14 Most Underrated Action Movies of the 2000s, Ranked

1. Shoot 'Em Up (2007)

You think you've seen it all? Wait until you meet Mr. Smith (Clive Owen). Our guy finds himself protecting a newborn baby from, well, everyone. I mean, there's literally a scene where he's gunning down enemies while delivering the baby! It's like John Wick with diapers. It's absurd, over-the-top, and you can't help but love every minute of it.

2. District 13 (2004)

The French. They're not just about romance; they can bring it in the action department too. Paris of 2010, split into ghettos, and one of 'em, District 13, is so chaotic that the government just walls it off. Leïto, our parkour-master hero, wants to bring down the wall. Damien, an undercover cop, is sent in to defuse a bomb in the district. They team up, and what follows is a non-stop parkour thrill ride.

3. Equilibrium (2002)

Christian Bale before Batman. Welcome to Libria, a future society that's said "no thanks" to emotions and uses a drug called Prozium to keep people in check. Bale plays John Preston, an elite law enforcer who one day skips his dose and, you guessed it, starts feeling things. Now he's on a quest to bring down this emotionless regime with his Gun Kata—a blend of gunfighting and martial arts.

4. Running Scared (2006)

Paul Walker, may he rest in peace, stars in this pulse-pounding thriller that gives new meaning to the term "breakneck speed". Joey Gazelle, a low-level mobster, is supposed to dispose of a gun used in a police shooting. But oops, his neighbor's kid finds it and shoots his abusive stepfather. Now, Joey has to find the kid and the gun while dodging corrupt cops, rival mobsters, and even a pair of sadistic, homicidal pedophiles.

5. The Protector (2005)

This Thai martial arts epic stars Tony Jaa, and if you haven't seen him kick butt, you're missing out. Kham, a young fighter, has his prized elephants stolen and taken to Australia. Yes, you heard me right—elephants. Kham travels down under, punches through an illegal animal-trafficking ring, fights an insane amount of henchmen, and basically destroys half of Sydney to get his elephants back.

6. Collateral (2004)

Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx? Mainstream, right? Nah, this one somehow flew under the radar despite its sheer star power. Cruise is Vincent, a silver-haired hitman with multiple targets to take out in one night in LA. Foxx is Max, the unlucky cabbie who picks him up. Vincent turns Max's cab into a murder-mobile, driving from one hit to another. The tension is through the roof, basically palpable as the movie progresses.

7. Versus (2000)

Ever wanted to see Yakuza gangsters battle it out with zombies? Look no further. This Japanese film mixes gangster action with supernatural elements and it's as bizarre as it sounds. Prisoner KSC2-303 escapes and meets up with a gang, but guess what? They're in the Forest of Resurrection, one of the 666 portals to the other side. People die, come back to life, and it's an all-out war in the forest.

8. Death Sentence (2007)

If you're into revenge stories, you're gonna love this. Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is a dad out for blood after his son gets killed by a gang. But this isn't some calculated Liam Neeson revenge; oh no, Nick's out of his depth, making mistakes, getting hurt, but he keeps going. It's gritty, raw, and incredibly intense. Plus, John Goodman shows up as an arms dealer!

9. Crank (2006)

Jason Statham plays Chev Chelios, a hitman who's been poisoned and needs to keep his adrenaline pumping to stay alive. What ensues is absolutely bonkers. He's running, fighting, and even gets intimate with his girlfriend in public just to keep the ol' ticker going.

10. 16 Blocks (2006)

Bruce Willis and Mos Def in a cat-and-mouse chase through New York City? Yes, please! Willis is Jack Mosley, a washed-up cop tasked with transporting Eddie Bunker (Mos Def), a witness, just 16 blocks to the courthouse. Should be easy, right? Wrong. Corrupt cops want Eddie dead, and it's up to Mosley to get him there alive.

11. Smokin' Aces (2006)

Let's just say it: this movie is a hot mess, but in the best way possible. Buddy Israel, a magician turned mafia snitch, is about to testify against the mob. Guess what? A million-dollar hit is placed on him, attracting an assortment of zany assassins. They all descend on Buddy's Lake Tahoe hideout, guns blazing. It's a frantic battle royale that features everyone from Ben Affleck to Alicia Keys.

12. Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003)

Tony Jaa returns, and this time he's reclaiming a stolen village Buddha statue. The film showcases Muay Thai in its most brutal form, and Tony is absolutely electric. He's jumping through rings of barbed wire, fighting off underground fight club hordes, and displaying some of the best martial arts the 2000s have to offer. No wires, no CGI, just pure athleticism.

13. Lord of War (2005)

Nicolas Cage as an international arms dealer? You better believe it. Yuri Orlov starts from humble beginnings in Little Odessa and goes on to sell arms in some of the most war-torn countries. This film tracks his rise, with Cage supplying everyone from dictators to freedom fighters. His life gets complicated when an Interpol agent played by Ethan Hawke starts tailing him.

14. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Robert Downey Jr. before Iron Man. He plays a small-time crook who stumbles into an audition and gets shipped to L.A. to learn how to be a detective for a film role. He teams up with a private eye, played brilliantly by Val Kilmer, and suddenly they're involved in a real-life murder investigation. It's got snappy dialogue, Shane Black's special blend, a twisty plot, and action scenes that range from hilarious to harrowing.