The latest season of Dimension 20, Never Stop Blowing Up, was one of the most fun yet for Dropout’s flagship actual play series. And a big part of that was the inspiration the series took from action movies, with direct influences from Die Hard, Spy, the Fast and the Furious franchise, James Bond movies, and more. It all coalesced into an irresistible package of ridiculous, fun times, with an all-star cast and a GM that embraced “freedom and joy” this season.
Maybe you, like me, are missing the new Wednesday installments of Never Stop Blowing Up and itch for it. Or maybe the series gave you a taste of over-the-top, ridiculous action movies and just want more. We are here for you – Polygon spoke with cast members of the series and asked for their favorite action movies. We’ve collected them all here, along with a few suggestions of our own at the bottom that feel in-line with Never Stop Blowing Up.
Rekha Shankar: Rush Hour, and Jackie Chan’s filmography
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“I really liked Rush Hour when I saw it. It’s very fun, and I love martial arts. Jackie Chan rules, we should all love Jackie Chan. Watch the Every Frame a Painting on Jackie Chan. So good.”
Jacob Wysocki: The Raid
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“Simple premise, amazing, amazing choreography, huge set pieces, killer deaths, some of the most creative deaths I’ve ever seen in a movie. And it’s a simple story. You got to get to the top of the building.”
Ify Nwadiwe: The Fast and Furious movies
Where to watch: Most are available on Peacock, with the exception of Fast X (on Prime Video) and Hobbs & Shaw (for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV).
“It is a movie series that creates problems that normally could be solved by anything else, but can, for some reason, be solved with cars in this situation. If you know how to drive a car, well, you become a superhero in this world.”
Isabella Roland and Brennan Lee Mulligan: Die Hard
Where to watch: Hulu, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
Isabella: “Die Hard. I love it. I love John. I love Hans. I love what’s-his-face. I love every side character. It’s perfect.”
Brennan: “Screenplay is perfect. I love Christmas. The dialog, the pacing. Poor sweet Alan Rickman, lost him too soon, one of the greatest villains of all time. I love the whole idea of the switch, of the motivation of the bad guys, they’re just thieves. They’re just trying to get rich. And find me a line that makes you want to shoot out of your skin through the roof with being psyched more than ‘‘Yippee Ki-Yay, motherfucker.’”
Alex Song-Xia: Crazy, Stupid Love
Where to watch: For digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
“My favorite action movie is Crazy, Stupid Love. [Isabella interrupts to say: “I hate you.”] The part where Steve Carell jumps out of the car? That’s action. And there’s a big fight scene at the end. It’s my favorite movie in general, and I’m sorry if this is a cop out.”
Pete’s recommendations
A few quick-fire recommendations from me that feel in conversation with Never Stop Blowing Up.
The Last Action Hero
Where to watch: For free with ads on Tubi, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
Never Stop Blowing Up most reminded me of The Last Action Hero, a delightful meta action comedy from Die Hard director John McTiernan about an action movie-loving teen who gets magically transported into one. Arnold Schwarzenegger is the fake movie’s star, while Charles Dance is its delightfully over-the-top villain.
The Heroic Trio
Where to watch: Max and the Criterion Channel, or for digital rental or purchase on Amazon and Apple TV
The ridiculous hijinks of Never Stop Blowing Up reminded me of The Heroic Trio, a gleefully absurd Hong Kong super hero movie directed by the great Johnnie To and starring Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, and Antia Mui as a crime-fighting trio.
Jawan
Where to watch: Netflix, or for digital rental or purchase on Apple TV
I would be remiss not to recommend Jawan, the highest-grossing Indian movie of 2023 and a return to form for star Shah Rukh Khan. It’s got everything: Slick action sequences? Check. Passionate romances? Check. Compelling revenge story? Check. Groovy dance sequences? Check. An inspiring “power to the people” message? Check, check, and check.