Invincible is one of the most popular animated shows of all time at the moment, and as it moves forward into its next season this year, people continue to eat it up. Based on the incredible comic book of the same name by the one and only Robert Kirkman (also the creator of The Walking Dead), the world is fawning over this show for very good reasons—one of which is the action it brings.
However, there are some great action films that are just as good, if people are looking for something to fill the void between this last season of Invincible and the next one in March. A whole television series is a tough commitment when one is rushing to finish it before another one comes out, so maybe a movie would be better for some. Thankfully for those people, there are plenty of animated action films that can do the job.
10
‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is commonly considered one of the best Batman movies of all time, due to a lot of reasons. Not only is it set in the DC Animated Universe, meaning voice actors like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill came back, but it also tells a story that is a profound character study of the Bruce Wayne character.
What’s great is that Batman: Mask of the Phantasm combines this great storytelling with good action, as well, which is not atypical for a Batman movie. The great animation, thanks to the teams at Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD. and Spectrum Animation Studio, brings the action to life in a way that keeps it flowing and thrilling.
9
‘Akira’ (1988)
Everyone loves a good anime action movie, and one of the most popular and iconic is the one and only 1988 movie, Akira. Based on the 1982 manga, this film actually ended up being pretty impactful for the industry as a whole. A lot of movies have taken imagery and inspiration from Akira over the years, with the legendary “Akira Slide” being one of the most referenced action shots in film.
What really makes this movie so great is the fact that they got the original creator, the mangaka named Katsuhiro Otomo, to direct the project, meaning the grand mind behind the original story got to refine it and perfect it for the movie. This has allowed Akira to appeal not only to general audiences everywhere but also to fans of the original. The animation is gorgeous, which is one of the best aspects of the entire project, bringing the action to life perfectly.
8
‘Batman: Under the Red Hood’ (2010)
One of the best Batman movies of all time is this underrated animated film, Batman: Under the Red Hood. An absolute sleeper hit that adapts the comic book story of the same name. The film also finds itself being written by the original comic writer, the iconic Judd Winick, which means that, similar to Akira, he was able to really refine the story down to a movie length, which made it incredibly thrilling.
The action in Batman: Under the Red Hood is super fun, given the fact that Red Hood (Jensen Ackles) is a former Robin; he knows all of Batman’s (Bruce Greenwood) tricks, so he can anticipate what’s coming next. This forces the Caped Crusader to think on his feet and innovate in ways he hasn’t had to before. The plot itself also makes the fights themselves pretty emotional, which helps them feel all the more impactful.
7
‘Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind’ (1985)
Nothing beats a good Studio Ghibli film, and one of the best is the one and only Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, a top-tier action flick of theirs. Set in the distant future, this post-apocalyptic action-packed adventure follows Nausicaä (Sumi Shimamoto and Alison Lohman) as she attempts to protect her world against humanity, trying to heal the toxic environment.
Not only does it have action, but it also has a great message of environmentalism, giving everything happening on screen so much more heart, soul, and meaning, as most Studio Ghibli films do. As per usual for the studio, the animation is gorgeous, the vocal performances—sub and dub alike—are iconic, and excellent direction from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki.
6
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
If there’s a supporting character in the Shrek franchise who is a fan favorite, it’s the one and only Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). With some gorgeous style bringing it to life, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish took everyone by surprise and became one of the highest-rated animated movies of the 2020s, with an incredible 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The animation brings the action in this to life better than any movie in the Shrek franchise ever has. Puss in Boots has a really fast-paced, flowing, and flashy fighting style that results in the sequences of this movie being unbelievably thrilling. The opening action sequence is astounding and perfectly sets the tone for what’s to come for the rest of the movie. It’s far better than the project that came before, Puss in Boots, to the point that it’s barely memorable in comparison to the newer one. Audiences actually don’t even need to watch the original film to understand this one, which makes it even better, as it’s far more accessible.
5
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)
After the mass success that was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in 2018, audiences were extremely excited about what was going to come next for the franchise, and whether or not the sequel was going to live up to expectations. Thankfully, it more than lived up to them. Come 2023, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hit screens and blew audiences across the globe away with how much it took what made Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse work, and worked to enhance those things.
The way that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse expands the world and builds on the characters to make them more compelling than ever before, and adds some of the most thrilling Spider-Man action sequences of all time on top of that. With the massive attention to detail in the animation, these scenes are visually electrifying and bring about action unlike any that can be found in cinema.
4
‘My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising’ (2019)
My Hero Academia is one of the most popular anime in the West, and for very good reason. The series follows a class of young superheroes and is beyond action-packed, thanks to being a Shōnenanime. The team over at Studio Bones has some of the best animation in the game at the moment, perfectly shown by how astounding and beautiful the final season of the show was. My Hero Academia doesn’t just consist of the show, though. They’ve got a whole four movies on the side that are wonderful—the best of them all being My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising.
This sequel to the first film, My Hero Academia: Two Heroes, is one of the best products of the franchise. With animation only topped by the final season and what feels like non-stop action from start to finish, this project is everything an action fan could want. While it is consistently driven by action, it also doesn’t let that stop it from bringing character development and a good plot into play, allowing it to be super emotionally compelling, as well. Not to forget, either, its third act is probably one of the coolest out there.
3
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
One of Pixar Animation’s best films just so happens to be an action film that is absolutely unforgettable. The Incredibles, directed by Brad Bird, is not just an action movie, but a story about family and the importance of it. Every character in The Incredibles is so well-written and fleshed out, making this cape flick one for the books and something that can be enjoyed by both families and adults. The powers they each hold also act as physical representations of their inner character, which helps them feel even stronger.
The Incredibles is generally hailed as one of the best animated movies of all time. Pixar always delivers, and all of the things that make up a good Pixar film are found in this Brad Bird flick. It’s got heart, a strong message, humor for kids and adults alike, a compelling plot that all audiences can genuinely connect to, and leaves them feeling good inside, regardless of how characters may have struggled. The variety of powers in The Incredibles, and the way they mix and match with different characters makes for unique sequences.
2
‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)
Aside from Pixar, though, Dreamworks has always been on top when it comes to Hollywood animation. With amazing franchises like Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, and, of course, Kung Fu Panda, they’ve always managed to capture the hearts of audiences everywhere. Many consider the Kung Fu Panda franchise to be one of, if not the best, of their many series.
Kung Fu Panda does a wonderful job setting up a really lovable and compelling main character that people can almost immediately get behind. This is also a great way to make the action satisfying, as audiences truly want to see Po the Panda (Jack Black) succeed, so when he does, it feels like a truly cheer-worthy moment.
1
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Not only did Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse lead to the great film that is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but it also helped totally redefine the Hollywood animation space. The heavy stylization of the visuals—drifting away from the typical Pixar style—makes this flick stand out among the rest of both the animated and superhero movie landscapes.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse‘s visual style, mixed with the flowing and high-octane action, makes this Sony Pictures Animation film’s fight sequences feel like a dazzling spectacle. It’s got Spider-Man scenes unlike anything else that can be found in cinema. Bringing in other Spider-People and villains that all have different styles and powers makes the action ever more impressive-looking.
