The action genre has a long history that stretches back to the early 1900s. However, it became a fully recognized and enormously popular cinematic genre in the 1980s. Fans have watched the genre develop from swashbuckling classics from the 1930s to the action thrillers of today using stunts and special effects. For instance, according to some historians, The Great Train Robbery (1903) is considered the first action movie. Later, Rambo III from 1988 broke all records holding the Guinness Book of World Records for the most violent film ever made.
The fact is that action movies excite us, which is why the vast majority are drawn to this genre. While with the rising demand for action-packed films, Disney+ is extending its library, too, featuring everything from superheroes to assassins. So, we’ve compiled a list for you to enjoy. Keep scrolling to find the top 10 best action movies on Disney Plus.
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Deadpool
Director: Tim Miller
Writer: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
IMDb Rating: 8.0
Runtime: 1hr. 48 mins
The superhero movie Deadpool, modeled on the same-named Marvel Comics character, premiered in the US on February 12, 2016. The movie was commercially successful, earning the ninth-highest box office haul in 2016. In addition, the film won Golden Schmoes Awards for Favorite Movie of the Year.
Deadpool’s story revolves around the mercenary who became the subject of an experiment. Due to the experiment, he becomes immortal but turns ugly. To find who is responsible, he sets off on a mission.
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Logan
Director: James Mangold
Writer: James Mangold, Scott Frank, Michael Green
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Runtime: 2hrs. 17mins
The American superhero movie Logan was released in the US on March 3, 2017. It is the third and last movie in the Wolverine trilogy and the tenth overall in the X-Men film series. Logan became one of the greatest superhero movies of its time. It was selected as one of the top ten films of 2017 by the National Board of Review.
An old and weary Logan lives a lonely existence in a time when mutants are nonexistent. But he helps Laura when she asks for assistance, a mutant youngster being chased by scientists.
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Thor
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writer: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman
IMDb Rating: 7.0
Runtime: 1hr. 55mins
As part of the MCU’s Phase One, the 2011 superhero film Thor premiered in the US on May 6. It is the first installment in the film series built on a character named Thor from Marvel Comics. The film successfully garnered the ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Film.
Its story follows Thor, a mighty but egotistical god, who is expelled from Asgard and banished to Midgard (Earth). But, soon, he quickly proves to be one of their greatest protectors.
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie
Cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom
IMDb Rating: 8.1
Runtime: 2hrs. 23mins
It’s an American fantasy and swashbuckler movie which had its world debut on June 28, 2003, at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. The movie earned a good deal of money at the box office and ended up as the fourth-highest-grossing movie. In addition, the film brought the ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Film and Critics Choice Award for Best Family Film-Live Action.
Blacksmith Will Turner joins forces with crazy pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to protect the governor’s daughter, his love. They must face Jack’s past pirate companions, who have turned undead.
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X-Men
Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Tom DeSanto, Bryan Singer, David Hayter
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Runtime: 1hr. 44mins
It’s a 2000 superhero film and the first X-Man film in the franchise, followed by X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. The movie garnered Saturn Award for Best Sci-Fi film.
Two organizations, the supremacist Brotherhood and the pacifist X-Men emerge in a society where mutants—evolved superhumans—exist and are subject to discrimination.
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Doctor Strange
Director: Scott Derrickson
Writer: Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams
IMDb Rating: 7.5
Runtime: 1hr. 55mins
The 2016 superhero movie Doctor Strange is built on the same-named Marvel Comics character. It is the 14th movie in the (MCU), which debuted on November 4 in the US as a part of the MCU’s Phase 3.
A great neurosurgeon is attracted to the mystic arts while undertaking a path of bodily and spiritual treatment.
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Iron Man
Director: Jon Favreau
Writer: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Runtime: 2hrs. 6mins
It is an American superhero film built on a Marvel comic character with the same title. The film launched in the US on May 2, 2008, and became the eighth highest-grossing film of 2008. Critics praised Downey’s acting in addition to Favreau’s direction, special effects, action scenes, and screenplay for the movie.
Wealthy engineer Tony Stark constructs a special weaponized suit of armor to battle evil after being kept prisoner in an Afghan cave.
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Fantastic Four
Director: Tim Story
Writer: Mark Frost, Michael France, Stan Lee
Cast: Ioan Gruffudd, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans
IMDb Rating: 5.7
Runtime: 1hr 46mins
Fantastic Four from 2005 is an American superhero movie modeled on the same-named Marvel Comics superhero team. The film received mainly unfavorable reviews from critics but was a box office hit, earning over $333 million internationally.
After being exposed to cosmic rays, a crew of astronauts develops supernatural abilities. They must use it to thwart the schemes of their enemy, Doctor Victor Von Doom.
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National Treasure
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Writer: Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha
IMDb Rating: 6.9
Runtime: 2hrs. 11mins
It’s an American action-adventure movie released globally on November 19, 2004. The film earned favorable and unfavorable reviews from the audience, who praised the action scenes and cast performances.
Its story follows a historian who competes with mercenaries to locate the fabled Templar Treasure.
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Ant-Man
Director: Peyton Reed
Writer: Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Runtime: 1hr. 57mins
The superhero movie Ant-Man, released in 2015, is centered on the same-named Marvel Comics character. It is the final film in Phase Two of the MCU and the 12th overall. The film garnered Saturn Award for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture.
Scott Lang, a cat burglar, must channel his inner-hero and assist his mentor in rescuing the planet. He is equipped with a super-suit with the amazing power to reduce scale while increasing strength.
