There are a lot of action movies. Thousands, in fact! With a seemingly endless supply of titles to choose from, it’s not surprising that some are going to be more overlooked than others. Naturally, a lot of the movies that get the most attention are the ones with the biggest marketing campaigns. These tend to be the big-budget blockbusters destined for the big screen.
A bigger budget doesn’t always equate to a better movie though. When it comes to the action genre, made-for-TV movies can benefit from their limitations resulting in tighter pacing, a more focused scope, and more character-driven action. Not always needing to focus on mass appeal, they can also cover more niche topics.
Admittedly, things are changing nowadays due to the ever-changing media landscape and ubiquitous nature of streaming services, which means that more and more movies are heading straight to these services with huge amounts of money being invested in them. But prior to the streaming era, things were vastly different. Here, we’ve identified great 10 made-for-TV action movies that shouldn’t be overlooked.
10 Treasure Island (1990)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock your entire life, you’re probably already, at least somewhat, familiar with Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel Treasure Island. The swashbuckling adventure story has seen adaptations across a multitude of mediums. While many might instantly think of the playful Muppets' big screen adaptation or even the classic 1950 movie, the 1990 made-for-TV adaptation certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.
Treasure Island Stars Some of England’s Finest Acting Talent
Treasure Island was an original production filmed and aired by the TNT network and stars American acting legend Charlton Heston in the role of Long John Silver alongside iconic English thespians Oliver Reed and Cristopher Lee. It also stars a young Christian Bale as the story’s protagonist Jim Hawkins. With a level of star power rarely seen in made-for-TV movies, the film was praised for its committed acting and marked the first credited directing outing for Charlton Heston’s son Fraser Clarke Heston.
9 L.A. Takedown (1989)
L.A. Takedown follows no-nonsense police sergeant Vincent Hanna as he engages in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a group of bank robbers and their enigmatic leader. Directed by Michael Mann, who was riding the success of Manhunter, the film originally started life as a pilot for an NBC crime series but was later reworked into a TV movie after the show was not picked up.
L.A. Takedown Was Remade into One of Michael Mann’s Most Revered Movies
If the plot of L.A. Takedown sounds familiar, it’s likely because it serves as the basis for Michael Mann’s subsequent movie Heat starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. While Heat received far more attention and is considered by many as a classic within the genre, watching L.A. Takedown provides a great opportunity to witness the early sparks of Mann’s genius before becoming one of the industry’s biggest and most successful directors.
8 Operation Delta Force (1997)
Operation Delta Force follows the fictional Delta Force elite military unit as they chase down a highly dangerous bioweapon and retrieve it from the hands of a deadly terrorist faction. While not providing anything groundbreaking in the world of action movies, there are enough combat scenes, explosions, and plot twists to keep fans of the genre thoroughly entertained without requiring too much thinking.
Operation Delta Force Has Spawned 4 Sequels
Despite not receiving any sort of critical acclaim, Operation Delta Force developed a niche fanbase who appreciated its no-nonsense approach to the action genre. As a result, the series has gone onto release a further 4 films, all following a similar formula. The series is ideal for those looking for good, fun, easy-watching, military action carnage.
Stream on Fubo
7 Death Train aka Detonator (1993)
Death Train is an action disaster film that was originally aired on the USA Network back in 1993. Pierce Brosnan plays a United Nations operative who is tasked with stopping a hijacked train carrying a nuclear weapon and preventing the collapse as of the free world.
Death Train Provides an Early Glimpse into Pierce Brosnan’s Future
Certainly not an original plotline by any means, but a strong performance from Pierce Brosnan keeps this movie from completely derailing. His undeniable charisma and powerful presence demonstrate perfectly why he was chosen, just a few years later, to take on the role of James Bond, one of the action genre’s most celebrated and iconic characters.
6 The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004)
For many, the action-adventure genre peaked in the '80s with the original Indiana Jones trilogy which became one of the most successful action franchises of all time. Since, though, there had been a gap in the market for a new treasure-seeking adventurer to take his place. That is, until Brenden Fraser stepped in as Rick O’Connell in the hugely successful movies The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2002). The public’s appetite for these kinds of films had been restored and thus, The Librarian: Quest for the Spear was born
What The Librarian Lacks in Budget it Makes up for in Story
Picking up where The Mummy movies left off, The Librarian put a new spin on the genre by focusing more on the brilliant mind of the film’s protagonist and less on his physical attributes. It sees the highly educated Flynn Carsen take on a librarian job only to find himself in a fantastical world of adventure and peril as he embarks on a quest to retrieve a stolen spear artifact from the library.
Full of adventure and intrigue, the movie was praised for its unique take on the adventure genre and has since become a successful franchise in its own right with 2 sequels, TV shows, books, and comics.
Stream on Peacock
5 The Mask of Zorro (1974)
It’s not surprising that the 1974 The Mask of Zorro TV film often gets overlooked considering the sheer number of Zorro adaptations there have been since the masked hero made his first appearance in the 1919 novel The Curse of Capistrano. In fact, it’s been reported that the swashbuckling vigilante has appeared in over 40 films to date.
The Mask of Zorro Is a Direct Remake of the 1940 Film Version
The movie is not only a direct remake of the acclaimed 1940 version but even used much of Alfred Newman's original musical score from it. It was originally intended as a pilot for a television series which ABC-TV ultimately declined. The movie, which was made on a relatively small budget, keeps Zorro’s spirit alive but adds little to the character, serving mainly as a fun, easy-to-watch adventure movie for fans of the genre and the character, himself.
4 21 Hours at Munich (1976)
21 Hours at Munich is a harrowing retelling of the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics. While not as action-packed as many of the others on this list, what it lacks in high-octane, adrenaline-fueled sequences it more than makes up for in tension and thrills. 21 Hours at MunichKeeps the audience on the edge of their seats from the moment they are thrown into the tense hostage situation until the final credits roll.
21 Hours at Munich Was Critically Acclaimed
Nominated for the Outstanding Film Editing and Outstanding Special - Drama or Comedy Primetime Emmy Awards, the movie was a roaring success with critics and, due to the global interest in its subject matter, was released theatrically in several international markets including Finland and Sweden.
Stream on Prime
3 Sharknado (2013)
SyFy has been producing questionable original movies for decades now, but in 2013, it made a movie that was so absurd and outrageous that it caught the attention of the masses. There’s little point in going into detail about the plot except that it does exactly what it says on the tin: Tornado + Sharks = Sharknado (just forget everything you know about science, sharks, and tornadoes).
Think Snakes on a Plane meets Deep Blue Sea with added computer-generated effects reminiscent of a high school graphics project and the worst acting possible from (one-time) Hollywood star Tara Reid and you have Sharknado – and it’s fabulous!
Sharknado Became a Cultural Phenomenon
Unsurprisingly, the ridiculous premise, campy humor, over-the-top action, and questionable acting got the internet talking. This viral popularity spawned a dedicated fanbase, leading to five sequels, each more unhinged than the last. The Sharknado series has since become synonymous with so-bad-it's-good entertainment, solidifying its place in pop culture history as a certified cult classic.
2 24: Redemption (2008)
24 is one of the TV’s most successful action-drama series. It follows Kiefer Sutherland as US counter-terrorist federal agent Jack Bauer with each of its 9 seasons covering 24 consecutive hours in Bauer's life using the real-time method of narration. The show's unique storytelling methods and its blending of action with political elements and serial drama garnered critical acclaim.
24: Redemption Is a Full-Length TV Movie Based on the Show
Taking place between the 6th and 7th season, 24: Redemption is a standalone TV movie that unfolds in real time between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm in the fictional town of Sangala in Africa. It sees Jack stepping up stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. Nail bitingly tense, the film was a huge success, drawing huge viewing figures and scoring an impressive 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream on AppleTV
1 Duel (1971)
In 1971, a young Steven Spielberg directedDuel, a taut and thrilling story that follows a businessman who finds himself relentlessly pursued and terrorized by a mysterious truck driver on a remote desert highway. Made for TV, the movie was a huge critical success and is considered a masterclass in tension and suspense.
An Alternative, Longer Version Was Subsequently Released Theatrically
Produced by Universal Television, Duel originally aired as a part of the ABC Movie of the Week. Following its TV success, Universal wanted to release it theatrically, however, at only 74 minutes in length, it was considered too short for the big screen. Spielberg went on to spend two days filming several new scenes to expand it to 90 minutes for its theatrical release.
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