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The Greatest Guilty Pleasure Action Movies

Updated February 27, 2021 1.8k votes 150 voters 4.2k views100 items

List RulesVote up the best guilty pleasure action movies.

Given it's an inherently cheesy genre, all action films are kind of guilty pleasures. However, the corny action films below add an extra layer of absurdity that makes you a little ashamed to admit you love them. But, hey! You're not always in the mood for a thought provoking film that requires unpacking after viewing. (Or are you?) Sometimes, you just want something easy, and these films should suffice!

What makes bad action movies so enjoyable? The genre, by nature, is over the top. This means when action movies fail, they do so spectacularly, granting you the hate watching experience of a lifetime. Some of the cheesiest movies of all time are poorly executed action films. Dumb action movies often involve terrible CGI, bad performances, and plot lines so absurd even the most gullible viewers can't suspend their disbelief. These flicks are the type you simply love to hate. Browse the list below to find the best guilty pleasure action movies for you!

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Predator
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura
Released: 1987
Directed by: John McTiernan
Predator is a 1987 American science fiction action film directed by John McTiernan and was... more
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Commando
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alyssa Milano
Released: 1985
Directed by: Mark L. Lester
Commando is a 1985 American action film directed by Mark L. Lester, and starring Arnold... more
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True Lies
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliza Dushku
Released: 1994
Directed by: James Cameron
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Face/Off
John Travolta, Nicolas Cage
Released: 1997
Directed by: John Woo
Face/Off is a 1997 American science fiction action thriller film directed by John Woo and... more
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Independence Day
Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum
Released: 1996
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
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The Running Man
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim Brown
Released: 1987
Directed by: Paul Michael Glaser
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Con Air
Nicolas Cage, John Malkovich
Released: 1997
Directed by: Simon West
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Fast and Furious Franchise
Vin Diesel, Paul Walker
Released: 2001 - Present
Directed by: Rob Cohen, John Singleton, Justin Lin, James Wan
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Rambo: First Blood Part II
Sylvester Stallone, Charles Napier
Released: 1985
Directed by: George P. Cosmatos
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Deep Blue Sea
Samuel L. Jackson, LL Cool J
Released: 1999
Directed by: Renny Harlin
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Armageddon
Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis
Released: 1998
Directed by: Michael Bay
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Mortal Kombat
Bridgette Wilson, Frank Welker
Released: 1995
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
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Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Claire Danes
Released: 2003
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
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I, Robot
Will Smith, Shia LaBeouf
Released: 2004
Directed by: Alex Proyas
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Timecop
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mia Sara
Released: 1994
Directed by: Peter Hyams
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XXX
Samuel L. Jackson, Vin Diesel
Released: 2002
Directed by: Rob Cohen
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Batman Forever
Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore
Released: 1995
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
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Waterworld
Kevin Costner, Jack Black
Released: 1995
Directed by: Kevin Costner, Kevin Reynolds
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Last Action Hero
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tina Turner
Released: 1993
Directed by: John McTiernan
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Transformers
Megan Fox, Shia LaBeouf
Released: 2007
Directed by: Michael Bay
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Lake Placid
Betty White, Mariska Hargitay
Released: 1999
Directed by: Steve Miner
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Primeval
Dominic Purcell, Brooke Langton
Released: 2007
Directed by: Michael Katleman
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Death Wish
Jeff Goldblum, Charles Bronson
Released: 1974
Directed by: Michael Winner
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Species
Michelle Williams, Ben Kingsley
Released: 1995
Directed by: Roger Donaldson
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Man of Steel
Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Released: 2013
Directed by: Zack Snyder
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