9 min read
Action adventure movies 2020–2025 show how the genre has moved beyond a single formula. Large-scale sequences, fast pacing, and visual intensity still play a central role, but these years also highlight a stronger focus on narrative structure and character-driven progression.
The 20 films selected here reflect different approaches to balancing action and adventure. Some rely on momentum and constant movement, while others adopt a more controlled pace with a clearer narrative direction. Together, they outline a period where the genre expands in style without losing its core energy.
Action Adventure Movies 2020–2025
A curated selection of action adventure movies 2020–2025, organised by release year and featuring a range of settings, pacing styles, and story types across recent releases.
Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig
Duration: 2h 31m (151 min)
Set in the 1980s, Diana Prince faces new challenges as she encounters powerful adversaries driven by ambition and desire. When a mysterious artifact grants wishes at a hidden cost, the world begins to spiral into chaos. As reality itself starts to unravel, she must confront both external threats and personal sacrifices to restore balance and prevent global collapse.
The Old Guard (2020)
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts
Duration: 2h 5m (125 min)
A group of immortal mercenaries who have fought in secret for centuries continue their mission to protect the world from unseen threats. Their existence is suddenly exposed when a new immortal emerges, drawing the attention of a powerful organization seeking to exploit their abilities. As they struggle to remain hidden, they are forced to confront their past, their purpose, and the consequences of living forever in a world that constantly changes around them.
Tenet (2020)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki
Duration: 2h 30m (150 min)
A covert operative known only as the Protagonist is recruited into a secret organization tasked with preventing a global catastrophe that transcends traditional warfare. As he navigates a world where time can move both forward and backward, he uncovers a mission that involves manipulating temporal flow itself. The threat is tied to a powerful figure with access to future technology, and stopping him requires understanding a reality where cause and effect are no longer linear.
Extraction (2020)
Director: Sam Hargrave
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Hooda
Duration: 1h 56m (116 min)
A black-market mercenary is hired for a high-risk mission to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. Set in a dangerous urban environment controlled by rival forces, the operation quickly turns into a relentless fight for survival. As the mission unfolds, unexpected bonds form between the rescuer and the boy, complicating a task that was meant to be purely transactional.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Director: Adam Wingard
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall
Duration: 1h 53m (113 min)
Two legendary titans are set on a collision course as humanity struggles to understand their origins and purpose. Kong is transported across the world in search of a new home, while Godzilla’s destructive behavior raises concerns about a hidden threat. As the two giants confront each other, a larger mystery begins to unfold beneath the surface.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot
Duration: 4h 2m (242 min)
Following a devastating loss, Bruce Wayne assembles a team of powerful individuals to defend Earth from an approaching cosmic threat. Each member brings unique abilities and personal struggles, but they must unite to face an enemy seeking to reshape the planet. As the stakes grow, the team must overcome their differences to stand together.
Dune (2021)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac
Duration: 2h 35m (155 min)
Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family, is sent to the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of a valuable resource that powers interstellar travel. As political tensions rise and betrayal unfolds, Paul is drawn into a conflict that will shape the future of entire civilizations. Amid harsh landscapes and powerful forces, he begins to discover abilities and responsibilities that extend far beyond his original role.
No Time to Die (2021)
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux
Duration: 2h 43m (163 min)
James Bond has left active service and attempts to live a quieter life, but his past quickly catches up with him when a new threat emerges. A dangerous adversary equipped with advanced technology begins targeting global security, forcing Bond back into action. As he navigates old alliances and unresolved connections, the mission becomes deeply personal.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly
Duration: 2h 10m (130 min)
After decades of service, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell continues to push the limits as a test pilot while avoiding promotion that would ground him. He is called back to train a new generation of elite pilots for a high-risk mission that demands precision and sacrifice. As he confronts his past and the legacy he leaves behind, the mission becomes both professional and deeply personal.
Bullet Train (2022)
Director: David Leitch
Cast: Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Duration: 2h 6m (126 min)
A seemingly simple assignment brings together a group of assassins on a high-speed train, each with their own objective and hidden connections. As the journey progresses, their missions begin to collide in unexpected ways. What starts as a routine job quickly turns into a chaotic sequence of confrontations.
RRR (2022)
Director: S. S. Rajamouli
Cast: N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt
Duration: 3h 2m (182 min)
Set during the British colonial period in India, two men from very different backgrounds find themselves on intersecting paths shaped by resistance and personal duty. As their stories unfold, they form a powerful bond while navigating loyalty, identity, and rebellion. Their journey becomes part of a larger struggle against oppression.
The Batman (2022)
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano
Duration: 2h 56m (176 min)
In a city overwhelmed by crime and corruption, a young Batman begins his pursuit of justice while uncovering a series of cryptic crimes targeting key figures. As he follows the clues left by a mysterious killer, he is drawn deeper into the hidden layers of Gotham. The investigation forces him to confront the city’s darkest truths and his own role within it.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen
Duration: 2h 34m (154 min)
An aging archaeologist is drawn into a new adventure involving a mysterious artifact capable of altering the course of history. As he races against time and powerful adversaries, he reconnects with old allies and confronts the legacy of his past. The journey spans multiple locations and hidden secrets.
The Creator (2023)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe
Duration: 2h 13m (133 min)
In a future shaped by conflict between humans and artificial intelligence, a former soldier is assigned to eliminate a powerful AI entity. As he tracks down his target, he discovers something unexpected that challenges his understanding of the war. The mission becomes a moral and emotional conflict.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Director: Chad Stahelski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård
Duration: 2h 49m (169 min)
John Wick continues his fight against a powerful global network of assassins that seeks to eliminate him. As he travels across different cities, he encounters new allies and formidable enemies. The path to freedom becomes increasingly complex as the rules governing his world begin to shift.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista
Duration: 2h 30m (150 min)
The Guardians face a new threat while dealing with the past of one of their own. As they embark on a dangerous mission, they uncover hidden truths that challenge their understanding of identity and belonging. The journey tests their bond as a team while forcing them to confront difficult choices.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Director: Wes Ball
Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand
Duration: 2h 25m (145 min)
Set generations after earlier events, a new society of apes has emerged, while humans exist in a diminished state. As different groups struggle for dominance, a young ape embarks on a journey that will shape the future of both species. The balance between power and survival becomes central to the unfolding conflict.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
Director: George Miller
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke
Duration: 2h 28m (148 min)
The story follows Furiosa’s origins as she is taken from her homeland and forced into a harsh world controlled by rival warlords. As she grows and adapts, she navigates shifting alliances and dangerous landscapes in search of a way back. Her journey is defined by survival and resistance.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler
Duration: 2h 46m (166 min)
Paul Atreides continues his journey among the Fremen as he seeks to fulfill a larger destiny tied to the future of Arrakis. As conflicts intensify, he rises within the desert society while preparing for a confrontation that will reshape power structures across the galaxy. His path becomes increasingly intertwined with prophecy and leadership.
Civil War (2024)
Director: Alex Garland
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura
Duration: 1h 49m (109 min)
In a divided future United States, a group of journalists travels across the country to document a rapidly escalating internal conflict. As they move through dangerous territories, they witness the breakdown of institutions and the human impact of war. Their journey becomes a record of a nation in crisis.
2025 Action Adventure Movies
If you’re looking for more recent releases, you can explore the 2025 selection here.
Keep Exploring
if you feel like looking beyond this list, you can visit the Movies page for other genres or head over to the TV Series section for longer-form stories.
Film release data and basic information are based on publicly available sources such as IMDb and official distributor pages.
