Spy films revolve around tension, intelligence, conspiracies, and secret identities. However, to truly engage the audience, they must also effectively present action elements. Fights and chases should convey a sense that the heroes are in real danger. In this context, a list has been compiled focusing on spy thriller films with the best action scenes.

Some of these films embrace realism and gritty hand-to-hand combat, while others stand out with stylish flair and intricate stunt work. Released in 1990, Luc Besson's "La Femme Nikita" redefined what action-oriented spy cinema could look like. The main character, Nikita (Anne Parillaud), is a violent and unstable young criminal sentenced to life in prison after killing a police officer during a robbery. However, instead of staying in prison, she is recruited by a secret government agency and transformed into a highly trained assassin.

The action scenes are relatively few compared to modern action films, but this limitation adds weight to them. Each burst of violence feels like it could lead to disaster. There is a real emotional cost to killing, and the action emerges naturally from the character's psychology, which elevates it beyond being merely a spectacle.

Released during the peak of the James Bond craze, "The Ipcress File" takes the audience down a different path with its gloomy hero, Harry Palmer (Michael Caine). Palmer is a frustrated British intelligence agent investigating the mysterious disappearances of several scientists and brainwashing. He wears thick glasses, complains about bureaucracy, and operates in a world defined by fatigue and paranoia. The action scenes are human-focused and realistic; the fights occur in a complex and unsettling manner, which heightens the tension due to Palmer's vulnerable appearance.