Spider-Man 2
The visuals and story of Spider-Man 2, highlighted by iconic moments, an unforgettable villain, and a compelling arc for Peter coming to terms with his role as both person and superhero, make the film not just one of the best superhero films of all time but simply one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Iron Man
With the inspired casting of Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role and Jon Favreau’s creative liberties with the comic books, Iron Man became an instant classic, and it continues to shape the public’s perception of superhero films and blockbusters, cementing a place of greatness in cinematic history.
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train
Between its phenomenal scenes of combat, compelling worldbuilding, and beautiful animation style, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train offers itself as a film for anyone interested in dark fantasy, fast-paced action, and/or anime drama, earning itself a spot among the greats in the process.
John Wick: Chapter 4
A cohesive conclusion to John Wick’s story, John Wick: Chapter 4 delivers big on action thanks to Reeves and newcomers Donnie Yen and Shamier Anderson and on story thanks to the work put in by Reeves and Stahelski in the previous installments that pays off well in this one, earning the film a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Goldfinger
Goldfinger checks all the right boxes for an easily watched and rewatched classic spy thriller, blending creative action, memorable characters, and zany plots into a singularly great film in the pantheon of espionage thrillers.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
What could easily have been a cheap attempt at using nostalgia to build an audience ends up being the powerful denouement of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker’s hero’s journey, accentuated by strong performances, fun moments, and gripping action that make Spider-Man: No Way Home one of the Best Films of All Time.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish shows that children’s sequels don’t have to be simple cash grabs and that animation can offer mature themes, fun action, and interesting characters to audiences of all ages, making it a film worthy of recognition among the greats and one worth celebrating for years to come.
Guardians of the Galaxy
An iconic soundtrack brings together thrilling sci-fi action sequences, a fun team-up, and quality jokes in Guardians of the Galaxy, making James Gunn’s first MCU film not just one of the best in the franchise, but also one of the best superhero films ever and one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Logan
Whether you agree with the intensity of my above statement, there’s no denying that Logan is one of the best superhero films of the 21st century, offering audiences more depth of character and story combined with more intense action and quality acting than they often expect, making this one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Once Upon a Time in the West
Excellence in its cinematography, score, story, and casting have made Once Upon a Time in the West one of the Greatest Films of All Time – a film consistently making its way toward the top of the favorite films lists for most people who’ve seen it.
The Terminator
The Terminator is a classic of the sci-fi/action/thriller genre, introducing us to James Cameron’s world of cyborgs, artificial intelligence, time travel, and Sarah Connor in satisfyingly original fashion, anchored by a portrayal of 1980s L.A. that cements its place in dystopian stories and gives it a spot among the greats.
War for the Planet of the Apes
War for the Planet of the Apes is not just an excellent closing of a trilogy, it is a fantastic representation of the action genre in three of its subgenres, delivering some of the best of all three – war, revenge, and breakout – by the time it’s all said and done, earning a spot alongside the greats.
Scarface (1932)
Paul Muni’s leading performance helps cement the many tropes of gangster films contained in Scarface into the canon of gangster cinema, earning the film a place among the greatest films of all time.
Incredibles 2
The constant improvements of the Pixar animation team combined with Brad Bird’s solid blend of comedy and action help keep Incredibles 2 familiar and worth watching, deserving of a mention next to the other film greats.
The Killer (1989)
John Woo’s action masterpiece The Killer is highlighted by an incredible variety of action set pieces – all excellently choreographed – and some authentic character relationships that keep the audience engaged, earning its reputation as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Untouchables
The excellently cast group of leading men, gorgeous and memorable visuals, and moving score of The Untouchables make it a standout film in the gangster genre, worthy of a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is brought to a satisfying and exciting conclusion in The Dark Knight Rises – a film full of thrilling action sequences and plenty of closure for one of the greatest trilogies ever made.
The Batman
With excellent visuals and casting to set the tone, The Batman provides a satisfying and rewatchable return to the world of the Caped Crusader, capturing the essence of the Batman stories in a way that few other films have been able to, fully earning its spot among the greats.