Most iconic action scenes of modern cinema

This iconic sword fight is celebrated for its beautiful, lightning-fast choreography and creative use of weaponry, setting a high bar for wuxia martial arts films. It remains a benchmark for cinematic combat, influencing the genre and demonstrating fight sequences as a powerful storytelling tool.

This brutal, seemingly single-take hallway fight redefined action choreography with its raw intensity and sustained tension. It has become highly influential, inspiring countless similar sequences in subsequent films and television series.

This explosive and gloriously over-the-top showdown is celebrated for its stylistic homage to 1970s Asian action cinema and its sheer scale. It's a visually stunning sequence with memorable flair and extensive wirework.

This dynamic sequence, combining CGI and practical effects, features Spider-Man battling Doctor Octopus atop and inside a runaway elevated train. It's considered one of the most dazzling and kinetic action sequences in any Marvel movie.

This scene redefined the James Bond franchise with a leaner, grittier aesthetic, setting a new standard for realistic and exhausting chase sequences. Bond chases a bomb-maker through a construction site, utilizing the acrobatic style of parkour.

This visceral, close-quarters hand-to-hand combat sequence in a confined apartment emphasizes raw physicality and improvised tactics. The Bourne franchise, and this scene in particular, popularized a more realistic and intense style of action choreography.

This visually inventive and disorienting sequence features Arthur fighting dream projections in a hotel hallway where gravity constantly shifts. It's lauded for its ingenuity and practical effects, showcasing how space and physics can be altered for unique action.

This scene is a testament to practical stunt work and Tom Cruise's dedication, delivering breathtaking suspense and spectacle. Ethan Hunt scales the exterior of the Burj Khalifa, one of the world's tallest buildings, with minimal safety equipment.

This relentless, feature-length chase sequence through a post-apocalyptic desert redefined the action genre. It features custom vehicles, practical stunts, and explosive set pieces, creating a visually stunning, non-stop thrill ride.

This hyper-stylized and brutally choreographed sequence, set to Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Free Bird,' is celebrated for its unique blend of fun, brutal action, and its visually inventive, seemingly continuous shot composition.

This scene is praised for its camera work, editing, and Bob Odenkirk's surprising performance, offering a fresh take on the 'normal guy reveals hidden skills' trope. Hutch Mansell takes on a group of goons in a confined bus, showcasing brutal, realistic fighting.

This scene was lauded for its clear and impressive martial arts choreography, a refreshing change from some action films, and effectively establishes Shang-Chi's abilities. Shang-Chi defends himself and others against attackers on a moving bus.

This scene was praised for its raw, brutal fight choreography and its strong inspiration from the 'John Wick' franchise, offering a satisfying and impactful portrayal of Batman's combat prowess. Batman takes on multiple thugs in the Penguin's nightclub.

This climactic, showstopping stunt is a testament to practical effects and Tom Cruise's commitment, provoking wonder and awe. It solidifies the film's legacy for incredible action, as Tom Cruise performs a base jump on a motorcycle off a towering cliff.

This sequence elevates the art of the fight scene to new heights, showcasing breathtaking choreography, cinematography, and impressive stunt work. John Wick and Caine battle through a crowded Parisian apartment building and down a massive staircase.

As a recent entry in the acclaimed 'Mad Max' universe, this scene continues the legacy of high-octane, practically-driven action. It offers thrilling moments and considerable world-building, involving the War Rig and various airborne contraptions.