1. James Bond
When it comes to movie action heroes, no one rivals James Bond. The British super-spy has been a Hollywood staple since the 1960s, and continues to command a certain level of cinematic respect. With one of the most prolific and longest-running film series in the world, James Bond is undoubtedly the best of all action movie franchises.
Though many elements of the franchise have remained intact (Bond’s use of gadgets and expensive cars, for example), there are many other aspects of the films which have changed with the times. Modern sensibilities may have crept into the James Bond franchise, but the core stories remain the same: Bond is usually the only man standing between the world and chaos, and he’ll do whatever he must to complete his mission. It’s something that makes James Bond one of the most iconic movie characters of all time across every genre, and it also makes the franchise truly exceptional.
You don’t get to be the quintessential spy through poor cinematic efforts, and though there are a few duds in the James Bond franchise, it’s largely comprised of movies which paint the spy as perhaps the coolest man in cinema. In terms of action, they have it all: high-speed vehicular pursuits, impressive stunts, and good old-fashioned shootouts. When it comes to action movie franchises, none offer the complete package quite like James Bond, and that’s why it’s simply the best of the best.
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