Top 20 Action Movies That Needed More Action

It’s common for movies to be advertised as action-packed, but then focus more on developing the story’s setting or characters. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can catch audiences off guard if they were expecting constant excitement. The films listed below embrace genres like mystery, romance, and mythology, but prioritize storytelling over big, frequent action sequences. Here’s a look at movies where the trailers suggested a fast-paced experience, but the actual stories unfolded more slowly.

‘Superman Returns’ (2006)

Bryan Singer’s Superman movie focuses on Clark Kent returning to Metropolis and reconnecting with Lois Lane. The story explores the emotional consequences of events and life in a newsroom, with less emphasis on long fight sequences. Rated PG-13, the film highlights dramatic rescues more than extended battles. A significant portion of the movie is dedicated to Lex Luthor’s plans involving property and Kryptonite, leading to a relatively short final showdown.

‘Fantastic Four’ (2015)

Josh Trank’s new take on the story starts slowly, focusing on a science project and an experiment with teleportation. The first half of the movie takes place mostly inside a government facility, showing the team running tests and dealing with office drama. The main conflict with Doctor Doom doesn’t happen until the very end, and it’s fairly brief. The movie underwent significant changes after filming, with a lot of footage being reshot to alter the ending and reduce the amount of large-scale action.

‘The Bourne Legacy’ (2012)

I was completely gripped by this installment, following Aaron Cross as he’s forced to go on the run when the program he relies on is suddenly shut down. A lot of the story dives into the details of the drugs he’s taking and all the complex travel he has to manage to stay ahead of those pursuing him. There are some really exciting action sequences – though they’re spaced out a bit – with a fantastic foot chase and a thrilling motorcycle pursuit towards the end. What I really appreciated was how it broadened the overall story of the series, but didn’t rely as heavily on big gunfights as some of the earlier films.

‘Godzilla’ (2014)

Gareth Edwards emphasizes the massive size of the monster by frequently showing wide shots and focusing on the reactions of the human characters. The monster itself isn’t shown for long periods, as the story centers on a Navy officer and a scientist investigating the unfolding events. Though the film hints at several battles, most are shown quickly or from far away. The biggest fights are saved for the film’s climax.

‘Eternals’ (2021)

Chloé Zhao’s film takes its time establishing the characters, their backstories, and discussions about whether or not to get involved. The story jumps between different places as the team comes together. While there are occasional action scenes with fights against the Deviants, the movie mainly focuses on exploring the team’s history, beliefs, and the connections between its members.

‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ (2015)

Guy Ritchie’s latest film is a stylish spy thriller filled with quick wit and clever espionage. The movie centers around secret agents going undercover to take down a criminal organization, relying on disguises and cool gadgets. Action scenes, like car chases and fights, are brief but exciting, and the film really stands out with its sharp dialogue and fashionable visuals.

‘The Last Airbender’ (2010)

The movie spends a lot of time explaining the history and cultures of the different countries and how things are changing. Much of the film focuses on characters training and journeying. When conflicts do happen, they’re usually resolved quickly and don’t feature extensive action sequences. The movie’s PG rating and emphasis on building the world’s background mean that large battles are kept short.

‘Assassin’s Creed’ (2016)

The story jumps between a present-day laboratory and glimpses into the past, experienced through a special device. While science and the question of free will are central themes, action sequences like parkour and fighting are brief and happen within these historical flashbacks. The narrative focuses more on the lore of a hidden society than on long, drawn-out action scenes.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

The story spends a lot of time establishing the team’s roots in a small town, focusing on building relationships between the characters. We see more of their training and personal challenges than actual action. The team doesn’t fully come together until later, and the story ends with a big battle featuring their giant robots. Before that, most fights are quick and realistic.

‘The New Mutants’ (2020)

This new installment focuses on characters trapped in one location, leaning heavily into psychological horror. Instead of constant action, the story unfolds through therapy sessions and unsettling visions. Characters’ abilities are shown in smaller, focused scenes, building to a climactic battle with a monster. The film deliberately avoids large-scale spectacle, keeping the action more intimate.

‘Dragonball Evolution’ (2009)

This updated version of the story takes place in a modern high school setting and centers around characters completing various quests. The story moves forward through training sessions and conversations, with brief action scenes in between. While characters use energy-based attacks and impressive fight choreography, these elements are saved for the final, larger battle. The movie is relatively short, so it doesn’t include long, drawn-out tournament fights.

‘Green Lantern’ (2011)

The film delves into Hal Jordan’s journey, focusing on his struggles with fear and complicated relationships. A lot of time is dedicated to establishing the Green Lantern Corps and their home world, Oa. While the battles featuring energy constructs are visually exciting, they’re often brief, culminating in a showdown with a powerful, universal enemy. The movie effectively combines the story of Hal becoming a Lantern with some action sequences on Earth, though these are somewhat limited.

‘Cowboys & Aliens’ (2011)

This film mixes the feel of a classic Western with science fiction elements, centering around alien abductions and the groups formed to find those who’ve disappeared. A large part of the movie shows a team following leads through the wilderness. When they encounter the aliens, the fights are brief and infrequent. The story focuses more on the relationships between the characters and the conflicts within the town itself.

‘Prometheus’ (2012)

Ridley Scott’s film delves into discovery, ancient mysteries, and the motivations of a powerful company. The story follows a team as they uncover old evidence and discuss how things came to be. While there are moments of intense action, like when dangerous situations escape control, the movie primarily focuses on unraveling the origins of the story’s world rather than constant fighting.

‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)

The story focuses on political hearings, news reports, and investigations. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent investigate things separately at first, eventually leading to a confrontation. Most of the action happens towards the end, featuring a quick fight and a final battle against a powerful creature. The beginning of the story emphasizes detective work and hints at future storylines.

‘The Matrix Resurrections’ (2021)

The film revisits Thomas Anderson’s story, adding thoughtful commentary and a romantic subplot. While it spends a good amount of time explaining new and returning elements of the world, the action sequences are less prominent than in previous installments. The movie largely focuses on themes of identity and memory, all set within a reimagined digital landscape.

‘RoboCop’ (2014)

This new version of the story focuses more on the behind-the-scenes power plays and how the story is presented to the public. Alex Murphy’s change into RoboCop and his official introduction are key parts of the film. Because it’s rated PG-13, the action is less intense than in the original movie, with shorter and more carefully staged gunfights.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

Universal’s new film kicks off a series centered around hidden groups and powerful objects. The story unfolds through investigations and explanations of its history, with some action sequences like a plane crash and brief city chases. However, the main emphasis is on establishing the mythology of this world and exploring what happens to the characters.

‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ (2010)

The story centers on secrets and a plot involving a dagger, unfolding within a royal court. Much of the game involves journeys through desert landscapes, solving puzzles, and conversations. Players will experience exciting moments of parkour and sword fighting, alongside a detailed exploration of royal power struggles and the significance of ancient artifacts.

‘Ender’s Game’ (2013)

The movie focuses on a character’s journey through military academy training and strategic planning. Instead of constant action, combat is shown through realistic exercises and a climactic event. The story prioritizes moral choices and leadership challenges over non-stop fighting.

Share which titles you would add to the list in the comments.

2025-11-06 00:17