Ranker FilmList RulesVote up your favorite dramatic action movies.
These are the best action drama movies the hybrid genre has to offer. They tend to be slower movies that are punctuated by scenes of dramatic action. Often times centered around a character looking for redemption as is the case in Tony Scott's Man on Fire starring Denzel Washington. Westerns easily lend themselves to the hybrid genre of dramatic action and you'll find a few on this list such as Unforgiven and the Coen Brothers' The Quick and the Dead. But are these films the top action dramas out there?
The greatest action drama movies give you compelling, thoughtful storylines but also deliver the expected adrenaline rush. Now it's time to determine the best action drama movie of all time. Vote up the action drama movies that you love and vote down the ones that you wish you'd never seen. Don't see your favorite or new action drama on the list? Feel free to add it and check back to see how other users rank your additions.
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604Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood, Morgan FreemanReleased: 1992
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a... more
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568Saving Private Ryan
Tom Hanks, Matt DamonReleased: 1998
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic drama war film directed by Steven Spielberg. Set... more3
504Heat
Natalie Portman, Al PacinoReleased: 1995
Directed by: Michael Mann
Heat is a 1995 American crime thriller film written, produced and directed by Michael Mann,... more4
485Man on Fire
Mickey Rourke, Denzel WashingtonReleased: 2004
Directed by: Tony Scott
Man on Fire is a 2004 American thriller film and the second adaptation of A. J. Quinnell's... more5
499Gladiator
Russell Crowe, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2000
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Gladiator is a 2000 American-British epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott,... more6
467The Fugitive
Julianne Moore, Harrison FordReleased: 1993
Directed by: Andrew Davis
This film is a 1993 American action film based on the 1960s television series of the same name... more7
385Bullitt
Robert Duvall, Steve McQueenReleased: 1968
Directed by: Peter Yates
Bullitt is a 1968 American action police procedural film directed by Peter Yates and produced... more8
3513Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie MarceauReleased: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more9
298Open Range
Kevin Costner, Robert DuvallReleased: 2003
Directed by: Kevin Costner
Open Range is a 2003 American western film directed and co-produced by Kevin Costner, starring... more10
224Blood Diamond
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer ConnellyReleased: 2006
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Blood Diamond is a 2006 American-German political thriller film co-produced and directed by... more11
2812The Last Samurai
Tom Cruise, Billy ConnollyReleased: 2003
Directed by: Edward Zwick
The Last Samurai is a 2003 American epic film directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick, who... more12
238Zero Dark Thirty
Jessica Chastain, Chris PrattReleased: 2012
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Zero Dark Thirty is a 2012 American war thriller film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. A chronicle... more13
227Courage Under Fire
Meg Ryan, Matt DamonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Courage Under Fire is a 1996 film directed by Edward Zwick, and starring Denzel Washington,... more14
2412The Patriot
Mel Gibson, Heath LedgerReleased: 2000
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
The Patriot is a 2000 American epic historical fiction film directed by Roland Emmerich.... more15
198Rules of Engagement
Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee JonesReleased: 2000
Directed by: William Friedkin
Rules of Engagement is a 2000 American drama film directed by William Friedkin and starring... more16
155Tombstone
Val Kilmer, Kurt RussellReleased: 1993
Directed by: Kevin Jarre, George P. Cosmatos
Tombstone is a 1993 American western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin... more17
159The Jackal
Bruce Willis, Richard GereReleased: 1997
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
The Jackal is a 1997 American spy action thriller film directed by Michael Caton-Jones, and... more18
127Seraphim Falls
Pierce Brosnan, Liam NeesonReleased: 2006
Directed by: David Von Ancken
Seraphim Falls is a 2006 American revenge film directed by television producer and director... more19
115The Kingdom
Jennifer Garner, Minka KellyReleased: 2007
Directed by: Peter Berg
The Kingdom is a 2007 action thriller directed by Peter Berg and starring Jamie Foxx, Chris... more20
61Edge of Darkness
Mel Gibson, Ray WinstoneReleased: 2010
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Edge of Darkness is a 2010 crime thriller film directed by Martin Campbell and also produced... more21
129Free State of Jones
Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-RawReleased: 2016
Directed by: Gary Ross
Free State of Jones is a 2016 American film inspired by the life of Newton Knight and his... more22
118The Quick and the Dead
Leonardo DiCaprio, Sharon StoneReleased: 1995
Directed by: Sam Raimi
This film is a 1995 western film directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sharon Stone, Gene... more23
98Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Russell Crowe, Paul BettanyReleased: 2003
Directed by: Peter Weir
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a 2003 epic historical drama film... more24
65Troy
Brad Pitt, Eric BanaReleased: 2004
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
Troy is a 2004 epic period war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, loosely based on Homer's... more25
88Lone Survivor
Mark Wahlberg, Eric BanaReleased: 2013
Directed by: Peter Berg
Lone Survivor is a 2013 American film written and directed by Peter Berg, and starring Mark... more
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