Boston, with its rich history and distinctive urban landscape, has served as a compelling backdrop for numerous action films. This curated list dives into the heart of Beantown, offering viewers a mix of high-octane chases, gritty crime stories, and intense drama. Whether you're a fan of the city or just love a good action flick, these films will take you on an unforgettable ride through Boston's iconic neighborhoods.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973)
Description: This film captures the essence of Boston's criminal landscape in the early '70s, focusing on a small-time gunrunner's dealings with the law.
Fact: The movie was shot on location in Boston, giving it an authentic feel.


The Boondock Saints (1999)
Description: Two Irish brothers take justice into their own hands in Boston, leading to a vigilante spree that captures the city's gritty atmosphere.
Fact: The film has gained a cult following despite its initial lukewarm reception.


Mystic River (2003)
Description: Clint Eastwood's film captures the essence of Boston's working-class neighborhoods, focusing on three childhood friends whose lives are intertwined by tragedy.
Fact: The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two, including Best Actor for Sean Penn.


The Departed (2006)
Description: This Martin Scorsese masterpiece delves into the world of undercover cops and moles within the Boston Irish Mob, showcasing the city's darker side.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Boston, and many scenes were filmed in South Boston, known as "Southie."


Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Description: This film, also directed by Ben Affleck, explores the underbelly of Boston through the eyes of two private investigators searching for a missing child.
Fact: The movie was shot in Dorchester, a neighborhood in Boston, and features many local actors.


The Equalizer (2014)
Description: Denzel Washington plays a retired CIA black ops operative living in Boston, who comes out of retirement to help a young girl in trouble.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations around Boston, including the South End and Chinatown.


The Town (2010)
Description: Ben Affleck directs and stars in this tale of bank robbers from Charlestown, a neighborhood known for producing more bank robbers than any other place in America.
Fact: The opening heist scene was filmed at the actual location of a real-life robbery in


Black Mass (2015)
Description: Johnny Depp stars as the infamous Whitey Bulger, exploring his rise to power in Boston's criminal underworld.
Fact: The film was shot in various locations around Boston, including South Boston where Bulger operated.


The Heat (2013)
Description: A buddy cop comedy set in Boston, where an FBI agent and a local cop team up to take down a drug lord.
Fact: The film showcases Boston's diverse neighborhoods, from the North End to Dorchester.


The Brink's Job (1978)
Description: This comedic heist film recounts the infamous 1950 Brink's robbery in Boston, blending humor with the city's historical crime narrative.
Fact: The film was based on a true story, and the robbers were never caught.
