It is a sad fact that the evaluation of a new film—particularly in the modern day, but throughout the history of the medium as well, to an extent—is so intensely focused on how it performs at the box office. This approach has been especially true of action movies, with the immense expectation of blockbuster success seeing plenty of films from the genre that didn’t make an immediate impact being discarded, doomed to be forgotten, or, if they’re lucky, endure as a cult favorite.
Ranging from snubbed superhero stunners to epic revenge thrillers, bruising sports flicks, and even a couple of underground hits from decades long past, these initially misunderstood movies are masterpieces of action cinema that were never appreciated enough upon release. By extension, each one is also a testament to the fact that box office numbers mean nothing with regard to the overall quality of a film.
10
‘Starship Troopers’ (1997)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
A satirical sci-fi opera defined by its bold departures from genre convention and excessively camp tone that many initially derided as being an unintentional byproduct of poor filmmaking, Starship Troopers has become one of the most misunderstood movies ever. Compounding this unfortunate fact is that the movie—which follows a marine infantry unit warring with an invasive alien bug species hellbent on destroying life on Earth—collapsed at the box office with a meager figure of $121 million.
Its veneer of bombastic battle sequences and over-the-top military propaganda is a perfect foil for its underlying critique of fascism, societal indoctrination, and the cultural glorification of war. Paul Verhoeven’s now iconic picture is cinematic storytelling at its most daring and subversive, a punishing masterpiece of intelligent satire and explosive action that has cemented itself as something of a cult gem in the years since its release despite its initial financial failings.
9
‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)
Directed by James Gunn
While it earned social media traction and critical acclaim for its anarchic humor, audacious storytelling, and vibrant visuals, The Suicide Squad struggled at the box office, grossing just $168 million, far below the expectations of a major superhero release. While there are several factors that contributed to this underwhelming return, one that will not be found among them is the overall quality, with the introduction of James Gunn’s exuberant and unique flair imbuing the story and characters with a magnetic energy that enthralls and excites.
It is something of an underrated masterpiece of genre subversion, with its story of detained supervillains manipulated into doing some good operating as a chaotic symphony of carnage that blends irreverent humor with heartfelt and humanizing moments. The Suicide Squad became an instant cult classic of the genre in many respects, with its creativity and risk-taking boldness giving it a refreshing zest and, in the process, proving that even in superhero cinema, box office figures are an unreliable measurement of excellence.
8
‘Big Trouble in Little China’ (1986)
Directed by John Carpenter
Marrying action spectacle with a vibrant sense of comedic brilliance, Big Trouble in Little China represents one of the most inventive and exuberant entries in action-comedy cinema, bolstered by an imaginative narrative, a whiff of mysticism, the incorporation of martial arts mania, and irreverent humor. The John Carpenter cult classic was met with commercial indifference upon release, grossing a mere $11 million and leading many to prematurely dismiss it as a bizarre oddity incapable of resonating with mainstream audiences.
Starring Kurt Russell as a hapless truck driver immersed in a supernatural battle in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the absurdist action flick offers a more playful approach to the genre, enhanced by relentless energetic fervor and striking visual flair. Critical re-evaluations have labeled it a masterpiece that was ahead of its time, a profoundly peculiar piece of propane-padded cinema that stands as an enduring testament to the idea that box office returns are a poor metric for adjudicating cinematic greatness.
7
‘Grindhouse’ (2007)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez
A double-feature dynamo, Grindhouse sees directors Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez striving to recapture the audacious spirit of exploitation cinema while simultaneously celebrating the outlandish absurdity that defined it. Comprised of two distinct yet thematically interwoven films—Rodriguez’s zombie-infused actioner Planet Terror and Tarantino’s vicious vehicular slasher Death Proof—the project brims with experimental zest, unapologetic campness, and an approach to storytelling that has grown quite unconventional in the modern day.
Sadly, the homage to the grindhouse theater experience of the 1970s was not a financial hit despite both directors’ star power. The joint release grossed just $25 million as its fragmented structure of retro stylings was misinterpreted by many. However, audiences and critics have grown more appreciative of the film in the years since its release, recognizing its unique blend of nostalgia, satire, and raw cinematic energy—and its colorful collection of faux trailers—as a gem of reflective homage to the art of pulpy escapism that idolizes indulgence with sharp subversion.
Grindhouse
- Release Date
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April 6, 2007
- Runtime
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191 Minutes
6
‘Warrior’ (2011)
Directed by Gavin O’Connor
It may be a touch limiting to categorize Warrior as an action sports film, given that’s what some would have initially misinterpreted it as. Nonetheless, the bruising MMA drama earned just $23 million worldwide, leading many to bemoan it as a shallow sports flick that lacked punch. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the sporting drama was anything but that, marrying bruising and brilliant sequences of MMA combat with a poignant story of familial dysfunction that centers on the strained relationship between two brothers who secure positions in the same winner-take-all UFC tournament.
Despite its initial financial failure, Warrior is now an underground classic at the forefront of sports cinema in the 21st century. With both its visceral fight scenes and emotionally resonant drama supported by Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy’s magnificent performances—not to mention Nick Nolte’s Oscar-nominated supporting turn—Warrior is both powerful and punishing, a nuanced masterpiece of sporting action that doubles as an evocative character drama that goes the distance as one of the greatest sports movies ever made.
Warrior
- Release Date
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September 9, 2011
- Runtime
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140 Minutes
5
‘Free Fire’ (2016)
Directed by Ben Wheatley
A strikingly bold exercise in minimalist action filmmaking, Free Fire is a single-location shootout extravaganza that thrives on its masterfully choreographed chaos, biting humor, and array of amoral characters. Featuring a star-studded cast including Cillian Murphy, Brie Larson, and the ever-magnificent Sharlto Copley, the film makes the absolute most of its stripped-down premise, which ultimately boils down to an arms deal in a dingy warehouse in 1970s Boston that goes violently wrong.
With the bullets flying and allegiances shifting nonstop, Free Fire is a brilliant example of innovative, low-budget filmmaking that, even with its modest financing, was a box office flop with a paltry return of just $3.8 million. While some may have dismissed it as an overly simplistic affair, Free Fire truly thrives as a dashing, swashbuckling masterpiece of grounded action intrigue, a meticulously crafted ballet of ballistic mayhem and backstabbing laced with a sardonic wit. One of the most underrated films of its decade, Free Fire is an electrifying champion of cinematic minimalism that finds suspense and style in both its grit and absurdity.
Free Fire
- Release Date
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April 21, 2017
- Runtime
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90minutes
4
‘The Northman’ (2022)
Directed by Robert Eggers
An ambitious Viking action epic, The Northman is a visually stunning exploration of vengeance, destiny, and myth that seeks to redefine the allure of revenge cinema. With its amazing ensemble cast, meticulous attention to period detail, and spellbinding cinematography, the grueling action drama had every chance to become a mainstream sensation and a box office success. Sadly, that didn’t come to fruition, with Prince Amleth’s (Alexander Skarsgård) brutal journey to avenge his father garnering just $69 million against a reported budget of $90 million.
Despite its initial dismissal as a standard period revenge flick, The Northman has gradually garnered a reputation for its bold artistic brilliance, visceral violence, and enchanting ability to blend Amleth’s driving motivation with passages of mythic splendor. The result is an uncompromising cinematic achievement that combines ferocious brutality with philosophical depth. As Robert Eggers’s career continues to soar in the years to come, it seems likely that The Northman will gain greater appreciation from the masses.
3
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
Directed by George Miller
A bold and surprisingly textured advancement of George Miller’s sublimely gritty and grungy Mad Max franchise, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is an absorbing, action-packed exploration of its titular heroine’s origins. Despite the immense popularity of the character and the star power of the ever-brilliant Anya Taylor-Joy, the prequel—focusing on the character’s rise through the hostile, post-apocalyptic wastelands—grossed just $174 million, with many initially dismissing it as a repetitive and long-winded successor to a far superior predecessor.
While it may not surpass Mad Max: Fury Road, it does still deliver a relentlessly pulsating action spectacle that invests heavily in Furiosa’s character transformation and, as a direct result of that, finds a greater emotional depth than any of the prior films in the franchise. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has the boldness and bravery to challenge genre norms, yet it still has the prowess to deliver an abundance of engaging and visually compelling action sequences. It’s an accomplished gem of cinematic intensity that will gain greater recognition as the years elapse.
2
‘Dredd’ (2012)
Directed by Pete Travis
A comic book adaptation that features both intense grittiness and hyper-stylized ultra-violence, Dredd is a delicious delight of action splendor that ultimately suffered due to an appalling marketing strategy. With the dystopian action sci-fi following two judges—police officers with the authority to operate as judge, jury, and executioner—as they fight through waves of drug goons in a decrepit high-rise complex, Dredd thrives as a visceral and violent viewing experience defined by its exhilarating display.
Not only a modern cult classic, but a true masterpiece of action cinema in the 21st century, Dredd has overcome its measly $41 million theatrical run to be viewed by many as a uniquely slick and alluring blockbuster that uses its contained setting and elevating tension to perfection. It remains a testament to the power of commitment and conviction in genre filmmaking and is among the most underrated pictures of its decade from any genre.
1
‘Last Action Hero’ (1993)
Directed by John McTiernan
A film ahead of its time, Last Action Hero found itself caught at a crossroads upon release. Its genre-meshing exuberance clashed with audience expectations, resulting in a negative reception that was ultimately a byproduct of a misunderstood movie. With action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger starring, many understandably anticipated a straightforward blockbuster. However, following a young action movie enthusiast as he is sucked into the world of his favorite film character, the film flaunts a self-aware wryness and jovial meta-commentary on Hollywood clichés that struck many as a jarring departure from genre convention.
Critics at the time lambasted its eccentricity and tonal inconsistencies, while the competitive release opposite Jurassic Park sealed its fate as a box office flop. However, over the years, Last Action Hero has been heralded as a misunderstood gem, a love letter to the ‘80s heyday of action cinema that deconstructs the genre while celebrating its exuberant excesses. With its layered narrative and innovative approach, now its defining triumphs, Last Action Hero serves as a testament to creative risks that often go underappreciated initially. It is also a reminder that sometimes box office failure can lead to enduring recognition and even be a pathway to the annals of cinematic history in time.