Sure, streaming that remastered 1958 Russian drama will give you some clout when chatting film, but we’re here to tell you that watching Keanu mid-gunfight on horseback in a shopping mall is absolutely fine, just as staring aimlessly at Samuel L. Jackson fighting terrorists and snakes on a plane is, too.
It seems the list of great action films popping up on Netflix is endless, so it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming when choosing one to commit to on your precious night off. Whether you’re keen on serious suspense, unexpected villains or just something to get your heart pumping, we’ve put together some of our favourites to take out the guesswork.
Strap yourself in, because these are our picks for the best action movies on Netflix right now.
The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is a love letter to the real heroes of action movies: the stuntmen. Directed by David Leitch, whose resume includes Deadpool 2, Bullet Train and co-directing the first John Wick, this film is a rollicking good time that crashes and smashes its way through the streets of Sydney.
Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman who has been out of work since a stunt went wrong. Looking to get back into the game, he heads to Australia to work on a sci-fi blockbuster—and potentially rekindle his relationship with the film's director, Jodie (Emily Blunt). Things don't go quite as planned as the actor Colt is the stunt double for goes missing, leading him down a dangerous rabbit hole.
Terminator 2: Judgement Day
Some would consider Terminator 2: Judgement Day to be the gold standard when it comes to action movies, and they wouldn't be wrong. You have Arnold Schwarzenegger playing a reprogrammed Terminator, sent back in time to protect a young John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance, and stop Skynet from triggering a nuclear apocalypse. Along the way, they pick up John's mother, Sarah, who has become a hardened soldier since the first film—all while pursued by the T-1000, a shape-shifting liquid metal Terminator.
Directed by James Cameron with Arnie at his absolute best, Terminator 2 is peak action cinema that is filled with iconic moments and performances.
Mad Max: Fury Road
It's been a decade since George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road exploded into theatres, and it feels like action movies are still living in its shadow. Presented as essentially one long action sequence, it follows Max as he joins Furiosa's quest to escape the rule of warlord Immortan Joe.
It's an exhilarating roar through post-apocalyptic Australia, expertly shot with incredible action sequences that'll make you wonder, "How the hell did they do that?". Yet, it still manages to maintain an emotional core with its odd mix of characters. With a list of accolades as long as Fury Road itself, it's the kind of action film whose edge will never dull.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
If you go into Furiosa expecting another Fury Road, you'll be disappointed. A very different beast of a film, it takes a more character-driven approach to fleshing out the titular Furiosa (played by a gritty Anya Taylor-Joy) as she grows into the battle-hardened Imperator we see in Fury Road. Chris Hemsworth is also fantastic as Dementus, a mad wasteland warlord who has been out in the sun a bit too long.
If it's action you want, don't worry, director George Miller's blood is still teaming with dynamite and gasoline. There are some fantastic action sequences throughout, and worth a watch for the Octoboss raid on Praetorian Jack's War Rig alone (if that sentence alone doesn't pique your interest, what will).
Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga are easily two of the best action movies streaming on Netflix, and make for a high-octane double feature. Witness them!
The Dark Knight
While Marvel Cinematic Universe might dominate the comic book movie conversation now, The Dark Knight was a watershed moment for the genre, where everything about it just works. You could even argue that there hasn't been a better superhero movie since (but that's a conversation for another day).
Everyone who worked on this movie was firing on all cylinders, from Christopher Nolan's direction, Hans Zimmer's score and the performances from Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman. But there's one aspect that stands above all the rest. The late Heath Ledger's Academy Award-winning portrayal of the Joker is so intense and commanding, it's hard to tear your eyes away from him when he's on screen.
Edge of Tomorrow
You can't have a list of the best action movies to watch without having at least one Tom Cruise entry. The short pitch for Edge of Tomorrow: It's like Groundhog Day, but with guns. After Earth is invaded by strange aliens known as "Mimics", a global military force is mobilised to retake Europe. William Cage (Cage), a public relations officer with zero combat experience, is forced to serve on the frontlines.
After being contaminated with Mimic blood, Cage discovers that when he dies, he always reawakens on the previous day. Through extensive trial and error, the inexperienced Cage becomes a formidable soldier. When he discovers another soldier, Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), also has the same time-looping powers, they realise that if they join forces, then the Earth might have an actual chance at defeating the Mimics.
The John Wick Series
John Wick, John Wick Chapter 2, John Wick: Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 are about as explosive as it gets. The plotline in all four films can be as simple or as difficult as you want them to to be depending on how much attention you pay, but all you really need to know is that Keanu Reeves plays a notorious ex-hitman who comes out of retirement for revenge after gangsters steal his whip and brutally murder his dog.
Plenty of stunts, plenty of explosions and plenty of Keanu at peak Keanu. The John Wick series has set a high bar for what modern action cinema can be. Even as individual entries, they're some of the best action movies you'll find on Netflix right now.
Lesson Plan
A brand spanking new release topping the Netflix charts, Lesson Plan is a polish action crime film promising plenty of grit, darkness and suspense to keep you guessing what happens next. After a teacher dies, his best friend (also a former cop) makes it his mission to put together the pieces of who was responsible for taking his life. Mimicking a staff member, he eventually finds the gang he believes to be guilty and madness follows. Watch it here.
Lou
Yet another fabulous 2022 Netflix Release starring Hollywood royalty Allison Janney, Lou takes you into the life of a mysterious loner living a quiet life with her dog before her dark past resurfaces after her neighbour’s little daughter gets kidnapped during a freakstorm and she takes it upon herself to make things right again. Highly suspenseful, this will keep you on the edge of your seat for sure. Watch it here.
The Gray Man
When a shadowy CIA agent uncovers some pretty damning agency secrets, he’s hunted across the globe by a sociopathic rogue operative who’s put a bounty on his head, so he has no choice but to survive by any means possible. In a massive cast featuring dreamboats Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, this one guarantees plenty of action, explosions and crazy chase scenes. Watch it here.
Interceptor
Elsa Pataky aka Mrs. Hemsworth (jealous) leads this Australian military action film full of fast turns and unexpected moments that’ll keep you enthralled from start to end credits. When the last officer standing on a remote missile defense base wages if forced to go on with her comrades, she faces the ultimate battle of her life when faced with an extremely powerful and ruthless terrorist organisation trying to steal US nuclear weaponry that could put the entire globe at risk. We love a locally made film, and we know you will too. Watch it here.
The Old Guard
Based on a comic by the same name, The Old Guard flips stereotypical action hero stereotypes on its head with Charlize Theron at the helm in a seriously cool role demonstrating the power of women. The tale follows a team of immortal mercenaries on a revenge mission full of set ups, unexpected attacks and some pretty dicey situations. Watch it here.
Extraction
Chris Hemsworth plays a hardened mercenary sent to the unknown shores of Bangladesh to rescue a renowned drug lord’s kidnapped son in a race against the clock. The mission becomes a journey of his own in his own voyage to find himself and work through some of his own trauma. A fast-paced, exciting and gritty watch, we’re big fans. Watch it here.
6 Underground
An American vigilante action thriller film with Ryan Reynolds running around like a badass on screen for a couple of hours? Yes please. This 2019 release takes you on a journey with six unique highly skilled individuals spread over the globe who have been chosen to delete their pasts in order to change their future. With a lot of blood and fight scenes, this one’s not for the faint hearted. Watch it here.
Close
This British action thriller set in South Sudan follows Sam Carlson, a close protection officer loosely based on Jacquie Davis (one of the world’s leading female bodyguards whose clients have included members of the British Royal Family and J. K. Rowling) as she saves two journalists she’s protecting when their vehicle becomes attacked by local insurgents. When they’re left without backup, Sam scrambles to teach her client to fight back in order to stay alive. Ominous and fast-paced, you’ll be left holding your breath in this one. Watch it here.
The Takedown
This fresh French action comedy is making waves around the universe with plenty of adventure and laughs following two mismatched cops that have been forced to reunite after a decade to investigate a murder in a small town where a wider conspiracy looms and their reputations are at stake. An easy watch perfect for a lazy Friday night in. Watch it here.
Project Power
One of the latest action films Netflix has released, Project Power is in parts your classic action, at moments a thriller and occasionally a sci-fi. The film revolves around a pill that gives people unpredictable superpowers, but only for five minutes. Attempting to stop the wreak of havoc is a teenage drug dealer, a local cop and an ex-soldier.
Project Power brings with it a classic action cast lead by Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Join the duo in this ballsy, no-brainer action film.
Da 5 Bloods
Visionary director Spike Lee will make you cry, before being sick to your stomach, then cry again in his latest work Da 5 Bloods. The plot takes us to Vietnam with four African American veterans who return to their stomping ground to retrieve the remains of a fallen soldier, and a stash of buried gold. This heartwrencher goes deep, dealing with undertones of greed, love, PTSD and kinship, it’s also one of the late Chadwick Boseman’s last films before his passing and arguably one of his finest performances.
Shaft
We all knew Samuel L. Jackson would make a few appearances on this list. In Netflix’s iteration of Shaft, Jackson reprises the role of the same name. This time around, private detective John Shaft is joined by his the son he never knew he had (played by Usher) to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death.
Image credit: Netflix | Website
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