Action has got its new definition after the advent of movies like Taken. Therefore, it becomes crucial to shed some light on them and enjoy the thrilling stories!
Taken (2008) traces the story of a secret agent, Bryan, whose daughter gets abducted while going to Paris. As a result, the abductors decide to sell his daughter, but Bryan needs to learn all the skills to rescue his daughter. Will a father be able to change the fate of his daughter? If you were Bryan, what would you have done?
With such an intriguing plot, it will be interesting to explore similar plots in movies like Taken!
8 Movies Like Taken | Pull Up Your Socks To Learn Action!
The fans’ love for the movie made it appear twice through two more sequels. And it was the fanbase of the movie that brought success for two installments in the absence of Liam. To make you learn about such stories, I have brought some nice options. So do consider watching movies like Taken!
- Genre: Thriller, Action
- Rotten Tomatoes: 59%
- Cast: Liam Neeson, Famke Janseen, Jon Gries
- Watch it on Disney Plus
- Running Time: 1h 33m
1# Death Wish (2018) | Revenge For Loved Ones
Death Wish captures the story of a surgeon, Dr. Paul, who witnesses a lot of chaos in the city. And the splashes of chaos drop on him when his wife and daughter get brutally attacked. After this, he gets determined to bring justice to his wife and daughter. In doing so, he grabs media attention, which makes people wonder whether Paul is a threat or a guardian angel. Watch the movie to check out his plans!
This mind-boggling movie witnessed a sound amount of profit in the first week of its release. Though it was released with another competitive movie, Red Sparrow (2018), the movie managed to blow the trumpet of success.
- Release Date: March 2, 2018
- IMDb: 6.3
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Cast: Bruce Wills, Camila Morrone, Elisabeth Shue
- Watch it on Hulu
- Running Time: 1h 47m
2# Promising Young Woman (2020) | Time To Right The Wrongs
Promising Young Woman tells the story of Cassie, who is traumatized by the events of her past that, included her medical school friend as well. She dropped out of medical school and now waits tables at a cheap coffee shop to earn a living. To deal with her painful past, she has found a perfect way. Every week, She dresses and goes to certain nightclubs pretending to be dead drunk and helpless in order to prowl on predators and wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing to get vengeance on guys that try to take advantage of her.
But what happens when she encounters a caring old schoolmate who is an extremely good person? Would she be able to get out of the mess that she has created?
Promising Young Woman is a revenge dark comedy with an excellent lead performance, which is why it makes it to this list of similar movies like Taken. Make sure to check this one out if you haven’t yet.
- Release Date: 25 December 2020
- IMDb: 7.5
- Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
- Genre: Crime, Thriller
- Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Chris Lowell, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, and Connie Britton
- Watch it on Amazon Instant Video
- Running Time: 1h 53m
3# The Equalizer (2014) | Helping A Helpless
The most courageous deed is to help the helpless and fight all the odds for it. And such a deed is being done in The Equalizer. This intriguing story recounts the story of a mysterious man, Robert McCall, who is looking forward to leaving his past behind. However, things change when he meets a teenager who is also a victim of oppression by the Russian Mobsters. As a result, Robert rises from the ashes to take down anyone who tries to harm the teenager. Is it a cakewalk for Robert to do so?
Despite receiving mixed reviews for the plot, the movie was praised for its visual style, direction, and performance of the cast. Other than this, the movie became a commercial success, which added more to its popularity. Also, you can watch the other two sequels to learn more about the plot!
- Release Date: September 26, 2004
- IMDb: 7.2
- Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Cast: Haley Bennett, Chloe Grace Moretz, Bill Pullman
- Watch it on: Netflix
- Running Time: 2h 12m
4# From Paris With Love (2010) | Passion For Another Job
Plunging between two jobs can be challenging. But the protagonist of From Paris With Love, James, gets his neck stuck. Though James works as an ambassador’s aide in France, he aspires to work as a CIA agent. Suddenly, his dream comes true when he gets an opportunity to become a part of an assignment with Charlie (a CIA agent). As they proceed to track two guys, they learn that those guys are chasing them. When James finds his life under threat, he sees Charlie as a ray of hope. Check out how he manages to survive!
Surprisingly, the movie made sound success in the first week of its release and ranked number 3 in the charts of several theaters. Other than this, the movie received mixed reviews from critics. Watching this movie is like jumping into a pool of suspense!
- Release Date: February 5, 2010
- IMDb: 6.4
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
- Genre: Action, Crime
- Cast: John Travolta, Kasia Smutniak, Jonathan Rys Meyers
- Watch it on Netflix
- Running Time: 1h 32m
5# John Wick (2014) | Revenge Is The Best Medicine
John Wick is a neo-noir action movie centered around a retired legendary assassin who is grieving the untimely death of his beloved wife. He receives a final gift from his wife, which is a beagle puppy, to help him find a new meaning in life after she is gone. Things suddenly get ugly when an arrogant son of a Russian mob boss steals his car and kills his dog. This forces John Wick to unearth the old assassin back again, and he sets out to seek revenge on the sophisticated kingpin of crime and his son.
The movie is dark, brutal, and full of high-quality action sequences that are surely going to please the fans of the acting genre. If you are looking for a movie that leaves you breathless and entertained by the end, this is the one you should definitely go for. If this one part doesn’t quench your thirst for action, there are three more parts of this successful franchise, so go out and check them all.
- Release Date: 14 November 2014
- IMDb: 7.4
- Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe
- Watch it on Amazon Prime
- Running Time: 1h 41m
6# The Man From Nowhere (2010) | Life At Stake
The Man From Nowhere deals with the story of a secret agent, Tae-shik, who communicates with no one but with a girl named So-mi. Unfortunately, So-mi’s mother gets involved with a group that deals in dr*gs. And the moment the group learns about So-mi’s involvement with Tae-shik, they kidnap So-mi and her mother. In return, they ask Tae-Shik to perform delivery. Will Tae-shik be able to save So-mi and her mother?
This movie is one of the highest-grossing films of 2010. Besides this, the movie received much praise from the viewers, which resulted in the collection of sound profit. And the suspense elements in the movie will not let you stand up from your place!
- Release Date: August 4, 2010
- IMDb: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
- Genre: Action, Crime
- Cast: Won Bin, Kim Tae-Hun, Kim Sae-Ron
- Watch it on Hulu Plus
- Running Time: 1h 59m
7# Harry Brown (2009) | Revenge For Best Friend
A friend in need is a friend indeed, and no one can replace a best friend. But a man loses his best friend in Harry Brown. And the story belongs to Harry, who has only Leonard, his best friend, as his kith and kin. Suddenly, Leonard loses his life, and Henry decides to catch the culprit at any cost. Can an old man strive to seek justice for his friend?
Though the movie received mixed reviews from critics, this vigilant thriller carries emotional weight as well. And the performance of the lead character is highly commendable. So, keep your tissues handy!
- Release Date: November 11, 2009
- IMDb: 7.2
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
- Genre: Thriller, Drama
- Cast: Michael Caine, Plan B,
- Watch it on Amazon Prime
- Running Time: 1h 43m
8# 3 Days To Kill (2014) | Save Your Loved Ones
3 Days To Kill traces the life of a spy, Ethan, who decides to reunite with his wife and daughter. Unfortunately, he had to keep both of them away because of his profession. As his daughter falls ill, Ethan needs to perform his last mission in exchange for the medicine of his daughter. And the mission has been given by one of the most ruthless terrorists in the world. What must Ethan do to save his daughter? Is his family going to split up? Know it yourself!
After getting mixed reviews from the critics, the movie made a profit of double its budget. And the high-class action sequences are the reason for its success. If you love action, you can’t miss this action-packed movie!
- Release Date: February 12, 2014
- IMDb: 6.2
- Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Cast: Kevin Costner, Hailee Steinfeld, Amber Heard
- Watch it on Netflix
- Running Time: 1h 57m
Final Words
Your heart must have melted with so many justice stories through movies like Taken. So, next time you see something wrong, stand up and seek justice. Be courageous and get inspired by movies like Taken!
