March 26, 2025 | Alex Summers

Trivia For People Who Think They Know Cinema: Can You Name These Action Flicks?


Who's The Expert?

Movie night arguments about who starred in what action film? We've all been there. This quiz settles the score once and for all. It’s time to prove you're the real movie expert in your friend group.

Intro

Adrenaline-Fueled Race

In this 1994 movie, a bus in Los Angeles cannot drop below fifty miles per hour, or it will blow up. 

Screenshot from the movie Speed (1994)Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Speed. It stars Keanu Reeves as Jack Traven, a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer, and Sandra Bullock as Annie Porter, a passenger who helps drive the bus. 

A visually captivating still taken from a pivotal moment in the film Speed (1994)Twentieth Century, Speed (1994)

Advertisement

Last Veteran Standing

A traumatized Vietnam veteran uses guerrilla warfare and improvised traps to battle a small-town sheriff in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.

Screenshot of the movie First BloodAnabasis N.V., First Blood (1982)

Advertisement

The Answer 

First Blood. This introduced the world to Sylvester Stallone's iconic John Rambo character, which is significantly less violent than its sequels. Apparently, David Morrell's 1972 novel was the inspiration for the movie.

Screenshot from the movie First Blood (1982).Orion, First Blood (1982)

Advertisement

Jungle Nightmare

The movie follows a team of commandos led by Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer.

Screenshot of the movie PredatorTwentieth Century, Predator (1987)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Predator. It explores themes of masculinity and challenges traditional action hero tropes by portraying a team of brutal commandos being hunted and killed by a superior foe. John McTiernan directed the film.

Screenshot from the film Predator (1987)Twentieth Century, Predator (1987)

Gold In The Desert

Four American soldiers plan to rob a cache of gold stolen from Kuwait by Saddam Hussein.

Screenshot from the movie Three Kings (1999)Warner Bros., Three Kings (1999)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Three Kings. David O. Russell's 1999 film brought to the stage George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube. They blended action, comedy, and drama while giving an important commentary on American foreign policy.

Three Kings (1999)Warner Bros., Three Kings (1999)

Nakatomi Plaza Standoff

Bruce Willis plays the role of protagonist John McClane, a New York City police detective.

Bruce Willis FactsDie Hard,‎20th Century Studios

Advertisement

The Answer 

Die Hard. All of it takes place on Christmas Eve when NYPD Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) visits his estranged wife, Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), at a holiday party in Nakatomi Plaza, Los Angeles. 

Screenshot of the movie Die HardTwentieth Century, Die Hard (1988)

Advertisement

Shield's Secret Enemy

The follow-up to Captain America: The First Avenger and the ninth picture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Screenshot of the movie Captain America: The Winter SoldierMarvel Studios, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This 2014 superhero thriller was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. It opens up with Steve Rogers (Captain America) working in Washington, DC.

Screenshot of the movie Captain America: The Winter SoldierMarvel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Advertisement

Stuntman's Triumph

Cruise did an underwater sequence where he held his breath for over three minutes in a single take.

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation |Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies by Paramount Movies

Advertisement

The Answer 

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation. Tom Cruise was 53 years old when filming these dangerous stunts for the fifth installment. This movie was shot in different areas across three continents, including Morocco, Austria, and the UK. 

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation |Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation | Official Trailer | Paramount Movies by Paramount Movies

Advertisement

Unexpected Blockbuster

Lionsgate picked it up for a theatrical release and grossed about $76 million worldwide.

Screenshot from the film John Wick (2014)Summit Entertainment, John Wick (2014)

Advertisement

The Answer

John Wick. The movie follows retired hitman John Wick as he seeks revenge on the Russian gangsters who killed his dog. Soon after, a couple of events connected to the Continental Hotel and the underworld occur. 

Screenshot of Keanu Reeves from John Wick (2014)Thunder Road Pictures, John Wick (2014)

Advertisement

Underworld Expansion 

The protagonist goes undercover in prison to infiltrate a crime syndicate after the events of the first film.

The Raid 2 The Raid 2 | Official Trailer HD (2014) by Sony Pictures Classics

Advertisement

The Answer 

The Raid 2. This 2014 sequel expanded beyond the original's claustrophobic setting. It displayed really detailed car chases and martial arts sequences, which received positive reviews from the audience.

The Raid 2 The Raid 2 | Official Trailer HD (2014) by Sony Pictures Classics

Advertisement

Hong Kong Bloodbath

Here, we get to see the ruthless villain Johnny Wong and Mad Dog at their best.

Hard BoiledHard Boiled (1992) Trailer HD by StudioMars

Advertisement

The Answer 

Hard Boiled. This is a 1992 Hong Kong action movie that was directed by John Woo. The main actors are Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. The story revolves around characters “Tequila” Yuen and Alan.

Hard BoiledHard Boiled (1992) Trailer HD by StudioMars

Advertisement

Martial Arts World

An inspiration for various works, especially the video game Mortal Kombat.

Screenshot of the movie BloodsportCannon International, Bloodsport (1988)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Bloodsport. Despite initial negative reviews, Bloodsport became a box-office success. It collected around $11.8–$30 million on a $1.5–2.3 million budget. It also contributed to the resurgence of martial arts films in the US.

Jean Claude van Damme FactsBloodsport (1988), Cannon International

Advertisement

30 Floors Of Combat

A police officer fought through 30 floors of criminals with minimal CGI and real martial artists as stuntmen.

The Raid: RedemptionMad Dog VS. Jaka Hand To Hand Fight | The Raid: Redemption by Piece of the Action

Advertisement

The Answer 

The Raid: Redemption. Director Gareth Evans and star Iko Uwais showcased the Indonesian martial art pencak silat in this claustrophobic action masterpiece. Released in 2011, it also goes by the title "Serbuan maut".

The Raid: RedemptionThe Raid | Official US Trailer HD (2011) by Sony Pictures Classics

Advertisement

Iconic Catchphrase Origin

When Schwarzenegger's character is denied entry to a police station, he comes up with an iconic catchphrase.

A screenshot of the movie The TerminatorCinema '84, The Terminator (1984)

Advertisement

The Answer 

The Terminator. Arnold Schwarzenegger's "I'll be back" was originally scripted as "I'll come back," but his impromptu change created one of cinema's most quoted lines. James Cameron intended the line to be a throwaway remark.

Screenshot of the movie The TerminatorHemdale, The Terminator (1984)

Advertisement

Green Destiny Pursuit

Based on the fourth part of Wang Dulu's Crane-Iron Series.

Screenshot from the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)Columbia, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The film is set in 19th-century Imperial China and follows two master warriors, Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien. They deal with the theft of the Green Destiny sword by Jen Yu.

A visually captivating still taken from a pivotal moment in the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)Columbia, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Advertisement

Mountain Rescue Record

Holds a Guinness World Record for the most expensive aerial stunt by stuntman Simon Crane.

Cliffhanger.Cliffhanger | Official Trailer by StudiocanalUK

Advertisement

The Answer 

CliffhangerSylvester Stallone takes on the character of Gabe Walker, with Michael Rooker as Hal Tucker, Janine Turner as Jessie Deighan, and John Lithgow as Eric Qualen. The story opens up in the Rocky Mountains.

Screenshot from the movie Cliffhanger (1993)TriStar, Cliffhanger (1993)

Advertisement

Hong Kong Chase

Hong Kong police officer Chan Ka-Kui works with the CIA to track an individual named Natasha.

Police Story 4: First StrikePolice Story 4: First Strike (1996) tribute - Desperado by TheActionmaster

Advertisement

The Answer 

Police Story 4: First Strike. The story takes Ka-Kui on a long journey from Hong Kong to Ukraine, Russia, and Australia. Some truly good scenes are the ski resort chase, the ladder fight, and the underwater battle.

Police Story 4: First StrikePolice Story 4: First Strike (1996) tribute - Desperado by TheActionmaster

Advertisement

Armored Warfare 

Filmmaker Ayer asked the actors to fight each other physically, causing dark eyes and red noses. 

Screenshot from the movie Fury (2014)Columbia, Fury (2014)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Fury. Apparently, David Ayer drew inspiration from books like Belton Y. Cooper's memoir Death Traps: The Survival of an American Armored Division in World War II. Due to the cramped space inside real tanks, a separate set was built.

FURYFURY - Official Trailer by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Advertisement

Berlin Spy

Based on the graphic book The Coldest City by Antony Johnston and Sam Hart.

James McAvoy factsAtomic Blonde (2017), 87Eleven

Advertisement

The Answer 

Atomic Blonde. MI6 agent Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron) is sent to Berlin to find out about the murder of fellow agent James Gascoigne and recover a list of covert agents known as “The List”.

Screenshot of Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton- from Atomic Blonde (2017)Focus Features, Atomic Blonde (2017)

Advertisement

Train Combat Spectacle

 A memorable fight scene occurs on a train between Bond and Hinx (Dave Bautista).

Dave Bautista factsSpectre (2015), MGM

Advertisement

The Answer 

Spectre. It was a commercial success, grossing $880 million across the globe. In the movie, Bond and his allies work to prevent Nine Eyes from going online while confronting Spectre. 

A screenshot from the movie SpectreColumbia, Spectre (2015)

Advertisement

Wushu Spectacle

This 2004 martial arts epic from director Zhang Yimou displays an extraordinary bamboo forest battle.

House of Flying DaggersHouse of Flying Daggers - Trailer (Upscaled HD) (2004) by Tue Nguyen

Advertisement

The Answer 

House of Flying Daggers. Following the success of Hero, Zhang Yimou's follow-up film successfully exported wushu to Western multiplexes. It was ranked among the best films of the 2000s by Slant and Empire.

House of Flying DaggersHouse of Flying Daggers - Trailer (Upscaled HD) (2004) by Tue Nguyen

Advertisement

Immigrant's Reality Shift

Evelyn Quan Wang, a middle-aged Chinese-American immigrant, runs a laundromat with her husband, Waymond.

Michelle YeohA24, Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Advertisement

The Answer 

Everything Everywhere All At Once. This indie production starring Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ke Huy Quan won the Academy Award for Best Picture despite showing unconventional weapons like a fanny pack.

Screenshot from the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)A24, Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Advertisement

Western Revolution

Sam Peckinpah’s ferocious Western changed the game when it came to violence in movies.

The Wild BunchThe Wild Bunch (1/10) Movie CLIP - If They Move, Kill 'Em (1969) HD by Movieclips

Advertisement

The Answer

The Wild Bunch. This film revolves around an aging outlaw gang led by Pike Bishop (William Holden), who seeks to retire after one final score. It culminates in a violent confrontation at Mapache's stronghold.

Screenshot from the film The Wild Bunch (1969)Warner Bros., The Wild Bunch (1969)


READ MORE

Olive Thomas Facts
May 3, 2025 Samantha Henman

Hollywood's First Scandal

For a brutally brief period, Olive Thomas was the sweetheart of the silver screen. Yet behind her pert image lay a wild, uncontrollable past—from the lows of her humble beginnings to the highs of her scandalous stardom. Throughout it all, the actress’s life careened toward a death that would shock the nation. When Olive Thomas met her tragic end, Old Hollywood lost its innocence.
Lisa Marie Presley Facts
May 2, 2025 Samantha Henman

Lisa Marie's Life Was Even More Tragic Than Her Father's

She was mostly known as the only child of Elvis Presley, but this wasn't always a good thing for Lisa Marie Presley. Her life went through many tumultuous twists and turns, just like the King of Rock and Roll...but it was her shocking and tragic end that ultimately mirrored her father's story the most.
Sabu Facts
April 30, 2025 Samantha Henman

The Tragic Life Of Sabu, The First Indian Superstar

When you think of Indian actors in Hollywood, I’m certain that several names will come to mind, but "Sabu" isn't one of them. Why did India’s first international star’s name fade away from the world’s collective memory? Let’s take a stroll down the past’s cobbled roads and discover the intriguing and scandalous life of Sabu, Hollywood's forgotten superstar.
Actor River Phoenix (1970 - 1993), star of "Stand By Me," playfully poses during a 1988 Los Angeles, California, photo portrait session. Phoenix, a rising young film star, tragically died in 1993 outside a Sunset Strip nightclub of a drug overdose.
April 29, 2025 Samantha Henman

The Heartbreaking Truth About River Phoenix

River Phoenix had already taken Hollywood by storm by the time he reached adulthood. Coming from humble origins, his striking talent had some whispering his name alongside the greats. But tragedy would put a premature end to a promising career.
Gene Tierney Facts
April 28, 2025 Samantha Henman

The Hollywood Tragedy They Don’t Want You To Know

Marilyn Monroe had nothing on Gene Tierney. This angular, green-eyed brunette traipsed from high society all the way to the silver screen, but after years on the top, Hollywood chewed her up and spat her out.
Rob Lowe Facts
April 26, 2025 Samantha Henman

We Thought We Knew All The Dirt On Rob Lowe—We Were Wrong

A rare survivor of the 1980s Brat Pack, teen idol Rob Lowe has had his share of Hollywood highs and lows. This self-proclaimed man of no regrets certainly has a lot to choose from: There’s the Oscar debacle, the nannies, and, of course, that infamous videotape.