By 
There’s a style of film known as the 80s action movie, where the plot is minimal, the hair is voluminous, and the action and one-liners are non-stop. They still exist to this day, albeit in different forms, but their name shows their origin: incredible action-packed movies that were about that action and nothing else.
We aren’t making fun of these movies, since they took their craft very seriously. Many of the scenes shown in them required true craftsmanship, they just weren’t aiming to be historical dramas or winning any Oscars. These are the films that put action on the forefront, and we love them for it.
IMDb
Commando (1985)
The premise is simple: a retired soldier rescues his kidnapped daughter. Everything else is just explosions, one-liners, and nonstop combat, making it one of the clearest examples of action overwhelming narrative.
IMDb
Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985)
This sequel strips down the original’s nuance in favor of pure action. The story exists mainly to justify endless combat sequences, turning the character into a near-mythic one-man army.
IMDb
Missing in Action (1984)
Chuck Norris leads a rescue mission with minimal narrative complexity. The film focuses almost entirely on action set pieces, using a basic premise as a launching point for relentless firefights.
IMDb
Cobra (1986)
Sylvester Stallone’s cop thriller moves quickly from one violent encounter to another. The plot feels secondary to style, attitude, and action, with the character’s persona driving the film more than the story.
IMDb
Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
The story of a Soviet invasion barely holds together, serving mainly as an excuse for Chuck Norris to take down waves of enemies in increasingly explosive scenarios.
IMDb
Red Sonja (1985)
This fantasy action film leans heavily on sword fights and spectacle. The narrative is straightforward and largely secondary, existing mainly to connect a series of battles and confrontations.
IMDb
American Ninja (1985)
A soldier with mysterious ninja skills faces off against enemy forces in a film that prioritizes martial arts sequences over detailed storytelling. The plot is thin, but the action remains constant.
IMDb
The Delta Force (1986)
Inspired by real events, the film quickly shifts into extended action sequences. The narrative framework exists, but much of the runtime is dedicated to combat and spectacle rather than character development.
IMDb
Avenging Force (1986)
This action thriller revolves around a man hunted by a secret group. The concept is simple, allowing the film to focus on chase sequences and confrontations rather than complex storytelling.
IMDb
Action Jackson (1988)
Carl Weathers leads a straightforward revenge story that quickly becomes an excuse for action scenes. The plot is functional, but clearly secondary to fights, explosions, and larger-than-life moments.
IMDb
Raw Deal (1986)
Arnold Schwarzenegger plays an undercover agent infiltrating the mob. The premise is basic, with the film emphasizing gunfights and action over narrative depth or complexity.
IMDb
Death Wish 3 (1985)
This sequel escalates everything into near parody. The story is minimal, serving mainly as a backdrop for increasingly exaggerated vigilante action sequences.
IMDb
No Retreat, No Surrender (1986)
A young fighter trains with the “spirit” of Bruce Lee, but the film quickly shifts focus to martial arts action. The story is thin, mainly connecting training scenes and fights.
IMDb
Gymkata (1985)
Combining gymnastics and martial arts, this film embraces its absurd premise. The plot exists, but largely serves as a vehicle for unusual and constant action sequences.
IMDb
Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987)
Known for its chaotic tone, the film jumps between action, espionage, and random set pieces. The narrative feels almost secondary to the nonstop, often bizarre action moments.
The post ’80s Action Movies That Barely Had a Plot, and Didn’t Care appeared first on Den of Geek.
