From war dramas like Outlaw King to superhero adventures like Project Power and comedies like Spenser Confidential, you won’t be leaving your couch for a long time to come as you scroll through Netflix’s catalog of action movies. Want something more … animated? Our list of the best Netflix anime shows and movies has you covered. While those who want something more realistic should check out the best Netflix documentaries. You’ll likely discover a few new favorites of your own, too, as Netflix has enough great films to ensure its spot on our list of the best streaming services. The never-ending list of the best Netflix shows doesn’t hurt its rankings either. Want to cut the cord? We tested the best cable TV alternatives, so you can tell the difference from the replacements and the failures.
The best Netflix action movies are:
Red Notice
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays an FBI profiler pursuing the world’s most wanted art thief, played by Ryan Reynolds. They need to pair up to try and catch an elusive crook, The Bishop (Gal Gadot). This movie is as full of jokes as it is action sequences and broke Netflix records when it first launched in November 2021, becoming the streamer’s biggest-ever movie release. Fun, fast-paced and action-packed. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36% Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Pirates - The Last Royal Treasure
This Korean action movie from January 2022 tells the story of a tough crew of Joseon pirates and bandits who work to unpick clues in a bid to find some royal gold that has seemingly disappeared. Not only must they take on the elements, they aim to find the missing treasure ahead of their rivals. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60% Cast: Kang Ha-neul, Han Hyo-joo, and Lee Kwang-soo Director: Kim Jeonghun Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Harder They Fall
Jonathan Majors and Idris Elba team up for this modern, humorous twist on a Western. Major plays cowboy Nat Love, while Elba is Rufus Buck, a notorious outlaw. The two are enemies, and Love decides to track down Buck when he discovers he has been freed from prison. The film also features an attention-grabbing soundtrack to accompany a star-studded cast. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88% Cast: Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, Deon Cole Director: Jeymes Samuel Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Restless
This Netflix original action film follows a corrupt cop’s extreme attempts to cover up an accident, and the way his life falls out of control after doing so. This movie was originally shot in French, but is also available in English (the original language always seems to fit best, though). It also happens to be a remake…of a remake. The first version came out in 2017 as a Korean dark comedy/thriller entitled A Hard Day. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Frank Gastambide, Simon Abkarian, Michaël Abiteboul, Tracy Gotoas, Jemima West Director: Régis Blondeau Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Triple Frontier
A group of veterans who engage in one final mission. This is not a military action though. Instead, the team plan is to rob one of the most violent cartels in the world. They want to claim the drug lord’s fortune, but things don’t exactly go to plan, and the fallout is huge. Can the soldiers-turned-thieves handle the consequences of their actions? — Charlotte Henry Cast: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, Pedro Pascal Director: J.C. Chandor Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Against the Ice
This suspense-filled Netflix action movie is based on a true story - an expedition that took place in 1909. That said, a lot of what went on is, in reality, unknown, so some…creative license…has been taken. That mission was a Danish captain’s attempt to prove that Greenland is all one piece of land, and consequently disprove the United States’ claim to Northeast Greenland. He leaves all but one inexperienced crew member behind on their ship, and sets off. The pair have to fight hunger, fatigue, and even a polar bear as they first look to get back their ship, and then await rescue. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole, Heida Reed, Charles Dance Director: Peter Flinth Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
The Forgotten Battle
This World War II movie takes place in November 1944 during the Battle of the Schelde on Walcheren in Zeeland. The island has been flooded, and allies are fighting the German army. The film, originally shot in Dutch, tells the story of three intertwined lives - a Dutch boy who has joined with the Germans, a glider pilot from England, and a girl from the island who has joined the resistance. All must consider their choices, freedom, and the freedom of others. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, Susan Radder, Jan Bijvoet, Tom Felton, Coen Bril Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Outside the Wire
A young drone pilot is sent into a war zone to help stop a nuclear attack after he is found to have broken the chain of command and disobeyed orders. He finds that his new senior partner is an android and a top-secret piece of military equipment with the ability to go rogue, with messy consequences. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Emily Beecham, Michael Kelly, Pilou Asbaek, Enzo Cilenti, Bobby Lockwood, Henry Garrett, Velibor Topic Director: Mikael Håfström Rotten Tomatoes Score: 37% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
The Old Guard
What happens when a team of self-healing mercenaries who have lived for hundreds of years are set up to be killed off? Well, it doesn’t go well, that’s for starters. Charlize Theron stars as Andromache, aka “Andy,” the leader of this team that’s soon out for revenge. This graphic novel adaptation was a hit for Netflix and we’re already wondering when we get to see The Old Guard 2. — Henry T. Casey Rotten Tomatoes score: 81% Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood Watch now (opens in new tab)
Gunpowder Milkshake
One of the latest in the ever-growing genre of “the secret world of spies” movies (see: John Wick), Gunpowder Milkshake gives Karen Gillan the lead role for a story all about family. Expertly shot, with a sense of humor, the film focuses on Sam, who’s trying to save an 8-year-old girl on the wrong end of a hit. Her an estranged relationship with her mother has something to do with her need to save the child, and (of course) Sam reunites with her mother Scarlet, who also happens to be a lethal force. — Henry T. Casey Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% Cast: Karen Gillan, Joanna Bobin, Freya Allan and Lena Headey Director: Navot Papushado Watch now (opens in new tab)
Extraction
You can always rely on Chris Hemsworth to bring the goods in movies like this, and Extraction doesn’t disappoint. Based on the graphic novel Ciudad, Extraction is all about a black ops mercenary hired to rescue a drug lord’s kidnapped son in the Bangladeshi city of Dhaka. While there’s plenty of gratuitous violence here and some gaping plot holes, the 99 million people who watched the movie in its first four weeks on Netflix can’t be wrong… right? — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 67% Cast: Chris Hemsworth, David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani, Randeep Hooda, Sam Hargrave Director: Sam Hargrave Watch now (opens in new tab)
Sweet Girl
The newest entry on the list, Sweet Girl is basically a vehicle for Jason Mamoa to be hot, and he does a pretty good job of it here. The movie definitely has heart - the crux of the action happens because a woman named Amanda (Adria Arjona) dies of a rare form of cancer after a greedy CEO pulls a potentially life-saving drug off the market. That’s when Amanda’s husband Ray (Mamoa) decides to get revenge. Is it Oscar-worthy? Obviously not. Is it still packed full engaging of action? Definitely. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 21% Cast: Jason Momoa, Isabela Merced, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Raza Jaffrey Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Last Mercenary
If you like your action with a side of humor, you’ll love The Mercenary, not least of which because it stars perhaps one of the most legendary action stars of all time: Jean Claude Van Damme. The plot is straightforward enough - a former secret service agent is forced to go back to France when the son he’s been out of touch with for years is falsely accused by the French government of drugs and arms trafficking. Thankfully, Richard Brumère/The Mist (Van Damme) is there to save the day. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 57% Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Assa Sylla, Samir Decazza, Valerie Kaprisky, Nassim Si Ahmed Director: David Charhon Watch now (opens in new tab)
Beckett
If one of your biggest fears is being wrongly accused of a crime you didn’t commit while traveling through a foreign country, Beckett will likely fill you with anxiety. That’s pretty much exactly what happens here - Beckett (John David Washington) is an American visiting Athens, Greece, but he and his girlfriend leave when political unrest begins to spread. However, when a terrible accident occurs, Beckett finds himself the target of a manhunt and has to try and dodge the authorities chasing him and make it to the U.S. Embassy to clear his name. This one is definitely a wild ride, even if the plot is a little silly. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 48% Cast: John David Washington, Alicia Vikander, Boyd Holbrook, Vicky Krieps Director: Ferdinando Cito Filomarino Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Decline
Originally filmed entirely in French, The Decline was later dubbed by the original cast in English for your viewing pleasure. The movie focuses on a survivalist training group that becomes extremely tense after one of the attendees accidentally dies. To say that things get a little dicey between the remaining survivalists is putting things lightly, but as one of the best action movies of 2020, it’s deserving of a watch. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Cast: Marie-Evelyne Lessard, Real Bosse, Guillaume Laurin, Marilyn Catonguay Director: Patrice Laliberté Watch now (opens in new tab)
Rim of the World
Screenwriter Zack Stentz wanted to do a modern take on the classic kids’ action movies of the 1980s, which is exactly what he accomplished with Rim of the World. Perfect for younger viewers, it incorporates science fiction with plenty of adventure between a group of misfits at summer camp. They’re the best of friends… and then the aliens invade Earth. Luckily, they know how to stop the invasion, but it’ll take a lot of bravery and a little luck to get there. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 27% Cast: Annabeth Gish, Alessio Scalzotto Miya Cech, Jack Gore, Benjamin Flores Jr. Director: McG Watch now (opens in new tab)
Extinction
More science fiction, only this time for the adults. An engineer named Peter (Michael Peña) begins having the same nightmare night after night in which all of his loved ones keep being violently attacked by aliens. These dreams take over his waking life and affect all of his relationships, especially the one with his wife. Sadly, Peter wasn’t just dreaming - the aliens are really there and the role Peter will play in defending the earth is more complex than anyone would have expected. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 32% Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Michael Peña, Amelia Crouch, Erica Tremblay Director: Ben Young Watch now (opens in new tab)
Sand Castle
While Sand Castle is more technically a war drama, the very act of battle lends a sense of unavoidable action, and that’s the case here. Based on the real-life experience of screenwriter Chris Roessner, the movie follows Matt Ocre, a US Army soldier who’s assigned to restore water to a small village in Iraq. Of course, things don’t go quite so smoothly in the middle of a warzone. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 47% Cast: Henry Cavill, Nicholas Hoult, Logan Marshall-Green, Neil Brown Jr. Director: Fernando Coimbra Watch now (opens in new tab)
Outlaw King
History buffs will love this movie about 14th century Scottish King Robert the Bruce. He started a war against the English army in rebellion against Edward I’s rule over Scotland and as you can imagine, things get pretty grizzly. Chris Pine plays the title character and while Outlaw King does play a bit fast and loose with the facts, it’s high on adrenaline which makes it worthwhile. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 62% Cast: Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Howle Director: David Mackenzie Watch now (opens in new tab)
Okja
For fans of artsy foreign films, Okja is definitely a must-see. The 2017 Korean movie directed by Bong Joon-ho (who you’ll likely know from his work on Parasite) is all about a little girl who raises a genetically motified “super pig” named Okja that’s taken away from her to the US. However, she’s not about to let her beloved pet go easily, and she embarks on an adventurous rescue mission to save the animal’s life. The cast here is spectacular, especially young Ahn Seo-hyun and Tilda Swinton, and it will stay with you long after the credits roll. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 86% Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins, Steven Yeun Director: Bong Joon-ho Watch now (opens in new tab)
Beasts of No Nation
The critically-acclaimed 2015 war drama isn’t a typical action movie, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t fit the category. A child soldier who participates in his country’s horrifying civil war sees and experiences things that no person, let alone any child, ever should. There’s a lot of violence and destruction here, but also some pretty thought-provoking messages that give viewers something to think about. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Cast: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba, Ama K. Aberese, Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Watch now (opens in new tab)
How It Ends
Many of the best action movies are set during an apocalypse, and that’s where we’re at in How It ends. The world may be ending, but Will (Theo James) is desperate to get home to his pregnant wife Sam (Kat Graham). There’s just one issue: she’s thousands of miles away. To get back to her, he’ll have to navigate his way through fires, violent shoot-outs, and life-threatening injuries. If you’re into doomsday dramas, this is a good one to add to your list. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 66% Cast: Theo James, Forest Whitaker, Grace Dove, Nicole Ari Parker, Kat Graham, and Mark O’Brien. Director: David M. Rosenthal Watch now (opens in new tab)
Spenser Confidential
Another action comedy film, Spenser Confidential sees Mark Wahlberg as a disgraced Boston police detective who immerses himself in the criminal underworld in order to solve a murder conspiracy. Of course, it seems that wherever Spenser goes, trouble follows, and that leads to him getting into all kinds of dangerous situations, some more hilarious than others. While not an outright comedy, there are enough moments of levity to make the sillier plot decisions a little more enjoyable to watch. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 37% Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Alan Arkin, Marc Maron Director: Peter Berg Watch now (opens in new tab)
Lost Bullet
The French are shockingly good at action movies, and Lost Bullet is definitely one of the best. The story follows a mechanic named Lino who’s bribed by dirty cops into doing their bidding in order to avoid going to jail. If he doesn’t want to be stuck with a murder charge, he’ll have to track down one particular car that contains a single bullet that would prove his innocence. If you’re into fast cars and reckless driving, you’ll love Lost Bullet. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 72% Cast: Alban Lenoir, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Ramzy Bedia, Stéfi Celma, Sébastien Lalanne Director: Guillaume Pierret Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Do-Over
By looking at the cast list, you can probably immediately tell that all the action here is splashed with a pretty large dose of comedy, and thank goodness for that. The premise is hilarious enough on its own: Charlie (David Spade) and Max (Adam Sandler) decide to fake their deaths to start new lives. Sadly, the men whose identities they steal were up to no good in their past lives, which gets Charlie and Max into not a small amount of trouble. There’s definitely plenty of excitement here, but you’ll be laughing all the way through. This is certainly the least critically-successful film on this list, but it’s got its own charm about itself — and who watches action movies because of what the critics say, anyways? — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 9% Cast: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kathryn Hahn, Paula Patton Director: Steven Brill Watch now (opens in new tab)
Project Power
Project Power centers on a near-future New Orleans in which some mysterious company offers a group of drug dealers a free pill that gives its taker any number of superpowers for five minutes. To find out who’s behind the pill, a cop and a former soldier team up and hit the streets, and what they find isn’t what anyone expects. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% Cast: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Machine Gun Kelly Director: Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost Watch now (opens in new tab)
Hold the Dark
After three kids are suspected to have been killed by wolves, an animal expert named Russell (Jeffrey Wright) heads out to a remote Alaskan village to find out what happened. However, what he discovers is much more sinister than the community would ever have believed. There’s something refreshingly different about Hold the Dark, and action here is more understated but no less satisfying for it. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 70% Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Jeffrey Wright, James Badge Dale, Riley Keough Director: Jeremy Saulnier Watch now (opens in new tab)
title: “Best Netflix Action Movies In March 2022” ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-01” author: “Dennis Chung”
From war dramas like Outlaw King to superhero adventures like Project Power and comedies like Spenser Confidential, you won’t be leaving your couch for a long time to come as you scroll through Netflix’s catalog of action movies. Want something more … animated? Our list of the best Netflix anime shows and movies has you covered. While those who want something more realistic should check out the best Netflix documentaries. You’ll likely discover a few new favorites of your own, too, as Netflix has enough great films to ensure its spot on our list of the best streaming services. The never-ending list of the best Netflix shows doesn’t hurt its rankings either. Want to cut the cord? We tested the best cable TV alternatives, so you can tell the difference from the replacements and the failures.
The best Netflix action movies are:
Red Notice
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plays an FBI profiler pursuing the world’s most wanted art thief, played by Ryan Reynolds. They need to pair up to try and catch an elusive crook, The Bishop (Gal Gadot). This movie is as full of jokes as it is action sequences and broke Netflix records when it first launched in November 2021, becoming the streamer’s biggest-ever movie release. Fun, fast-paced and action-packed. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36% Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Pirates - The Last Royal Treasure
This Korean action movie from January 2022 tells the story of a tough crew of Joseon pirates and bandits who work to unpick clues in a bid to find some royal gold that has seemingly disappeared. Not only must they take on the elements, they aim to find the missing treasure ahead of their rivals. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60% Cast: Kang Ha-neul, Han Hyo-joo, and Lee Kwang-soo Director: Kim Jeonghun Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Harder They Fall
Jonathan Majors and Idris Elba team up for this modern, humorous twist on a Western. Major plays cowboy Nat Love, while Elba is Rufus Buck, a notorious outlaw. The two are enemies, and Love decides to track down Buck when he discovers he has been freed from prison. The film also features an attention-grabbing soundtrack to accompany a star-studded cast. — Charlotte Henry Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88% Cast: Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, Deon Cole Director: Jeymes Samuel Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Restless
This Netflix original action film follows a corrupt cop’s extreme attempts to cover up an accident, and the way his life falls out of control after doing so. This movie was originally shot in French, but is also available in English (the original language always seems to fit best, though). It also happens to be a remake…of a remake. The first version came out in 2017 as a Korean dark comedy/thriller entitled A Hard Day. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Frank Gastambide, Simon Abkarian, Michaël Abiteboul, Tracy Gotoas, Jemima West Director: Régis Blondeau Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Triple Frontier
A group of veterans who engage in one final mission. This is not a military action though. Instead, the team plan is to rob one of the most violent cartels in the world. They want to claim the drug lord’s fortune, but things don’t exactly go to plan, and the fallout is huge. Can the soldiers-turned-thieves handle the consequences of their actions? — Charlotte Henry Cast: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, Pedro Pascal Director: J.C. Chandor Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Against the Ice
This suspense-filled Netflix action movie is based on a true story - an expedition that took place in 1909. That said, a lot of what went on is, in reality, unknown, so some…creative license…has been taken. That mission was a Danish captain’s attempt to prove that Greenland is all one piece of land, and consequently disprove the United States’ claim to Northeast Greenland. He leaves all but one inexperienced crew member behind on their ship, and sets off. The pair have to fight hunger, fatigue, and even a polar bear as they first look to get back their ship, and then await rescue. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole, Heida Reed, Charles Dance Director: Peter Flinth Rotten Tomatoes Score: 55% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
The Forgotten Battle
This World War II movie takes place in November 1944 during the Battle of the Schelde on Walcheren in Zeeland. The island has been flooded, and allies are fighting the German army. The film, originally shot in Dutch, tells the story of three intertwined lives - a Dutch boy who has joined with the Germans, a glider pilot from England, and a girl from the island who has joined the resistance. All must consider their choices, freedom, and the freedom of others. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Gijs Blom, Jamie Flatters, Susan Radder, Jan Bijvoet, Tom Felton, Coen Bril Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
Outside the Wire
A young drone pilot is sent into a war zone to help stop a nuclear attack after he is found to have broken the chain of command and disobeyed orders. He finds that his new senior partner is an android and a top-secret piece of military equipment with the ability to go rogue, with messy consequences. — Charlotte Henry Cast: Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Emily Beecham, Michael Kelly, Pilou Asbaek, Enzo Cilenti, Bobby Lockwood, Henry Garrett, Velibor Topic Director: Mikael Håfström Rotten Tomatoes Score: 37% Watch Now (opens in new tab)
The Old Guard
What happens when a team of self-healing mercenaries who have lived for hundreds of years are set up to be killed off? Well, it doesn’t go well, that’s for starters. Charlize Theron stars as Andromache, aka “Andy,” the leader of this team that’s soon out for revenge. This graphic novel adaptation was a hit for Netflix and we’re already wondering when we get to see The Old Guard 2. — Henry T. Casey Rotten Tomatoes score: 81% Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood Watch now (opens in new tab)
Gunpowder Milkshake
One of the latest in the ever-growing genre of “the secret world of spies” movies (see: John Wick), Gunpowder Milkshake gives Karen Gillan the lead role for a story all about family. Expertly shot, with a sense of humor, the film focuses on Sam, who’s trying to save an 8-year-old girl on the wrong end of a hit. Her an estranged relationship with her mother has something to do with her need to save the child, and (of course) Sam reunites with her mother Scarlet, who also happens to be a lethal force. — Henry T. Casey Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% Cast: Karen Gillan, Joanna Bobin, Freya Allan and Lena Headey Director: Navot Papushado Watch now (opens in new tab)
Extraction
You can always rely on Chris Hemsworth to bring the goods in movies like this, and Extraction doesn’t disappoint. Based on the graphic novel Ciudad, Extraction is all about a black ops mercenary hired to rescue a drug lord’s kidnapped son in the Bangladeshi city of Dhaka. While there’s plenty of gratuitous violence here and some gaping plot holes, the 99 million people who watched the movie in its first four weeks on Netflix can’t be wrong… right? — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 67% Cast: Chris Hemsworth, David Harbour, Golshifteh Farahani, Randeep Hooda, Sam Hargrave Director: Sam Hargrave Watch now (opens in new tab)
Sweet Girl
The newest entry on the list, Sweet Girl is basically a vehicle for Jason Mamoa to be hot, and he does a pretty good job of it here. The movie definitely has heart - the crux of the action happens because a woman named Amanda (Adria Arjona) dies of a rare form of cancer after a greedy CEO pulls a potentially life-saving drug off the market. That’s when Amanda’s husband Ray (Mamoa) decides to get revenge. Is it Oscar-worthy? Obviously not. Is it still packed full engaging of action? Definitely. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 21% Cast: Jason Momoa, Isabela Merced, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Raza Jaffrey Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Last Mercenary
If you like your action with a side of humor, you’ll love The Mercenary, not least of which because it stars perhaps one of the most legendary action stars of all time: Jean Claude Van Damme. The plot is straightforward enough - a former secret service agent is forced to go back to France when the son he’s been out of touch with for years is falsely accused by the French government of drugs and arms trafficking. Thankfully, Richard Brumère/The Mist (Van Damme) is there to save the day. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 57% Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Assa Sylla, Samir Decazza, Valerie Kaprisky, Nassim Si Ahmed Director: David Charhon Watch now (opens in new tab)
Beckett
If one of your biggest fears is being wrongly accused of a crime you didn’t commit while traveling through a foreign country, Beckett will likely fill you with anxiety. That’s pretty much exactly what happens here - Beckett (John David Washington) is an American visiting Athens, Greece, but he and his girlfriend leave when political unrest begins to spread. However, when a terrible accident occurs, Beckett finds himself the target of a manhunt and has to try and dodge the authorities chasing him and make it to the U.S. Embassy to clear his name. This one is definitely a wild ride, even if the plot is a little silly. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 48% Cast: John David Washington, Alicia Vikander, Boyd Holbrook, Vicky Krieps Director: Ferdinando Cito Filomarino Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Decline
Originally filmed entirely in French, The Decline was later dubbed by the original cast in English for your viewing pleasure. The movie focuses on a survivalist training group that becomes extremely tense after one of the attendees accidentally dies. To say that things get a little dicey between the remaining survivalists is putting things lightly, but as one of the best action movies of 2020, it’s deserving of a watch. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 90% Cast: Marie-Evelyne Lessard, Real Bosse, Guillaume Laurin, Marilyn Catonguay Director: Patrice Laliberté Watch now (opens in new tab)
Rim of the World
Screenwriter Zack Stentz wanted to do a modern take on the classic kids’ action movies of the 1980s, which is exactly what he accomplished with Rim of the World. Perfect for younger viewers, it incorporates science fiction with plenty of adventure between a group of misfits at summer camp. They’re the best of friends… and then the aliens invade Earth. Luckily, they know how to stop the invasion, but it’ll take a lot of bravery and a little luck to get there. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 27% Cast: Annabeth Gish, Alessio Scalzotto Miya Cech, Jack Gore, Benjamin Flores Jr. Director: McG Watch now (opens in new tab)
Extinction
More science fiction, only this time for the adults. An engineer named Peter (Michael Peña) begins having the same nightmare night after night in which all of his loved ones keep being violently attacked by aliens. These dreams take over his waking life and affect all of his relationships, especially the one with his wife. Sadly, Peter wasn’t just dreaming - the aliens are really there and the role Peter will play in defending the earth is more complex than anyone would have expected. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 32% Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Michael Peña, Amelia Crouch, Erica Tremblay Director: Ben Young Watch now (opens in new tab)
Sand Castle
While Sand Castle is more technically a war drama, the very act of battle lends a sense of unavoidable action, and that’s the case here. Based on the real-life experience of screenwriter Chris Roessner, the movie follows Matt Ocre, a US Army soldier who’s assigned to restore water to a small village in Iraq. Of course, things don’t go quite so smoothly in the middle of a warzone. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 47% Cast: Henry Cavill, Nicholas Hoult, Logan Marshall-Green, Neil Brown Jr. Director: Fernando Coimbra Watch now (opens in new tab)
Outlaw King
History buffs will love this movie about 14th century Scottish King Robert the Bruce. He started a war against the English army in rebellion against Edward I’s rule over Scotland and as you can imagine, things get pretty grizzly. Chris Pine plays the title character and while Outlaw King does play a bit fast and loose with the facts, it’s high on adrenaline which makes it worthwhile. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 62% Cast: Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Billy Howle Director: David Mackenzie Watch now (opens in new tab)
Okja
For fans of artsy foreign films, Okja is definitely a must-see. The 2017 Korean movie directed by Bong Joon-ho (who you’ll likely know from his work on Parasite) is all about a little girl who raises a genetically motified “super pig” named Okja that’s taken away from her to the US. However, she’s not about to let her beloved pet go easily, and she embarks on an adventurous rescue mission to save the animal’s life. The cast here is spectacular, especially young Ahn Seo-hyun and Tilda Swinton, and it will stay with you long after the credits roll. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 86% Cast: Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins, Steven Yeun Director: Bong Joon-ho Watch now (opens in new tab)
Beasts of No Nation
The critically-acclaimed 2015 war drama isn’t a typical action movie, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t fit the category. A child soldier who participates in his country’s horrifying civil war sees and experiences things that no person, let alone any child, ever should. There’s a lot of violence and destruction here, but also some pretty thought-provoking messages that give viewers something to think about. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 92% Cast: Abraham Attah, Idris Elba, Ama K. Aberese, Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Watch now (opens in new tab)
How It Ends
Many of the best action movies are set during an apocalypse, and that’s where we’re at in How It ends. The world may be ending, but Will (Theo James) is desperate to get home to his pregnant wife Sam (Kat Graham). There’s just one issue: she’s thousands of miles away. To get back to her, he’ll have to navigate his way through fires, violent shoot-outs, and life-threatening injuries. If you’re into doomsday dramas, this is a good one to add to your list. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 66% Cast: Theo James, Forest Whitaker, Grace Dove, Nicole Ari Parker, Kat Graham, and Mark O’Brien. Director: David M. Rosenthal Watch now (opens in new tab)
Spenser Confidential
Another action comedy film, Spenser Confidential sees Mark Wahlberg as a disgraced Boston police detective who immerses himself in the criminal underworld in order to solve a murder conspiracy. Of course, it seems that wherever Spenser goes, trouble follows, and that leads to him getting into all kinds of dangerous situations, some more hilarious than others. While not an outright comedy, there are enough moments of levity to make the sillier plot decisions a little more enjoyable to watch. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 37% Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Alan Arkin, Marc Maron Director: Peter Berg Watch now (opens in new tab)
Lost Bullet
The French are shockingly good at action movies, and Lost Bullet is definitely one of the best. The story follows a mechanic named Lino who’s bribed by dirty cops into doing their bidding in order to avoid going to jail. If he doesn’t want to be stuck with a murder charge, he’ll have to track down one particular car that contains a single bullet that would prove his innocence. If you’re into fast cars and reckless driving, you’ll love Lost Bullet. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 72% Cast: Alban Lenoir, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Ramzy Bedia, Stéfi Celma, Sébastien Lalanne Director: Guillaume Pierret Watch now (opens in new tab)
The Do-Over
By looking at the cast list, you can probably immediately tell that all the action here is splashed with a pretty large dose of comedy, and thank goodness for that. The premise is hilarious enough on its own: Charlie (David Spade) and Max (Adam Sandler) decide to fake their deaths to start new lives. Sadly, the men whose identities they steal were up to no good in their past lives, which gets Charlie and Max into not a small amount of trouble. There’s definitely plenty of excitement here, but you’ll be laughing all the way through. This is certainly the least critically-successful film on this list, but it’s got its own charm about itself — and who watches action movies because of what the critics say, anyways? — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 9% Cast: Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kathryn Hahn, Paula Patton Director: Steven Brill Watch now (opens in new tab)
Project Power
Project Power centers on a near-future New Orleans in which some mysterious company offers a group of drug dealers a free pill that gives its taker any number of superpowers for five minutes. To find out who’s behind the pill, a cop and a former soldier team up and hit the streets, and what they find isn’t what anyone expects. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 61% Cast: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Machine Gun Kelly Director: Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost Watch now (opens in new tab)
Hold the Dark
After three kids are suspected to have been killed by wolves, an animal expert named Russell (Jeffrey Wright) heads out to a remote Alaskan village to find out what happened. However, what he discovers is much more sinister than the community would ever have believed. There’s something refreshingly different about Hold the Dark, and action here is more understated but no less satisfying for it. — Jennifer Still Rotten Tomatoes score: 70% Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Jeffrey Wright, James Badge Dale, Riley Keough Director: Jeremy Saulnier Watch now (opens in new tab)
