Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesRated-R action movies only! No PG-13 or PG flicks.
Ready to marathon the best R-rated action movies? You do? Great! But now you have to decide which R-rated action movies qualify as being the best. To help you, action movie fans have ranked decades of R-rated action movies from best to worst. This list takes the best R-Rated action movies and pits them against each other to see once and for all which one is top dog. Add to the discussion yourself by voting on the movies you like.
Movie trailers are included when available, so you can get a preview of these action flicks. You'll also find details such as top billed cast, director, year of release, and more. Prepare for excitement, as these top rated-R action movies feature plenty of gratuitous violence, explosions, sexual content, and are generally just over-the-top with awesomeness.
If you are searching for a specific movie, you can use the search box at the top of the list to find what you're looking for. Don't see a movie you think should be on there? Feel free to add it and let others vote on it.
Generally, you'll find movies such as Saving Private Ryan and Gladiator on this list. And while we'll never get to see General Maximus face off against John McClane on screen, we can see which movie audiences prefer. Aside from those movies mentioned above, there are plenty of other R-rated action movies that deserve a spot in the top ten.
Use this list if you're looking for some new action movies that are rated R. If you plan on streaming these movies and similar movies, then you'll also want to check out the Best Action Movies of All Time, Best Action Movies on Netflix Instant and the Best Action Movies Amazon Prime. Between Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other services, there are thousands of great action movies rated R, so get out there and start watching.list.itemsDescription
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529195Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Edward FurlongReleased: 1991
Directed by: James Cameron
Rated: R (USA)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science fiction action thriller film written,... more2
428141Predator
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse VenturaReleased: 1987
Directed by: John McTiernan
Rated: R (USA), UK: 18
Predator is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and was... more3
602192Die Hard
Bruce Willis, Alan RickmanReleased: 1988
Directed by: John McTiernan
Rated: R (USA), UK: 18
Die Hard is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan and written by Steven E. de... more4
562214Gladiator
Russell Crowe, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2000
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rated: R (USA)
Gladiator is a 2000 American-British epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott,... more5
578151John Wick
Keanu Reeves, Willem DafoeReleased: 2014
Directed by: Chad Stahelski, David Leitch
Rated: R (USA)
John Wick is a 2014 American action thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and David Leitch.... more6
554151Saving Private Ryan
Tom Hanks, Matt DamonReleased: 1998
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Rated: R (USA)
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic drama war film directed by Steven Spielberg. Set... more7
375150Aliens
Sigourney Weaver, Bill PaxtonReleased: 1986
Directed by: James Cameron
Rated: R (USA)
Aliens is a 1986 American science-fiction action horror film written and directed by James... more8
397155The Terminator
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill PaxtonReleased: 1984
Directed by: James Cameron
Rated: R (USA)
The Terminator is a 1984 American science fiction/horror action film directed by James... more9
401142Braveheart
Mel Gibson, Sophie MarceauReleased: 1995
Directed by: Mel Gibson
Rated: R (USA)
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more10
479200The Matrix
Keanu Reeves, Hugo WeavingReleased: 1999
Directed by: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Rated: R (USA)
The Matrix is a 1999 American-Australian science fiction action film written and directed by... more11
358163Lethal Weapon
Mel Gibson, Gary BuseyReleased: 1987
Directed by: Richard Donner
Rated: R (USA)
Lethal Weapon is a 1987 American buddy cop action film directed by Richard Donner, starring... more12
23582Black Hawk Down
Ewan McGregor, Tom HardyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rated: R (USA)
Black Hawk Down is a 2001 American-British war film directed by Ridley Scott. It is an... more13
267152The Rock
Nicolas Cage, Sean ConneryReleased: 1996
Directed by: Michael Bay
Rated: R (USA)
The Rock is a 1996 action film that primarily takes place on Alcatraz Island and in the San... more14
22687The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Clint Eastwood, Lee Van CleefReleased: 1966
Directed by: Sergio Leone
Rated: R (USA)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian epic Spaghetti Western film directed by... more15
238103First Blood
Sylvester Stallone, Brian DennehyReleased: 1982
Directed by: Ted Kotcheff
Rated: R (USA)
First Blood is a 1982 American psychological thriller and action film directed by Ted... more16
207110Point Break
Keanu Reeves, Gary BuseyReleased: 1991
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Rated: R (USA)
Point Break is a 1991 American action film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Patrick... more17
17084The Untouchables
Robert De Niro, Sean ConneryReleased: 1987
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Rated: R (USA)
The Untouchables is a 1987 American drama film directed by Brian De Palma and written by David... more18
214140Die Hard 2
Bruce Willis, John LeguizamoReleased: 1990
Directed by: Renny Harlin
Rated: R (USA)
This film is a 1990 American action film and the second in the series. It was released on July... more19
276143Kill Bill Volume 1
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Rated: R (USA)
Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin... more20
14364Dirty Harry
Clint Eastwood, Don SiegelReleased: 1971
Directed by: Don Siegel
Rated: R (USA)
Dirty Harry is a 1971 American action film produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in... more21
253133Mad Max
Mel Gibson, Hugh Keays-ByrneReleased: 1979
Directed by: George Miller
Rated: R (USA)
Mad Max is a 1979 Australian dystopian action film directed by George Miller, produced by... more22
15997Bad Boys
Will Smith, Téa LeoniReleased: 1995
Directed by: Michael Bay
Rated: R (USA)
Bad Boys is a 1995 American action comedy film produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer,... more23
298155The Boondock Saints
Willem Dafoe, Norman ReedusReleased: 1999
Directed by: Troy Duffy
Rated: R (USA)
The Boondock Saints is a 1999 American film written and directed by Troy Duffy. The film stars... more24
282170Die Hard with a Vengeance
Bruce Willis, Samuel L. JacksonReleased: 1995
Directed by: John McTiernan
Rated: R (USA)
This film is a 1995 American action film and the third in the film series. It was produced and... more25
16388Blade
Kris Kristofferson, Wesley SnipesReleased: 1998
Directed by: Stephen Norrington
Rated: R (USA), 18+ (RU)
Blade is a 1998 American vampire superhero action film starring Wesley Snipes and Stephen... more
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