9 gripping action adventures that will transport you to another world

Action, action, we want action! A-C-T… I-O-N. The action film genre has ensured we never run short on car chases, explosions, fights and shoot ‘em ups. While this blend of action elements continues to exhilarate and entertain with heroes taking down bad guys, there’s something so much more intriguing about a story when you add a dash of adventure. 

Speaking to the escapism and true spectacle that is the movies, action and adventure are so deeply connected in the stuff of blockbusters that it’s hard to tell where Indy begins and Hans ends. Whether you like your action with Brad Pitt or your adventure with Robert Downey Jr., here’s a list of rewatchable action-adventures that are guaranteed to take you to another world. 

Beowulf

Robert Zemeckis brought us Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, the Back to the Future trilogy and Forrest Gump. His creative inspiration has changed the landscape of pop culture and he continues to push the bounds of our imagination with action-adventures. Using motion-capture performances, he transplants us in the vivid adaptation of an Old English epic poem, Beowulf.  

Led by Ray Winstone as the quintessential hero Beowulf, the stellar cast includes: Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright, Angelina Jolie and Crispin Glover. Each performing within a cube known as The Volume, this gritty and life-like sword and sorcery epic plays like a feature length medieval video game of the highest order. 

Troy

The Trojan War is brought to life in Wolfgang Petersen’s spectacular historical action-adventure, Troy. Loosely based on Homer’s Iliad, this sword-and-sandal epic immerses audiences in ancient Greece to witness a battle between the kingdoms of Troy and Sparta. This iconic and unforgettable epic features a stellar cast, memorable fight choreography, large-scale battle sequences and ornate sets. 

At the height of his powers, it’s the one-and-only Brad Pitt who stars as Achilles in this action-packed and eye-popping film. Pitt leads a formidable cast opposite Eric Bana as Prince Hector with Sean Bean, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, Diane Kruger and Orlando Bloom in the wings. 

Jack the Giant Slayer

Jack the Giant Slayer is a hybrid reworking, which combines the special effects action and medieval fantasy romance of cult classic Jack the Giant Killer with the humble, imaginative, magical zero-to-hero fairy tale of a lowly farm boy in Jack & The Beanstalk. 

Bryan Singer has created an entertaining, epic and sinister action-adventure that aims to match the same swashbuckling spirit as The Princess Bride and the grand spectacle of The Hobbit. Rising stars Nicholas Hoult and Eleanor Tomlinson are supported by Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane and Bill Nighy.  

Sherlock Holmes

Forget the hat and magnifying glass because the enigmatic Robert Downey Jr. has come to Baker Street in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock’s classic bromance with his trusty sidekick Watson blooms as they take on an evil nemesis in Lord Blackwood who comes from beyond the grave to seize power. 

The dark, filthy and moody London conjures up The Prestige, Sweeney Todd and Harry Potter, creating the perfect setting for a gritty mystery and action adventure. Featuring Mark Strong as the venomous Blackwood, the cast is bolstered by Jude Law as Watson with a plucky “Hermoine” in Rachel McAdams and Eddie Marsan as Lestrade. 

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

The charismatic Robert Downey Jr. and action revolution that is Guy Ritchie return for another rollicking adventure in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. When the Crown Prince of Austria appears to have committed suicide, it’s up to Sherlock to prove criminal genius and lifelong nemesis, Moriarty, is behind the murder. 

The dark, energetic and gritty sequel serves as an update on Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective, which sees Ritchie add more disguises and drama to resonate with the spirit of the classic murder mystery. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law keep the tempo upbeat with their co-lead chemistry, joined by Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris in this exciting action-adventure. 

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips is based on actual events about an unarmed US container ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates en route to Kenya. An emotionally taut rollercoaster ride, it’s the authenticity of this real-life hostage scenario that makes Captain Phillips worth watching again and again.  

An intense and visceral biopic, Tom Hanks returns to form with a devastating lead performance opposite an equally powerful turn from co-star Barkhad Abdi. A riveting and suspenseful Oscar-nominated action-adventure, director Paul Greengrass brings the same frenetic camerawork and pulsating storytelling that landed the realism and urgency of The Bourne Ultimatum. 

Sully

The amazing true story of Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger will long be remembered for the veteran pilot’s actions that saved many lives and planted an aviation miracle in the hearts and minds of the people of New York after 9/11. It’s not surprising to learn Sully is directed by Clint Eastwood, who has become known for directing stories and inspirational tales of everyday heroes – offering a salute to New York’s servicemen. 

An unofficial companion to Captain Philips, Sully is just as accurate and authentic but more unassuming, solemn and reflective. The common denominator is Tom Hanks, whose restrained lead performance balances the emotions of an overwhelmed man who remains calm under pressure. 

Godzilla

Godzilla is a symbol of the nuclear holocaust in reaction to the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. In this disaster-movie-style revival of the classic monster, the filmmakers crank up doomsday devastation to a global scale with a realistic Godzilla that recalls Jurassic Park for CGI and special effects.  

In a world overrun by monstrous creatures, only one can save us all. While the lizard is the biggest star, the immense and spectacular sci-fi action-adventure is all the better for Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson who headline a strong cast featuring: Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn and Elizabeth Olsen. 

Spider-Man: Far From Home | Stream from 18 July

Spider-Man: Far from Home pivots on a whistle-stop school holiday “Eurotrip” scheduled to culminate in Paris. A high school romcom with an action-packed secret, the fun, hijinx and tension is found in Tom Holland and Zendaya’s charm and chemistry as the movie flips between teen romcom and sci-fi action adventure.  

From awkward comedy to catastrophic action, the light-hearted yet spirited sequel’s real secret weapon is the inimitable Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays the tricky Quentin Beck better known as Mysterio. Clocking in at over two hours, this is still a brisk popcorn blockbuster geared towards maximum fun and entertainment value. 

Need more action and adventure? Watch Tom Hardy wrestle with his inner demons in Venom (18 July), Wesley Snipes take down a terrorist in Passenger 57 (29 July) and Sly Stallone go head-to-head with Wesley Snipes in Demolition Man (29 July).