2. Ong Bak (2003, Thailand)
This martial arts movie upped the action that would go on to influence other movies on this list. Featuring Tony Jaa, a Muay Thai expert, this movie contains some heart-attack-kick-starter chase scenes and fights. If I were to put into words what he does, you wouldn't believe it. Thieves raid a small town village in rural Thailand. During the raid, they decapitate an ancient Buddha statue called Ong Bak and take his head. Ting (Jaa) travels to Bangkok to retrieve the head. When there he enlists his cousin Tumlae, who is now going by George, to help. Instead, George steals Ting's money and bets an on an underground fight. In order to get his money and ultimately get Ong-Bak's head back, Ting begins fighting in the underground club. Jaa, who does all his own stunt work is mind blowing. Are humans supposed to do things like that? It's so jaw dropping it's as if he's kicked you in the face. A lot of the more impressive moves are shown multiple times from multiple angles, but you're still left wondering how he managed to pull it off. The foot chase scene is unlike anything you have ever seen before. This has some of the most creative and bone-crunching action scenes in the history of the world.