10 Best Netflix Original Action Movies In History

As a movie reviewer, I have to say Netflix has built up a really solid library of original films, and they especially excel at action. There’s just something about a good, high-octane action movie – explosions, fights, zombies… it really plays well on the platform. They’ve had some massive hits like The Gray Man and Red Notice, but honestly, while those films are popular, I wouldn’t put them in the top tier of Netflix’s action offerings. They’re fun, but not quite the best the platform has to offer.

Netflix has really stepped up its game with original action movies in recent years, releasing several excellent films since 2020. They’ve also attracted big stars like Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, and Chris Hemsworth, and worked with well-known directors such as Zack Snyder. This strong collection of films shows just how much Netflix has grown as a major entertainment provider.

With so many action movies on Netflix, it’s hard to say which are the very best. However, by looking at what’s been popular with viewers and well-received by critics, we can highlight some truly great options that most people will love.

10. The Rip (2026)

Released earlier this year, The Rip is a fast-paced thriller that largely takes place in a single location. The movie reunites Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who play partners in the narcotics division of the police force.

The group discovers a large amount of money, and suspicion quickly grows as they worry someone might try to steal it. This creates a tense and dangerous situation, leading to several thrilling moments as they find themselves cornered.

9. Army Of The Dead (2021)

Zack Snyder has directed several films for Netflix. While Rebel Moon didn’t receive positive reviews, Army of the Dead is much more enjoyable. It’s a unique blend of action, thriller, zombie horror, and a classic heist story.

The fight scenes are incredibly exciting, and you can definitely see director Zack Snyder’s signature style. Plus, the movie boasts a fantastic cast, including Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Omari Hardwick – arguably one of the best assembled for a Netflix film.

8. Outlaw King (2018)

Outlaw King isn’t your typical action movie. Instead of taking place today, it’s a historical drama filled with swords and armor. The film tells the story of Robert the Bruce, a past king of Scotland.

The movie Outlaw King received somewhat mixed reviews, scoring 63% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, it has plenty of strong points, including impressive sets and costumes, and a talented cast featuring Chris Pine and Florence Pugh. It also delivers a good amount of action, gore, and violence, which many viewers will appreciate.

7. Havoc (2025)

Gareth Evans is well-known for directing thrilling action movies. He’s the director behind the critically acclaimed films The Raid and The Raid 2, and he brought his signature style to the 2025 film, Havoc.

The movie quickly became popular on Netflix, boosted by its exciting trailer and starring Tom Hardy. It tells a straightforward story: Hardy plays a cynical police officer battling criminals to rescue a politician’s son. What really stands out is the film’s thrilling action.

6. Ballerina (2023)

Don’t mistake this Ballerina for the recent John Wick spin-off film with Ana de Armas. This Ballerina is a thrilling action movie starring Jeon Jong-seo as a former bodyguard seeking revenge for her friend’s murder.

This South Korean movie boasts a fantastic lead actor and thrilling action scenes. With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s a gritty and violent film that genre fans will likely enjoy.

5. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

Gunpowder Milkshake joins a growing trend of action movies starring strong, female assassins – a popular genre for good reason. While 2021 brought several like it, including the often-overlooked Kate on Netflix, Gunpowder Milkshake stands out as one of the best.

In the action movie Gunpowder Milkshake, Karen Gillan plays a professional assassin who teams up with her long-lost mother (Lena Headey) to keep a young girl safe from other hitmen. The film features some imaginative action sequences, including a memorable fight scene where the main character has to battle enemies despite her hands being numb.

4. Carry-On (2024)

From time to time, a movie really takes off on Netflix and becomes a huge success. A few years back, Carry-On was that movie, and everyone was discussing it over the holidays. The film quickly grabbed viewers’ attention with its interesting story idea.

I just finished watching Carry-On, and it was seriously gripping! The story centers around a TSA worker who gets forced into letting a dangerous nerve agent onto a plane – something that could kill hundreds of people. Taron Egerton is fantastic in the main role, and Jason Bateman is incredible as the bad guy. The director, Jaume Collet-Serra, really knows what he’s doing – it’s a really well-made thriller.

3. Rebel Ridge (2024)

Netflix saw a big success with the movie Rebel Ridge. It tackles relevant issues like police corruption and features a protagonist who fights for what’s right.

I recently watched Rebel Ridge, and Aaron Pierre is fantastic as Terry Richmond, an ex-Marine with serious skills in hand-to-hand combat. The story kicks off when he tries to bail his brother out of jail, but some crooked cops steal his money. Naturally, he decides to get even. It’s a really gripping film, and it’s no surprise it won both a Primetime Emmy and a Critics’ Choice Award!

2. The Old Guard (2020)

As a huge movie fan, I truly think Charlize Theron is one of the best action stars we have right now. Seriously, whether it’s Atomic Blonde, a Fast and Furious film, or the incredible Mad Max: Fury Road, she absolutely nails those tough, kick-butt female roles. And she brings that same energy to The Old Guard, too – she’s just fantastic!

The movie The Old Guard is based on the popular comic book series of the same name. It’s about a team of immortal mercenaries who have been fighting for centuries. While director Gina Prince-Bythewood wasn’t typically known for action movies, she did a fantastic job with this film, and its popularity led to a follow-up movie.

1. Extraction (2020)

Similar to The Old Guard, Extraction is adapted from a graphic novel called Ciudad. The film features Chris Hemsworth, reuniting him with Joe Russo, who previously directed him in Marvel Cinematic Universe films and co-wrote this one.

As a movie fan, I really enjoyed Extraction because it’s just packed with action from beginning to end. The story follows a mercenary who’s hired to rescue a drug lord’s son who’s been kidnapped in Bangladesh, but things quickly get complicated when he realizes he’s been set up. For a movie that cost $65 million to make, it delivers a ton of bang for your buck – seriously, the action sequences and explosions are huge!

2026-05-27 15:44