What makes your heart race more, fight scenes and crimes? Or being intimate with each other? Action or Romance? Couples often fight about what movie to watch because of their different tastes. For people who love both genres, choosing a movie to watch can be challenging as the two seem to contradict each other.
There’s no need to choose between the two as we looked into the best recommendations covering both. So, sit back and relax because we’re dropping 13 Best Action Romance Movies!
1. Spectre (2015)
English, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Ukrainian 2h 28m IMDb
Director: Sam Mendes
Stars: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux
James Bond movies are always a hit. Not because of its romantic genre but its action. Mostly it is about how spies and agent act and the completion of their mission.
Because of a cryptic message, James Bond went to Mexico only to discover that the assassin he’s pursuing is only a front of a wicked organization called the SPECTRE. This discovery led him to connect with an old nemesis Dr. Madeleine, who might know something relevant about this organization.
But Spectre gives us one of the most exciting love affairs in the series of movies. Plus, the chemistry between the stars is so alluring.
2. The Lost City (2022)
English, Spanish, Latin, French 1h 52m IMDb
Director: Aaron Nee, Adam Nee
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe
Released just this year, The Lost City is one of the freshest action-adventure slash romance movies you’ll find.
What would a romance author do with her writer’s block and burnt-out mind? Find new inspiration! Loretta Sage thought this when she decided to take a book tour with Alan, the cover model and inspiration for the male lead character in her novel. But what would happen when Loretta gets kidnapped for some unknown reason?
Will he be the knight and shining armor to save Loretta from the bad guys? The Lost City should be a romance movie, but with guns, crime, and the goal to keep Loretta alive.
3. Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter Part II – The Beginning (2021)
Japanese 2h 17m IMDb
Director: Keishi Otomo
Stars: Takeru Satoh, Kasumi Arimura, Yôsuke Eguchi
Sword fights might be one of the most delicate and dangerous ways to fight somebody. If you are Japanese culture and samurai fan, then Rurouni Kenshin is up your alley!
Samurai Kenshin Hikamura, aka Battousai, who is known to be one of the most powerful assassins, saved a young woman from hooligans. Since that incident, their feelings for each other slowly developed. But, of course, the Shogunate was not in favor of this. Kenshin would be put in a position where he could choose only one: his sword or love.
This movie is the prologue to the Rurouni Kenshin series. If you are curious how the Battousai got that famous scar, a particular fight scene would determine that. And you should not miss it!
4. Pearl Harbor (2001)
English, Japanese, French 3h 3m IMDb
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett
Having to fight for your love and your country at a time of war could be one of the most complicated problems that could happen.
Pearl Harbor is about the best friends Rafe and Dany, pilots in the Air Corps, who fell in love with Evelyn, a nurse. Rafe was deployed and left for Great Britain. Danny and Evelyn stayed at Pearl Harbor. Having heard that Rafe was shot and killed, they stuck with each other and began to develop their feelings.
What would happen if Rafe did not die and returned? And upon returning, how can you fight for your love when the war was about to begin, an air raid, the bombing of Pearl Harbor?
5. This Means War (2012)
English, German, Japanese, Serbian 1h 43m IMDb
Director: McG
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Tom Hardy
Looking for a film to watch that has mild action, romance, and a pinch of comedy? Then This Means War can be your best stress reliever.
Two agents, Tuck and FDI, were partner CIA agents assigned to stop Heinrich’s crimes. Shockingly along the way, they discovered they were dating the same woman. They agreed that the two of them would continue to date her. But what if their feelings grow deeper?
Will their friendship be the cost of finding love? And what about if Heinrich catches up with their plans? How can they now reconcile with each other?
6. Allied (2016)
English, French, German, Arabic 2h 4m IMDb
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris
Another movie that revolved during World War II is coming up! A spy loving another spy? Can a pretend relationship work? Max, a Canadian who is an Intelligent Officer, goes to Morocco to meet Marianne, a member of the French resistance.
The woman needs to pretend to be his wife for their mission to assassinate the German Ambassador. Upon finishing their task, they fell in love, lived together, and had a baby.
But what if an unexpected call of duty concerning the identity of his wife? Can Max still trust Marianne upon learning that she might be a spy? Unravel the secret by watching Allied asap!
7. The Next Three Days (2010)
English 2h 13m IMDb
Director: Paul Haggis
Stars: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson
The theme of the next movie in our list includes crime, action, and romance. A not-so-fun fact about this is it is based on a true story.
Lara, a married woman, was accused of murdering her boss. Because of the evidence on the crime scene, she was convicted. Now the action starts when her husband, John, plans to get her out of prison through force. Together, the two must flee the country.
Is Lara genuinely innocent? Will the planned jailbreak be successful? Find out what happened in this horrifying story about justice and fighting for one’s innocence.
8. Gotcha! (1985)
English, German, Russian, French 1h 41m IMDb
Director: Jeff Kanew
Stars: Anthony Edwards, Linda Fiorentino, Jsu Garcia
A simple play of tag can get you to different places, even dangerous ones. Well, for a college student who fell in love with a spy, is everything worth it?
Jonathan won a tour to Paris after winning Gotcha, a tag game that uses paint or a water gun to hit the opponent. Jonathan met Sasha and immediately fell in love with her. But will he still pursue her upon knowing that she is a spy?
We thought comedy, action, and romance wouldn’t fit in one movie, but Gotcha seems to get all of these elements together. Watch to know if Jonathan survived a bunch of spies.
9. The Bodyguard (1992)
English 2h 9m IMDb
Director: Mick Jackson
Stars: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp
Hiring a bodyguard for a celebrity could be tedious. Their life can be worse than other high-profile people in the world, receiving death threats and doing away with crazy fans.
Frank, a former special agent to the President, realized this when he was hired by Rachel’s manager as the latter’s bodyguard. They tried to keep their relationship professional but failed to do so. Up to what extent can he do to protect the singer?
Can he fulfill his duty and move on from one mission to another? Or will he stay? Find out the answers by watching The Bodyguard!
10. A Knight’s Tale (2001)
English, French, Latin 2h 12m IMDb
Director: Brian Helgeland
Stars: Heath Ledger, Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell
From the title itself, we can already think that this movie finds its setting in medieval times. But we must tell you that this movie is not about chivalry.
After the death of his master, William, who is a squire, finds himself changing his identity as a knight. He then met Toland and Wat and teamed up to compete in jousting. But glory and wealth aren’t the only things he finds on his journey, even love.
What is the true identity of this secretive woman William fell in love with? A Knight’s Tale is a must-watch for people who are more into sword fights.
11. The Mask of Zorro (1998)
English 2h 16m IMDb
Director: Martin Campbell
Stars: Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Zorro is a very iconic character in the Spanish world. But this character does not only deal with justice. It is also revenge for the killing of his wife and the abduction of his daughter, Elena.
Elena was taken by the Governor and raised as his daughter. To seek revenge, he trained Alejandro to be the new Zorro. However, when the successor and the daughter meet, romance begins.
What would the original Zorro do? Is he going to be in the way against the love of his daughter? Will the new Zorro be successful in his task? All these are in The Mask of Zorro.
12. Mr. Right (2015)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Paco Cabezas
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Tim Roth
Action-romance movies do not always have to be so severe. This is what Mr. Right aimed to do, and it successfully showed us.
This classic film is an unusual story of a girl who fell in love with a guy. Well, for Martha, everything is normal until she knows that the guy she liked is a hitman on the run. With a lot of enemies and a lot of bad guys, this love story will bring chaos to Martha’s life.
Pursuing this love is not easy, as it would also endanger her life. If you were her, would you still push through? Or will you save yourself from this fiasco and a possible heartbreak?
13. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
English, Spanish 2h IMDb
Director: Doug Liman
Stars: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Adam Brody
Who doesn’t know this couple from the movie? If you missed Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie together, it’s time to rewatch Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
As an average couple, John and Jane thought they knew each other very well. Only to find that they have a secret from each other: they are assassins. They only knew when they discovered they were each other’s targets.
What a chaotic world of married life and a little bit of action! Watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith for a refreshing take on action-romance movies!
The Final Takeaway on Best Action Romance Movies
Action and romance are not always opposites. The two genres can go well together! They will give you a thrill and a fast heartbeat at the same time. While they can cause heartbreak, at least you learned something.
So, for people, especially couples, who are undecided when choosing a movie, the problem is solved! Follow our recommendations for peaceful and heart-pounding streaming!