Some of the most critically acclaimed action films of the last decade are available on Netflix right now, from a modern and captivating take on Godzilla to a groundbreaking crime thriller from Dune director Denis Villeneuve.
These action movies are about far more than just blowing things up or breaking heads in fight scenes — they use their exciting set pieces to pull viewers in, so that their deeper messages have a more profound impact.
Watch With Us has curated nine of the best action movies on Netflix for you to check out. Get your heart rate up and come along for the ride in these action-packed films.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the Best New Movies on Netflix, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and More, the Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now, the Best Movies on Hulu Right Now and the Must-See Movies on Netflix Right Now.
'Godzilla Minus One' (2023)
This critically acclaimed take on the legendary Japanese kaiju monster is set in a post-war Japan, exploring the catastrophic impact of Godzilla's emergence in an already devastated nation. The storyline is set in the tense and uncertain period following World War II, where Godzilla's arrival threatens the fragile reconstruction of a country recovering from the horrors of war.
Godzilla Minus One delves into themes of trauma, hope, guilt and redemption. It's told mostly from the perspective of Kōichi Shikishima (Ryunosuke Kamiki), a PTSD-riddled kamikaze pilot who survived World War II only to face down an even bigger threat in the form of the giant lizard. Many fans have compared the film to Oppenheimer for its depiction of the unimaginable devastation of the atomic bomb. The movie won the Academy Award for Visual Effects, despite having a relatively low production budget. The film is a visual marvel, with action sequences that will thrill and terrify you as well as emotional sequences that will bring you to tears.
Godzilla Minus One is streaming on Netflix.
'The Old Guard' (2020)
The Old Guard is a superhero story meets covert ops and military, but without any capes or costumes. The superpowered beings at the heart of the film are a mysterious group of immortal beings, led by Andromache or "Andy" (Charlize Theron), who have secretly protected humanity for millennia. As they struggle to maintain their anonymity, they must also contend with the emergence of a new immortal, Nile (KiKi Layne). Together, the team faces both modern threats and age-old enemies in their quest to preserve secrecy about their identities and ensure security for the future.
Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, who previously created much quieter movies like The Secret Life of Bees and Beyond the Lights, The Old Guard has an emotional depth that you might not expect from a superhero action film. The themes of sacrifice and guilt are grounded by Theron's stellar performance, as well as those of Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli and Chiwetel Ejiofor. With its blend of thought-provoking elements and adrenaline-pumping action, The Old Guard offers a refreshing take on the genre, providing both entertainment and substance for viewers. A sequel is on its way, so now is the perfect time to watch the original.
The Old Guard is streaming on Netflix.
'Sicario' (2015)
Dune and Arrival director Denis Villeneuve is at the helm of this gripping action-thriller, which follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), who is recruited by a government task force to aid in a high-stakes mission against the Mexican cartel. As the operation unfolds, she is exposed to the morally ambiguous tactics employed by her team. The enigmatic Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and the mysterious consultant Alejandro Gillick (Benicio del Toro) blur the lines of right and wrong in this acclaimed film, which starkly depicts law enforcement and crime at the border.
The action sequences in Sicario will keep you immersed in the intense story, as will the performances and the gripping score. It's an intense and captivating action thriller you won't soon forget.
Sicario is streaming on Netflix.
'London Has Fallen' (2016)
Gerard Butler and most of the cast of Olympus Has Fallen returned for the 2016 sequel, London Has Fallen. Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Butler) must be having a serious case of deja vu. He already saved President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) from one terrorist plot, and now he has to do it again.
As the chaos unfolds in London, Vice President Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) seems powerless to help Banning and President Asher. Terrorist Aamir Barkaw (Alon Moni Aboutboul) has already taken out most of the G7 leaders, and he just needs to find Asher to complete his revenge. Over Banning's dead body, of course.
London Has Fallen is streaming on Netflix.
'Havoc' (2025)
After taking a very long break between films, The Raid director Gareth Evans returns with Havoc, an action-packed crime thriller. Tom Hardy stars as Patrick Walker, a disgraced cop who is also on the payroll for Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker), an extremely wealthy man who is running for mayor.
Beaumont has a particularly dangerous mission for Walker. Beaumont's son, Charlie (Justin Cornwell), and Charlie's girlfriend, Mia (Quelin Sepulveda), have been framed for murdering the leader of the Triad gang, and there's a price on their heads. Beaumont wants his son to be protected at all costs, but even his money can't prevent the Triads from coming after him as well.
Havoc is streaming on Netflix.
‘Colombiana’ (2011)
Screenwriter Luc Besson originally envisioned Colombiana as a sequel to Leon: The Professional. When that idea fell through, it was reconceived as a standalone action flick starring Zoe Saldaña as an assassin named Cataleya.Two decades ago, Cataleya’s family was murdered by men loyal to Don Luis (Beto Benites), a drug lord who used to work with Cataleya’s father. Cataleya was trained to kill by her uncle Emilio Restrepo (Cliff Curtis), and she has a serious vendetta against anyone involved with the death of her family. She’s also unconcerned about the blowback of her actions, which may endanger herself and Emilio’s family.Colombiana is streaming on Netflix.
‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (2024)
How does an action franchise stay fresh after three decades? A 17-year hiatus between the second and third films certainly helped Bad Boys make a comeback. But the fourth sequel, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, only had a four-year break between movies. This time, Detective Lieutenants Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) have a very personal mission. Someone has posthumously framed their beloved former captain, Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), for crimes he didn’t commit.Mike and Marcus’ quest to clear Howard’s name hits a snag when they are also framed by the perpetrators and forced to go on the run from their colleagues in the Miami PD. In times like these, it helps to know who your friends are. Bad Boys: Ride or Die is streaming on Netflix.
‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’ (2024)
If Mad Max: Fury Road was sticking around on Netflix in April, then it would have been an easy pick for this list. In its absence, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is the next best thing. Anya Taylor-Joy had some very big shoes to fill considering that Furiosa is the role that made Charlize Theron an action icon. Taylor-Joy doesn’t get to say as much as Theron, but she kicks all kinds of butt in this movie.This is Furiosa’s origin story, and it’s easy to understand where her anger comes from. She was kidnapped from her home and held hostage by Dementus (Chris Hemsworth), the warlord who murdered her mother. Furiosa holds a serious grudge for that, and there’s nothing she won’t do to get her revenge, no matter how many people she has to kill in the wasteland.Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is streaming on Netflix.
‘Upgrade’ (2018)
Upgrade serves as a reminder of why it’s a bad idea to trust a billionaire to put a computer chip in your brain. Artist Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) felt he didn’t have a choice when Eron Keen (Harrison Gilbertson) offered to install STEM in his mind to restore his mobility. Grey was paralyzed during an attack that left his wife dead, and now his heart calls out for revenge.STEM (Simon Maiden) has a voice and a mind of its own. It heard Grey’s cries, and it can give him the vengeance he so desperately needs, as seen in some incredibly brutal action sequences. But STEM is only helping Grey as long as the artist gives in to its will. And if Grey isn’t careful, he’ll be permanently sidelined in his own body. Upgrade is streaming on Netflix.
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