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    Home/Browse/1930s Movies/1930s Action Movies

    1930s Action Movies

    The 40 most popular 1930s action movies, ranked. Click any film for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

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    The Adventures of Robin Hood
    TMDB3.7

    The Adventures of Robin Hood

    1938 · 1h 42m · US

    Robin Hood fights nobly for justice against the evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne while striving to win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marian.

    Ridin' Thru
    TMDB4.0

    Ridin' Thru

    1934 · 55m · US

    Dad Brooks is in financial trouble and needs to sell a lot of horses. But they are being rustled and needing help, he sends for Tom. Tom looks for the rustlers but eventually realizes that someone is using a wild horse to do the rustling. He finds the secret entrance used by the rustlers to hide the horses but soon finds himself a prisoner.

    Sharad of Atlantis
    TMDB2.2

    Sharad of Atlantis

    1936 · 3h 46m · US

    Crash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. Norton's rocket submarine searching the sea and little Billy Norton, the professor's son stows away, of course. When they find Atlantis they are caught in a war between peaceful Atlanteans, note their white capes, and war-monging Atlanteans, note their black capes. After many harrowing moments for Crash, Diana, Prof. Norton and Billy, they barely get away with their lives when they escape a tower of Atlantis raised to the surface for the sole purpose of dominating or destroying the Earth (Which one depends on the compliance of the upper world dwellers.)

    Unknown Woman

    TMDB3.3

    Unknown Woman

    1935 · 1h 6m · US

    A young attorney, Larry Condon, is on a retainer by a nightclub-owning gangster, to carry and deliver what he thinks are legal papers but he is innocently carrying around millions of dollars in stolen bonds. He meets Helen Griffith when she is arrested in a raid on a gambling house and befriends her. She talks him into taking her to the nightclub of the man he is working for and, while there and unobserved by anyone by Larry, he sees her going through the files and desk of the owner. Who is this mystery woman he just got released from jail, and what is she up to?

    Scarface
    TMDB3.7

    Scarface

    1932 · 1h 33m · US

    In 1920s Chicago, Italian immigrant and notorious thug, Antonio 'Tony' Camonte, aka Scarface, shoots his way to the top of the mobs while trying to protect his sister from the criminal life.

    Fury Below
    TMDB2.5

    Fury Below

    1936 · 1h 7m · US

    Jim Cole, heir to a mining operation, takes over the mine, which is suffering from unexplained low production, and is facing a strike by the miners. Jim will soon loose the mine if production doesn't increase and the sabotage continues. Mary Norsen, office-secretary, accidentally learns of a plot by Fred Johnson to wreck the mine and force Cole to sell his coal-mine. She and her brother, Joe, join Cole in his fight to stop Johnson.

    Cruz Diablo
    TMDB3.0

    Cruz Diablo

    1934 · 1h 23m · MX

    16th-century swashbuckler; evil nobleman usurps another man's title and properties and forces his daughter to marry a political ally. But Cruz Diablo will have revenge!

    Wings over Africa
    TMDB4.0

    Wings over Africa

    1936 · 1h 3m · UK

    Two prospectors in Africa, Tony Cooper and Dalton come across a skeleton that has nearly been picked clean by vultures. They find a letter on the body addressed to a clerk in London named Wilkins . Cooper goes to Wilkins in London and tells him that his brother, whose body they had found, has left a map and a deed to a large diamond mine. Wilkins decides to go to Africa with Cooper to find the mine and, in order to speed up and finance their venture, they give a third interest to Carol Reade and her partner John Trevor), who operate a barnstorming airplane service. In Africa, close to the mine location, they are greeted by some tough gentlemen named Collins and Quincy who have terrorized the natives and lorded over the region, who quickly discover the reason for the party's mission. They join, unasked, in the race for the diamonds. The race is interrupted by the death of Trevor who is found knifed in his bunk.

    Tropic Fury
    TMDB2.8

    Tropic Fury

    1939 · 1h 2m · US

    An investigator checks into the rumors of harsh working conditions on an Amazon rubber plantation.

    Air Police

    TMDB5.0

    Air Police

    1931 · 1h 4m · US

    The U.S. Air Patrol is fighting alien-smuggling along the USA-Mexico border, and U.S. Army Air Corps buddies Jerry Doyle and Andy Conroy are among the pilots on this assignment. One of them is shot down by the smuggling-gang, and the other goes after the gang with vengeance.

    Motor Madness
    TMDB5.0

    Motor Madness

    1937 · 1h 1m · US

    After winning a qualifying trial for a big speed-boat race in Santa Monica, California, Joe Dunn is offered a bribe, by gamblers, not to take part in the race and is so incensed that he starts a fight which lands him in jail. The girl he loves, Peggy McNeil, takes his place, but crashes into a buoy and is seriously injured---and Joe goes to desperate lengths to raise money for the services of a famous surgeon.

    Army Girl
    TMDB3.4

    Army Girl

    1938 · 1h 20m · US

    A young captain hoping to replace the U.S. Army's horses with mechanized vehicles faces court-martial after his commanding officer, who's opposed to modern changes, is killed.

    Texas Buddies
    TMDB3.5

    Texas Buddies

    1932 · 59m · US

    Kincade and Blake cause a mail plane carrying a payroll to make a forced landing in the desert. When they try to get the money, prospectors Ted and Si drive them away. With the pilot shot, Ted takes over as pilot figuring another attempt will be made and this time the Sheriff will be there.

    Tough Kid
    TMDB3.3

    Tough Kid

    1938 · 59m · US

    Skipper Murphy is serving as trainer and inspiration for his brother Red Murphy training for a world championship title bout. Trouble comes for the Murphys when Red runs up against a gambling syndicate and is put on the spot to throw the fight.

    Dangerous Crossroads
    TMDB3.3

    Dangerous Crossroads

    1933 · 1h 2m · US

    A railroad detective is having a difficult time stopping or even slowing down a gang that is robbing the merchandise carried on the freight trains, with inside information. However, his son and his son's young friends notice something that helps the railway detective get on the right trail.

    Ace Drummond
    TMDB3.5

    Ace Drummond

    1936 · 4h 15m · US

    This 13 chapter serial is based on the comic strip character Ace Drummond created by Eddie Rickenbacker. Ace is a 'G-Man of the sky' working out of Washington D.C. He is sent to Mongolia to find out why a mysterious villain known only as 'The Dragon' is trying to prevent the newly formed International Airways from setting up an airport there. Ace meets Peggy Trainor (Jean Rogers) who is searching for her archaeologist father who has disappeared. Together they search for answers to the puzzles.

    Sunset Range
    TMDB3.0

    Sunset Range

    1935 · 1h · US

    Grant hides stolen money in the luggage of Bonnie Shea who is moving west. Later when he and his men arrive to retrieve the money, they also kidnap Bonnie. This sends Reasonin' Bates and his cowhands on their horses after the gangsters in their cars.

    Tarzan and His Mate
    TMDB3.3

    Tarzan and His Mate

    1934 · 1h 44m · US

    Harry Holt returns to Africa with his friend Martin Arlington to head up a large ivory expedition.

    Flying Fists
    TMDB3.0

    Flying Fists

    1937 · 1h 3m · US

    A lumberjack knocks out a champion boxer in a brawl, gets drawn into the boxing world where he is unknowingly set up for a fixed fight.

    Tarzan Escapes
    TMDB3.5

    Tarzan Escapes

    1936 · 1h 29m · US

    White hunter Captain Fry tries to take Tarzan back to civilization, caged for public display. He arrives in the jungle with Jane's cousins, Eric and Rita, who want Jane's help in claiming a fortune left her.

    Speed
    TMDB3.0

    Speed

    1936 · 1h 10m · US

    Terry is the chief car tester for Emery Motors and Frank is an Engineer. Jane has just been hired to work in publicity. Frank and Terry both want Jane to be their girl. Terry has designed a new carburetor that should bring him fame and money, but he cannot get it to work correctly. Terry and Gadget have tested it for over a year, but it still is not perfected. Emery Motors assigns Frank to help Terry with the carburetor, but Terry is not happy because Frank is an Engineer and is also vying for Jane. They finish the carburetor, and to test it, they enter a car in the Indianapolis 500 race. Terry is not yet satisfied with the carburetor before the big race even though it has passed all the tests.

    Dick Tracy
    TMDB2.6

    Dick Tracy

    1937 · 4h 50m · US

    Dick Tracy's foe for this serial is the crime boss and Masked Mystery Villain The Spider/The Lame One and his Spider Ring. In the process of various crimes, including using his Flying wing and sound weapon to destroy the Bay Bridge in San Francisco and stealing an experimental "Speed Plane", the Spider captures Dick Tracy's brother, Gordon. The Spider's minion, Dr. Moloch, performs a brain operation on Gordon Tracy to turn him evil, making him secretly part of the Spider Ring and so turning brother against brother.

    Cavalcade of the West
    TMDB2.6

    Cavalcade of the West

    1936 · 1h 10m · US

    Two brothers are separated when young. One becomes the pony express rider Clint Knox and the other the outlaw Ace Carter.

    Frontier Days
    TMDB2.1

    Frontier Days

    1934 · 1h 1m · US

    Henry Jethrow is after the Wilson ranch. He has George Wilson unknowningly sign a note for the ranch, has him killed, and then presents the note. The Pinto Kid, investigating cattle rustlers, accidentally drops his glove at the murder scene and now has a price on his head. He has Beth Wilson turn him and use the reward money to reclaim the note. Now he has to escape jail and find the real killers.

    The Treasure of Pancho Villa
    TMDB2.9

    The Treasure of Pancho Villa

    1935 · 1h 4m · MX

    The last soldier alive with the knowledge of where Pancho Villa's treasure is buried, tries to get it back.

    The Most Dangerous Game
    TMDB3.5

    The Most Dangerous Game

    1932 · 1h 3m · US

    When legendary hunter Bob Rainsford is shipwrecked on the perilous reefs surrounding a mysterious island, he finds himself the guest of the reclusive and eccentric Count Zaroff. While he is very gracious at first, Zaroff eventually forces Rainsford and two other shipwreck survivors, brother and sister Eve and Martin Towbridge, to participate in a sadistic game of cat and mouse in which they are the prey and he is the hunter.

    Rawhide
    TMDB3.7

    Rawhide

    1938 · 58m · US

    Saunders with his Cattlemen's Protective Agency is running roughshod over the ranchers. Lawyer Larry Kimball is fighting him but he needs a rancher that will stand up with him against Saunders. He finds him when Lou Gehrig retires from baseball to take up ranching. Lou expects to relax on his ranch but quickly joins Larry in the fight.

    The Son of Kong
    TMDB2.7

    The Son of Kong

    1933 · 1h 10m · US

    Beleaguered adventurer Carl Denham returns to the island where he found King Kong.

    Swellhead
    TMDB5.0

    Swellhead

    1935 · 1h 3m · US

    Baseball player Terry McCall is a very good baseball player, who doesn't mind bragging about his skills on the baseball diamond and also his off-the-field skills at wooing and winning women. An accident causes his luck to turn bad and results in him turning blind, but he later regains his sight after being instrumental in saving the life of Mickey Malone, the team's young mascot. He then promises Mary Malone, Mickey's sister, for whose affection he has been competing with a teammate, that he is through showing off and bragging. But, in the end, he is still blowing smoke.

    Danger Island
    TMDB4.5

    Danger Island

    1931 · 3h 40m · US

    The daughter of a man who has discovered radium on an African island is befriended by two people whose real goal is to keep the discovery to themselves.

    Gulliver's Travels
    TMDB3.1

    Gulliver's Travels

    1939 · 1h 16m · US

    Gulliver washes ashore on Lilliput and attempts to prevent war between that tiny kingdom and its equally-miniscule rival, Blefiscu, as well as smooth the way for the romance between the Princess and Prince of the opposing lands. In this he is alternately aided and hampered by the Lilliputian town crier and general fussbudget, Gabby. A life-threatening situation develops when the bumbling trio of Blefiscu spies, Sneak, Snoop, and Snitch, manage to steal Gulliver's pistol.

    The 1002nd Night
    TMDB2.8

    The 1002nd Night

    1933 · 1h 35m

    An Arabian prince falls in with a group of downtrodden rebels and faces the wrath of an unsympathetic sultan whose wife he is also romancing.

    Dick Tracy's G-Men
    TMDB2.6

    Dick Tracy's G-Men

    1939 · 5h 2m · US

    A mad doctor named Zanoff uses a drug to bring himself back from the dead after his execution in prison. Dick Tracy sets out to capture Zanoff before he can put his criminal gang back together again.

    Rollin' Plains
    TMDB4.5

    Rollin' Plains

    1938 · 56m · US

    It's cattlemen versus sheepmen and Trigger Gargan appears to be the leader of the gang causing the trouble. But unknown to Ranger Tex Lawrence, the respected town citizen Barrow is the boss and is tipping off the gang as to the Ranger's activities.

    Pursuit
    TMDB3.3

    Pursuit

    1935 · 1h · US

    "Mitch" Mitchell is an aviator who has been hired to take a child in a guardianship suit out of California into Mexico. He is accompanied by Maxine Rush, the secretary of the head of a private-detective agency who has been hired to care for the kid until the suit is over. (Overview written by Les Adams )

    Unmarried
    TMDB2.4

    Unmarried

    1939 · 1h 3m · US

    Pals Pat Rogers and Slag Bailey try to collect a debt from Slag's recently deceased boxing promoter but wind up collecting his child, instead, and raising him as their own son.

    Reform School
    TMDB4.0

    Reform School

    1939 · 1h 22m · US

    A female warden takes over at a state reform school and attempts to bring about needed changes. Restored in 2020 by the Academy Film Archive with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Arts from a 16mm print donated by Giancarlo Esposito and Laurence Fishburne.

    The Sign of the Wolf
    TMDB5.0

    The Sign of the Wolf

    1931 · 3h 14m · US

    John Farnum returns from India with the 'secret of the jewels', two small chains that turn sand into jewels. Outlaws know about the chains and are after them. But Tom, sidekick Bud, and the wonder dog King are there to repeatedly fight off their attempts.

    The Trail Beyond
    TMDB2.5

    The Trail Beyond

    1934 · 55m · US

    Rod Drew hunts for a missing girl and finds himself in a fight over a goldmine as well.

    Speed Wings
    TMDB4.5

    Speed Wings

    1934 · 1h 1m · US

    A kidnapping, three airplane crashes and several fist-fights adds speed to the plot in which the plans of a new, faster airplane motor invented by brothers Tim and Jerry are stolen and suspicion falls on their office secretary Mary Stuart. But she can pilot an airplane with the best of them and she risks her life to save Tim. And when she gets kidnapped, Jerry regains his lost nerve in rescuing her.

    About 1930s Action Movies

    The 1930s

    The 1930s were the studio system at full power, with sound now fully integrated and the Production Code arriving mid-decade to sharply narrow what films could depict. It's the decade of the Universal monster cycle, screwball comedy, and the first Technicolor spectacles.

    Action

    Action cinema runs from the stunt-driven spectacle of Hollywood blockbusters to the choreographed precision of Hong Kong and Korean thrillers. The best of it treats physical performance as storytelling — chases, fights, and set pieces that reveal character rather than pause for it.

    In this list

    Best reviewed
    The Adventures of Robin Hood (7.5)
    Often also
    Adventure, Drama, Romance

    Common questions

    What are the best 1930s action movies?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are The Adventures of Robin Hood, Ridin' Thru, and Sharad of Atlantis. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any movie for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    1930s action movies are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these movies?
    Every movie page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

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