The Best Action Horror Movies
Film genres aren’t mutually exclusive. That’s the brilliant thing about the medium, it can bend, shift, and grow into whatever conjure for it. Action and horror probably seem at odds to one another tonally. One being over the top and the other brimming with dread.
When these genres meet though it opens the door for maximalist violence, fast paced scares, and consequences that will affect more just a family; sometimes the world. PHASR collected some of the best and intense action horror movies just for you. Enjoy!
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Aliens (1986)
Runtime: 2 hours, 34 minutes
Rating: R
Aliens is a 1986 film directed by James Cameron. It was written by Cameron, David Giler, and Walter Hill. The movie stars Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, and Carrie Henn. Fifty-seven years after the first Xenomorph attack on the Nostromo, we learn that Ripley survived and awakens from hyper-sleep. Her new goal is to spread awareness about these monstrous abominations.
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James Cameron seems to be at his best when he’s melding genres. Look at his sci-fi horror masterpiece Terminator for example. James Cameron employs military aesthetics, mech fights, and an even badder Xenomorph to deliver perhaps the greatest action horror film ever made!
Army of Darkness (1992)
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Rating: R
Army of Darkness is a 1992 horror comedy starring Bruce Campbell and Embeth Davidtz. The film was directed by Sam Raimi and distributed by Universal Pictures. As the third film in the Evil Dead series, Army of Darkness continues the story of Ash Williams. This time around, he is stuck in medieval times and needs to find his way back to the present day.
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Sam Raimi’s humor really shows through with Army of Darkness, but with the third film in a horror series where is there to go? Nowhere but up! Bigger set pieces, a full scale skeleton war, and wicked creatures diving from the skies makes Army of Darkness a definite contender for being of the best action horror movies.
Resident Evil (2002)
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: R
Resident Evil is a 2002 film based on the classic Capcom video game series of the same name. The movie stars Milla Jovovich, Michielle Rodriguez, and Eric Mabius. It was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. A mysterious virus causes humans to turn into violent flesh-eating monsters. The virus originates in the underground science lab founded by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation. Can the outbreak be stopped before the virus spreads to devastating levels?
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Love it or hate it, the first Resident Evil film introduced the franchise to a whole new generation of horror fans with a fresh coat of Hollywood paint. With killer fighting choreography, deadly lasers, and horrifying monster effects it’s hard to refute how fun the first movie is.
Ready or Not (2019)
Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Rating: R
Ready or Not is a horror comedy starring Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, and Mark O’Brien. It was directed by Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin. The film was distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
Grace just got married! What would normally be a happy day quickly turns into a terrifying experience. Apparently, her husband’s family has a strange ritual where she must be hunted on her wedding night. Now that is what I call a wedding reception!
Mayhem (2017)
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Mayhem is a 2017 horror comedy starring Steven Yeun, Samara Weaving, and Steven Brand. The film was directed by Joe Lynch and distributed by RLJE Films. Chaos ensues after a viral infection causes corporate employees to start behaving badly.
A pseudo zombie film doesn’t quite sum up Mayhem. It’s a balls to the wall gorefest with great comedic delivery from the entire cast. Mayhem gets creative with its tension and kills in the way you’d hope. Plus who hasn’t fantasized about their shitty co-workers getting what they deserve? Kidding of course…
Constantine (2005)
Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute
Rating: R
Constantine is a 2005 horror film based on the DC Comics character John Constantine. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, and Shia Labeouf. It was directed by Francis Lawrence and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
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John Constantine is well-versed in the supernatural, specifically demons. When a cop’s sister commits suicide, John believes there may have been something more sinister afoot. Constantine on release quietly fell to the wayside but as of late it’s been reappraised. It’s a dark, complex, action horror movie with some interesting themes. Though the character may be vastly different from the comic book counterpart, there’s still plenty to appreciate.
Lake Placid (1999)
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rating: R
Lake Placid was directed by Steve Miner. It stars Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, and Betty White. The film was written by David E. Kelley and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
Black Lake, Maine is the home of a giant crocodile that has been known to attack the town’s citizens. However, the creature’s reign may be coming to an end as a group tries to take down the monster.
Train to Busan (2016)
Runtime: 1 hour, 58 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Train to Busan is an action horror movie from 2016 that stars Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, and Jung Tu-mi. The film was directed by Yeon Sang-ho and distributed by Next Entertainment World.
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There is a train going from Seoul to Busan. This train is also home to a zombie outbreak. Can the living survive until the train reaches its destination? Train to Busan despite its over-the-top action sequences has plenty of good to say about modern-day fatherhood. It’s scary, intense, fun, and at times heartbreaking. There are not a lot of zombie films that stand out, but Train to Busan is a zombie film with heart.
Zombieland (2009)
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: R
Zombieland stars Woody Harrellson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. The horror-comedy was directed by Ruben Fleischer and produced by Gavin Polone.
Everyone has their own priorities during the zombie apocalypse. Some people look for food, shelter, and weapons. Others want to go to an amusement park or enjoy a Twinkie one last time. Zombieland tells the story of groups of misfits attempting to find comfort when the world ends.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Runtime: 1 hour, 48 minutes
Rating: R
From Dusk Till Dawn is directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Robert Kurtzman and Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, and Juliette Lewis. The film follows two outlaws and their hostages seeking temporary refuge in a truck stop that just so happens to be populated by vampires.
If you want that glorious Tarantino dialogue with the epic directing of Robert Rodriguez, look no further than From Dusk Till Dawn. If you enjoyed Planet Terror and Death Proof, you’ll love this vampire splatter fest.
Predator (1987)
Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: R
This 1980s action horror classic is directed by John McTiernan with the screenplay written by Jim Thomas and John Thomas. Predator features action stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Kevin Peter Hall. The film follows a group of soldiers sent on what seemed to be a rescue mission in South America, only to be stalked by an alien hunter looking for new trophies: man.
Despite having a reputation as a sci-fi action movie, Predator is a slasher movie that takes place within a jungle and the victims? How about 80s male action heroes that no one could ever anticipate dying. How better to raise the stakes right? The titular creature was created by special effects legend Stan Winston. The Predator itself even makes the likes of Arnold look puny and to top it all off he can’t brute strength his way out of this one. He has to use his intelligence and strategy to survive the killing machine hunting him. Predator is perhaps the action horror movie to top all other action horror movies.
Cloverfield (2008)
Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Cloverfield is directed by Matt Reeves and written by Drew Goddard. The film stars Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, and Lizzy Caplan. The film follows a group of friends who have to traverse the streets of New York on a rescue mission as a giant monster attacks the city. Cloverfield has been subbed as one of the greatest found-footage horror movies of all time, and for good reason.
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Cloverfield is one wild action-horror alien invasion film. A lot of descriptors I know. The atmosphere of the found footage horror film always feels like life or death. With the Statue of Liberty’s head flying between New York streets, a giant monster attacking the city, and our main characters always on the run – it’s hard to get bored once the story gets going.
They Live (1988)
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: R
Written and directed by horror prince John Carpenter, They Live is inspired by the Ray Nelson short story Eight O’Clock in the Morning. The film stars professional wrestler Roddy Piper, Keith David, and Meg Foster. They Live follows a stranded construction worker who soon discovers a horrifying secret via mysterious sunglasses. That secret? Ugly aliens disguised as humans who control the human population through subliminal messaging.
John Carpenter gives us plenty of social commentary on late Reagan politics but also plenty of action horror to go around. Roddy Piper gets thrown through windows, into dumpsters, and punches his way through every obstacle presented. They Live is a meditation on the inhumanity of late-stage capitalism and government control, making it the most unique action horror movie on this list.
Mandy (2018)
Runtime: 2 hours
Rating: Not Rated
Mandy is directed and written by Panos Cosmatos. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, and Linus Roache. The film follows the fantastical lives of a couple living within a secluded forest who are brutally attacked by a hellish cult and their biker henchmen. This pushes a man into a spiraling, surreal rampage of vengeance.
Panos Cosmatos’ Mandy is an acid trip with over-the-top violence all packed into a perfect action horror movie for the ages. Mandy is a brilliant and mesmerizing film that leans on the nuance of Cage and his acting ability. In Mandy he’s unhinged in the very best way. Nicolas Cage takes his action star persona and transforms himself into a passionate body hellbent on protecting the love of his life. Mandy is critical viewing for all action horror fans!
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Runtime: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Rating: R
This remake of a George Romero horror classic is directed by Zack Snyder, and written by James Gunn. Dawn of the Dead stars Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, and Mekhi Phifer. The film follows a nurse, a policeman, a young married couple, a salesman and other survivors of a worldwide plague that is creating aggressive, flesh-eating zombies, take refuge in a massive shopping mall.
Dawn of the Dead brings brutality to the action horror subgenre in all new ways. It’s fast, terrifying, and explosive! Romero had reservations about some of the remake’s elements but he did profess to be surprisingly impressed with the movie. For fans of non stop action, gore, and the original Romero trilogy, Snyder’s rendition won’t disappoint.
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Runtime: 2 hours, 24 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
I Saw the Devil (Ang-ma-reul bo-at-da) is directed and written by Jee-woon Kim as well as Park Hoon-jung. The film stars Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, and Jeon Gook-hwan. The film follows a secret agent exacting revenge on a serial killer through a series of captures and releases.
The Korea Media Rating Board forced Kim to re-edit I Saw the Devil for its theatrical release, because of its abundance of violent content. Brutal realism is where I Saw the Devil succeeds, it’s as uncomfortable as it needs to be. This action horror film isn’t cheeky, it’s not played for spectacle, it’s down to Earth violence is what it excels at in the most horrific of ways.
The Mummy (1999)
Runtime: 2 hours, 4 minutes
Rating: PG-13
The Mummy is directed and written by Stephen Sommers as well as Lloyd Fonvielle and Kevin Jarre. The film stars Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah. The film follows an American serving in the French Foreign Legion who accidentally awakens a mummy who begins to wreak havoc as he searches for the reincarnation of his long-lost love.
The Mummy is one of the most beloved action horror movies from the 90s for a lot people. With great Indiana Jones style action pieces, terrifying mummy moments, and creepy beetles crawling around every corner – there’s something for every type of movie fan. The Mummy features endless thrills and surprises that will leave you enraptured as to what will happen next.
Death Proof (2007)
Runtime: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Rating: R
Death Proof is directed and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, and Rosario Dawson. The film follows two separate groups of young women who are stalked at different times by a malevolent stunt driver who uses his “death proof” car to hunt them down, no matter the speed.
Death Proof is Tarantino having fun with a simple plot and a dynamic cast. Paying homage to horror shlock of the past, Death Proof‘s plot cruises till it’s time to kick things into overdrive. If you’re looking for an eccentric, fast-paced action horror flick with nostalgic flair, then you’ve found your movie!
Tremors (1990)
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Rating: PG-13
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Tremors is directed by Ron Underwood with Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Reba McEntire, and Michael Gross. Tremors is a witty action horror movie that gets more fun with every watch. The film follows natives of a small isolated town who have to defend themselves against bizarre underground worms which are hunting the citizens one by one. Tremors is a contemporary creature feature that is endlessly enjoyable in how entertaining it is.
Alien Vs. Predator (2004)
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Alien vs. Predator is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and written by Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett, and Jim Thomas. The film stars Sanaa Lathan, Lance Henriksen, and Raoul Bova. The film follows an archaeological expedition on in Antarctica. A team of archaeologists and scientists find themselves caught between a battle between warring monsters.
The Host (2006)
Runtime: 2 hours
Rating: R
The Host (Gwoemul) is directed and written by Bong Joon Ho as well as Won-jun Ha and Chul-hyun Baek. The film stars Kang-ho Song, Byun Hee-Bong, and Park Hae-il. The film follows a creature that emerges from Seoul’s Han River and begins attacking people. One victim’s family does what it can to rescue her from the monster’s clutches.
The majority of Bong Joon-ho’s filmography balances a flawless mix of genres. The Host on the outside is an action horror movie with a stellar monster, but underneath is a drama draped in political satire. The Host is complex and features a multitude of amazing scenes that keep you thoroughly engaged.
Predators (2010)
Runtime: 1 hour, 47 minutes
Rating: R
Predators is directed by Nimrod Antal and written by Alex Litvak, Michael Finch, and Jim Thomas. The film stars Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, and Topher Grace. The film follows a group of Earth’s deadliest killers who parachute into an unknown jungle and are hunted by members of a merciless alien race.
Predators is a modern take on the 80s cult classic original. It’s an exciting watch to see how all these hostile characters bounce off of one another, especially as things get heated. Not the most thoughtful film on this list, but one that will certainly entertain nonetheless.
Overlord (2018)
Runtime: 1 hour, 51 minutes
Rating: R
Overlord is directed by Julius Avery and written by Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith. The film stars Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, and Mathilde Ollivier. The film follows a small group of American soldiers who find horror behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day. As they go deeper into Nazi territory they discover a horrible experiment that could doom the world.
Underworld (2003)
Runtime: 2 hours, 1 minute
Rating: R
Underworld is directed and written by Len Wiseman as well as Kevin Grevioux and Danny McBride. The film stars Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, and Shane Brolly. The film follows a vampire warrior, entrenched in a conflict between vampires and werewolves, while falling in love with a human who is wanted by werewolves for unknown reasons.
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Rating: R
Dog Soldiers is directed and written by Neil Marshall. The film stars Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, and Emma Cleasby. The film follows a routine military exercise that suddenly turns into a horrific nightmare. Dog Soldiers features war, werewolves, and brilliant set pieces that will last with you long after the credits.
Blade (1998)
Runtime: 2 hours
Rating: R
Blade stars Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, and Kris Kristofferson. It was directed by Stephen Norrington and written by David S. Goyer. Blade is based on the Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. The film was produced by Marvel Enterprises and distributed by New Line Cinema.
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky (1991)
Runtime: 1 hour, 28 minutes
Rating: R
Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky was directed by Lam Nai-choi. It was written by Tetsuya Saruwatari and Lam Nai-choi. The film stars Fan Siu-wong, Fan Mei-sheng, and Ho Ka-kui. Riki-Oh was produced by Diagonal Pictures and distributed by Golden Harvest. Here me out, if there’s any film you walk away wanting to watch on this list, it should be Riki-Oh. It’s ridiculous, violent, action-packed, explosive, horrific, and should be a favorite in any film fan’s collection.
Riki-Oh, a young man with superhuman strength, is sent to a private prison, where inmates are treated like slaves, and is forced to use his unstoppable form of martial arts to destroy the corrupt officials and their lackeys. You’ll be screaming till every drop of blood is spilled we guarantee it.
I Am Legend (2007)
Runtime: 1 hour, 41 minutes
Rating: PG-13
I Am Legend is based on Richard Matheson’s 1954 horror novel of the same name. The film version stars Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, and Dash Mihok. It was directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Mark Protosevich and Akiva Goldsman.
Independence Day (1996)
Runtime: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Rating: PG-13
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Independence Day stars Will Smith, Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum. IT was directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. The film was produced by Centropolis Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes
Rating: R
The Cabin in the Woods stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, and Anna Hutchinson. The film was directed by Drew Goddard and distributed by Lionsgate. It is regarded as one of the best action horror movies of all time.
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A group of friends heads out for a weekend vacation in the woods. However, they soon find themselves being attacked by monsters. Will they be able to survive and find out the truth about the cabin’s origins?
What Are Your Favorite Action Horror Movies?
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