In 2024, dozens of worthy action movies were released that are sure to appeal to modern audiences. Filmmakers have realized: simple plots and long buildups are already out of fashion. Viewers want nonstop adrenaline for two hours or more. We at PolBox.TV know this too, and that’s why we’ve put together this selection of the top 10 action movies of 2024.
Content
- Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
- Rebel Ridge
- The Fall Guy
- Twisters
- Dune: Part Two
- The Count of Monte Cristo
- Megalopolis
- Monkey Man
- Love Lies Bleeding
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
IMDb: 7.5/10
2024, Action, Adventure, Sci‑fi
Australia, USA, R
Director: George Miller
Top Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
You already know a little of Furiosa’s story if you’ve seen Mad Max: Fury Road. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a prequel to Fury Road. It tells the story of the young Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her difficult fate. As a child, she is captured by a biker gang led by warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). In the harsh wasteland, she must endure years of struggle, clashes with Immortan Joe’s army, betrayals, and wars, in order to be hardened into the warrior we know from Fury Road.
George Miller came up with Furiosa’s backstory while working on Fury Road and wrote a full script long before filming the prequel. Production took place in Australia, where the original Mad Max franchise was born.
Chris Hemsworth called Dementus one of the most unusual and challenging roles of his career — and we’re ready to believe him.
Rebel Ridge
IMDb: 6.8/10
2024, Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama
USA, TV-MA
Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Top Cast: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb
The story of Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) is similar to thousands of others. He is a former Marine who lived an ordinary life until one moment changed everything. One day, the police stopped him for a minor traffic violation in a small Kentucky town. From that moment, he came face to face with a corrupt system. The situation quickly spirals out of control and turns into a fight against a deeply rooted system of violence, injustice, and greed.
Originally, John Boyega was set to play the lead role, but he left the project due to family reasons. He was replaced by Aaron Pierre. The film received positive reviews for combining dynamic action with sharp criticism of police corruption.
The Fall Guy
IMDb: 6.8/10
2024, Action, Comedy
USA
Director: David Leitch
Top Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
A loose adaptation of the 1980s series of the same name. Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is a Hollywood stuntman who once decided to leave the profession, but years later returns to the job. When the lead actor of a major blockbuster disappears, Colt has to track him down while performing deadly stunts and trying to rekindle his romance with the film’s director, Jody (Emily Blunt).
The Fall Guy is a movie focused on authenticity, since its director, David Leitch, is a former stuntman and stunt coordinator who made John Wick and Atomic Blonde.
Interestingly, Ryan Gosling performed many of the stunts himself, and the emphasis was placed on practical effects rather than CGI.
Twisters
IMDb: 6.5/10
2024, Action, Adventure, Thriller
USA, PG-13
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Top Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos
This is not a direct sequel but rather a ‘spiritual successor’ to the original Twister (1996). The story follows Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a young scientist who once survived a devastating tornado. She teams up with former cowboy and star storm chaser Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) and a group of researchers to develop a system capable of predicting and neutralizing twisters. Against the backdrop of growing natural disasters, the characters must not only battle nature but also overcome personal conflicts.
Filming took place in Oklahoma, where destructive tornadoes often occur in real life. Glen Powell even spoke with actual storm chasers to better understand the profession. The film became one of the box office hits of 2024, earning over $400 million.
Dune: Part Two
IMDb: 8.5/10
2024, Epic, Sci‑Fi, Action, Adventure, Drama
USA, PG‑13
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Top Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson
This is the second part of the new adaptation of Frank Herbert’s famous novel. Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) joins forces with the Fremen tribe to avenge his family’s death and lead a rebellion against House Harkonnen and the Emperor. Together with Chani (Zendaya), he follows the path of a messianic prophecy that promises him great power but also brings terrible consequences for the entire universe.
Director Denis Villeneuve has big plans: he aims to create the most faithful adaptation of the original novel. The film was shot in IMAX using next-generation cameras, which enhanced the scale of the desert scenes.
The Count of Monte Cristo
IMDb: 7.6/10
2024, Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Thriller
France, 12A (UK) / Tous publics (FR)
Director: Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthieu Delaporte
Top Cast: Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier
A modern adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel. The film is just as captivating as the book. In the main role is Pierre Niney, who plays the fortunate Edmond Dantès, unjustly accused of treason and imprisoned in the grim Château d’If. As in the novel, Edmond spends many years in captivity, discovers immense treasure, and returns to society under the name Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on those who wronged him. Now he is determined to destroy those who ruined his life, but along the way he faces a dilemma: is the happiness of revenge worth the loss of humanity?
The editors at PolBox.TV warn: this is only an adaptation. Much of what is in the book is simply not in the film.
By the way, the directing duo Alexandre de La Patellière and Matthieu Delaporte previously made the successful historical drama The Three Musketeers. Filming took place in France and Italy, including real castles and coastlines, to preserve the authentic atmosphere of the 19th century.
Megalopolis
IMDb: 4.7/10
2024, Epic, Sci‑Fi, Drama
USA, R
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Top Cast: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel
Francis Ford Coppola’s film tells the story of architect Caesar Catilina (Adam Driver), who dreams of building a utopian city of the future on the ruins of modern New York after a catastrophe. But his grand plans are not meant to come true, as he faces opposition from Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito). And even if he defeats Cicero, that will not solve the problem, because both of them are surrounded by political intrigue, envy, and their own doubts.
Coppola had been working on the script since the 1980s and partially financed the film with his own money. Filming was done using the latest technologies, including virtual sets.
Despite the project’s ambition, the film received mixed reviews from critics, from praise to outright rejection. Even though it was one of Coppola’s most anticipated films in decades, many viewers were left disappointed.
Monkey Man
IMDb: 6.8/10
2024, Action, Crime, Thriller
Canada, USA, R
Director: Dev Patel
Top Cast: Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Sobhita Dhulipala
The main character, nicknamed ‘Boy’ (Dev Patel), lives in Mumbai’s underground world and makes a living through illegal fights while wearing a monkey mask. After learning who was behind his family’s tragedy, he decides to begin a bloody revenge against corrupt politicians and oligarchs. This is a dark action film, with plenty of martial arts and, of course, social drama.
It is Dev Patel’s directorial debut, he also played the lead role and co-wrote the script. By the way, Dev Patel performed most of the stunts himself. In many ways, the film is similar to John Wick thanks to its dynamic and brutal fight scenes.
Love Lies Bleeding
IMDb: 6.6/10
2024, Thriller, Neo‑Noir
UK, USA, R
Director: Rose Glass
Top Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone
The events take place in the 1980s in the USA. Lou (Kristen Stewart), the owner of a gym, falls in love with bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian). Their passionate relationship quickly grows into a story filled with violence, jealousy, and dark secrets in the mysterious glow of neo-noir.
The film was warmly received at the Sundance Film Festival. Critics noted its bold depiction of LGBT relationships in the neo-noir genre.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
IMDb: 7.0/10
2024, Action, Comedy, Family, Sci‑Fi
USA, PG
Director: Jeff FowlerKeanu Reeves, Jim Carrey
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the third part of the blue hedgehog’s adventures. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles face a new threat — the mysterious Shadow, created as the ‘ultimate weapon.’ Dr. Robotnik (once again Jim Carrey) returns to use Shadow’s power and finally defeat Sonic. The heroes join forces to save Earth and uncover the secret of Shadow’s past.
Jim Carrey officially returned to the role of Robotnik, despite earlier statements about possibly leaving acting. Shadow’s voice was provided by Keanu Reeves — this news caused a huge buzz online.
The film directly continues the story of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and sets the foundation for future spin-offs. As Sonic fans, we confirm: the sequel is coming.
