Action fans are incredibly passionate and dedicated – they’ve kept the genre alive and well since it first became popular. While action movies haven’t always been critics’ favorites, strong fan support has ensured their continued success. The genre really hit its stride from the 70s to the 90s, fueled by iconic action heroes and blockbuster films like Dirty Harry, The Terminator, and Speed. On television, however, action was largely confined to cult shows with a lower-budget, B-movie feel during that same period. While those shows had their charm, it took time for higher-quality, big-budget TV to match the action audiences enjoyed in theaters.
For the past 25 years, action fans have had plenty of great movies to enjoy, and now, TV is finally delivering the same high-quality, thrilling experiences. These 15 shows, filled with everything from hand-to-hand combat to intense gun battles and strategic missions, represent the best of the action genre on television over the last quarter-century.
15
‘Last Samurai Standing’ (2025–Present)
Netflix
The film Last Samurai Standing centers around Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada), a formerly celebrated samurai who is forced to fight again to support his family. He joins a high-stakes tournament called “Kodoku,” where 292 warriors compete, attempting to eliminate opponents and claim their identifying tags to demonstrate their skill and win a substantial reward.
With its dynamic, over-the-top action and realistic sword fights – often performed by the actors themselves – Last Samurai Standing feels like a live-action anime. The show takes you across a beautiful and varied Japan, from busy temples to vast forests. While packed with exciting fights, the series also tells a heartwarming story about family and honor.
14
‘Lioness’ (2023–Present)
Paramount+
Taylor Sheridan, known for creating captivating shows, delivers his most intense series yet with Lioness. The show centers on Joe (Zoe Saldaña), a CIA agent who leads a secret program training women to go undercover and disrupt terrorist groups. As you can imagine, in the dangerous world of espionage, nothing is straightforward and trust is always uncertain.
Rather than relying on flashy effects, Lioness builds its action scenes from a foundation of realism, resulting in truly impressive and compelling moments. The show portrays firefights as chaotic, unsettling, and emotionally impactful, avoiding glorification. Creator Taylor Sheridan excels at crafting relatable characters, and the combination of this grounded approach with authentic, gritty heroism is particularly effective.
13
‘Halo’ (2022–Present)
Paramount+
Based on the classic Xbox first-person shooter Halo, the series centers on Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber), a super-soldier battling an alien enemy. As he learns more about the war, however, he begins to question who he’s really fighting for.
Although most entries on this list focus on grounded, realistic stories, this sci-fi action series is simply too good to pass over. It’s a non-stop thrill ride, filled with intense battles against an alien enemy. The second season ramps up the excitement even more, offering a wide range of action sequences—from massive conflicts to fights in zero gravity—that will keep both action and sci-fi fans on the edge of their seats. While some longtime fans have been critical, viewers who aren’t heavily into video games should find little to dislike.
12
‘Into the Badlands’ (2015–2018)
AMC
Despite not being hugely famous, the show Into the Badlands became really popular with martial arts fans, and for good reason. It’s set in a world destroyed by disaster and centers around Sunny (Daniel Wu), a tough fighter whose loyalty is challenged when he encounters a young boy named M.K. (Aramis Knight) who has special abilities that could change everything.
While the story of Into the Badlands – a protector and their charge traveling through a dangerous, post-apocalyptic world – wasn’t particularly original, the show truly shined thanks to its stunning visuals, detailed world, and constant, high-quality martial arts fights. The action sequences, from sword battles to brutal hand-to-hand combat, were exceptionally well-done, polished, and impactful.
11
‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024)
CBS
Seal Team built a strong and loyal following by telling the story of Bravo Team, an elite group of Navy SEALs led by Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz). The show followed them on dangerous missions around the globe, and also explored the personal toll war takes on the team members and their families.
SEAL Team stood out because of its realism. The show used a large team of expert advisors to ensure everything felt accurate. It offered viewers a remarkably genuine look into the lives of Navy SEALs – how they operate, the language they use, and the strong bonds they share. The action sequences were also true to life, focusing on quick, intense bursts of violence rather than drawn-out or overly stylized battles.
10
‘Strike Back’ (2010–2020)
Cinemax
The TV series Strike Back is inspired by the experiences of ex-SAS soldier Chris Ryan. It follows the dangerous, globe-trotting missions of Section 20, a top-secret special operations unit within the Defense Intelligence agency.
Created by a talented team of experienced writers and TV professionals, and filmed in stunning locations, Strike Back expertly blends sophisticated humor with non-stop action. The chemistry between stars Sullivan Stapleton and Dean Winchester is compelling, and they underwent rigorous training – as Winchester notes, their trainers were ex-SAS experts who emphasized meticulous detail. It’s easily one of the best shows centered around military themes.
9
’24’ (2001–2012)
FOX
It’s understandable why a job focused on constantly stopping terrorists would be stressful. That’s the reality for Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland) in the TV show 24, and it explains why he’s often frustrated, even with his tech support. The show emphasizes this pressure by using a real-time format – each season features 24 episodes, each representing one hour of a single day.
24 is a captivating and realistic thriller based on actual global threats, and it redefined action television. One memorable scene features Jack Bauer’s daring escape from Chinese captivity, complete with a surprising bite! The show is truly excellent, managing to portray even the most unbelievable circumstances with genuine emotion and humanity. Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub share a particularly strong and believable connection, as do many other actors in the cast. With stunning visuals and a brilliantly written script, 24 is a powerful show that will leave you breathless.
8
‘Banshee’ (2013–2016)
Cinemax
When the newly elected sheriff of a quiet town is killed, a resourceful ex-criminal sees an opportunity. He steals the sheriff’s identity and pretends to be the new law enforcement leader. But in the early episodes of the show Banshee, his hidden past begins to threaten his new life, and he’s forced to confront it.
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Antony Starr is captivating as the villain in The Boys, but many fans still prefer his role as Sheriff Lucas Hood – a character known for both his romantic exploits and brutal takedowns. The action sequences in the show are particularly impressive, and that’s due to the incredible detail put into each one. Director Greg Yaitanes shared that they spent up to 25 hours filming a single fight, drawing inspiration from the action movies of Jason Statham, which is definitely noticeable.
7
‘Spartacus’ (2010–2013)
Starz
The film Spartacus tells a story inspired by the life of Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator who famously led a large revolt against the Roman Empire between 73 and 71 BC. This uprising, known as the Third Servile War, was the final and most significant of several slave rebellions.
This film blends historical drama with intense action, using familiar tropes but adding rich, poetic language. Lucy Lawless, continuing her strong screen presence after Xena, is a wild and unpredictable wife, contrasting with John Hannah’s character who manages to maintain some integrity despite his rough language. Ultimately, it’s a gladiator story, and the violence is so over-the-top you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.
6
‘Reacher’ (2022–Present)
Prime Video
Meet Jack Reacher, a former military police major who now chooses to wander from town to town. Created by Lee Child, this veteran isn’t looking for trouble, but it always seems to find him – and he’s always ready for it.
Tom Cruise first played the character, but Alan Ritchson’s take on TV has been more popular, largely because he physically looks the part as described in the books. Don’t worry about the older, somewhat cheesy romantic storylines – this version shines with its incredible action sequences, particularly the amazing prison fight. It’s so good, you’ll want to rewatch your favorite scenes!
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2026-01-31 23:08