter 4 is the consensus choice for the sheer volume, variety, and precision of its action choreography.
Are practical stunts really better than CGI?
Practical stunts create tangible weight and danger that CGI struggles to replicate. Top Gun: Maverick and John Wick prove audiences feel the difference.
Why is Everything Everywhere considered an action movie?
Its martial arts choreography, performed by Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, is among the best of the decade, integrated into a sci-fi narrative.
Is Extraction 2 as good as the first?
Extraction 2 expands the scale but the original's hallway sequence remains more tightly choreographed and impactful.
