The Best Action Movies to Stream Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Whether it’s playing catch with cars, running from robots or mastering martial arts, few things can get you amped up as much as a good action movie.

Of course, there are plenty of these exciting flicks to choose from. There are the classics likeTop Gun, superhero films such asBlack Panther: Wakanda ForeverandThe Batmanand war movies likePearl Harbor— which all promise thrilling storylines, intense fight scenes and nonstop excitement.

Looking for something a little more dark? Tune intoMonkey Man. How about a flick that’s just as comedic as it is action-packed? Leave it toRyan GoslinginThe Fall Guy.

Whether it’s explosions, muscle cars and mayhem or the sweet taste of victory you are after, you’re sure to find an action movie you love. Here are the best action movies you can stream right now.

The Gorge

In this sci-fi action flick, two highly-trained snipers (Miles TellerandAnya Taylor-Joy) are sent on a special assignment: vanish off the grid for the next 365 days and guard opposite sides of a deep gorge containing an unspeakable evil. Forbidden from any outside contact, the two operatives form a clandestine bond — but as the threat within emerges, they join forces to keep it sealed before all hell breaks loose.

Gladiator II

Paul Mescal in ‘Gladiator II,’ 2024.Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Nearly 25 years afterRidley Scott’s swords-and-sandals epic comesGladiator II, starringPaul Mescalas Lucius Verus Aurelius, son of the late Maximus (Russell Crowe’s character in the first film). With Rome’s descent under tyrannical rule, Lucius must step into the gladiatorial ring and fight like his father before him for survival. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Costume Design, the film features performances from Mescal,Denzel Washington,Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen,Joseph Quinnand more.

WatchGladiator IIon Paramount+

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Henry Cavill in ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,’ 2024.Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith

Guy Ritchie’s 2024 action comedytakes a wildly fictionalized swing at Operation Postmaster, the historical British mission that helped turn the tide of World War II. To counteract Hitler’s fleet of German U-boats, Winston Churchill’s special operations executive, Gus March Phillips (Henry Cavill), assembles a ragtag team of rogues and rebels — relying on bizarre tactics to use against the Nazis.

WatchThe Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfareon Starz

Carry-On

Taron Egerton in ‘Carry-On,’ 2024.Sam Lothridge/Netflix

Sam Lothridge/Netflix

It’s the most hectic time of the year at airports everywhere, and low-level TSA agent Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) is stuck on the job on Christmas Eve. But when a suspicious earpiece passes through security, Ethan gets an anonymous call from a traveler (Jason Bateman) with an ultimatum: Let a dangerous carry-on through the scanner, or Ethan’s girlfriend (Sofia Carson) dies. Now, Ethan must think fast and stay one step ahead to stop a deadly terrorist scheme.

WatchCarry-Onon Netflix

Deadpool & Wolverine

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine,’ 2024.Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVEL

Jay Maidment/20th Century Studios/MARVEL

WatchDeadpool & Wolverineon Disney+

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die,’ 2024.Frank Masi

Frank Masi

The boys are back! Nearly 30 years after the 1995 original movie, Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are diving into yet another do-or-die mission — this time to vindicate their late captain after he’s wrongly implicated in a drug conspiracy.

WatchBad Boys: Ride or Dieon Netflix

Twisters

Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell in ‘Twisters,’ 2024.Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Universal Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

As social media influencer Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) “wrangles” whirlwinds for online clout, storm chaser Javi (Anthony Ramos) convinces his wary friend Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) to join him in Oklahoma to test new technology on tornadoes. While the three of them ultimately cross paths and join forces, their styles of cyclone chasing — and Kate’s traumatic past — create plenty of tension as the storm season escalates and various systems cross over the area.

WatchTwisterson Peacock

The Shadow Strays

Kristo Immanuel and Aurora Ribero in ‘The Shadow Strays,’ 2024.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

WatchTheShadow Strayson Netflix

Rebel Ridge

AnnaSophia Robb and Aaron Pierre in ‘Rebel Ridge,’ 2024.Allyson Riggs/Netflix

Allyson Riggs/Netflix

WatchRebel Ridgeon Netflix

The Fall Guy

Ryan Gosling in ‘The Fall Guy,’ 2024.Eric Laciste/Universal Pictures

Eric Laciste/Universal Pictures

WatchThe Fall Guyon Amazon Prime Video

Civil War

Kirsten Dunst in ‘Civil War,’ 2024.Murray Close

Murray Close

In this A24 dystopian thriller, America is mired in a brutal civil war between a dictatorial federal government and secessionist factions. As a crew of war journalists journeys from N.Y.C. to Washington, D.C., to interview the embattled third-term president (Nick Offerman) before insurgents storm the capital, they encounter a rising tide of violence that interferes with their work.

WatchCivil Waron Max

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

20th Century Studios

WatchKingdom of the Planet of the Apeson Hulu

Monkey Man

Dev Patel in ‘Monkey Man,’ 2024.Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

WatchMonkey Manon Amazon Prime Video

Dune: Part Two

Timothée Chalamet in ‘Dune: Part Two,’ 2024.warner bros.

warner bros.

Timothée Chalamet,Zendaya,Javier Bardemand more return for the highly anticipatedsecond part of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel adaptation. Picking up after the events ofDune(2021), Paul Atreides (Chalamet) makes it his mission to exact revenge on those who’ve destroyed his family. Boosting the already-impressive cast areAustin Butler,Christopher WalkenandFlorence Pugh.

WatchDune: Part Twoon Max

The Beekeeper

Jason Statham (left) in ‘The Beekeeper,’ 2024.MGM

MGM

WatchThe Beekeeperon MGM+

Road House

Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘Road House,’ 2024.Laura Radford/Prime Video

Laura Radford/Prime Video

WatchRoad Houseon Amazon Prime Video

Napoleon

Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Napoleon,’ 2023.Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Damsel

Netflix

WatchDamselon Netflix

Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One

Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One,’ 2023.Paramount Pictures/Skydance

WatchMission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Oneon Paramount+

The Equalizer 3

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3,’ 2023.Sony Pictures Entertainment/YouTube

Having retired from his career as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) now resides in Southern Italy, battling with the demons of his violent past. However, when he learns that his new friends are under the thumbs of local mafia members, Robert mustuse his vigilante instinctsto protect both them and his hard-earned peace.

WatchThe Equalizer 3on Netflix

The Creator

John David Washington in ‘The Creator,’ 2023.20th Century Studios

In this 2023 sci-fi thriller,John David Washingtonstars as Joshua, an ex-special forces agent mourning the disappearance of his pregnant wife (Gemma Chan). During a postapocalyptic conflict between humans and artificial intelligence, Joshua isenlisted to track down and obliterate the Creator— the enigmatic mastermind behind A.I. who has crafted a cryptic weapon capable of concluding both the war and humanity itself. Yet, upon retrieving the world-ending device, Joshua and his team discover it’s an A.I. in the guise of a young girl (Madeleine Yuna Voyles).

WatchThe Creatoron Hulu

Blue Beetle

WatchBlue Beetleon Max

John Wick: Chapter 4

Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4,’ 2023.Lionsgate

WatchJohn Wick: Chapter 4on Starz through March 14

Fast X

Jason Momoa in ‘Fast X,’ 2023.Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Peter Mountain/Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett

WatchFast Xon Peacock

Die Hard

Welcome to the party, pal! Whether or notyou thinkDie Hardis a Christmas movie, the 1988 thriller is easily one of the best action movies of all time.Bruce Willis' introductory jaunt as John McClane has all the makings of a classic: a working-class hero, a hard-to-get love interest (Bonnie Bedelia), a dangerously charismatic villain (Alan Rickman), earnest sidekicks Alan (Reginald VelJohnson) and Argyle (De’voreaux White) and some of the best catchphrases in the game. Did we mention McClane saves the day while barefoot?

WatchDie Hardon Amazon Prime Video

Pearl Harbor

Ben Affleck in ‘Pearl Harbor,’ 2001.Andrew Cooper/Touchstone/Jerry Bruckheimer Inc/Kobal/Shutterstock

From quintessential action movie directorMichael Baycomes a romantic war drama that fictionalizes thehistorical Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This 2001 feature follows two childhood best friends (Ben AffleckandJosh Hartnett), who enlist in the military as pilots during WWII and a love triangle blossoms between them and a nurse (Kate Beckinsale).

WatchPearl Harboron Hulu

Taken

WatchTakenon Hulu

Gladiator

Russell Crowe in ‘Gladiator,’ 2000.Universal/Getty

Are you not entertained? Russell Crowe won an Academy Award for 2000’sGladiator, which also won Best Picture and three other Oscars. Inspiring speeches (one of which Crowe penned himself) and rousing colosseum battles abound, and Joaquin Phoenix delivers an understated and nuanced performance as the corrupt Commodus.

WatchGladiatoron Paramount+

Avatar: The Way of Water

Jake Sully (voice of Sam Worthington) in ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ 2022.Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

WatchAvatar: The Way of Wateron Disney+

Black Panther

Lupita Nyong’o, Chadwick Boseman and Danai Gurira in ‘Black Panther,’ 2018.Marvel

Black Pantherbrought much-needed Black representation to the superhero genre.Chadwick Boseman’s indelible mark on cinema as T’Challa cannot be overstated, andMichael B. Jordan’s Killmonger is as sympathetic and complicated a villain as they come. The supporting cast’s performances, especiallyAngela BassettandSterling K. Brown, are just as moving.

WatchBlack Pantheron Disney+

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ 2022.Eli Ade/Marvel/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Eli Ade/Marvel/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

WatchBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreveron Disney+

Godzilla vs. Kong

Kong in ‘Godzilla vs. Kong,’ 2021.HBO Max/Courtesy Everett

HBO Max/Courtesy Everett

What do you do when one monster attacks? Unleash another one, of course. InGodzilla vs. Kong, the real monsters aren’t GodzillaorKong — they’re conspiracy theorists and technology. While the action is stellar when the larger-than-life creatures go after each other, the excitement is unstoppable once they team up.

WatchGodzilla vs. Kongon Netflix

All Quiet on the Western Front

Felix Kammerer in ‘All Quiet on the Western Front,’ 2022.Reiner Bajo/Netflix

Reiner Bajo/Netflix

Premiering at theToronto International Film Festivalin September 2022, thisGerman anti-war drama— adapted from Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 eponymous novel — tells the timeless story of a young man named Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) who eagerly joins the German Army to fight in World War I. But when he and his comrades find themselves amid unforgiving and inhumane violence, their once-patriotic notions of war are shattered as they make every effort to survive.

WatchAll Quiet on the Western Fronton Netflix

The Woman King

Viola Davis in ‘The Woman King,’ 2022.Sony Pictures

WatchThe Woman Kingon Hulu

Top Gun

(center) Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in ‘Top Gun,’ 1986.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

If you feel the need for speed,Tony Scott’sfighter pilot action flickshould be your first choice. In 1986’sTop Gun, Tom Cruise soars as smug hotshot Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell," who strives to be the top naval pilot in his class — causing friction between him and rivaling classmates such as Iceman (Val Kilmer) — and swoop the flight instructor (Kelly McGillis) off her feet. From its classic soundtrack to its iconic beach volleyball scene to its fast-paced thrills, this blockbuster will “take you right into the danger zone.”

WatchTop Gunon Paramount+

Top Gun: Maverick

From left: Jay Ellis, Monica Barbaro and Danny Ramirez in ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ 2022.Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Thirty-six years after Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) graduated the TOPGUN Naval aviation program, he’s invited back as an instructor for a new generation of fliers, including Miles Teller’s Bradley (“Rooster”) andGlen Powell’s Jake (“Hangman”).Earning more than $1 billion dollarsat the global box office, 2022’sTop Gun: Maverickis not only a triumphant sequel to its iconic predecessor but is also a “love letter to aviation,” as it impressively cranked up the action without VFX andfilmed stunts with real U.S. Navy pilots flying top-quality fighter jets.

WatchTop Gun: Maverickon Paramount+

Free Guy

FromDeadpooltoRed Notice,Ryan Reynoldsis a bona fide action star who never fails to bring the laughs. Also starringJodie Comer,Taika Waititiand more, the2021 action comedyfollows a bank teller named Guy (Reynolds), who discovers he’s a trivial background character in a violent multiplayer video game and strives to be a winning hero when faced with conflict.

WatchFree Guyon Disney+

Shadow in the Cloud

In this 2022 war fantasy,Chloë Grace Moretzstars as a WWII flight officer who battles with an evil creature on her mission. Also starringTaylor John SmithandNick Robinson,Shadow in the Cloudis a bumpy ride with several jump-scares lurking in its shadows, and tells a wildly complex story about female strength.

WatchShadow in the Cloudon Netflix

Captain America: Civil War

Chris Evans in ‘Captan America: Civil War,’ 2016.Everett

Marvel movies always have a ton of great action sequences, butCaptain America: Civil Warbrings together major characters in conflict with each other in exciting ways — and the questions raised about surveillance and the police state continue to resonate.Chris Evans' fight as Captain America withRobert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark was instantly meme-able, and the introduction ofChadwick Boseman’s Black Panther andTom Holland’s Spider-Man makeCivil Wara fan favorite.

WatchCaptain America: Civil Waron Disney+

Avengers: Endgame

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Marvel Studios/Courtesy Everett

Avengers, we love you 3000. Bringing back fan-favorite characters and ending several beloved MCU storylines, the epic conclusion to the Avengers saga chronicles the titular superhero group’s final battle with Thanos, the demigod who destroyed the universe in Infinity War. Shattering box-office records, the 2019 superhero film became thesecond highest-grossing film of all time(at the time) next to 2009’sAvatar.

WatchAvengers: Endgameon Disney+

Prey

Amber Midthunder in ‘Prey,’ 2022.David Bukach/Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection

David Bukach/Hulu/Courtesy Everett Collection

A prequel to the originalPredator,Preyfollows Naru (Amber Midthunder), a fledgling fighter trying to protect the Comanche Nation from the extraterrestrial hunter. Set 300 years before the events of the 1987 classic, the film features an almost entirely Native and First Nation cast and is available to stream entirely in Comanche. At its debut,Preybecame Hulu’sbiggest streaming premiere ever.

WatchPreyon Hulu

The Northman

Ethan Hawke in ‘The Northman,’ 2022.Focus Features

WatchThe Northmanon Peacock

The Dark Knight

Christian Baleis a great Bruce Wayne, but it wasHeath Ledger’s final completed performance as the Joker that broughtThe Dark Knightits critical acclaim and commercial blockbuster status. From the opening bank heist to the impossible choices the Joker thrusts upon both Batman and Gotham City,Christopher Nolan’s sophomore outing for the caped crusader raises resonant questions about the nature of man.

WatchThe Dark Knighton Max

The Batman

Robert Pattinson in ‘The Batman,’ 2022.Jonathan Olley/Warner Bros.

Matt Reeves’The Batman, released in 2022, is less like a superhero epic and more of a detective thriller.Robert Pattinsonplays a tortured Bruce Wayne and a brooding Batman equally well, whileZoë Kravitzbrings Selina Kyle to life as a sensual, cynical Catwoman.Paul Danois chilling as the Zodiac Killer-inspired Riddler, and he workedveryhard to get there: He was such a perfectionist that Reeves said Danofilmed 200 takesof a single scene.

WatchThe Batmanon Max

The Old Guard

Kiki Layne and Charlize Theron in ‘The Old Guard,’ 2020.AIMEE SPINKS/NETFLIX

AIMEE SPINKS/NETFLIX

The Old Guardexamines a power granted to many superheroes that often goes unquestioned: the loneliness and boredom associated with immortality. Charlize Theron and the rest of the cast kill it in hand-to-hand combat scenes, and it brought some long overdue LGBTQ+ representation to the superhero genre. A sequel is set to premiere on Netflix on July 2.

WatchThe Old Guardon Netflix

source: people.com