10 Action Heroes Better Than John Wick

10 Action Heroes Better Than John Wick

John Wick might be everyone’s favorite modern-day boogeyman — the guy who avenges his dog and mows down hundreds with impeccable aim and immaculate suits. But let’s be honest: he’s not the only name in town when it comes to action movie greatness. The genre is filled with characters who’ve punched, shot, leapt, or exploded their way into legend long before Wick ever suited up.

1. Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible series)

The man behind the mask — quite literally — has been pulling off impossible missions for nearly three decades. Ethan Hunt isn’t just good at what he does; he makes jumping off planes, scaling skyscrapers, and defusing nukes look like casual errands.

Unlike John Wick’s cold precision, Ethan thrives on chaos. His plans fall apart mid-mission, his gadgets malfunction, and yet he always finds a way to improvise. There’s something deeply human about watching him barely hang on — often literally — and still come out on top.

Plus, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: Tom Cruise does his own stunts. Hanging off a plane at takeoff? That’s not CGI. Ethan Hunt might not own a fancy assassin hotel, but he’s risked his life enough times to make Wick’s revenge spree look like a coffee run.

2. Ellen Ripley (Alien franchise)

In space, no one can hear you scream — but they can definitely hear Ellen Ripley shout orders. She’s not a trained soldier or a secret assassin. She’s just a woman who got stuck with a murderous alien and decided, “Fine, I’ll handle it myself.”

Ripley doesn’t just survive; she dominates. Whether she’s piloting ships through deep space or facing down acid-blooded nightmares, she remains calm, calculated, and fiercely protective of those she cares about.

Unlike Wick, who’s driven by vengeance, Ripley’s motivation is pure survival — hers and humanity’s. She’s the kind of hero who doesn’t rely on gun-fu or headshots, but on sheer intelligence and grit. If there’s a leaderboard for badassery, Ripley sits comfortably at the top with a flamethrower in hand.

3. Sarah Connor (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

She started as a waitress who couldn’t even imagine saving the world. Fast forward a few years, and Sarah Connor is a tank-top-wearing, shotgun-wielding apocalypse prophet who makes doomsday look stylish.

Her transformation is one of the greatest in film history. While John Wick channels grief into revenge, Sarah channels fear into preparation. Every muscle, scar, and line on her face tells the story of someone who’s been broken and rebuilt into pure steel.

Sarah doesn’t need a suit or a silencer to make her point. She’s a mother, a fighter, and a survivor all rolled into one. And when the machines rise, you’d better believe she’ll be the one telling John Wick to take cover.

4. Jason Bourne (Bourne series)

Waking up on a fishing boat with amnesia is usually the start of a bad day — unless you’re Jason Bourne. Then it’s just the beginning of a decade-long manhunt filled with car chases, rooftop escapes, and brutal hand-to-hand combat.

Bourne doesn’t just fight; he calculates. Every move is tactical, every strike efficient. He doesn’t rely on fancy gadgets or secret societies — just his instincts and a rolled-up magazine that somehow becomes a deadly weapon.

While Wick thrives on emotional chaos, Bourne thrives on clarity. He may not remember who he is, but he knows exactly how to stay alive. If the two ever faced off, Bourne wouldn’t waste a bullet — he’d end it before Wick even unholstered his gun.

5. James Bond (007 franchise)

No list of action heroes is complete without the man who started it all — Bond, James Bond. He’s suave, stylish, and utterly unflappable, whether he’s defusing a bomb or flirting over a martini.

Bond isn’t just a spy; he’s a symbol. From Sean Connery’s charm to Daniel Craig’s grit, every version of Bond redefines what it means to be effortlessly dangerous. He doesn’t brood in the dark like Wick — he kills the bad guys and gets invited to the after-party.

And let’s face it: John Wick may have his tailored suits, but 007 wore them first. Bond fights for queen and country, sure, but mostly he fights because no one else does it better — or looks cooler doing it.

6. Mad Max Rockatansky (Mad Max: Fury Road)

If John Wick represents sleek, urban chaos, Mad Max is his dusty, post-apocalyptic counterpart. He’s a man of few words but endless explosions, driving through deserts where gasoline is gold and sanity is optional.

Max doesn’t fight for revenge — he fights because survival demands it. In a world gone mad, he’s the reluctant hero who always ends up saving everyone else, even when all he wants is to be left alone.

There’s a primal energy to Max that Wick could never match. Where John polishes his pistols, Max duct-tapes his steering wheel and charges headfirst into firestorms. He’s proof that you don’t need dialogue to be unforgettable — just a lot of grit and a little bit of madness.

7. Lara Croft (Tomb Raider series)

Some heroes save the world; others raid ancient tombs and punch history in the face. Lara Croft belongs to the latter. She’s not just an adventurer — she’s a genius who uses archaeology as an excuse to leap off cliffs and shoot mercenaries in the same afternoon.

Lara’s blend of intelligence, athleticism, and confidence makes her stand out in a genre often dominated by men. She doesn’t need saving, and she doesn’t need permission. Every scar she earns tells the story of someone who refuses to back down.

While John Wick’s world is filled with rules and codes, Lara’s is pure chaos — and she thrives in it. Whether she’s wielding dual pistols or solving thousand-year-old puzzles, she’s the definition of fearless.

8. John McClane (Die Hard)

It’s Christmas Eve, the office party’s gone rogue, and there’s only one guy barefoot enough to save the day. John McClane isn’t polished like Wick — he’s sweaty, sarcastic, and perpetually in the wrong place at the wrong time.

What makes McClane great isn’t just his skill with a gun; it’s his humanity. He gets hurt, he bleeds, and he complains — but he never quits. Every quip between bullets reminds us that he’s doing this not for glory, but for the people he loves.

If John Wick is the perfect assassin, McClane is the ultimate survivor. He’s proof that attitude can be just as lethal as accuracy. And honestly? “Yippee-ki-yay” hits harder than any line Wick’s ever whispered.

9. The Bride (Kill Bill)

They called her “The Bride,” but she’s no damsel in distress. She’s a weapon wrapped in yellow leather and vengeance, and her blade is as sharp as her focus.

Every fight she faces is personal, every move poetic. From the House of Blue Leaves to her final showdown with Bill, she blends martial arts, discipline, and raw emotion into something unforgettable.

Unlike Wick, who relies on guns and grit, The Bride uses elegance and patience. She meditates before she murders — and somehow makes it look graceful. Revenge stories are common, but hers is an art form, and in her world, she’s both artist and executioner.

10. Dutch (Predator)

Dropped into a jungle and hunted by an invisible alien with thermal vision? No problem for Dutch. Armed with nothing but muscles, mud, and military instincts, he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t run from monsters — he traps them.

Dutch’s strength isn’t just physical; it’s mental. He analyzes, adapts, and outsmarts an opponent who’s technologically superior. That’s not just brute force — that’s genius under pressure.

While John Wick thrives in hallways and hotels, Dutch thrives in the wild. He doesn’t need bulletproof suits or secret organizations — just courage and cunning. If Wick ever found himself in that jungle, Dutch would be the one teaching him how to survive.