The Best Action Movie Heroes of the Past 25 Years

I like to think of myself as somebody that can enjoy a good dramatic or artistic film but as a guy I also have every right to love blockbuster action movies. It was just recently that I got into serious dramatic movies though, most of my life I was just an action flick nut. I admit to seeing just about every action movie of the past 25 years so I think I’m knowledgeable enough about the topic to choose the 15 best action heroes of the past 25 years.

15. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine (X-Men)
I reluctantly included Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Personally I’m tired of everything X-Men starring Wolverine but after having three movies where he was basically the star, it was hard to leave him out.

14. Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly (Back to the Future)
Maybe Marty McFly never ran around guns blazing but there were some action moments in the Back to the Future movies. Plus one good sign of an action star is somebody with a sweet ride and not many film cars beat the Delorian.

13. Vin Diesel as Riddick (Pitch Black)
Vin Diesel’s career hasn’t been so great after some bad movie choices but Vin Diesel was pretty awesome in his first starring role. Vin Diesel did something that not many people on this list have done. He played the bad guy and the good guy all in one role.

12. Jason Statham as Frank Martin (The Transporter)
The Transporter movies might not be as good as the other movies on this list but Jason Statham belongs on the list. Nobody on this list fights and drives cars like Frank Martin. They also don’t dress as nice.

11. Peter Weller as Robocop (Robocop)
Robocop is one of my personal favorites. I’d take Robocop over the overrated Terminator movies any day.

10. Will Smith as Agent J (Men In Black)
Will Smith burst onto the scene with Bad Boys and became a star in Independence Day but it was in Men In Black that we saw a mix of action and comedy that very few actors can pull off.

9. Christian Bale as Batman (Batman)
Nobody has portrayed a comic book character better than Christian Bale as Batman and Bruce Wayne. Batman also gets bonus points for the Batmobile of course.

8. Jean Reno as Leon (Leon)
Leon is probably the least known movie on this list so everyone should be sure to go see it. In addition to Jean Reno it also features a twelve year old Natalie Portman in what is unfortunately the best performance of her career.

7. Tobey Maguire as Spider-man (Spider-man)
I’m still not crazy about Tobey Maguire’s acting or the fact that he’ll always be known as Spider-man but clearly Spider-man is a hugely popular character.

6. Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo (Rambo)
Sylvester Stallone might not be the best actor in the world but he captured America’s heart, or at least the heart of men, with his roles of Rambo and Rocky.

5. Uma Thurman as The Bride (Kill Bill)
The only thing keeping Uma Thurman from being a one hit wonder is the fact that there were two Kill Bill movies. Uma has failed to impress me in anything else but The Bride is one tough chick.

4. Arnold Schwarzeneggar as The Terminator (Terminator 2)
As I said earlier the Terminator movies are greatly overrated but there is no denying the popularity of them as well as Arnold’s popularity. Even without Arnold the Terminator franchise just debuted a highly successful new television show.

3. Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley (Aliens)
Uma Thurman gave her a run but Ripley is still the number one action female. Uma killed lots and lots of people, but she didn’t have to kill any aliens.

2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones (Indiana Jones)
Any time an archaeologist can kick your butt you know he has to be pretty badass. There are enough people that still love the Indiana Jones movies that good ole Indy will be returning in 2008.

1. Bruce Willis as John McClane (Die Hard)
Die Hard is the best action movie so naturally John McClane is the best action hero. A lot of people love the Indiana Jones trilogy but the Die Hard trilogy was just as good, the fourth movie was also a good action flick and Indiana Jones never had to face Alan Rickman, probably the best villain there is today.