1. Boyka: Undisputed (2016)
The fourth installment in the Undisputed franchise sees Scott Adkins reprise his role as Yuri Boyka. After accidentally killing an opponent in the ring, Boyka begins to question everything he fights for. With intense martial arts action choreographed by Tim Man, Boyka: Undisputed showcases Adkins at his absolute best, physically and dramatically. The prison fighting tournament setting allows for a string of creatively staged battles, while Boyka’s crisis of conscience adds surprising depth to the character.
2. Ninja: Shadow of a Tear (2013)
A sequel to 2009’s Ninja, Shadow of a Tear follows Casey Bowman (Adkins) as he seeks revenge after his pregnant wife is murdered. Director Isaac Florentine crafts an old-school martial arts revenge tale in the vein of 1980s ninja movies. Adkins is in top form, displaying his mastery of multiple fighting styles in a series of hard-hitting, elaborately choreographed fight scenes. The Thailand setting adds visual flair, and Adkins brings a palpable sense of grief and rage to his performance.
3. Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)
The third Undisputed movie shifts the focus to Adkins’ Yuri Boyka. Now the hero of the series, Boyka enters an international prison fighting tournament while recovering from a severe knee injury. Redemption is a showcase for Adkins’ incredible physicality and screen presence. The fights are fast, brutal, and endlessly inventive, making great use of the prison setting. Adkins also gets to show his acting chops, as Boyka grapples with themes of honor, pride, and redemption.
4. Avengement (2019)
Avengement stars Adkins as Cain Burgess, a convict out on furlough who uses his temporary freedom to take bloody revenge on the people who wronged him. A stylish, hyper-violent crime thriller, Avengement is elevated by Adkins’ intense lead performance. He transforms himself physically and mentally, playing a character pushed to the brink. Director Jesse V. Johnson stages the action with gritty flair, and the film’s non-linear structure keeps the audience on their toes.
5. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012)
The Universal Soldier series gets a surprising shot of adrenaline with Day of Reckoning. Adkins plays John, a man seeking revenge against UniSol Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) for murdering his family. With its mind-bending plot, haunting visuals, and bone-crunching action, Day of Reckoning is a far cry from the average DTV sequel. Adkins holds his own against genre legends Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, cementing his status as a bona fide action star.
6. Accident Man (2018)
Based on a comic book character, Accident Man casts Adkins as Mike Fallon, an assassin who specializes in making his hits look like accidents. When his ex-girlfriend is murdered, Fallon sets out for revenge. Accident Man allows Adkins to show off his comedic chops in addition to his fighting skills. He’s clearly having a blast playing the quippy, snarky Fallon. The action scenes are creatively staged, taking full advantage of each setting’s potential for violent “accidents.”
7. Triple Threat (2019)
Triple Threat is an action fan’s dream, teaming up Adkins with Iko Uwais, Tony Jaa, Tiger Chen, Jeeja Yanin, Michael Jai White, and Michael Bisping. Adkins plays one of the villains, a ruthless mercenary named Collins. While he has less screen time than some of his co-stars, Adkins makes a big impression whenever he’s onscreen. His fights with Uwais and Jaa are fast-paced and hard-hitting, a thrill for martial arts movie lovers.
8. The Debt Collector (2018)
Adkins teams up with Louis Mandylor in this buddy action-comedy. They play French and Sue, two down-on-their-luck gym owners who become debt collectors for the mob to make ends meet. The Debt Collector plays like a throwback to 1980s Shane Black movies, mixing quips and fists in equal measure. Adkins and Mandylor have great buddy chemistry, and director Jesse V. Johnson keeps the pace brisk and the action crunchy.
9. Savage Dog (2017)
Set in Indochina in 1959, Savage Dog stars Adkins as Martin Tillman, a former Irish boxer imprisoned in a brutal work camp. When the camp is liberated, Tillman sets out for revenge against its sadistic warden (Marko Zaror). With its period setting and Western-inspired story, Savage Dog is a unique entry in Adkins’ filmography. Director Jesse V. Johnson brings a gritty, lived-in feel to the locations, and the fights are as savage as the title suggests.
10. Close Range (2015)
Close Range is a lean, mean action thriller that wastes no time getting down to business. Adkins plays Colton MacReady, an ex-soldier who rescues his niece from a Mexican cartel and has to fight off waves of goons. Director Isaac Florentine keeps the plot simple and the action relentless. Adkins gets plenty of opportunities to show off his fighting skills, taking on dozens of enemies in a series of brutal, fast-paced brawls.
11. The Shepherd (2008)
Also known as The Shepherd: Border Patrol, this action drama stars Adkins as a border patrol agent trying to stop a group of smugglers. While the plot is fairly standard issue, The Shepherd benefits from strong direction by Isaac Florentine and typically excellent fight scenes. Adkins squares off against Jean-Claude Van Damme in an impressive one-on-one battle.
12. Eliminators (2016)
A former U.S. federal agent must abandon the witness protection program and come out of hiding when his London home is invaded by assassins. Adkins reunites with director James Nunn (Green Street 3) for this fast-paced action thriller. While the plot is nothing new, Eliminators delivers the goods in terms of fights and stunts. Adkins is his usual magnetic self in the lead role.
13. Undisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)
The first Undisputed sequel introduces Adkins as Yuri Boyka, the villain of the piece. While Michael Jai White’s character is ostensibly the hero, Adkins steals the show as the cocky Russian prison fighter. His final battle with White is an instant classic, a flurry of flying fists and feet. Undisputed II marked Adkins’ first collaboration with director Isaac Florentine, starting a fruitful creative partnership.
14. The Tournament (2009)
The Tournament is a gleefully over-the-top action movie about a deadly competition between the world’s greatest assassins. Adkins plays one of the killers, squaring off against the likes of Robert Carlyle, Kelly Hu, and Ving Rhames. While he’s not the main focus, Adkins has some memorable fight scenes and one-liners. The Tournament is a fun, tongue-in-cheek romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
15. Hard Target 2 (2016)
A loose sequel to John Woo’s 1993 film, Hard Target 2 stars Adkins as Wes Baylor, an MMA fighter who ends up being hunted for sport in Myanmar. Director Roel Reiné delivers some solid action set pieces, including a few that pay homage to Woo’s signature style. Adkins is well-cast as the noble fighter pushed to his limits, and he has strong chemistry with co-star Rhona Mitra.
16. Ninja (2009)
The first of Adkins’ two Ninja movies is a solid martial arts flick with a simple but effective story. Adkins plays an American orphan raised by a ninja clan who must protect a powerful artifact. Director Isaac Florentine stages the action with clarity and impact, allowing Adkins to show off his impressive skills. Ninja is a throwback to the ninja movies of the 1980s, updated with modern production values.
17. El Gringo (2012)
Adkins ventures into Western territory with El Gringo. He plays a nameless American who steals money from a Mexican cartel and hides out in a small border town. Director Eduardo Rodriguez brings a gritty, sunbaked look to the film, and Adkins is convincing as the taciturn antihero. The action scenes are solid, if not quite up to the level of Adkins’ best work.
18. Assassination Games (2011)
Assassination Games pairs Adkins with Jean-Claude Van Damme as rival assassins who team up to take down a common enemy. While the plot is predictable, the film benefits from strong chemistry between the two leads and some hard-hitting action scenes. Adkins more than holds his own against the veteran Van Damme, cementing his status as a worthy successor to the ’80s and ’90s action stars.
19. Green Street 3: Never Back Down (2013)
The third film in the Green Street series shifts the focus to the world of underground fighting. Adkins plays Danny Harvey, a former hooligan who returns to the Green Street firm to avenge his brother’s death. While not as strong as the first Green Street, Never Back Down delivers the expected mix of gritty drama and brutal brawls. Adkins is typically intense in the lead role.
20. Legendary (2013)
Legendary is a fun, unabashedly cheesy creature feature that pits Adkins against a bloodthirsty Minotaur. He plays a big game hunter hired to track down the mythical beast on a remote island. While the CGI is spotty, Legendary delivers plenty of B-movie thrills. Adkins looks like he’s having a blast in the lead role, and he even gets to fight the Minotaur hand-to-hand in the climax.
21. The Expendables 2 (2012)
Adkins has a small but memorable role in this star-studded action sequel. He plays Hector, a villainous henchman who faces off against Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas. While he’s only in a few scenes, Adkins makes a big impression with his physicality and screen presence. His knife fight with Statham is a highlight of the film’s action-packed climax.
22. Wolf Warrior (2015)
Wolf Warrior is a Chinese action movie that features Adkins in a supporting role as a mercenary named Tom Cat. While he’s not the focus of the film, Adkins has a few standout moments, including an intense fight scene in a cage. Wolf Warrior was a huge hit in China, showcasing Adkins’ international appeal as an action star.
23. Seized (2020)
In Seized, Adkins plays a former special forces agent whose son is kidnapped by a powerful crime lord. To save his child, he must assassinate three rival gangsters in one night. Director Isaac Florentine keeps the action moving at a brisk pace, and Adkins is his usual intense self in the lead role. Seized is a solid, no-frills action thriller that delivers exactly what it promises.
24. The Intergalactic Adventures of Max Cloud (2020)
Max Cloud is a sci-fi comedy that allows Adkins to show off his lighter side. He plays the title character, a video game hero who comes to life when a teenage girl gets trapped inside his game. While the humor is hit-or-miss, Adkins looks like he’s having a blast spoofing his own action hero persona. The retro gaming aesthetic and self-aware tone make Max Cloud a unique entry in his filmography.
25. One Shot (2021)
One Shot is an ambitious action movie filmed to look like one continuous take. Adkins plays Jake Harris, a Navy SEAL tasked with transporting a prisoner off a CIA black site. When the site is attacked, Harris must fight his way out in real time. Director James Nunn pulls off the “one-shot” gimmick with impressive skill, and Adkins anchors the film with his intense physical presence. One Shot is a showcase for both its star and its filmmaking technique.
From intense martial arts dramas to over-the-top B-movies, Scott Adkins always brings his A-game. These 25 films represent the best of his career so far, showcasing his incredible fighting skills, magnetic screen presence, and underrated acting chops. Whether he’s playing a hero or a villain, Adkins is always a thrilling presence onscreen. He continues to cement his status as one of the greatest action stars of his generation with each new project.
