Best Action Movies on Netflix You Shouldn’t Miss!

The Best Action Movies on Netflix: From the evolution of Hollywood cinema, action movies played an integral part in sustaining and increasing it’s popularity. From the old classic Bruce Lee films, the Die Hard franchise to the latest John Wick franchise, action movies continued to impress the viewers worldwide with a wide variety and incredibly put together action scenes. So, for your weekend pleasure, we curated the best and the most kick-ass Action Movies available on the global streaming giant, Netflix. Presenting The Best Action Movies on Netflix you shouldn’t miss watching.

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2023

Related: Best Horror Movies on Netflix You Can’t Miss!
Related: Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix You Shouldn’t Miss!

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[Ranked in no particular order]

35. The Patriot (2000)

Director – Roland Emmerich
Cast – Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper

The Patriot (2000), helmed by director Roland Emmerich and headlined by Mel Gibson, stands as an epic historical war drama set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. Gibson embodies the role of a reluctant hero who becomes a crucial figure in the fight for independence. This emotionally charged film skillfully blends action-packed sequences with heartfelt storytelling, resulting in a patriotic and unforgettable narrative of valor.

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34. Man on Fire

Director – Tony Scott
Cast – Denzel Washington

Man on Fire emerges as a riveting action thriller. Washington takes on the role of a former CIA operative on a quest for redemption as he safeguards a young girl in the heart of Mexico City. This gripping and adrenaline-pumping film seamlessly weaves elements of revenge, suspense, and a potent emotional foundation. ‘Man on Fire’ is an absolute must-see for aficionados of action-packed dramas, showcasing Denzel Washington’s powerhouse performance at its best. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix.

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33. Bullet Train

Director – David Leitch
Cast – Brad Pitt, Joey King

Preview Only: Directed by David Leitch, Bullet Train, based on a Japanese novel called Maria Beetle by Kōtarō Isaka, follows an assassin equipped with one job — retrieve a suitcase from the train. Little does he know there are other people on this train with ulterior motives.

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32. The Bad Boys Franchise

Director – Michael Bay
Cast – Will Smith & Martin Lawrence

One of the most entertaining action franchises, Bad Boys starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in the lead roles, initially begins with Marcus, a family man, and Mike, a ladies’ man, who are partners in the Miami Police Department. Eventually, Things get complicated when they assume each other’s identity while investigating a drug deal. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix India.

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31. Death Race (2008)

Director – Paul W. S. Anderson
Cast – Jason Statham & Natalie Martinez

Paul W. S. Anderson’s dystopian action-thriller starring Jason Statham in the lead role explores a unique storyline with prisoners putting their lives on the line and racing in specially designed junkyard themed cars to win their freedom. With a handful of no-nonsense, vehement action scenes, corny dialogue, and a clear distinguishment between the good and the bad guys, Death Race shines and provides all the entertainment you expect from an action film. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix India. – Surya Komal

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30. 6 Underground

Director – Michael Bay
Cast – Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent‎

Directed by Michael Bay, who is notoriously known for directing bombastic action movies is back with yet another action flick, 6 Underground, which will not disappoint you in terms of entertainment. If you do not mind the mediocre writing, this movie has all the potential and the ammo to entertain you on a whole other level. To quote the lead star and the man who is married to the most beautiful woman in the entire world, Blake Lively, “6 Underground is the most Michael Bay movie that Michael Bay has ever Michael Bay done.” So, buckle up! – Nirmal Raj

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30. The Suicide Squad (2021)

Director – James Gunn
Cast – Idris Elba, Margot Robbie

The Suicide Squad truly shines with its inventive narrative and a motley crew of antiheroes. Guided by electrifying Harley Quinn and the formidable Bloodsport, the film masterfully juggles mind-bending action, pitch-black humor, and thought-provoking social commentary. Gunn’s unrestrained creativity takes center stage, serving up a raucous, R-rated escapade that establishes a fresh benchmark for superhero cinema, seamlessly merging unapologetic brutality with genuine emotional depth. It’s an absolute must-see that redefines the boundaries of the genre. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix India. – Stephanie Young

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28. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Director – Michael Bay
Cast – Eric Bana, Josh Hartnett

Best Action Movies on Netflix: Directed by Michael Bay, 13 Hours, a 2016 war film is about a security team consisting of six members, who fight and defend an American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, against a wave of terrorist attacks.

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27. Hancock (2008)

Director – Peter Berg
Cast – Will Smith & Charlize Theron

Hancock (2008), featuring Will Smith, breaks the superhero mold with a delightful twist. Smith portrays an unconventional hero endowed with superpowers but a tarnished reputation. The movie skillfully blends action-packed sequences with humor as Hancock charts a path towards redemption. Will Smith’s charismatic performance and the film’s fresh take on the superhero genre make Hancock a rejuvenating and entertaining journey for enthusiasts of superhuman adventures. A must-watch and one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix India.

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26. Constantine

Director – Francis Lawrence
Cast – Keanu Reeves & Rachel Weisz

Plunge headfirst into a realm inhabited by demons, angels, and the mysterious occult, where John Constantine wages a relentless battle against malevolent forces to rescue humanity. With its captivating visuals and Reeves’ charismatic performance, this dark fantasy thriller stands as an absolute essential. Embark on a journey into the enigmatic underbelly of the contemporary world in Constantine, an enthralling cinematic odyssey.

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25. Red Notice

Director – Rawson Marshall Thurber
Cast – Johnson, Gadot & Reynolds

Preview Only: One of the biggest Netflix Original projects of all time, Red Notice with Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, and Ryan Reynolds in the lead roles is set in the world of international crime when an Interpol agent attempts to hunt down and capture the world’s most wanted art thief.

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24. The Old Guard

Director – Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast – Chris Hemsworth, Ovi Mahajan

Gina Prince-Bythewood directorial, The Old Guard starring Charlize Theron in the lead role surely had a couple of narrative issues. But, it is thoroughly entertaining and has the right blend of action and emotional elements. The outstanding performances from the cast, the general plot, and the solid effort by the Gina Prince makes The Old Guard one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix. – Surya Komal

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23. Faster (2010)

Director – George Tillman Jr.
Cast – Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton

Preview Only: After serving time in prison, a criminal sets out to avenge his brother’s murder. As he blazes a trail of violence and vengeance, he is pursued by two police officers and an assassin.

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22. Extraction Series

Director – Sam Hargrave
Cast – Chris Hemsworth, Ovi Mahajan

[This excerpt comes from Nirmal’s ‘Extraction’ Review]

Starring Chris Hemsworth in the lead role, Extraction directed by Sam Hargrave explores the story of Tyler Rake, who is hired on a mission, to extract Ovi Mahajan, the kidnapped son of an Indian Drug lord, held in captive by a gangster from Bangladesh. With the screenplay penned by Joe Russo, Extraction will be cherished as a breathtaking action film, but not as a movie with great characterization, and a more detailed narrative. If you love some extreme, violent, and no-nonsense action scenes and wouldn’t mind the skinny plot, then this film is a must-watch for you.

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21. Army of the Dead

Director – Zack Snyder
Cast – Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell

A group of highly trained individuals fights their way through zombies on a mission from a wealthy casino owner. Despite all the backlash from critics, fans, and the two-hour-plus runtime, Army of the Dead wasn’t that bad. I’ve seen my fair share of bad movies, especially bad zombie films and this one doesn’t even make the top twenty. The storyline was good, some things didn’t make much sense, but overall it wasn’t unbearable. The camera work by Zack Snyder himself was amazing and it was a fun movie to watch once. – Zoha Junaid

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20. Enola Holmes

Director – Harry Bradbeer
Cast – Brown, Cavill & Claflin

[This excerpt comes from Surya’s ‘Enola Holmes’ Review]

Enola Holmes starring Millie Bobby Brown is a vibrant, happy, and a heartwarming fun-filled adventure that functions more as an introduction to the lead character. It still maintains that quick-wit, blistering scenes, and the mystery element that we usually see in a Sherlock Holmes film. However, it also adds a good amount of depth to the overall narrative as it does not come off as an ordinary whodunnit thriller. – Surya Komal

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[Ranked in no particular order]

19. KATE

Director – Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Cast – Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Miku Martineau

Preview Only: Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the titular role, Kate on Netflix, directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan and co-starring Miku Martineau and Woody Harrelson in supporting roles. The storyline of the movie revolves around our primary character, a vicious assassin, who, on her final assignment, has less than 24 hours to discover who ordered the hit and exact revenge.

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18. 2 Guns

Director – Baltasar Kormákur
Cast – D. Washington & M. Wahlberg

2 Guns dishes out an explosive cocktail of action and humor, led by the charismatic duo of Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. These two undercover agents find themselves ensnared in a complex web of corruption, betrayal, and a heist gone off the rails. Packed with exhilarating shootouts, clever repartee, and a rollercoaster of a plot, it’s an absolute must-watch for aficionados of action-thrillers.

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17. Knight and Day

Director – James Mangold
Cast – Tom Cruise & Cameron Diaz

Best Action Movies on Netflix: June Havens meets Roy, a lethal operative, in an unlikely encounter and gets entangled in his adventures. She falls in love with him and has to figure out if he is a traitor or a good guy.

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16. Godzilla (2014)

Director – Gareth Edwards
Cast – Aaron Taylor-Johnson & Elizabeth Olsen

Best Action Movies on Netflix: Following the calamitous American adaptation of Emmerich’s Godzilla in 98. Gareth Edwards imposing exposition on Godzilla was more lifelike and convincing to all its original fans and to the normal onlookers. Godzilla (2014) uniformly impresses on every single prospect and was not overdone to any extent, which may crop up few protests on the movie that it lacked the spine-tingling action sequences. Do not expect a completely jam-packed action-thriller since it’s a sensible yet stimulating take on the character of Godzilla. – Surya Komal

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15. Skyscraper

Director – Rawson Marshall Thurber
Cast – Dwayne Johnson & Neve Campbell

Starring one of the most electrifying, charismatic, and the top movie stars of our generation, Skyscraper starring Dwayne Johnson is arguably one of the best movies in his prolific filmography to date. Embracing the absolute ridiculousness of the premise, Skyscraper goes all out with its captivating drama, high-octane action sequences, and The Rock’s irresistible screen presence. one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix.

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14. Outlaw King

Director – David Mackenzie
Cast – Chris Pine, Florence Pugh

Set in the 14th century, Outlaw King, a historical action drama, explores the journey of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotts, and his heroic efforts in leading Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England. Filmed in real castles and authentic locations from all across the United Kingdom, this movie gives you a legit mega movie theatre-experience, unlike any other Netflix Original you’ve ever seen before, thanks to those incredible wide-screen panoramic shots. Regardless of a few screenwriting issues, it still delivers and is worth permitting your valuable time. – Surya Komal

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13. Uncharted

Director – Ruben Fleischer
Cast – Nathan Drake & Mark Wahlberg

Uncharted is directed by Ruben Fleischer and is based upon the video game series of the same name. Tom Holland stars as everyone’s favorite PlayStation character in Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg stars as his mentor Victor Sullivan or Sully for short. This is a sort of origin story for Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan as they chase a long lost treasure that the great explorer Ferdinand Magellan found a long time ago. The treasure was lost, but anything that’s lost can be found.

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12. Wrath of Man

Director – Guy Ritchie
Cast – Jason Statham, Scott Eastwood

Mysterious and wild-eyed, the storyline of Wrath of Man revolves around a new security guard for a cash truck, who surprises his co-workers when he unleashes his precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and certain steps to settle a score. Based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck the film stars Jason Statham in the lead role. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix.

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11. American Made

Director – Doug Liman
Cast – Tom Cruise & Sarah Wright

American Made might be one of the most non-Tom Cruise movies in recent times because this film goes for it inside and out. It is a true story about an elite airline pilot, Barry Seal who gets involved in smuggling drugs to the United States and goes from making a decent living to ultra-rich. From the action scenes, compelling narrative and the unorthodox filmmaking style of Liman, this film is a pretty entertaining watch from start to finish anchored with Cruise’s endless charm. – Surya Komal

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[Ranked in no particular order]

10. Nobody

Director – Ilya Naishuller
Cast – Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov

Nobody follows Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) as he takes on the Russian Mafia after a home invasion. The film offers two perspectives: a fun, action-packed ride reminiscent of John Wick, or a deeper examination of its celebration of a character with a violent past. While enjoyable with thrilling action and a unique Odenkirk performance, it suffers from a somewhat weak plot, cheesy dialogue, and unresolved plot holes. Nevertheless, it’s a good action flick with potential for a sequel. – Andy Mikesic

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9. Headshot

Director – Timo Tjahjanto
Cast – Iko Uwais

Yet another Indonesian martial art action film, Headshot much like its predecessors, The Raid and The Raid 2 showcases the most brutal and kick-ass action sequences in the most entertaining way possible. Timo Tjahjanto, the director of The Night Comes for Us delivers yet again when it comes to direction and filmmaking style. And in conjunction with the action set pieces, this movie also has an on-going emotional side which cools things down a bit. If you’re into ferocious Indonesian action films, give Headshot a go, one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix. – Surya Komal

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8. Wheelman

Director – Jeremy Rush
Cast – Frank Grillo, Caitlin Carmichael

Frank Grillo, as a bad-ass getaway driver, is something I never knew I needed in life. The entire narrative of Wheelman takes place during one night as the camera pans in and out within the settings of a BMW car. The storyline involves Grillo getting stuck in a series of problems which include blackmails, deceit and blood money as he struggles to resolve the issues by operating from inside the car.

Similar to Tom Hardy’s Locke, the entire film (for the most part) focuses on Grillo’s character, and he gives a standout performance which adds anger, emotion and drama for the entirety of the runtime. Complementing his top-notch performance, Jeremy Rush’s screenplay moves on a rapid pace and kept me on the edge-of-my-seat in all respects. Wheelman isn’t all perfect, but, if you’re looking forward to watching an exciting action movie, this is undoubtedly an excellent pick. Undoubtedly one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix. – Surya Komal

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7. The Night Comes For Us

Director – Timo Tjahjanto
Cast – Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim

Iko Uwais, who we all know and love from The Raid franchise stars in this Indonesian Netflix Original which doesn’t hold back when it comes to showcasing absolute carnage. The Night Comes For Us masquerades with an emotional plot point, but, the heart and the soul of the movie are it’s all-out, unforgiving, violence-filled action sequences that are at the same time entertaining and unsettling to watch. Shot, choreographed and performed with perfection, the riveting action alone makes this two-hour film worth watching. – Surya Komal

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6. Triple Frontier

Director – J. C. Chandor
Cast – Affleck, Issac, Hunnam, Pascal

Been in development hell since 2010, Triple Frontier, this Netflix Original movie stars a mighty ensemble of A-list stars including Ben Affleck and Oscar Issac in the lead roles. J. C. Chandor, well known for his 2014 critically acclaimed crime-drama, A Most Violent Year, fills in the director’s role for Kathryn Bigelow who was initially discussed to take over the project.

Adjacent to several other heist films in the past, Triple Frontier takes off on a comparable medium, a group of proficient friends orchestrating to loot a boatload of money and the entire plan goes from bad to worse as a result of a terrible mishap. The dire majestic terrain setting akin to The Ritual sets the mood for a possible entertaining thriller. Overall, with decent performances and a premise which keeps moving despite several hiccups, Triple Frontier is enjoyable for it is. – Surya Komal

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5. Pacific Rim

Director – Guillermo del Toro
Cast – Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba

Preview Only: The government contemplates that Jaegers, robotic war machines battling Kaijus to be ineffective. However, Stacker Pentecost’s team believes that only the Jaegers can save the world from destruction. Directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba in the lead roles, Pacific Rim is one of the Best Action Movies on Netflix.

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4. The Equalizer

Director – Antoine Fuqua
Cast – Denzel Washington

Starring Denzel Washington as the cool, calm and collected badass, The Equalizer scores the best when it comes to the action sequences. There are bloody and ferocious and added that aggressive asset to a rated-R film. Accompanied by some stylish and luminous camera work, every scene in the movie were well-produced and skillfully choreographed.

Additionally, Denzel Washington carried the entire film on his shoulders. He has that inveigling screen presence, and he’s one of the main reasons why I didn’t feel exhausted after watching a two-hour movie. Overall, The Equalizer is filled with incredible blood-soaked action and is the rated-R we deserve. If you’re looking for American movies in the Best Action Movies on Netflix category, The Equalizer is a good option. – Surya Komal

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3. Godzilla vs. Kong

Director – Cathy Yan
Cast – Margot Robbie, Ewan McGregor

The storyline of Godzilla vs. Kong begins with Kong spending his free time alone and frustrated inside a Containment Zone at Skull Island while regularly reminding the authorities controlling him that he is running out of patience and doesn’t like being controlled. On the other hand, his long-time archnemesis, Godzilla, sensing some sort of threat, wreaks havoc on a research facility and continues to be a greater menace to society. Subsequently, to avoid the growing tensions between these two colossal Titans, the authorities work out a solution that instantly goes haywire as the remainder of the film displays the inevitable clash between the two within the 113-minute runtime.

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2. The Woman King

Director – Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cast – Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu

The Woman King, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a captivating historical epic centered around the Agojie, a female warrior unit in 19th-century Dahomey. Viola Davis delivers a stellar performance alongside Thuso Mbedu, with compelling characters, thrilling battles, and a strong narrative. While historically inaccurate, it offers great entertainment. History buffs might find inaccuracies, but Mbedu’s potential shines. Overall, it’s a must-see for its gripping storytelling and superb acting. – Andy Mikesic

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1. RRR

Director – S. S. Rajamouli
Cast – NTR Jr. & Ram Charan

Starring Ram Charan and Jr. NTR in the lead roles, the storyline of RRR is simple and begins with a little girl of the Gond tribe being taken away by the British, and the protector of the tribe vouches to bring her back home. Along the way, he trusts and becomes good friends with a police officer, and the rest of the film showcases their friendship, individual goals, and the underlying emotion that carries the entire narrative. One of the Best Action Movies on Netflix.

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