Movies Like The Equalizer That Deliver Grit, Justice, and Relentless Action

A retired hitman is forced back into action, delivering brutal, calculated justice against criminal organizations, much like a lone vigilante with a moral code.

Ex-hitman John Wick comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. John Wick is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.5 by 20,375 people. The movie made an estimated total of $88,761,661 in the box office.

A former government operative uses his lethal skills to rescue his kidnapped daughter, emphasizing personal justice and relentless pursuit of criminals.

Bryan Mills, a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Kim. After reluctantly agreeing with his ex-wife to let Kim go to Paris on vacation with a friend, his worst nightmare comes true. While on the phone with his daughter shortly after she arrives in Paris, she and her friend are abducted by a gang of human traffickers. Working against the clock, Bryan relies on his extensive training and skills to track down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launch a one-man war to rescue his daughter. Taken is a movie from France in English, with a total 1h 34m runtime, released in 2008 with an average rating of 7.4 by 11,827 people. The movie made an estimated total of $226,830,568 in the box office.

An ex-CIA operative seeks vengeance against kidnappers, portraying a quiet man with a violent past who protects the innocent at all costs.

Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life. Man on Fire is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 26m runtime, released in 2004 with an average rating of 7.5 by 5,488 people. The movie made an estimated total of $130,300,000 in the box office.

A former military investigator uncovers corruption and enforces justice through intelligence, precision, and overwhelming force.

One morning in an ordinary town, five people are shot dead in a seemingly random attack. All evidence points to a single suspect: an ex-military sniper who is quickly brought into custody. The interrogation yields one written note: 'Get Jack Reacher!'. Reacher, an enigmatic ex-Army investigator, believes the authorities have the right man but agrees to help the sniper's defense attorney. However, the more Reacher delves into the case, the less clear-cut it appears. So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep. Jack Reacher is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 10m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 6.7 by 7,450 people. The movie made an estimated total of $218,300,000 in the box office.

An underestimated man with a hidden violent history takes on criminals after a home invasion, echoing the theme of a sleeper vigilante.

Hutch Mansell, a suburban dad, overlooked husband, nothing neighbor — a "nobody." When two thieves break into his home one night, Hutch's unknown long-simmering rage is ignited and propels him on a brutal path that will uncover dark secrets he fought to leave behind. Nobody is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 31m runtime, released in 2021 with an average rating of 7.9 by 7,991 people. The movie made an estimated total of $57,512,470 in the box office.

A retired protector continues his crusade against organized crime, helping the helpless through calculated and ruthless justice.

Robert McCall, who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when his former partner is murdered. The Equalizer 2 is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 1m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.8 by 5,785 people. The movie made an estimated total of $190,400,157 in the box office.

The vigilante’s mission expands internationally as he dismantles criminal networks while defending the oppressed.

Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafia. The Equalizer 3 is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 2023 with an average rating of 7.3 by 3,540 people. The movie made an estimated total of $191,067,560 in the box office.

A highly trained operative uncovers a conspiracy while relying on instinct, combat skill, and moral clarity to survive and expose the truth.

Wounded to the brink of death and suffering from amnesia, Jason Bourne is rescued at sea by a fisherman. With nothing to go on but a Swiss bank account number, he starts to reconstruct his life, but finds that many people he encounters want him dead. However, Bourne realizes that he has the combat and mental skills of a world-class spy—but who does he work for? The Bourne Identity is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 7.5 by 9,828 people. The movie made an estimated total of $214,034,224 in the box office.

A seemingly ordinary man executes an elaborate plan of vigilante justice after a personal tragedy caused by crime.

A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal. Law Abiding Citizen is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 49m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.4 by 5,516 people. The movie made an estimated total of $127,900,000 in the box office.

A socially isolated financial savant with lethal skills eliminates criminal enterprises while adhering to his own strict code.

As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise. The Accountant is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 8m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.1 by 7,138 people. The movie made an estimated total of $155,160,045 in the box office.

A former CIA agent becomes entangled in political assassination, using experience and precision to deliver justice outside the system.

An ex-CIA operative is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect. The November Man is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 48m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 6.1 by 1,557 people. The movie made an estimated total of $32,600,000 in the box office.

A vigilante takes the law into his own hands to punish criminals after his family is murdered, driven by retribution.

When undercover FBI agent Frank Castle's wife and son are slaughtered, he becomes 'the Punisher' -- a ruthless vigilante willing to go to any length to avenge his family. The Punisher is a movie from Germany in English, with a total 2h 4m runtime, released in 2004 with an average rating of 6.4 by 3,038 people. The movie made an estimated total of $54,700,105 in the box office.

A morally intense battle against drug cartels highlights covert operatives enforcing justice where the law fails.

An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico. Sicario is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 2m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 7.4 by 9,276 people. The movie made an estimated total of $84,997,446 in the box office.

An elite assassin takes on a final mission that pits him against powerful criminal forces using skill and discipline.

Arthur Bishop is a 'mechanic' - an elite assassin with a strict code requiring professional perfection and total detachment. One of an elite group of assassins, Bishop may be the best in the business - with a unique talent for cleanly eliminating targets. When Harry McKenna, his close friend and mentor, is murdered, Harry's son comes to him with vengeance in his heart and a desire to learn Bishop's trade, signaling the birth of a deadly partnership. The Mechanic is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 33m runtime, released in 2011 with an average rating of 6.5 by 3,482 people. The movie made an estimated total of $51,070,807 in the box office.

A former operative seeks redemption while confronting international crime syndicates through decisive violence.

Eight years after fleeing the Congo following his assassination of that country's minister of mining, former assassin Jim Terrier is back, suffering from PTSD and digging wells to atone for his violent past. After an attempt is made on his life, Terrier flies to London to find out who wants him dead -- and why. Terrier's search leads him to a reunion with Annie, a woman he once loved, who is now married to an oily businessman with dealings in Africa. The Gunman is a movie from France in English, with a total 1h 55m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 5.8 by 1,006 people. The movie made an estimated total of $13,644,292 in the box office.

A small-town man with a violent past resurfaces to protect his family, blending personal justice with brutal efficiency.

An average family is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner. A History of Violence is a movie from Canada in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 2005 with an average rating of 7.2 by 3,582 people. The movie made an estimated total of $61,477,797 in the box office.

A professional transporter enforces his own rules while dismantling criminal operations through expert combat and strategy.

Former Special Forces officer Frank Martin will deliver anything to anyone for the right price, and his no-questions-asked policy puts him in high demand. But when he realizes his latest cargo is alive, it sets in motion a dangerous chain of events. The bound and gagged Lai is being smuggled to France by a shady American businessman, and Frank works to save her as his own illegal activities are uncovered by a French detective. The Transporter is a movie from France in English, with a total 1h 32m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 6.7 by 5,663 people. The movie made an estimated total of $43,900,000 in the box office.

A mysterious enforcer infiltrates a crime syndicate to avenge a personal loss, revealing a calculated path of justice.

A cold and mysterious new security guard for a Los Angeles cash truck company surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman's ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score. Wrath of Man is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 59m runtime, released in 2021 with an average rating of 7.6 by 5,895 people. The movie made an estimated total of $103,966,489 in the box office.

A grieving mother becomes a vigilante, systematically targeting criminals responsible for her family’s destruction.

A grieving mother transforms herself into a vigilante following the murders of her husband and daughter, eluding the authorities to deliver her own personal brand of justice. Peppermint is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 42m runtime, released in 2018 with an average rating of 6.7 by 2,181 people. The movie made an estimated total of $53,918,723 in the box office.

An ex-DEA agent defends his family from a drug cartel, using his training to confront crime head-on.

Phil Broker, a retired DEA agent, leads a quiet life with his daughter Maddy, until a school bullying incident draws them into a conflict with Morgan “Gator” Bodine, a local crime boss. Homefront is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 40m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.9 by 3,717 people. The movie made an estimated total of $51,695,362 in the box office.