Looking to inject some heart-racing excitement into your Netflix viewing experience?
Whether your taste leans toward exciting Westerns, sharp-witted detectives, soaring superheroes, ravenous zombies, rowdy bandits, or formidable heroines, Netflix has an ideal film for every action aficionado.
We understand navigating the streaming service can feel monotonous when all you want is to unwind and enjoy a show. Thus, we’ve simplified things by highlighting the most exhilarating, combat-centric, fast-paced movies available on the service.
Here are the top action films currently streaming on Netflix.
21. Back in Action
The title Back in Action perfectly encapsulates the premise of this charming spy comedy while also heralding the comeback of its stars.
Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz portray a duo of spies who pretend to die to flee their dangerous careers after realizing they’re expecting a child. Fast forward a decade and a half, their quiet suburban existence is upended by an unexpected visit from old colleagues. To safeguard their kids, they undertake one final mission. The film is both quirky and cheesy, but the chemistry between Diaz and Foxx is undeniably entertaining.
In my review for Mashable, I remarked, “Don’t overanalyze it. Fire up Back in Action, and allow the star charisma and nostalgia of the ’90s romantic comedy era, during Cameron Diaz’s peak, and all the enjoyment envelop you.” — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: Back in Action is currently streaming on Netflix.
20. Train to Busan
If you prefer your action sprinkled with horror, Train to Busan is the film for you.
This South Korean horror thriller envisions a zombie apocalypse occurring on a train packed with ordinary individuals. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the narrative follows a work-driven father traveling with his young daughter to meet his ex-wife in Busan. He must rise to the occasion when the other passengers morph into gruesome, flesh-eating monsters. The action scenes are intensely gripping, thanks to contortionists and the inclusion of South Korean action star Don Lee. Your perspective on trains and escalators will never be the same. — K.P.
How to watch: Train to Busan is presently streaming on Netflix.
19. Upgrade
Logan Marshall-Green portrays Grey, an auto mechanic pulled into a realm of cyber-horror after an accident leaves him paralyzed and his wife deceased. An experimental chip implanted in him allows him to control his limbs and “cures” his paralysis, enabling a connection between Grey’s brain and the technology that urges him to transform into a super-soldier. As any good RoboCop iteration suggests, corporations should not be trusted with our welfare. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer
How to watch: Upgrade is currently streaming on Netflix.
18. Land of Bad
Land of Bad may appear typical at first glance. A band of soldiers, featuring Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle, and Milo Ventimiglia, find themselves stranded behind enemy lines in the Philippines and must find a way out. Russell Crowe stars as “Reaper,” a drone operator providing aerial support. While conventional, the film is a respectable B-movie offering of action entertainment. Directed and co-authored by William Eubank, who also helmed the underrated Underwater, Land of Bad effectively delivers action and excitement. — J.A.
How to watch: Land of Bad is currently streaming on Netflix.