Among the different types of movie genres, action has to be the most popular one. A go-to for many people, action films appeal to a larger group of people, no matter their age and gender. Think Marvel and DC movies—these films have huge budgets and a ton of jaw-dropping fighting scenes that'll leave you pumped up with adrenaline.
Whether you've stumbled across this article by chance or are actively looking for new movies to watch, we promise that you won't be disappointed! In this article, you'll find a viewer's guide and a list of recommendations on the best action movies that you can find on Netflix. Check them out below!
Quick List - Top Action Movies on Netflix
Doug Liman
Ordinary Suburban Couple Lead a Secret Life As Highly-Skilled Assassins
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With Netflix having such a wide variety of action movies and adding more on a monthly basis, going through the list of movie offerings can get tiring. To save yourself some time, take a look at the viewer's guide below.
Just like with all movie genres, action films also have several sub-genres. The most popular ones include action-adventure, action-comedy, action-thriller, and action-horror. Picking a sub-genre will help you find a movie to your liking much faster.
For those who are intrigued by films with characters that find themselves in dangerous and life-threatening situations, action-adventure movies are for you. These films are exhilarating and have plots that cover everything from disasters to superheroes and epics.
This sub-genre of action movies is arguably the most known. It plays around with elements of travel, set in faraway or dystopian places. Some examples of popular action-adventure films are The Hunger Games, Black Panther, and Mission Impossible.
Action-comedy films are lighthearted and have less intense fighting scenes than traditional action flicks. These movies are ideal for those who want to get a good laugh but enjoy car chases or some combat scenes here and there.
Many action-comedy movies are also known as buddy cop ones, where two characters with conflicting personalities have to work together on a quest or mission. Popular action-comedy films include 21 Jump Street and Men in Black.
If you are looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat and waiting with bated breath, action-thrillers are definitely for you. These films use physical actions like combat scenes and races to create an air of suspense.
Action-thrillers will leave you guessing, with their endings often unpredictable. They also usually have continuous fighting scenes, with the protagonists finding themselves in time-sensitive situations. When you imagine an action-thriller, think Die Hard, John Wick, and Taken.
Action-horror movies are perfect for those who enjoy watching intense films with plenty of jumpscares. These movies have scenes meant to frighten and shock viewers and are not suitable for young audiences.
They are also usually much more violent and gruesome than the average action film. Some excellent examples of action-horror movies are the South Korean hit Train to Busan and the American film franchise, The Purge.
Netflix has a wide variety of local and international action films. The selection is so diverse that you won't feel limited to what's available, but it also means that going through each movie can get overwhelming. That is why we suggest deciding if you want to watch a Filipino movie or an international one before going on Netflix.
You can also filter your options according to the lead actor or actress as well as the director, especially if you enjoy their style of action movies. Some excellent local action movies include BuyBust and Heneral Luna. For international films, The Fast and the Furious franchise is a great example, while you can check out action films directed by Michael Bay, and brothers Anthony and Joseph Russo.
Nothing is as stressful as being in the middle of a movie, only for you to stop because you have something else to do. That is why we recommend always taking note of a movie's runtime, which on Netflix, you can see next to a film's viewer's rating.
On average, movies are usually between an hour and a half to two hours long. And though it may seem trivial, this will be useful if you're planning a movie night with friends or if you want to binge-watch a film franchise on Netflix.
Other than noting a movie's runtime, there are other things to look out for when picking a film to watch, such as its maturity rating, reviews, and trailers. These can help you recognize if a particular movie is to your liking without spoiling anything.
Since many action movies are also about superheroes, like DC and Marvel ones, you may want to watch them with your kids. The rating system and trailers will help you decide whether it is appropriate for your children's age and maturity. There are also reliable online sites that you can check for reviews like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
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Sub-Genre | Lead Actor/s | Duration | Maturity Rating | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Rating | |||||
1 | Sam Hargrave Extraction 2|2023 | ![]() | Adrenaline-Fueled Story About a Black-Market Mercenary | Thriller | Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Tornike Gogrichiani | 2 Hours, 3 Minutes | 16+ | 7.1 | 79% | |
2 | Chad Stahelski John Wick|2014 | ![]() | Former Expert Assassin Seeks Revenge and Justice | Thriller | Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen | 1 Hour, 41 Minutes | 16+ | 7.4 | 86% | |
3 | Gina Prince-Bythewood The Old Guard|2020 | ![]() | Immortal Mercenaries Work Together to Protect Humanity | Thriller, Fantasy | Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari | 2 Hours, 5 Minutes | 16+ | 6.7 | 80% | |
4 | Doug Liman Mr. and Mrs. Smith|2005 | ![]() | Ordinary Suburban Couple Lead a Secret Life As Highly-Skilled Assassins | Comedy | Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn | 2 Hours | 16+ | 6.5 | 59% | |
5 | Gina Prince-Bythewood The Woman King|2022 | ![]() | A Captivating and Empowering Film About an All-Female Military Unit | Adventure | Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch | 2 Hours, 15 Minutes | 16+ | 6.9 | 94% | |
6 | Erik Matti BuyBust|2018 | ![]() | Trouble Brews When a Drug Bust Goes South | Thriller | Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera, Victor Neri | 2 Hours, 7 Minutes | 16+ | 5.7 | 83% | |
7 | J.C. Chandor Triple Frontier|2019 | ![]() | Former Special Forces Operatives Reunite for a Dangerous Mission | Adventure, Thriller | Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam | 2 Hours, 5 Minutes | 16+ | 6.5 | 70% | |
8 | Harry Bradbeer Enola Holmes 2|2022 | ![]() | Mystery Adventure About a Spirited Teenage Detective | Adventure | Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis | 2 Hours, 10 Minutes | 13+ | 6.8 | 94% | |
9 | Byun Sung-hyun Kill Boksoon|2023 | ![]() | Embark on a Gripping Tale of Vengeance With Boksoon | Thriller | Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a | 2 Hours, 16 Minutes | 16+ | 6.6 | 79% | |
10 | Zack Snyder Army of the Dead|2021 | ![]() | An Action-Packed Zombie Heist Film | Horror | Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick | 2 Hours, 28 Minutes | 16+ | 5.8 | 67% |
Sub-Genre | Thriller |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Tornike Gogrichiani |
Duration | 2 Hours, 3 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 7.1 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 79% |
John Wick is not for the faint-hearted. For those looking for an action-thriller that will keep them on their toes, this movie is for you. In the film, Keanu Reeves plays John Wick, an ex-assassin turned vigilante. He is hungry for revenge after a group of men trashes his home and harms his dog.
John Wick is pure, raw action with plenty of intense and gory combat scenes and barely any dialogue from the main character. It excels in its action sequences, showcasing meticulously crafted fight scenes that are both brutal and visually stunning. This is a must-watch for those seeking a jaw-dropping and adrenaline-fueled cinematic experience!
Sub-Genre | Thriller |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen |
Duration | 1 Hour, 41 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 7.4 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 86% |
The Old Guard is not your typical superhero movie. In the film, Charlize Theron stars as Andy, the eldest of a group of immortal mercenaries. For centuries, they have successfully worked under the radar to protect humans. But everything changes when someone discovers their ability and plans to hold them captive to exploit them.
The Old Guard is a movie adaptation of a comic book with the same title. This action-adventure film has strong female leads, a fresh storyline, and tackles many relevant social issues. It also tries to redefine the meaning of the word superhero. Overall, this film will appeal to audiences who enjoy a mix of action, drama, and thought-provoking storytelling.
Sub-Genre | Thriller, Fantasy |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari |
Duration | 2 Hours, 5 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.7 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 80% |
Sub-Genre | Comedy |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn |
Duration | 2 Hours |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.5 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 59% |
Sub-Genre | Adventure |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch |
Duration | 2 Hours, 15 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.9 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 94% |
In this Filipino-directed action movie, Anne Curtis plays Nina Manigan, an anti-narcotics special operative. The film revolves around the experiences of Nina, who has to fight her way out of mafia territory when a drug bust goes south. She only has herself to rely on as the set-up leads to the gruesome death of her entire squadron.
BuyBust is an exciting action movie with a strong female lead and several one-on-one combat scenes. The movie's message also runs deep as it tackles many social issues and injustices currently happening in the country. If you're seeking a thrilling and immersive cinematic experience that explores the dark underbelly of the drug trade, BuyBust delivers a gripping and visceral storyline.
Sub-Genre | Thriller |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Anne Curtis, Brandon Vera, Victor Neri |
Duration | 2 Hours, 7 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 5.7 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 83% |
Sub-Genre | Adventure, Thriller |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam |
Duration | 2 Hours, 5 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.5 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 70% |
Sub-Genre | Adventure |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis |
Duration | 2 Hours, 10 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 13+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.8 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 94% |
Sub-Genre | Thriller |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Si-a |
Duration | 2 Hours, 16 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 6.6 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 79% |
Combining the excitement of a heist and a zombie apocalypse, Army of the Dead follows a group of mercenaries led by Scott Ward (Dave Bautista) as they undertake a daring mission to retrieve a massive sum of money in a zombie-infested zone. As they navigate the treacherous undead hordes, the team faces not only the flesh-eating creatures, but also internal conflicts and moral dilemmas.
Blockbuster director Zack Snyder's signature visual style shines through, creating a gritty and visually stunning world. The film balances intense action sequences with moments of dark humor and emotional depth, thanks to the talented ensemble cast. This movie is a must-watch for those seeking a thrilling and visually-striking cinematic experience!
Sub-Genre | Horror |
---|---|
Lead Actor/s | Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick |
Duration | 2 Hours, 28 Minutes |
Maturity Rating | 16+ |
IMDb Rating | 5.8 |
Rotten Tomatoes Rating | 67% |
If you're still on the lookout for more things to watch, we've placed a couple of helpful links below to articles on other great movie options. We've got everything from horror movies to Christmas and Netflix original flicks.
Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga
Re-editor: JAusa
Our viewer's guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the viewer's guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the movie recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from Netflix.
No. 1: Sam Hargrave|Extraction 2|2023
No. 2: Chad Stahelski|John Wick|2014
No. 3: Gina Prince-Bythewood|The Old Guard|2020
No. 4: Doug Liman|Mr. and Mrs. Smith|2005
No. 5: Gina Prince-Bythewood|The Woman King|2022
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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