20 Movies to Watch If You’re an Aries
Aries energy leans into courageous choices and forward motion, so stories that charge into conflict and dare characters to lead the way tend to feel right at home. This list brings together films with bold protagonists, decisive turns, and momentum that keeps the plot moving while showcasing the crews who built these worlds.
You will find action and adventure along with sharp direction, distinctive cinematography, and standout performances that drive each story. Each entry includes plot details along with cast and crew information so you can pick based on the people behind the camera as much as the heroes on the screen.
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
The story follows Max Rockatansky and Imperator Furiosa as they flee a tyrant named Immortan Joe and help a group of women attempt a dangerous escape across the Wasteland. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron lead the cast with Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Keays Byrne in key roles.
The film is directed by George Miller with cinematography by John Seale and production design by Colin Gibson. Stunts and practical effects drive the set pieces and the score by Junkie XL shapes the chase structure from start to finish.
‘Gladiator’ (2000)
A Roman general named Maximus is betrayed and forced into slavery, then rises through the arena to confront the emperor Commodus. Russell Crowe stars with Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, and Djimon Hounsou.
Ridley Scott directs with cinematography by John Mathieson and editing by Pietro Scalia. The screenplay is by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson and the music is by Hans Zimmer with vocals by Lisa Gerrard.
‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003)
The Bride wakes from a coma and begins a focused path to eliminate the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, including a showdown with O Ren Ishii and the Crazy 88. Uma Thurman leads with Lucy Liu, Vivica A Fox, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, and David Carradine.
Quentin Tarantino writes and directs and Robert Richardson handles cinematography. Yuen Woo Ping designs the action and RZA curates portions of the soundtrack along with original score cues by multiple contributors.
‘The Matrix’ (1999)
A hacker named Neo learns that reality is a simulated system and joins a small crew to challenge the machines that control it. Keanu Reeves stars with Laurence Fishburne, Carrie Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving.
The film is written and directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski with cinematography by Bill Pope and editing by Zach Staenberg. Yuen Woo Ping leads the fight choreography and Don Davis composes the music.
‘Die Hard’ (1988)
An off duty New York police officer named John McClane becomes the lone response to a takeover of a Los Angeles skyscraper by a group led by Hans Gruber. Bruce Willis stars with Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, and Alexander Godunov.
John McTiernan directs with cinematography by Jan de Bont and editing by Frank J Urioste and John F Link. The screenplay is by Jeb Stuart and Steven E de Souza and the film is based on the novel ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ by Roderick Thorp.
‘Wonder Woman’ (2017)
Diana leaves Themyscira with pilot Steve Trevor to confront a growing conflict that threatens millions while she learns the truth about her origins. Gal Gadot and Chris Pine star with Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, and Elena Anaya.
Patty Jenkins directs and Allan Heinberg writes the screenplay with story credits shared with Zack Snyder and Jason Fuchs. Matthew Jensen handles cinematography and Rupert Gregson Williams scores the film with production by DC and Atlas Entertainment.
‘Black Panther’ (2018)
T’Challa returns to Wakanda to assume the throne and faces a challenger in Erik Killmonger who brings a claim tied to the country’s past. Chadwick Boseman leads with Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett.
Ryan Coogler directs and co writes with Joe Robert Cole and Rachel Morrison serves as cinematographer. Production design by Hannah Beachler and a score by Ludwig Göransson help define the world and the Dora Milaje training and stunt teams shape the combat style.
‘Edge of Tomorrow’ (2014)
A public affairs officer with no combat experience is sent into battle against alien invaders and finds himself repeating the same day after every death, which allows him to train with a legendary soldier named Rita Vrataski. Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt star with Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson.
Doug Liman directs with a screenplay by Christopher McQuarrie and Jez Butterworth and John Henry Butterworth based on the novel ‘All You Need Is Kill’ by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The production uses large scale practical gear and suits and Dion Beebe provides cinematography with editing by James Herbert and Laura Jennings.
‘John Wick’ (2014)
A retired assassin returns to the criminal underworld after a violent break in prompts a focused hunt through a secretive network of hotels and codes. Keanu Reeves stars with Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Willem Dafoe, Adrianne Palicki, Ian McShane, and Lance Reddick.
Chad Stahelski directs from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad with strong emphasis on stunt design drawn from the directors background in action coordination. Jonathan Sela serves as cinematographer and Tyler Bates and Joel J Richard compose the score.
‘Alien’ (1979)
The crew of the commercial ship Nostromo investigates a distress signal and encounters a life form that endangers everyone on board. Sigourney Weaver leads the cast with Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto.
Ridley Scott directs with a screenplay by Dan O’Bannon from a story by O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. The creature and environments feature designs by H R Giger with cinematography by Derek Vanlint and a score by Jerry Goldsmith.
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Batman and the Gotham City Police Department face an unpredictable criminal who disrupts the city through escalating schemes involving prosecutors and mob figures. Christian Bale stars with Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Christopher Nolan directs with cinematography by Wally Pfister and editing by Lee Smith. The screenplay is by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan from a story with David S Goyer and the music is by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard.
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)
A legendary sword called Green Destiny is stolen which draws a respected warrior and his longtime friend into a pursuit that crosses lines of duty and desire. Chow Yun fat and Michelle Yeoh star with Zhang Ziyi and Chang Chen.
Ang Lee directs with a screenplay by Wang Hui Ling, James Schamus, and Tsai Kuo Jung based on the novel by Wang Dulu. Peter Pau provides cinematography, Tan Dun composes the score featuring cello by Yo Yo Ma, and Yuen Woo Ping designs the action.
‘The Raid’ (2011)
An elite police unit enters a high rise controlled by a crime boss and becomes trapped inside as they fight floor by floor to survive. Iko Uwais stars with Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian, and Ray Sahetapy.
Gareth Evans writes and directs and stages the action using pencak silat with Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian serving as fight specialists. The original Indonesian score is by Aria Prayogi and Fajar Yuskemal and the international release features music by Mike Shinoda and Joseph Trapanese with cinematography by Matt Flannery and Dimas Imam Subhono.
‘Speed’ (1994)
A police officer must keep a city bus above a certain speed to prevent an explosive device from detonating while coordinating with a passenger who takes the wheel. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock star with Dennis Hopper and Jeff Daniels.
Jan de Bont directs from a screenplay by Graham Yost and Andrzej Bartkowiak provides cinematography. The music is by Mark Mancina and the production mixes freeway location work with practical bus rigs and editorial pacing by John Wright.
‘Casino Royale’ (2006)
James Bond earns his status and takes on a financier of global crime through a high stakes card game that connects to wider plots and loyalties. Daniel Craig stars with Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, and Giancarlo Giannini.
Martin Campbell directs with a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis based on the novel by Ian Fleming. Phil Meheux serves as cinematographer, David Arnold composes the score, and production spans locations in the Bahamas, the Czech Republic, and other sites.
‘Star Wars’ (1977)
A farm boy named Luke Skywalker joins a smuggler and a princess to deliver stolen plans that can help a rebel alliance strike a planet destroying weapon. Mark Hamill stars with Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, and Peter Cushing.
George Lucas writes and directs with cinematography by Gilbert Taylor and production design by John Barry. John Williams composes the score and the film features visual effects by Industrial Light and Magic and editing by Paul Hirsch, Marcia Lucas, and Richard Chew.
‘Braveheart’ (1995)
The film follows William Wallace as he leads a resistance against English rule after a personal loss pushes him into open conflict. Mel Gibson stars with Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Brendan Gleeson, and Catherine McCormack.
Mel Gibson directs with cinematography by John Toll and music by James Horner. The production features large scale battle staging in outdoor locations and editing by Steven Rosenblum.
‘300’ (2006)
King Leonidas leads a small force of Spartans at the pass of Thermopylae where they face overwhelming numbers while a messenger moves to rally support in Greece. Gerard Butler stars with Lena Headey, David Wenham, Michael Fassbender, and Rodrigo Santoro.
Zack Snyder directs and co writes with Kurt Johnstad and Michael Gordon based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley. Larry Fong provides cinematography, Tyler Bates composes the score, and extensive digital backlot techniques are used for the visuals.
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)
A protector is sent back in time to defend John Connor from a more advanced model that can mimic forms and move through barriers. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton star with Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, and Joe Morton.
James Cameron co writes and directs with cinematography by Adam Greenberg and music by Brad Fiedel. Editing is by Conrad Buff, Mark Goldblatt, and Richard A Harris and the film features practical effects by Stan Winston Studio and groundbreaking visual effects for the antagonist.
‘Creed’ (2015)
Adonis Johnson seeks training from Rocky Balboa and enters the ring under the name Adonis Creed while balancing a new relationship and a growing public profile. Michael B Jordan stars with Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Tony Bellew.
Ryan Coogler directs and co writes with Aaron Covington and Maryse Alberti serves as cinematographer. The score is by Ludwig Göransson and the film continues the legacy of ‘Rocky’ with producers including Irwin Winkler and Charles Winkler.
Share your favorite fiery picks in the comments and tell us which titles you would add to this list.