Through two film adaptations starring Tom Cruise and the Amazon Prime Video series Reacher becoming a smash hit for the streaming platform, Lee Child's Jack Reacher spy novel series has become a major brand in action entertainment over the past decade. As spy cinema and the action genre at large continue to go from strength to strength with technological advancements generating new possibilities for filmmakers, it should come as no surprise that lovers of such exciting movies are blessed with a vast array of viewing options.
Staying in vogue with the gripping and intense action, thrilling twists, and fast-paced narratives that the Jack Reacher stories offer in abundance, these 10 movies are worth adding to the watchlist for lovers of Reacher looking for something similar to enjoy. From modern masterpieces to underrated gems, these action films like Jack Reacher boast plenty of espionage thrills for genre purists.
10 'Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit' (2014)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Another popular cinematic action hero to come from spy literature, Tom Clancy's renowned Jack Ryan stories have earned multiple movie adaptations over the years. While entries like The Hunt for Red October and Clear and Present Danger may be among the best films in terms of narrative prowess, 2014's Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit was the one that best excelled as an action-thriller, offering plenty of high-octane excitement even if it doesn't reinvent the spy genre.
While it focuses on Clancy's iconic character, the film wasn't actually adapted from any of the author's books, instead running with an original story in which covert CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) uncovers an elaborate plot to destroy the U.S. economy while tailing the suspicious Russian oligarch Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh). With plenty of action set pieces and a star-studded cast to boot, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit was underappreciated upon release and is one of the better spy thrillers of the 2010s.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
PG-13Release Date January 15, 2014 Director Kenneth Branagh Cast Chris Pine , Keira Knightley , Kevin Costner , Kenneth Branagh , Lenn Kudrjawizki , Alec Utgoff Runtime 105 minutes9 'RED' (2010)
Directed by Robert Schwentke
Doubling as a loose adaptation of the DC Comics limited series comics of the same name and a fun-loving vehicle for some of Hollywood's most beloved oldies to shine in the action limelight again, RED was a rollicking action-comedy defined by its entertainment value. It follows Francis Moses (Bruce Willis), a former black-ops agent who reunites his old squad when he learns a CIA assassin is trying to kill him.
With Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren portraying Moses' old allies, and Karl Urban appearing as the operative trying to kill him, the film utilizes its stacked cast to full effect. While it excels because of its comedic inflection, it still functions as an engaging spy thriller with Frank and his crew striving to get to the bottom of who exactly hired the assassin, doing so with a delightful abundance of completely over-the-top action.
8 'White House Down' (2013)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
A simple premise that was executed in a manner that was engaging and exciting, White House Down coasted on the chemistry of its leading duo and its not-too-serious approach to its narrative. The action-thriller follows U.S. Capitol Police officer John Cale (Channing Tatum) who, after failing to secure his dream job in the Secret Service, becomes the president's best chance for survival when terrorists attack the White House while he is there with his daughter, Emily (Joey King).
With John working to save both his daughter and President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx), White House Down struck an enjoyable balance between dramatic tension and over-the-top action spectacle. Despite struggling upon its theatrical release and being met with mixed reviews, White House Down has become a streaming success in more recent times, with many new fans indulging in its easily likable approach to the action genre.
White House Down
PG-13Release Date June 27, 2013 Director Roland Emmerich Cast Channing Tatum , Jamie Foxx , Jason Clarke , Maggie Gyllenhaal , Richard Jenkins , James Woods Runtime 1377 'True Lies' (1994)
Directed by James Cameron
While it was a success upon release, True Lies has become a bit of an overlooked gem of 90s action-comedy cinema which boasts Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis in the starring roles. It follows a U.S. government agent who poses as an ordinary salesman while quelling threats to national security. However, the balance of his double-life skews when he discovers that his wife, growing bored with her mundane life, may be having an affair with Simon (Bill Paxton), a sleazy car salesman who claims he is a spy.
It’s a fun premise that allows for action and comedy to dominate the screen in equal measure, a tonal balance the cast excels at bringing to life to its fullest potential. While some of the movie's content hasn’t aged as gracefully as possible, True Lies still presents a fun and entertaining twist on the genre which is easy to indulge in for those who love it.
True Lies
RRelease Date July 15, 1994 Director James Cameron Cast Arnold Schwarzenegger , jamie lee curtis , Tom Arnold , Bill Paxton , Charlton Heston , Tia Carrere Runtime 144 minutes6 'John Wick' (2014)
Directed by Chad Stahelski
With its razor-sharp action choreography, John Wick is the perfect film for lovers of Reacher to watch to get another dose of extreme action spectacle. Additionally, John Wick also flaunts an immaculate sense of style which makes the visual experience all the more compelling. It famously stars Keanu Reeves as John Wick, a retired hitman of great notoriety who reverts to his old ways when the thuggish son of a Russian mob boss steals his car and kills his pet dog which was gifted to him by his recently deceased wife.
An instant icon of action cinema, the 2014 flick became an immediate pop-culture sensation, spawning an extensive John Wick franchise that has come to define the modern action experience, appealing to the masses while earning critical acclaim. With an impressive cast rotating through the films, the franchise has grown from strength to strength, ensuring all four films are perfect for those looking for a good dose of one-man-army action.
John Wick
RRelease Date October 24, 2014 Director Chad Stahelski Cast Keanu Reeves , Adrianne Palicki , Willem Dafoe , Bridget Moynahan , Jason Isaacs , Alfie Allen Runtime 101 minutes5 'Taken' (2008)
Directed by Pierre Morel
Arguably the action franchise that defined the genre in the 21st century before John Wick came around, Taken ran with a simple premise and an excellent lead part from Liam Neeson to become an instantly iconic revenge thriller. It follows retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Neeson), who must fall back on his old skill set when his daughter is abducted by Albanian sex traffickers while vacationing in Paris.
The film is loaded with high octane set pieces, a rapidly moving story, and some unforgettable dialogue perfectly delivered by Neeson whose performance mixes the character's affection and desperation as a father with his efficient brutality as an ex-CIA operative. It became a quintessential viewing experience upon release due to its pop-culture impact, and it has lost little of its action-thriller punch in the years since.
Taken
PG-13Release Date February 18, 2008 Director Pierre Morel Cast Liam Neeson , Maggie Grace , Leland Orser , Jon Gries , David Warshofsky , Holly Valance Runtime 914 'The A-Team' (2010)
Directed by Joe Cranahan
Another action flick that made exceptional use of Liam Neeson in a starring role, The A-Team was an adrenaline-pumping action-thriller adventure derived from the hit 80s series of the same name. Modernizing the story, the film follows four Iraq War veterans who, when charged with a crime they didn't commit, go rogue with the intention of uncovering the truth of what happened in order to clear their names.
While some fans were disappointed that the film abandoned the overt silliness that defined the camp charm of the original television show, the creative shift did enable The A-Team to make itself distinct while still running as a comedic, ridiculously explosive action blockbuster. Its incredible cast, which includes Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Patrick Wilson, Sharlto Copley, and even an uncredited Jon Hamm, all put in well-balanced performances that see the film thrive as enjoyable action entertainment with an espionage twist.
The A-Team
PG-13Release Date June 9, 2010 Director Joe Carnahan Cast Liam Neeson , Bradley Cooper , Jessica Biel , Quinton Jackson , Sharlto Copley , Patrick Wilson Runtime 1173 'Atomic Blonde' (2017)
Directed by David Leitch
Rich with a striking neon punk aesthetic as it takes place in the days leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Atomic Blonde excelled as a stylish and engaging spy thriller with a brilliant starring performance from Charlize Theron. Based on the graphic novel The Coldest City by Antony Johnson and Sam Hart, it follows an MI6 agent sent to Berlin to retrieve an invaluable, highly sought-after list revealing the true identities of secret agents.
Having to navigate a treacherous web of deceit and political turmoil, Lorraine Broughton (Theron) proves to be a tough and determined heroine through her many violent clashes with rival agents, with her fight against multiple KGB operatives in the apartment complex an unforgettable action sequence. Lean yet captivating, stylish yet brutal, and laced with espionage intrigue, Atomic Blonde is an action spectacle that is a must-see for all lovers of the genre.
Atomic Blonde
RRelease Date July 28, 2017 Director David Leitch Cast Sofia Boutella , Charlize Theron , James McAvoy , Bill Skarsgard , John Goodman , Toby Jones Runtime 115 Minutes2 'Mission: Impossible – Fallout' (2018)
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie
While the James Bond movies have dominated spy blockbuster cinema for over 50 years, the 21st century has seen a bona fide challenger to its crown emerge in the form of the Mission: Impossible movies. Flaunting unbelievable stunts with Tom Cruise becoming a modern cinematic legend for his daring feats, the franchise has become a reliable blockbuster brand, with Mission: Impossible – Fallout its defining achievement thus far.
The sixth entry in the saga, it follows Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and the IMF as they work to prevent a terrorist faction from detonating three plutonium bombs around the world, forming an uneasy alliance with the CIA in the process. Running at a rapid pace with a sleek sense of style and some of the greatest action sequences ever put to screen, Fallout is a truly masterful spy thriller and one of the greatest action movies ever made.
Mission: Impossible - Fallout
PG-13Release Date July 27, 2018 Director Christopher McQuarrie Cast Tom Cruise , Henry Cavill , Ving Rhames , Simon Pegg , Rebecca Ferguson Runtime 147 minutes1 'The Bourne Identity' (2002)
Directed by Doug Liman
An intelligent and exciting meshing of espionage thrills and gritty action, The Bourne Identity excelled as a more grounded spy movie at a time when major genre franchises like the James Bond movies were struggling to churn out consistently good movies. Adapted from Robert Ludlum's novel of the same name, it focuses on Jason Bourne (Matt Damon), a former CIA assassin with psychogenic amnesia who, while being hunted by a secretive government faction, tries to uncover the truth about his past.
Excelling as both a critical and commercial success upon release, the film has since secured a legacy not only as one of the sharpest action movies ever made, but as a pioneering achievement for the genre at the start of the 21st century. Its fight sequences have an engaging and raw aesthetic, while its narrative is rife with intriguing twists born from smart writing which has seen The Bourne Identity, and its two immediate sequels, remain at the pinnacle of the spy-thriller genre for over two decades.
The Bourne Identity
PG-13After waking up at sea with no memory of who he once was, Jason Bourne travels the world to discover his identity while mysterious assassins try to kill him. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne, a character first appearing in Robert Ludlum's 1980 spy novel The Bourne Identity. The film was followed by The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, both of which were also adaptations of Ludlum's work.
Release Date June 14, 2002 Director Doug Liman Cast Matt Damon , Franka Potente , Chris Cooper , Clive Owen , Brian Cox , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Runtime 111 minutesncG1vNJzZmibn6G5qrDEq2Wcp51kurDCyJ6qZqSZoLJutsCcomaqlZawqbHRaA%3D%3D