Even with certain big-budget sequels and reboots disappointing us this year, 2018 still proved to be a great time for action movie fanatics. From another winning batch of Marvel movies to surprise hits like "Upgrade" and "Mandy," here are the action flicks everyone should see this year.
10. 'The Commuter'
"The Commuter" is pretty much textbook Liam Neeson fare, to the point where some accused it of simply rehashing 2014's "Non-Stop." But there's a reason Hollywood keeps returning to this particular well. Neeson is the middle-aged action hero we need right now, and this particular film's formulaic script is balanced out by great action and an equally strong cast.
9. 'Kickboxer: Retaliation'
It's rare enough to see a franchise still trucking along after seven movies, especially when it's moved to the realm of direct-to-video. Like its 2016 predecessor, "Kickboxer: Retaliation" defies all the odds by reinvigorating a classic franchise on a limited budget. With a cast that includes Mike Tyson, Christopher Lambert, and the Muscles From Brussels himself, you really can't go wrong.
8. 'Mandy'
Nic Cage is never particularly choosy about his film roles, but every once in a while he stumbles across the perfect project for his particular set of skills. "Mandy" is that project. As much a psychedelic horror film as it is an action movie, "Mandy" may well be the best thing Cage has been involved with in the 21st Century.
7. 'Upgrade'
This year's "Death Wish" reboot definitely disappointed, but that doesn't mean we didn't get a good vigilante movie out of 2018. "Upgrade" pairs the "Death Wish" formula with a dash of "RoboCop." The combination of a smart script and dynamic action prove that Blumhouse Productions can succeed with more than just horror.
6. 'Creed II'
"Creed II" is basically to "Creed" what "Rocky II" was to "Rocky." It's not as jaw-droppingly great as its predecessor, but ti's still a darned good time at the movies. It gives elderly former boxing star Rocky Balboa one last hurrah and gives fans the Creed/Drago rematch they've been waiting decades to see.
5. 'The Incredibles 2'
The long gap between movies did nothing to diminish the appeal of "The Incredibles 2." This sequel more than doubled the gross of the original and became both the highest-grossing Pixar movie and animated film ever.
'The Night Comes for Us' (2018)
Martial arts fans know exactly what to expect from a movie featuring Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim. This movie delivers an endless gauntlet of brutal martial arts sequences and seemingly impossible stunts. It's so violent that it pretty much crosses the boundary into body horror territory, but that's just par for the course with these superhuman fighters.
3. 'Black Panther'
The MCU started out the year strong with the long-awaited "Black Panther" solo movie. There are some great action scenes in this movie, from the destructive car chase in Seoul to the deadly duels between T'Challa and Killmonger. But none of that would mean much without a world and a cast of characters worth getting lost in. There's a reason even non-superhero lovers turned out in droves for this film.
2. 'Avengers: Infinity War'
As great a year as 2017 was for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 2018 may well have it beat. At the very least, "Infinity War" is a clear contender for the best MCU movie yet. It balances out massive superhero spectacle and a huge cast of characters with an emotional, poignant story and a terrific villain.
1. 'Mission: Impossible - Fallout'
If "Black Panther" owned pop culture in the first half 2018, "Fallout" laid claim to the rest of it. Writer-director Christopher McQuarrie achieves Nolan-levels of visual flare while finding an envious balance between practical action set pieces (that bathroom fight and third-act helicopter chase are all-timers) and character-driven stakes. The end result is one of the franchise's best films -- and for star Tom Cruise. This is a movie whose legacy will last long after 2018 ends.
