The 10 Highest-Grossing Action Movies Of 2021 (So Far)
Despite the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, audiences continue to filter into theaters to watch the latest films. While some have underperformed, others have managed to garner impressive numbers at the box office.
Although 2021 is only halfway done, there have already been several great new action movies this year. Some even stand head and shoulders above the rest, and they have distinguished themselves by being the highest-grossing of the bunch in 2021 so far.
10 The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard - $54,529,620
A follow-up to 2017's The Hitman's Bodyguard, Patrick Hughes's The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard has earned a respectable $54,529,620 despite mixed reviews. The film reunites stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson in their respective roles of bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid.
Bryce is still unlicensed, but he is forced to take action when Kincaid's wild card wife Sonia, played by Salma Hayek, emerges onto the scene. The three soon become entangled in the dangerous plot of the terrorist mastermind Aristotle Papadopoulous, played by Antonio Banderas, and must work together to save Europe from certain destruction.
9 Nobody - $55,387,825
Bob Odenkirk is best known for his comedic roles and work on shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but 2021 saw him take his first jab at being an action star. His breakout action role in the darkly funny Nobody garnered decent reviews, and the film even earned $55,387,825 at the box office.
Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, a mild-mannered father and husband who is, for all intents and purposes, a nobody. After two thieves break into his house, Hutch's world changes dramatically as he unlocks a primal part of his personality. This sets him down a dangerous path that forces him to save his family from a deadly adversary and his own destructive tendencies.
8 Mortal Kombat - $83,601,013
The Mortal Kombat franchise is one of the longest-running and most successful video game and media franchises in history. 2021 saw Mortal Kombat return to the big screen in New Line Cinema's film adaptation, following two earlier films in the late 90s.
In the reboot, Cole Young is an MMA fighter who must step up to defend the world from the warriors of Outworld. The film includes many fan-favorite characters including Sub-Zero, Jax, Sonya Blade, Kano, and Liu Kang. Despite its mixed reviews, the film managed to rake in $83,601,013 at the box office, which just goes to show how popular the franchise remains years after its initial release.
7 Wrath Of Man - $99,023,297
Jason Statham has made a career out of playing mysterious loners with deadly skills. This year, he starred in the action thriller Wrath of Man, which represents his fourth collaboration with director Guy Ritchie. Overall, the film received decent reviews and earned $99,023,297 at the box office.
Statham stars as H, a cash trucker driver in Los Angeles who steps up with deadly efficiency during an attempted robbery. His actions start a chain reaction of events that uncover his checkered past and bring him under increasing scrutiny from FBI investigators.
6 Raya And The Last Dragon - $120,522,842
Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon is a unique project for the studio, as the film is more similar to an action-adventure story than most of its animated productions. The film lost a decent amount of revenue due to also being available for streaming on Disney Plus, but even then it was still able to gross $120,522,842 at the box office.
The story is set in Kumandra, a land where dragons and humans coexisted in harmony for years. However, when the sinister Druun threatened the safety of all the land's inhabitants, the dragons nobly sacrificed themselves to protect humanity. 500 years later, a warrior named Raya sets out on a quest to locate the last dragon and bring the Druun's reign of terror to an end.
5 Black Widow - $165,529,452
Marvel's Black Widow was just released, so this total is bound to grow exponentially in the weeks that follow, but at the moment, the Scarlett Johansson-starring actioner has grossed an impressive $165,529,452 worldwide.
The long-awaited solo film/spin-off follows super spy Natasha Romanoff as she must go on the run following the events of Captain America: Civil War, leading her home to her surrogate family of the past, comprised of Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, David Harbour's Alexei Shostakov (A.K.A. Red Guardian), and Rachel Weisz's Melina Vostokoff. Together, they team up to take down the sinister Red Room once and for all.
4 A Quiet Place Part II - $262,434,290
A Quiet Place was one of the best horror movies of 2018, so it's no surprise that fans of the film were looking forward to 2021's second installment in the series, A Quiet Place Part II. John Krasinki and Emily Blunt both returned to the project along with some new faces, propelling the film towards a $262,434,290 total at the box office.
The film begins immediately after the events of the first movie, as the remaining members of the Abbott family are forced to abandon their home and search for other survivors. Together, Regan, Evelyn, Marcus, and the new baby encounter Emmett, a reclusive friend of the late Lee Abbott, and set about trying to find a new safe place for their family.
3 Godzilla Vs. Kong - $452,463,133
2017's Kong: Skull Island and 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters set up the events of the clash between the two monster movie favorites in 2021's aptly titled Godzilla vs. Kong. The film was released in movie theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously, but that didn't stop it from grossing $452,463,133 at the box office.
Set five years after Godzilla's defeat of King Ghidorah, Monarch's team of scientists and a captured Kong delve into the Hollow Earth, the ancient home of the Titans. However, in doing so they invite the wrath of Godzilla, which initiates a conflict to decide the fate of the Earth including even more dangerous challengers waiting in the wings.
2 Demon Slayer: Mugen Train - $455,653,301
Demon Slayer has fast become one of the most popular new anime in production. The first season just wrapped up in 2019 which was followed up by the theatrical release of the film Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. Originally released in Asia in 2020, the film made its domestic debut in 2021 and to date has grossed $455,653,301 at the box office, making it the highest-grossing anime and Japanese film of all time.
The film picks up where the first season left off with Tanjiro, Nezujo, Inosuke, and Zenitsu boarding a train where a number of people have been gone missing. They are joined by the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and together the Demon Slayers must face one of their most dangerous and challenging opponents yet.
1 F9: The Fast Saga - $506,571,080
The ninth main installment and the tenth full-length film in the Fast & Furious franchise, F9: The Fast Saga is the highest-grossing action film of 2021 so far. Propelled by the success of the franchise which has now spanned two decades, the film earned $506,571,080 at the box office.
In this latest film, to stop a dastardly plot orchestrated by Cipher and Dom's estranged brother, Jakob, the Toretto family must once again ride into action. Many fan-favorite characters return to the fray including Mia, Han Lue, and Sean Boswell, along with Twinkie and Earl Hu from Tokyo Drift.