If you loved the high-octane action and gripping storyline of '223 Wick' (2022), you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and shows that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping thrills, intricate plots, and unforgettable characters. Whether you're a fan of intense shootouts, deep underworld lore, or antiheroes with a cause, these picks will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Hard Boiled (1992)
Description: Showcases relentless, expertly choreographed action sequences with a focus on gunplay and a lone hero taking on overwhelming odds.
Fact: The hospital shootout scene is one of the longest continuous action sequences in film history. The film was a major influence on later action movies.


The Bourne Identity (2002)
Description: Follows an amnesiac assassin uncovering his past while evading enemies, featuring realistic, fast-paced action and a morally complex protagonist.
Fact: The film's car chase scene in Paris was shot without CGI, using real stunt drivers. The character's fighting style was inspired by real-world techniques like Krav Maga.


The Equalizer (2014)
Description: Follows a retired operative who uses his lethal skills to protect the innocent, blending methodical action with a vigilante justice theme.
Fact: The protagonist's habit of timing his actions was inspired by real-life special forces training. The film's climax in a hardware store was praised for its creativity.


Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
Description: Delivers over-the-top, non-stop action with a darkly humorous tone, emphasizing stylized gunfights and a lone-wolf protagonist.
Fact: The film features a gunfight during a skydiving sequence, which was technically challenging to shoot. The protagonist's carrot-eating habit was a nod to classic cartoon characters.


Taken (2008)
Description: Revolves around a retired operative using his specialized skills to rescue a loved one, with a focus on swift, efficient violence and a personal vendetta.
Fact: The famous phone monologue was improvised by the lead actor. The film's success spawned a franchise and numerous imitators.


Dredd (2012)
Description: Presents a dystopian world where a lone law enforcer dispenses justice with extreme prejudice, featuring relentless action and a gritty tone.
Fact: The film's slow-motion effects were achieved using high-speed Phantom cameras. It was shot in 3D to enhance the visual impact of the action sequences.


The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Description: Focuses on a quiet, mysterious man with a violent past who embarks on a brutal quest for justice, featuring emotional depth and intense action.
Fact: The knife fight scene is considered one of the best in action cinema. The film was a major box office success in South Korea.


Atomic Blonde (2017)
Description: Showcases a cold, calculating spy engaged in high-stakes action, with a strong emphasis on stylish, brutal fight choreography and a noir aesthetic.
Fact: The staircase fight scene was shot in a single take and took weeks to rehearse. The film is based on a graphic novel set in the late 1980s.


John Wick (2014)
Description: Features a highly skilled protagonist seeking vengeance, with intense, stylized action sequences and a focus on hand-to-hand combat and gunplay.
Fact: The film's iconic pencil scene was inspired by a real-life incident where a hitman used a pencil as a weapon. The Continental Hotel's rules became a central element of the franchise's lore.


Nobody (2021)
Description: Centers on a seemingly ordinary man with a violent past who is drawn back into a life of action and revenge, featuring brutal and well-choreographed fight scenes.
Fact: The bus fight scene was filmed in a single take to enhance realism. The protagonist's backstory is deliberately left vague to add mystery.
