Ranking Reeves’ best action movies is thus no easy feat, as his repertoire boasts a lineup that any star would envy. From high-risk stunts to perfectly timed headshots, his performances are the stuff of legend, making it no surprise that a couple of his action titles are considered to be some of the best movies of all time. Whether his characters are excelling in martial arts, riding motorcycles, or dropping great lines, Reeves’ career is a masterclass in staying true to oneself while still delivering blockbuster magic.
1047 Ronin (2013)
Directed by Carl Rinsch

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47 Ronin
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Documentary
Fantasy
5/10
10/10
Release DateDecember 25, 2013
Runtime128 Minutes
DirectorCarl Rinsch
WritersChris Morgan, Hossein Amini, Walter Hamada
While it received a disappointing 16% on the Tomatometer, reflecting largely negative critical reception, 47 Ronin’s terrible Rotten Tomatoes score isn’t even close to being Keanu Reeves’ worst on the platform. The plot is based on a Japanese legend of 47 ronins (masterless samurais), who joined forces to avenge the death of their lord. Reeves plays Kai, a half-Japanese, half-English outcast whom the group reaches out to for help.
47 Ronin ended up with a hefty $175 million budget, largely because of extensive re-shoots and a prolonged post-production phase. Keanu Reeves had to film additional scenes numerous times, mostly because the studio wanted more of him in the movie.
9Chain Reaction (1996)
Directed by Andrew Davis

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Chain Reaction
PG-13
Science Fiction
Action
Drama
Thriller
Release DateAugust 2, 1996
Runtime107 minutes
DirectorAndrew Davis
WritersJ.F. Lawton
ProducersArne Schmidt, Erwin Stoff
In Chain Reaction, Keanu Reeves is Eddie Kasalivich, a young scientist who gets caught in a high-stakes conspiracy after his groundbreaking work on clean energy is sabotaged. The star brings his signature charm to the role, making Eddie a relatable and likable hero, even with the outrageous action sequences featured throughout.
8Street Kings (2008)
Directed by David Ayer

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Street Kings
R
Action
Crime
Drama
Thriller
5/10
10/10
Release DateApril 10, 2008
Runtime109 Minutes
DirectorDavid Ayer
WritersJamie Moss, Kurt Wimmer, James Ellroy
Fans of Denzel Washington’s Training Day will undoubtedly appreciate Street Kings, the Keanu Reeves and Chris Evans’ underrated crime drama, as the perfect follow-up story. However, those who haven’t seen the former have nothing to worry about, as Street Kings comes with its own moments.
Stepping into one of his rare bad-guy roles, Reeves masterfully plays Tom Ludlow, a tough, corrupt LAPD cop struggling with personal demons. The movie offers edge-of-your-seat thrills, gritty action, and a stellar cast. Notably, despite some serious action-heavy moments, Street Kings has a slightly more cerebral edge compared to typical shoot-’em-up movies. However, while serving as proof of Reeves’ acting range, the corrupt cop narrative is well-trodden. In the end, Street Kings struggled to break free from the genre limitations it set on itself, making it fall short compared to Reeves’ other movies and other crime dramas in general.
7John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
Directed by Chad Stahelski

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John Wick: Chapter 4
R
Thriller
Crime
Action
8/10
9.1/10
Release DateMarch 24, 2023
Runtime169 minutes
DirectorChad Stahelski
WritersShay Hatten, Michael Finch
Prequel(s)John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
John Wick 4 is considered by many to be the best in the franchise, which is not what many fourth installments of a movie franchise can say. The 2023 movie scored an impressive 95% on the Tomatometer, standing out as one of the actor’s best movies ever. However, with several other action films starring Reeves that hold cult classic status or are simply instantly associated with his career, this one doesn’t quite belong among the actor’s very best projects.
Nevertheless, Chapter 4 raises the bar for action, featuring breathtaking set pieces and creative combat sequences any high-intensity fan will rejoice over. Thanks to its visual grandeur, John Wick 4 is more of a visceral cinematic experience than a mere action spectacle some may have expected. It is truly a fitting, explosive chapter in the saga of one of cinema’s most iconic assassins.
6Constantine (2005)
Directed by Francis Lawrence

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Constantine
R
Fantasy
Horror
Action
7/10
9.3/10
Release DateFebruary 18, 2005
Runtime121 Minutes
DirectorFrancis Lawrence
WritersJamie Delano, Garth Ennis, Kevin Brodbin, Frank A. Cappello
The arguably underrated 2005 title seamlessly combines action-packed sequences with the dark supernatural, which is what sets it apart from typical action films. The character of Constantine was adapted from DC’s Hellblazer comics but was criticized by some fans of the source material for not being authentic enough. However, for anyone else in the mood for intense scenes of demon-slaying and hellish landscapes, Constantine is still a must-watch and has aged incredibly well, especially compared to other superhero films.
5Point Break (1991)
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

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Point Break
R
Action
Thriller
Crime
10/10
Release DateJanuary 31, 1991
Runtime122 minutes
DirectorKathryn Bigelow
WritersW. Peter Iliff
ProducersJames Cameron, Joseph Newton Cohen, Peter Abrams
Starring Keanu Reeves and the late Patrick Swayze, Point Break is a classic action movie well worth watching. The story follows an FBI agent, Johnny Utah (Reeves), who is tasked with investigating a series of unusual bank heists. As he sets out to nail the culprits, he gets enchanted with Bodhi (Swayze), a surfer who might be behind it all.
4John Wick (2014)
Directed by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski

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John Wick
R
Thriller
Action
7/10
9/10
Release DateOctober 24, 2014
Runtime101 Minutes
DirectorDavid Leitch, Chad Stahelski
WritersDerek Kolstad
Sequel(s)John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick: Chapter 4
Keanu Reeves completely transforms into the now legendary character of John Wick, a retired hitman seeking vengeance after the death of his dog, a final gift from his late wife. His emotional drive fuels the John Wick story, all while delivering some of the most impressive fight sequences of Reeves’ career.
“John Wick excels, unapologetically, at what it seeks to be: a fun, pulpy, violent B-movie action romp, built upon a cool mythology within a compelling Noir world.” – Screen Rant’s John Wick review
3Man Of Tai Chi (2013)
Directed by Keanu Reeves

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Man of Tai Chi
R
Action
Drama
5/10
8/10
Release DateJuly 4, 2013
Runtime105 Minutes
DirectorKeanu Reeves
WritersMichael G. Cooney
Man of Tai Chi might not be the highest-rated action movie in Keanu Reeves’ portfolio, but it definitely deserves a spot near the top, if only for how it honors martial arts tradition. Not only does Reeves star in the movie, but it also marks his directorial debut, which itself makes it very special in Keanu Reeves’ career. It’s a love letter to the genre and a prelude to what Reeves would show in John Wick.
Unlike many action films that focus solely on brute force, Man of Tai Chi digs into the philosophy of martial arts, with Tai Chi at its core. To top it off, Reeves takes on the role of the villain, giving fans a refreshing change of pace. Meanwhile, Tiger Chen, an actual martial artist, delivers action with precision and brings authenticity to the story. Reeves had a personal connection to the material, which is why Man of Tai Chi is one of those grossly underrated 2013 movies that really deserves a second look.
2Speed (1994)
Directed by Jan de Bont

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Speed
R
Thriller
Action
Adventure
10/10
8.7/10
Release DateJune 10, 1994
Runtime116 minutes
DirectorJan de bont
WritersGraham Yost
Sequel(s)Speed 2: Cruise Control
When one thinks of Keanu Reeves’ action movies, Speed is probably one of the first titles that comes to mind. This adrenaline-pumping thriller put him on the map as an action star, and it’s easy to see why it’s still a fan favorite. Despite its at times formulaic premise, Speed offers incredible pacing, great action scenes, and brilliant performances from Reeves and Sandra Bullock, who make for the perfect duo.
Notably, Reeves’ action classic was not aiming for realism, but, in a world where action movies sometimes forget about the thrills that come with simplicity, Speed is a reminder that sometimes less really is more. It doesn’t need to be utterly convincing; it just needs to keep the excitement rolling, and this one absolutely does, even decades after it first hit the screens.
1The Matrix (1999)
Directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski

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The Matrix
R
Action
Adventure
Sci-Fi
9/10
9.5/10
Release DateMarch 31, 1999
Runtime136 minutes
DirectorLana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
WritersLilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
Keanu Reeves’ Notable Action Movies
Tomatometer
The Matrix
83%
Speed
95%
Man of Tai Chi
71%
John Wick
86%
Point Break
70%
Constantine
46%
John Wick: Chapter 4
94%
Street Kings
37%
Chain Reaction
18%
47 Ronin
16%
From the iconic bullet-dodging scene, a visual feat that’s been copied countless times since, to the “I know Kung Fu” moment, the fight scenes in The Matrix were groundbreaking for their time. Each character in the film has etched their place in pop culture, whether it’s Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, or Hugo Weaving as the menacing Agent Smith. And of course, Keanu Reeves was born to play Neo. While the sequels weren’t as great, The Matrix remains a masterpiece movie everybody needs to watch at least once.