35 Funniest Action Movies of the 21st Century (So Far) FSalinks

Combining two genres frequently produces excellent results since they will support one another. Drama and thriller, science fiction and comedy, or horror and so on have all been combined by filmmakers in the past to readily appeal to and please all fans. However, the most popular genre must be action movies because it is not only fascinating but also give the audience the thrill of their wildest dreams.

Sticking to action can work, but humor is always welcome. The great formula of combining action and comedy in movies has been blooming in the twenty-first century with so many notable works. The best and funniest action movies perfectly balance witty humor and exciting fight sequences, leaving fans in stitches without fail.

35 ‘Free Fire’ (2016)

Directed by Ben Wheatley

Set in the late 1970s, Free Fire follows two criminal groups who meet in an abandoned warehouse in Boston to complete an arms deal. However, tensions rise between the groups, and soon a gunfight breaks out, leaving everyone trapped in the warehouse and fighting for survival.

Praised widely for its stylish direction coming from Ben Wheatley, witty writing, and intense action scenes. Free Fire’s unique premise, which takes place entirely within a single location, was also noted for its clever execution. The film is one of the most underrated action movies of the 21st century. While it may not be for everyone, Free Fire is still a fun and entertaining action-comedy that offers a unique twist on the genre.

34 ‘Spy’ (2015)

Directed by Paul Feig

Spy follows Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy), the unsung hero of CIA’s most perilous missions who is also an inconspicuous, desk-bound analyst. However, when her partner disappears, she offers to go deep undercover to penetrate a dangerous arms dealer’s world and avert a major problem.

Instead of relying solely on cheap jokes and unnecessary action sequences, Spy is a witty, violent, and thrilling movie with a clever script and superb direction. The movie delivers exactly and elegantly what the title promises with a perfect balance of comedy and action and McCarthy’s explosive and hilarious performance.

33 ‘American Ultra’ (2015)

Directed by Nima Nourizadeh

Combining the wild, flashy action of an action thriller with the goofy sense of humor of a stoner comedy, American Ultra follows lazy small-town stoner Mike (Jesse Eisenberg), who is content in living his simple life with his girlfriend, Phoebe (Kristen Stewart). However, Mike soon has his life completely flipped on his head when he learns that he’s actually a highly trained sleeper agent, with mysterious figures from his past having returned with a vengeance. It’s now up to Mike to take down this shadowy government operation to preserve his simple way of life.

American Ultra is easily one of the most underrated modern action movies, with its blend of high-octane action and silly, over-the-top humor making for a perfect mix of genres. Eisenberg fits this style of role perfectly, able to cycle between cold and calculated killer and shy, reserved nerd at a moment’s notice for various hilarious moments. Any film that has its main character use a giant stuffed teddy bear as a silencer for their gun is going to quickly become a fan favorite among action comedies.

32 ‘Mr. Right’ (2015)

Directed by Paco Cabezas

Mr. Right is a rarely seen combination of the romantic comedy and action genres, following the story of a girl falling in love with the seemingly perfect guy, except for a singular flaw. He’s actually a hitman who is on the run from the crime cartels that have employed him, leaving a number of their dates constantly interrupted by third parties looking to kill both of them. Despite the inherent danger, the two genuinely have an effective connection, so she tries to make it work, even if her life is now at risk.

Mr. Right manages to bring together two completely different genres in a way that makes them appear perfect for each other, much like the primary couple in the film. It checks all the boxes for a great romantic comedy, showing genuine chemistry and charm between its leads Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell, making them a lovable couple you want to root for. In terms of action, Rockwell steals the show as the seemingly unstoppable and untouchable force of nature, taking down hordes of bad guys in stylish and intricate ways, and creating a multitude of beautiful action scenes.

31 ‘The Paper Tigers’ (2020)

Directed by Bao Tran

The Paper Tigers, directed by Bao Tran, follows three middle-aged friends and former martial arts prodigies who reunite to investigate the mysterious death of their old master. The film masterfully portrays the themes of tenacity, honor, and the eternal links of brotherhood as they explore their past and face their own limitations.

With a cast of talented martial artists and a witty script, The Paper Tigers offers a unique and entertaining spin on the martial arts genre that will resonate with both fans of action and those who appreciate a good character-driven story. Moreover, the film has received critical acclaim for its charismatic performances and the way it subverts the typical martial arts movie stereotypes by featuring relatable, imperfect protagonists.

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30 ‘The Fall Guy’ (2024)

Directed by David Leitch

The latest film from acclaimed action director David Leitch, The Fall Guy is a glorious and hilarious love letter to the art of stuntwork and the joy and pain that comes from doing the hard work without the recognition. The film sees Ryan Gosling as stuntman Colt Seavers, who has given up his career in stuntwork after a major accident left him with a broken back. However, when his old love finally has her shot in the directing chair, Colt ends up getting back into the world of stunts, unintentionally getting himself wrapped up in a wild conspiracy surrounding the film’s missing lead star.

Much like Leitch’s other works, The Fall Guy does a great job of blending wild, extravagant action sequences with great back-and-forth dialogue that never fails to conjure laughs and good times. While the film was largely overlooked by audiences during its time in theaters, the vast majority of critics and those who saw the film were quick to tout the film’s numerous strengths and hilarious iconic moments. The film is a must-watch for fans of Gosling, Leitch’s previous work, or just any interest in stunts in general.

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29 ‘The Gentlemen’ (2019)

Directed by Guy Ritchie

The Gentlemen follows Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), an American expatriate who has built a successful marijuana empire in London. When he decides to retire and sell his business, chaos ensues as various criminal organizations, including a Chinese gang and a group of young upstarts, try to take over his territory.

A typical Guy Ritchie film, the movie is very masculine, with everything we’ve come to expect from him while also introducing a few fresh faces and weaving his intricate plot at a slightly slower tempo. Moreover, the film is such a wild ride thanks to a superb ensemble who are all at their best.

28 ‘Team America: World Police’ (2004)

Directed by Trey Parker

Acting as a direct parody and satire of then-recent events as well as action movies, Team America: World Police follows the international police force team in their ventures of maintaining global stability. After they uncover a dangerous plot by Kim Jong Il to destroy the world, they enlist the help of Broadway actor Gary Johnston to go undercover thanks to his acting abilities. The film’s absurd and satirical comedic style combined with its usage of puppets for the entire cast has helped it attain a successful legacy, as well as cult classic status as an action comedy.

While certainly more comedy than action, Team America: World Police doesn’t shy away from having intricate puppet action sequences, from one-on-one combat to mass destruction of monuments and landmarks. The comedy is distinct from its early 2000s era, with certain jokes and concepts aging like a fine wine while others are incredibly dated and have only soured with time. However, the baseline concept of an action movie with puppets is so inherently funny that it easily makes it worth a watch, especially when it has such an iconic and hilarious soundtrack of parody songs.

27 ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ (2022)

Directed by Mike Cheslik

A hilarious and chaotic work of art that feels like a classic slapstick cartoon brought to life in live action, Hundreds of Beavers is the type of wild, over-the-top brilliance that feels tailor-made for the digital era. The film follows a former applejack salesman who has his entire operation destroyed during a harsh winter, forced to explore the forest and survive various encounters with the chaotic wildlife of the forest. After getting a handle on how to be a successful fur trapper, he soon faces his greatest threat yet as he goes head-to-head against hundreds of beavers.

Hundreds of Beavers is easily the closest that any modern live-action film has gotten to recapturing the pace and wild action of a classic cartoon, complete with animation techniques and a love of pure absurdity. This frantic, cartoony action style is only further amplified by the film’s style of humor, which works wonders in creating a hilarious, non-serious joyride that’s impossible not to crack a smile at. Hundreds of Beavers has quickly risen through the ranks through word of mouth to be one of the most beloved films of recent memory.

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26 ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ (2014)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Kingsman: The Secret Service follows Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton), a young man from a working-class family who is recruited by a secret spy organization called the Kingsman. Eggsy is trained in the art of espionage and becomes part of a mission to stop a global threat from a tech billionaire named Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson).

The first installment of the same-name franchise is praised highly for its over-the-top action sequences, stylish visuals, witty writing, and fresh take on the spy genre. Additionally, Kingsman succeeds in becoming a relevant and realistic film about classism with so many comedy and cartoonist elements, in the midst of the espionage action genre.

25 ‘The Other Guys’ (2010)

Directed by Adam McKay

The Other Guys follows Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), a desk-bound forensic accountant, and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), a tough and trigger-happy detective. When the city’s star detectives meet an untimely end, Gamble and Hoitz get the chance to step up and solve a big case involving corporate crime and corruption.

The humor in the movie comes from the obvious contrast between the two leads. Will Ferrell’s deadpan humor contrasts with Mark Wahlberg’s explosive energy to create a comedy team that makes people laugh while simultaneously poking fun at buddy-cop tropes. The Other Guys draws attention to the absurdity of conventional action heroes and champions the underdog characters who are sometimes overlooked in such movies.

24 ‘Kung Pow: Enter the Fist’ (2002)

Directed by Steve Oedekerk

The type of strange yet brilliant martial arts spoof that only could have been created in the early 2000s, Kung Pow: Enter the Fist sees director Steve Oedekerk splicing himself into the 70s kung fu film Tiger & Crane Fists to create an entirely new, comedy experience. Playing the role of “The Chosen One,” Oedekerk sets off on a quest to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of kung-fu legend Master Pain, encountering a wide variety of strange characters and dangerous foes on his path to glory.

Kung Pow: Enter the Fist quickly became a staple of the early internet, with its strange, almost random style of humor fitting perfectly with the zeitgeist and humor styles of the pre/early-social media internet. While it certainly has some aspects that haven’t aged the best over 20 years later, its chaotic sense of humor still finds success in the modern, jaded, and irony-stained humor that has defined the internet of recent years. It’s certainly not the smartest movie out there, but as far as martial arts comedy movies go, there simply is nothing else quite like it.

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23 ‘Machete’ (2010)

Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Ethan Maniquis

A glorious and explosive love letter to exploitation films, Machete follows the titular ruthless killing machine, Machete (Danny Trejo) as he enacts revenge upon a former employer, who set him up and betrayed him during a mission to assassinate a Texas Senator. His quest for revenge has him mercilessly taking down every single person in his path of destruction, leaving a wake of chaos and bodies in the process.

Nearly every sequence of Machete leans into the absurdity and over-the-top chaos of exploitation action films, creating a beautiful self-aware action experience that fully embraces its chaotic nature. It’s about as cheesy and non-serious as it gets, and while for some this same joke repeated for an entire runtime could get stale, it’s difficult to not get wrapped up in the fun and pandemonium. While the series would eventually continue with the sequel, Machete Kills, and the long-awaited eventual third film in the Machete trilogy, the original film is easily the peak of the series.

22 ‘American Made’ (2017)

Directed by Doug Liman

American Made is a movie based on the true story of Barry Seal, played by Tom Cruise, a former TWA pilot who later served as a cocaine smuggler for the Medellin Cartel in the 1980s after flying missions for the CIA. Seal then cooperated with the DEA as an informant to avoid being sentenced to prison.

Barry Seal is an alluring figure thanks to Cruise’s magnetism and exhibiting in his story the most daring aspect of the American dream. Even though the movie has its shortcomings, Cruise’s presence and performance, along with the fantastic blend of action and comedy brought by Doug Liman, makes it one of the must-see films of this genre.

21 ‘Shazam’ (2019)

Directed by David F. Sandberg

Easily one of the funniest movies of the DCEU, Shazam follows the story of Billy Batson, a young boy stuck in the foster system always bouncing between families and attempting to find a sense of self. However, his life is soon changed forever when he is miraculously gifted the ability to transform into a fully aged adult superhero at any time, an ability gifted to him by a mysterious wizard. He soon begins to make the most out of this gift, yet soon comes with an array of difficulties when he has to face off against a real-life supervillain.

While many superhero action movies have found success in balancing comedy and action, what makes Shazam stand out is its focus on childlike wonder and imagination. Its unique premise, combined with the terrific comedic performance from Zachary Levi, allows the film to have a high number of hilarious and memorable moments. The film also isn’t afraid to have a darker side to its story and characters, creating the tone and feelings of a classic 80s family movie, simply brought to the modern era of superhero action movies.

20 ‘Free Guy’ (2021)

Directed by Shawn Levy

Free Guy tells the story of a bank teller, played by Ryan Reynolds, who learns that he is an NPC (non-player character) in a massively multiplayer online game. He then teams up with another player to uncover proof that the CEO of that gaming company stole the player’s game’s source code.

Free Guy is a complete blast from beginning to end, featuring innovative world-building, an intriguing concept of intellectual property, and video games. The film, which is full of wit, humor, action, and lots of heart, doesn’t overlook the movie’s message in favor of its action and visuals but aims to achieve perfection in all areas. Moreover, the film also makes the gamer community feel seen and heard.

19 ‘Shanghai Noon’ (2000)

Directed by Tom Dey

Shanghai Noon revolves around Chon Wang (Jackie Chan), a Chinese Imperial Guard who travels to America’s Wild West in search of a kidnapped princess. He teams up with Roy O’Bannon (Owen Wilson), a charming outlaw with a knack for humor and a heart of gold.

Their unlikely alliance sparks a series of funny and action-packed adventures that merge cowboy and martial arts ideas, resulting in a genre-defying and wonderfully enjoyable film that appeals to Chan’s kung fu aficionados as well as fans of Wilson’s irreverent comedy. Moreover, with the charisma of its two characters and an exhilarating fusion of action sequences and slapstick humor, Shanghai Noon truly adds a novel and pleasant twist to the conventional buddy comedy.

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18 ‘Bullet Train’ (2022)

Directed by David Leitch

Bullet Train follows the story of perpetually unlucky assassin Ladybug (Brad Pitt), with his latest mission forcing him to obtain a brief case planted on a Japanese bullet train. However, the train is also holding a variety of different dangerous assassins each fighting for the briefcase and battling against one another. Ladybug’s luck proves to get worse and worse with each subsequent fight, although his skills keep him alive on the dangerous train, as it slowly become apparent that all the assassins are connected.

Bullet Train combines the slick, flashy action style of Leitch’s previous works with an inherent comedic charm and tone that makes the entire film a gloriously fun thrill ride. It helps especially that Pitt plays the role of the unassuming straight man perfectly, seemingly finding himself in increasingly worse situations and battles one after another, with the same guise and perspective of a tired man who has seen it all. Even outside of Pitt himself, there’s a great supporting cast of memorable villains, who even in singular scenes find ways to steal the show.

17 ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ (2023)

Directed by James Gunn

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 continues to follow the titular band of misfits as they appear a little bit differently. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), who is still in mourning after Gamora’s (Zoe Saldaña) death, must gather his squad behind him to defend the universe while also looking out for one of their own.

Vol. 3 is unquestionably one of the best MCU movies with the most ambitious scope and narrative reach, providing audiences with a more detailed backstory on one of the franchise’s most adored characters. Despite the unsettling and depressing subject matter, Vol. 3 maintains the trademark humor that has made it so well-known, along with the satisfying action sequences.

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16 ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)

Directed by Edgar Wright

Based on the graphic novel series of the same name by Bryan Lee O’Malley and directed by Edgar Wright, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World centers on the titular character, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) a young musician who must defeat his girlfriend (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) seven evil exes in epic battles to continue dating her.

The movie creates a bright and surreal universe that captures the soul of a generation raised on video games and comic books with its quick editing, smart humor, and pop culture allusions. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is also praised for its imaginative and unconventional storytelling style as well as its endearing characters. Fans who want more of the film’s wacky world will be glad to know that an animated series, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, is already streaming on Netflix.