There’s something irrepressibly exciting about an amazing fight scene. Done well, it’s more than a display of punches and kicks—it’s a kind of visual narrative. In the right director and choreographer’s hands, fight choreography is akin to a precision dance: emotional, expressive, and unforgettable. Action cinema has refined and intensified over the last two decades into something more nuanced and impactful, wherein each move on the screen is done with intent and purpose.
Here’s a preview of three top-notch movies that’ve revolutionized the way fight choreography can be achieved—and why action scenes now constitute one of the strongest weapons in cinema.
The Raid 2: Emotional Impact Through Brutal Precision
Gareth Evans’ The Raid 2 isn’t just one of the best martial arts films of the 21st century—it’s an action storytelling masterclass. Choreographed by Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian (co-stars in the film, too), the combat scenes aren’t just technically proficient—they’re emotionally potent. Each fight is heavy with narrative meaning, revealing character depth and building tension without the need for exposition.
Think of the moment Hammer Girl loses her sunglasses during combat, briefly showing her sole eye. It’s a brief moment that is full of promise of more backstory—tragic and unspoken—but leaves an indelible emotional impression. These aren’t just fights; they’re moments of revelation. And not to be overlooked is the kitchen battle of Rama (Iko Uwais) with The Assassin (Cecep Arif Rahman). It starts in deference and descends into a desperate, dark fight. The choreography is so frenetic and close up, it’s been called one of the greatest fight scenes ever—each movement a beat in an execution dance.
In addition, Evans saturates the film with rich, expressive characters, like Hammer Girl, Baseball Bat Man, and Prakoso. Each one has an exceptional combat style and emotional tone, and their brief scenes as minor characters are made to be remembered in action storytelling.
John Wick: The Ballet of Violence
Whereas The Raid 2 is raw and up close, John Wick is refined and stylized. Director Chad Stahelski, who is himself a seasoned stuntman, helped pave the way for action choreography—a combination of martial arts and surgical gunplay that has been dubbed “gun fu.” What is great about John Wick, however, is how violence and rhythm so easily blend in it, choreographed almost as music.
Keanu Reeves, with close choreographic coordination from Jonathan Eusebio and Jon Valera, delivers a performance that is at once technically impressive and emotionally moving. The standout comes when Wick fights his way through a nightclub on multiple floors, each sequence of combat perfectly synchronized to the rhythms of the music. It’s not just a fight scene—it’s a movie spectacle akin to a dance, each floor bringing a different rhythm, a different mood.
More than spectacle, each fight reinforces Wick’s character—his utility, his grieving, his seething rage. Choreography subverts expectation at each step, keeping the audience on the sharp edge while confirming the mythic status of its reluctant hero.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Grounded Heroics
No wonder Captain America: The Winter Soldier, like other Marvel blockbusters, features breathtaking visual effects and over-the-top proportions, but it stands out for something earthier: its choreography. Brought down a peg by the Russo brothers and choreographed by Chris Carnel and James Young, the movie eschews gritty realism and is less concerned with practical effects and close-quarters combat than spectacle fueled by CGI.
From the bone-rattling elevator ambush to the gasping knife fight in the streets, every punch and kick in The Winter Soldier is done with a sense of payoff. The action is cut quickly, neat and efficient, designed to depict Steve Rogers’ muscle, athleticism, and combat brain, never at the expense of plausibility.
What renders the choreography here so effective is its lucidity. The camera pauses just long enough for the audience to be able to admire the athleticism and fluidity of every scene, so even the most disorganized parts appear to make sense and have a strong impact.
Why Modern Fight Scenes Matter More Than Ever
So, what makes the greatest fight scenes in modern times? It’s not merely the technical expertise or the showmanship—it’s the storytelling. Filmmakers such as Gareth Evans, Chad Stahelski, and the Russo brothers are all aware that action does not need to intrude into the story. It is the story.
The greatest fight choreography says something about the character, ratchets up tension, and inspires emotion. Whether it’s Rama’s desperate struggle to survive, Wick’s poetic revenge, or Captain America’s gritty sense of right and wrong, the action never takes a backseat. It’s as revealing as a monologue—sometimes more so.
When in the hands of great filmmakers, violence transcends into art. And in the age of over-stuffed blockbusters, that kind of choreography is the difference between forgettable action and unforgettable.