Entertainment

216 voters

The Best Action Movies of 2012

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated June 14, 2019 1.5k votes 216 voters 13.2k views35 items

List RulesMovies must have been released in 2012.

The best action movies of 2012 kept audiences on their toes, brought impressive special effects and included some of the best action stars of this generation. These 2012 action movies rose above all others and along with the best comedy movies of 2012, made for some of the best movies of the year.

In line with the best action movies of 2011, many of the top 2012 action movies were based on superhero comics. "The Dark Knight Rises," "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-Man" each received praise from critics and fans alike as they earned over a billion dollars in combined box office revenue. Those three, along with "The Hunger Games," were among the top five highest grossing movies of the year.

But not all of the best 2012 action movies involved superheroes though many others did use familiar stories. 2012 featured a number of successful sequels back for another go around. Films like "The Expendables 2," The Bourne Legacy" and "Taken 2" all reintroduced some of our favorite action stars and characters in new adventures. The same goes for remakes with films like "Total Recall," "21 Jump Street" and "Dredd" each providing updated versions of old favorite action movies.

So whether you're a fan of the time-traveling thriller "Looper" or highly anticipating the new Bond film "Skyfall," if you're a fan of action movies, chances are some of your favorites from 2012 are right here. Tell us which you enjoy best by voting for those you love, re-ranking the list your way or adding any not listed all below.

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The Dark Knight Rises
Christian Bale, Michael Caine
Released: 2012
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight Rises is a 2012 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC... more
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150
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The Avengers
Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans
Released: 2012
Directed by: Joss Whedon
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77
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Dredd
Lena Headey, Karl Urban
Released: 2012
Directed by: Pete Travis
Dredd is a 2012 science fiction action film directed by Pete Travis and written and produced... more
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The Expendables 2
Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham
Released: 2012
Directed by: Simon West
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Looper
Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt
Released: 2012
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Looper is a 2012 American science fiction action thriller film directed by Rian Johnson. In... more
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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Rachel McAdams, Robert Downey Jr.
Released: 2011
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
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7
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Lockout
Maggie Grace, Guy Pearce
Released: 2012
Directed by: James Mather, Stephen St. Leger
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The Bourne Legacy
Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Released: 2012
Directed by: Tony Gilroy
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21 Jump Street
Johnny Depp, Channing Tatum
Released: 2012
Directed by: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
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10
41
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Django Unchained
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Released: 2012
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
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Skyfall
Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes
Released: 2012
Directed by: Sam Mendes
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The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson
Released: 2014
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
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40
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Total Recall
Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel
Released: 2012
Directed by: Len Wiseman
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The Grey
Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney
Released: 2011
Directed by: Joe Carnahan
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Jack Reacher
Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall
Released: 2012
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
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Red Dawn
Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutchersonm
Released: 2012
Directed by: Dan Bradley
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Snow White and the Huntsman
Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart
Released: 2012
Directed by: Rupert Sanders
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The Amazing Spider-Man
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone
Released: 2012
Directed by: Marc Webb
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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Alan Tudyk
Released: 2012
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
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33
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The Raid: Redemption
Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim
Released: 2011
Directed by: Gareth Evans
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The Man with the Iron Fists
Lucy Liu, Russell Crowe
Released: 2012
Directed by: RZA
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Men in Black 3
Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber
Released: 2012
Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
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23
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Resident Evil: Retribution
Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter
Released: 2012
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
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Taken 2
Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen
Released: 2012
Directed by: Olivier Megaton
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Underworld: Awakening
Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman
Released: 2012
Directed by: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
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