The Unmissable Action: Your Curated Playlist of the Best Action Movies of 2025

The year 2025 has been a stellar twelve months for action cinema, delivering high-quality thrills that are perfect for a festive holiday binge. As you prepare to finalize your Christmas movie marathon playlist, only the films with the strongest critical consensus will truly suffice.

To ensure your selection is packed with the highest-rated spectacles, we’ve compiled the Best Action Movies of 2025 based on verifiable Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores. We are presenting these critically Certified Fresh hits in descending order, offering a definitive guide to the year’s most acclaimed action releases.

• KPop Demon Hunters (96%): What Made this Animated Film a Top-Tier Action Hit?

This animated feature was a genuine surprise hit of 2025, securing an impressive critics' score alongside the top live-action films.

KPop Demon Hunters masterfully blends high-stakes action with the infectious energy of pop music and vibrant aesthetics.

The film follows a trio of K-pop superstars who secretly moonlight as badass demon hunters, battling evil between sold-out stadium shows.

Critics praised its electrifying action sequences and the pure, unbridled fun it delivered, backed by a terrific, memorable soundtrack.

It's a visually stunning and genre-bending choice that will energize any holiday viewing session.

• Black Bag (96%): Was this Espionage Thriller as Smart as the Critics Claimed?

Steven Soderbergh's sleek espionage caper tops many critics' lists, tying for the highest rating among the year's action releases. The spy drama follows George Woodhouse, a counterintelligence officer tasked with uncovering a mole who is leaking secret software.

The paranoia and intrigue are palpable, as one of the prime suspects turns out to be his own wife, adding high emotional and political stakes. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender deliver captivating, subtle performances, elevating the already witty and sharp script.

Its near-perfect score confirms that Black Bag is an exemplary film blending intellectual mystery with tense action.

• Predator: Killer of Killers (95%): How Did This Film Reshape the Sci-Fi Franchise?

This anthology entry into the revered Predator franchise proved to be an instant classic, lauded for its inspired premise and visceral action.

The movie features the ultimate hunter being pitted against three of the fiercest warriors in human history, creating awesome, high-stakes matchups.

Critics hailed the film for its striking visual palette and its ability to be a lean, mean, and just plain awesome addition to the sci-fi saga.

Co-directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the film successfully continues the franchise's creative hot streak, making it essential viewing for genre fans.

• One Battle After Another (94%): Could a Dramatic Director Handle a Screwball Action Epic?

Director Paul Thomas Anderson's ambitious foray into the screwball action genre with One Battle After Another earned overwhelming praise. The film follows a washed-up revolutionary living off-grid, whose peaceful existence is shattered by an epic, world-spanning adventure.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie was commended for its thematically rich script and its truly awe-inspiring, massive-scale set pieces. It proved that a director known for dramatic depth could successfully inject high-brow filmmaking into a mass-appeal action-thriller.

This film is a potent example of the Best Action Movies of 2025 that delivers both spectacle and substance.

• Warfare (92%): Is this War Film the Most Visceral Action Experience of the Year?

Co-written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland, Warfare is a raw, intense, and grounded combat film.

The narrative is stripped down, successfully embedding the audience within the terror and confusion of battle through superb filmmaking craft.

Critics noted its unnerving power and ability to evoke the primal reality of combat, standing out from typical military blockbusters. It's an immersive and challenging watch that prioritizes realism and visceral power over choreographed spectacle.

• Deep Cover (90%): Does This Action Comedy Deserve a Certified Fresh Rating?

The action comedy Deep Cover charmed critics with its freewheeling sense of fun and amusing, clever setup. The film follows an improv comedy teacher who begins to question her life as she gets drawn into a fast-paced world of secrets and stunts.

The movie’s certified fresh rating is a testament to its successful blend of physical comedy and action, allowing its powerhouse ensemble cast ample time to shine.

It serves as a lighthearted yet critically approved choice for those needing an injection of laughs with their stunts.

• Thunderbolts* (88%): Did the MCU Return to Form With This Ensemble Film?

Marvel Studios found critical success with Thunderbolts, which was praised for its sharp focus on a compelling ensemble of antiheroes.

The film, which assembles a ragtag team including Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes, was lauded for its grittier dynamics and magnetic performances, particularly from Florence Pugh.

Critics felt it refreshingly returned to the successful blueprint of the MCU’s best outings, providing a strong narrative anchor amidst the expected action. Its high score validates it as one of the stronger and more compelling superhero action entries of the year.

• Predator: Badlands (85%): How Does the Franchise Maintain Such High Quality?

The Predator franchise continued its critically acclaimed resurgence with Badlands, which secured another solid score, further solidifying its modern success.

This sci-fi actioner was praised for its innovative story and high-octane sequences, receiving rave reviews from both critics and audiences.

The film follows a young Predator outcast who forms an unexpected alliance in the wastelands, delivering a fresh take on the classic hunter-prey dynamic. Its quality is a testament to the continued creative vision behind the series, making it a reliable pick for pure action thrills.

Best Action Movies of 2025: The Ultimate Christmas Watchlist

Some Closing Thoughts

The critical success of the 2025 action film lineup ensures that curating an unmissable holiday playlist is remarkably easy this year.

By focusing on these top-tier, critically Certified Fresh films, you can move beyond mere explosions and indulge in spectacles that are also genuine cinematic achievements.

Whether you favor high-concept sci-fi, political thrillers, or ensemble superhero action, these movies offer the best combination of quality and excitement.

Your Christmas 2025 movie marathon is now guaranteed to be both thrilling and critically satisfying.

So, which one of the above films are you popping onto your screen first (Or watch in a theatre near you) to kickoff your Holiday action fest? Let us know in the comments section down below!