Epic battles, superheroes, and alien warfare dominate our list of HBO Max's many action offerings. The 24 best action movies on HBO Max to get you hyped up

Epic battles, superheroes, and alien warfare dominate our list of HBO Max's many action offerings.

The 24 best action movies on HBO Max to get you hyped up

Epic battles, superheroes, and alien warfare dominate our list of HBO Max's many action offerings.

By Ilana Gordon,

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

Kevin Jacobsen,

and Johnny Loftus

on September 19, 2025 7:48 a.m. ET

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in 'Dune: Part Two'; Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in 'The Hunger Games'; Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto in 'Fast & Furious'. Credit:

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures; Murray Close/Lionsgate; Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Lights, camera, action movies. Hollywood loves a high-octane film where the heroes multitask by simultaneously taking names and care of business. From high-speed chase scenes to surviving a fight to the death, action movies are about escapism. Few of us will ever battle an assailant on top of a moving freight train or leap a motorcycle across an explosion. But we're more than happy to live vicariously through our capable action heroes and their villain counterparts.

Here are EW's picks for the 24 best action movie offerings on HBO Max.

Birds of Prey (2020)

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in 'Birds of Prey'. Claudette Barius/Warner Bros.

"There's no wrong way to process a breakup" is one interpretation of the message behind *Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)*, the 2020 action film and eighth addition to the DC Extended Universe. Four years following the events depicted in 2016's *Suicide Squad*, the Joker breaks up with Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), who — without the benefit of his protection — finds herself a vulnerable target for the many criminals she's angered over the years.

As an origin story for the *Birds of Prey* superhero team, the film is arguably one of the most enjoyable to emerge from DC Studios of late, a credit to Robbie's unhinged (but deeply controlled) performance. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Birds of Prey*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Cathy Yan

**Cast: **Margot Robbie, Ella Jay Basco, Rosie Perez, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor

Bullet Train (2022)

Brad Pitt as Ladybug and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Tangerine in 'Bullet Train'. Scott Garfield/Sony

The only thing that moves faster than Japan's state-of-the-art transit system is the plot of this Brad Pitt-led ensemble action comedy. When a father seeking vengeance, an American operative experiencing a string of bad luck, and several independent assassins hailing from around the world all end up on the same bullet train bound for Kyoto, the results are violent — and the survivors minimal. Based on the 2010 novel *Maria Beetle*, and tonally reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino's *Kill Bill* with a little *Snatch* thrown in for spice, *Bullet Train* speeds along on a track laid with action, jokes, plot twists, and more death scenes that you can brandish a sword at. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Bullet Train*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** B+

**Director: **David Leitch

**Cast: **Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, Sandra Bullock, Zazie Beetz

The Dark Knight (2008)

Christian Bale as Batman in 'The Dark Knight'. Everett Collection

Christopher Nolan's stunning sequel to 2005's *Batman Begins* positions Christian Bale's buff and brooding, caped and hooded vigilante, along with his allies James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), against the anarchistic machinations of the the Joker, the legendary Batman villain brought back to life with vivid, tremulous energy and rank nihilism by Heath Ledger, who passed away a few months before *The Dark Knight* was released.

Ledger's performance is the definition of must-watch, and rightly earned him a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar. *The Dark Knight *was the highest-grossing film of 2008, and has continued to resonate with audiences and critics as an example of superhero filmmaking that conducts itself with singular style and deeper, more lyrical intent. *—Johnny Loftus*

Where to watch *The Dark Knight*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **A–

**Director: **Christopher Nolan** **

**Cast: **Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman

Deadwood: The Movie (2019)

Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock in 'Deadwood: The Movie'. Warrick Page/HBO

HBO's show *Deadwood* is considered one of the greatest premium series of all time, despite only airing for three seasons in the mid-aughts. The film — set during the last year of the 19th century, a few decades after the show ended — returns fans to the now well-established town of Deadwood and reunites the beloved ensemble cast as South Dakota celebrates its transition from territory to statehood.

Storylines from the TV show are resurrected in the film, giving *Deadwood *lovers consolation and closure after the show's abrupt and unexpected ending in 2006. Featuring all the profanity, violence, and chaos that helped establish the series as a credible interpretation of life in the Wild West, *Deadwood: The Movie *is, as EW's TV critic describes it, "a gift, and a fond farewell." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Deadwood: The Movie*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **David Milch** **

**Cast: **Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, W. Earl Brown, Dayton Callie, Kim Dickens, Brad Dourif, Anna Gunn, John Hawkes, Leon Rippy, William Sanderson, Robin Weigert, Brent Sexton, Sean Bridgers, Franklyn Ajaye, Gerald McRaney, Keone Young** **

Dune (2021)

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in 'Dune'.

Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures

David Lynch's subpar attempt at adapting Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel in 1984 suggested that *Dune* might be better left on the page. Thus, many raised an eyebrow when Denis Villeneuve announced his own plans to tackle a film adaptation, but this 2021 epic proved the doubters wrong. Following Paul Atreides, a young heir with superhuman powers fighting for control of the planet Arrakis, Villeneuve's *Dune* was lauded for its stunning technical craft — which won six Oscars — and grand-scale storytelling that doesn't talk down to the audience.

EW's critic praises its "breathtaking" scope, citing the "vast desertscapes unscrolling like oceans and helicopters with dragonfly-wing blades where the rotors should be; the kidney-piercing resonance of Hans Zimmer's soundtrack poured over sets of towering, planet-scaled enormity." —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *Dune*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Denis Villeneuve

**Cast:** Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem

Dune: Part Two (2024)

Zendaya as Chani in 'Dune: Part Two'.

Warner Bros. Pictures

The second film in Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's fantasy novel, *Dune: Part Two* follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) on his quest to unite and lead the Fremen people into battle against House Harkonnen. Production on the film was also a fight: The project contended with pandemic filming restrictions and strike delays.

The movie — a love story threaded with themes of imperialism and colonialism — triumphed anyway, earning the fourth slot on EW's list of the 10 best movies of 2024 and a pair of 2025 Oscars for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects. Boasting stunning cinematography, this sci-fi epic isn't just good for a sequel — audiences, critics, and top-tier directors have acknowledged it as one of the best movies in the sci-fi genre. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Dune: Part Two*: HBO Max******Director: **Denis Villeneuve******Cast: **Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem

Fast & Furious (2009)

Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto in 'Fast & Furious'.

Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Released eight years after *The Fast and the Furious* as the fourth film in the franchise — which now boasts a whopping 10 movies, *plus* a spinoff feature and two shorts — *Fast & Furious* may be kind of a downer plot-wise, but it still contains all the elements necessary to endear any action fan. Almost from the jump, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) is on the warpath after learning about the death of someone close to him, and his search for answers and vengeance leads him everywhere from street races to drug trafficking missions. Featuring all of the violence, speeding, and family required of the series, *Fast & Furious* is one of the most structurally important and load-bearing movies in the series. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Fast & Furious*: HBO Max

**Director:** Justin Lin

**Cast: **Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Ortiz, Laz Alonso

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

Anya Taylor-Joy as Imperator Furiosa, Tom Burke as Praetorian Jack, and Chris Hemsworth as Dementus in 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'.

Jasin Boland/Warner Bros.

George Miller revitalized his *Mad Max *franchise with the 2015 release of *Mad Max: Fury Road*. Now, he's telling Furiosa's origin story in an eponymous prequel starring Anya Taylor-Joy*. *The film follows Furiosa as she is kidnapped as a child (played by Alylya Browne) from her home in the Green Place of Many Mothers, and brought as a gift to the leader of a biker gang.

This is a perfect introduction to the events pictured in *Fury Road*, and it's the first film in the franchise not to focus on Max himself (played in different versions by Mel Gibson and Tom Hardy). The movie fills in lots of narrative questions raised in the franchise, and while EW's reviewer notes that *Furiosa *isn't quite as good as *Fury Road*, "it does allow us to spend a little more time in this world and Miller's mind." —*I.G.*

Where to watch *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga*: HBO Max**

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **George Miller

**Cast: **Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Alyla Browne

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The Hidden Fortress (1958)

Toshiro Mifune as General Rokurota Makabe in 'The Hidden Fortress'. Everett Collection

Master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa (*Seven Samurai*) has been an indelible influence on cinema for decades, and this acclaimed adventure through feudal Japan even helped inspire George Lucas' original vision for *Star Wars*. In it, peasants Tahei and Matashich have been enlisted by a defeated general to escort him and a princess to friendly territory.

Like the best action comedies, the chemistry between the leads makes us care about their plight, with a fun, swaggering performance by frequent Kurosawa collaborator Toshiro Mifune as the general. As EW notes, "Mifune's iconic full-body laugh is one of the greatest small pleasures in cinema." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Hidden Fortress*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** A–

**Director:** Akira Kurosawa

**Cast:** Toshiro Mifune, Misa Uehara, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'.

Everett Collection

Released over a decade after the first film in *The Lord of the Rings* hit theaters — but set 60 years before the events taking place in the trilogy ever occurred — *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey* is the first of three films chronicling the adventures of Frodo's uncle Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he is recruited by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to accompany a group of dwarves on a quest.

Adapted from J.R.R Tolkien's eponymous book and filmed against the same New Zealand backdrops that populated the first three films, *The Hobbit *— and its two sequels — feel like natural successors to Peter Jackson's original trilogy. *LOTR* fans who haven't read the books will benefit from the added context *The Hobbit* provides, namely, how Bilbo came to possess the One Ring, and Freeman's scene with Gollum (Andy Serkis) is both a highlight and a lynchpin for the first movie in Jackson's newest trilogy. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Peter Jackson** **

**Cast: **Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis

The Hunger Games (2012)

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in 'The Hunger Games'.

Murray Close/Lionsgate

More than a decade has passed since viewers were first transported to the country of Panem, a grim dystopian future divided into factions and ruled by a merciless Capitol. As penance for a past rebellion, every year, the children of Panem's 12 districts are required to enter their names into the country's Hunger Games, a televised event that is half reality competition show, half violent death match.

When Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) little sister is selected as one of the tributes for District 12, she volunteers to take her place. To make it back home safe to her family, Katniss must survive her time in the arena, competing against tributes who have been training for the Games their whole lives, as well as her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), with whom she has a complicated relationship. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Hunger Games*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Gary Ross

**Cast: **Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland

Inception (2010)

Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb in 'Inception'.

Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

In the film *Inception*, lucid dreaming is for suckers. Christopher Nolan's sci-fi, action thriller takes sleeping to a whole new level, introducing the idea that not only can a person's dreams be hijacked and information extracted, but new information can be implanted through inception. The titular process — invented by corporate spy Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) — allows outside forces to influence internal decisions, which is exactly what Cobb and his team of experts aim to do for their client, on what Cobb hopes will be his last job, so he can get back to his kids.

EW's critic describes the movie, saying, "It's a rolling explosion of images as hypnotizing and sharply angled as any in a drawing by M.C. Escher or a state-of-the-biz video game; the backwards splicing of Nolan's own *Memento* looks rudimentary by comparison." Developing an understanding of *Inception* requires multiple viewings, but it only takes one to truly enjoy it. *—I.G.*

Where to watch* Inception*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **B+

**Director:** Christopher Nolan

**Cast:** Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Aquaman (voice: Cary Elwes) in 'Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox'. Warner Bros.

While there are seemingly far more DC superhero clunker movies (2016's unfortunate *Suicide Squad*) than there are successful ones (its 2021 glow-up *The Suicide Squad*), the DCEU's feature-length animated comic-book capers are more reliable in quality. (But be sure to check the ratings: Just because they're animated doesn't mean they're kid-friendly.)

If you're familiar with the Flash, you know about the time-travel "flashpoint" (and if you're a fan of the TV show, ad nauseam), but this direct-to-video film offers an intriguing "what-if" look at the members of the Justice League in alternate timelines, with Thomas Wayne replacing Bruce as Batman, for example, and Aquaman and Wonder Woman at war. Multiverses may be the latest trend, but this thoughtful yet dark examination of the fine line between heroes and villains did it a decade before it was cool. —*Gwen Ihnat*

Where to watch *Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox*: HBO Max

**Director:** Jay Oliva

**Cast:** Justin Chambers, C. Thomas Howell, Michael B. Jordan, Kevin McKidd, Cary Elwes, Vanessa Marshall, Kevin Conroy

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'. Pierre Vinet/New Line

Fantasy fandoms are rarely happy with the filmic adaptations of their beloved books, but lovers of J.R.R. Tolkien's *The Lord of the Rings* series had little to complain about when they saw the results of Peter Jackson's work on the first movie in the long-awaited trilogy. The New Zealand backdrops Jackson chose to help convey his vision of Middle Earth seem ripped from Tolkien's original pages, and the nine actors selected to make up the Fellowship of the Ring, and accompany the cherubic-faced hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) on his action-packed journey into Mordor to destroy Sauron's ring — and subsequently, Sauron himself — could not have been more aptly cast.

Narratively faithful to Tolkien's story, but emotionally affecting enough to make longtime readers feel like they are entering Frodo's world for the first time, *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring* is one of the best cinematic literary adaptations of all time. *— I.G.*

Where to watch *The Lord of the Rings; The Fellowship of the Ring*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **A

**Director: **Peter Jackson ** **

**Cast: **Elijah Wood, Ian McKellan, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler ** **

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Katy O'Brian as Jackie and Kristen Stewart as Lou in 'Love Lies Bleeding'.

Anna Kooris/A24

*Love Lies Bleeding* is too good to be tied down by one genre. A romantic action thriller centered around the connection forged between a bodybuilder (Katy O'Brian) and a loner who owns a gym (Kristen Stewart), this film will surprise you with every narrative swerve. The story starts grounded and gritty, but by the third act, magical realism, hallucinations, and fantasy have taken hold.

Set in the '80s, *Love Lies Bleeding* is a film about romance, small town family drama, and violence, most of which is spurred on by the drugs and criminal activity that supersede the film's initial courtship. Stewart and O'Brian are excellent in their roles, but as EW's critic writes, "Stewart is the film's beating heart, and the actress masterfully sheds Lou's cool façade as she and Jackie sink deeper into trouble." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Love Lies Bleeding*: HBO Max**

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **Rose Glass

**Cast: **Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, Ed Harris

Meg 2: The Trench (2023)

Jason Statham as Jonas Taylor and Shuya Sophia Cai as Meiying in 'Meg 2: The Trench'.

Daniel Smith/Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

The world needs more movies like *Meg 2: The Trench*, a film that is brazen in its ridiculousness, and confident in the pure, silly fun it offers its audience. The sequel to 2018's *The Meg*, *Meg 2 *continues to follow Jonas — Jason Statham having the time of his life — a rescue diver and environmental crime fighter who is once again called upon to save the world from escaped megalodons.

The film runneth over with the kind of shark chasing and jet ski riding that made the first film a summer hit. Best described as the opposite of *Jaws, *the movie simply doesn't have time for pretension or snobbery: It's too busy asking Jason Statham to battle a 75-foot-long meg using only his legs. In a world of highbrow, serious films, consider making time for a breath of fresh air like *Meg 2*. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Meg 2: The Trench*: HBO Max

**Director:** Ben Wheatley

**Cast: **Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Skyler Samuels, Cliff Curtis

Princess Mononoke (1997)

San (voice: Yuriko Ishida) in 'Princess Mononoke'. Everett Collection

Frankly, all the Studio Ghibli films offer action and adventure to spare, and the fact that many of them reside on Max is reason enough for you to subscribe to the streamer. But the riveting battles in *Princess Mononoke*, and its epic parable about the conflict between humans and nature, landed it on our list above the rest. The film references ancient tribes and enduring myths while crafting an enchanting tale in its own right, as the titular princess attempts to defend the forest — and the spirit who rules it — from the corrupting influences of industrialization.

Director Hayao Miyazaki, who also wrote the movie, had apparently intended this to be his final film before retiring, but its success convinced him to hold off, leading to the also-exemplary *Spirited Away* a few years later. EW's critic stresses that the film's brutal violence makes it a suitable fit only for older kids, but it's still "wondrous and otherworldly" in it's vision. —*G.I.*

Where to watch *Princess Mononoke*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** A

**Director:** Hayao Miyazaki

**Cast:** Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka, Kaoru Kobayashi, Masahiko Nishimura, Tsunehiko Kamijo, Akihiro Miwa, Mitsuko Mori, Hisaya Morishige

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Andy Serkis as Caesar in 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'. Everett Collection

After an attempt to reboot the *Planet of the Apes* franchise proved ill-fated in the hands of Tim Burton, a new series of films, starting with this 2011 installment, was decidedly more successful. *Rise of the Planet of the Apes* explores the origins of the primate revolution, in which chemist Will Rodman (James Franco) raises Caesar, an ape with genetically enhanced intelligence who uses his wits to eventually take down the human race. The film deftly explores the slippery slope of experimenting with nature, and how a lack of understanding can give rise to deadly consequences.**** Featuring state-of-the-art visual effects and yet another fiercely committed motion capture performance from Andy Serkis as Caesar, *Rise* is a gripping start to a series that would only become more visceral with 2014's *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes*, 2017's *War for the Planet of the Apes*, and 2024's *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*. *—K.J.*

Where to watch *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*: HBO Max**

**Director:** Rupert Wyatt**

**Cast:** James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo, Andy Serkis

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Michael Cera as Scott Pilgrim in 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'. Everett Collection

How hard are you willing to fight for love? For 22-year-old musician Scott Pilgrim, the answer is very. After meeting and falling for Ramona Flowers, Scott discovers that to win her hand, he must first defeat her seven evil exes in combat.

A romantic action comedy film based on the graphic novel series and told using videogame and comic-like imagery, *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World *may have Sex Bob-Ombed at the box office, but the film has since developed a loyal cult following — and rightly so. With an ensemble cast featuring some of the best twentysomething comedic talent the early-2010s had to offer, *Scott Pilgrim* is a unique comedy with a style that's all its own. *—I.G.***** Where to watch *Scott Pilgrim vs. the World*: HBO Max******EW grade:** B+******Director: **Edgar Wright******Cast: **Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Chris Evans**

Speed (1994)

Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven and Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter in 'Speed'.

Courtesy Everett Collection

One of the ultimate '90s action movies, *Speed* is the story of the maniac who rigs a bus to explode if it goes too slow, and the Los Angeles cop who is determined to foil him. LAPD Officer Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) works on the city's SWAT team and has had run-ins with the psychopathic Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) before. When he gets word of Payne's bus plot, he manages to board the armed vehicle where he assigns one of the passengers, Annie (Sandra Bullock) to keep the bus in motion while he deescalates the situation.

EW's critic writes that Hitchcock "would be proud" of the movie "in which a zooming bus becomes a pop metaphor for a world speeding chaotically out of control." All of the leads are excellent, but it's Reeves who carries the film, turning the 116-minute popcorn thriller into a compelling sales pitch for why he is one of Hollywood's go-to action stars. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Speed*: HBO Max

**Director: **Jan de Bont

**Cast:** Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff Daniels

Superman (1978)

Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Christopher Reeve as Superman in 'Superman'. Everett Collection

Before the superhero takeover of the 21st century, there was Richard Donner's *Superman*. Christopher Reeve was launched into stardom for his dashing portrayal of Clark Kent and his famous alter ego, supported by an all-star cast including Marlon Brando as Jor-El (Superman's biological father), Gene Hackman as villain Lex Luthor, and '70s favorite Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.

Like many big-budget films released decades ago, not every component holds up, but its earnest depiction of Superman's good nature appeals to viewers of all ages and transcends any dated visual effects. As EW notes of the film, "None of our modern green screens and volume technology can compete with the simple magic of watching Christopher Reeve fly through the sky on those invisible wires." —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Superman*: HBO Max

**Director:** Richard Donner

**Cast:** Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder

The Terminator (1984)

Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator in 'The Terminator'.

Orion Pictures Corporation/Everett

One of the most action-packed sci-fi flicks of the 1980s is also one of the most enduring. The movie that launched the careers of director James Cameron and his star Arnold Schwarzenegger tells the story of a cyborg assassin sent back in time to hunt and terminate one woman: Sarah Connor. Sarah finds help in Kyle Reese, a human soldier who was sent back in time to protect her from the Terminator.

Arnold wasn't joking when he said "I'll be back". *The Terminator*'s success created a launch pad for five movie sequels, plus a TV show, a web series, and an anime series. In a review of *Terminator 2: Judgement Day*, EW's writer calls the first film in the franchise "one of the most original movies of the 1980s …likely to remain one of the best sci-fi films ever made." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Terminator*: HBO Max

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **James Cameron

**Cast:** Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield

The Woman King (2022)

Viola Davis as Nanisca in 'The Woman King'. Ilze Kitshoff/TriStar Pictures

It's rare to find a historical action movie led by a woman of color, but *The Woman King* is one of the best around. Set in the early 19th century, the film tells the story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior regiment tasked with protecting the West African Kingdom of Dahomey. Viola Davis stars as General Nanisca, the regiment's leader, who is working to train the next generation of Agojie when a conflict arises with the Oyo Empire.

Viola Davis is one of Hollywood's singular talents — just ask Timothée Chalamet — and in *The Woman King* she delivers an elegant and fierce performance as the defender of her people, and a woman confronting personal choices she made long ago. EW's critic writes that the film is a "classic hero's quest; one that just had to wait several lifetimes for the rest of the world to catch up." *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Woman King*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **B

**Director:** Gina Prince-Bythewood

**Cast: **Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, John Boyega

Wonder Woman (2017)

Gal Gadot as Diana in 'Wonder Woman'. Clay Enos/Warner Bros.

Hopes were sky high for the Patty Jenkins-directed version of *Wonder Woman*, and to audiences' delight, the film delivered. Set during World War I, the sheltered Diana (Gal Gadot) has grown up living amongst the Amazons on the island of Themyscira. When US pilot Capt. Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) washes up on shore, Diana is exposed for the first time to both men and the world's evils, deciding to leave home with Steve to help end the conflict and rid the world of Ares, God of War.

The first actress since Lynda Carter to take on the role in a live-action film, Gadot's spin on the character is both wide-eyed and fierce, an equal blend of humor and heart — at least until it's time to fight, at which point all bets are off. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wonder Woman*: HBO Max

**EW grade: **A–

**Director: **Patty Jenkins** **

**Cast: **Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Lucy Davis, Connie Nielsen** **

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