Whether you’re in the mood to weave through busy city streets at top speed, break the bones of every henchman in the warehouse, or exact revenge on the big boss that killed your dog, Netflix has countless training videos … I mean action flicks … for you to enjoy. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to discover which among them is the right one for you. Thankfully, we’re here to help and have assembled a rotating list of the Best Action Movies on Netflix right now.
NOTE: The following titles are streaming on the U.S. version of Netflix.
The Adam Project (2022)
It is an outstanding combination when Shawn Levy (Free Guy, Stranger Things, Deadpool 3) and Ryan Reynolds get together. Feeling like a throwback to science-fiction films of the 1980s, The Adam Project is one part Star Wars and one part Back to the Future, with plenty of Spielbergian action and flare. While The Adam Project starts quietly enough as it builds the chemistry between its main characters (played by Ryan Reynolds and Walker Scobell), the film soon explodes into an all-out action showcase of laser swords and stylish hand-to-hand combat, quickly making it one of the best action movies Netflix has to offer.
If you’re concerned about the consequences of time travel and how interacting with yourself can do irreparable damage to the timestream, have no fear because this movie throws all the rules out the window. Once you set your trepidation aside and accept the terms as they are, The Adam Project amounts to one of the most enjoyable films of 2022 so far and a great action flick for viewers of all ages. If you’re looking for a film that packs punches in both visual and emotional capacities, The Adam Project will bring a smile to your face while fueling the fires of your action-loving heart.
Army of the Dead (2021)
Your mileage for Zack Snyder’s unique film style may vary from one film to another, but the man sure knows how to make a zombie action movie. Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, Army of the Dead finds a group of mercenaries infiltrating Sin City to attempt the ultimate gamble. Located at the epicenter of a zombie-infested quarantine zone is $200 million in cold hard cash, but getting to it won’t be easy.
Army of the Dead stars Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Garret Dillahunt, and more. I wouldn’t get too attached to any of them. Army of the Dead is ruthless, and not everyone will escape this trip to the City of Second Chances. Why? It might have something to do with the zombie tigers, undead hordes, and back-stabbing criminals lurking around every corner. Feel free to cash in your chips for a great time with this action-packed zombie romp that launched a new franchise if that sounds like a good time.
Army of Thieves (2021)
Isn’t it nice when all the right combinations of elements to make a solid action movie all tumble into place? That’s precisely how I feel about Matthias Schweighöfer’s Army of Thieves, which serves as a prequel to the events of Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, and is certainly one of the best action movies on Netflix. Fun, funny, and endlessly charming, Army of Thieves focuses on German Safecracker Ludwig Dieter (Schweighöfer) as he joins a group of aspiring thieves on a top-secret heist during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse. Joining Schweighöfer for this cleverly executed precursor to the outrageous events depicted in Army of the Dead is Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, Jonathan Cohen, and Noémie Nakai.
While I think that Army of Thieves is roughly 20 minutes long, that hardly detracts from this completely self-aware romp that somehow manages to lampoon heist films while still abiding by every trope in the book. Schweighöfer presents himself as a confident director with Army of Thieves and never misses an opportunity to inject a scene with pizazz and genuine humor. I will admit that while scenes involving traditional action take their time arriving to the party, each one of them is well worth the wait. If you thought Emmanuel was entertaining in the Fast and Furious franchise, wait until you see what happens when someone stands between her and her money. As a prequel to Army of the Dead, Army of Thieves delivers in terms of style, charm, and edge-of-your-seat tension. I’m not joking. I never thought cracking a safe could be so intense.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
The action genre is no stranger to having uninvited guests on planes. Whether it’s snakes, terrorists, or an angry president, 30,000 feet is an inconvenient place to find yourself faced with an altercation. What if I told you we were adding terrorists and vampires to the mix? That combination will turn any first-class trip into an economy seat nightmare. Directed and co-written by Peter Thorwarth with Stefan Holtz, Blood Red Sky is a British-German action horror movie that features bloodsuckers in a confined space with plenty of screaming blood bags along for the wild ride. It all begins when a woman with a mysterious illness is forced into action after a group of terrorists attempts to hijack a transatlantic overnight flight. There’s plenty of turbulence from start to finish, and the action-packed conclusion to the story is both bloody and tragic. If vampire action flicks are your bag, I highly recommend ordering a pizza with extra garlic and booking a flight with Blood Red Sky.
Day Shift (2022)
When was the last time you watched a vampire action movie that knew how to kick ass without taking itself too seriously? J.J. Perry’s Day Shift is a comedic roller coaster of unearthly delights, with Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, and Snoop Dogg taking center stage for a vampire hunter thrill ride. From the film’s first encounter with an agile vampire, Day Shift establishes a tongue-in-cheek approach to taking bloodsuckers off the map by any means necessary. In Day Shift, Foxx plays a vampire hunter on the verge of losing his family unless he makes a big score while vanquishing the undead. Franco stars as Seth, a pencil-pushing narc with a bizarre fate I won’t spoil here. Snoop Dogg plays Big John Elliot, a seasoned, blunt-smoking vampire hunter dripping with charisma. Together, the team uncovers a plot for vampires to expand into new territory, which would suck.
With lots of over-the-top action, witty banter, gore, and chemistry between Foxx and Franco, Day Shift could surprise you. I think it’s one of the better vampire films of recent years and one of the better action movies on Netflix.
Extraction (2020)
I hope you’re ready for some trachea-crushin’, neck-snappin’, bone-crackin’ action because Sam Hargrave’s Extraction is one of the best action movies on Netflix that’s capable of making you feel like you need an ice bath long after you’re done watching it. Extraction stars Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake; a fearless black market mercenary tasked with rescuing the kidnapped son of an imprisoned international crime lord. As you can imagine, things go from bad to worse once Rake enters the war-ravaged territory to acquire his target. Before long, there aren’t enough bullets, soldiers, or local law enforcement agents that can keep a killing machine like Rake from completing his mission. Like several action movies on this list, Extraction has slick direction, stylish cinematography, and sequences that’ll have you holding your breath for as long as they last. Extraction has got you covered if you’re the type of cinephile who loves to indulge in continuous takes. Each is packed with frenetic fighting and bloody violence, and Hemsworth proves himself a genuine action star.
Fistful of Vengeance (2022)
Netflix’s Wu Assassins might not have gotten a second season, but it did score a follow-up film that takes the fantasy-tinged martial arts action setup to new heights. A Fistful of Vengeance stars Iko Uwais, Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao, JuJu Chan, Pearl Thusi, Francesca Corney, Jason Tobin, Rhatha Phongam, and Simon Kuke in a hunt for Tommy’s (Kao) sister’s killer. The journey takes a group of warrior friends to Thailand, where a battle that defies the laws of reality is taking place. To solve the mystery of Jenny’s killer and defend humanity from an unprecedented evil, Kai (Uwais), Lu Xin (Tan), and Tommy will have to summon more than courage to defeat their enemies and win the day. Much like Wu Assassins, Fistful of Vengeance is fueled by hard-hitting action, mesmerizing martial arts, and supernatural shenanigans that are sure to light up your screen. This movie is a must-see romp for fans of Headshot, The Raid: Redemption, and other notable Indonesian action movies that get your blood pumping and your heart beating like you might not live to see tomorrow.
The Gray Man (2022)
The Gray Man features solid performances from the film’s leading players, including Ana De Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Henwick, Alfre Woodard, Regé-Jean Page, Dhanush, and more. The film also boasts balls-to-the-wall action sequences of which Netflix spared no expense. As bombastic as any theatrical blockbuster, a sequel and spinoff in The Gray Man universe have already been greenlit. Get on the ground floor by watching the first film in the franchise right now.
What do you get when you pair two of Hollywood’s biggest stars with a brotherly duo at the top of the filmmaker food chain? The launch of The Gray Man universe! Exploding onto Netflix this month, The Gray Man stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans as CIA operatives on opposite sides of the spectrum. Based on the 2009 novel of the same name and helmed by The Russo Brothers, The Gray Man tells the story of an agent whose true identity is known to none uncovers sark agency secrets, and a psychotic former colleague puts a bounty on his head. A global manhunt ensues, resulting in action, deception, and a mustache on Evans’ face you won’t soon forget.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Howdy, folks. If you’re hankerin’ for some rootin’-tootin’ shootin’ by way of a character-driven Western, The Harder They Fall will put six bullets in your belly and leave you for dead. Directed and co-written by Jeymes Samuel (They Die At Dawn) with Boaz Yakin (Fresh, The Punisher), The Harder They Fall stars a murderers’ row of talent that includes Jonathan Majors, Regina King, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Edi Gathegi, Danielle Deadwyler, and more.
Like many Westerns, The Harder They Fall revolves around two groups of outlaws looking to settle an old score involving a wagon full of money and a blood debt to be paid in full. In addition to packing plenty of heat once the bullets start flying, there’s some mighty fine camera work goin’ on here. The Harder They Fall also features one of the slickest soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a Western. I’m talking about artists like Koffee, JAY-Z, Lauryn Hill, and CeeLo Green doin’ their damnedest to make the prairie come alive with rhythm and soul. When you saddle all of these elements together, you wind up with one of the best action movies on Netflix that shoots sharp and comes loaded with captivating performances from every cowpoke involved.
Lou (2022)
Make way for Allison Janney to join the ranks of action badasses like Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis! In Lou, a storm rages. A young girl gets kidnapped, and her mother teams up with a mysterious woman for a thrilling and emotional rescue mission. Hailed as a throwback action movie circa the 1980s or 1990s, Lou is taking action fans by surprise. Janney shines as Lou, a take-no-prisoners recluse with demons squirming beneath her skin. Wrecking shop as much as John Wick, Lorraine Broughton, or Joey King’s Princess, Lou’s situational awareness is off the charts, and Janney goes above and beyond, delivering a brutal and believable performance. Lou’s companion, Hannah (Jurnee Smollett), also brings the pain in this gripping action movie. Together, both women are out for blood because hell hath no fury as a mother scorned. Whoever took Hannah’s daughter is in for a world of pain.
The Night Comes For Us (2018)
Undoubtedly the most brutal film on this list, The Night Comes for Us takes everything you love about Indonesian martial arts movies and cranks those elements to eleven. To be blunt, this movie makes Gareth Evans’ The Raid series look tame by comparison. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto (May the Devil Take You), and starring Joe Taslim (Mortal Kombat, The Raid: Redemption) and Iko Uwais (Snake Eyes, The Raid: Redemption), The Night Comes for Us is a relentless ballet of brutality that presents audiences with more broken bones than an ICU full of failed daredevils. I recently watched this movie for the first time and have no shame in admitting that I spent much of the film with my fist in my mouth, my teeth gnawing on knuckles, and nearly breaking the skin.
In addition to telling a compelling story about a high-ranking enforcer who turns against a crime syndicate populated by like-minded killers, The Night Comes for Us is also a testament to how many martial artists can create compelling drama with the use of fights that’ll have you holding your breath until the last body has hit the floor.
Project Power (2020)
Jamie Foxx owns our updates for this month by having two movies on this list. Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, with a script by The Batman co-writer Mattson Tomlin, Project Power is a super-powered comic book-style action movie about control, dominance, and changing the hierarchy of power in a city controlled by fear. Jaime Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback star in Project Power. The story revolves around a pill that gives users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes—sold on the streets of New Orleans, a teenage dealer, a local cop, and an ex-soldier team up to take down the dealer responsible for the pill’s circulation.
Filled with fancy effects, intense superpower battles, and many attitudes, Project Power turns up the heat by delivering in-your-face action, drug-addled antics, and a lesson about the value of remaining true to oneself. If you’re looking for something mindless, fun, and freaky, grab a drink and pop a pill of Netflix’s Project Power.
Spenser Confidential (2020)
A lot of cops think that they can get away with anything. That is until one of their own steps up and exposes their crimes for all the world to see. In Peter Berg’s Spenser Confidential, ex-cop Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) and his no-nonsense roommate, Hawk (Winston Duke), form an unlikely duo that gives a voice to the voiceless. While it’s not the most action-packed film that Netflix offers, Spenser Confidential provides several key scenes that hit just as hard as Hawk’s haymaker once his back is to the wall.
It’s also lovely to take in an action movie with heart every once in a while. What I enjoyed most about this movie, aside from a fun brawl inside a local burrito bar, is that Spenser and Hawk are genuinely good people. They’re ready to involve themselves in life-threatening situations if it means providing someone with closure or clearing a good name. Every punch is delivered in the spirit of justice… Or because you’re the type of person who would hurt someone’s pet as a warning. With a solid mystery to solve, kind-hearted characters that aren’t afraid to kick some ass, and Alan Arkin occasionally stealing the show, Spenser Confidential is a fine action movie that you can currently watch on Netflix.
Sweet Girl (2021)
Before Jason Momoa puts his swimmies back on for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, you’ll want to catch him in Sweet Girl. The action thriller revolves around a devastated husband who vows to bring justice to the people responsible for his wife’s death while protecting his daughter. You already know how intimidating Momoa can be. Now imagine him as a grieving widower hellbent on revenge.
Brian Andrew Mendoza directs Sweet Girl, an intense and grounded action movie featuring frenzied fisticuffs, a battle inside a bus, asphyxiation by a garbage bag, gritty gunplay, high-speed chases, and more. We’ve all seen how upset Liam Neeson gets when a loved one is taken; now watch Jason Momoa tear thugs a new asshole after they threaten his daughter’s safety.
What do you think are the best action movies on Netflix? Let us know in the comments section below.