10 Movies like The Equalizer to Watch Next: If action is the name of the game, then these movies should be queued up after watching The Equalizer.
The Equalizer doesn’t necessarily seem like the action-packed film that it is within its first 30 minutes. It feels this way because they are building up the plot and introducing characters that could never be an actual person in real life. The main character is soft-spoken with the odd quirk of loving classical literature. He is enjoying his retirement until he is forced back into his old life to save a teenage girl. It’s when that moment hits that the movie goes full speed ahead.
1. John Wick
In comparison to its sequels, the first John Wick looks positively restrained, but it’s still a masterclass in action filmmaking. A comeback for Keanu Reeves, and with a story that deals with revenge and bereavement, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch’s film didn’t just launch an iconic new series.
It helped to reinvent the action film itself. Not bad going for a movie that very nearly went straight to video-on-demand.
2. Blackhat
“Blackhat” features Chris Hemsworth as Nick Hathaway, a skilled hacker who takes the law into his own hands in a world of interconnected computer networks. Recently released from prison, Hathaway is tasked with tracking down cyber-terrorists. As the chase unfolds, their sinister intentions become evident. While “Blackhat” is more technologically advanced, it offers a fast-paced, non-stop action-thriller that keeps audiences engaged throughout.”
3. Taken
While its famous telephone scene has been much copied and spoofed, it’s easy to forget just how much of an impact the first Taken made upon its release.
While its sequels were something of a mixed bag, and it also led to a short-lived television series, the first installment of the series is punchy, brutal, full of energy, and invigorated by a superb performance by Liam Neeson, reinventing himself as an action star in the process.
4. Training Day (2003)
It would be remiss not to include the first collaboration between Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua on this list. While not as action-packed as their later collaborations, Training Day has pace and style to burn, not least in Washington’s lead performance, which netted him a well-deserved Academy Award.
5. Non-Stop
In “Non-Stop,” Liam Neeson plays an air marshal who springs into action when he receives a threat during an international flight. With a passenger plotting to kill everyone onboard, he takes it upon himself to save lives. This film is a thrilling choice for fans of “The Equalizer” who crave suspense and non-stop, intense action sequences.
6. Salt (2010)
A hugely entertaining slab of espionage action from director Philip Noyce, sadly, this didn’t turn into the series expected from it, as evidenced by its cliffhanger ending.
With a magnificent central turn from Angelina Jolie, Salt goes from what so easily could have been just another spy-fy actioner into something with more meat on the bone, especially with Jolie’s character going into vengeance mode in the second half.
7. The November Man
Pierce Brosnan plays an ex-CIA agent known as “The November Man.” He comes out of retirement for a mission gone wrong while escorting an asset to Russia, joined by his trigger-happy ex-partner. “The November Man” combines James Bond-esque moments in an enjoyable, albeit somewhat clichéd, manner, portraying Brosnan as a believable retired agent thrust back into action.
8. Accident Man
In “Accident Man,” Mike Fallon is a stone-cold killer renowned for making his murders appear as accidents. When his former girlfriend and her husband are targeted and killed, he uses his skills to track down the culprits and seek revenge. If you enjoyed “The Equalizer” and crave even more violence, this movie, featuring a standout performance by Scott Adkins, is a perfect choice.
9. Man on Fire (2004)
The recent third installment of The Equalizer series saw Denzel Washington reunite with his Man on Fire co-star, Dakota Fanning. Their first collaboration was in Tony Scott’s stylishly brutal adaptation of A.J Quinnell’s novel, itself previously made into a film in 1987.
Like The Equalizer, Man on Fire sees Washington in charismatically brutal form, but Scott never loses sight of the emotion at the heart of the story, even amongst scenes of frequent brutality and violence. Remember, the gunshot holds no fear.
10. Shooter (2007)
While Shooter didn’t quite launch the franchise expected of it for star Mark Wahlberg, Antoine Fuqua’s 2007 action thriller is a must-watch for those who enjoy the director’s films and his ability to combine pulpy material to A-list casts and great character actors as he has done with so many of his best films.
The character of Bob Lee Swagger (yes, that is the protagonist’s name) would find a longer life on the television series of the same name.