The Furious Has a 99% Rotten Tomatoes Score — Is This the Best Action Movie of 2026?

When a Movie Scores 99%, You Pay Attention

There are dozens of action movies released every year, but every now and then one comes along that makes critics and audiences shut up and just watch. The Furious, the new martial arts thriller from director Kenji Tanigaki, is currently sitting at a staggering 99% on Rotten Tomatoes from 83 critics, with a 96% audience score to match. That puts it firmly in the conversation for the best action movie of 2026 — and honestly, maybe the best of the decade.

The film just went wide in theaters this weekend after a limited festival debut back in September 2025, and if early word holds up, it might be the next The Raid. Let us break down why this Lionsgate release is generating so much buzz and whether it deserves your time this weekend.

What Is The Furious About?

The plot is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective: a man whose daughter has been kidnapped by a criminal network teams up with a journalist whose wife has also vanished. The police are corrupt and useless, so they take matters into their own hands — going on an absolute rampage against the kidnappers in a relentless quest to find their missing loved ones.

It sounds straightforward, but that is exactly the point. The Raid proved back in 2011 that the best action movies do not need convoluted plots. They need clear stakes, visceral choreography, and actors who can make you feel every punch. The Furious follows that same blueprint, and according to early reviews, it nails it.

The Talent Behind the Madness

The cast is stacked with serious martial arts credentials. Leading the charge is Joe Taslim, best known for his role in the Mortal Kombat reboot, alongside Miao Xie, a prolific actor who has appeared in 28 films since 2020 including The Monkey King and IP Man: The Awakening.

But the real scene-stealer might be Yayan Ruhian — you have definitely seen him before. He appeared in both The Raid films, John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum, Boy Kills World, and even Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He is basically the secret weapon of modern action cinema.

On the other side of the camera, director Kenji Tanigaki brings a lifetime of stunt work to the table. He has worked as a stuntman on over 50 films before stepping behind the lens, and The Furious is by far his most ambitious project to date.

Box Office Outlook and Verdict

With a reported budget of just $20 million, The Furious is the definition of a lean, mean, profitable action film. It is going up against some heavy competition this weekend, including Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, Obsession, Masters of the Universe, and The Backrooms. But for a film this well-reviewed, word of mouth could be a massive driver, especially overseas where martial arts films have historically performed incredibly well.

If you are a fan of grounded, brutal, beautifully choreographed action — and especially if you miss the kind of adrenaline rush that The Raid delivered 15 years ago — The Furious looks like it deserves a spot at the top of your watchlist. Grab some popcorn, get to a theater, and prepare for something special.