Though the Oscars typically favour dramas over action-packed blockbusters, several exceptional films have broken this trend, demonstrating that spectacle and storytelling excellence can coexist. Here are ten standout action films that received Best Picture nominations and discover where to stream them all online.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
George Miller’s long-awaited follow-up to his Mad Max saga transformed post-apocalyptic action into high art. George Miller's masterpiece featured stunning practical stunts and relentless pacing, with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron leading a desert wasteland odyssey. The film garnered ten Oscar nominations and won six.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Joseph Kosinski’s Top Gun Maverick exceeded expectations as a sequel 36 years in the making. Tom Cruise returned as Maverick in this high-stakes aviation thriller featuring authentic aerial stunts. The film became a box office phenomenon while earning critical acclaim.
Black Panther (2018)
Ryan Coogler’s Marvel masterpiece was the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture. It combined thrilling action with rich Afrofuturist world-building in the fictional Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa and Michael B. Jordan's complex villain Killmonger anchored a film that won three Oscars and proved blockbuster entertainment could successfully address profound social themes.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Steve Spielberg’s adventure film introduced Indiana Jones and revolutionized adventure films. Steven Spielberg's classic combined action, humor, and Harrison Ford's charisma to create a genre-defining experience that secured five Oscars.
Gladiator (2000)
One of Ridley Scott’s best historical dramas, Gladiator revitalized the epic historical action genre. The ancient Rome epic featuring Russell Crowe's iconic Maximus, balanced spectacular battle sequences with an emotional revenge narrative, ultimately winning Best Picture.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Return of the King concluded Peter Jackson’s ambitious Lord of the Rings trilogy with unprecedented success. This fantasy epic featured massive battle sequences and powerful emotional stakes, winning all eleven Oscars it was nominated for.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
This Chinese period action drama elevated martial arts to high art. Ang Lee's wuxia masterpiece blended gravity-defying combat with poignant storytelling. Nominated for ten Oscars and winning four, including Best Foreign Language Film, it proved action choreography could achieve both philosophical depth and visual poetry.
Avatar (2009)
One of the highest-grossing films of all time, Avatar revolutionized sci-fi world and filmmaking technology. James Cameron's visual spectacle featured groundbreaking CGI and 3D techniques that transported audiences to the alien world of Pandora, becoming a record-breaking box office success.
Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan’s Inception that merged high-concept storytelling with spectacular practically-shot action. The mind-bending film featured innovative set pieces, including zero-gravity combat and reality-warping chases, earning four Academy Awards.
Braveheart (1995)
Directed by and starring Mel Gibson, this Scottish history epic delivered historical action with emotional resonance. Braveheart combined grand-scale battles with inspiring leadership moments, capturing Best Picture and establishing itself as a definitive war film.
These exceptional films demonstrate that action movies can achieve the highest levels of cinematic recognition when they balance thrilling spectacle with compelling storytelling. By elevating genre conventions through technical innovation, emotional depth, and artistic vision, these movies proved that prestige and entertainment value aren't mutually exclusive, earning both audience adoration and Academy appreciation.
How to watch the best action movies nominated for Best Picture streaming online in India
Check out JustWatch’s guide to know how and where to watch these thrilling action hits and epics on streaming platforms in India. The list below also provides offers to buy, rent, or watch these movies for free (if available).
