Pick your fighter: 7 action movie heroes on Showmax

Whether you’ve played Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, Tekken or never darkened a dodgy arcade’s threshold, you'll know that picking your fighter isn’t a game. Each character has a unique style, level of power or a killer move that can save your opponent a visit to the chiropractor or blow them to smithereens.  

If you know how to nimbly activate abilities or simply press all the buttons at once and hope for the best, just make sure you’re not that person who hits repeat on one unbeatable move until no one wants to play you. Whether mastering your favourite fighter or smashing up a car parked by the docks in record time, it’s so much better when your hero has a story or movie of their own! In this bonus round, pick your fighter from the biggest movie stars as they crank up the action as some of their toughest characters, ever.   

Dwayne Johnson (Black Adam in Black Adam)

Superman, Shazam, Black Adam … some superheroes are so gosh-darn invincible and incredible that they spawn multiple versions of themselves without even needing to multiverse hop. Each of these comic book champs have distinct differences, whether it’s a nerdy alter-ego or day job. Yet, the most telling thing is who’s deemed worthy of donning their body-hugging suits. In the case of the speedy and invincible Black Adam, who literally shoots lightning bolts out of his fingertips, it’s Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. 

Once upon a time the Scorpion King, this role of infinite possibilities finds Johnson powering up Black Adam in a movie that blends The Mummy with Superman. An edgy superhero force with a killer soundtrack, it’s a good thing that Black Adam’s powers are being wielded against the bad guys… even if his Dirty Harry one-liners are being delivered when the punks are already toast. 

Viola Davis (The Woman King) 

Whether Ma Rainey, Deloris Jordan or Major Gwen Anderson, there’s no denying the immense strength and talents of the critically revered Viola Davis. The Oscar-winning actor is one of the generation’s best, who, much like the legendary Anthony Hopkins, is able to wield emotional intensity and soulful power without breaking a sweat. This inner strength is what fuels her role as the battle-hardened Nanisca. 

Summoning immediate respect from her soldiers and the audience, Davis is The Woman King, a fierce warrior and commander of the feared Agojie. This action adventure is based in history, capturing the true grit and righteous fury of an all-female army, who also inspired the Dora Milaje in Black Panther. Leading from the front, Nanisca’s courage and wisdom make her an indomitable fighter and a master tactician.  

Jackie Chan (Rumble in the Bronx) 

There’s no one like Jackie Chan! A huge fan of Buster Keaton, the real-life kung fu superstar has turned clowning about into a daredevil game of life or death. Just like MacGyver, he’s a pacifist when it comes to guns but don’t be surprised if he weaponises something from your pantry. Chan has a knack for fighting hordes of enemies simultaneously and does so in style, never missing out on an opportunity to humiliate their mere mortal efforts. 

Rumble in the Bronx finds the one-man-army taking it to the streets as a Hong Kong policeman in New York. There to attend his uncle’s wedding, things escalate rapidly as Keung tries to protect a supermarket only to takedown an evil syndicate. Commandeering a hovercraft at one stage, Chan made his Hollywood breakthrough in this funny and gritty martial arts comedy that showcases the actor’s sheer commitment to his craft. He puts his body on the line to perform most of his own electrifying stunts for maximum impact value. 

Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)

It’s difficult to think of an actor more perfectly suited for Wonder Woman than Gal Gadot. The natural born Amazonian is breathtakingly beautiful, armed with altruistic spirit and the fierce screen presence to bring the superhero to life. Fast-forwarding her origin story to a pilot’s crash landing and tale of a war to end all wars, it’s not long before Wonder Woman is in full flight, discovering her superpowers and true destiny. 

Using her superhuman strength, speed, flight and golden lasso of truth, Princess Diana of Themyscira is an unstoppable force. Having her shimmering colours cut through the muck and mire of World War One, Wonder Woman is a wildly entertaining, hilarious and powerful superhero movie that masterfully blends the worlds of Amazonia and Earth. 

Tom Cruise (Jack Reacher) 

There are very few actors who can say they pulled off a film career spanning four decades. Tom Cruise, who doesn’t seem to age, is in a perpetual state of hell-yeah. Having recently landed Top Gun: Maverick in almost every sense, Cruise still leads from the front with blockbusters like the Edge of Tomorrow and the Mission: Impossible series. While his death-defying espionage antics have given him a platform to compete with the likes of Bond, the Hollywood hero is quite literally his own franchise. 

Packing enough dynamite to play the enforcer, Jack Reacher, it’s Cruise’s eagle-eyed determination and ceaseless drive that makes him compelling to watch. Leaning on Cruise’s war filmography and considerable presence to fill Reacher’s boots, the fit is surprisingly snug. Picking up a case involving a former US sniper accused of killing five people, he gives Reacher clout as the beloved Lee Child character is hired to flex his special set of skills to lead a sensitive and dangerous internal investigation. 

Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) 

Catching a bullet in your teeth is impressive if you’re a pet detective. It’s even more impressive if you’re a hacker who’s able to re-code reality to slow things down enough to dodge them without breaking your back. The Matrix is the sci-fi kung fu actioner that turned Keanu Reeves into Neo: the One if you reconfigure his name. With Trinity and Morpheus by his side, Neo spearheaded a sci-fi action movie to rule them all at the turn of the millennium.  

Adopting the power of flight and managing to outsmart and outwit an army of Agent Smiths, Neo operates in god mode in The Matrix. From stylish bank jobs to fly kicks, this dystopian dreamland of wish fulfilment in the key of Alice in Wonderland is a sandbox for the imagination. The Matrix embodies Rage Against the Machine’s indomitable spirit and makes it cool to wear sunglasses and trench coats - yes, even at night. 

Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road)

From Aeon Flux and Atomic Blonde to The Old Guard, one thing’s clear… Charlize Theron kicks ass. Commanding the Tatra T815, better known as The War Rig, the tough-as-nails Imperator Furiosa is large and in charge from the get-go in a piston-pumping post-apocalyptic car chase and blistering sci-fi action adventure. Theron is always a force to be reckoned with and carries the same relentless no-nonsense verve into her starring role opposite Tom Hardy. 

Kidnapped at a young age, Furiosa’s training finds her in full control as a skilled tactician, driver and mechanic - fending off a horde of bloodthirsty enemies with her vehicular combat skills in an epic desert showdown. The Academy doesn't often recognise action performances but Theron channels her all into this gutsy and headstrong Oscar-worthy turn, which probably landed her the role as Cipher in The Fast and Furious franchise.