Nowadays, if you look at the box office list, you will see that most of the highest-grossing films are action films. Be it Pathaan, Jawan, RRR, Pushpa, KGF, Animal, or Bahubali, all of them are very popular among the audience.
The same pattern is seen in Hollywood as well – films like Avatar, Avengers, Star Wars, Spider-Man, and Jurassic World make record-breaking earnings every year. Now, big films like War 2 and Superman are going to be released, with their trailers garnering millions of views even before their release.
Childhood memories and the thrill of action
In the 90s and 2000s, while watching a movie on TV, we used to enjoy the fight scene at the end the most. The face-off between the hero and the villain, the late arrival of the police, and the fierce fighting between them all kept us glued to our seats. Movies of that time, like Deewaar, Tirangaa, and Main Khiladi Tu Anari, not only offered action but also included drama, comedy, and a social message.
But gradually, the filmmakers noticed that the audience was waiting for fight scenes, so they filled the entire movie with action. This trend was already present in Hollywood movies like Die Hard, Terminator, and Mission Impossible, which increased the craze for bodybuilder heroes and innovative stunts.
Simple story, big characters
In most action movies, the story is not very complicated. The hero is good and the villain is evil. The audience knows from the beginning who to support. Because of this, characters with grey shades (where the difference between right and wrong is not clear) are rarely seen.
The hero is always shown in big sets, high-octane action, and stylish fights. Like in YRF Spy Universe, Tiger, Kabir, Pathaan, and now Vikram of War 2 – all go on the biggest missions. These films are based on themes like patriotism, terrorism, and significant danger.
Brain science is also behind it.
The fun of action films is not just in watching with the eyes; the brain also feels it. There are cells called “Mirror Neurons” in our brain, which make us feel as if we are doing the action ourselves when we see someone doing it. That is why when the hero defeats the villain, we also feel a sense of victory.
Loud music, camera angles, and fast cuts excite our brains more. This is the reason why action films take us away from everyday tension for 2 hours.
Family audience and comic-book violence
In most popular action films, the violence is of “comic-book style“. Meaning there is a lot of fighting, but not much bloodshed is shown. This is why these can also be watched with the family with a PG-13 or U/A rating.
But some films show excessively raw and disturbing violence, which makes the audience uncomfortable. Such films are often controversial and can harm society.
Action with art
Action films can be made not only for earning money but also as an art form. Films like Hero, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and The Matrix have proved that action can also be accompanied by great story and cinematography.
Easy language, global appeal
The biggest strength of action films is that they do not require language to understand them. Even without dialogue, their scenes are understood everywhere. This is why they can be a hit in any part of the world and generate more profit than films of other genres.
In the coming time, the audience is going to get the same fast-paced action and thrill from films like War 2, Pathaan 2, and Superman. The hope is that the makers will focus not just on big sets and fights, but also on a good story and memorable characters, so that these films are not just “popcorn entertainment” but are remembered for a long time.
The upcoming decade is going to take action to a whole new level.
With AI-generated visual effects, virtual production, and real-time motion capture, filmmakers are creating once impossible fight scenes.
But technology alone isn’t enough. The real challenge is storytelling.
Modern audiences expect not just explosions, but emotional depth and motivation behind every punch.
Films like John Wick, The Batman, and Extraction have shown how a simple revenge or rescue story can feel personal when grounded in emotion. Indian filmmakers are also catching up with War 2, Pathaan 2, and Pushpa 2, aiming to merge high-octane stunts with strong narratives.
If that balance is maintained, action cinema won’t just dominate the box office; it will continue to define the cinematic identity of this generation.
Action films today are not just “mass entertainment.” They are emotional experiences, technological showcases, and cultural mirrors.
They remind us of courage, justice, and heroism in a world that often feels chaotic.
From a psychological level to a storytelling level, action gives us what we crave the most the feeling of power and control. And that’s why, even in 2025 and beyond, whether it’s War 2, Pathaan 2, or Superman, the roar of action will continue to dominate cinema halls worldwide.
