20 Best Indonesian Action Movies of All Time

Indonesia's film industry is booming, with filmmakers consistently producing stunning movies that can compete with Hollywood productions, especially in the action movie genre.

As a result, several Indonesian action actors, such as Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, and Yayan Ruhian, have gained recognition by starring in various international films. Their appearance in Indonesian films has captivated producers, which is a proof of the rapid progress of action films in Indonesia.

The following is a compilation of Indonesian action movies that are just as thrilling as those from abroad. Showpoiler has provided a brief review of Indonesian action movies that you must watch.

1. The Big 4

Considered as the most successful Indonesian film of 2022, The Big 4 (2022) has already made a significant impact on a global scale, though it was not released in theaters.

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, this Netflix Indonesian original has appeared as the second most successful non-English language film on Netflix. The movie features incredible performances from Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Lutesha, Arie Kriting, and Kristo Immanuel, whose talent is unquestionable.

The story revolves around Dina, a young cop who discovers that her father has four foster children, all of whom work as hitmen.

In an unexpected twist, Dina along with her father's four foster children engage in a fierce fight against the person who was responsible for her father's death.

2. Sri Asih

Sri Asih has gained great enthusiasm among Indonesian audiences as one of the most anticipated superhero movies. As the second series of the Bumilangit Cinematic Universe, the movie has an amazing cast, featuring famous names such as Pevita Pearce, Reza Rahadian, Jefri Nichol and Ario Bayu.

The storyline is about a girl named Alana, who is constantly battling with anger within herself even though she has tried to fight it. Along the way, Alana uncovers her own past and discovers another mystery surrounding her existence.

It is revealed that Alana was born in the midst of a volcanic eruption, which caused her to be separated from her parents. This reveals Alana's true identity as the reincarnation of Dewi Asih, the Goddess of Justice.

Meanwhile, evil forces are trying to resurrect the Goddess of Fire, a figure who has been fueling Alana's anger. Alana must face them and prevent this from happening. Will Alana succeed in her mission?

3. Qodrat

Qodrat (2022) is not just a horror movie. In fact, this movie has a good combination of action scenes that are highly entertaining. Starring married couple Vino G. Bastian and Marsha Timothy, the movie explores the meddling of the devil in human affairs.

The story begins with Qodrat, who tragically loses his son, Alif, after he is possessed by an evil demon. To calm himself down, Qodrat decides to return to his old boarding school. However, he soon discovers that the school and the people around it are very strange and filled with mystical vibes.

It became obvious that almost everyone in the village was a victim of this supernatural disturbance. However, what shocks Qodrat the most is when he realizes that his own best friend, who now worships the devil, is the mastermind behind it all.

4. Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca

Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca is an Indonesian action and superhero movie that will catch your attention. Directed by Hanung Bramantyo, this movie is the first series of the Satria Dewa Universe. The movie features a number of young celebrities who act as descendants of the Pandawa. Rizky Nazar, Yasmin Napper, and Omar Daniel take the lead roles in this first series.

The storyline revolves around a young man named Yuda, who embarks on an adventure to uncover the mystery behind his best friend's death. Tragically, Yuda's mother is also a victim of a mysterious serial killer.

Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to uncover the mastermind of the death of his loved ones, Yuda meets Dananjaya, a descendant of the Pandawa who helps him discover his true self. Through this encounter, Yuda learns that he is the reincarnation of Gatotkaca, the guardian of the Pandawa clan.

In his quest for self-discovery, Yuda not only discovers his true identity, but also reveals the identity of the mastermind behind a series of murders that have killed his best friend and his mother. Will Yuda be able to get his revenge?

5. Gundala

Featuring Abimana Aryasatya, Gundala (2019) is an Indonesian action and superhero movie that should not be missed. Directed by Joko Anwar, it is the first film from Jagat Sinema Bumilagit that adapts a local comic superhero popular in the 1960s.

Abimana Aryasatya leads an impressive cast, including Tara Basro, Bront Palarae, Ario Bayu, and Rio Dewanto. Gundala follows the journey of a man named Sanchaka, who has lived a hard life, but who would have thought that Sanchaka would become a hero to the people.

After being struck by lightning and revived, Sanchaka discovers new abilities that empower him to fight the Pengkor, an evil group with malicious intentions. Their goal is to poison pregnant women, thus endangering future generations. Will Gundala succeed in stopping the Pengkor's evil plan?

6. Ben & Jody

Ben & Jody is an Indonesian action film by director Angga Dwimas Sasongko. Produced by Visinema Pictures, the movie is starring Rio Dewanto and Chicco Jerikho, who play characters adapted from Dee Lestari's novel Filosofi Kopi.

The movie's storyline is about Jody's efforts to save his best friend, Ben, who is caught up in a conflict over land with a large corporation. Ben, who is trying to protect the farmers in his hometown, ends up being arrested by a group of illegal loggers.

Meanwhile, in a separate place, Jody is busy preparing for the launch of Filosofi Kopi's innovative concept. Of course, he passes on the invitation to Ben, but when Ben doesn't show up, Jody begins a quest to find his missing friend.

Upon learning of Ben's situation in his hometown, Jody is shocked and decides to help him. Together, they begin an adventure that leads them to meet the native villagers and confront the loggers. Will they succeed in reclaiming the farmers' land and achieving justice?

7. 9 Naga

9 Naga tells the story of three friends named Marwan, Lenny, and Donny, who work as hitmen. As time goes by, they begin to realize that their work does not have a promising future. Also, the risks are also very high.

The story gets interesting when unexpected events occur. From then on, they become disenchanted with the choice they made as hitmen. They try to make up for their past mistakes. The journey of these friends is certainly worth accompanying your weekend.

8. Serigala Terakhir

Serigala Terakhir tells the story of the bond between a group of teenagers living in the suburbs of Jakarta. The movie's narrative revolves around five main characters: Ale, Jarot, Lukman, Sadat, and Jago. Among them, Ale and Jarot are the most standout.

In a moment of conflict, Jarot takes the life of one of his enemies to protect Ale. As a result, Jarot was imprisoned. However, during his time behind bars, none of his friends visited him.

The tension reaches its peak when Jarot is released from prison only to be lured into the clutches of a drug syndicate. Moreover, he has to deal with his former friend, which leads to an unavoidable confrontation. Serigala Terakhir is a must-watch Indonesian action movie.

9. Merantau

Merantau is where Iko Uwais started to become famous. In this movie, Iko acts as a young man from Minangkabau who goes on a journey to uphold the traditions of his hometown. Yuda must say goodbye to his mother, Wulan, and brother, Yayan, as he sets his eyes on Jakarta, his destination.

When he arrives in Jakarta, Yuda meets Adit, an orphan, and his sister, Astri. It is soon discovered that the two siblings are victims of a human trafficking organization. Yuda steps in to save Adit and Astri from their kidnappers.

Together, they must escape from the thugs who are determined to get Adit and Astri back. Will Yuda succeed to save them?

10. Merah Putih

Merah Putih tells the story of the Indonesian fight against the Dutch colonialism in 1947. The story follows five soldiers named Amir, Thomas, Soerono, Marius, and Dayan, who undergo military training at Barak Bantik Semarang. Their lives change drastically when their barracks fall to the Dutch army.

Facing great obstacles, the five soldiers fight desperately and seek refuge by hiding. Unfortunately, only Amir, Thomas, Dayan and Marius managed to survive. They eventually joined the guerrilla forces operating in the inland of Java.

In their hiding place, they developed a strategic war plan, which aimed to defeat the Dutch army. When the time was right, Amir, Thomas, Dayan, Marius, and their comrades launched a decisive attack on the Dutch army, and won a glorious victory.

11. The Raid

The Raid was the first Indonesian action movie to enter international theaters. The Raid Redemption, the first film in the series, is about a raid on an apartment complex inhabited by criminals and fugitives. Unexpectedly, the police sneak into the criminals' hideout and fight a relentless battle.

Rama, one of the cops involved in this operation, must fight to survive and reunite with his family. However, he runs into someone from his past, which leads to a fierce confrontation.

The sequel, The Raid 2: Berandal, continues the story from the first movie, with a more complicated and diverse narrative. New characters appear when Rama's family is targeted by the mafia.

Forced to take on an undercover identity within the criminal organization, Rama aims to expose the group at its core. This movie is a must-watch, not only for its intense fight scenes but also for its exhilarating storyline.

12. Java Heat

Java Heat is about the collaborative efforts of two detectives from different countries in fighting terrorism in Indonesia. The movie tells the story of Jake Travers, an American FBI agent, and Lieutenant Hashim, a local police officer. Together, they are assigned to investigate a suicide bombing that took place at a luxury hotel in Yogyakarta. The mastermind behind this act of terror is Malik, a notorious terrorist.

As Jake and Hashim begin their mission to capture Malik, they find themselves drawn into a dangerous adventure. Besides the challenge of capturing the perpetrator, they also have to face dangerous territories filled with double agents, corrupt officials, and criminal networks.

With Borobudur Temple as the background, the movie is full of thrilling gunfights. If you love action movies, then you shouldn't miss to watch Java Heat.

13. Pendekar Tongkat Emas

Blending action and fantasy genres, Pendekar Tongkat Emas captivates audiences with exciting traditional fighting techniques. Pendekar Tongkat Emas chronicles the journey of Srintil, a traditional dancer, who strives to master Pencak Silat.

The story begins when Srintil discovers a magical golden wand that chooses her as its successor, and grants her extraordinary martial prowess. With the guidance of her teacher, Ki Sapu Jagad, Srintil begins her journey to master the art of pencak silat.

However, Srintil's path is full of challenges. She must face various obstacles and enemies who are eyeing the power of the golden scepter. In addition, she also struggles with inner conflict and must accept her role as the heir to martial arts. Will Srintil win and become a true warrior?

14. 3 (Alif, Lam, Mim)

Set in the year 2036, this movie portrays a futuristic and sophisticated world. Before 2036, the country experienced a devastating war that resulted in significant changes. The civil war and massive amount of slaughter occurred and was suppressed in 2026.

However, as time passed, radical groups began to re-emerge. Although there are not many of them, they are still troubling to many people.

In the midst of this restlessness, three friends named Alif, Lam, and Mim appeared. Even though they came from different backgrounds, the only thing they had in common was being raised in a boarding school.

As they grew older, they began their own journeys to find their identities. Some pursue careers as state officials, journalists, or teachers in the boarding school. Unfortunately, due to one incident, they all end up fighting each other to defend their own truth.

15. The Night Comes for Us

The Night Comes for US is a movie by Timo Tjahjanto that is full of intense and brutal action scenes. The story revolves around a hitman gang member who betrays his colleagues to protect a young girl.

Ito, who was initially a hitman, felt heavy-hearted to accept the task of killing the little girl. As he refused to do the task, Ito is now the target of his colleagues' assassination.

In his attempt to confront his enemies and protect the little girl, Ito finds himself involved in a fierce and bloody battle. Will he be able to save himself and the girl?

Despite showing many scenes of brutal violence, The Night Comes for Us is a movie that elevates the quality of Indonesian action movies. Fans of thrilling movies like this will surely find satisfaction in watching this suspenseful movie.

16. Headshot

After suffering a gunshot wound to the head, a man named Ishmael develops amnesia. However, he soon discovers that he has exceptional martial arts skills. As the story goes on, Ishmael begins a search to regain his lost identity and uncover the identity of his would-be killer.

Along the way, he meets Ailin, a medical student who helps him in his pursuit of the truth. Will Ishmael be able to regain his memory and track down the person responsible for the shooting?

In his role as the main character Ishmael, Iko Uwais delivers a brilliant performance in this movie. Prepare to be mesmerized by Iko's incredible fight choreography, which is executed with precision and fast pacing.

17. Wiro Sableng 212

Wiro Sableng holds a legendary status in the world of Indonesian cinema. Originally aired as a television series on a national TV station, the film revitalized the story in 2018 with a fresher perspective and more modern visuals.

The story is set in the Indonesian archipelago during the 16th century, and tells the story of a young man named Wiro Sableng, who receives orders from his teacher, Sinto Gendeng, to confront Mahesa Birawa-the student who has betrayed him.

Wiro's journey to find Mahesa Birawa is not easy. Together with his two best friends, Anggini and Bujang Gila Tapak Sakti, he faces many challenges. Throughout their adventure, Wiro not only uncovers Mahesa Birawa's evil plan but also discovers the true essence of being a warrior.

Wiro Sableng 212 combines thrilling action and engaging comedy, keeping audiences hooked to every scene. Moreover, Vino G Bastian's portrayal of Wiro Sableng and Sherina Munaf's performance as Anggini are very well executed in this movie.

18. Foxtrot Six

Foxtrot Six promises to be a high-end action movie that rivals Hollywood films, thanks to the involvement of renowned Hollywood producer Mario Kassar.

Set in a future where Indonesia is struggling with socio-political instability, Foxtrot Six revolves around the heroic efforts of Angga, an ex-marine, and his comrades in resisting an authoritarian government and fighting to lift Indonesians out of poverty.

Using advanced tactics and weaponry, Angga and his group engage in a relentless battle that extends into the world of AI and robotics. Will they succeed in restoring the welfare of the Indonesian people?

Foxtrot Six is the first movie to combine an Indonesian setting with Hollywood production techniques. The movie features a talented line-up of veteran Indonesian actors, such as Oka Antara, Verdi Solaiman, Rio Dewanto, Chicco Jerikho, Arifin Putra, Julie Estelle, and Mike Lewis, who act out a variety of characters.

19. Darah Daging

Darah Daging tells the story of brothers Arya, Rahmat, and Fikri, who are involved in a major bank robbery where Fikri works as an intern. The robbery is carried out with their colleagues Salim and Borne. However, their meticulously planned plan falls apart tragically, leaving devastating consequences.

When their accomplices escape, Salim is captured and later sentenced to death. While waiting for the fateful day, a writer named Hana is captivated by Salim's countless tales of robbery.

20. Hit & Run

Hit & Run is an action comedy film directed by Ody C. Harahap. The movie tells the story of Tegar Saputra, a police officer who becomes a celebrity because of his reality TV show, so his life is always in the spotlight.

One day, Tegar is assigned to arrest a famous drug dealer named Coki, played by Yayan Ruhian. Tegar usually acts alone, but this time he has to work with others and team up with a con artist named Lio.

Lio's presence only complicates Tegar's mission, instead of making it easier. Besides Lio, Tegar also works with a singer named Meisa and Jefri in carrying out his mission.

The movies mentioned above are proof of the quality of Indonesian cinema that can compete with international films. With unique storylines, great fight choreography, and talented actors, Indonesian action movies deserve recognition and appreciation.

Have you watched any of the titles mentioned above? Feel free to recommend other Indonesian action movies that you think are equally great. Happy watching!