Brace For Impact — Here Are the Greatest 25 Action Movies on Netflix

After a long day, it can be nice to unwind with a long bath and some Trader Joe's wine. That being said, we are quickly becoming converts to the action genre since these movies instantly elevate our energy levels. From Marvel franchises to fantasy thrillers, Netflix is continually adding new movies that will make your heart race to the finish line. If you're still on the fence, these 25 thrill rides will make a fan out of you.

01
Doctor Strange
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Doctor Strange

We might not think of Benedict Cumberbatch as the classic action hero, but he proves us all wrong in Doctor Strange. It's a unique Marvel movie in which Cumberbatch plays a neurosurgeon who hopes to heal from a debilitating accident by learning the magical arts.

Watch it now.

02
Kill Bill: Vol. I
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Kill Bill: Vol. I

Uma Thurman's role in Kill Bill: Volume I will forever go down as one of the greatest action roles of all time. Thurman plays the heart-stopping role of the bride who must enact revenge on a team of assassins after they attempt to kill her and her unborn child. As an added bonus, Volume II is also amazing.

Watch it now.

03
Trollhunter
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Trollhunter

This movie is both an action-packed thriller and a fantasy film. Trollhunter tells the story of three students who enter the Norwegian woods looking for a bear poacher who tracks trolls for the government. It's similar to found-footage movies, and it will leave you breathless.

Watch it now.

04
Everly
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Everly

Salma Hayek takes no prisoners in Everly. It's a gritty action thriller in which Hayek must fend off assassins sent by a mob boss, who happens to be her ex.

Watch it now.

05
Mad Max: Fury Road
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Mad Max: Fury Road

Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, and Nicholas Hoult make Mad Max: Fury Road a thrill ride you have to see to believe. The postapocalyptic film follows Max as he helps Theron and a group of female prisoners escape to freedom.

Watch it now.

06
Bright
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Bright

A Netflix original movie, Bright stars Will Smith as a cop with an orc partner. It's a fantasy film with a ton of action-packed scenes, and while it wasn't exactly a critical success, it's one of the most watched films on Netflix.

Watch it now.

07
Shoot 'Em Up
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Shoot 'Em Up

Starring Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti, Shoot 'Em Up is about a man who delivers a baby during an intense shootout. He subsequently has to protect the child from the criminals' intent to kill. Those with a dark sense of humor will love it.

Watch it now.

08
Drive
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Drive

We were so thrilled when Netflix added Drive to its collection. Ryan Gosling stars as a Hollywood stuntman and getaway driver who falls in love with his neighbor Carey Mulligan. Mulligan's dangerous ex-husband is released from prison, and Gosling finds himself in the middle of the chaos as he seeks to protect her.

Watch it now.

09
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Ang Lee's Oscar-winning movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, is a martial arts film with plenty of amazing action scenes. It's so mesmerizing, it should be in a film category all its own.

Watch it now.

10
No Country For Old Men
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No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men boasts a stellar cast in Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin. Llewelyn Moss accidentally stumbles on a drug deal gone awry, and he ends up with $2 million in stolen money. Unfortunately, a hitman won't let him get away with it.

Watch it now.

11
Deep Impact
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Deep Impact

Deep Impact combines the threat of Earth's destruction and an expedition to space to make an action sci-fi thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Watch it now.

12
The Prestige
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The Prestige

Yes, it's about two competing magicians, but trust us when we say The Prestige will go down as one of the best action movies ever. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale star as the two leads, and it will make you look at magicians in a whole new (twisted) light.

Watch it now.

13
Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
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Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

We can't thank Netflix enough for adding Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi to its offerings. Starring Adam Driver as the dark, brooding antihero (Kylo Ren), this space adventure has more action than you can even imagine.

Watch it now.

14
Thor: Ragnarok
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Thor: Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok is one of the best Marvel movies to date, and the action scenes are magnificent. Chris Hemsworth stars as our favorite Asgardian who must save his home planet from a goddess of death.

Watch it now.

15
Armageddon
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Armageddon

Admittedly, when we think of Armageddon, we think of that one Aerosmith song that was the slow-dance anthem for a solid year. But thanks to Netflix, we're able to watch the film with a new appreciation as an action-packed space mission that stars Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, and Ben Affleck.

Watch it now.

16
Bad Boys
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Bad Boys

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will forever go down as one of the best action duos ever in Bad Boys. The two play Miami narcotics officers chasing after a master crook sitting on $100 million in heroin.

Watch it now.

17
The Bourne Ultimatum
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The Bourne Ultimatum

The third installment of the Jason Bourne franchise, The Bourne Ultimatum centers on Jason Bourne as he fends off a CIA official and agents from an assassination program while also piecing together his history as a trained killer.

Watch it now.

18
Full Metal Jacket
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Full Metal Jacket

Stanley Kubrick's 1987 war film, Full Metal Jacket, demands your attention. It follows Marine recruits through basic training, and later through the stark realities of war.

Watch it now.

19
Mortal Kombat
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Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat isn't just a video game from your childhood; it's also an action film about noble fighters who must fight for their lives in a combat tournament.

Watch it now.

20
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story deserves a second, third, and fourth viewing because it is that amazing. Felicity Jones stars as a former thief who leads a band of misfits on quite the adventure.

Watch it now.

21
John Wick
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John Wick

John Wick might be the best action film of the past five years. Keanu Reeves stars as a retired assassin who is pulled back into the game when a gangster's son kills his dog.

Watch it now.

22
Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2
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Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2

If you want to make sure you're up to date on your Marvel characters, you have to see Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 2. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista star as a group of misfits who need to save the universe from destruction.

Watch it now.

23
Hot Fuzz
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Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz is not your typical action movie since it's more of a comedy, but the action sequences and comedic action make it a classic.

Watch it now.

24
The Punisher
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The Punisher

Thomas Jane goes full revenge in The Punisher, and it is an edge-of-your-seat film. When Jane's wife and child are murdered, he transforms into The Punisher and decides the fate of the murderers.

Watch it now.

25
Inglourious Basterds
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Inglourious Basterds

Ask anyone for their favorite action movie and there's a strong likelihood they'll point to Inglourious Basterds. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz deliver amazing performances in this Quentin Tarantino flick, but the action scenes are not to be believed.

Watch it now.