Movies Like Taken: 20 Action Films to Unravel the Encounters

Superaction stories always contain curiosity, so I recommend movies like Taken, based on investigative stories and detective plots. I believe the action reveals the investigative stories of mysterious incidences, such as killing, kidnapping, attacking plans, violent groups, terrorists, and other mafias. 

I enjoyed the suspense and the protagonist’s intellectual work to solve the complex missions. So, I decided to mention similar movies by composing short stories and trailers for movie lovers.

20 Movies Like Taken 

I finally selected the below favorable choice available for movie buffs who like deep stories with enigmatic charm and mystery. Go with these films and watch the trailers mentioned below.

Man on Fire (2004)

“Man on Fire” is a compelling 2004 action movie directed by Tony Scott and written by Brian Helgeland, drawing inspiration from the 1980 novel of the same name by A. J. Quinnell. The story follows Denzel Washington in the role of John, a troubled and alcoholic former CIA officer with a background in the U.S force.

Creasy becomes a bodyguard and takes swift and brutal action when his young charge, nine-year-old Lupita “Pita” Ramos, played by Dakota Fanning, is kidnapped in Mexico City. This intense film delves into themes of revenge and redemption as Creasy seeks to rescue the abducted girl.

Death Wish (2018)

“Death Wish” is a 2018 compelling action movie penned by Joe Carnahan and directed by Eli Roth. This movie serves as a sequel to the 1974 film of the same name and a reboot of the Death Wish film series, originally inspired by Brian Garfield’s 1972 novel. 

The film features Bruce Willis in the lead role of Paul Kersey, a doctor residing in Chicago who embarks on a quest for vengeance against the individuals responsible for attacking his family. The cast also includes Elisabeth Shue, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dean Norris, Kimberly Elise, and making it an engaging and thrilling addition to the franchise.

Haywire (2011)

“Haywire” is a 2011 full of action movie that embarks on the plot of a conspiracy for ultimate survival. The movie features Gina Carano as the protagonist, a black ops agent who faces betrayal from her employers and becomes the target of an assassination plot as part of a complex conspiracy she is compelled to uncover. 

The plot unfolds just as movies like Taken through the conspiracy found in the main scene. Gina Carano, known for her prowess in mixed martial arts, performs her own stunts in the film, adding a level of authenticity to the action sequences. The film’s score is crafted by DJ and composer David Holmes.

The Equalizer (2014)

“The Equalizer” is a 2014 violent action film directed by Antoine Fuqua, marking the first installment of The Equalizer trilogy. Loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name, the screenplay is crafted by Richard Wenk. The movie stars Denzel Washington in the lead role, supported by Marton Csokas, Chloë Moretz, David Harbour, Melissa Leo, and Bill Pullman.

The plot centers around a retired U.S. Marine who has transitioned into a former DIA Officer. He is reluctantly drawn back into the world of action and violence when he decides to protect a teenage prostitute from the clutches of the Russian mafia, putting his formidable skills to use for a noble cause.

From Paris with Love (2010)

James Reese (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) enjoys a respectable job as an aide to an ambassador in France. However, his true passion lies in his covert role within the CIA, though he only holds a minor position. His dream is to become a complete agent, and his wish seems to come true when he’s assigned to work with Charlie Wax (John Travolta).

Charlie, a violent operative, quickly pushes James to his limits, making him question his longing for fieldwork. However, things take a dangerous turn when James discovers that the very individuals they are pursuing are now targeting him. In this dire situation, James realizes that Charlie might be his sole chance for survival.

Point Blank (2010)

Point Blank (2010) is a thrilling movie that embarks on a journey to save the lives of innocent from the wild shackles of gangster lobbies. In a high-stakes race against time, a man (Gilles Lellouche) becomes entangled in a dangerous showdown with rival gangsters and rash police officers. 

Furthermore, his mission is to rescue his kidnapped wife and save the life of their unborn child. Moreover, this is one of the same movies similar to Taken that is highly recommended for the viewers.

The Man from Nowhere (2010)

“The Man from Nowhere” is a 2010 action film directed by Lee Jeong-beom and starring Won Bin. This compelling movie became South Korea’s top-grossing film in 2010, drawing in 6.2 million viewers. In this intense narrative, an enigmatic man embarks on a brutal quest for revenge when the only person who truly realizes him is kidnapped. 

This is another interesting plot that might be considered a Taken similar movies. The film was later released in the United States and Canada on October 1, 2010, and even inspired an Indian remake titled “Rocky Handsome,” featuring John Abraham, in 2016.

Harry Brown (2009)

“Harry Brown” is a 2009 movie based on the violent behavior of an actor directed by Daniel Barber. This compelling movie stars Emily Mortimer, Michael Caine, Liam Cunningham, and Jack O’Connell. The plot revolves around Harry Brown, a widowed Royal Marines experienced person who had previously served in Northern Ireland during The Troubles. 

He resides in a London housing estate that is gradually surrendering to youth crime. Viewers may watch a movie similar to Taken by simply checking the trailer and reading the story here. However, when a violent gang murders his friend, Harry takes it upon himself to deliver justice. The film delves into themes of vigilantism and the moral complexities of seeking retribution.

3 Days to Kill (2014)

In the film, “3 Days to Kill,” spy Ethan Renner, portrayed by Kevin Costner, faces a terminal disease and makes the difficult decision to retire from his perilous and high-stakes career. His primary motivation is to mend his strained relationship with his estranged wife and daughter, played by Hailee Steinfeld, whom he had distanced to protect them from the dangers of his profession. 

However, a chance at receiving a life-saving drug emerges, but there’s a condition: Ethan must complete one last mission. This mission involves capturing one of the world’s most ruthless terrorists while simultaneously taking care of his teenage daughter during her mother’s absence. The film explores the challenges of balancing family and a dangerous career, all within a tight three-day timeframe.

Peppermint (2018)

“Peppermint” is a 2018 violent actor’s behavior thriller film that describes the vigilante story. The storyline revolves around a woman who undergoes a transformation into a vigilante, driven by a quest for revenge against the drug lobby responsible for the murder of her daughter and husband.

The movie appeared on the big screen in the United States on September 7, 2018, and it achieved a worldwide gross of $53 million. However, it received generally negative reviews from critics. In 2020, “Peppermint” became available on Netflix and other streaming platforms.

Blood Father (2016)

“Blood Father” is based on a detective story directed by Jean-François Richet. The screenplay, written by Peter Craig, is derived from the novel of one of his publications. The movie features a cast including Mel Gibson, Diego Luna, Erin Moriarty, William H. Macy, and Michael Parks. 

The plot centers around an ex-convict portrayed by Mel Gibson and his estranged daughter, played by Erin Moriarty, as they go on the run from her drug-dealing boyfriend, portrayed by Diego Luna, and his dangerous cartel. This detective work is best recommended as a movie like Taken, so would be a good option to explore.

Non-Stop (2014)

“Non-Stop” is a 2014 violent protagonist behavioral action film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The plot revolves around an alcoholic ex-NYPD (New York City Police Department) officer who adopted the role of Federal Air Marshal and finds himself in a high-stakes situation during an international flight from New York to London.

Surprisingly, he must uncover the identity of a killer on board after receiving threatening text messages that promise the execution of a passenger every 20 minutes unless certain financial demands are met. “Non-Stop” is the second collaboration between director Jaume Collet-Serra and actor Liam Neeson, following their work on the film “Unknown.”

The Foreigner (2017)

“The Foreigner” is a protagonist action movie directed by Martin Campbell. This film is a British-Chinese-American collaborative and features a cast including Pierce Brosnan, Jackie Chan, Michael McElhatton, Charlie Murphy, Katie Leung, and Orla Brady. The story follows Ngoc Minh Quan, a London-associated Chinese Nùng man, who embarks on a quest for revenge after the tragic death of his youngest daughter.

“The Foreigner” had its release in China on September 30, 2017, through Wuzhou Film Distribution. The film received generally favorable reviews from critics, with particular praise for its action sequences, musical score, and the unexpected performances of Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan against their usual type. However, it was criticized for its somewhat fixed plot.

Colombiana (2011)

“Colombiana” is a 2011 action thriller film that was directed by Olivier Megaton. The story of “Colombiana” centers around Cataleya, a young girl in Colombia who witnesses her family being killed by a callous drug lord. After fifteen years, the grown Cataleya embarks on a mission of revenge against those responsible for her family’s murder.

While the film received generally negative reviews from critics, Zoe Saldana’s action sequences were highly praised. Despite the critical reception, the movie performed reasonably well at the box office, earning $63.4 million worldwide against its $40 million budget.

John Wick (2014)

“John Wick” is a 2014 action movie that reflects the central character’s heroic work who often suffers from violent behavior. The film stars Keanu Reeves in the titular role of John Wick, a legendary hitman who hails from retirement to seek retaliation against the individuals who killed his beloved puppy, a final gift from his recently deceased wife. 

Derek Kolstad’s script for “John Wick” was inspired by his fascination with action, revenge, and neo-noir films. The film was produced by Basil Iwanyk, marking his first independent film production venture.

“John Wick” garnered acclaim for its stylish action sequences, world-building, and Keanu Reeves’ performance as the titular character. It went on to become a successful franchise, with multiple sequels that expanded upon the lore of the assassin underworld and further adventures of John Wick.

A Walk Among The Tombstones (2014)

“A Walk Among the Tombstones” is a 2014 American thriller film directed by Scott Frank. The film is based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Lawrence Block. The story follows Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson), a former NYPD detective who now works as an unlicensed private detective. Scudder’s wife is killed after kidnapping. As Scudder investigates deeper into the case, he realizes that the crime’s pattern matches that of the perpetrators. 

Determined to stop them before they strike again and devastate more lives, Scudder races through the back streets of New York, blurring the lines between the lawful and criminal as he pursues the killers.

Clear and Present Danger (1994)

“Clear and Present Danger” is an action thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce. It is based on Tom Clancy’s 1989 novel of a similar name and serves as a sequel to “The Hunt for Red October” (1990) and “Patriot Games” (1992). “Clear and Present Danger” is notable for being the last film adaptation of Clancy’s novels to feature Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan and James Earl Jones as Vice Admiral James Greer. It is also the final installment directed by Phillip Noyce.

If you want to enjoy real glances and action movies like Taken, then watch this iconic film as well. In the film, Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is appointed as the CIA Acting Deputy Director of Intelligence (DDI) and discovers that he is being kept in the dark by colleagues who are conducting a covert war against a powerful drug cartel in Colombia, seemingly with the approval of the President. The movie was released in theaters in the United States on August 3, 1994, and achieved significant financial success, earning over $215 million worldwide.

License to Kill (1989)

“Licence to Kill” is a 1989 action-provoking film and the sixteenth installment in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. It is the second and final film to star Timothy Dalton as the MI6 agent James Bond. In this film, Bond is suspended from MI6 on account of the drug dealing. Sanchez has ordered an attack against CIA partner and the murder of Felix’s wife shortly after their wedding.

John Glen directed “Licence to Kill,” which marked his fifth and final Bond film. The movie also features Robert Brown as M and Caroline Bliss as Miss Moneypenny.

Bullitt (1968)

The movie you’re describing is “Bullitt,” a 1968 thriller film directed by Peter Yates. It stars Steve McQueen as Lieutenant Frank Bullitt, who is assigned to protect a key witness against a powerful mob boss. The film is particularly renowned for its iconic car chase sequence, considered one of the most famous and influential in cinematic history.

Commando (1985)

“Commando” is indeed a 1985 sensational film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In the film, Schwarzenegger plays the role of John Matrix, a retired Special Forces colonel who must rescue his kidnapped daughter from an exiled dictator. In the film, John Matrix, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a retired Special Forces soldier living in seclusion with his daughter Jenny, played by Alyssa Milano. 

However, his peaceful life is disrupted when his former commander informs him that his former comrades are being systematically killed. Jenny is subsequently kidnapped by a deposed Latin American dictator named Arius, portrayed by Dan Hedaya. Instead of giving in to Arius’s demands, Matrix embarks on a mission to overthrow Arius and rescue his daughter. The film is known for its action-packed sequences and Schwarzenegger’s iconic performance.

Taken Plot

In this film, the storyline revolves around Bryan Mills, a former CIA operative who embarks on a relentless mission to locate his teenage daughter, Kim, and her best friend, Amanda. The girls have been abducted by Albanian human traffickers while vacationing in France, setting in motion a high-stakes and action-packed pursuit.

Box Office Collection 

Conclusion

After knowing the great feedback and viewership of the audience, I decided to watch these movies like Taken and its versions are suggested to you. The recommended 20 movies have performed really well at the box office, contributing a valuable share through the box office. So, I hope your feelings will be matched with your taste after watching.