Disney+ has a better movie collection than Netflix and Sky Cinema. Nowhere is that more apparent than its list of action movies. Here are my favourites, award winners, critically acclaimed and cult favourites.
WYALAN Ranked, Rated and Recommended
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Gladiator (2000) – Historical/Action
For fans of: Braveheart, Troy, Kingdom of Heaven
Russell Crowe won an Oscar for his role as a betrayed general turned gladiator in Ridley Scott’s epic tale of vengeance and honour. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
24 (2001–2010) – Thriller/Procedural
For fans of: Homeland, Jack Ryan, Designated Survivor
Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer races against the clock in this Emmy-winning real-time counterterrorism series. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Face/Off (1997) – Action/Sci-Fi
For fans of: Mission: Impossible, The Rock, Equilibrium
John Travolta and Nicolas Cage swap identities in John Woo’s operatic bullet ballet of duality and destruction. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Rock (1996) – Action/Thriller
For fans of: Die Hard, Con Air, Air Force One
Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage infiltrate Alcatraz to stop a rogue general in this explosive Michael Bay classic. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Starship Troopers (1997) – Sci-Fi/Satire
For fans of: Robocop, Edge of Tomorrow, The Fifth Element
Paul Verhoeven’s militarised bug war is both a thrilling spectacle and a biting satire of fascism and propaganda. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Award-Winning
The French Connection (1971) – Crime/Thriller
For fans of: Heat, Ronin, Serpico
Gene Hackman stars as Popeye Doyle in this Oscar-winning chase thriller that set the standard for gritty urban action.
Braveheart (1995) – Historical/War
For fans of: The Last Samurai, 300, The Patriot
Mel Gibson directs and stars in this sweeping, Oscar-winning saga of Scottish rebellion and battlefield heroism.
The Revenant (2015) – Survival/Drama
For fans of: The Grey, Apocalypto, Master and Commander
Leonardo DiCaprio endures brutal wilderness and betrayal in this visually stunning, Oscar-winning tale of endurance and revenge.
Jaws (1975) – Thriller/Adventure
For fans of: The Shallows, Jurassic Park, Open Water
Spielberg’s Oscar-winning shark thriller redefined suspense and launched the modern blockbuster with primal terror and iconic music.
Shōgun (2024) – Historical/Drama
For fans of: The Last Samurai, Marco Polo, The Crown
This lavish adaptation of James Clavell’s novel follows a shipwrecked Englishman navigating feudal Japan, praised for its scale, performances, and cultural depth.
Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) – Crime/Drama
For fans of: Breaking Bad, Mayans M.C., The Shield
This gritty biker saga won critical acclaim for its Shakespearean themes, violent brotherhood, and complex anti-heroes.
Alias (2001–2006) – Spy/Action
For fans of: Nikita, Covert Affairs, Orphan Black
Jennifer Garner stars as a double agent in this twist-heavy, action-packed series that earned multiple awards and cult devotion.
Critically Acclaimed
Natural Born Killers (1994) – Crime/Satire
For fans of: Bonnie and Clyde, True Romance, American Psycho
Oliver Stone’s controversial media satire follows two lovers on a killing spree, blending surreal style with social critique.
Déjà Vu (2006) – Sci-Fi/Thriller
For fans of: Source Code, Minority Report, Timecrimes
Denzel Washington investigates a bombing using experimental surveillance tech in this time-bending thriller from Tony Scott.
The Edge (1997) – Survival/Thriller
For fans of: The Grey, Alive, The Revenant
Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin battle nature and each other after a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness.
Crimson Tide (1995) – Military/Thriller
For fans of: The Hunt for Red October, Thirteen Days, Eye of the Needle
Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington clash aboard a nuclear submarine in this tense, dialogue-driven thriller.
Knight and Day (2010) – Action/Romance
For fans of: Mr & Mrs Smith, True Lies, The Tourist
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz dodge bullets and betrayals in this globe-trotting romantic action romp.
The King’s Man (2021) – Spy/Adventure
For fans of: Sherlock Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Inglourious Basterds
This stylish prequel explores the origins of the Kingsman agency with WWI intrigue and explosive flair.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) – Historical/Adventure
For fans of: The Last Duel, The Northman, Das Boot
Russell Crowe commands a British warship in this critically praised naval epic of strategy, camaraderie, and survival.
Washington Black (2024) – Historical/Adventure
For fans of: The Underground Railroad, The English, The Luminaries
Based on Esi Edugyan’s novel, this sweeping tale follows a young Black inventor escaping slavery and chasing freedom.
Cult Favourites
John Carter (2012) – Sci-Fi/Adventure
For fans of: Dune, Flash Gordon, The Chronicles of Riddick
A Civil War veteran is transported to Mars in this ambitious pulp adaptation with sweeping visuals and loyal fans.
Unstoppable (2010) – Action/Thriller
For fans of: Speed, The Taking of Pelham 123, Runaway Train
Denzel Washington and Chris Pine race to stop a runaway train in this lean, high-stakes thriller based on true events.
Joy Ride (2001) – Thriller/Road
For fans of: Duel, The Hitcher, Breakdown
A prank on a trucker turns deadly in this tense highway thriller with cult status and sequels.
Hitman: Agent 47 (2015) – Action/Assassin
For fans of: The Transporter, John Wick, Equilibrium
A genetically engineered assassin takes on a global conspiracy in this stylised adaptation of the video game series.
The 13th Warrior (1999) – Historical/Adventure
For fans of: Beowulf, Pathfinder, Conan the Barbarian
Antonio Banderas joins Viking warriors to battle a mysterious enemy in this atmospheric, mythic action tale.
Romancing the Stone (1984) – Adventure/Comedy
For fans of: Indiana Jones, The Mummy, The Lost City
A romance novelist is swept into a jungle treasure hunt in this witty, fast-paced adventure classic.
Conan the Barbarian (1982) – Fantasy/Action
For fans of: Red Sonja, The Northman, Clash of the Titans
Arnold Schwarzenegger swings swords and seeks vengeance in this muscular, mythic fantasy epic.
Burn Notice (2007–2013) – Spy/Action
For fans of: Leverage, MacGyver, The Equalizer
A blacklisted spy uses his skills to help civilians while uncovering who burned him in this slick, fast-paced procedural.
Angel (1999–2004) – Supernatural/Action
For fans of: Buffy, Supernatural, Constantine
David Boreanaz stars as a vampire with a soul fighting demons and destiny in this noir-tinged Buffy spinoff
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