Netflix is home to some great action movies. Here are my favourites, award winners, critically acclaimed and cult favourites.
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)
Award-Winning
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) – Sci-Fi/Neo-Noir
For fans of: Arrival, Ghost in the Shell, Akira
Ryan Gosling’s replicant detective uncovers a buried secret in Denis Villeneuve’s visually arresting sequel. With Oscar-winning cinematography and effects, the film blends existential dread with future noir spectacle. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
The Fugitive (1993) – Thriller/Manhunt
For fans of: Patriot Games, Enemy of the State, Air Force One
Harrison Ford plays a doctor wrongly accused of murder, pursued by Tommy Lee Jones’s relentless marshal. The film won an Oscar for Jones and remains a masterclass in tension and pacing. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Animated/Superhero
For fans of: Scott Pilgrim, The Lego Batman Movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Miles Morales swings through multiverse chaos in this Oscar-winning animated feature. With comic-book visuals and emotional depth, it redefined superhero storytelling for a new generation. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
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Critically Acclaimed
The Town (2010) – Heist/Crime
For fans of: Heat, Gone Baby Gone, Inside Man
Ben Affleck directs and stars in this Boston-set thriller about a crew of bank robbers and the FBI agent on their trail. With strong performances and gritty realism, it earned praise for character-driven tension.
Minority Report (2002) – Sci-Fi/Thriller
For fans of: Gattaca, Looper, Equilibrium
Tom Cruise plays a cop in a future where crimes are stopped before they happen. Spielberg’s sleek direction and philosophical undertones elevate this cerebral action piece. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Snowpiercer (2013) – Dystopian/Survival
For fans of: Children of Men, The Platform, Train to Busan
Bong Joon-ho’s post-apocalyptic train ride pits class warfare against kinetic action. With claustrophobic set design and social allegory, it’s a standout in genre filmmaking. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Godzilla Minus One (2023) – Kaiju/War
For fans of: Shin Godzilla, Pacific Rim, Grave of the Fireflies
Set in post-war Japan, this critically acclaimed reboot blends monster spectacle with human trauma. With emotional stakes and practical effects, it’s a high point for the franchise.
The Northman (2022) – Historical/Revenge
For fans of: Gladiator, Valhalla Rising, The Green Knight
Alexander Skarsgård stars in this Viking saga of vengeance and fate. Robert Eggers directs with brutal choreography and mythic atmosphere, earning acclaim for its arthouse ambition.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023) – Espionage/Franchise
For fans of: Skyfall, Bourne Ultimatum, Fallout
Tom Cruise returns for another globe-trotting mission filled with stunts, betrayals, and AI paranoia. Critics praised its pacing, set pieces, and franchise longevity. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Deepwater Horizon (2016) – Disaster/Survival
For fans of: Only the Brave, Everest, Sully
Mark Wahlberg leads this dramatisation of the 2010 oil rig explosion. With strong reviews for its tension and realism, it honours the workers caught in catastrophe.
The Gray Man (2022) – Espionage/Netflix
For fans of: Jack Ryan, Bourne Identity, Extraction
Ryan Gosling plays a rogue CIA operative hunted across the globe by Chris Evans’s psychotic mercenary. With slick direction and globe-trotting set pieces, the film earned praise for its pacing and star power. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Triple Frontier (2019) – Military/Heist
For fans of: Sicario, Den of Thieves, The Hurt Locker
Five ex-special forces soldiers plan a jungle heist that spirals into survival and betrayal. With moral ambiguity and rugged tension, the film explores loyalty and greed under fire.
Extraction & Extraction 2 (2020–2023) – Rescue/Netflix
For fans of: John Wick, The Raid, 13 Hours
Chris Hemsworth’s mercenary battles through war zones to rescue hostages in these high-octane thrillers. With long-take action choreography and relentless pacing, they became streaming favourites.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023) – Dystopian/Prequel
For fans of: Divergent, Snowpiercer, The Maze Runner
This origin story follows a young Coriolanus Snow mentoring a tribute from District 12. With strong reviews and thematic depth, it expands the franchise with political intrigue and emotional stakes.
The Harder They Fall (2021) – Western/Ensemble
For fans of: Django Unchained, Tombstone, Deadwood
Black cowboys clash in this stylised revenge tale with Idris Elba and Regina King. With kinetic shootouts and genre flair, it reclaims Western mythology with swagger and soul.
The Siege of Jadotville (2016) – War/Underrated
For fans of: 13 Hours, Black Hawk Down, Eye in the Sky
Irish UN peacekeepers hold off overwhelming forces in this true-story military drama. With tactical realism and emotional restraint, the film earned acclaim for its overlooked heroism.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (2021) – Anime/Supernatural
For fans of: Demon Slayer, Bleach, Naruto
A cursed boy joins a sorcerer academy to battle spirits and uncover his power. With fluid animation and emotional stakes, the prequel earned critical praise and fan devotion.
Cult Favourites
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2003–2004) – Martial Arts/Revenge
For fans of: Lady Snowblood, Oldboy, John Wick
Uma Thurman’s Bride slices through assassins in Tarantino’s blood-soaked homage to samurai cinema. With stylised violence and genre mashups, it became a cult classic. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Heat (1995) – Crime/Thriller
For fans of: Collateral, The Town, Sicario
De Niro and Pacino face off in Michael Mann’s sprawling tale of cops and robbers. With iconic shootouts and existential undertones, it’s revered for its precision and mood. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Matrix (1999) – Sci-Fi/Action
For fans of: Ghost in the Shell, Akira, Equilibrium
Keanu Reeves discovers reality is a simulation in this genre-defining cyberpunk thriller. With bullet time and philosophical depth, it reshaped action cinema. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Total Recall (1990) – Sci-Fi/Identity
For fans of: Robocop, The Fifth Element, Demolition Man
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s memory-twisting Mars adventure blends satire, violence, and surrealism. Paul Verhoeven’s direction helped cement its cult status. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Wanted (2008) – Action/Fantasy
For fans of: Shoot ’Em Up, Crank, Kingsman
Angelina Jolie trains James McAvoy to bend bullets and defy physics in this comic-book adaptation. With stylised violence and absurd logic, it found a devoted fanbase.
Man on Fire (2004) – Revenge/Drama
For fans of: Taken, The Equalizer, Sicario
Denzel Washington plays a bodyguard seeking vengeance in Mexico City. With Tony Scott’s kinetic style and emotional core, the film gained cult admiration.
Bad Boys & Bad Boys II (1995–2003) – Buddy Cop/Explosive
For fans of: Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, Fast & Furious
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence banter and blast through Miami in Michael Bay’s high-octane duo. With slow-motion shootouts and chaotic energy, they became action staples. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Equalizer (2014) – Vigilante/Crime
For fans of: John Wick, Man on Fire, Taken
Denzel Washington plays a quiet man with a violent past, helping the helpless with brutal precision. The film’s methodical pacing and stylised violence earned cult appreciation.
Mission: Impossible (1996) & III (2006) – Espionage/Franchise
For fans of: GoldenEye, Bourne Identity, Jack Ryan
Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt faces betrayal, tech sabotage, and impossible stunts. These entries helped define the franchise’s tone and built its loyal following WYALAN Rating – 4/5
6 Underground (2019) – Action/Chaos
For fans of: Bad Boys II, Fast & Furious, The A-Team
Ryan Reynolds leads a covert team of vigilantes in Michael Bay’s maximalist explosion-fest. With neon visuals and absurd stunts, the film found a cult following despite mixed reviews.
The Old Guard (2020) – Fantasy/Immortal
For fans of: X-Men, Highlander, Atomic Blonde
Charlize Theron leads a team of immortal mercenaries protecting humanity across centuries. With strong female leads and emotional depth, the film gained traction as a genre-bending Netflix hit. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) – Buddy/Franchise
For fans of: Bad Boys, The Expendables, Red Notice
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham team up to stop a cyber-enhanced villain. With over-the-top action and self-aware humour, the film became a fan-favourite spin-off. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
The Equalizer 3 (2023) – Vigilante/Franchise
For fans of: Taken, Jack Reacher, Man on Fire
Denzel Washington returns as Robert McCall, protecting a coastal Italian town from mafia control. With methodical pacing and brutal justice, the film closes the trilogy with quiet intensity.
The Mechanic (2011) – Assassin/Slick
For fans of: Transporter, John Wick, Safe
Jason Statham plays a hitman who trains an apprentice while navigating betrayal and precision kills. With clean choreography and minimalist style, the film earned cult admiration.
Run All Night (2015) – Crime/Redemption
For fans of: A Walk Among the Tombstones, The Drop, Road to Perdition
Liam Neeson plays a mob enforcer protecting his son from a criminal empire. With gritty atmosphere and emotional stakes, the film blends action with father-son drama.
Kate (2021) – Assassin/Neon
For fans of: Gunpowder Milkshake, Atomic Blonde, Crank
Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays a poisoned assassin racing against time in neon-lit Tokyo. With stylised violence and emotional urgency, the film gained cult status among genre fans.
The Expendables (2010–2012) – Ensemble/Nostalgia
For fans of: Commando, Rambo, Universal Soldier
Action legends team up for explosive missions filled with gunfire, one-liners, and testosterone. With retro charm and fan service, the series became a celebration of 80s bravado.
The Matrix Reloaded (2003) – Sci-Fi/Franchise
For fans of: The Matrix, Equilibrium, Aeon Flux
Neo battles agents and prophecy in the second instalment of the trilogy. Though divisive, its highway chase and fight choreography earned praise and cult reverence.
The Karate Kid (1984) – Martial Arts/Underdog
For fans of: Rocky, Cobra Kai, Rudy
A bullied teen learns discipline and self-defence from Mr. Miyagi in this iconic coming-of-age tale. With heartfelt mentorship and tournament stakes, it became a generational favourite. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Porco Rosso (1992) – Anime/Aviation
For fans of: Laputa, Tintin, Casablanca
A pig-faced pilot battles sky pirates in 1930s Europe in Miyazaki’s whimsical adventure. With melancholic charm and airborne action, it’s a cult gem in Studio Ghibli’s canon. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
The Foreigner (2017) – Revenge/Political
For fans of: Taken, The Constant Gardener, Edge of Darkness
Jackie Chan plays a grieving father seeking justice after a terrorist attack. With restrained emotion and political intrigue, the film earned respect for its darker tone.
The Kingdom (2007) – Thriller/Military
For fans of: Body of Lies, Zero Dark Thirty, Green Zone
A team of FBI agents investigates a bombing in Saudi Arabia, facing cultural tension and escalating violence. With procedural grit and explosive action, the film found a loyal audience.
Premium Rush (2012) – Chase/Urban
For fans of: Run Lola Run, Speed, Collateral
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a bike courier dodging corrupt cops across Manhattan. With kinetic pacing and urban geography, the film became an underrated action gem.
Safe House (2012) – Spy/Double-Cross
For fans of: Bourne Legacy, Body of Lies, Shooter
Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington clash in a CIA safe house filled with secrets and betrayals. With tight direction and paranoia, the film gained cult traction.
The Running Man (1987) – Dystopian/Game Show
For fans of: RoboCop, Escape from New York, Battle Royale
Arnold Schwarzenegger fights for survival in a televised death match. With satirical edge and 80s excess, the film became a cult classic of dystopian action. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) – Spy/Comedy
For fans of: True Lies, Knight and Day, Red
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie play married assassins hired to kill each other. With star chemistry and stylish shootouts, the film blends romance with explosive chaos.
The Matrix Revolutions (2003) – Sci-Fi/War
For fans of: The Matrix Reloaded, Dune, Ender’s Game
The trilogy concludes with a battle for Zion and philosophical closure. Though polarising, its ambition and visual scale earned cult appreciation.
The Karate Kid Part III (1989) – Martial Arts/Franchise
For fans of: Cobra Kai, Rocky III, Never Back Down
Daniel faces psychological manipulation and tournament pressure in this darker sequel. While less acclaimed, it remains nostalgic for fans of the original saga.
The Ice Road (2021) – Survival/Disaster
For fans of: The Grey, Cliffhanger, Daylight
Liam Neeson drives across frozen terrain to rescue trapped miners. With icy tension and mechanical peril, the film found a niche among survival thrillers.
The Adam Project (2022) – Sci-Fi/Family
For fans of: Back to the Future, Looper, Free Guy
Ryan Reynolds meets his younger self to fix the future and heal emotional wounds. With time-travel antics and heartfelt beats, the film became a streaming favourite. WYALAN Rating – 2.5/5
Knight and Day (2010) – Spy/Comedy
For fans of: Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Red Notice
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz dodge assassins and government agents in this breezy action-romance. With globe-trotting flair and comic timing, it earned cult affection
The Man from Toronto (2022) – Comedy/Buddy
For fans of: Ride Along, Central Intelligence, Red Notice
Kevin Hart gets mistaken for a legendary assassin and must team up with Woody Harrelson’s gruff killer. With slapstick chaos and mismatched energy, the film found a niche among streaming action-comedies.
Cold Pursuit (2019) – Revenge/Dark Comedy
For fans of: Fargo, In Bruges, Run All Night
Liam Neeson plays a snowplough driver seeking vengeance for his son’s death. With deadpan humour and stylised violence, the film blends Nordic noir with absurdist grit.
The Expendables 3 (2014) – Ensemble/Franchise
For fans of: The A-Team, Fast & Furious, Olympus Has Fallen
Stallone recruits a younger crew to take down a rogue arms dealer in this third outing. Though less acclaimed than its predecessors, it delivers fan service and explosive camaraderie.