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20 names. 1. James Cameron. Writer | Avatar: The Way of Water. James Francis Cameron was born on August 16, 1954 in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. He moved to the United States in 1971. The son of an engineer, he majored in physics at California State University before switching to English, and eventually dropping out.
List of action film directors. Action film directors guide the filming and creative elements in action movies, a film genre where action sequences, such as fights, shootouts, stunts, car chases or explosions either take precedence, or, in finer examples of the genre, are used as a form of exposition and character development.
- 7 James Cameron
- 6 The Wachowski Siblings
- 5 Tony Scott
- 4 John Mctiernan
- 3 George Miller
- 2 Akira Kurosawa
- 1 John Woo
James Cameron is one of the most well-known and successful directors in history, having directed huge blockbusters like Titanic and Avatar; however, Cameron has definitely made a name for himself as a master of the action genre. Cameron directed epic action films like Aliens, Terminator 2 and True Lies, which all became huge successes and developed...
Lilly Wachowski and Lana Wachowski rank among the most iconic film directors of all time and this was cemented with their work in The Matrix franchise, which has become a massive success as well as an instantly recognizable piece of pop culture. Their impressive visual style and fast-paced thrillers have become features of their work and allow thei...
Tony Scott made a name for himself when he directed True Romance, which was a screenplay he obtained from Quentin Tarantino after he was initially refused Reservoir Dogs. The film isn’t a classic action film that could be compared to others on this list, however, it features phenomenally-crafted shootouts and fight scenes that justify its place on ...
Die Hard is undoubtedly one of the most popular and impactful action movies of all time and John McTiernan is responsible for its creation. The story line has been replicated many times, particularly its single-location hostile takeover story. McTiernan continued his legacy of action film by directing Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator as well as Th...
George Miller is a versatile director who is responsible for some of the best children’s films in the genre, including Happy Feet and Babe: Pig in the City. More than that, he’s best known for his sleeper hit that revolutionized cinema, Mad Max. The franchise became a massive success and spawned several sequels, the most successful of which was Mad...
Akira Kurosawa is a hugely influential filmmaker and has directed some of the most acclaimed films to ever exist, including Ran, Yojimbo, Rashomon, Throne of Blood, The Hidden Fortress, becoming a master of the art form. Seven Samuraiset the bar for countless action films that would come after it, and it’s considered one of the greatest films ever.
John Woo is another legend of the action genre who needs no introduction. Woo is the original action film expert, who has been credited with influencing the work of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. He has produced a body of work that stands the test of time, including Hard Boiled, The Killer and A Better Tomorrow. His work is famous for its ...
- Lead List Editor & Writer
- James Cameron. Already a Hollywood legend, James Cameron is the man behind groundbreaking films like The Terminator and its sequel, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Aliens, True Lies, and both Avatar films.
- Steven Spielberg. Arguably the most talented and acclaimed director in the business, Steven Spielberg is one of cinema's most beloved and respected talents.
- Chad Stahelski. Stuntman-turned-film director Chad Stahelski is the breath of fresh air the action genre needed in the 2010s. Following a prolific career as a stunt coordinator in franchises like The Matrix and The Expendables, Stahelski took over the big job with the John Wick series.
- Ang Lee. Two-time Oscar-winner Ang Lee has a distinctive approach to action. Elegant and dynamic, Lee's action films stand out for their hectic sense and extended sequences that favor highly-stylized action.
- David Leitch. David Leitch is one of the biggest rising names in the action genre as he’s partially responsible for the creation of John Wick and has helmed some notable entries in big franchises and original action flicks.
- The Russo Brothers. Anthony and Joe Russo, aka The Russo Brothers, became synonymous for delivering four fan-favorite MCU films, including Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, but are also becoming pivotal players in the action genre.
- Chad Stahelski. Chad Stahelski is the main mind behind the John Wick film franchise, which has not only become one of the biggest action franchises of all time but also brought Keanu Reeves back into the limelight.
- Christopher McQuarrie. Tom Cruise’s return to being a full-blown action star wouldn’t be possible without Christopher McQuarrie helming most of the modern Mission Impossible movies.
Jul 31, 2023 · Published Jul 31, 2023. From John Woo to Akira Kurosawa, these legendary directors have amassed significant bodies of work full of action masterpieces. In the wrong hands, action movies have the potential to be one of the most generic and repetitive genres.
Nov 21, 2020 · Action tends to be dismissed as pure entertainment, but there are plenty of action movies out there that rank among the finest masterpieces in the history of cinema, like Die Hard, The...
