Best Non-Action Movies From the Most Popular Action Stars

Jackie Chan took a break from action films to co-direct this historical drama based on the 1911 Revolution in China. Chan plays revolutionary leader Huang Xing who along with Sun Yat-sen forced the Qing dynasty emperor Puyi to abdicate following Sun Yat-Sen’s election as provisional president of the new Provisional Republic of China.

Tom Cruise took a detour from his “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible” features to play a disfigured publishing executive in this psychological/science fiction thriller. Following a terrible accident instigated by his spurned lover, Cruise’s character has been kept in cryonic suspension. The film also stars Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, and Kurt Russell.

The “Fast and Furious” made Vin Diesel an action star. But in the crime drama “Boiler Room,” Diesel is a stockbroker in a shady brokerage firm scamming clients of their money by selling them worthless stocks.

Chris Hemsworth removes his Thor helmet to play a college student in what is described as an action/horror feature. His character along with fellow students decamp to a cabin where they are manipulated by outside forces and a gang of zombies.

Yes, in the end Rocky once again fights Apollo Creed. But most of the sequel to the wildly popular first “Rocky” installment is taken up with Rocky attempting to retire from the ring and enjoy newfound happiness with Adrian.

Talk about a toxic boss! Attorney Keanu Reeves joins a seemingly prestigious New York law firm only to realize he’s working quite literally for the devil (played by Al Pacino).

Harrison Ford received praise for his portrayal of legendary baseball executive Branch Rickey in this sports biographical film. Rickey bucked years of racism to bring the first African-American player, Jackie Robinson (who wore number 42), into the major leagues.

In this bittersweet drama, Will Smith’s character helps seven people in dire need either because of illness or financial straits. Although Smith’s character is introduced as Ben, it’s revealed he is really his brother, Tim, who saved the lives of six people through organ donation and deeding one woman his home.

Electric vehicles have become more commonplace today, but battery-powered cars weren’t always so popular. This documentary explores the rise and subsequent downfall of the first electric car, GM’s EVI, in the mid-1990s. Mel Gibson lends his voice as one of the first celebrities to drive the electric car.

Dwayne Johnson, aka, The Rock, usually plays good-hearted tough guys. In this animated Disney musical, he voices Maui, a demigod, who teams up with teenage Moana on a quest to sail the Pacific and save her people.

After departing the Bond films, Pierce Brosnan narrated this French documentary about protecting marine life in the planet’s five oceans. No doubt the actor’s long interest in saving the environment pushed him toward the project.

Nicolas Cage portrays Charlie Kaufman, a screenwriter hired to adapt a book into a screenplay. Just one problem – Charlie develops a massive case of writer’s block. The film is based on the real-life struggles of Charlie Kaufman, who was tapped to turn the nonfiction book, “The Orchid Thief,” into a film.

“Dear Frankie” is a tearjerker about a single mother and her attempts to shield her son from his abusive father who left the family long ago. When the son demands to meet his father, the mother asks a kind stranger (played by Butler) to assume the role of his Dad and he does so, helping the child heal.

In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set out to explore Antarctica, but his ship was crushed by an ice pack. Yet he and his crew survived, as detailed in this documentary narrated by Neeson. The film combines archival photos from the voyage and interviews with relatives of the crewmembers.

In this historical drama loosely based on the infamous Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona in the 1880s, Kurt Russell is Wyatt Earp, a retired lawman lured into another fight with a gang known as the Cowboys. Earp is accompanied by another historical figure, Doc Holliday, played by Val Kilmer.

Set in the late 1960s, Denzel Washington plays Frank Lucas, who takes over the Harlem crime syndicate run by his late boss. Lucas’s job is to smuggle heroin from Thailand into the U.S. on American service planes returning from Vietnam. The story is based on the true life exploits of Lucas, who served 15 years for his crimes.

“The Terminator” Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in this controversial documentary about the purported benefits of a plant-based diet. The film follows James Wilks, a mixed martial artist and defense instructor, on his journey to find health through vegetarian eating. Some fitness experts criticized it for misleading science.

In a very un-Bond-like role, Connery plays a major in the British army convicted of assaulting his commanding officer to stop what he considered a doomed attack. He along with other British officers are consigned to an army prison in North Africa at the end of World War II where warring factions of the group fight each other.

An ode to “The Golden Age of Porn” (yes, there was such a time), “Boogie Nights” follows the rise of Dirk Diggler (played by Wahlberg). In the 1970s, Diggler became a sensation in the adults entertainment world due to an exceptionally large part of his anatomy.

In this biographical drama, Crowe puts on the boxing gloves to play pugilist James J. Braddock, who returns to the ring after a broken hand to make money during the Great Depression. He beats the highly favored Max Baer in a match for the heavyweight title. The title refers to Braddock’s nickname.

Kevin Costner won best directing honors at the 1990 Academy Awards for this western set during the Civil War Era. After being wounded in battle in Tennessee, Union Army First Lt. John J. Dunbar (Costner) takes a post at remote western post. There, he learns to respect the Native American tribe living in the area, which brings him into conflict with the U.S. army and other tribes.

John Wayne was really “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.” But for most of the movie, the credit went to another man played by James Stewart. Not that anyone mourned Valance’s death. He was an outlaw played by the menacing Lee Marvin.

Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in this award-winning western about an aging, retired gunfighter lured into battle once more. Eastwood has reportedly said “Unforgiven” would be his last western.

In this Victorian set piece, Bale plays an aspiring magician who feuds with another magic artist. The battle is set in motion when Bale’s character’s actions unwittingly lead to the death of his rival’s wife.

Willis had suffered a string of disappointing box office losses when he took a gamble on this Quentin Tarantino-directed film. He embodies Butch Coolidge, an aging boxer who somehow escapes getting shot in this dark, bloody comedy.