11 of the best action movies on Netflix
We all need a bit of escapism every now and then (especially now), so what better way than to tuck into a classic action movie?
Everyone will have their own definition of what an action movie is though, so what we've done is take a look through the current offerings on Netflix UK to give you the best action movies that cover all sorts of genres.
Whether you want some old-school action thrills, sci-fi action beats, epic comic book action or anything in between, we've got you covered.
(Note: there's no order to the list other than alphabetical and it's accurate as of the catalogue on Netflix UK on April 7.)
Bad Boys
It says a lot about Michael Bay's later movies that Bad Boys looks relatively low-key by comparison, even if it still delivers enough explosions to make any action fan happy.
Bay's debut made stars of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence and while certain aspects of the movie haven't aged well, their chemistry still feels fresh and remains a joy to watch. And as the surprisingly good third movie proved, they really are Bad Boys for life.
Fast & Furious 7
Fast & Furious 7 had the unenviable task of delivering the ridiculous stunts the fans want from the series, while also paying a fitting tribute to Paul Walker.
And it not only managed that (just try watching that final scene without crying), but also had the best villain of the series in Jason Statham's Deckard Shaw. Well, before he actually turned good in the eighth movie.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Keanu Reeves is back as John Wick for another brutal ballet of violence in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, which expands the unique world and delivers a lot of blood.
It might all be a bit much for some as the set pieces are relentless throughout, but it's all so gorgeously crafted that you won't want to look away. It's not the end either as there's a tantalising set-up for the fourth movie, coming next year (hopefully).
Kick-Ass
Kick-Ass is still unmatched as a subversive and outrageous take on a comic book movie a decade after its release.
Of course, the movie isn't without its critics, but if you can handle the ultra-violence and the swearing, it's a must-see, with the Big Daddy sequence – you know the one – one of the best scenes in comic book movie history.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Another Matthew Vaughn movie and another one that created controversy, Kingsman: The Secret Service does have an inexcusable and unnecessary final scene.
However, the rest of it is a playful, surprising and hugely entertaining spin on the spy genre that established Taron Egerton as a star. Say what you like about the humour, but the action set pieces (including that church brawl) are terrific.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Yes, we've cheated a bit, but with The Lord of the Rings trilogy on Netflix, it seems rude to just watch one of them.
Some might say they're more fantasy epics than action movies, yet every movie delivers incredible set pieces. From the huge battles at Minas Tirath and Helm's Deep to the more intimate ones like the Fellowship against the Uruk Hai (RIP Boromir), it's action cinema at its finest.
The Night Comes for Us
Indonesian action thriller The Night Comes for Us manages to make the entire John Wick series look tame.
As with the best action movies, the set-up is simple (a Triad assassin refuses to kill a little girl, gets the entire Triad after him), but the action is next-level intense with outstanding performances from Joe Taslim and Iko Uwais. It will leave you breathless.
The Raid and The Raid 2
Iko Uwais also stars in The Raid series and it's another cheat, but we can't just pick either movie separately.
The Raid offers more stripped-back, contained thrills than its sprawling sequel, yet both movies deliver some of the best fight scenes this century. Just maybe don't watch if you're squeamish about broken bones.
Robocop
Be careful what Robocop you press play on as Netflix also has the bland 2014 remake with Joel Kinnaman.
We are, of course, recommending Paul Verhoeven's brilliant satirical action sci-fi with Peter Weller as the cyborg police officer Robocop. It's gory and sharper than you think, and we'd still buy it for a dollar.
The Terminator
Terminator 2: Judgment Day might be more action-packed, but there is still plenty of action to enjoy in The Terminator, including that police station scene.
And as good as the T-1000 is in the sequel, there's still something unbeatable about Arnie's efficient and terrifying killing machine. What's more, there's no annoying John Connor to endure.
Wonder Woman
We have to wait a few more months for Wonder Woman 1984, so what better time to rewatch Wonder Woman.
Gal Gadot's Diana Prince made her mark on the Worlds of DC in a big way in her solo movie, with the powerful No Man's Land sequence remaining a DC highlight. We'll just forget about the overblown finale.
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