50 Greatest Action Movies Of All Time

50. Die Hard (1988)

There is a simple reason why Die Hard is often labelled as the greatest action movie of all time; because it is exactly that. Redefining both the action movie and their heroes, John McTiernan's classic has been countlessly imitated and often plain ripped off, but never bettered.

A great script, an instantly-iconic protagonist, one of the all-time great villains and a simple high-concept pitch all combined with McTiernan's efficient and tension-building direction to craft what has been regarded as the pinnacle of the action genre for over 25 years, a reputation that no amount of terrible sequels can tarnish.