Top 5 Action Movies Starring Mark Wahlberg in the Last 10 Years

Over the past decade, Mark Wahlberg has solidified his status as a leading figure in action cinema with a diverse array of roles. Transitioning from his earlier career in hip-hop to becoming an A-list Hollywood star, Wahlberg has displayed his versatility across various genres. He gained recognition with his performance in Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed drama, Boogie Nights, where he portrayed a burgeoning adult film actor. His comedic chops were highlighted in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed crime thriller, The Departed, and he even shared the screen with a talking teddy bear in the lighthearted Ted series.

However, action films remain Wahlberg’s primary genre of choice. After a prolonged period of development, he finally brought the long-awaited adaptation of Uncharted to fruition, where he took on the role of Sully instead of Nathan Drake, as time had seen him age out of the latter. Additionally, he has drawn inspiration from real-life incidents, turning them into gripping narratives in movies like Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day. Since 2015, Wahlberg has consistently showcased his talent in a variety of high-octane thrillers.

5 The Union

Halle Berry helping Mark Wahlberg learn to aim with a gun in The Union

In 2024, Wahlberg paired with Halle Berry in the Netflix action-comedy The Union. In this film, Wahlberg portrays a hardworking construction worker who is unexpectedly reconnected with his high school sweetheart, played by Berry. Unbeknownst to him, she has transformed into a covert agent for a clandestine government agency known as “The Union.” As they are thrust into a perilous conspiracy, their long-dormant romantic feelings resurface.

The undeniable chemistry between Wahlberg and Berry elevates The Union beyond a typical direct-to-Netflix action film. Their dynamic adds layers of humor and romantic tension to the exhilarating action sequences, creating a captivating experience reminiscent of classics like True Lies and Romancing the Stone.

4 Mile 22

In his fourth collaboration with director Peter Berg, Wahlberg took the lead in the explosive thriller Mile 22. The narrative focuses on a CIA elite task force responsible for transporting a key informant—a rogue police officer—22 miles to safety, all while evading relentless pursuers. Wahlberg headlined an exceptional cast that includes John Malkovich, Ronda Rousey, Iko Uwais from The Raid, and Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead.

Berg’s expertise in crafting exhilarating action sequences shines in Mile 22, where the emphasis is placed on a rapid-fire storytelling approach. While the plot isn’t rich in complexity, it delivers unrelenting thrills. Wahlberg shines as the charismatic lead, but the film also allows Iko Uwais to showcase his remarkable fighting abilities and deliver one of his strongest dramatic performances to date.

3 Uncharted

Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg looking down in Uncharted

The cinematic landscape was forever changed in the late 2000s with the release of Naughty Dog’s Uncharted video game series, which offered players an immersive action-adventure experience akin to that of classic films like Raiders of the Lost Ark. After a long wait, this beloved franchise took the leap to the big screen, delivered by way of a film adaptation.

Starring Tom Holland as Nathan Drake and Wahlberg as his mentor Sully, the film dives into Nate’s origins, illustrating his partnership with Sully as they forge a path to become notorious treasure hunters. The film showcases a collection of the most memorable action sequences from the games, including the iconic cargo plane scene from Uncharted 3, creating an exhilarating experience for fans.

2 Patriots Day

Mark Wahlberg looking sideways with a serious expression in Patriots Day

Before their collaboration on the fictitious Mile 22, Wahlberg and Berg tackled a poignant true story in Patriots Day, based on the non-fiction book Boston Strong by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge. The film chronicles the harrowing manhunt for the perpetrators of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, approaching the narrative as a gripping thriller while remaining sensitive to the reality of the events depicted.

Hailing from Boston himself, Wahlberg’s connection to the storyline feels deeply personal; he takes pride in portraying one of the city’s darkest moments. The film shifts its focus from the initial tragedy of the bombing to the unbreakable spirit of the community as they band together to seek justice against the assailants.Patriots Day serves as a powerful salute to the resilience of the city’s inhabitants and the heroes who emerged in the aftermath of this distressing event.

1 Deepwater Horizon

Mark Wahlberg and the drill team during the rig explosion in Deepwater Horizon

In addition to Patriots Day, Wahlberg and Berg produced another captivating film based on actual events with Deepwater Horizon, which explores the catastrophic explosion of the offshore drilling rig and the subsequent environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of the workers who experienced the chaos and fear of the explosion firsthand. Wahlberg stars as the chief electronics technician alongside Kurt Russell, who plays the installation manager.

Deepwater Horizon deftly balances the thrilling depiction of a disaster at sea while serving as a cautionary tale about corporate negligence surrounding the BP oil spill. The film adeptly addresses the ensuing legal complexities but prioritizes the harrowing realities faced by the workers during the catastrophe. This film, while serious in tone, successfully captures the tension and urgency characteristic of traditional Mark Wahlberg action films.

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