If you loved the high-octane action and gripping suspense of 'Taken 2' (2012), you're in for a treat! This article explores 10 thrilling movies and shows that deliver the same adrenaline-pumping excitement, intense chase sequences, and heart-stopping drama. Whether you're a fan of Liam Neeson's iconic role or just crave more edge-of-your-seat entertainment, these picks will keep you hooked from start to finish.

The Bourne Identity (2002)
Description: A high-octane action thriller featuring a skilled protagonist with a mysterious past, engaging in intense combat and espionage to uncover the truth while evading powerful enemies.
Fact: The film's car chase scene through Paris was shot without any digital effects, using real stunt drivers. The novel it's based on was originally set during the Vietnam War, but the film updated the setting to modern times.


The Transporter (2002)
Description: Centers on a professional driver with combat skills who gets drawn into dangerous criminal underworld dealings, featuring spectacular vehicular action and hand-to-hand combat.
Fact: Jason Statham did all his own driving stunts. The film's fight choreography was created by Corey Yuen, blending martial arts with improvised weapon use.


Man on Fire (2004)
Description: A dark, emotionally charged story of a former operative using his lethal skills to exact vengeance, blending brutal action with deep personal stakes.
Fact: The film's distinctive visual style uses a high-contrast, bleached look with rapid cuts. It's based on a 1980 novel which was previously adapted into a 1987 film starring Scott Glenn.


The Equalizer (2014)
Description: Features a retired black-ops specialist who returns to action with precision violence to protect the innocent, combining methodical planning with explosive confrontations.
Fact: Denzel Washington trained in real Krav Maga for his fight scenes. The film's climax in a hardware store was inspired by classic western showdowns.


The Mechanic (2011)
Description: A story about a professional assassin taking on a protégé, featuring elaborate hit sequences and a mentor-student dynamic that turns deadly.
Fact: The film is a remake of the 1972 Charles Bronson movie of the same name. Jason Statham performed most of his own stunts, including a dangerous underwater sequence.


Salt (2010)
Description: A fast-paced spy thriller with a protagonist whose true allegiance remains ambiguous, packed with elaborate escape sequences and high-stakes conspiracies.
Fact: The role was originally written for a male lead (Tom Cruise was considered). Angelina Jolie performed many of her own stunts, including a daring freeway jump from truck to truck.


Safe House (2012)
Description: A tense cat-and-mouse game between a rookie operative and a dangerous fugitive, featuring brutal hand-to-hand combat and high-stakes betrayals in international settings.
Fact: The film's Cape Town locations doubled for multiple global settings. The intense interrogation scene was largely improvised by the actors.


The Accountant (2016)
Description: Blends action with psychological depth, featuring a highly skilled protagonist with unique abilities who operates outside conventional systems while confronting shadowy threats.
Fact: Ben Affleck trained with real forensic accountants to prepare for the role. The film's action sequences were designed to reflect the protagonist's mathematical precision and autism spectrum traits.


The November Man (2014)
Description: A retired CIA operative is pulled back into the game for one last mission, navigating a web of deception while utilizing his lethal skill set against former allies.
Fact: Pierce Brosnan's character was originally created for a series of novels by Bill Granger. The film features authentic Belgrade locations standing in for Moscow.


John Wick (2014)
Description: A relentless, revenge-driven narrative with expertly choreographed action sequences, showcasing a highly trained protagonist taking on overwhelming odds in a gritty underworld.
Fact: Keanu Reeves performed over 90% of his own stunts. The film's iconic 'gun-fu' style blends martial arts with close-quarters gunplay, creating a unique action aesthetic.
