Michael B. Jordan’s epic fight sequel Creed III has been delayed until 2023. The upcoming Creed sequel (and the ninth film in the Rocky franchise) was originally expected to debut on November 23 but has now been pushed back until March 3, 2023.
Jordan once again stars as Adonis Creed – the son of the legendary Rocky opponent, Apollo Creed. But this time around, Jordan will also be stepping behind the camera, making his directorial debut.
Jonathan Majors will appear as new challenger, Anderson Dame.
Creed III will be the first of the Creed films without an appearance from Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa – unsurprising, given his passing of the torch in Creed II. The second film ends with Adonis making peace with carrying his father’s legacy, while Rocky himself travels to Vancouver – patching things up with his son and finally meeting his grandson.
But with Jordan taking the helm and Stallone stepping away from the franchise, this could signal a new beginning for the long-running boxing series.
The plot for Creed III is still firmly under wraps but is thought to introduce the new character Anderson Dame as a challenger to Adonis Creed’s title.
But the upcoming Creed sequel isn’t the only new Rocky film on its way.
The news of Creed 3’s delay comes on the back of news of a new spin-off, titled ‘Drago’ which follows the Russian father and son boxing team, Ivan and Viktor Drago (played by Dolph Lundgren and Florian Munteanu).
Clearly, it’s a time of change for the Rocky films, ushering in a new generation of fighters with both the sequel and spin-off.
Creed 3 stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed alongside Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Florian Munteanu, and Jonathan Majors.
Michael B. Jordan will direct the film based on a script by Keenan Coogler and Zach Baylin.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
There is nothing like a good action movie on Netflix. The perfectly choreographed fight scenes that let you feel every punch and kick on screen; the shootouts that see bullets and bodies hitting the floor; the sheer rush of adrenaline you get from watching the protagonist triumph over all odds, no matter how bruised and bloodied they get.
For those with Netflix, there is quite a selection of great action movies to pick from. This includes both the streamer’s original films and a collection of hidden gems and action classics. Here is the cream of the butt-kicking crop.
Please note: This list pertains to U.S. Netflix subscribers. Some titles may not currently be available on international platforms. This article is frequently amended to remove films no longer on Netflix and to include more horror films that are now available on the service.
The Gray Man
Joe and Anthony Russo are best known for their four film streak in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Captain America: The Winter Soldier and ending with Avengers: Endgame. Now they’ve turned to the espionage genre with The Gray Man. Based on the novel by Mark Greaney, it follows Court Gentry/Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling), a highly skilled operative for the CIA who becomes embroiled in a game of cat and mouse with the psychopath Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans).
The movie boasts a star-studded cast including Ana de Armas and Bridgerton breakout Rege-Jean Page, and action sequences that feel like a cross between The Winter Soldier and the Fast & Furious franchise. Case in point: A shootout in Prague escalates to include a runaway train that crashes headfirst into a building.
RRR
If I told you half of the things that happen in RRR, you probably wouldn’t believe me – and I wouldn’t blame you. Throughout the film’s three-hour runtime, co-writer/director S. S. Rajamouli keeps finding new ways to top himself. In perhaps one of the film’s most insane sequences, one of the main characters picks up a flaming piece of machinery and uses it to punch a tiger. And there’s also a dance off! Simply put, this is an action film that’s more than earned its rave reviews and one that has to be seen to be believed.
Code 8
Stories of a superhuman race walking among mankind have grown in popularity over the years, whether it’s caped crusaders or films that walk off the beaten path like Push or Jumper. Code 8 follows in the latter films’ footsteps, following electricity manipulator Connor Reed as he gets swept up in a nest of criminal activity. The series boasts a pair of superhero veterans in Robbie and Stephen Amell, who previously starred on The Flash and Arrow respectively. Code 8 also features clever use of superpowers in addition to electromagnetism, including, telekinesis, and cryokinesis – which makes for some intense fight scenes.
Four Brothers
John Singleton had a career that spanned two decades, helming films including Boyz N The Hood and the Shaft reboot that saw Samuel Jackson stepping into the role of the titular private eye. One of his more underrated films, however, has to be Four Brothers. True to its title, the film centers on four adoptive brothers played by Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin, and Garrett Hedlund; they head back to their hometown of Detroit when their adoptive mother is killed in a botched robbery. Not only do the four actors actually act like brothers – they bicker, but ultimately have each other’s backs – they also have to deal with a local crime lord played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and a corrupt cop played by Josh Charles. Combine all those elements, and you get a modern crime epic.
Paper Tigers
You’ve probably seen a million variations on this story before: a martial arts prodigy learns that his master has been murdered by a malevolent force and seeks justice by using his skills. But The Paper Tigers flips the script to great effect: the prodigies are middle-aged men dealing with issues including fatherhood and midlife crises. Writer/director Bao Tran and the rest of his film team had to fight an uphill battle as major studios wanted to pursue a version without an Asian-American lead, which was part of Tran’s vision. He was eventually able to make the film he wanted with an Asian American lead in Alain Uy and a setting of Seattle, which paid homage to the late Bruce Lee. The end result is a hilarious, action-packed romp that’s definitely worth a watch.
21 Bridges
The late Chadwick Boseman brought his all to every role he played, whether it was playing T’Challa in Black Panther or historical figures like James Brown and Jackie Robinson. 21 Bridges is no exception, as Boseman plays Detective Andre Davis with a steely exterior and razor-sharp mind. Davis is drawn into a case involving a pair of criminals who find themselves pulled into a conspiracy, and decides to lock down all the bridges in Manhattan in order to trap them. Brian Kirk, best known for directing Game of Thrones, keeps the film moving at a steady clip and puncutates it with bursts of bloody violence. Add a cast that includes J.K. Simmons, Stephan James, Sienna Miller and Keith David, and you have a recipe for a solid Saturday night movie.
Fistful of Vengeance (2022)
The Netflix Original Series Wu Assassins remains severely underrated, and a genius concept. Mixing mysticism, martial arts, and a predominantly Asian cast sounds like a recipe for success, but the series didn’t find its audience. Thankfully, that may change with the release of Fistful of Vengeance, which acts as a follow-up to the series’ first season. Not only does the film feature the return of Wu Assassins stars Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, & Lawrence Kao but it features what may be some of the best martial arts sequences in a modern-day action film, courtesy of director Roel Reiné. Give it a watch if you loved Mortal Kombat or Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and keep your eyes peeled for Halo on Paramount+ as Reiné is set to direct episodes of the video game adaptation.
The Take (2016)
Idris Elba’ latest films dig deep into the well of genre fare, including The Suicide Squad and the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Netflix currently hosts one of his most underrated films, The Take, which even cracked its Top 10 list! Originally titled Bastille Day, the film follows CIA agent Sean Briar (Elba) and pickpocket Michael Mason (Richard Madden) as they race to stop a group of corrupt police officers from stealing half a billion euros from the French national bank under the guise of a terrorist attack. The film features shootouts and fights that have Elba using his muscle and height to pummel opponents into submission.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
The Harder They Fall is a throwback to classic Westerns and a great movie in its own right thanks to director/co-writer Jeymes Samuel. Samuel said that he grew up watching Westerns and it shows: from the opening title to the shootout in the final act, there is plenty of Stetson and six shooting action to go around, and horses charging through the dusty plains. And that’s not even counting the film’s stacked cast, which includes the talents of Jonathan Majors, Regina King, and Delroy Lindo; Idris Elba is also a revelation as the villainous Rufus Buck.
The Old Guard (2020)
The world of comic books has led to a plethora of live-action film and TV projects, most notably from Marvel and DC Comics. However, indie publisher Image Comics has also dipped its toe into this pool, with the best effort being The Old Guard. Based on the miniseries by Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernandez, the film follows a group of immortal mercenaries who find themselves on the run from a Pharma Bro who wants to harness their abilities for profit. Really all you need to know is that KiKi Layne is a born action star and Charlize Theron wields a massive battle axe (and looks great doing it).
Extraction (2020)
Joe and Anthony Russo have made quite a career for themselves after their work at Marvel Studios, producing and directing multiple film and TV projects under their AGBO Films banner. One of the first projects they produced was the action film Extraction, starring Chris Hemsworth and directed by their longtime second unit director Sam Hargrave. As mercenary Tyler Rake, Hemsworth trades Thor’s hammer and golden locks for an action hero’s scowl and an assault rifle, engaging in gritty and gory action as he escorts a drug lord’s son through the city of Dhaka. The standout sequence is a 12-minute single take, as Rake moves thorough an apartment complex dispatching foes.
The Last Samurai (2003)
Yes, the idea of “white man travels overseas and immerses himself in the culture” is a movie trope way past its prime. But The Last Samurai is still worth a watch, thanks to its cast, its exploration of samurai culture, and its expertly crafted fight scenes. From samurai attacking the British army in the fog to Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) and Moritsugu Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) launching their final assault on the Imperial Army, each action sequence is beautiful yet brutal – especially with Hans Zimmer’s rousing score playing in the background.
Ip Man (2008)
Donnie Yen is one of the greatest martial artists on the planet, and the Ip Man series puts his talents on full display. Based on the life of the Wing Chun grandmaster who eventually trained Bruce Lee, the first Ip Man features plenty of action sequences where Yen’s Ip Man defeats multiple opponents – including a scene where he takes on 10 black belts. Though the other men have the upper hand, they soon suffer massive injuries at the hands of Ip Man.
Desperado (1995)
Before he opened The Book of Boba Fett, Robert Rodriguez was best known for his “Mexico Trilogy” which follows the life of the gunman El Mariachi. The second installment, Desperado, not only places Antonio Banderas into the titular role, it also marks the Salma Hayek’s breakout role as Mariachi’s lover Carolina. Desperado also boasts a number of stylized shootouts, which eventually became Rodriguez’s trademark as bodies literally fly into the air and combatants whirl around with dramatic flair. It only makes the hubbub over Boba Fett’s finale especially baffling.
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
Antonio Banderas is best known for his role as Alejandro Murrieta in The Mask of Zorro. Diego de la Vega (Anthony Hopkins) takes Alejandro under his wing and trains him to be the next Zorro – like how Terry McGinnis became Batman in Batman Beyond. Alejandro also strikes up a romance with Diego’s daughter Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who’s been adopted by Diego’s mortal enemy Don Montero (Stuart Wilson). The chemistry between Banderas and Zeta-Jones is immeasurable, whether they’re dancing together or locked in a sword fight. In fact their sword fight may be one of the sexiest moments ever put to the screen.
The Book of Eli (2010)
The Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic film that was brought to the screen by Albert and Allen Hughes (Menace II Society) and screenwriter Gary Whitta (Rogue One). Denzel Washington’s Eli carries a book across the irradiated wasteland to an unknown destination, which puts him in conflict with the charismatic and callous Carnegie (Gary Oldman). From the very beginning, the film does not pull its punches when it comes to the fight scenes, with Eli makes short work of a pack of thieves and a group of marauders in a bar, using nothing but his fists and his trusty machete. Heads and limbs fly across the screen in an expertly choreographed and edited fight.
Though the merits of video game adaptations in film and television have been hotly debated over the years, stories where a protagonist finds themselves in a video game world are still a grand source of entertainment. Enter The Warriors Gate is a film that plays the hits. Written by Taken’s Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, the film has avid gamer Jack (Uriah Shelton) taking home a mysterious artifact. That artifact is the Warriors Gate, and it opens a portal to Jack’s favorite video game – where he has to rescue a princess and battle fearsome enemies. The film features similar vibes to The Last Starfighter and The Forbidden Kingdom, and even features an appearance from Guardians of the Galaxy alum Dave Bautista as a barbarian king.
New Gods: Nezha Reborn
Mythology has been remixed over the years, leading to a wealth of stories on film and screen. One of the more recent tales is New Gods: Nezha Reborn, putting a superheroic spin on the titular god and the classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods. Protagonist Li Yunxiang even has somewhat of a standard superhero origin: he’s an ordinary young man who learns that he’s the reincarnation of a god, and even builds a suit of armor to contain his fire powers that looks like something a superhero would wear. Whether you’re fans of superheroes, mythology, or animation Nezha Reborn has something for everyone.
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
Gerard Butler managed to launch a whole franchise with Olympus Has Fallen. As Secret Service Agent Mike Banning, Butler fights hordes of terrorists to save the president (Aaron Eckhart), who’s being held hostage in the Oval Office. The film also highlights the talents of Antoine Fuqua; though he’s best known for Training Day, Fuqua knows how to shoot an action sequence and injects Banning’s infiltration of the White House with just the right amount of suspense.
The One (2001)
Movies that explore the concept of the multiverse are all the rage these days, from Doctor Strange and The Flash’s upcoming big screen adventures to two different Spider-Man movies. However, Jet Li beat them all to the punch – quite literally – with The One. Li pulls double duty as LAPD officer Gabe Law and interdimensional renegade Yulaw, with the latter convinced that killing every version of himself across the multiverse will make him “The One”. As befitting a Jet Li film, there’s plenty of sequences where he delivers blows fast and furious, and the final fight between Gabe and Yulaw is worth a watch for the craft involved.
A lot has changed in the MCU since the events of Avengers: Endgame, including the fact that there isn’t actually an Avengers team anymore. New heroes have been rising up to fill the void left by Iron Man and Captain America, but it’s going to be a while before we get a proper Avengers movie again.
In the absence of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, it’s fallen on Benedict Wong’s character Wong to become the glue that holds the MCU together in Phase 4. Wong has appeared in many Phase 4 projects so far, from Spider-Man: No Way Home to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to, of course, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
It makes sense that we’ve entered Phase Wong of the MCU, since he’s inherited the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme from Doctor Strange. It’s his job to proactively defend the world from these new, emerging threats. And when the time comes for the Avengers to assemble once again, you can bet Wong will be right there bringing everyone together again.
Shang-Chi
Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi is practically guaranteed to join the Avengers in Phase 6. For one thing, we already saw him summoned by Wong at the end of 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. For another, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is also directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. We doubt that’s just a coincidence.
Shang-Chi is certainly an asset to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, now that he controls the mystical Ten Rings. The mid-credits scene in The Legend of the Ten Rings hints at a deeper mystery surrounding these artifacts, one that could very well come into play in The Kang Dynasty.
Doctor Strange
Wong may be Sorcerer Supreme now, but that doesn’t mean Stephen Strange won’t continue to play an important role in whatever version of the Avengers exists in Phase 6. He’s a superhero veteran now, and the Avengers need his expertise in both magic and the multiverse.
It’s worth remembering that Doctor Strange is currently in another universe, helping Charlize Theron’s Clea deal with the Incursion problem. It’s unclear if we’re going to get another Doctor Strange sequel before The Kang Dynasty but, either way, that tease in Multiverse of Madness is sure to pay off when the Avengers assemble to battle Kang.
Captain America
Is any Avengers roster really complete without a Captain America? Fortunately, even though Steve Rogers retired to finally have his dance with Peggy Carter in the past, Sam Wilson has now taken up the shield as the new Cap. 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showed Sam reluctantly accepting that burden, and 2024’s Captain America: New World Order will chronicle the next step in his superhero evolution.
Can Sam be the inspirational team leader and figurehead Steve was? That’s a question we suspect The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars will answer. We may even see Sam try to reform the Avengers in New World Order. But given that Marvel’s very next movie after Cap 4 is Thunderbolts, it seems the MCU won’t entirely be ready for an Avengers reunion.
War Machine
After playing a supporting role in the Iron Man and Avengers movies, Don Cheadle’s War Machine looks to be coming into his own as a solo hero in Phase 5. Cheadle will star in the Armor Wars series, a show that will likely deal with Rhodey trying to prevent Tony Stark’s tech from falling into the wrong hands.
From there, it seems only natural that War Machine will be one of the characters to fill that Iron Man-shaped hole in the Avengers. He’s an experienced soldier who brings a lot of firepower to the table. He may not be the brilliant inventor Tony was, but that’s where our next Avenger comes in.
Ironheart
If any character is poised to become the MCU’s new Iron Man in the Multiverse Saga, it’s probably Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams. Riri is set to make her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where it looks like she’ll be lending her considerable brainpower to Shuri and the Wakandans. From there, she’ll spin out into her own series in 2023’s Ironheart, where we’ll see Riri forge her own armor and costumed identity.
By the time Avengers: The Kang Dynasty rolls around in 2025, Ironheart should be a fully established hero ready to take her palace among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. And with a villain like Kang, they’re going to need her brainpower even more than her fancy gadgets.
Spider-Man
Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is still arguably the flagship hero of the MCU, even if Peter consciously chose to leave celebrity behind and go back to being a Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. We can’t imagine Spidey won’t play a key role in both The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars… unless Marvel Studios and Sony wind up having another falling-out.
Or do they? Some fans have pointed out that the last thing Wong says to Doctor Strange before the botched identity spell is cast in No Way Home is “Leave me out of it.” Is it possible that Strange subconsciously obeyed Wong’s order, and Wong is the one person in the world who still knows Spider-Man’s secret? That would be one way of bringing the wallcrawler back into the fold in The Kang Dynasty.
She-Hulk
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk has been a fixture in the Avengers movies from the beginning. But while we expect Hulk will have some part to play in the new version of the team, Ruffalo’s post-Endgame appearances suggest Hulk is taking more of a supporting role going forward. Instead, Hulk’s cousin, Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk, is shaping up to be the new resident powerhouse on the Avengers.
The new She-Hulk trailer released during Comic-Con certainly backs up that theory. We see Bruce coaching Jen on using her new powers, and it quickly becomes apparent that She-Hulk is stronger and more capable than Hulk ever was. The Avengers can surely use that strength against an enemy like Kang.
The Marvels
The world may not have Avengers at the moment, but Captain Marvel is about to assemble a team of her own. 2023’s The Marvels will focus not just on Carol Danvers, but also Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan. We can only assume that some or all of this trio will be joining the Avengers in Phase 6.
As the one character strong enough to take on an Infinity Gauntlet-powered Thanos by herself, Captain Marvel is an undeniable asset to the Avengers. And whatever codename Monica eventually adopts in the MCU, she clearly has a lot to offer the team, as well. But we’re most excited at the prospect of Ms. Marvel joining the team. What happens when the world’s biggest superhero geek becomes an Avenger herself?
Kate Bishop
Hulks and wizards are great, but what the Avengers really need is someone who knows how to shoot a bow and arrow. Unfortunately for the team, Clint Barton seems ready to finally embrace retirement. Clint probably won’t be joining the new Avengers in Phase 6, but he’s not the only Hawkeye any longer.
Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop is another likely candidate for the next Avengers squad. She’s proven herself as Clint’s successor, and Marvel hasn’t given us any sign that they’re introducing the Young Avengers before the end of Phase 6.
Thor
With most of the original Avengers either dead or moving into the background in Phase 4, Thor may be the last hero carrying the torch for that era of the team. That’s reason enough to make him a member of the new team. Fortunately, Thor: Love and Thunder’s ending leaves Thor in a perfect position to pick up his hammers and fly to Earth’s defense. Maybe he’ll even bring his adopted daughter Love along for the ride.
We may see a whole lot of Thors in Avengers Secret Wars. In the 2015 Secret Wars comic, God Emperor Doom assembles a team called the Thor Corps, all of whom serve as Doom’s peacekeepers and personal police force. Chris Hemsworth may be one Thor among many.
The Ant-Man Family
Given that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be the first MCU movie to feature Jonathan Majors’ Kang, we have to assume these characters have an important part to play in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The Quantum Realm is sure to remain a major plot point during the Multiverse Saga. It’s how the Avengers managed to reverse Thanos’ destruction, and it’s probably how Kang will bring a new level of destruction to the universe. Ant-Man got the chance to join the Avengers already, and now it’s time Wasp and Stature get to do the same.
Black Panther?
It’s debatable whether Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther ever technically qualified as an Avenger during the Infinity Saga. Still, he lent vital aid to Captain America’s team after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and Wakanda was the site of a major battleground in Avengers: Infinity War. Wakanda has the technology and resources the Avengers need to stand a fighting chance against all-powerful villains like Thanos and Kang.
Given that, we can see Black Panther continuing to play a part in the team going forward. The question is more which character will be wearing the suit. Will Shuri be the MCU’s new Black Panther after the events of Wakanda Forever? M’Baku? Okoye? That’s one of the bigger MCU mysteries at the moment, but hopefully we don’t have much longer to wait for an answer.
Peter Moore is known for wearing many hats around the games (and sports) industry. One stop in his career was at Microsoft where he helped oversee Xbox during the 360-era. In a new interview, Moore spoke about his time at Xbox and how they encouraged the console wars, but not for reasons you’d expect.
Moore recently made an appearance on one of Front Office Sports’ podcast to discuss his time as Liverpool FC CEO, in the process touching on his time at Xbox. While the games industry has shifted towards a more unified tone, during Moore’s tenure the console wars were arguably an even bigger part of the games industry — something Moore says was encouraged at Xbox.
“We encouraged the console wars, not to create division, but to challenge each other,” Moore says. “And when I say each other I mean Microsoft and Sony. If Microsoft hadn’t of stuck the course after the Xbox, after the Red Rings of Death, gaming would be a poorer place for it, you wouldn’t have the competition you have today.”
Moore joined Xbox in 2003 after serving as president and COO of Sega America. Moore is best remembered for helping launch the Xbox 360 and Dreamcast as well as his penchant for announcing high-profile games with fake tattoos. Xbox’s early dominance in the 360-era was driven by games like Halo as well as the launch of Xbox Live.
But Moore also talked about the lows such as the Red Ring of Death controversy. “If we didn’t resolve Red Rings of Death the way that we did I know darn well there’d be no Xbox today.”
Nowadays, the console wars are a bit more downplayed, especially given the current landscape of cross-platform and cross-play titles. Even when Xbox and Sony acquire developers like Activision and Bungie, there are still talks of keeping their biggest games multiplatform, at least for now.
Moore would later join EA to lead its sports division before becoming the CEO of Liverpool Football Club. He has since returned to the tech space and is currently a vice president and GM at Unity.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
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Super Mario Sunshine recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and made news at this year's SGDQ. A speedrun rarity occurred, causing speedrunner SB-runs to reset their playthrough 46 minutes into the run. Super Mario Sunshine isn't the only Mario game favored in the speedrunning community, and it's not surprising. The franchise features and showcases its excellent level design, allowing players to get creative when tackling them.
Welcome back for another edition of Let's Talk About. Today's topic is Mario. What's your favorite Mario game? Are you a fan of Super Mario Sunshine? Which Mario character is your favorite? What level from the franchise do you consider to be the best or most memorable? Are you interested or excited about the upcoming Mario movie? What would you like to see Mario do next? Let us know in the comments.
Jada Griffin is IGN's Community Lead. If she's not engaging with users here, chances are she's developing her own games, maxing the Luck stat in her favorite games, or challenging her D&D players with Intense combat or masterful puzzles. You can follow her on Twitter@Jada_Rina.
