10 Action-packed Crime Movies That Don't Take Themselves Too Seriously

Most crime movies tell serious stories, delivering plenty of drama and raising questions of moral consequences of one's wrong actions — just think of the classic Godfather trilogy, for instance. However, some movies are less serious, ironically playing with the tropes of the genre and incorporating comedic elements that make their characters look like total goofs instead of badass bandits.

If you happen to love these not-to-serious, self-ironic action movies, we've prepared a watchlist for you — these 10 films are the best of the kind, according to fans on Reddit.

10. White House Down (2013)

IMDb score: 6.3/10

This action thriller follows a Capitol Police officer who takes his daughter on a tour of the White House, but their family outing doesn't go as planned as the President's residence is attacked by terrorists. Although White House Down is a fairly conventional action movie, the filmmakers were quite ironic about it, overusing the genre's clichés and sometimes diluting the seriousness with funny dialogues.

9. Get Smart (2008)

IMDb score: 6.5/10

The main character, played by Steve Carell, is an awkward analyst for the secret American intelligence agency who dreams of becoming a tough field super-agent. His dream comes true when he is assigned to Anne Hathaway's character, Agent 99, to help her stop some dangerous terrorists. Unlike most other spy movies, Get Smart manages to deliver both funny moments and serious combat.

8. Legend (2015)

IMDb score: 6.9/10

The Kray Twins! What else is there to say? The legendary Tom Hardy portrays both twins who crack more than a few heads while looking sharp in their fancy suits and throwing in some hilarious one-liners. Although the movie is biographical, it doesn't try to add much moral weight to the story, simply showing how tough and badass London's most notorious gangsters were.

7. The Nice Guys (2016)

IMDb score: 7.3/10

The movie stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe as private detectives investigating the suicide of a porn star in 1970s Los Angeles. The clues they find lead the duo to another mysterious murder of a girl related to the deceased star. The Nice Guys plays with the noir and edge-of-your-seat thriller tropes of a bygone era, delivering both action and excellent comedic scenes.

6. John Wick (2014)

IMDb score: 7.4/10

The Keanu Reeves-starring franchise is about a former professional assassin who keeps running into the wrong people and ends up having to deal with hordes of mobs. While the movie's tone is seemingly serious, the creators were obviously aware that this is action for action's sake, so the character's choreography, as well as his love of dogs, is emphasized.

5. Nobody (2021)

IMDb score: 7.4/10

This great absurdist action movie follows Hutch Mansell, a former assassin who has repressed his inner violence and fails to protect his family when thieves break into their home. This leads to the awakening of his long-held rage, and now Hutch is ready to break the jaws of anyone who crosses his path. Fans say the fight scenes in Nobody are incredibly fun and exciting to watch.

4. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

IMDb score: 7.5/10

In this movie, an unsuccessful New York thief pretends to be an actor in Hollywood and hires a private investigator to coach him for his next role, but the two find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang satirically plays around with classic noir films and delivers an engaging action-packed comedy.

3. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

IMDb score: 7.7/10

Focusing on a secret organization of super agents with a strong passion for suits, Kingsman does not try to be a serious spy movie. It's way more lighthearted than the James Bond movies, but it's also just as classy. And of course, nothing beats Colin Firth's fight scenes.

2. Goodfellas (1990)

IMDb score: 8.7/10

Scorsese's films always deal with serious issues in a not-too-serious cinematic way. Such is the case with Goodfellas, which, despite being based on a true story, is first and foremost a satire about why people choose to be criminals — for guns, money, and flashy emotions.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

IMDb score: 8.9/10

Quentin Tarantino has an excellent sense of pop culture trends, spicing up his stories with everything the average viewer knows and loves. As a result, his movies are incredibly witty and fun to watch. Many see Pulp Fiction as the perfect essence of Tarantino's work and also one of the best movies ever made.

Source: Reddit.