The 1990s were a golden era for action stars and a time when fast-paced and outrageous releases dominated the box office. While the 1980s were ruled by muscle-bound heroes, the 1990s refined the genre by mixing intense physicality with smarter storytelling, diverse characters, and innovative stunt work.
The best action movies of the 1990s all had bankable stars at the helm, and it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of these releases that so many of these actors remain hugely popular today. From outrageous sci-fi spectacles to more character-driven adventures, the 1990s were ruled by iconic stars and unforgettable performances.
10
Steven Seagal
Defining 1990s Release: Under Siege (1992)
The martial arts instructor turned movie star, Steven Seagal, was a major figure in the 1990s action movie scene as he showcased his skills as a 7th-dan black belt in aikido across various films. While Seagal made his debut in 1988 in Above the Law, it was with Under Siege in 1992 that he truly broke through as a commercially successful leading man.
Under Siege
- Release Date
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October 9, 1992
- Runtime
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103 Minutes
Under Siege perfectly embodied Seagal’s unique appeal as he portrayed the Navy SEALs counter-terrorist expert Casey Ryback, whose martial arts, explosives, special weapons, and tactics skills made him an icon. Unlike other action stars of the 1990s, Seagal’s mainstream popularity was short-lived, and by the end of the decade, he had pivoted to direct-to-video releases.
9
Nicolas Cage
Defining 1990s Release: Face/Off (1997)
Nicolas Cage is an interesting figure in the 1990s action movie scene, as he managed to seamlessly walk the line between bankable leading man and prestigious dramatic actor. With a willingness to fully give himself over to any role, Cage’s chameleon-like acting ability meant he starred in several big-budget action blockbusters while also earning an Academy Award for Best Actor in the same decade.
Face/Off
8/10
- Release Date
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June 27, 1997
- Runtime
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139 minutes
While heavy roles like Leaving Las Vegas gave him critical acclaim, it was the back-to-back releases of The Rock, Con Air, and Face/Off that turned him into a bona fide action star. With Face/Off having one of the most preposterous narratives in movie history, it was incredible to watch Cage play both hero and villain in a thriller adventure.
8
Wesley Snipes
Defining 1990s Release: Blade (1998)
Wesley Snipes brought a slick edge to 1990s action movies, as his intense charisma and martial arts skills set him apart. While Snipes was just as comfortable in other genres, appearing in Spike Lee films like Mo’ Better Blues and Jungle Fever during the 1990s, it was in action movies that he truly came into his own.
Blade
8/10
- Release Date
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August 21, 1998
- Runtime
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120 Minutes
Whether it was playing the villain opposite Sylvester Stallone in the cult classic Demolition Man or bringing maturity to the superhero genre years before The Dark Knight with Blade, Snipes was a defining figure of the decade. The enduring appeal of Snipes as Blade even led to several sequels throughout the 2000s and his reprising of the character in Deadpool & Wolverine.
7
Sylvester Stallone
Defining 1990s Release: Demolition Man (1993)
As one of the most recognizable stars on the planet, although the 1980s were Sylvester Stallone’s golden era in the action genre, he was still a huge star in the 1990s. With cult classic roles like Demolition Man under his belt, this was also a time when Stallone pushed himself artistically through challenging roles like in Cop Land.
Whether it was through popcorn hits like Cliffhanger or unfortunate missteps such as Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Stallone consistently starred in action movies throughout the decade. However, it must be admitted that Stallone’s star was fading during this time, and it was not until The Expendables in 2010 that he had anything that matched his glory days.
6
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Defining 1990s Release: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
While Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone had an ongoing box office battle throughout the 1980s, it is clear that Arnie came out on top in the following decade. Kicking things off strong with Total Recall, Schwarzenegger then proved his comedic talents in Kindergarten Cop before starring in perhaps the greatest sequel of all time in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
This triple whammy started off the decade with a bang, and Schwarzenegger didn’t slow down for a second as he teamed up with Die Hard director John McTiernan for the self-referential cult classic Last Action Hero before reuniting with James Cameron for True Lies. With one classic after another, the 1990s were a great time to be a Schwarzenegger fan.
5
Jackie Chan
Defining 1990s Release: Rush Hour (1998)
It’s a testament to Jackie Chan’s enduring appeal that he could realistically be featured in every list of best action stars across every decade since the 1970s. However, it was in the 1990s that Hollywood started to notice the incredible appeal of Chan, and he broke through in the Western world as a leading man in classics like Rush Hour.
Rush Hour
7/10
- Release Date
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September 18, 1998
- Runtime
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98 minutes
With incredible martial arts skills, a willingness to do his own death-defying stunts, and amazing comedic timing, during this time, Chan was a triple threat who ticked all the right boxes. Although Chan would become an even bigger star in the 2000s, it was the 1990s that set him on course to becoming a Hollywood legend.
4
Keanu Reeves
Defining 1990s Release: The Matrix (1999)
Keanu Reeves may have gotten his start as a goofy slacker in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, but it didn’t take long for him to prove himself as a major action movie star. From infiltrating criminal surfers in Point Break to preventing a major bus explosion in Speed, Reeves was at the forefront of some of the most exciting and heart-racing movies of the 1990s.
The Matrix
9/10
- Release Date
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March 31, 1999
- Runtime
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136 minutes
While Reeves’ previous roles would have been enough to count him as a major 1990s action star, it was Neo in The Matrix that made him a defining figure of the decade. As one of the most influential action movies of all time, The Matrix set Reeves on course to be a global superstar in the years that followed.
3
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Defining 1990s Release: Timecop (1994)
The Muscles from Brussels Jean-Claude Van Damme brought his incredible martial skills and unique onscreen charisma to Hollywood action movies during the 1990s. Gaining his breakout role in Bloodsport in 1988, JCDV consistently starred in cult classics, fan favorites, and box office hits throughout the decade.
Timecop
- Release Date
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September 16, 1994
- Runtime
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99 minutes
From sci-fi releases like Universal Soldier and Timecop to fast-paced action like John Woo’s Hard Target, Van Damme achieved peak popularity in the 1990s and remains a cult favorite among action movie enthusiasts. While he never quite reached the mainstream icon status of some of his peers, JCVD was one of the most distinctive stars of that era.
2
Tom Cruise
Defining 1990s Release: Mission: Impossible (1996)
Throughout the 1980s, Tom Cruise established himself as a major Hollywood actor, but it was with Mission: Impossible in 1996 that he truly transformed into an all-time great action movie hero. The character of Ethan Hunt represents the pinnacle of Cruise’s action star persona, as he willingly puts himself in death-defying situations doing his own dangerous stunts.
Cruise’s role in Mission: Impossible would springboard him into many more outrageous action movies throughout the 2000s, and he’s continued to reprise his role as Hunt right up to 2025. As a defining figure of the 1990s, Cruise brought a level of intensity, precision, and real-world stunt work that helped redefine what it meant to be a modern action hero.
1
Bruce Willis
Defining 1990s Release: Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
With Die Hard in 1988, Bruce Willis revolutionized the action hero archetype and reshaped the genre for the decade that followed. Unlike towering muscle-bound stars like Stallone and Schwarzenegger, who dominated the 1980s, Willis brought a relatable everyman quality to John McClane, whose flawed, witty, and resilient characterization set a new standard for action protagonists throughout the 1990s.
With Willis reprising his role as McClane throughout the decade, his most famous franchise released the highest-grossing film of 1995 with Die Hard with a Vengeance. Action movies truly entered a before-and-after state following the release of Die Hard, and the 1990s action movie scene would look entirely different without Willis.
