While some movies offer audiences a relaxing bit of escapism, there are others that deliver a heart-pumping thrill ride from beginning to end. Fans at Reddit highlighted some of the most memorable cinematic experiences that gave them that adrenaline rush from watching them.
Whether it's exciting action movies, intense thrillers, or something totally unexpected, these titles made the biggest impacts on audiences. Non-stop things and edge-of-the-seat suspense helped make some of these movies classics while other overlooked examples might offer a totally new thrill ride for fans.
Baby Driver (2017)
Edgar Wright's movies have always had a wild style to them and he put that to excellent use in the action-comedy Baby Driver. The movie follows a young man who serves as a getaway driver for criminals and uses music to help him concentrate on his impressive skills behind the wheel.
The movie feels like a terrific blend of an action movie and a musical with the many chaotic car chase scenes edited wonderfully to the song choices. Redditor gareth5820 called it "one of my all-time favorite movies."
The Warriors (1979)
While it seems like it is a lot of modern movies that deliver thrills to fans, there are some excellent older movies that can still provide that kind of excitement. Walter Hill's The Warriors is a perfect example of this as it tells the story of a street gang that has to make it back to the safety of their own turf as the city of rival gangs descends on them.
It is another movie with a simple premise yet offers a lot of fun as the Warriors face off with all sorts of interesting gangs. Redditor AlrightSpider simply described the movie as "relentless."
The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese returned to the gangster genre he does so well in the crime epic The Departed. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a cop who goes undercover to bring down violent gangster Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). But at the same time, Costello sends his own operative (Matt Damon) to infiltrate the police department.
The movie becomes a cat-and-mouse game as the two men try to learn each other's identity without being found out themselves. Redditor No-Produce2097 acknowledged that the movie is not the kind of action movie that provides that adrenaline rush but the tense plot kept them "on the edge of my seat the entire time."
Unstoppable (2010)
The title of Unstoppable should give fans some indication of just how relentless this action movie is. Denzel Washington and Chris Pine star as train conductors who must work together in order to stop a runaway train filled with dangerous chemicals before it reaches populated areas.
The movie served as Tony Scott's final project before his death and serves as an ideal example of his talents as an action director. The simple premise allows for a straightforward action-adventure which Redditor thatmovieperson described as a "perfect popcorn movie."
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
The Mission: Impossible franchise has gradually grown from a slick spy thriller into one of the biggest and most entertaining action movie series of all time. Mission: Impossible is the most recent installment to date and perhaps its biggest as Ethan Hunt and his team attempt to thwart the detonation of a nuclear weapon.
Redditor Affable_Pineapple praised the movie for its "amazing stunts and action sequences," from the thrilling Halo jump scene to the brutal bathroom fight to the climactic helicopter battle. The movie delivers pulse-raising moments over and over.
Cellular (2004)
Before taking on the iconic role of Captain America in the MCU, Chris Evans played a more unassuming action hero in the thriller Cellular. Evans stars as a young man who receives a call from a woman who claims she has been kidnapped. He then must set out to rescue her from her dangerous captors, led by a villainous Jason Statham.
The intriguing premise makes for a fun and fast-paced adventure that happens almost in real-time. Redditor enthezone admitted to seeing the movie in their youth but it is one that is "still embedded in my mind."
Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
Though not a hugely popular movie, Shoot 'Em Up is an ideal choice for any fans looking for something that will get their heart-pumping with endless thrills. Clive Owen stars as a mysterious gunman who becomes the unexpected guardian of a newborn baby that is being hunted by dangerous gangsters.
The plot of the movie is hardly important as it mostly serves as an excuse to jump from one over-the-top shootout to another. Redditor JohnnyJayce praised the movie's "start to finish action."
Uncut Gems (2019)
Though critics haven't often liked Adam Sandler's movies as much as fans do, Uncut Gems continued to show a new side of the versatile actor. Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler whose reckless gambling habits have put him in trouble with some very dangerous people.
Howard is such a fascinating protagonist as it is incredibly frustrating seeing him attempt to sort out the endless problems in his life while creating more for himself. Redditor Jodokus95 said watching the movie "felt like a 2-hour panic attack."
The Raid 2 (2014)
Following the international success of the action thriller The Raid, the sequel attempted to rise beyond the high bar of the original. The Raid 2 reintroduces the heroic police officer Rama as he goes undercover in order to take down a violent crime syndicate.
While stepping outside the confined setting of the original movie, The Raid 2 doesn't diminish the intense action throughout. Redditor NightMayor_ expressed the impact of the movie by saying "the violence is so visceral."
Hardcore Henry (2016)
While not based on an actual video game, Hardcore Henry captures the feel of playing a video game perhaps better than any other movie. Told entirely from the first-person perspective, the movie follows the titular hero being brought back to life and embarking on a mission to save his wife.
Redditor Chillin-Villin called the underrated action movie "one of my favorites" as it allows the audience to go on this adventure as Henry in a way. Experiencing fight scenes, shootouts, and chases from this perspective is a wild time.