10 Action Movies from the 2000s That You’ve Completely Forgotten About!

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Action films are a mainstay of the Hollywood film industry, and studios invest significant sums, often in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, into their creation to ensure they become spectacular events. This substantial investment draws top-tier actors, funds advanced CGI effects, enables on-location shooting, provides explosive special effects, a variety of props and weapons, and vehicles that are either destroyed or written off during filming. Some action movies are genuinely excellent and have left an enduring impact on the genre, such as Die Hard, The Fugitive, Mission: Impossible, The Matrix, and The Terminator. These films, though they may also touch upon other genres, have become timeless classics in the realm of action cinema.

Numerous action movies tend to slip into anonymity following their initial release. While they create quite an impact initially, over time, many of them become forgotten due to the passage of years. It is only the most exceptional ones that endure in our memories. We’re going to travel back to the 2000s and re-explore ten action films that were once lost to obscurity. These movies might bring a nostalgic “Ah, yes! I remember that!” when you read their titles, or perhaps they won’t.

10
‘10,000 BC’ (2008)

10,000 BC, on paper, promises an exhilarating time-travel adventure centered around a prehistoric mammoth-hunting tribe. However, the movie itself fell short of expectations. The CGI failed to deliver visually impressive or even decent scenes, the narrative was riddled with historical inconsistencies, and style overshadowed substance in its execution.

The year 10,000 BC was criticized for being one of the poorest films released in 2008. Despite this, it managed to capture the interest of many viewers and achieved a decent box office success. However, its quality wasn’t sufficient to leave a lasting impression on people.

9
‘Walking Tall’ (2004)

As a dedicated fan, I’d rephrase that for you: In “Walking Tall,” I, a former U.S. Army soldier, find myself back home only to discover rampant corruption and criminal activities left unchecked. Determined to make a difference, I take on the role of sheriff, but my actions soon veer towards vigilante justice. Armed with an oversized wooden plank, I become a one-man enforcer, taking the law into my own hands. This action-packed movie features Dwayne Johnson in one of his earlier roles, still firmly established as The Rock.

In contrast to the original 1973 film titled “Walking Tall,” the 2004 version did not achieve the same level of box office success. At that time, Dwayne Johnson was not yet a well-established Hollywood star during the early 2000s. Despite this, “Walking Tall” still managed to spawn two direct-to-video sequels, and these spinoffs are just as unmemorable as the 2004 film itself.

8
‘2012’ (2009)

2012 combines action and science fiction to produce an apocalyptic movie, often referred to as a disaster film. The story is centered around the misconception that the world would end in 2012, following various characters battling through a sequence of catastrophic global events. This film boasts a prominent cast including John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, and Woody Harrelson.

Although the movie, 2012, received unfavorable criticisms, it attracted a massive audience who were curious about the depiction of the end of the world, transforming it into a hit at the box office. However, with time, the film has become less relevant — likely due to the fact that the world did not actually come to an end as depicted in the movie, making it as unmemorable as the 2012 event itself.

7
‘Smokin’ Aces’ (2006)

2006 saw the release of Smokin’ Aces, a film that created quite a stir upon its debut. The plot revolves around a manic, violent chase involving bounty hunters all vying for a $1 million reward on the head of a magician-turned-Mafia informant. An impressive roster of actors, including Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Piven, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Andy García, Taraji P. Henson, Ray Liotta, and Chris Pine, star in the film.

Despite being described as hectic, packed, and absurd, “Smokin’ Aces” is surprisingly enjoyable with an unexpected plot twist that some adore while others dislike. Regrettably, it’s another Ryan Reynolds movie that has faded into obscurity over time.

6
‘Miami Vice’ (2006)

Michael Mann is known for directing some thrilling action movies such as “Heat” and “Collateral”. Contrary to belief, his 2006 film, “Miami Vice”, is not part of that list. In this movie, Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx portray Miami vice detectives who infiltrate drug trafficking rings. “Miami Vice” represents a contemporary retelling of the 1980s TV series with the same name, but apart from sharing characters’ names and themes, the two versions have little in common.

The 2006 movie lacked the playful allure that made the television series beloved among many viewers. Despite having a dedicated fanbase, Miami Vice is generally overlooked by most audience members.

5
‘Cradle 2 the Grave’ (2003)

In the 2000s, Jet Li was undeniably a renowned martial artist in films. However, even the most skilled martial artist can occasionally make less-than-optimal movie decisions. This happened with Jet Li and his 2003 film, “Cradle 2 the Grave.” Despite having an intriguing title for an action sequel, it wasn’t actually a sequel. Instead, it was a standalone film that brings together a jewel thief and a Taiwanese intelligence officer. They work together to navigate the criminal underworld of Los Angeles in order to rescue the thief’s kidnapped daughter. To add to the mix, the late rapper DMX also stars in this film.

In 2003, the movie “Cradle 2 the Grave” had a relatively small yet unremarkable impact at the box office. As expected, it received mostly negative criticisms. Now, it’s mostly overlooked and buried among other forgotten films in our compilation.

4
‘The Recruit’ (2003)

From a written perspective, The Recruit appears to be an engaging movie. Featuring renowned actors such as Colin Farrell and Al Pacino, the plot revolves around them playing a CIA novice and his seasoned mentor, tracking down a spy within their organization.

Although The Recruit managed to do well financially at the box office, it was met with a mix of mediocre reviews and a weak storyline, which ultimately made it less popular. If you’re eager to watch films starring Pacino or Farrell, there are currently numerous superior alternatives available compared to The Recruit.

3
‘Showtime’ (2002)

In an effort to shine as a top-notch buddy cop action comedy, Showtime went all out by enlisting two esteemed Hollywood veterans, Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy, in the starring roles. However, it failed miserably. In fact, it flopped significantly. The movie was heavily criticized, with critics pointing fingers at its unfunny humor and feeble satire of the buddy cop genre. It even managed to secure two nominations at the 23rd Golden Raspberry Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the year’s worst films. Murphy received a Worst Actor nod, while he and De Niro were nominated for the Worst Screen Combo due to their lackluster comedic synergy.

2
‘Shanghai Noon’ (2000)

Jet Li might have held a significant position in the early 2000s, but it’s Jackie Chan who has reigned supreme in Hollywood for the past six decades. He’s become one of the most revered and impactful martial artists in film history, gracing numerous unforgettable movies. Unfortunately, “Shanghai Noon,” released in the 2000s, is not among those films that showcase his talent.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say this action-comedy masterpiece seamlessly blends the spirit of the Wild West with the thrilling martial arts genre, unfolding in the 19th-century American frontier. In “Shanghai Noon,” a Chinese man and an American train robber form an unlikely alliance to save a princess, face challenges, and create laughter along the way. The film features the hilarious Owen Wilson, one of the underappreciated comedic stars from the 2000s. “Shanghai Noon” was a modest hit and even spawned a sequel, “Shanghai Knights.” Regrettably, despite solid box office earnings and plans for a third installment, it never came to fruition, leaving this series gathering dust over time.

1
‘Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever’ (2002)

In the movie titled “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever“, Antonio Banderas and Lucy Liu play secret agents who join forces to combat a mutual adversary. Despite the title suggesting a sequel, this is actually a standalone film with no prior movies featuring characters named Ecks and Sever. The movie was not well-received at the box office, costing its studio around $70 million.

However, what makes things even more disheartening is that “Ecks vs. Sever” is part of an elite group of movies that received a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, essentially solidifying its place as one of the most poorly received films in history. It might be for the best if this film remains obscure.

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2025-02-09 19:03