The 2000s were an incredible time for action movies, pushing the genre into new territory compared to similar titles of the 90s. That’s not to say 2000s action films were better or worse, but they were different, often offering a more refined, polished take on the genre.

Many legendary action movies came out in the 2000s, including The Dark Knight and Casino Royale, arguably one of the best James Bond movies of all time. However, plenty of movies slipped under the radar or fell into obscurity shortly after release.

Some of these releases were panned by critics at the time or failed to generate much hype at the box office, only to find appreciation years later.

That can be because of high-quality stuntwork, overlooked performances of actors who have since gone on to become huge stars, or simply a slew of intense action sequences that didn’t get the recognition they deserved at the time of release.

If you’re looking for the type of high-intensity spectacle that only the action genre can deliver, here’s a selection of underrated 2000s movies that few remember today, but are still more than are still worth your time.

10

3000 Miles To Graceland (2001)

3000 Miles to Graceland stars Kurt Russell as Michael. He robs a casino with a team dressed as Elvis Presley, escaping with millions of dollars. However, one of his accomplices, Murphy (Kevin Costner), double-crosses the entire team, leaving Michael for dead.

The story is straightforward and sets a revenge tale in motion with the money up for grabs. Michael unwillingly teams up with Cybil (Courtney Cox), and the link to Elvis at the start runs deeper than you may think.

It’s hard to maintain disbelief for a few scenes in 3000 Miles to Graceland. The movie has a surprisingly high body count for a grounded revenge story, but that’s part of the charm. Costner plays a great bad guy, and the soundtrack retains its 2000s vibe, including music by The Crystal Method and Filter.

9

Wanted (2008)

Wanted made quite a scene in 2008, introducing the concept of bending bullets to shoot around corners. It’s ridiculous, but fascinatingly silly, wrapped in an over-the-top world full of superhuman assassins.

James McAvoy plays Wesley, who discovers at gunpoint that he can speed up his heart rate, effectively slowing down time. Wesley’s incredible abilities make him a deadly killer mentored by Fox (Angelina Jolie), and the movie tells an entertaining cat-and-mouse story full of gratuitous violence.

Wanted is an easy watch with a simple story. Morgan Freeman plays a mysterious assassin leader in Sloan, and the movie takes itself just seriously enough to remain entertaining from start to finish.

8

Doom (2005)

Doom is one of the most iconic video game shooters ever made and has become a mega-franchise of mostly beloved titles. Doom 3 was arguably less popular after its pivot to horror, a move the 2005 Doom movie adaptation also leaned into.

Sarge (Dwayne Johnson) leads an elite group of soldiers to deal with a situation at a research station on Mars. His squad all have ridiculous callsigns, like Grimm (Karl Urban) and Destroyer (Deobia Oparei), but it’s part of the charm. The team finds itself surrounded by supernatural threats as they race to discover what happened before they arrived.

Critics were not impressed by Doom in 2005, but many video game fans would attest that it’s an admirable attempt to weave a story into the franchise. The movie also features a wild ‘first-person’ scene that mimics the game’s camera angle, which remains a welcome nod to the source material.

7

Equilibrium (2002)

Equilibrium introduced audiences to ‘gun-fu’ years before John Wick made it cool. The movie is set in a dystopian future where the government controls everything, including the populace’s thoughts, and disobedience carries the penalty of death.

Christian Bale is John Preston in Equilibrium, a Grammarton Cleric. He’s an elite law agent, trained in martial arts. He’s also trained in “Gun Kata,” an advanced form of gunplay where the shooter can accurately predict their opponent’s moves and react accordingly.

Naturally, Preston’s Gun Kata leads to plenty of jaw-dropping fights, where he effortlessly takes down scores of enemies. Bale’s acting is also fantastic as he begins to question his leaders, triggering a massive shift in his personality.

6

Kiss Of The Dragon (2001)

Kiss of the Dragon is a gritty action thriller starring Jet Li as Liu Jian. He’s an Intelligence Officer who works alongside Richard (Tchéky Karyo) on a bust in Paris. However, events take a dark turn when Richard betrays him during a mission.

Liu is framed for murder, and the movie follows his struggle to clear his name. He meets Jessica (Bridget Fonda) on his journey and decides to help her after Richard kidnaps her daughter.

Kiss of the Dragon is full of incredible fight scenes, but the setting is surprisingly grim and dirty. It’s a violent movie, with some disturbing scenes of drug use, and remains an underrated film in Jet Li’s extensive library.

5

The Punisher (2004)

The Punisher is a Marvel anti-hero, and his 2004 movie was released during the early part of the MCU boom. Superhero films were still quite experimental at the time, and The Punisher offered an exceptionally dark, R-rated tale.

Thomas Jane offers a grounded portrayal of Frank Castle. He’s a former FBI agent and becomes a vigilante when his family dies at the hands of Howard Saint (John Travolta). Frank goes underground after the attack, taking down Saints’ crime ring one visceral encounter at a time.

Critics were not kind to The Punisher in 2004, although many cited Jane’s performance as a highlight. Opinions have shifted since the release, and the film has a cult following that enjoys the gritty story.

4

Smokin’ Aces (2006)

Smokin’ Aces is a stylish action movie about a showbiz magician, Buddy Israel (Jeremy Piven), who snitches on the mob. He’s placed under witness protection in a grand hotel, but the best hit men in the business are out to claim his life.

It’s a simple story, full of over-the-top assassins and bloody action scenes. The killers are larger than life, each with their own unique motivations and style. Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds) leads the FBI group protecting Buddy, and they quickly find themselves outnumbered and outgunned.

The hotel is the perfect setting for an intense assassin brawl and a particularly memorable scene with an oversized sniper rifle. Fans adore Smokin’ Aces for its wild action scenes now, although reviews were mixed at the time.

3

Bulletproof Monk (2003)

Bulletproof Monk treats fans to an unlikely duo. Chow Yun Fat stars as the Monk With No Name and teams up with Kar (Seann William Scott). Kar is a petty criminal, but the Monk sees potential in him and starts training him as a warrior.

The Monk is protecting a sacred scroll. He trains Kar so he can do the same, and stop it from falling into the wrong hands. Bulletproof Monk doesn’t take itself too seriously and provides a fun mix of martial arts, action, and comedy.

Critics were unimpressed when the movie premiered in 2003, with many citing the weak plot. The film is rarely discussed nowadays, but the fight scenes still hold up, and the starring duo has great chemistry.

2

Domino (2005)

Domino is an underrated action thriller starring Keira Knightley as Domino Harvey, a bounty hunter. It’s a gritty movie inspired by a real person. Domino struggles to fit in when she’s younger. She finds her calling as a bounty hunter and is recruited by Ed Moseby (Mickey Rourke) for a job with millions at stake.

The movie tells a surprisingly complex betrayal story, with a constantly shifting focus that makes sense by the end. It’s a film that demands your attention, full of tense, violent action scenes.

Director Tony Scott uses a lot of stylish visual effects, which makes Domino feel unique compared to many other action movies. It’s a busy film, and Knightley plays a great bounty hunter in a story full of twists and turns.

1

Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)

Shoot ‘Em Up was quickly forgotten when it came out in 2007, but has since retained a sizable cult following and is adored for its relentless action.

The movie stars Clive Owen as Mr. Smith. He intervenes when he sees a woman with a child in trouble. Smith ends up taking care of the child while Hertz (Paul Giamatti), a crime boss, does everything in his power to track them down.

The plot is paper-thin, but that’s not the point. Shoot ‘Em Up fully embraces its simplicity, using it as a vehicle for nonstop action. The movie leans into dark comedy, and Giamatti plays an exceptional villain. If you’re after an underrated action movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, complete with a cast who are clearly enjoying themselves, this is a tough title to beat.