In an industry that has been over a century old, film stories and plots are bound to be similar, if not a complete clone. With over 50 movie industries around the globe and only seven main genres to work with, it would be a challenge to give something fresh everything a writer sets his pen to paper or his hands on the keypads. Action movies have been a fan favorite for more than four decades now. Ever since the movie industry expanded outside the constraints of built sets and fixed cameras, scripts have demanded and experimented with many new things. Some went on to be cult classics and game-changers.

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One such film was Bruce Willis' Die Hard. Ever since the first installment was released in 1988, it broke various norms on Christmas day. What was once a time for merry holiday movies ushered a new experience in 1988. The film's success led to many sequels in the franchise, and some even went on to take the success formula and adapt them into new movies.

6 Skyscraper (2018)

Skyscraper (2018)

The 2018 action thriller stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and just like any of his other movies, the superstar carries the film on his shoulders. The story follows William Sawyer, a former US Marine forced out of the league due to physical drawbacks and now serves as a security consultant for skyscrapers.

During his lucky break, Will and his family are invited to the newly built skyscraper in Hong Kong, where security details are to be overseen. However, with great tall buildings come great deadly terrorists, and it is up to the ex-US marine to climb through air vents, break through glass windows, climb atop a hundred-story building, free fall an elevator and save the day!

5 Olympus Has Fallen (2013)

Olympus has Fallen (2013)

Olympus has Fallen was released in March 2013, boasting the likes of Gerald Butler and Morgan Freeman in the cast list. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, was well-received by fans and was deemed a decent action thriller by critics.

Two movies of similar genre and experience were released in the same year (more on that later), but Olympus Has Fallen went on to be the better of the two spanning two other sequels. Other movies include London Has Fallen (2016), and Angel has Fallen (2019), both starring Gerald Butler.

4 White House Down (2013)

White House Down (2013)

While talking about films that are clones of die-hard, the following entry is an exceptional case of a clone of another clone! With an array of star casts filled with Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, and Maggie Gyangall and directed by disaster specialist Roland Emmerich, White House Down promised to be the most significant action movie of 2013. Unfortunately, things didn't go as well as predicted, and the film was declared a disaster as the audience felt it was a mere replica of Olympus has Fallen.

A group of masked terrorists raid the White House to take the president hostage but little did they know that an Ex Afgan war veteran John Cale planned a day out with his daughter at the white home. What follows next is a cat and mouse game in which John wins and secures the White House.

3 Beast (2022)

Beast (2022)

Depending on the watcher's perspective, the next entry on the list might be a hidden treasure or a dud. Beast is an Indian film written & directed by Nelson Dilipkumar starring "Thalapathy" Vijay. The movie opened to a huge fanfare and box office collections. However, the reviews from critics and fans were mixed, giving the film an "Above Average" verdict by the end of its run.

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The film follows a retired Indian RAW agent who, under unforeseen circumstances, ends up at the East Coast Mall in Chennai - An ideal space for a terrorist raid and hostage negotiations. The following sequence of events is complete over the stop action narrative, which takes inspiration from the Die Hard franchise.

2 Toy Soldiers (1991)

Toy Soldiers (1991)

The irony of the movie being named Toy Soldiers can be misleading and remind the audience of Small Soldiers, a 1998 fun action movie. So with that clarified and out of the way, the movie, directed by Daniel Petrie Jr., revolves around a hostage situation in a male boarding school.

The narrative follows a group of high school boys known for their mischievous nature. But, as the authorities watch helplessly outside the perimeter, the group is the only option of tactical prowess and strategic alliance that can afford to save the day!

1 Air Force One (1997)

Air Force One (1997)

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, the 1997 political action thriller Air Force One boasts a heavy star cast such as Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Wendy Crewson and others. The film garnered a significant reputation among fans and critics, going to be one of the most notable action movies of the 90s.

As the world is on the brink of a new Cold War, things go out of hand when the US president, on board the Air Force One and the crew and other members are held captive, demanding the release of General Ivan Davek. But little did they know that President James Marshall was not one to be messed with. The movie was so successful that it was nominated for Best Editing and Best Sound at the Academy.

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