If you’re still buzzing after watching Jason Statham kick ass and take names in 2024’s surprise action hit The Beekeeper, we’ve got you covered. This pulse-pounding revenge thriller, directed by David Ayer, follows a former operative known as “Mr. Clay” who returns to his old secret organization to avenge a friend wronged by a sinister phishing scam. With its relentless pacing, brutal fight scenes, and Statham’s magnetic performance, The Beekeeper has set a new bar for the genre.
But now that you’ve had a taste, you’re probably hungry for more high-octane thrills. Well, fear not! We’ve compiled a list of the 18 best movies to watch next if you loved The Beekeeper. From classic revenge flicks to modern action masterpieces, these films deliver the same adrenaline-pumping excitement. So strap in and get ready for an wild ride through the best of badass cinema.
1. John Wick (2014)
Director: Chad Stahelski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen
When it comes to unstoppable action anti-heroes, it doesn’t get much better than John Wick. After retiring from a career as a legendary hitman, Wick (played with stoic intensity by Keanu Reeves) is drawn back into the criminal underworld he left behind when a group of thugs kill his dog – the last gift from his deceased wife. What follows is a ballet of bullets and blood as Wick tears through the Russian mob to get his revenge.
Like The Beekeeper, John Wick features an implacable, highly-skilled protagonist who will stop at nothing to right the wrongs done to him and those he cares about. The fight choreography is absolutely top-notch, with Reeves performing many of his own stunts. And the rich, neon-noir cinematography creates an immersive criminal underworld that you can’t help but get lost in. With two stellar sequels already out and more on the way, the John Wick series is a must-watch for any action fan.
2. Wrath of Man (2021)
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Josh Hartnett
Next up is another Statham vehicle, this time from stylish British director Guy Ritchie. Wrath of Man stars the action icon as “H”, a mysterious new security guard for an armored truck company. But H is harboring a secret – he’s actually out for revenge against the men who killed his son during a deadly heist months earlier.
Ritchie brings his signature flair to the proceedings, telling the story in a non-linear fashion that slowly reveals the depths of H’s pain and the extent of his wrath. Statham is in top form, oozing quiet menace and then exploding in quick bursts of precisely brutal violence. Wrath of Man builds to a jaw-dropping finale that packs a serious punch. If you thought Statham was a force of nature in The Beekeeper, wait until you see him in this.
3. Extraction (2020)
Director: Sam Hargrave
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Randeep Hooda
While The Beekeeper has Statham, Extraction gives us another magnetic action star: Chris Hemsworth. Best known as Thor in the MCU, here Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a black-market mercenary hired to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord. But the mission goes south, forcing Rake to fight his way out of a hostile city with the young boy in tow.
Directed by former stunt coordinator Sam Hargrave, Extraction features some of the most jaw-dropping action sequences in recent memory, including an ambitious “one-shot” sequence that follows Rake through a chaotic 12-minute chase/gun battle. Hemsworth absolutely shines in the lead role, bringing depth and vulnerability to the typical tough-guy archetype. If you want more of The Beekeeper‘s non-stop thrills and intensity, queue up Extraction ASAP.
4. The Transporter (2002)
Director: Corey Yuen, Louis Leterrier
Starring: Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Matt Schulze
Here’s where it all started for Statham: 2002’s The Transporter. In his breakout leading role, Statham plays Frank Martin, a “transporter” who will deliver anything for the right price, no questions asked. But when his latest package turns out to be a bound and gagged woman, Frank breaks his cardinal rule and peeks inside. Soon, he’s embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the criminals who hired him.
While the plot is admittedly thin, The Transporter more than makes up for it with its incredible stunt work and fight choreography. Statham did many of his own stunts and fights, showcasing the physical prowess that would make him an action icon. The film also has a sleek, European cool that sets it apart from its more grungy American counterparts. It’s pure, uncut Statham – and an absolute blast from start to finish.
5. Ambulance (2022)
Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eiza González
From explosions expert Michael Bay comes this pedal-to-the-metal thriller about a pair of adoptive siblings turned bank robbers. But when their heist goes wrong, the desperate brothers hijack an ambulance carrying an EMT and a critically wounded cop. The result is a breakneck chase through the streets of Los Angeles as the crooks try to evade the law.
Like The Beekeeper, Ambulance rarely lets up once it gets going. Bay brings his trademark visual excess to the proceedings, filling the screen with sweeping drone shots, chaotic handheld camerawork, and of course, plenty of things going boom. Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II have great chemistry as the bickering brothers, while Eiza González provides the film’s heart as the steely EMT. A pulse-pounding joyride that proves there’s still some gas left in Bay’s tank.
6. American Assassin (2017)
Director: Michael Cuesta
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanaa Lathan
Based on the popular novel series by Vince Flynn, American Assassin serves as an origin story for CIA black ops recruit Mitch Rapp. After losing his girlfriend in a terrorist attack, Rapp dedicates himself to hunting down those responsible. His single-minded focus catches the attention of CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy, who recruits him into the agency’s covert operations. Under the tutelage of grizzled Cold War vet Stan Hurley, Rapp becomes a lethal weapon aimed at America’s enemies.
While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Bourne series it clearly aspires to, American Assassin still delivers solid action thrills bolstered by strong performances from its leads. Dylan O’Brien makes for an intense and physically capable hero, while Michael Keaton chews the scenery with glee as Hurley. If you dug the revenge-driven plot and black ops intrigue of The Beekeeper, American Assassin is well worth a watch.
7. Nobody (2021)
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd
In this surprisingly badass action flick, comedy legend Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, a mild-mannered family man who seems content to fade into the background of his own life. But when thieves break into his home one night, a long-dormant piece of Hutch’s past is awakened. Turns out, he’s a former “auditor” – a highly-trained assassin employed by intelligence agencies to eliminate problems. With his secret identity exposed, Hutch must return to his old ways to protect his family from the enemies he thought he left behind.
Odenkirk is a revelation in the lead role, bringing both his impeccable comedic timing and a simmering intensity to the character of Hutch. The fight scenes are visceral and bone-crunching, recalling brutal action classics like John Wick. And the film’s dark sense of humor provides a perfect counterpoint to the violence. Nobody proves that an everyman can be just as much of an action badass as Statham or Reeves with the right motivation.
8. Polar (2019)
Director: Jonas Åkerlund
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Vanessa Hudgens, Katheryn Winnick
In this stylish and ultra-violent comic book adaptation, Mads Mikkelsen stars as Duncan Vizla, aka the Black Kaiser – the world’s top assassin. On the verge of retirement, Duncan just wants to disappear and live out his days in quiet solitude. But when his former employer marks him as a liability and sends a team of younger, ruthless killers to eliminate him, Duncan must return to the life he left behind for one final, bloody mission.
Polar fully embraces its pulpy, graphic novel roots with highly stylized visuals and over-the-top action sequences. Mikkelsen is perfectly cast as the world-weary Duncan, a man who’s exceptionally good at killing but longs for a life of peace. And the film’s neon-drenched color palette and thumping electronic score create an intoxicating, surreal atmosphere. For those who like their action bloody and their anti-heroes brooding, Polar delivers.
9. The Equalizer (2014)
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz
Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall, a former special agent trying to live a quiet life in Boston. But when he befriends a teenage prostitute named Alina who’s under the control of violent Russian gangsters, McCall can’t stand idly by. Using his extensive training and resourcefulness, McCall embarks on a one-man war against the criminal underworld to save Alina and others like her.
Washington is at his absolute best as McCall, radiating both warmth and controlled intensity. And director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) knows how to stage gripping, visceral action sequences that showcase McCall’s cunning and combat skills. Like The Beekeeper‘s Mr. Clay, McCall is a man with a mysterious past who uses his particular set of skills to help the helpless – and look damn cool doing it. The Equalizer is a smart, stylish thriller with a big heart beneath its bloody exterior.
10. Taken (2008)
Director: Pierre Morel
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
“I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you.” With those chilling words, Liam Neeson cemented his status as an unlikely action star in 2008’s Taken. Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative who must use his “very particular set of skills” to rescue his teenage daughter from human traffickers in Paris.
Taken kickstarted a whole subgenre of geri-action thrillers, pitting older stars against hordes of faceless goons. But it’s Neeson’s committed performance and the film’s relentless pace that make it stand out from the pack. Like The Beekeeper, it’s a lean, mean revenge machine that rarely lets up once it gets going. If you’re looking for more of that righteous fury and one-man-army action, Taken is a must-see.
11. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Director: David Leitch
Starring: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman
Charlize Theron is a force of nature in this stylish, bone-crunching action flick set in the final days of the Cold War. She plays Lorraine Broughton, an elite MI6 spy sent to Berlin to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents. Teaming up with the untrustworthy station chief David Percival (a manic James McAvoy), Lorraine must navigate a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the KGB and other shadowy players.
Directed by John Wick co-director David Leitch, Atomic Blonde features some of the most stunningly choreographed fight scenes in recent memory, including a jaw-dropping single-take stairwell brawl. Theron did much of her own stunt work and fight choreography, and it shows in the film’s bruising authenticity. With its neon-soaked ’80s aesthetic, pulsing New Wave soundtrack, and labyrinthine plot, Atomic Blonde is a delirious and dazzling ride.
12. The Raid: Redemption (2011)
Director: Gareth Evans
Starring: Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah
When it comes to sheer, unrelenting action, few films can top The Raid: Redemption. This Indonesian martial arts extravaganza follows a SWAT team tasked with infiltrating a high-rise apartment building run by a ruthless drug lord. But when their cover is blown, the team must fight their way out floor by brutal floor.
The plot may be simple, but the execution is anything but. Featuring some of the most intricate and intense fight choreography ever committed to film, The Raid is a non-stop adrenaline rush from start to finish. Lead actor Iko Uwais is a revelation, moving with a speed and grace that’s almost superhuman. If you loved the brutal, close-quarters combat of The Beekeeper, The Raid will blow your mind. Just make sure you’re prepared for a pummeling.
13. Oldboy (2003)
Director: Park Chan-wook
Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung
Not for the faint of heart, this South Korean revenge thriller is a twisted, tragic, and utterly unforgettable experience. The story follows Oh Dae-su, a businessman who is kidnapped and imprisoned in a hotel room for 15 years without explanation. When he’s finally released, Dae-su embarks on a quest for vengeance against his mysterious captors, uncovering a web of conspiracy and dark secrets along the way.
Director Park Chan-wook brings a dark, operatic sensibility to the material, crafting a film that’s equal parts beautiful and grotesque. The famous hallway fight scene is a marvel of choreography and camerawork, following Dae-su as he battles a horde of goons with a hammer in one unbroken shot. But it’s the film’s devastating emotional core that will stick with you long after the credits roll. Oldboy is a challenging, uncompromising work of art that pushes the revenge thriller to its breaking point.
14. The Man from Nowhere (2010)
Director: Lee Jeong-beom
Starring: Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Hee-won
Another South Korean gem, The Man from Nowhere stars Won Bin as Cha Tae-sik, a quiet pawnshop owner with a mysterious past. Tae-sik’s only friend is a young girl named So-mi, who lives next door with her heroin-addicted mother. When So-mi is kidnapped by a vicious drug gang, Tae-sik must confront his dark history as a special agent to save her.
The Man from Nowhere hits many of the same beats as Taken, with an unstoppable hero tearing through the criminal underworld to rescue a child. But it sets itself apart with its slick visual style, pulse-pounding action sequences, and the soulful performance of Won Bin. The film also has a surprisingly tender emotional core, with the bond between Tae-sik and So-mi providing a poignant counterpoint to the violence. A sleeper hit that deserves to be mentioned alongside the best of the genre.
15. The Bourne Identity (2002)
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper
While it may lack the sheer brutality of The Beekeeper, 2002’s The Bourne Identity set the template for the modern action thriller. Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne, a CIA assassin who washes up on the shores of France with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As he tries to unravel the mystery of his past, Bourne must stay one step ahead of the agency that wants him dead.
Directed by Doug Liman (Swingers, Edge of Tomorrow), The Bourne Identity brought a new sense of grit and realism to the spy genre. The action scenes are visceral and intense, shot with a shaky, handheld style that puts you right in the middle of the chaos. And Damon proves himself a more than capable action hero, selling Bourne’s confusion and desperation as well as his deadly skills. It’s a smart, stylish thriller that spawned a franchise and influenced a generation of action films.
16. The Villainess (2017)
Director: Jung Byung-gil
Starring: Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Sung Joon
If you thought the action in The Beekeeper was intense, wait until you get a load of The Villainess. This South Korean revenge flick follows Sook-hee, a young woman trained from childhood to be a deadly assassin. After completing a mission, Sook-hee is recruited by South Korea’s intelligence agency and given a new identity. But when figures from her past resurface, she must confront the demons of her former life.
The Villainess grabs you from the very first shot and never lets go. The opening sequence, a jaw-dropping POV massacre that unfolds in a single take, is one of the most audacious and exhilarating action scenes in recent memory. And it only gets crazier from there, with dizzying motorcycle chases, brutal knife fights, and an absolutely bonkers climax. Lead actress Kim Ok-bin is a revelation, equally convincing as a vulnerable young woman and a stone-cold killing machine. The Villainess is a wild, bloody ride that pushes the limits of the action genre.
17. The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Director: Timo Tjahjanto
Starring: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle
From the team behind The Raid comes this insanely violent Indonesian action flick. Joe Taslim stars as Ito, a former triad enforcer who betrays his gang to save a young girl. Now on the run, Ito must fight his way through an army of assassins and gangsters to protect the girl and earn his redemption.
The Night Comes for Us takes the brutal, close-quarters combat of The Raid and cranks it up to eleven. The fight scenes are absolutely relentless, with gallons of blood spraying and bodies piling up at an alarming rate. Taslim and Uwais (who starred in The Raid) are incredible to watch, moving with a speed and ferocity that’s almost inhuman. But the film also has a surprising amount of heart, with Ito’s relationship with the young girl providing a emotional anchor amidst the carnage. If you can stomach the violence, The Night Comes for Us is an adrenaline rush like no other.
18. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)
Director: Navot Papushado
Starring: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino
Rounding out our list is this stylish, female-led action flick with a killer cast. Karen Gillan stars as Sam, a second-generation assassin working for a shadowy crime syndicate called The Firm. When a job goes wrong, Sam must team up with her estranged mother Scarlet (Lena Headey) and a trio of lethal librarians to take down a rival crime boss and protect an eight-year-old girl.
With its neon-soaked visuals, stylized fight scenes, and dark sense of humor, Gunpowder Milkshake feels like a cross between John Wick and Kill Bill. Gillan is a blast to watch as Sam, equally skilled with guns and hand-to-hand combat. And the supporting cast is stacked with badass women, including Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, and Angela Bassett. While it may not reach the heights of the films it’s clearly inspired by, Gunpowder Milkshake is a fun, flashy action romp with a feminist twist.
And there you have it – 18 killer movies to keep the adrenaline pumping after The Beekeeper. From brutal revenge thrillers to stylish spy flicks, these films represent the best of the action genre. So queue up your watchlist, grab some popcorn, and get ready for a wild ride. Just don’t blame us if you can’t look at a beekeeper the same way again.
