The Most Underrated 1990s Action Movies, Ranked

The 1990s were downright unhinged when it came to the action genre. While you had the big blockbusters pulling people into theaters, VHS allowed an influx of B-movies and foreign films to flood the market. These movies presented big promises on the box, offering excitement through beefy men, femme fatales, explosions, high kicks, and plenty of shooting. Still, it could be a complete crap shoot unearthing a gem, as many movies succeeded more on their marketing than on delivering a solid product.

Enter the internet age, where everyone now has access to everything all at once on their phone. Now, we can research and look up all sorts of movies to see if we have a dud on our hands before even checking out a trailer. Still, the ’90s action genre has its fair number of gems, with many once ‘lost’ films bubbling up, getting remastered, and sent out again into the world. For the action fan, the best era is now, as access to all those rare VHS and foreign oddities means limitless possibilities. For those wanting to dig into the ’90s, we have compiled 10 of the most underrated gems you will find.

10 L.A. Wars (1994)

Jake Quinn is a cop who does not play by the rules, often finding himself reprimanded for his violent ways of bringing criminals down, actions which lead to his suspension from the force. Not one to lie low, Jake places himself undercover as a goon for a famous drug kingpin, Carlo Giovani, in an attempt to unravel the criminal underworld from within. However, an ongoing gang war, an internal power struggle, and his feelings for the boss’ daughter all complicate Jake’s mission to clean up the streets.

Only One Renegade Cop Can Stop the Drug Wars

Not all action heroes are made equal, and while actor Vince Murdocco has the bravado and skill to pull off action, his snarky persona offers unintended humor throughout. L.A. Wars certainly can be enjoyed as a so-bad-its-good movie, heavy on the camp and with some ridiculous action sequences by an eccentric cast of heroes and criminals.

Yet, that would sell the film somewhat short, as the action sequences here are highly entertaining. You’ve got car chases, explosions, shootouts, fisticuffs, and dummies falling from heights galore. This is delightful cheese that was catered to attract the attention of the VHS market in the ’90s, and became a pleasant surprise for anyone who stumbled upon it. You can stream L.A. Wars on Tubi.

9 Stickfighter (1994)

Opening with a violent shootout during a drug bust, D.E.A. we meet agent John Lambert as he loses his partner. This puts John on a personal vendetta against heroin dealers. However, his actions also attract the attention of fellow police, who believe his always ubiquity indicates that he may be involved in nefarious dealings. A chance meeting with another target, Luella, gives John his only ally, but his growing feelings for her open him up to further danger.

Beware the Sticks of Justice

There may be a lack of stick fighting in Stickfighter, with most of the action being martial arts combat and shootouts. Yet, once you unravel how choreographed the fights are, you will forgive the lack of blunt-force trauma. Stickfighter is one of the few films directed by famed Hollywood stuntman BJ Davis, featuring Kely McClung, an action star who would go on to moderate success.

The budget here is paper thin, but what it lacks in polish it makes up for in constant action and one-liners spouted by the oddly charismatic McClung. If you want to see a beefcake of a man surfing on top of another down a flight of stairs, this is the film for you. Stickfighter is free on YouTube.

8 Fudoh: The New Generation (1996)

Young high school student Riki Fudoh’s life as a Yakuza was predetermined; after witnessing the murder of his older brother, he branded his body with a tattoo made of blood and vowed revenge. Now in high school, Riki controls other students ruthlessly, surrounding himself with other misfits who are talented at creating chaos in their own way. Together, the ragtag group takes out prominent Yakuza leaders until one boss catches on and sends an agent into the school to eliminate Riki and his allies.

A New Generation of Killers is Born

Cult favorite and absurdist Takashi Miike has created a legacy for himself, having directed over 100 films and TV series and still going strong. Championed for his dark sense of humor and penchant for violence, often mixing the two in films like Ichi the Killer and 13 Assassins, Miike’s earliest works frequently go overlooked. This is undoubtedly the case with Fudoh: The New Generation; while it lacks the polish of other Miike productions, his dark humor is at its most raw and absurd in this early outing from the master of bloody and crass cinema. The action here is also gross and gritty for those wanting a more visceral experience. Fudoh: The New Generation is free on YouTube and The Internet Archive.

7 Bloodmoon (1997)

Ken O’Hara (Gary Daniels) has retired from the force, committing much of his life to hunting down serial killers and losing much of himself in the process. However, he is brought back in when a killer with metal hands is targeting martial artists, including friends of Ken’s. Ken teams up with Detective Chuck Baker, and they soon begin to unravel an underground fighting tournament that might be behind the killer’s one-on-one duels to the death.

A Metal Hand Warrior Stalks Martial Arts Champions

Those who have dived deep into the world of ’90s action cinema are going to have their favorites outside the Van Dammes and the Schwarzeneggers, whether it be an unhinged Wings Hauser, a tanned and cool-natured Lorenzo Lamas, or a friendly yet deadly Canadian in Jeff Wincott.

Gary Daniels is an action star who stands tall in the era and still maintains a steady output of B-action movies today. Daniels was an unsung champion of ’90s action films, pulling off some fantastic fight choreography and stunt work. While all his productions with famed PM Entertainment in the ’90s are a must-watch (Riot, Rage, Recoil, Firepower, Deadly Target), Bloodmoon has some of his best fight sequences, and the dark storyline adds high stakes to each fight. Bloodmoon is free on YouTube.

6 The Cat (1992)

Police inspector Wang Chieh-Mei, finds himself tangled up in a bizarre case of supernatural and otherworldly origin. The theft of an artifact, a girl with a superpowered cat, and an infectious alien force consuming gangsters all become intertwined into the investigation. As Inspector Chieh-Mei begins to put together the pieces, he finds he is the last hope of a young alien and the protector of Earth against an evil force.

A Cat From Outer Space Brings Action to Hong Kong

The Cat throws a lot at the wall and sees what will stick; it is one of many bizarre Hong Kong flicks in the ’90s, seemingly defying reason to a Western audience. If you aren’t prepared for it, The Cat can be a bit silly, and the horror and sci-fi elements at first might have you questioning how it falls under the action genre like other classic ’90s Hong Kong films.

The movie takes nods from films like Terminator, with an unstoppable force being shot, set on fire, and still pushing forward. It has crumbling sets that see the actors rapidly trying to escape catastrophe, and it has a prolonged dog vs cat kung fu action sequence (puppets were used for the dangerous parts). Utterly silly but equally enjoyable, the ingenuity in creating much of this film’s chaos is worth the price of admission alone. The Cat is not available on streaming, though if you do some digging on Reddit and elsewhere, you can find it online.

5 The King of the Kickboxers (1990)

Jake Donahue witnessed the death of his older brother in Thailand when he was just a kid. Now a cop in New York, Jake jumps at the chance to go undercover in Thailand to try to unravel the mystery behind his brother’s execution at the hands of another man. Here, he learns of an underground snuff production company that pays martial artists to film a scene only to brutally murder them. Teaming up with a woman he saved from trafficking, Jake explores the martial arts of Thailand to help hone his skills in order to kill the man who murdered his brother.

Murder for Profit in the Martial Arts World

As a headstrong and cocksure brawler, Loren Avedon is certainly the perfect character to explore the shady underbelly of Thailand. However, fans of ’90s action will be equally intrigued by Billy Blanks’ role here as a morally corrupt, despicable martial arts killer. The build-up to these two fighting each other is something else, but everything from the setting to the action is perfect. There is never a dull moment, as even moments of dialogue focus on Jake’s mouthiness or the blind, murderous rage of Billy Blanks’ Khan. The King of the Kickboxers is free on YouTube.

4 Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricki (1991)

Based on the outrageous manga of the same name, Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricki follows Ricky Ho, a young man who finds himself a prisoner in one of the most ruthless institutions in the dystopian future of China. Yet as Ricky settles in, the other inmates that rule each branch come to learn of his superhuman strength and martial arts skills that make him a champion of the other prisoners fed up with mistreatment. However, the Prison Warden has plenty of tricks up his sleeve and attempts to slowly break down his will to turn him into an obedient prisoner.

Punches that blow straight through another’s head, a poison that inflates prisoners and causes them to explode, and a man using his guts to choke out an opponent are just a few of the absurdities that you will find in Riki-Oh The Story of Ricki. Yet, everything here is so over-the-top in execution that it is hard to take seriously; this is more entertainment than shock. The whole spectacle is wrapped up in a rather engrossing story of Ricky seeking redemption for his past. This is the type of movie you throw on with friends and cheer with each gut-busting punch. You can stream Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky on The Criterion Channel.

3 The Bride with the White Hair (1993)

A young swordsman who heads various martial arts schools finds himself facing off against an evil cult as their influence grows. However, a chance meeting with a woman, Lian Nichang, who has been raised by wolves and is associated with the cult, creates a conflict as he falls for the enigmatic warrior. Their romance is brief and marked by tragedy and misunderstanding, leading to Lian being abandoned and transforming to become the vengeful ‘bride with the white hair.’

A Wuxia Gem of the 1990s

It’s difficult not to talk about the best action movies without delving into the underrated wuxia genre. Entries like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero brought the genre to the global forefront in the 2000s, but not much attention was given to movies before that by a broader audience. While the ’90s had a few stand-outs, including 1993’s Iron Monkey and The Heroic Trio, The Bride with the White Hair was a remarkable entry that flew under the radar for many. The movie weaves romance and action in a classic structure (love, tragedy, conflict), all under beautifully lush cinematography. The film proved popular enough to warrant a sequel and a television series. You can stream The Bride with the White Hair on Tubi.

2 Attack the Gas Station! (1999)

Four delinquent youths rob a gas station on a whim, netting them a nice payday. With how easy their first robbery was, the group returns the next day only to find an empty register. Learning that the owner’s wife has the cash, they hold the staff hostage until the money is brought to them. Playing the roles of employees to ward off suspicion of customers coming and going, the group is unaware that various gangs have gotten word of their antics and are closing in, itching for a fight.

Meet Me at the Giant Gas Station Brawl

Cleverly using the gas station as a microcosm for the societal issues in South Korea, Attack the Gas Station! won a small, dedicated following (this was before South Korean films flooded the West). The movie works best as a dark comedy, but where it enters action territory is its slow build into one massive brawl at a remote gas station. The cast here is also wonderfully eccentric and charming despite their criminal aspirations, making you cheer for them throughout their money struggles and impending beatdown. There would be a sequel in Attack the Gas Station! 2, but it lost the grittiness and low-budget charms that made the first such a surprise mini-hit. Attack the Gas Station! is free on YouTube.

1 Wild Zero (1999)

A young punk rock enthusiast named Ace idolizes the Japanese rock band Guitar Wolf. So when the world comes under attack from aliens and zombies, and he learns his favorite band can also kick ass, he happily joins them. Meeting and picking up others along the way, the rock-n-roll-misfits slowly build up a group able to rival the evil captain behind the worldwide calamity.

Rock and Roll!!!

Wild Zero is the perfect action movie to throw at a party. The physical release even includes a drinking game that gets you to take a shot every time someone yells “rock and roll,” whenever a motorcycle engine kicks up, or for each guitar riff that plays; we recommend lightweights avoid this, though, given that it happens almost every two minutes. While this is technically a zombie/sci-fi/concert film, there is constant energy here, highlighted by brawls, motorcycles, explosions, and fast-paced rock music that will get action fans pumped. The movie also provides insight into the slick-back-haired rockabilly Japanese scene, bursting with infectious energy.