Action movies are synonymous with over-the-top sequences and elaborate special effects that typically require a large budget, but there have been several low-budget films in the genre that are just as memorable.Such films prove that a lot can be done with limited money and resources,and that it takes more than a costly spectacle to impress and leave a mark on audiences.
Compared toaction films likeJohn WickandThe Fall Guy,with budgets of approximately $20 million and $130 million, these low-budget action movies were made for significantly less. These movies find creative ways to navigate the cost of big-name actors and CGI, while still delivering the showy action sequences fans of the genre have come to expect. Movies likeThe RaidandOldboyare celebrated for their larger-than-life thrills, but are also praised for their creative storytelling and dramatic performances.
Upgrade
Cast
Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, Upgrade is a Sci-Fi, Action, and Cyberpunk film starring Betty Gabriel, Logan Marshall-Green, and Harrison Gilbertson. The plot sees a man suffering a tragic accident and becoming paralyzed as a result. He soon accepts a STEM implant that gives him back his body and much more.
Produced by Jason Blum under Blumhouse Productions,Upgradeis the most recent low-budget action release mentioned.Still, it has a comparable memorability to older releases, which can be credited to the clever choices made throughout the film to conceal its low budget.Upgradefuses science fiction and action for its story centered around Logan Marshall-Green’s Grey Trace.
Upgradeis intense and gory at times, but doesn’t take itself too seriously, implementing a healthy amount of dark humor.
Following his wife’s death and an accident that leaves him paralyzed, Grey is implanted with a chip that gives him enhanced fighting skills, which aids him in his revenge mission.Upgradeis intense and gory at times, but doesn’t take itself too seriously, implementing a healthy amount of dark humor. The film’s relevant exploration of artificial intelligence and its energetic action sequences make it a film worth remembering for many years to come.
Mad Max
Mad Max is a 1979 sci-fi action film from director and writer George Miller. Mel Gibson stars as Max a police officer in the future who goes after a gang of vicious motorcycle thugs. The film led to a long-running franchise including The Road Warrior, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road, and Furiosa.
The success and quality oftheMad Maxfilmshave only grown as the franchise has expanded over the years.While the first installment in the series, 1979’sMad Max, isn’t as beloved as later entries, it’s not a film action aficionados choose to ignore.Mad Maxis set in a dystopian Australiaand introduces audiences to its title character, an officer turned vigilante, for the first time.
Though the limited budget and resources ofMad Maxresult in a film that is much more character-focused than later entries in the franchise, there is still an undeniable thrill present.George Miller’s feature film debut isn’t perfect, but it struck a chord with audiences at the time. Setting the record for the most profitable film,Mad Maxfound success at the box office.
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior
Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior follows a young martial artist from a rural Thai village as he embarks on a perilous journey to retrieve the stolen head of their sacred Buddha statue, facing dangerous adversaries and showcasing remarkable Muay Thai skills.
One of the greatestnon-American action movies filled with thrilling martial artssequences also happens to have a low budget.Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrioris an exciting martial arts film starring Tony Jaa in what is recognized as his breakout role.The film follows Jaa as Ting, a villager and Muay Thai expert, who goes on a mission to retrieve a stolen statue.
The limited budget ofOng-Bakdoes not diminish the excitement and larger-than-life quality of the film’s action.Ong-Bakand its sequel films are beloved for their risky stunts that Jaa makes look effortless.The overall hero’s journey Ting embarks on isn’t anything unlike the martial arts films that came before it, but Jaa’s athleticism and Panna Rittikrai’s action choreography help turnOng-Bakinto something audiences will always remember.
Escape From New York
John Carpenter takes on the role of writer, composer, and director in Escape from New York, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi film where a large portion of New York City is converted into the biggest prison in the world, with all criminals in the United States sentenced there. When the President is kidnapped and taken abruptly into the heart of the prison, the government will turn to former soldier turned convict Snake Plissken to rescue him within twenty-four hours in exchange for a full pardon of his crimes.
One ofJohn Carpenter and Kurt Russell’s best movies together,Escape from New Yorkhad a budget of approximately $6 million.The ’80s action film is tons of fun to revisit and features an innovative display of world-building by Carpenter.The gritty, low-budget aesthetics of the movie, paired with thrilling action set pieces, make it thoroughly unforgettable.
Escape from New Yorktakes place in the near future where Manhattan has become a high-security, futuristic prison.The film sees Russell’s Snake Plissken, a former Special Forces soldier, given the opportunity to save the President of the United States from the city. Despite its low budget,Carpenter’s film was a box-office success.Escape from New Yorkis a strong piece of escapist entertainment that is seen today as a cult classic.
Duel
The Duel (1971), Steven Spielberg’s gripping tale of road terror, stands as a seminal work in thriller cinema. Unravel the story of David Mann’s survival against a faceless trucker. Dive into behind-the-scenes insights, cast performances, and where to catch this classic.
Steven Spielberg has made several big-budget moviesthroughout the years, with the cost of the film being apparent in its scale and quality.However, in terms of what Spielberg can accomplish with a lower budget, one of the first films that comes to mind is the made-for-TV road thriller,Duel. With a budget of approximately $450,000, the director effectively crafts an action-horror hybrid that sticks with audiences for a long time.
Duel, which initially premiered on ABC before earning a theatrical release, follows Dennis Weaver’s character David, whose only constant companion on his long drive is a malicious semi-truck driver.Thoughthe identity ofDuel’s antagonistis never revealed, the suspenseful cat-and-mouse dynamic between them and David is enough to get the audience’s hearts racing.
The Raid: Redemption
The Raid, released in 2012, follows an elite SWAT team as they attempt to infiltrate a fortified apartment block in Jakarta to apprehend a notorious drug lord. Led by martial arts star Iko Uwais, the team faces relentless adversaries in a battle for survival after their cover is blown.
Gareth Evans’The Raid: Redemptionrevitalized the action genre in the early 2010s with its simple set-up and incomparable martial arts sequences.The film stars Indonesian actors and martial artists Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim as members of a police squad tasked with raiding the apartment building that’s home to a dangerous drug lord. Praise forThe Raidover the years is a result of the film’s well-crafted tension and shocking violence.
With the invading police squad members trapped by the drug lord,The Raidtakes place mostly within the confines of the apartment building where the men must fight to make it out alive.The Raid’s characters are fascinating, and there is an appreciated amount of growth, especially for Uwais' Rama,but the film’s strongest and most memorable component is its non-stop action.
El Mariachi
El Mariachi is an action film directed by Robert Rodriguez, following a traveling musician who is mistaken for a hitman by a local drug lord. Released in 1993, the narrative explores themes of identity and survival as the musician becomes entangled in a deadly chase across town.
The start of Robert Rodriguez’sMexico Trilogy,El Mariachibegan with a budget of $7,225 before a larger sum was spent by Columbia Pictures for post-production work and marketing.The film is made up of mostly amateur actors, including Carlos Gallardo, a frequent collaborator of Rodriguez, who plays the film’s title character.El Mariachifollows Gallardo’s character as he makes his way into a small Mexican town with dreams of becoming a mariachi.
However, following a misunderstanding, El Mariachi finds himself caught up in a drug lord’s heated pursuit of a dangerous criminal.Many of Rodriguez’s signature filmmaking techniques are on full display inEl Mariachi, elevating the film’s familiar premise and giving it a needed boost in energy. Rodriguez’s innovation and his ability to work around such a low budget makeEl Mariachia considerably impressive and memorable movie.
Train to Busan
Train to Busan is a South Korean action-horror film released in 2016. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, it centers on passengers aboard an express train from Seoul to Busan during a sudden zombie outbreak. As the virus spreads, the survivors must navigate the chaotic and dangerous environment to reach safety.
The action inTrain to Busanis just as memorable as the emotional story at its center.Being one ofthe best non-American zombie movies, Yeon Sang-ho’s action horror film takes place on a train traveling from Seoul to Busan, where Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) and his daughter find themselves in the middle of a sudden zombie outbreak.Train to Busancombines smart social commentary with action-packed thrills and gore, all with a budget of roughly $8.5 million.
The confined setting inTrain to Busan, where its characters must fight for survival, adds a great deal of suspense to the already frightening scenarios unfolding on screen.While the action throughout the film is certainly worthy of praise,it’s the growth of Seok-woo as a character that sticks with audiences the most —luckily, a large budget isn’t necessary for such emotional resonance.
Oldboy
Oldboy follows the story of a man mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years without explanation. Upon his release, he embarks on a quest to uncover the identity of his captors and understand the motivations behind their actions. This gripping tale navigates through themes of vengeance and discovery.
Both an electrifying action film and apsychological thriller that messes with the audience’s heads,Oldboyis an unforgettable movie about one’s need for revenge.The film is amongPark Chan-wook’s best worksand sees Choi Min-sik lead the film with a stirring performance as Oh Dae-su. Throughout the film, Dae-su seeks vengeance against the mysterious figure who held him captive in a cell for 15 years.
Oldboyis brutal with its action and depicted violence, but the film doesn’t solely rely on such scenes to make an impact on audiences. Not only doesOldboysatisfy thriller fans' desire for heart-pounding action set pieces, but the film also presents a twisted narrative that makes one think deeply about Dae-su’s circumstance and course of action.
