55 Best Action Movies Streaming

Action is perhaps one of the broadest genres after the almost all-encompassing "drama." There are so many different kinds of action movies that it can sometimes be difficult to know what counts (or doesn't count) as an action movie. In our look at the best action movies on streaming, we've taken a big umbrella approach to the genre.

From superheroes to superspies, from high-concept science fiction and fantasy to true stories, there's something here for everyone wanting to get their heart and fists pumping while sitting on the couch. So whether you're looking for something to watch with your grandparents or your kids or totally solo, you'll be able to find a crowd-pleaser here.

Updated on April 7, 2023: We've looked at Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Prime — all the big streamers that you know and love, and we've brought you the very best action flicks these sites have to offer.

"Akira" is often cited as one of the most influential anime movies, and it's easy to see why. The movie follows a biker gang and the government as they both try to find a member of the gang who was exposed to a military experiment that grants him superhuman abilities. It's beautifully animated and brings the post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo to life with incredible detail that draws the viewer into the world of the movie. The action scenes — which range from motorcycle chases and shootouts to a jaw-dropping, body horror-inspired finale — are all equally thrilling and gorgeous.

• Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama
• Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
• Year: 1988
• Runtime: 125 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

"American Ultra" begins when stoner Mike Howell has a very strange conversation with a woman at the convenience store where he works, and shortly thereafter, he's attacked by assassins sent to kill him who. And to Mike's great surprise, he defeats handily. 

It turns out that the woman was a CIA agent and that Mike is a dormant CIA asset who has serious fighting abilities, but now, another CIA operative is trying to wipe out every last member of the program Mike belonged to. Good thing Mike has a dedicated girlfriend by his side, Jason Bourne skills, and a ton of weed. "American Ultra" plays its somewhat wild premise straight, but it's also very much a comedy. And it features fantastic lead performances from Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, who both fully commit to the comedy and action of the movie.

• Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Topher Grace
• Director: Nima Nourizadeh
• Year: 2015
• Runtime: 95 Minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 44%

Centering the dynamite pairing of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, "Bad Boys" is a slick, cool, and explosive action comedy. Having previously locked away $100 million of confiscated heroin, detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett must locate the contraband again when it's stolen from headquarters. Threatened with the closure of the narcotics department if they fail, they have just 72 hours to find the missing drugs and the people responsible. Although the film favors spectacle over storytelling, the leads' chemistry more than makes up for it. Few directors are as committed to big set pieces as Michael Bay, and "Bad Boys" is one of his best showcases.

• Starring: Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Téa Leoni
• Director: Michael Bay
• Year: 1995
• Runtime: 119 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%

"Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" isn't just one of the best movies to come out of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), it's hands down the best action movie to come out of the DCEU. The story of Harley Quinn joining forces with Huntress, Black Canary, Renee Montoya, and Cassandra Cain to take on crime lord Black Mask delivers on multiple levels. It's a team-up movie that shows the women's individual stories and how they come together, a superhero/villain story with great costumes and well-used superpowers, and a hard-hitting action flick with hand-to-hand combat scenes that are downright exhilarating and incredibly colorful.

• Starring: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett
• Director: Cathy Yan
• Year: 2020
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

"Casino Royale" didn't just introduce a new Bond in Daniel Craig, it fully reinvented the character and literally went back to the beginning. The movie opens with Bond completing a mission that earns him double-0 status and then follows him through his first mission as 007 to stop a terror-funding financier by beating him at poker. It's kind of amazing how much tension director Martin Campbell wrings out of the card-playing scenes in "Casino Royale," but the real treat is, of course, the action. The movie offers an incredible parkour sequence that does just as much to thrill as it does to introduce us to the kind of man this new Bond is, as well as a stairwell fight that's become the stuff of Bond legend.

• Starring: Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green
• Director: Martin Campbell
• Year: 2006
• Runtime: 144 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

"Commando" is certainly one of the best Arnold Schwarzenegger action movies, and in fact, it may be the most Arnold Schwarzenegger action movie. The story centers on Johnny Matrix whose daughter is kidnapped by a dictator who uses her to force Johnny to commit a political assassination for him. Of course, Johnny won't take that lying down and instead launches a rescue mission that leads him on an investigation and ultimately into a battle with an entire army. It's a straightforward story with awesome '80s action scenes that treat Arnold as an absolute god of combat, and he's entirely up to performing the role.

• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rae Dawn Chong, Vernon Wells
• Director: Mark L. Lester
• Year: 1985
• Runtime: 90 Minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%

One of the best movies made on a tiny budget by a group of friends, "Deadbeat at Dawn" tells the story of gang leader Goose whose girlfriend is killed by members of a rival gang just as he's trying to leave his life of crime behind. The movie's focus on the grimy world of street gangs combined with its low budget gives it a real sense of danger as we watch Goose and his friends seek revenge. That's especially true in the movie's finale, as actors perform seriously dangerous stunts without any regard for their safety but with a commitment to making the most exciting movie they could.

• Starring: Jim Van Bebber, Paul Harper, Megan Murphy
• Director: Jim Van Bebber
• Year: 1988
• Runtime: 80 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 73% (Audience Score)

While Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" is a fantastic revenge action Western, we want to highlight the original spaghetti Western "Django" movie that launched a series of official and unofficial sequels throughout the late '60s and '70s. The movie follows the titular Django, who finds himself in the middle of a conflict between Mexican revolutionaries and Confederate soldiers near the U.S.-Mexico border. It's a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" but turns the action up to the max and was considered shockingly violent when it was released in 1966. It's not so shocking anymore, but it's still an absolute thrill ride.

• Starring: Franco Nero, Lorendana Nusciak, José Bódalo
• Director: Sergio Corbucci
• Year: 1966
• Runtime: 91 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

A lot of anime movies based on existing TV shows require significant knowledge of the show's history, lore, and characters, but "Dragon Ball Super: Broly" functions as a fantastic entry point into the storied "Dragon Ball" franchise. The story, loosely based on a 1993 non-canon direct to video "Dragon Ball Z" movie, centers on heroes Goku and Vegeta who are attacked by the titular Broly after he's been recruited by the evil lord Frieza to defeat the heroes. That simple story allows the film to focus almost the entirety of its back half on a large-scale fight between these characters that may well be the best fight in all of "Dragon Ball" history.

• Starring (Japanese dub): Masako Nozawa, Ryō Horikawa, Ryūsei Nakao
• Starring (English dub): Vic Mignogna, Christopher Sabat, Christopher Ayres
• Director: Tatsuya Nagamine
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" was an unexpected hit in 2022, but when you watch it, it's hard to imagine its success coming as a surprise. Evelyn Quan Wang, a Chinese American immigrant and laundromat owner, is pulled into a battle over the fate of the multiverse. Within that epic story of interdimensional conflict, a heartfelt and emotionally resonant tale blooms about family, tenderness, and the importance of human connection. This is the rare action movie with martial arts sequences that hit just as hard as the emotional beats.

• Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan
• Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
• Year: 2022
• Runtime: 140 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Marking Pierce Brosnan's first outing as 007, "GoldenEye" sees the spy square off against Alec Trevelyan, the rogue Agent 006, who has acquired a powerful satellite weapons system. The stakes are high in "GoldenEye," as the bad guys hold the key to a weapon that could destroy the Earth. But at the same time, the movie is rooted in a deeply personal battle between Bond and his former friend. Brosnan effortlessly brings the cool factor as the slick and debonair secret agent, and this 1995 entry in the expansive franchise utilizes the era's technology to great effect. Packed with enjoyable action set pieces, "GoldenEye" is a pacey and fun spy thriller that still packs a punch.

• Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco
• Director: Martin Campbell
• Year: 1995
• Runtime: 130 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

If you're looking for an action movie to watch with the family, then why not an action movie about a family? "The Incredibles" centers on the Parrs, a family where each member has a different superpower. Too bad they have to keep it quiet, as being a superhero has been outlawed. Of course, things take a turn once family patriarch Mr. Incredible is drawn into a plot by the scheming Syndrome. The result is a movie about family bonds and learning to revel in what makes you special, and that's a lovely message for any movie. "The Incredibles" also happens to be a super fun action flick that's equally inspired by "James Bond" movies and superhero comics from the 1960s. 

• Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowel
• Director: Brad Bird
• Year: 2004
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: PG
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

15 years after "The Matrix," Keanu Reeves re-teamed with his stunt double from those movies, Chad Stahelski, who'd moved from working as a stuntman to the director's chair where he brought his years of expertise as a stunt performer in front of the camera. "John Wick" is a simple story of a man who seeks revenge on the son of a powerful Russian gangster because that son killed his dog. That set up gives way to some of the best action scenes of the 21st century in a movie that was supposed to be a one-off but is so good that it birthed a franchise.

• Starring: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen
• Director: Chad Stahelski and David Leitch
• Year: 2014
• Runtime: 101 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

"The Matrix" tells the story of hacker Neo who is one day told his whole world is an illusion and that, in reality, humanity is at war with machines who wish to keep them enslaved. This philosophical set-up offers some big questions about reality that the movie seriously engages with, but it never becomes dry or overly intellectual because between (and sometimes during) the thematic conversations, "The Matrix" delivers action scenes that literally changed the course of action movie history – from its gun-fu battles to its kung-fu showdowns. It's a must see for any action fans interested in the genre's history and for anyone who just wants to see high-flying kicks, massive shoot-outs, and the now-iconic "bullet time" cinematography.

• Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
• Director: Lana and Lily Wachowski
• Year: 1999
• Runtime: 136 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

"The Night Comes for Us" mixes the chaotic and hard-hitting martial arts action of "The Raid" with the slick, neon lit aesthetic of "John Wick" to deliver a one-of-a-kind action thrill ride. The story centers on Ito, an organized crime enforcer who saves a young girl he was supposed to kill. As a result, they're now both being hunted by Ito's former gang. The simple set-up allows the movie to focus on delivering almost non-stop action that includes some wonderfully over-the-top sequences like a fight in a butcher shop where animal carcasses are used as weapons and a fight in the back of a fast-moving van.

• Starring: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais, Julie Estelle
• Director: Timo Tjahjanto
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• Rating: TV-MA
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

The first "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie remains the best for a lot of reasons. The (relatively) small-scale story of a cursed ship and the crew's quest to break the ghostly spell allows the characters to shine. And with a cast as good as this one, centering on the characters and their great banter makes for a delightful watch. But "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" also delivers the action, from an acrobatic sword fight through a blacksmith's shop to battles with immortal cursed pirates to some good old-fashioned boat battles, resulting in a movie full of fun and memorable action set-pieces.

• Starring: Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom
• Director: Gore Verbinski
• Year: 2003
• Runtime: 145 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

Jackie Chan is a beloved for his incredible acting and martial arts talent in front of the camera, but he's also one of the best directors of action-comedies the world has ever seen. For proof, watch "Police Story," which follows Chan's Ka-Kui, a cop tasked with protecting the beautiful Salina who's going to testify against a crime lord in court. The movie offers a lot of exciting and hilarious action scenes as gangsters attack the duo, but it also delivers some hilarious jokes about Ka-Kui's girlfriend thinking he's pursuing Salina. It's a light movie that's sure to put a smile on anyone's face, and it includes some stunning stunts that may just put your jaw on the floor. It's certainly one of the best kung fu movies of all time.

• Starring: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung
• Director: Jackie Chan
• Year: 1985
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

"Prey" is a prequel to 1987's "Predator" and includes some fun Easter eggs for fans of the franchise, but because it's a prequel and set hundreds of years before any of the other movies in the series, it's a great entry point for viewers who've never encountered a Predator before. 

The film follows Naru, a young Comanche woman, as she takes on a Predator that's been ravaging the local wildlife and hunting her community's warriors. The setting in the early 18th century and focus on Indigenous characters makes the movie distinct not just in the "Predator" franchise but also among other action movies. Luckily, it's not just different — it's also one of the best sci-fi action movies made in the last decade.

• Starring: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro

• Director: Dan Trachtenberg

• Year: 2022

• Runtime: 100 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

"Princess Mononoke" tells the story of Ashitaka, a young man who leaves his village to investigate why a demon attacked and to seek a cure for the curse the demon placed on him. But things become much more complicated when he finds himself at the center of a conflict between the people of an industrial town and the gods of the nearby forest. "Princess Mononoke" offers some fantastic, beautiful animated action, but what makes it really special is the way that it treats its environmental story with nuance and doesn't characterize any of its characters as purely good or evil.

• Starring (Japanese dub): Yōji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yūko Tanaka
• Starring (English dub): Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 133 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Sam Raimi is best known for his horror and superhero movies, but in the 1990s, he tried his hand at a variety of genres, including the Western. "The Quick and the Dead" centers on the mysterious Ellen (aka "The Lady") who comes into a town holding a quick draw tournament. The movie largely plays out like a sports movie as we watch different matches take place until our heroes and villains reach the final showdowns. But it's unlike any other sports movie, Western, or action movie because the ensemble cast (including a young Leonardo DiCaprio, Lance Henriksen, and Keith David) are all such unique characters and Raimi injects the entire movie with his energetic style.

• Starring: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe

• Director: Sam Raimi

• Year: 1995

• Runtime: 106 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 58%

"Road House" tells a simple story about a man who takes a job cleaning up a road house and encounters significant obstacles along the way. But these obstacles are anything but routine — in fact, they provoke some of the most exciting and ridiculous fight scenes ever set to film. There are huge bar brawls, more explosions than expected, and even some absolutely incredible car stunts in "Road House." This film also shows that Patrick Swayze's history and talent as a dancer adapts well to action choreography, as he high-kicks his foes in the face with equal parts grace and violence.

• Starring: Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara, Kelly Lynch
• Director: Rowdy Herrington
• Year: 1989
• Runtime: 114 Minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 39%

"RRR" took the action movie world by storm for a reason. It tales the tale of two men on the opposite sides of the political aisle in early 20th-century India who become friends, only to find their friendship tested as they battle British colonialists. And in the middle of this bromance, you're going to witness some of the most amazing action scenes we've ever seen. From a one vs. hundreds fight scene to a sequence that includes loosing wild animals on a party, "RRR" delivers several absolutely astounding action set-pieces. And as it's a big Indian blockbuster, it also has some great song-and-dance numbers that sometimes overlap with the action.

• Starring: N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn
• Director: S. S. Rajamouli
• Year: 2022
• Runtime: 185 Minutes
• Rating: TV-MA
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

A classic Blaxploitation flick with one of the greatest theme songs ever written, "Shaft" packs a punch and oozes cool. Detective John Shaft is hired by mobster Bumpy Jonas to find his kidnapped daughter. As well as the Oscar-winning theme song, "Shaft" is packed with memorable dialogue and characteristically over-the-top fight scenes. Richard Roundtree's charismatic screen presence is the secret to the film's success; through his portrayal of the titular hero, a cinema icon was born. While it only had a meager budget of $500,000 (via The New York Times), "Shaft" looks distinctly better than many other films of the era, to the point that it holds up for modern audiences.

• Starring: Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn, Christopher St. John
• Director: Gordon Parks
• Year: 1971
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Based on the comic series of the same name by Frank Miller, "Sin City," which Miller co-directed with Robert Rodriguez, is one of the most unique movies ever made. It's almost entirely black and white but not in the way that black and white movies are normally black and white. The light and dark here are ratcheted up to their absolute highest contrasts in every frame so that every image from the movie is striking. The movie follows a number of different noir-inspired crime stories that take place in Basin City, and each offers something different visually and in its action, from gun fights to fist fights to a ninja taking out a group of cops.

• Starring: Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis
• Director: Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
• Year: 2005
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

The first "Terminator" is a great movie, don't get us wrong, but "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" turns everything about that first movie up to the max. Here, we're introduced to teenage John Connor — the future savior of humanity — who's being hunted by a shapeshifting robotic assassin from the future. Fortunately, he's got a robo-body guard (also from the future) and his survivalist expert mom, Sarah Connor, on his side. "Terminator 2" manages to deliver almost non-stop large-scale action scenes — from motorbike chases to metal foundry shootouts — while also offering a surprisingly emotional story about John's relationship with his protector and mother.

• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong
• Director: James Cameron
• Year: 1991
• Runtime: 137 minutes
• Rating: R 
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

"Train to Busan" has one of the simplest and most brilliant premises ever: Zombies on a train. Now, a great premise only gets you so far — but luckily, the cast and crew of this film deliver so thoroughly that "Train to Busan" was instantly recognized as an action-horror classic. Divorced Seok-woo and his daughter Su-an are on the titular train to Busan, so that birthday girl Su-an can see her mother. That's when the zombies strike. After the initial attack, father and daughter make alliances with the other passengers and embark on a struggle to survive. A focus on family gives "Train to Busan" a lot of heart, while its bonkers action sequences make it one of the most exciting action movies of the 21st century so far.

• Starring: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok
• Director: Yeon Sang-ho
• Year: 2016
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

The original graphic novel "Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons isn't exactly action-packed, but with the movie adaptation, director Zack Snyder manages to bring to life the heady themes of the book and add some fantastic action scenes for more flavor. The story centers on a group of ex-superheroes who investigate the murder of one of their old colleagues, an investigation that leads them to a major discovery. The movie engages with some serious concepts, such as human frailty, cosmic insignificance, and the cruelty of war, and the fact that it's able to do those ideas justice while also delivering heart-pounding action scenes is what makes it such a great adaptation and a great movie on its own.

• Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Billy Crudup
• Director: Zack Snyder
• Year: 2009
• Runtime: 162 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%