Last updated March 2024
Looking for extraordinary Best Action Movies 2001 that live up to any hype? Check out our handpicked collection of 30 marvelous, critic- and user-acclaimed Best Action Movies 2001 ready to stream instantly. Backed by outstanding IMDB ratings and glowing praise from our knowledgeable user community, these first-rate titles represent the absolute cream of the crop in entertainment. Help fellow viewers find overlooked gems by voting for your personal favorites. We value members who contribute great recommendations!
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Plot Summary:
Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed
Duration: 178 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 20000000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: New Zealand, USA
Plot tags: sword fight, friendship, fantasy world, wizard, sword and sorcery, magic, good versus evil, monster, mythology, middle earth, magical, river, hobbit, medieval, lord of the rings, journey, magical ring, heroic mission, creature, imaginary kingdom, imaginary, sorcerer, save the world, castle, ancient
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)
Plot Summary:
Mars. Days before Halloween 2071. Villains blow up a tanker truck on Highway One, releasing a deadly virus that kills hundreds. Fearing a bigger, even more devastating biochemical attack, an astronomical reward is offered for the arrest and capture of the person behind the destruction. On the space ship "Bebop," Spike Spiegel and his crew of bounty hunters (Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Ed and Ein) are bored and short of cash. But with the news of the reward, everything changes
Duration: 115 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 52000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, USA
Plot tags: mars, terrorism, space opera, chase, outer space, bounty hunter, revenge, martial arts, danger, terrorist, gang, partner, heroic mission, escapades, rivalry, reward, fight, police, gunfight, city, jazz, dialogue, violence, mature, terror
Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)
Plot Summary:
TV reporter Shivajirao gets a chance to be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a day, after being challenged by incumbent Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan. After his successful one-day stint, he attempts to get back to his normal life, but it is not as easy as he thought it to be, with the lives of his near and dear ones now in danger on account of his honesty
Duration: 187 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: political activism, politics, election, attempted murder, love and romance, rise to the top, fall in love, intrigue, ambition, rivalry, society, political conspiracy, political corruption, family disapproval, dishonesty, righting the wronged, proposal, legislation, indians, politician, assassination, power politics, political intrigue, chief, hopes
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Plot Summary:
When U.S. Rangers and an elite Delta Force team attempt to kidnap two underlings of a Somali warlord, their Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, and the Americans suffer heavy casualties, facing intense fighting from the militia on the ground
Duration: 144 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 417000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: war, courage, combat, battles, shooting, gunfight, chaos, sniper, military, survival, army, american soldier, rescue mission, u.s. military, mission, warrior, helicopter, conflict, shootout, violent, team, special forces, marine, tough heroes, u.s. marine
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Plot Summary:
Enemy at the Gates is a war film from Jean-Jacques Annaud from 2001 that takes place during the battle of Stalingard in World War II between the Russians and the Germans
Duration: 131 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 274000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: Ireland, UK, France, Germany, USA
Plot tags: sniper, world war two, war, military, friendship, nazi, heroes, ambition, death, wartime, courage, world war, winter, battles, cold war, tank, rivalry, uninhibited rivalry, heroic mission, nazism, great war, partner, hide and seek, rise to the top, elimination
Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Plot Summary:
A young Shaolin follower reunites with his discouraged brothers to form a soccer team using their martial art skills to their advantage
Duration: 113 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sport
Country: Hong Kong, China
Plot tags: soccer, martial arts, kung fu, football, underdog, champion, silly humor, fight, mentor, love story, coach, humiliation, against the odds, monk, sport team, follow your dream, contests and competitions, championship, shaolin, heroes, friends, misfit, ambition, social misfits, hopes
Mutiny: A Love Story (2001)
Plot Summary:
Amongst the communal riots that erupt in the city, Tara shelters a wayward Sakina from a crazed mob and a bond that blossoms into love is created. The two eventually get married and have a son. The happy family, now living in Amritsar, gets the shock of their lives when Sakina learns that her father (Amrish Puri), whom she previously believed died in the riots back in Amritsar, is still alive after seeing his picture in a tattered, old newspaper. Upon contacting him, Sakina's father, now the mayor of Lahore in Pakistan, arranges for his daughter to arrive in Lahore to see him. Sakina leaves for Lahore minus Tara and her son, and upon reaching the city, learns of her father's plans for her - plans that include forcing Sakina to forget about her family and start life anew in Pakistan. Then begins an extraordinary journey which will lead Tara to cross the border into Pakistan to find his love Sakina
Duration: 170 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: India
Plot tags: family relations, fall in love, social differences, against the odds, against the rules, love and romance, society, political unrest, religions or cults, on the run, patriot, escape, pursuit, chase, indian history, indians, politics, punjabi, genocide, muslim, patriotism, sikh, religious intolerance, chaos and mayhem, love
The Warrior (2001)
Plot Summary:
In 1375, China was in chaos between Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Coryo (an ancient kingdom of Korea then) sent a delegation of many diplomats, soldiers and a silent slave to make peace with the new Chinese government. However, this delegation got charged as spies and sent in exile to a remote desert
Duration: 158 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea, China
Plot tags: martial arts, medieval, war, desert, samurai, kung fu, survival, battles, master warrior, exile, fight, wuxia, betrayal, heroic mission, empire, love affair, tragic hero, sword fight, rescue, danger, state affairs, heroes, soldier, emperor, daring rescue
Spy Game (2001)
Plot Summary:
Veteran spy Nathan Muir is on the verge of retiring from the CIA when he learns that his one-time protégé and close friend, Tom Bishop, is a political prisoner sentenced to die in Beijing. Although their friendship has been marred by bad blood and resentment, Muir agrees to take on the most dangerous mission of his career and rescue Bishop
Duration: 126 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 165000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany, Japan, France, UK
Plot tags: spy, espionage, cia, mentor, undercover, working undercover, secret agent, terrorist, cold war, conspiracy, government agency, against the rules, terrorism, vietnam war, rescue, hitman, mission, political corruption, danger, race against time, secret service, corruption, sniper, surveillance, agent
Ichi the Killer (2001)
Plot Summary:
As sadomasochistic yakuza enforcer Kakihara searches for his missing boss he comes across Ichi, a repressed and psychotic killer who may be able to inflict levels of pain that Kakihara has only dreamed of
Duration: 129 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 59000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama
Country: Japan
Plot tags: gory, violence, psychopath, organized crime, gangster, yakuza, massacre, mob boss, gore, danger, rage, insanity, sadism, murderer, macabre, pain, murder, gang, hitman, extreme, exploitation, missing person, chase, rivalry, serial killer
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
Plot Summary:
In 18th century France, the Chevalier de Fronsac and his Native American friend Mani are sent by the King to the Gevaudan province to investigate the killings of hundreds by a mysterious beast
Duration: 142 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 70000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Country: France
Plot tags: werewolf, martial arts, beast, supernatural, conspiracy, murder, investigation, monster, legends and myths, good versus evil, animal attack, sword fight, medieval, native american, revolution, wolf, blood, violence, sex scene, secret society, fear, creature, aristocracy, kung fu, lion
To End All Wars (2001)
Plot Summary:
Based on a real-life story, this drama focuses on a small group of Allied soldiers in Burma who are held captive by the Japanese. Capt. Ernest Gordon (Ciaran McMenamin), Lt. Jim Reardon (Kiefer Sutherland) and Maj. Ian Campbell (Robert Carlyle) are among the military officers kept imprisoned and routinely beaten and deprived of food. While Campbell wants to rebel and attempt an escape, Gordon tries to take a more stoic approach, an attitude that proves to be surprisingly resonant
Duration: 125 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: USA
Plot tags: world war two, war, pow, military, jungle, survival, prisoners of war, prisoner of war camp, christian, soldier, war crime, hopes, human spirit, prison life, leadership, world war, torment, confined, tragic hero, human nature, redemption, escape, great war, prisoner, rebellion
A Knight's Tale (2001)
Plot Summary:
William Thatcher, a peasant, is sent to apprentice with a Knight named Hector as a young boy. Urged by his father to "change his Stars", he assumes Sir Hector's place in a tournament when Hector dies in the middle of it. He wins. With the other apprentices, he trains and assumes the title of Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein
Duration: 132 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 198000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: medieval, knight, sword fight, jousting, against the odds, sword duel, love and romance, rivalry, love, love story, writers, fall in love, underdog, follow your dream, fight, rags to riches, swords and armor, competition, game, torture, church, mentor, hopes, friends, desire
The Last Castle (2001)
Plot Summary:
A Court Martialed general rallies together 1200 inmates to rise against the system that put him away
Duration: 131 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: prison, military, fighting the system, prison life, military prison, convict, murder, prison escape, prison riot, manipulation, rebellion, power struggle, confined, rebelliousness, american football, father daughter relationship, corporal punishment, respect, prison warden, abuse of power, warden, violent content, court, secrets, chess
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Plot Summary:
The world's most highly qualified crew of archaeologists and explorers is led by historian Milo Thatch as they board the incredible 1,000-foot submarine Ulysses and head deep into the mysteries of the sea
Duration: 95 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 131000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: steampunk, princess, treasure hunt, underwater, adventurer, expedition, ancient civilization, fantasy world, beast, atlantis, lost world, ancient mystery, scientist, monster, mythology, museum, submarine, good versus evil, greed, shipwreck, linguist, escapades, king, parents and children, catastrophe
The Score (2001)
Plot Summary:
An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid convinces him into doing one last heist
Duration: 124 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 133000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany
Plot tags: robbery, safecracker, betrayal, thief, caper, bank robbery, heist, race against time, criminal's revenge, cons and scams, con artists, group of criminals, twists and turns, plan, organized crime, rivalry, master thief, jewel thief, bank robber, hacking, murder, plot twist, deception, surveillance, one last job
The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Plot Summary:
Domenic Toretto is a Los Angeles street racer suspected of masterminding a series of big-rig hijackings. When undercover cop Brian O'Conner infiltrates Toretto's iconoclastic crew, he falls for Toretto's sister and must choose a side: the gang or the LAPD
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 412000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany
Plot tags: car chase, undercover cop, car, chase, car race, street racing, drag racing, chases and races, gang, heist, undercover, robbery, tough guy, car racing, auto repair, race, theft, mechanic, working undercover, danger, racing, auto racing, law enforcement, hotshot, heroes
Rush Hour 2 (2001)
Plot Summary:
It's vacation time for Carter as he finds himself alongside Lee in Hong Kong wishing for more excitement. While Carter wants to party and meet the ladies, Lee is out to track down a Triad gang lord who may be responsible for killing two men at the American Embassy. Things get complicated as the pair stumble onto a counterfeiting plot. The boys are soon up to their necks in fist fights and life-threatening situations. A trip back to the U.S. may provide the answers about the bombing, the counterfeiting, and the true allegiance of sexy customs agent Isabella
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 235000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Country: Hong Kong, USA
Plot tags: martial arts, buddy, kung fu, buddy cop, kick-butt women, police investigation, partner, culture clash, chase, gang, odd couple, good versus evil, bribery, forgery, police, power struggle, fish out of water, friends, african american, law enforcement, disorder, silly humor, struggle, partners against crime, fight scenes
Kiss of the Dragon (2001)
Plot Summary:
Liu Jian, an elite Chinese police officer, comes to Paris to arrest a Chinese drug lord. When Jian is betrayed by a French officer and framed for murder, he must go into hiding and find new allies
Duration: 98 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: France, USA
Plot tags: martial arts, police corruption, kung fu, conspiracy, reconnaissance, heroin, murder, fight, framed for murder, prostitute, one against many, law enforcement, dishonesty, fight scenes, surveillance, spy, badass, karate, frame up, on the run, swat team, drug lord, crime boss, little girl, reluctant hero
Wasabi (2001)
Plot Summary:
Hubert is a French policeman with very sharp methods. After being forced to take 2 months off by his boss, who doesn't share his view on working methods, he goes back to Japan, where he used to work 19 years ago, to settle the probate of his girlfriend who left him shortly after marriage without a trace
Duration: 94 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Action, Drama, Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Country: France, Japan
Plot tags: yakuza, father daughter relationship, justice, lone hero, police brutality, investigation, japanese mafia, police detective, youth, tough guy, culture clash, inheritance, police, violence, gunfight, brutality, tough cop, mafia, police investigation, buddy, bank robbery, fight, teenage daughter, misfit, family relations
Joy Ride (2001)
Plot Summary:
Three young people on a road trip from Colorado to New Jersey talk to a trucker on their CB radio, then must escape when he turns out to be a psychotic killer
Duration: 97 min
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
IMDB Votes: 75000
Genere: Action, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: kidnapping, prank, truck driver, survival, road trip, psychopath, truck, paranoia, twists and turns, brother brother relationship, revenge, murder, on the road, torture, serial killer, panic, chase, stalker, brutality, stalking, trap, redneck, road rage, motel, prank gone wrong
Heist (2001)
Plot Summary:
Joe Moore has a job he loves. He's a thief. His job goes sour when he gets caught on security camera tape. His fence, Bergman reneges on the money he's owed, and his wife may be betraying him with the fence's young lieutenant. Moore and his partner, Bobby Blane and their utility man, Pinky Pincus find themselves broke, betrayed, and blackmailed. Moore is forced to commit his crew to do one last big job
Duration: 109 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 39000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Canada, USA
Plot tags: heist, robbery, twists and turns, caper, blackmail, gunfight, surveillance, gold, bank robber, stolen gold, mastermind, bank robbery, organized crime, violence, betrayal, gang, partner, one last job, group of criminals, master criminal, dishonesty, criminal heroes, plot twist, hustler, bank
Swordfish (2001)
Plot Summary:
Rogue agent Gabriel Shear is determined to get his mitts on $9 billion stashed in a secret Drug Enforcement Administration account. He wants the cash to fight terrorism, but lacks the computer skills necessary to hack into the government mainframe. Enter Stanley Jobson, a n'er-do-well encryption expert who can log into anything
Duration: 99 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 194000
Genere: Action, Crime, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: heist, computer hacker, hacker, hostage, bank robbery, spy, terrorism, computer, surveillance, father daughter relationship, hot and sexy, ex convict, hacking, misdirection, secret agent, robbery, violence, betrayal, car chase, twists and turns, master criminal, senator, black ops, internet, bank
Rat Race (2001)
Plot Summary:
In an ensemble film about easy money, greed, manipulation and bad driving, a Las Vegas casino tycoon entertains his wealthiest high rollers -- a group that will bet on anything -- by pitting six ordinary people against each other in a wild dash for $2 million jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. The tycoon and his wealthy friends monitor each racer's every move to keep track of their favorites. The only rule in this race is that there are no rules
Duration: 112 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 122000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: treasure hunt, road trip, on the road, chase, bet, mother daughter reunion, escapades, casino, gambling, chases and races, rivalry, race, dumb, creativity, racing, brothers, obsessive quest, nothing goes right, american football, contest, cow, squirrel, museum, millionaire, contests and competitions
Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq (2001)
Plot Summary:
Paris. 1830. In the heart of the town, Vidocq, a famous detective, disappeared as he fights the Alchemist, an assassin that he has been pursuing for a few months. His young biographer, Etienne Boisset, decides to have revenge on Vidocq's death and takes the investigation on
Duration: 98 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Action, Crime, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: France
Plot tags: serial killer, steampunk, investigation, alchemy, who done it, alchemist, danger, female nudity, law enforcement, delinquent, uncover truth, occult, mirror, brothel, medieval, murder, virgin, criminal, mafia, killer, revenge, supernatural, macabre, murder investigation, goth
The Mummy Returns (2001)
Plot Summary:
Rick and Evelyn O'Connell, along with their 8 year old son Alex, discover the key to the legendary Scorpion King's might, the fabled Bracelet of Anubis. Unfortunately, a newly resurrected Imhotep has designs on the bracelet as well, and isn't above kidnapping its new bearer, Alex, to gain control of Anubis' otherworldly army
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 341000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: mummy, treasure hunt, archaeology, treasure, ancient egypt, supernatural, good versus evil, mythology, monster, chase, tomb, heroic mission, pyramid, reincarnation, immortality, fantasy world, ancient, desert, egyptian mythology, egyptology, magic, undead, mission, heroes, daring rescue
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Plot Summary:
Led by a strange dream, scientist Aki Ross struggles to collect the eight spirits in the hope of creating a force powerful enough to protect the planet. With the aid of the Deep Eyes Squadron and her mentor, Dr. Sid, Aki must save the Earth from its darkest hate and unleash the spirits within
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: alien, space station, post apocalypse, alien invasion, dystopia, battles, space, cyberpunk, scientist, military, space travel, save the world, heroic mission, downfall, heroes, danger, race against time, lucid dream, infected, apocalypse, technology, space opera, post apocalyptic, distopia, meteorite
Avalon (2001)
Plot Summary:
In a future world, young people are increasingly becoming addicted to an illegal (and potentially deadly) battle simulation game called Avalon. When Ash, a star player, hears of rumors that a more advanced level of the game exists somewhere, she gives up her loner ways and joins a gang of explorers. Even if she finds the gateway to the next level, will she ever be able to come back to reality?
Duration: 107 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan, Poland
Plot tags: virtual reality, obsession, distopia, game, battles, transformation, fantasy world, contests and competitions, dystopian future, gang, addiction, hacker, medieval, life is a bitch, fighting the system, hacking, video game, female protagonist, game playing, cyberpunk, computer, dystopia, survival, machine, puzzle
Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Plot Summary:
While flying a routine reconnaissance mission over Bosnia, fighter pilot Chris Burnett photographs something he wasn't supposed to see and gets shot down behind enemy lines, where he must outrun an army led by a ruthless Serbian general. With time running out and a deadly tracker on his trail, Burnett's commanding officer decides to risk his career and launch a renegade rescue mission to save his life
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 111000
Genere: Action, Drama, Thriller, War
Country: USA
Plot tags: survival, sniper, military, behind enemy lines, fighter pilot, courage, war, u.s. navy, rescue, war crime, fighter plane, bosnian war, aviation, atrocity, shootout, fight scenes, navy, reconnaissance, catastrophe, escape, heroes, twists and turns, danger, forest, manhunt
Ashoka the Great (2001)
Plot Summary:
In India, about 260 BC in the Empire of Magadha, the Prince Asoka (Shah Rukh Khan) survives to many betrayals of his brothers, leaded by the evil Susima (Ajit Kumar), who wants to kill him to inherit the throne. His mothers orders Asoka to leave Magadha, and while traveling, he meets Princess Kaurwaki (Karriena Kapoor) and her brother, Prince Aryan (Sooraj Balaji) from Kalinga, who are undercover and protected by General Bheema (Rahul Dev). Asoka and Kaurwaki falls in love for each other, but the mother of Asoka calls him back to Magadha. When he returns, he does not find Kaurwaki, who was attacked by traitors of Kalinga. When Asoka's mother is killed by a man of Susima, Asoka becomes mad, kills all his evil brothers but Sugatra, who escapes to Kalinga. Asoka decides to conquer Kalinga, but in the end, he concludes that he has not built an empire, but conquered only corpses and destroyed everything, and he decides to spread love and the Buddhism
Duration: 180 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: India
Plot tags: buddhism, ancient history, indians, emperor, ancient world, betrayal, battles, ruler, rise to the top, fall in love, leadership, hidden identity, royal family, state affairs, assassination attempt, medieval, dishonesty, ancient, antiquity, princess, royalty, indian history, redemption, fratricide, indian war