Expectations for action movies are either very high or very low; fans of the genre know exactly what they want from a well-crafted action film, but sometimes an action movie can transcend the genre, impacting everyone regardless of age or preference. Interestingly, most films that manage to do this also bring with them an iconic ending that takes action beyond mere fast filmmaking. The best action movie endings offer more than just explosions and witty dialogue; they also provide emotional closure, character catharsis, and a final image that stays with you forever.

Gareth Evans' The Raid films have taken the world by storm and are perfect examples of dedicated action filmmaking. While living in Indonesia, Evans collaborated with Iko Uwais, a master of the Indonesian martial art pencak silat, highlighting this discipline and creating an unforgettable action experience. The Raid 2 stands out with its iconic ending, still debated by action fans. The film focuses on undercover cop Rama (Uwais), who has infiltrated a crime syndicate in Jakarta. In its final moments, Rama engages in a long and brutal kitchen fight with the mysterious Assassin, only to be ambushed and shot by the Japanese mafia after killing him. The leader offers him a deal, but Rama refuses, remaining a man who stands tall, fully aware that he will likely die. The screen fades to black.

The ending of The Raid 2 is bleak yet ultimately realistic; it is an anti-formula that strays from Hollywood's formula and is becoming increasingly popular. If Rama had survived all those wounds, he would be considered a mythological hero, but he is not. He is an ordinary man trying to dismantle corruption through his actions, and his death is as violent as life itself. Uwais is incredible throughout the film, and his fight with the Assassin is regarded as one of the best fight scenes ever filmed.

Aliens is a sequel to one of the greatest sci-fi horror films of all time and a masterpiece of action cinema. It respects and expands upon the darkness that characterized the first film, transforming it into an action film masterpiece. James Cameron has always known how to make action scenes stand out, and the film's endings are often memorable. In Aliens, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) faces the Alien Queen one last time. Appearing in a cargo loader suit, she delivers the famous line: "Get away from her, you bitch!" and the two fight in the airlock. Ripley opens the outer door, and the Queen is pulled into space; barely escaping the container, Ripley collapses and turns to Newt, who jumps into her arms.

The final battle is a winning combination of practical effects and great acting. The cargo loader is an iconic piece, and Ripley's line echoes throughout history, showing her transformation from a frightened survivor to a warrior mother. While the hypersleep ending provides closure, leaving room for a sequel, many believe that Alien 3 is an inadequate follow-up and prefer to view the ending of Aliens as a standalone story. An amusing fact is that the exterior team was a fully functional prop operated by another stunt performer who trained Weaver for her work and controlled her from behind during the fight scene.

The John Wick series, starring Keanu Reeves, is unexpectedly