7 Near-Perfect Action Thrillers That No One Remembers Today

There’s something absolutely irresistible about a good action thriller. These films blend high-stakes, fast-paced action sequences with suspense, tension, and thrills, making for cinematic experiences that are usually absolutely unforgettable. But while many action thriller masterpieces easily go down in history as some of the genre’s best outings, others struggle to find the audience that they deserve. Thus, these underrated gems end up being forgotten, celebrated only by the genre’s most diehard fans.

Of course, saying that “no one” remembers these movies today can seem a bit of a stretch to some, but it’s more than fair to say that these hidden treasures of action thriller filmmaking have been mostly left in the dust of oblivion by the mainstream, which shouldn’t be the case. They’re incredibly exciting, suspenseful, and well-made movies that deserve far more love from general audiences than they get nowadays. From Hong Kong movies like Exiled to Argentine movies like On Probation to Egyptian movies like Ibrahim Labyad, these masterpieces come from all over the world and should accordingly be watched by people all over the world.

‘Exiled’ (2006)

Image via Media Asia Distribution

When it comes to Hong Kong action cinema, it’s not all just John Woo. Johnnie To, for instance, is one of the most criminally underappreciated action movie directors in the Western world, author of masterpieces such as 2006’s Exiled. In this gun fu thriller, a friendship is formed between an ex-gangster and two groups of hitmen, those who want to protect him and those who were sent to kill him. Stylish, darkly humorous, and full of non-stop action, Exiled is a perfect watch for those who want to check out what the buzz for Johnnie To is all about.

The movie has amazing visuals and action sequences that are absolutely electrifying, clearly inspired by John Woo and even Western filmmakers like Sergio Leone. It’s a carnage-filled gun opera that feels like the magnum opus of an artist fully confident of his voice and at the very top of his game, full of smoothly edited direction and unforgettable music. A few non-action moments feel a little too sluggishly-paced for their own sake, but whenever the movie kicks into high gear, it’s an irresistibly fun experience that no fan of action thrillers should be able to resist.

‘The Man Who Stole the Sun’ (1979)

Image via Toho

Throughout its history, Japanese cinema has been filled to the brim with action thriller masterpieces. As a natural consequence of that, many of those end up being forgotten, and few of those hidden gems are nearly as great as Hasegawa Kazuhiko‘s The Man Who Stole the Sun. It’s one of those forgotten ’70s movies that have aged like fine wine, about a high school science teacher who stops being the butt of all his students’ jokes when their bus is hijacked on a school trip. But something more sinister lurks beneath the surface: he’s building an atomic bomb in his apartment. It sounds like a wild premise, and throughout its two-and-a-half hours of runtime, Kazuhiko stays true to that wildness.

It’s a genre-bending cult classic that mixes slapstick humor, cat-and-mouse thriller elements, and existential nuclear anxiety into an offbeat potpourri that’s as funny as it is exciting. Those who prefer their action thrillers serious and fully suspense-driven will probably prefer looking elsewhere, but people who love it when a film in the genre takes risks and knows how to laugh at itself ought to check The Man Who Stole the Sun out. The social satire works wonderfully, but it’s the balls-to-the-wall action sequences that really make this a must-see for people who love the genre.

‘On Probation’ (2005)

Image via INCAA

The Argentine film industry is typically terribly underappreciated, but those looking to take their first dive into the country’s filmography can confidently start with On Probation. Directed by Damián Szifron, one of the most talented Argentine filmmakers working today, it’s about a psychologist who must do community service after losing a lawsuit. He’s forced to provide therapeutic support to a cop depressed over his wife’s infidelity. But as their sessions progress, the cop’s investigation of a murder case leads to unexpected connections.

This darkly comedic buddy film is like a Latin American version of Hot Fuzz, every bit as universally enjoyable as Edgar Wright‘s buddy cop gem. But though it’s funny, On Probation is also a phenomenally engaging action thriller through and through, built on the foundation of characters who are a blast of fun to follow around. The dialogue, the action sequences, the jokes and gags mixed with a sharp sense of tension that many great comedic directors seem to master; everything about this film is nearly perfect, making it an ideal watch for those who prefer their action thrillers with a side of laughs.

‘Sonatine’ (1993)

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All those who love Quentin Tarantino and his action thrillers ought to check out Takeshi Kitano‘s Sonatine, a yakuza action dramedy that Tarantino has vocally declared himself a massive fan of. Who could blame him? Following several Tokyo yakuza sent to Okinawa to help end a gang war, this psychological thriller cult classic is one of those yakuza movies everyone should watch at least once. It’s artistic violence at its very best, mixing bloody action sequences with a unique sense of humor in a way that’s absolutely irresistible.

Sonatine is refreshingly original and perfectly paced throughout its entire runtime, offering a gangster thriller that’s as stylish and slick as it is visually hypnotizing. But while the material is dark and the violence is brutal, Sonatine‘s heart is surprisingly humanistic for a story of this nature. That, combined with the protagonist’s enthralling arc, makes it so that the movie remains emotionally investing throughout, instead of only being eye candy.

‘Patlabor 2: The Movie’ (1993)

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Patlabor originated as a sci-fi multimedia project in the mecha genre. The franchise includes three feature films, and the question of which one’s the best isn’t really a question at all. The title would have to go to Patlabor 2: The Movie, one of the best animated films of the ’90s. Far more focused on political themes than its predecessors, it’s about a Japanese police unit who use giant anthropomorphic robots getting caught up in a political struggle between civilians and the military, after a terrorist act is blamed on an Air Force jet. What results is a fascinating political thriller that explores the domestic and international issues that were ailing Japan during the late 20th century.

This Mamoru Oshii masterpiece is well-known to diehard fans of anime movies, but those who aren’t all that familiar with the medium are unlikely to have even heard of it. That’s a tragedy, because it truly is one of the best anime films of the 20th century. Great writing, striking visuals, an incredible score, and a timeless voice cast all make it obligatory viewing for fans of action thrillers, as if the intricate and philosophically-charged storyline weren’t already enough.

‘Love Exposure’ (2008)

Seeing as it’s among the 100 highest-rated movies of all time on Letterboxd, some may argue that calling Sion Sono‘s Love Exposure a hidden gem is a bit of a stretch. But the fact of the matter is that few people outside of niche cinephile circles are even familiar with Sono’s name, let alone with this four-hour-long genre-bending dramedy. It tells the story of a teenage boy who falls for a girl he runs into while working as an upskirt photographer. His attempts to woo her give Sono enough material for an offbeat, psychologically profound, thematically sharp character epic that’s among the best hidden gem thrillers of the 21st century.

Like any four-hour-long film worth its salt, Love Exposure explores enough themes—from religion to love to lust to obsession—to justify its runtime. It’s a controversial film by design, but those with the stomach for Sono’s signature transgressiveness (and the patience for such a long movie) will be delighted by one of the greatest Japanese cinematic masterpieces of the 21st century. Funny, melodramatic, tonally diverse, and an absolute blast from start to finish, Love Exposure is a must-see for action thriller fans.

‘Extreme Prejudice’ (1987)

Image via Tri-Star Pictures

What could possibly be better than a good old-fashioned underrated action thriller? An underrated Western action thriller, of course! Walter Hill‘s Extreme Prejudice is one of those Western masterpieces that nobody seems to remember. It stars Nick Nolte as a Texas Ranger and Powers Boothe as a ruthless drug kingpin, a pair of friends-turned-rivals embroiled in a political conspiracy. As badass as it is brutal, this macho conspiracy thriller is a pure adrenaline injection right to the jugular.

As suspenseful and mysterious as any thriller fan would expect, and as fun and exciting as even the most demanding action fan would want, Extreme Prejudice wasn’t a huge hit with critics upon release, but time has been kind to it. It has only gotten better and more entertaining over the years, and watching it today shows just how underappreciated it was back in ’87. Full of memorable characters and old-fashioned Western moments, it’s a hidden gem that shouldn’t be taken for granted.