This is chronological list of action films released in the 1980s. Often there may be considerable overlap particularly between action and other genres (including horror, comedy and science fiction films); the list should attempt to document films which are more closely related to action, even if they blend genres.
Title Director Cast Country Subgenre/notes 1980 2 Champions of Shaolin Chang Cheh Lu Feng, Lo Mang, Chiang Sheng Hong Kong Martial arts filmAng Agila at ang FalconArmando HerreraFernando Poe Jr., Tony FerrerPhilippines Any Which Way You Can Buddy Van Horn Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis United States Action comedy The Big Brawl Robert Clouse Jackie Chan, José Ferrer, Kristine de Bell United States The Blues BrothersJohn LandisJohn Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, United StatesAction comedyClan of the White LotusLo LiehGordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Hui Ya-hungHong KongDelitto a Porta RomanaBruno CorbucciTomas MilianItalyAction thrillerThe Empire Strikes BackIrvin KershnerMark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee WilliamsUnited StatesScience fiction actionEncounters of the Spooky KindSammo HungSammo Hung, Chung Fat, Chan LungHong KongMartial arts filmThe ExterminatorJames GlickenhausChristopher George, Samantha Eggar, Robert GintyUnited StatesFlag of IronChang ChehChiang Sheng, Guan Feng, Philip KwokHong KongFlash GordonMike HodgesSam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Chaim TopolUnited StatesScience fiction actionThe HunterBuzz KulikSteve McQueen, Eli Wallach, Kathryn HarroldUnited StatesAction thrillerKalibre 45Nilo SaezFernando Poe, Jr., Lito Lapid, Jennifer CortesPhilippines Le GuignoloGeorges LautnerJean-Paul Belmondo, Michel GalabruFranceItalyAction comedyThe MasterTony LiuChan Lau, Chang Lin, Chen Kuan-TaiHong KongThe OctagonEric KarsonChuck Norris, Lee Van CleefUnited StatesThe Rebel IntrudersChang ChehPhilip Kwok, Chiang Sheng, Lo MengHong KongReturn to the 36th ChamberLau Kar-LeungGordon LiuHong KongSmokey and the Bandit IIHal NeedhamBurt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry ReedUnited StatesAction comedySuperman IIRichard LesterChristopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Terence StampUnited KingdomUnited StatesSuperhero filmThe SwordPatrick TamLee Kwan-hak, Jimmy Wang Yu, Chan Pooi-LingHong KongMartial arts filmTrois Hommes à AbattreJacques DerayAlain DelonFranceAction thrillerThe VictimSammo HungSammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Dick WeiHong KongMartial arts comedyThe Young MasterJackie ChanJackie Chan, Yuan Biao, Wei PaiHong Kong 1981Alfredo SebastianLeonardo L. GarciaRamon Revilla, Eddie Garcia, George Estregan, Nick RomanoPhilippinesBiographical actionBoy NazarenoTeody RecioRhene Imperial, Beth Bautista, Azenith BrionesPhilippinesBiographical action thriller The Cannonball RunHal NeedhamBurt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah FawcettUnited StatesAction comedyCondormanCharles JarrottMichael Crawford, Oliver Reed, Barbara CarreraUnited StatesSuperhero film, action thrillerDeadly BrothersCesar GallardoRudy Fernandez, Phillip SalvadorPhilippinesAction thrillerThe Emperor and His BrotherChor YuenTi Lung, Lo Lieh, Ku FengHong KongMartial arts filmEnter the NinjaMenahem GolanFranco Nero, Susan George, Sho Kosugi, Christopher GeorgeUnited StatesEscape from New YorkJohn CarpenterKurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Isaac HayesUnited StatesScience fiction actionAn Eye for an EyeSteve CarverChuck Norris, Christopher Lee, Richard RoundtreeUnited StatesMartial arts filmFor Your Eyes OnlyJohn GlenRoger Moore, Carole Bouquet, Chaim Topol, Julian GloverUnited KingdomAction ThrillerForce: FiveRobert ClouseJoe Lewis, Richard Norton, Benny UrquidezUnited StatesMartial arts filmGame of Death IINg See YuenTang LungHong Kong Kaliwete Brothers Jerry Tirazona, Manuel Marcos Efren Reyes Jr., Jess Lapid Jr. Philippines Kamandag ng Rehas na BakalNilo SaezPhillip Salvador, Conrad Poe, Ace VergelPhilippines Kill and Kill AgainIvan HallJames Ryan, Anneline Kriel, Stan SchmidtSouth Africa