Looking for a little adrenaline jolt to your Netflix viewing? We’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve curated a list of the best action movies on Netflix, from the more adventure-tinged playful flicks to big-budget superhero movies to straight-up kung fu films. It’s the perfect antidote to the same-old-same-old, and Netflix has a pretty swell and diverse library of action films to spice up your night.

Looking for something a little different? Check out our list of best fantasy and horror movies on the platform, or browse our picks for the best films on the platform across all genres.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 6.8/10

It’s no wonder that the action in the Netflix original film Extraction is spectacular, given director Sam Hargrave’s background as the stunt coordinator for films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. Scripted by Endgame co-director Joe Russo, Extraction is a hardened (and extremely violent) actioner that follows a disillusioned mercenary (Chris Hemsworth) tasked with escorting a young kidnapped boy out of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Along the way, he grows fond of the boy and grows into his role as protector. The film is based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Fernando León González, and Eric Skillman.

Though Extraction received mixed reviews from critics, its popularity with viewers has been sky-high, and the film is one of Netflix’s most-watched original movies ever. The action is outta control in this one, and Chris Hemsworth gives a solid lead performance while Hargrave does some very fun stuff with the camera. Gritty and graphic with a unique visual flair, Extraction will definitely get your blood pumping.

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Ballerina

Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Written and directed by Chung-Hyun Lee, Ballerina follows the journey of an ex-bodyguard as she tries to exact vengeance on behalf of her recently deceased best friend. The film features Money Heist: Korea stars Jeon Jong-seo and Kim Ji-hoon as the ex-bodyguard and the sex trafficker antagonist, respectively, with Park Yu-rim (Drive My Car) as the deceased friend and titular ballerina.

Critically acclaimed and a big hit with Netflix’s audience, Ballerina is a wild ride that doesn’t shy away from discussing the horrifyingly poignant undercurrent of sexual slavery in its narrative. A sizzling tale of desperate revenge, the film is stylish both on script and screen, with the high-octane action measured neatly by moments of calm. With a sprinkling of action styles for everyone, from shoot-outs to meticulously designed fight sequences, Ballerina is an action fan’s dream.

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Heart of Stone

Rotten Tomatoes: 30% | IMDb: 5.7/10

Director Tom Harper (The Aeronauts) teams up with Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey) for a wild spy thriller modeled after the smash hit Mission: Impossible franchise. Heart of Stone makes Artificial Intelligence the central McGuffin of the film, putting Gadot’s character, Rachel Stone, in charge of protecting a powerful AI for her intelligence agency, The Charter.

Gadot is brilliant as the quipping, non-nonsense agent who has to fight against insurmountable odds — a role she gives her all to throughout. Though Heart of Stone was critically panned and added to a number of “Worst of the Year” lists in 2023, it’s still a fun movie to watch when all you really want are some great action set pieces. And that’s okay.

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Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.0/10

With Extraction 2, writer Joe Russo (The Gray Man) and director Sam Hargrave (Extraction) team up once again to deliver a tense action thriller. Starring Chris Hemsworth (Avengers: Infinity War) reprising the lead role, the movie follows Tyler Rake on a mission to rescue his ex-sister-in-law and her children, who have been imprisoned by her gangster husband. The film also stars Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Tornike Bziava, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, and Idris Elba.

Extraction 2 is a definite improvement on the first, with positive reviews and a nomination for a Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Award under its belt. The movie has so much gunplay and brutal fighting, along with numerous mind-blowing set pieces, that your arm will get absolutely ripped from all the fist-pumping. Hemsworth injects his performance with endless charm, and in this second go-around, he gets to really dig into the layers of the character, exploring the mental and physical toll of being a black ops mercenary and the strain of his near-death experience.

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The Mother

Rotten Tomatoes: 43% | IMDb: 5.6/10

From Mulan director Niki Caro, The Mother is a gripping drama that stars Jennifer Lopez as a military-trained assassin dragged out of hiding to protect the estranged daughter she had to give up. Opposite Lopez is Gael García Bernal and Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale), playing viciously villainous roles that allow her to showcase both her strength and vulnerability.

The Mother uniquely balances gentle heartstring-tugging, explosive action sequences, and captivating fight choreography. With a plot that feels like Taken meets Hanna, The Mother impressively doesn’t shy away from intense drama, showcasing Lopez’s ability to flow from heartbreak to stunts. While the film was rather negatively received by critics, it’s one of Netflix’s most popular movies to date.

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The Woman King

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6.9/10

Directed by the incomparable Gina Prince-Bythewood from a glorious screenplay written by Dana Stevens, The Woman King is directly inspired by a historical elite all-female warrior unit in West Africa during the 17th century. The film stars icon Viola Davis as General Nanisca, the leader of the Agojie, who not only liberates captured civilians who were abducted and trafficked but also trains young women to join her team. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Thuso Mbedu, and John Boyega.

Featuring a breakout performance from Mbedu, who holds her own alongside heavy hitters like Davis and Lynch, The Woman King has been praised for its remarkable action choreography and touching story. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has received critical acclaim, as well as several accolades. The Woman King is a masterpiece of perseverance and passion that’s easily one of the most underrated movies of 2022.

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Bullet Train

Rotten Tomatoes: 54% | IMDb: 7.3/10

Director David Leitch (Deadpool 2) assembles an exquisite all-star cast in Bullet Train, including Brad Pitt, Brian Tyree Henry (Eternals), Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (The King’s Man), Bad Bunny, Sandra Bullock, and Andrew Koji. Written by Zak Olkewicz and based on the novel Maria Beetle (Bullet Train) by Kōtarō Isaka, the film follows an unlucky operative (Pitt) who is tasked with retrieving a briefcase from a bullet train. Though he sincerely tries to complete the job peacefully, that becomes impossible when he finds the train full of lethal killers from around the globe, none of whom have any qualms about killing him.

Bullet Train is a gorgeous visual feast of spectacular stunts, vibrant colors, and unbridled physical action. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film was commercially successful — and it’s easy to see why. With an engaging story following diverse characters whose missions intertwine, the movie unfolds in layers, revealing unexpected twists and secrets. Bullet Train is a mind-blowing action film that’s not just about the action, and you’re going to enjoy this ride all the way to the end of the line.

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Close

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Noomi Rapace stars in Close, an action film directed by Vicky Jewson, who co-wrote the story with Rupert Whitaker. Rapace plays Sam Carlson, a bodyguard protecting an heiress from assassins in Sudan. Although completely fictional, the character of Carlson is deeply inspired by one of the world’s leading bodyguards, Jacquie Davis. The film also stars Sophie Nélisse, Indira Varma, and Eoin Macken.

With impeccable action reminiscent of Jason Bourne, Taken, and the Mission: Impossible series, Close presents a refreshing and thoroughly engaging watch. Though the movie received mostly negative reviews, critics did praise Close’s female-led spin on the classic action film. The narrative is a bit predictable, but that doesn’t detract from the hard-hitting stunts and intricate fight choreography that makes Close exciting and fun.

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Kate

Rotten Tomatoes: 46% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Directed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan from a script by Umair Aleem, Kate stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Birds of Prey) as a meticulous and highly trained assassin racing against the clock to identify who poisoned her and exact revenge before she dies. Besides Winstead in the lead role, the film also stars the likes of Woody Harrelson, Michiel Huisman, and Jun Kunimura.

Though it received negative reviews for its predictable story, Kate is bursting with intricate and heart-pumping fight sequences, livening up the male-dominated action genre with a colorful and vibrant cinematographic palette. The film takes care to include a variety of action styles, including hand-to-hand combat, gunfire, car chases, and, of course, swords. It’s a dark and beautiful story set against a visually stunning blend of techno-futurism and modern-day Japan.

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The Gray Man

Rotten Tomatoes: 44% | IMDb: 6.5/10

With a budget of $200 million, The Gray Man is one of the most expensive Netflix films ever made – and it shows in its A-list cast, global set pieces, and high-speed action sequences. The movie centers around a CIA black ops assassin called Six (Ryan Gosling) and fellow agent Dani (Ana de Armas) as they are hunted down by a psychopathic former CIA agent, Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans). The film was directed by the Russo brothers (Avengers: Endgame), Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, from a screenplay that Joe Russo co-wrote with longtime collaborators Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America: The Winter Soldier). The movie also boasts an ensemble supporting cast that includes the likes of Jessica Henwick, Regé-Jean Page, Wagner Moura, Dhanush, Alfre Woodard, and Billy Bob Thornton.

From the uncovering of dark agency secrets to tense hostage situations, The Gray Man is everything you want from a flick like this. The movie did receive its share of negative reviews, but the ensemble cast and slick action sequences make up for what The Gray Man lacks in terms of narrative. The film did extremely well with viewers, with over 250 million hours watched on Netflix.

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6 Underground

Rotten Tomatoes: 36% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Directed by Michael Bay from a screenplay by Deadpool writers Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, 6 Underground is a vigilante action movie starring Ryan Reynolds, Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Adria Arjona, Corey Hawkins, Ben Hardy, and Dave Franco. Reynolds leads the ensemble as a billionaire who fakes his death and puts together a team of highly skilled operatives to take down criminals and tyrants.

6 Underground is perhaps the most unhinged film of Michael Bay’s career, and that is no small statement. The filmmaker behind Hollywood’s biggest blow-stuff-up features like the Transformers and Bad Boys films actually manages to go even more extreme with this Netflix original. A globetrotting action film that ultimately failed to make a mark on critics, 6 Underground is borderline incomprehensible, but no one watches a Bay film for the plot. If you want maximum “Bayhem,” the movie delivers on all fronts.

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Gunpowder Milkshake

Rotten Tomatoes: 60% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Gunpowder Milkshake is an action thriller set in the bloody world of assassins. When a crime syndicate targets a child (Chloe Coleman), Sam (Karen Gillan), a dangerous hitwoman, decides to protect her instead. Unfortunately, that means reuniting with her estranged mother, played by Lena Headey. Together, they recruit other members from the sisterhood of assassins to their fight, which includes the powerhouse team of Angela Bassett, Carla Gugino, and Michelle Yeoh. The movie was written by Ehud Lavski and Navot Papushado, with the latter also directing.

Gunpowder Milkshake isn’t just an action film featuring a female-led cast — it’s also an emotional drama about a mother and daughter reconciling after previous abandonment. The film received generally favorable reviews, and its action pieces are near-perfect. With distinct cinematography and impressive fight choreography, Gunpowder Milkshake is a sweet, violent treat for the eyes.

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The Old Guard

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Directed by Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood in her first big blockbuster action turn, Netflix’s The Old Guard stars CharlizeTheron as the ancient leader of an immortal band of warriors. The film was written by Greg Rucka and is based on his graphic novel series of the same name. The movie’s ensemble cast includes KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Harry Melling, Veronica Ngo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

The Old Guard doesn’t just offer explosive action set-pieces and kinetic fight scenes (though it definitely has those) — it brings something much rarer to the genre: the recognition that violence and killing are brutal, disgusting work and that there’s a toll that comes with taking a life. In short, it has humanity and empathy, qualities that give the pulse-pounding thrills a bit more heft without derailing your good time at the movies. Positively received by critics and very popular with viewers, The Old Guard currently has a sequel in development.

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The Harder They Fall

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.6/10

The Netflix Western The Harder They Fall follows the adventures of the cowboy Nat Love (Jonathan Majors), whose parents are killed by an outlaw (Idris Elba). When the outlaw is released from prison, Love reunites with his gang to go after his mortal enemy. The movie features an ensemble cast, and many of the characters are loosely based on real-life figures from the 19th century. The Harder They Fall was directed by Jeymes Samuel in his feature directorial debut and stars Majors, Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, and Lakeith Stanfield. Samuel also co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Boaz Yakin.

The Harder They Fall premiered at the 2021 BFI London Film Festival. The film received great reviews from critics, with praise for Samuel’s direction and the cast’s performances, and has won several awards. It’s the perfect watch for fans of the Western genre. And even if you’re not that into cowboys, it’s a well-crafted narrative that’ll satisfy all your action cravings!

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The Night Comes for Us

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.1/10

From director Timo Tjhajanto, the Netflix action pic The Night Comes for Us features a cast packed with familiar faces for action fans, especially fans of The Raid films, who will recognize Joe Taslim, Julie Estelle, Zack Lee, and, of course, Iko Uwais, who takes a supporting role but still shows up to work in some incredible fight scenes. The film follows a Triad enforcer who, after meeting a young girl and experiencing a change of heart, returns to his hometown to find himself targeted by ruthless fellow gangsters.

You may think you know all the ways you could inflict violence on the human body in a fight, but The Night Comes for Us still has something to teach you about the art of the splatter scene. The film is packed to the brim with bloody, brutal combat. The best feature film from Tjahjanto to date, The Night Comes for Us is a relentless showcase of action and carnage, rooted in the story of a criminal looking for a little redemption. The movie received nearly universal acclaim from critics, with the only complaint being that it might just be too violent.

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Red Notice

Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | IMDb: 6.3/10

Written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, Red Notice stars Ryan Reynolds as Nolan Booth, the world’s second-best art thief, who is forced to team up with FBI profiler John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) after they are both framed by the world’s best art thief, a woman known only as the Bishop (Gal Gadot). What ensues is an international game of cat-and-mouse as Booth and Hartley compete with the Bishop to find a priceless artifact.

One of the most highly-watched Netflix movies ever, Red Notice is, in a word, awesome! Now, to be fair, the plot isn’t all that well-thought-out, but the heist movie does score high for its humor and the performances by the lead actors. Though critically panned, Red Notice is an enjoyable movie with great action and a ton of hilarious scenes, and it has two sequels already in the pipeline.

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Triple Frontier

Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | IMDb: 6.5/10

Directed by J.C. Chandor (A Most Violent Year) from a script he co-wrote with Mark Boal (Zero Dark Thirty), Triple Frontier is the man-cave of movies: part military drama, part action-packed heist, and all the story of men who have mad bro-love for each other. Oscar Isaac stars as Santiago “Pope” Garcia, a DEA agent who gets the old Special Forces band back together to rob a drug lord’s jungle hideaway. Joining Isaac is the similarly strong-jawed crew of Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund.

The kicker of Triple Frontier is that there’s actually a good amount of brains under all that brawn. The movie received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for its direction and script. Sure, it’s an explosions-and-helicopters flick first, but it also has a lot to say about what happens to professionally violent men once the gunfire stops. If Triple Frontier isn’t your dad’s favorite movie, that just means your dad hasn’t seen it yet.

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Beyond Skyline

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.3/10

The feature debut from writer-director Liam O’Donnell, Beyond Skyline stars Frank Grillo as a cop at odds with his son (Jonny Weston) when an alien attack sends them scrambling for their lives. A sequel to the 2010 film Skyline, the movie is set at the same time as its predecessor, taking a different look at the same disastrous invasion. Beyond Skyline also stars Antonio Fargas, Iko Uwais, and Yaya Ruhain.

A proud, pulpy B-movie featuring aliens that rip the brain right out of your skull, Beyond Skyline is a gleeful, globe-trotting, action-packed adventure. Once the aliens make contact, the film ricochets through settings and characters at a breakneck pace, packing in a book series worth of sci-fi lunacy into a single feature film that travels from subterranean tunnels to the nuclear wasteland of Los Angeles to an alien ship to Laos. There’s even an honest-to-god Kaiju battle. Beyond Skyline won’t be for everyone, but if you love a bananas B-movie, this madcap action film ticks all the right boxes.

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Wheelman

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.4/10

Written and directed by Jeremy Rush, Wheelman stars Frank Grillo as a getaway driver who is double-crossed during a bank robbery. With his family now in danger, the titular Wheelman must navigate a labyrinth of backstabbing and violence in order to survive. Besides Grillo in the lead role, the movie also stars Garret Dillahunt, Shea Whigham, and Caitlin Carmichael.

A critically praised old-school action thriller, Wheelman sees Grillo take on a different kind of challenge for an action star: a performance told almost entirely in close-up from the confines of a single vehicle. That doesn’t leave a lot of room to throw punches or fire heavy artillery, but Grillo and writer-director Jeremy Rush make the most of the minimalist set-up, turning out a gripping, wisely calibrated B-movie about one high-octane night of crime that blasts off from the word go and never taps the brakes. Coincidentally, the movie also has 286 uses of the word “f***,” which is not a record but is still pretty impressive.

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