With explosions and excitement aplenty, action cinema offers movie lovers some of the most thrilling pictures to ever grace the silver screen. Whether it's '80s martial arts masterpieces, the Stallone and Schwarzenegger box office behemoths, or the stylish, ultraviolent likes of the John Wick franchise, action fans usually know what they're getting into.
Although action aficionados expect a good, hard-hitting time as they watch their heroes take down armies of bad guys, what many don't expect is having to dry their eyes in between the edge-of-your-seat thrills. Some of the greatest action movies are as powerful emotionally as their stars are physically, and when an upsetting movie moment is pulled off, it's a hugely rewarding watch.
10 John Wick And The Tragedy Of His Beloved Pet Pal Will Rip Your Heart Out
Any movie that utilizes the death of a pet dog for emotional depth can be seen as taking the easy route. However, in terms of getting an audience to shed a tear, John Wick executes the dog-plot point to perfection.
Without the upsetting demise of his beloved pooch, Wick's motivations wouldn't have reached their warranted heights of relatability. Although Wick was an unstoppable assassin, audiences had one thing in common with him – an undeniable love for man's best friend. Consequently, it made watching Keanu Reeves' killer mowing down bad guys all the more satisfying.
9 Black Rain Features Some Seriously Devastating Drama
An underrated action gem from the legendary Ridley Scott, Black Rain is the tale of two New York cops and their troubles with the Japanese Yakuza. Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia star as the two police officers tasked with this increasingly dangerous battle. It's fair to say that things don't exactly work out in their favor.
Black Rain is far more upsetting and emotional than it has any right to be. Most people enter this movie expecting '80s popcorn action, and although all the ingredients expected are present in awesome glory, it's certainly not uncommon to finish watching Black Rain teary-eyed.
8 Logan Is The Heartbreaking End To One Of Cinema's Most Iconic Superheroes
Watching Old Man Logan's story play out on screen was going to be upsetting at some point. However, few could have predicted just how emotional Wolverine's end would turn out to be.
Thanks to yet another sensational performance as Weapon X from Hugh Jackman, an awe-inspiring performance as X-23 from Dafne Keen, and a typically on-form Patrick Stewart as an ill Charles Xavier, Logan is one of the most heartbreaking superhero movies ever made.
7 Above The Law Is As Emotionally Powerful As A Steven Seagal Aikido Throw
Unfortunately, Steven Seagal is more closely associated with direct to DVD duds than action greats these days. However, the martial arts master was once one of the hottest action stars in the game, and Above the Law is the film that started it all for aikido the specialist.
Above the Law is Seagal at his bad guy-bashing best. However, the emotional weight of this movie is largely owed to the legendary, Pam Grier. Her endearing performance is as affecting as the surrounding action. And when things take a turn for the worse for Seagal's Nico and his fellow law enforcers, Above the Law becomes far more emotional than anyone would expect from a Seagal flick.
6 First Blood's Ending Is As Distressing As It Is Disturbing
Part war film/part action classic/part heartwrenching drama, the first installment of the Rambo franchise remains the most grounded and emotional offering from Stallone's signature Green Beret. First Blood begins as a study of a war veteran who's struggling to reintegrate into society. However, it quickly turns into a breathtaking and deadly game of cat and mouse.
The film's upsetting final sequence features some of Sylvester Stallone's career-best acting. The sounds of John Rambo's wail as he recalls losing his friend – only to find him in pieces – is enough to make even the most hardened movie lovers reach for the tissues.
5 Leon: The Professional's Central Connection Is A Touching One
Leon: The Professional is undeniably a stylish, emotionally charged action thriller. However, what's truly unique about Luc Besson's classic is the central platonic relationship between the titular character and his protege – a 12-year-old girl played to perfection by a debuting Natalie Portman.
Jean Reno's hitman does plenty throughout the film to cement his place as one of the most recognizable personas in action movies. Yet, Leon's emotional ending is what sticks in the minds and hearts of viewers years after its release.
4 Top Gun Is Really A Story About Love And Loss
While Top Gun is a cheesy, feel-good slice of high-octane '80s action starring the one and only Tom Cruise, all the upbeat badassery is shattered thanks to an unexpected passing of one of the film's characters.
Goose's death is one of cinema's most iconic demises. Many who rewatch this action classic dread the moment Anthony Edwards' character ejects from his jet. Add this to the movie's central love story between Maverick and Charlie, then top it off with the sounds of Berlin's "Take My Breath Away," and you have one heartfelt motion picture.
3 The Protector Takes Expert Advantage Of People's Affection For Animals
Another action classic that tugs on the heartstrings thanks to a four-legged friend is The Protector. Only, this time, the precious pet isn't a dog, it's an elephant. The Protector is a martial arts masterpiece that expertly showcases the incredible talents of its star Tony Jaa, who takes on a host of baddies as he tries to rescue his best friend.
His best friend is the aforementioned elephant, and watching animals being rescued is always going to evoke an emotional response. However, it's the bond between man and beast that really sets this Thai movie apart from so many others in the genre.
2 The Rock Is Uplifting And Emotional In The End
Where '90s action flicks are concerned, one of the greats is The Rock. It takes an appealing yet simple concept – a team of soldiers break into Alcatraz – and adds unpredictable twists and turns. As a result, The Rock is one of the most thrilling and thought-provoking action movies to define the genre.
Ed Harris' Frank Hummel deserves a place at the top of any list of best action villains, while Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage bring their absolute A-game to the Michael Bay film. As the set pieces increase in intensity, so does the emotion. There are no dry eyes when Nicolas Cage's, Stanley Goodspeed sinks to his knees in despair.
1 Terminator 2 Has Perhaps The Most Iconic Emotional Ending Of All Action Movies
Widely regarded as one, if not the, greatest action movie of all time, James Cameron's Terminator sequel drops many of the horror elements from the first film and ramps up the action and emotion to remarkable levels.
One of the many highlights of Terminator 2: Judgement Day is the heartwarming bond between Schwarzenegger's Terminator and Edward Furlong's John Connor. By the movie's end, it's a challenge not to shed a tear whilst watching Arnie's heroic cyborg sink below the flames. T2's final thumbs-up is as heartbreaking as it is iconic.