As winter winds down, we start looking (quite far) ahead to the summer months and, in particular, action movies. What better way to keep warm on dark, chilly nights than watching gasoline-fuelled explosions and thundering gun battles? Amazon Prime happens to have an excellent selection of action movies, featuring a variety of sub-genres that provide just enough differentiation while still keeping things familiar.
The streamer offers everything from gritty thrillers with peak-80s decadence (52 Pick-Up) to classic ‘70s exploitation (Coffy), recent Best Picture winners (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and box office favorites (Top Gun: Maverick).
Below, EW runs down the best action movies on Amazon Prime right now.
52 Pick-Up (1986)
Cannon Films/Everett
Roy Scheider stars with Ann-Margaret in this fairly depraved adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s equally hair-raising novel. It concerns Scheider, as a straight-laced businessman, who comes up against a sleazy pornographer (John Glover) with a penchant for snuff films. 52 Pick-Up is an early template for what would become the classic Liam Neeson “don’t f— with my family” movie, and this is one of the best examples of that niche genre.
Where to watch 52 Pick-Up: Amazon Prime Video
Director: John Frankenheimer
Cast: Roy Scheider, Ann-Margret, Vanity, John Glover, Clarence Williams III, Lonny Chapman
Related content: Elmore Leonard in film/TV gallery
Blood Father (2016)
Lionsgate Premiere/Everett
Speaking of morally dubious actioners, this late-era Mel Gibson romp offers more than its fair share of thrills (and questionable curse words). He stars as the eponymous father, who gets out of prison and attempts to reunite with his estranged daughter (Erin Moriarty) before enacting revenge against her drug-dealing boyfriend (Diego Luna).
Where to watch Blood Father: Amazon Prime Video
EW grade: B (read the review)
Director: Jean-François Richet
Cast: Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, Dale Dickey, Michael Parks
Related content: The 40 best crime movies of all time
Coffy (1973)
Nobody did it quite like Pam Grier, and Coffy is proof. It’s not the most traditionally flashy or well-made of her ‘70s exploitation run, but it is the film most indicative of her talents and the era itself. Reteaming with Big Doll House director Jack Hill, Grier stars as a nurse who disguises herself as a sex worker to exact revenge on the pushers who got her sister addicted to smack.
Where to watch Coffy: Amazon Prime Video
EW grade: A- (read the review)
Director: Jack Hill
Cast: Pam Grier, Booker Bradshaw, Sid Haig, Lisa Farringer, Robert DoQui
Related content: Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles from Coffy to Jackie Brown
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
The Daniels rightfully won big at last year’s Oscars for this ambitious, moving, and exceedingly exciting genre-bender, which stars Michelle Yeoh as a put-upon laundress who gets a chance to see where her life could have gone. In addition to comedy, romance, and family drama, Everything Everywhere is also a breakneck action picture.
Where to watch Everything Everywhere All at Once: Amazon Prime Video
EW grade: B- (read the review)
Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong
Related content: The ‘weird journey’ to make Everything Everywhere All at Once
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Summit Entertainment/Everett
Kathryn Bigelow’s stunning, episodic exploration of thrill-seeking bomb defusers amidst the Iraq War is still among the best pieces of nonfiction made about the so-called War on Terror, and the best thing star Jeremy Renner has managed to be a part of. It’s haunting and horrific, but it’s also a movie rooted in the drudgery and repetition of battle. It feels authentic, and the twists and dramatic contrivances are more than earned.
Where to watch The Hurt Locker: Amazon Prime Video
EW grade: A (read the review)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, David Morse, Christian Camargo
Related content: Kathryn Bigelow movies, ranked
Mr. Majestyk (1974)
Everett
Current blockbusterThe Beekeeper feels like a modern spin on Mr. Majestyk, complete with Jason Statham once again serving as our present-day Charles Bronson. This pared-down Elmore Leonard adaptation from 1974 stars the real Bronson as a rancher exacting revenge for his ruined crop.
Where to watch Mr. Majestyk: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Richard Fleischer
Cast: Charles Bronson, Linda Cristal, Al Lettieri, Lee Purcell, Paul Koslo
Related content: 28 great revenge movies
