Legendary actor Joe Don Baker might be best ed for his action movie roles in the 1970s, but his six-decade career saw him play a wide variety of unique characters. The Texas-born performer got his start in the late 1960s with an uncredited role in Cool Hand Luke, but would soon begin showing up in ing roles in action films and westerns at the beginning of the next decade. By the middle of the 1970s he was a bona fide movie star, and was often given top billing in many exploitation and genre films. 6td2q

Action movies from the 1990s have become cult classics and remain points of reference for how to create memorable action sequences even today. One of the harsh realities of rewatching 1990s action movies is realizing the overuse of comedy and cheesy one-liners that feel jarring in tone, compared to the grounded thrillers that came afterward. However, the larger-than-life action hero persona from that decade continues to be a fond memory for many who grew up watching these movies, and the natural evolution in writing and filmmaking from the pulpy action of the 1980s makes them beloved artifacts to revisit.

The 1990s were a great time for the Action genre, and some standout movie classics were particularly impressive for their gun play. From shootouts to duels to stylized death scenes, gun play has always been a big part of the action genre, going back to its early days. While the John Wick movies prove there is still an audience for this kind of shoot-em-up action, the '90s were a particularly gun-heavy decade in cinema, thanks largely to the influence of the Hong Kong action movement of the late 1980s.

Fantasy as a genre is almost always crossed over with action and adventure. Epic stories of valiant people spanning decades and acres are the most commonly made kind of fantasy films. Of course, this blueprint has many exceptions, and over the years, the diversification has grown as horror and sci-fi have also been crossed over with fantasy. Moreover, the genre itself has evolved to encom all scales of storytelling, from major sagas to personal romances. However, action is still the most common genre that's blended with fantasy.

While many filmgoers complain that there are just too many sequels and franchises these days, there are still some incredible action heroes who’ve been left behind in recent years and deserve to make a comeback. Legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick and Blade Runner 2049 prove that it’s possible to revive dormant series in a way that connects with audiences and critics alike. With this in mind, some truly iconic names from bygone eras have the potential to make a major comeback.

Action movies can lend themselves surprisingly well to an animated format, as seen with several popular movies that could be great animated films. Animated movies open the door to endless creative possibilities. Without the restraints of physical performances, props, and set designs, animated movies can take ideas, regardless of complexity, and turn them into something that stands out.

It's hard to win with an Action movie sometimes. The formula has to be just right, and if there is a little bit of overspill, that can quickly translate to overkill. A little bit of humor is needed to balance out the violence, but it can't be too much, otherwise it's a comedy. The violence is necessary, but it can't be too much, otherwise it borders on horror territory. If the plot is too convoluted, then some action fans might get lost, and it ends up being a high-octane drama instead.

The action genre produces many franchises because daring stunt work, charismatic heroes, and unique premises garner enough interest in action films to warrant sequels for them. However, as Speed 2, one of the worst movie sequels of all time, demonstrates, not every good idea can or should be reused. There's always franchise potential in any engaging action thriller concept, but some action films tell complete stories that don't have any reason to continue.

The best natural disaster movies of all time captivate audiences with thrilling scenarios of survival against catastrophic events. They blend intense action sequences with emotional depth, exploring themes of human resilience, sacrifice, and unity in the face of adversity. These films leverage cutting-edge special effects to bring disasters to life, immersing viewers in the chaos and destruction - often contextualized through overarching environmental and social themes. Whether set in the past, present, or future, they showcase both the fragility of civilization and the strength of the human spirit.

The 1980s were an era where absurd action movies reigned supreme, and looking back, there are plenty of movies that get wilder with every rewatch. From over-the-top releases from major stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone to less well-known B-movie triumphs, there are so many bizarre and off-the-wall movies from this time to look back on fondly. While not all these films were box office hits at the time, with the power of hindsight, it's clear they had a lot to offer.