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Mandarin Films
Last Updated: March 27th
“Action movie” means something different to everyone. The term runs the spectrum of CGI explosion-filled spectacles and highly choreographed fight scenes to movies with heroes who deliver cheesy one-liners right before the last rocket-powered grenade is fired. It can mean shutting your brain off, or it can mean complex stories that use action to benefit the plot.
Luckily, Netflix has most subgenres covered when it comes to good action films, whether you want kung fu, superhero-ing, or anything in between. That’s why we put together a list of the best action movies on Netflix streaming right now. So grab some popcorn and enjoy.
Related: The 20 Best Horror Movies On Netflix Right Now, Ranked
Disney
15. Armageddon (1998)
No binge of overblown ’90s action movies would be complete without a sampling from Michael Bay, and Armageddon is one of his best thanks to its lovable ridiculousness and implausibility. As the other “we have to stop the world-ending meteor” movie of 1998 — it arrived a bit after Deep Impact — this is the one that is packed with some of the biggest names of the decade. Despite some of the actors saying that they only did the movie for the paycheck and Bay himself saying he wishes he could redo the error-filled third act, it has a bloated charm to its mess. This is largely due to Steve Buscemi’s appearance, which was contractually obligated in every movie of the ’90s.
Columbia Pictures
14. Men In Black (1997)
It’s the sci-fi action comedy that ticks all the boxes. The classic pairing of the hotshot newbie and the grizzled, no-nonsense veteran. Casual, ridiculous tech and weaponry. A post-credits rap from Will Smith. The Barry Sonnenfeld-directed flick hit some diminishing returns with its sequels, but the first one is still tremendously entertaining thanks to the chemistry between the post-Fresh Prince Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The pair play secret government agents tasked with patrolling the underground alien presence on Earth, and this time that involves a giant cockroach who could cause the end of the world. It’s as fun as it is funny.
Fantastic Fest
13. April And The Extraordinary World (2015)
In an alternate version of 1941 where France has been led by a line of Napoleons and leading scientists mysteriously disappear, young April, her talking cat Darwin, and the shady Julius go searching for April’s missing parents. It’s an interesting take on a history where technological advancement isn’t a thing, where “steampunk” is reality and TVs and cars don’t exist. April’s journey starts in the dreary, stuck-out-of-time France but leads her to fantastical advancements that still make sense in the world we’re presented with. The heart of the film lies in the love that plucky, stubborn April has for those she cares about, and the film’s driven by charming animation and a genuinely interesting concept. It’s enjoyable action that’s just out-there enough for adults while being accessible for the young and young at heart.
Anchor Bay Entertainment
12. Battle Royale (2000)
A film that would later spark comparisons from Hunger Games, Battle Royale pits Japanese teenagers against each other under the order of a totalitarian society. After receiving explosive collars and varying weapons, the students start killing and they don’t stop until only one survives. The violence drew controversy across the world and even caused the film to be banned in several countries. But it’s an entertaining gorefest notable for its depiction of how each student deals differently when put in such a ridiculous life-or-death situation.
Mandarin Films
11. Ip Man (2008)
In a town filled with aspiring martial artists, the best of the best is Ip Man, a father and husband who just wants to keep his quiet way of life even in the midst of the Japanese occupation of China. In discovering that sometimes fighting is the only way to keep the peace, Ip inspires many by taking a stand during war-torn times. As a subtle reflection on war mixed with a healthy dose of fast-paced, mesmerizing combat, Ip Man is actually based on the real life of Yip Man, the grand master who trained Bruce Lee.
Marvel
10. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
It was a tough job for Anthony and Joe Russo to follow up Winter Soldier — one of the best entries in the MCU — but they put forward an admirable entry with the next Captain America film. When governmental oversight looms over the Avengers, lines are drawn and sides are taken, led by Cap and Tony Stark. With a deep bench of source material and character arcs to flesh out (a problem that has only expanded with Infinity War), Civil War tells an exciting superhero tale that still manages to mix in that espionage element that’s critical to Captain America’s success. Who would have thought you could do so much with a hero whose main attribute is a shield?
Toho/Netflix
9. 13 Assassins (2010)
Controversial director Takashi Miike’s remake of a 1963 film starts as a slow burn and builds to one of the longest, most elaborate sword battles you’ll ever see, complete with weaponized burning bulls. When the psychotic half-brother of the Shogun edges ever closer to assuming too much power in 1840s Japan, a group of samurai band together to assassinate him, shirking their honor for the good of the people. Despite being slightly based on true events, 13 Assassins retains Miike’s trademark uncompromising and slightly stylized brutality, but this is certainly more accessible than some of his well-known works like Ichi The Killer. Like the dying-out warriors of the time, they don’t make samurai films like this anymore.
Warner Bros.
8. Batman (1989)
The first take on a darker Dark Knight movie than the Adam West version, Batman tells the age-old story of a costumed meets evil clown. It accomplishes Batman’s origin story and Joker face-off in a way only Tim Burton could make. While it was perfect in hindsight, the casting of Michael Keaton was so controversial that Warner Bros. received 50,000 protest letters, proving that fans didn’t need the Internet to get upset. Batman takes its action to the comic book level without getting too ridiculous, anti-Batwing guns aside.
Warner Bros
7. V For Vendetta (2005)
In a dystopian future, mysterious, masked V (Hugo Weaving) starts an uprising against a controlling British rule, his only ally being the initially timid Evey (Natalie Portman). Despite existing almost entirely behind a Guy Fawkes mask, Weaving conveys tremendous heart in the role, even as a superhuman vigilante with lots of knives. Although Alan Moore, who wrote the comic book on which the film is based, disowned V For Vendetta (just as he does every adaptation of his works), the James McTeigue film was the last widely praised Wachowski-produced movie, as they used their love of strong violence and allegory to bring the book to life.
Universal Pictures
6. Hot Fuzz (2007)
The second of Edgar Wright’s “Cornetto Trilogy,” Hot Fuzz acts as a send-up of all the over-the-top action films that came before it, from Bad Boys II to Point Break. When loner supercop Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) gets reassigned to a much safer town, all he can do is eat ice cream and chase a dastardly swan with his new partner (Nick Frost) until the bodies start piling up. Pegg proves that he can be a master of comedic characters, contrasting the slackers of Shaun Of The Dead and The World’s End with this by-the-book policeman-officer. While parodying the clichés, Fuzz doesn’t rely solely on bits or callbacks to tell a layered story, with the charming chemistry between Pegg and Frost at the center of it. Plus, it gives us a contender for one of the funniest scenes in all British comedy.
Marvel
5. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1 surprised many with its stellar soundtrack and genuinely funny dialogue, and director James Gunn manages to live up to the original while still spinning a rather unique tale. The sequel finds the familiar rag-tag Guardians as they make enemies and wisecracks while exploring the origins of Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and his father, who happens to be a living planet (Kurt Russell). Focusing more on character development than overall MCU progression, the movie rounds out and humanizes some of its ridiculous characters, including Ravager Yondu. It’s a hilarious and emotional sci-fi adventure that doesn’t get too lost in its spectacular visual effects.
New Line Cinema
4. The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
Why Netflix only has the first of the trilogy (and not even the extended edition!) is a complete mystery. Maybe there are some out there who have yet to experience the full story and need a to get their feet wet in Peter Jackson’s epic adaptation. J.R.R. Tolkien’s story through Middle Earth starts with the finding of the one Ring, a powerful weapon in the hands of pure evil that needs to be destroyed by a group of warriors, Hobbits, and a wizard. The painstaking effort and artistry that went into its production emanate from every scene, and memorable performances and action sequences do the seminal books justice.
Warner Bros.
3. Lethal Weapon (1987)
A staple action movie of the ’80s, Lethal Weapon still stands up as a buddy cop movie that’s tough not to love. Mismatched partners — one suicidal, the other overly aged for various things — must learn to work together and stop a ring of drug smugglers. Its action hijinks are as indicative of the era as its jazzy music, and the film was even nominated for an Oscar for its sound. Lethal Weapon not only brought us Mel Gibson’s hair but the work of writer Shane Black, who has continued to pen noteworthy crime movies for over three decades.
A Band Apart/Miramax Films
2. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2 (2003-04)
A master assassin (Uma Thurman) is betrayed by her former associates and left for dead, only for her to awaken from her coma and vow to take uncompromising vengeance. Possible issues with director Quentin Tarantino aside, it’s impossible to say that watching his movies isn’t a distinct experience. Each piece of the Bride’s journey, while very different, fit together perfectly throughout the two films. Tarantino’s recognizable comedy, music, and slight self-indulgence come through in Kill Bill, which has just the right and an excessive amount of tongue-and-cheek and fake blood, respectively.
Tartan Films
1. Oldboy (2003)
Oh Dae-su, a man imprisoned for 15 years, searches for answers in this Korean director Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of the Japanese manga. Part film noir, part revenge story, Oldboy tells a raw tale of a smart but confused average Joe, and the action sequences reflect that. There aren’t any highly choreographed martial arts, no sword-swinging spectacle. Just a lot of brutality. The sucker punch of an ending will linger with you, nearly as much as the tense hallway fight that’s synonymous with Oldboy.
I paid off my student loans early
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