20 Greatest Summer Blockbusters Ever Made

18. Speed (1994)

RottenTomatoes Score: 93% (7.9/10)

Box Office: $350.4 million

Why It's Awesome: In many ways the ultimate high-concept action film, Speed could have been hilariously inane in lesser hands, but with a surprisingly witty script (thanks to some uncredited work by Joss Whedon, no doubt), thrilling direction from Jan de Bont and a string of terrific performances, this is one of the most entertaining blockbusters of all time.

The concept, of a bus which will explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour, is so devilishly simple yet insanely effective: tension leaks out of almost every frame in the film once the scenario has been set-up, aided hugely by Dennis Hopper's amusingly over-the-top work as villain Howard Payne.

Though Reeves is often derided for his earlier acting work, he's perfectly-cast as hot-headed cop Jack Travern, and his chemistry with Sandra Bullock, in her star-making role, is a joy to observe. As for Bullock, she steals countless scenes she's in, her incredulity reflecting the audience's own stunned amazement at what's going on.

Packing an unfathomable amount of action into its 116 minute run-time, Speed leaves almost all other suspense thrillers in the dust, a shining example of basic thrills done right.