2016 wasn’t exactly the best year when it came to action movies, but there still were a few standouts. But when it comes to 2017 you can expect a lot of action flicks to keep you busy the whole year.
As action movies evolved, budgets rose and stunts got more complex, but the basic appeal remained the same – guns, fights and muscles.
In putting together this list of the most anticipated action movies 2017 I soon realized that there is no magical number like Top 50 or Top 100, so I decided to come up with 70 at first and add more with the time.
So, bookmark this page now, and check back every week to see what new action movies were added.
Now grab your popcorn, mates. Here is the list.
1. A Man Will Rise
Cast: Tony Jaa, Dolph Lundgren
Release Date: TBA
A local gangster terrorizes a town. When a young local man stands up to the gangster the villain brings in a group of foreign hit men who like to dress as cowboys to pacify the town. Ultimately only one man can rise up to bring them down and save the town.
2. Accident Man
Cast: Scott Adkins, Michael Jai White, Ray Park
Release Date: TBA
Mike Fallon, the Accident Man, is a stone cold killer, whose methodical hits, baffle the police and delight his clients, he is the best at what he does. But when a loved one is dragged into the London underworld and murdered by his own crew, Fallon is forced to rip apart the life he knew in order to hold those accountable and avenge the one person who actually meant something to him.
3. Ambush
Cast: TBA
Release Date: TBA
Action movie planned by John Salvitti, a long time friend of Donnie Yen, in the vein of Lone Wolf and Cub, Sword of Vengeance meets John Wick.
4. American Assassin
Cast: Scott Adkins
Release Date: TBA
A story centered on counterterrorism agent Mitch Rapp. Scott Adkins is playing Victor. Long before he began hunting terrorists, Mitch Rapp was a gifted college scholar/athlete. Then, tragedy struck and Rapp was recruited into the nation’s most elite covert operations program. After completing training designed to teach the kind of lethal skills necessary to target our most dangerous enemies, here and abroad, he is a man reborn with a mission of retribution.
5. American Revenge
Cast: Donnie Yen
Release Date: TBA
The future project of Donnie Yen previously known as a Noodle Man. A cop-turned-noodle shop owner finds a new lease on life in New York’s Chinatown when a Chinese drug lord – responsible for the death of the former’s partner during a botched mission 15 years ago – walks into his life.
6. Attrition
Cast: Steven Seagal
Release Date: 2017
Another project of Steven Seagal. When a Thai girl with mythical powers goes missing, Axe and his old team unite in attempts to bring her back.
7. Birth of The Dragon
Cast: Philip Ng, Ron Yuan
Release Date: 2017
Another Bruce Lee biopic. Young, up-and-coming martial artist, Bruce Lee, challenges legendary kung fu master Wong Jack Man to a no-holds-barred fight in Northern California.
8. Black Water
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren
Release Date: TBA
A deep cover operative awakens to find himself imprisoned in a CIA black site on a submarine.
9. Blade of the Immortal
Cast: Chiaki Kuriyama, Kazuki Kitamura
Release Date: 29 April 2017
Takashi Miike’s project. Based on the manga by the same name the store follows a warrior cursed with immortality who cannot free himself unless he kills 1,000 evil men.
10. Bleeding Steel
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: 2017
Chan stars as a hardened special forces agent who fights to protect a young woman from a sinister criminal gang. At the same time he with feels a special connection to the young woman, like they met in a different life.
11. xXx: The Return of Xander Cage
Cast: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa
Release Date: 20 January 2017
Extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage comes out of self-imposed exile, thought to be long dead, and is set on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrill-seeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments.
12. Boyka: Undisputed
Cast: Scott Adkins
Release Date: 17 January 2017
In the fourth installment of the fighting franchise, Boyka is shooting for the big leagues when an accidental death in the ring makes him question everything he stands for.
13. Chasing The Dragon
Cast: Donnie Yen, Andy Lau
Release Date: 2017
An illegal immigrant from Mainland China sneaks into corrupt British-colonized Hong Kong in 1963, transforming himself into a ruthless and emerging drug lord.
14. Wolf Warrior 2
Cast: Wu Jing
Release Date: 2017
The sequel to the Wolf Warrior movie about a Chinese special force soldier with extraordinary marksmanship.
15. Warrior’s Gate
Cast: Dave Bautista, Mark Chao
Release Date: 19 January 2017
A teenager is magically transported to China and learns to convert his video game skills into those of a Kung Fu warrior.
16. Vengeance
Cast: Gary Daniels, Stu Bennett
Release Date: 2017
When ex-soldier turned mercenary, John Gold, learns of the murder of his best friend, he sets off on a mission to find out what happened. What he discovers is a sinister conspiracy and he sets about taking down those responsible one by one.
17. Cops and Robbers
Cast: Michael Jai White, Quinton Jackson
Release Date: TBA
A strung out hostage negotiator plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a cornered bank robber who is hell bent on getting out of the bank and humiliating the negotiator in the process.
18. Cyborg Nemesis: The Dark Rift
Cast: Steven Seagal, Sasha Mitchell, Olivier Gruner
Release Date: TBA
The new project of Albert Pyun known by cyborg movies in 80-90s.
19. Blood and Bone 2
Cast: Michael Jai White
Release Date: TBA
The sequel to Michael Jai White’s movie of 2009.
20. Fast & Furious 8
Cast: Vin Diesel, Jason Staham, Rock
Release Date: 14 April 2017
Now that Dom and Letty are on their honeymoon and Brian and Mia have retired from the game-and the rest of the crew has been exonerated-the globetrotting team has found a semblance of a normal life. But when a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime he can’t seem to escape and a betrayal of those closest to him, they will face trials that will test them as never before. From the shores of Cuba and the streets of New York City to the icy plains off the arctic Barents Sea, the elite force will crisscross the globe to stop an anarchist from unleashing chaos on the world’s stage… and to bring home the man who made them a family.
21. Five Against a Bullet
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: TBA
After his father is killed by a Mexican drug cartel, a man runs a successful political campaign to clean up his area, though doing so will require staying one step ahead of the people who want him gone.
22. Full Love
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme
Release Date: TBA
A military veteran and former mercenary named Frenchy is haunted by his childhood, as well as his past in the military.
23. God of War
Cast: Sammo Hung, Vincent Zhao
Release Date: March 2017
During the 16th century, Japanese pirates proliferate along the Chinese coastline. In 1557, the pirates take over Cengang in Zhejiang. After months of futile advances, Commander Yu finally defeats them under the leadership of newly promoted General Qi. The Pirates, however, manage to escape.
24. V-Force
Cast: Don Wilson, Juju Chan, Billy Zane
Release Date: TBA
Four young women gain extraordinary powers, who are guided by an older mentor to become superheroes.
25. Headshot
Cast: Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle
Release Date: May 2017
Uwais plays a young man who washes ashore, an amnesiac with a serious head injury whose past comes back to haunt him shortly after being nursed back to health by a young doctor. Violence ensues. Sweet, sweet violence.
26. Iceman 2
Cast: Donnie Yen
Release Date: 2017
The imperial guard and his three traitorous childhood friends ordered to hunt him down get accidentally buried and kept frozen in time. 400 years later pass and they are defrosted continuing the battle they left behind
27. Ip Man 4
Cast: Donnie Yen
Release Date: TBA
Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip announced that they will continue Ip Man franchise.
28. Jailbreak
Cast: Celine Tran, Jean-Paul Ly
Release Date: 31 Janury 2017
What started as a simple escort mission will soon turn to chaos as the prisoners of Koh Kla take over the prison grounds. A special task force gets trapped in the prison will have to fight their way out for survival, to protect a key witness.
29. John Wick: Chapter 2
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ruby Rose, Ian McShane
Release Date: 10 February 2017
The continuing adventures of former hitman, John Wick.
30. Journey to the West: Demon Chapter
Cast: Kris Wu, Kenny Lin, Chen Yao
Release Date: 28 January 2017
Tang Monk brings three disciples on a journey to the West. On the outside, everything seems harmonious. However, tension is present beneath the surface, and their hearts and minds are not in agreement. After a series of demon-capturing events, the monk and his disciples gain mutual understanding of each others’ hardships and unease. Finally, they resolve their inner conflict and work together to become an all-conquering, demon-exorcising team.
31. Karate Kill
Cast: Asami, Katarina Leigh Waters
Release Date: March 2017
When a mysterious loner and Karate master Kenji’s little sister goes missing in Los Angeles, whoever stands in his way of finding her will face the wrath of a lethal KARATE KILL!
32. Kickboxer: Retaliation
Cast: Alain Moussi, Jean-Claude Van Damme
Release Date: 2017
One year after the events of “Kickboxer: Vengeance”, Kurt Sloan has vowed never to return to Thailand. However, while gearing up for a MMA title shot, he finds himself sedated and forced back into Thailand, this time in prison. He is there because the ones responsible want him to face a 6’8″ 400 lbs. beast named Mongkut and in return for the fight, Kurt will get two million dollars and his freedom back. Kurt at first refuses, in which a bounty is placed on his head as a way to force him to face Mongkut. Kurt soon learns he will have no other choice and will undergo his most rigorous training yet under some unexpected mentors in order to face Mongkut in hopes to regain his freedom.
33. Kill ’em All
Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Daniel Bernhardt
Release Date: 2017
A fast paced action/thriller, where Die Hard meets The Usual Suspects.
34. Kung Fu Traveler
Cast: Tiger Chen
Release Date: 2017
The aliens invade Earth. After a furious battle, the General decides to send his robot back to the golden age of Kung Fu by a time machine so they can learn how to fight the aliens. Ziying Chen, who secretly loves the General wants to travel with the robot, however, they accidentally go back to South China in the Qing Dynasty…
35. Kung Fu Yoga
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: 28 January 2017
Chinese archeology professor Jack (Jackie Chan) teams up with beautiful Indian professor Ashmita and assistant Kyra to locate lost Magadha treasure. In a Tibetan ice cave, they find the remains of the royal army that had vanished together with the treasure, only to be ambushed by Randall (Sonu Sood), the descendent of a rebel army leader. When they free themselves, their next stop is Dubai where a diamond from the ice cave is to be auctioned. After a series of double-crosses and revelations about their past, Jack and his team travel to a mountain temple in India, using the diamond as a key to unlock the real treasure.
36. Lady Bloodfight
Cast: Amy Johnston
Release Date: 2017
Jane is a beautiful but troubled American girl backpacking her way through Hong Kong. When she successfully fends off three thugs trying to rob her, it draws the attention of Shu, a Wudang champion, who is impressed by her raw street fighting abilities. Shu recruits Jane and trains her to fight in the vicious, all-female, underground martial arts tournament known as “The Kumite.”
37. Making a Killing
Cast: Michael Jai White, Mike Starr
Release Date: 2017
A special investigator is assigned to a murder in a small southwestern town, but soon finds that underneath the surface is a foundation of lies and greed that when revealed, will rock the community to its core.
38. Manhunt
Cast: Tao Okamoto
Release Date: 2017
Accused of heinous crimes he didn’t commit, a prosecutor sets out on a mission to clear his name.
39. Mrs K
Cast: Kara Hui
Release Date: 2017
“Mrs K” is a story of a woman who gives everything that she has to protect her husband and daughter when enemies from her past come hunting her.
40. Under Siege 3
Cast: Steven Seagal
Release Date: TBA
The possibility of Under Siege 3 is intriguing, but it will be a straight-to-video title.
41. Option Zero
Cast: Amy Johnston
Release Date: TBA
A group of highly trained operatives carry out a dangerous mission to turn the tide against the Russian Mob.
42. Out of Control
Cast: Seung-hyun Choi
Release Date: 2017
Chinese superstar who goes to Germany for a red carpet event and falls into a conspiracy. She then meets a Korean Interpol agent and begins an intense rescue and escape operation.
43. Paradox
Cast: Tony Jaa, Louis Koo
Release Date: 2017
Paradox is an upcoming Hong Kong action film directed by Wilson Yip, with action direction by Sammo Hung. When Hong Kong police negotiator Lee Chung-chi was informed about the sudden disappearance of his 16-year-old daughter, Chi, during her trip to Pattaya, he decides to travel to Thailand to search for her daughter’s whereabouts. There, Lee receives assistance from local Chinese detective, Chui Kit, and his colleague, Tak, and also encounters American gangster, Sacha
44. Railroad Tigers
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: 6 January 2017
A railroad worker in China in 1941 leads a team of freedom fighters against the Japanese in order to get food for the poor.
45. Renegades
Cast: J.K. Simmons, Sylvia Hoeks, Sullivan Stapleton
Release Date: 3 February 2017
A team of Navy SEALs discover an underwater treasure in a Bosnian lake.
46. Rush Hour 4
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: TBA
Another adventures of Lee and Carter.
47. Savage Dog
Cast: Scott Adkins, Marko Zaror, Cung Le
Release Date: 2017
A story set in Indochina in 1959, a land beyond rule and a time without mercy, and the birth of a legend.
48. Shanghai Dawn
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: TBA
The continuing adventures of former Chinese Imperial guard Chon Wang and American bandit, Roy O’Bannon.
49. Ultimate Justice
Cast: Mark Dacascos, Matthias Hues
Release Date: 2017
A team of former elite soldiers are drawn back into action, when the family of one of their own is attacked.
50. Triple Threat
Cast: Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Tiger Chen
Release Date: 2017
Story revolves around a Chinese martial artist who goes to Mexico to rescue his ex-wife and their son after they are kidnapped by a drug cartel.
51. Stoic
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Karl Urban
Release Date: TBA
Isaac Florentine’s movie with Antonio Banderas. A fast-talking lawyer transforms his body and takes a vow of silence, not to be broken until he finds out who killed his wife and daughter and has his revenge.
52. Storm Riders 3
Cast: Louis Ko
Release Date: TBA
Wilson Yip is going to bring back another part of franchise. So far, the only actor attached to the film is Louis Ko.
53. Street Fighter: Resurrection
Cast: Alain Moussi, Mike Moh, Christian Howard
Release Date: 2017
Hopefully, this mini-series will be released for a public this year. The long-presumed dead Charlie Nash is back, and is targeting legendary Street Fighter champions for mysterious reasons. Ken and Ryu must uncover his lethal plan and discover if he is ally or enemy.
54. Sword Master
Cast: Kenny Lin, Peter Ho
Release Date: 2017
Hong Kong cinema giants Derek Yee and Tsui Hark join forces in this 3D martial arts epic, about an elite swordsman who is haunted by his skill, and a challenger who aims to take his place at all costs.
55. Taking of Tiger Mountain 2
Cast: TBA
Release Date: 2017
Prequel to 2014 movie with Hanyu Zhang, Tony Leung and Kenny Lin.
56. The Expendables 4
Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham
Release Date: TBA
Another adventure of mercenary team.
57. The Final Master
Cast: Fan Liao, Jia Song, Wenli Jiang
Release Date: 2017
A Wing Chun master has to defeat 8 martial arts schools to open his own school, yet he has become a chess piece to the local power dynamics.
58. The Foreigner
Cast: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan
Release Date: 2017
The IRA took his family. The police looked the other way. Now he must get revenge.
59. The Gate
Cast: Amy Johnston
Release Date: TBA
Superhero and master of Pencak Silat, Cassie Weston, uses her abilities to fight her arch rival and save her sister’s soul.
60. The Great Wall
Cast: Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe
Release Date: 17 February 2017
A mystery centered around the construction of the Great Wall of China.
61. The Karate Kid 2
Cast: Jackie Chan
Release Date: TBA
After the sudden death of Dre’s old Kung Fu Instructor, Mr. Han, young Kung Fu Champion, Dre Parker must learn The Dark Stepstones of how to become a good Instructor and teach his old fellow enemies a little more than respect.
62. Truy Sat / Tracer
Cast: Truong Ngoc Anh, Thien Nguyen
Release Date: 2017
Vietnamese martial arts film directed by Cuong Ngo, action directed by Trung Ly and starring Truong Ngoc Anh.
63. Angel Has Fallen
Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman
Release Date: TBA
Terrorist are now targeting Mike Banning on Air Force One.
63. The Coldest City
Cast: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy
Release Date: 11 August 2017
An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.
64. The Equalizer 2
Cast: Denzel Washington
Release Date: TBA
A sequel to the 2014 film, The Equalizer, which is based on the TV series about a retired agent who’s a hired gun for vengeance.
65. Into The Badlands (season 2)
Cast: Daniel Wu, Orla Brady, Sarah Bolger
Release Date: 2017
A mighty warrior and a young boy search for enlightenment in a ruthless territory controlled by feudal barons.
66. S.P.L 3: War Needs Lord
Cast: TBA
Release Date: TBA
The third part of popular Hong Kong action franchise.
67. Power Rangers
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Elizabeth Banks
Release Date: 24 March 2017
A group of high-school kids, who are infused with unique superpowers, harness their abilities in order to save the world.
67. Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Cast: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Channing Tatum
Release Date: 6 October 2017
When an attack on the Kingsman headquarters takes place and a new villain rises, Eggsy and Merlin are forced to work together with the American agency Statesman to save the world.
68. Die Hard Year One
Cast: Bruce Willis
Release Date: TBA
The sixth and final installment of the popular series finds John McClane heading out on one last mission to save the world from certain doom.
69. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ruby Rose
Release Date: 27 January 2017
Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began – The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
70. Creed 2
Cast: Sylvester Stallone
Release Date: TBA
Sylvester Stallone will be back in the ring for another sequel where he’ll play Rocky Balboa.
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