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Netflix is a great place to dive into if you wish to see fisticuffs, gunfights, swordfights, and chases. As the largest streaming service in the world, it has plenty of great options. The only problem is finding them. If you don’t have too much time to spare, you might be tempted to click on whatever pops up on your home screen instead of doing thorough research.
But why settle for less than the best shows on Netflix? For this list, I'm recommending both action shows that were exclusively produced for Netflix and those that were licensed to the streamer, so they are available now in the U.S. I've also included some shows that have origins in other genres but mostly impress because of their action sequences. Enjoy!
Why You Should Trust Me: Action was my first love, and I’ve retained strong feelings for the genre even while appreciating others. I keep track of new Netflix series and am always eager to see whether quality is being maintained. For MovieWeb, action is one of my primary beats, and I've written lists and op-eds discussing hundreds of shows.
Honorable Mentions
- 'Trigger' (2025): A righteous police officer hunting a sly arms dealer in South Korea? This is 10 episodes of near-perfection. It’s impressive in its handling of the thorny topic of the right to bear arms. However, the non-action segments often feel shallow, so I didn't include it.
- 'S.W.A.T.' (2017-2025): A show about a police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team operating in Los Angeles, California, will definitely have first-rate action. You get what you signed up for, but boy, is the procedural overrun with clichés.
- 'Last Samurai Standing' (2025): The stakes are high here as the series is about a fictional tournament where 292 skilled warriors from the 19th century face off to prove their prominence and win a large cash prize. The show has some of the most neatly choreographed action sequences I’ve ever seen, but the characterization could have been better.
'Man on Fire' (2026)
A Necessary Reboot With One of Our Generation’s Most Talented Actors
Why It’s Great: I was skeptical when I heard that there’d be a new Man on Fire project. Denzel Washington did such a great job in the original that the thought of a remake felt blasphemous. Well, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does an excellent job in the Netflix action thriller series about a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who gets recruited for a personal security job. While the setting was changed from Mexico to Brazil, the action remains intense, and so does the "You messed with the wrong one" attitude.
Why I Rank It #10: Like the movie, the Man on Fire TV show's plot isn’t criticism-proof. There are many instances when you think of a better direction that could have been taken. But if you're only watching for the action, you won't be disappointed. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II also proves why he should be hired for more projects. I’ve liked him since the Candyman remake, and I have no doubt he’ll become an even bigger star.
'Designated Survivor' (2016 – 2019)
A Star-Studded Political Action Thriller Only Let Down by a Slow Final Season
Why It’s Great:Designated Survivor educated the public on a little-known political tradition. Whenever all important people in government are in one room, one (equally important) person is always kept away so that they can become POTUS in case something happens to the rest. For that concept and its conspiracy-tied action, the show garnered a fan base. Even better, its two leads were Kiefer Sutherland and Maggie Q, who wowed viewers with their work in 24 and Nikita.
Why I Rank It #9: Unfortunately, Designated Survivor underwent the worst change (one worth shedding endless tears about). A new production team tried converting it into a drama (aiming for it to be the new House of Cards). In Season 3, the show morphed from an action thriller to a political drama, causing the core fanbase to abandon it. Too bad! My advice? Watch only the first two seasons.
'Nemesis' (2026)
Courtney A. Kemp Reminds Us That She’s the Boss
Why It's Great:Nemesis reminds me of Michael Mann’s Heat, and I presume series creator Courtney A. Kemp was inspired by the iconic heist movie, too. The show follows a heist king and a cop who are both smart and, therefore, have a hard time coming out on top. Kemp is the brains behind Power, and she transfers most of that show’s DNA here, including family squabbles and the power of the hustle.
Why I Rank It #8: The acting could be better. Thankfully, Nemesis has a great plot, so the weaknesses of the cast are easily masked. The action crime thriller has only just begun, and I’m certain it’ll get even better in Season 2.
'Agent Kim Reactivated' (2026)
A Buffed-Up Version of One of the Greatest Action Movies
Why It’s Great: Agent Kim Reactivated is Taken in South Korea. It’s actually triple Taken. In it, Mr. Kim, a former North-South Korean covert operative, retires to live as an office worker and take care of his daughter. His late wife said, "Take good care of her while I’m away," so he’s honoring her wishes. Guess what happens? You guessed right. She is taken, so Kim goes after her. He also teams up with two other fathers who are also former operatives. The action is the show’s strongest element.
Why I Rank It #7: Even though Agent Kim Reactivated delivers some of the greatest action sequences, many of the secondary characters feel thin. The show relies too much on Kim, so when Season 1 ends, you might not feel that you know much about the other characters. The near misses are excessive, too. There are many times when Kim almost finds his daughter only to find himself back where he started.
'Hawaii Five-0' (2010 – 2020)
A Standard Procedural With Great Cinematography and Likable Characters
Why It’s Great: I’d love to meet someone who could tell me if the original Hawaii Five-0 was better than the modern one. I personally believe the reboot is better, mainly because of the cinematography. In the show about an elite Hawaii law enforcement unit that only reports to the Governor, you find yourself lost in the infrastructure and natural environment at times. The villains feel different from each other as well.
Why I Rank It #6: Hawaii Five-0 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s the same old chase-capture-repeat. There’s no denying that the formula works, but in an era where there are too many long-running cop TV shows. it would be nice to get more Bosch-like stories.
'Spartacus' (2010 – 2013)
One of the Raunchiest and Bloodiest Shows Ever Made
Why It’s Great:My love for Spartacus stems from my obsession with Roman history and the fact that I have an open mind about nudity. I don’t cover my eyes or frown in disgust, and I’m not squeamish, either. You have to be that way, too, to enjoy this show, as it has some of the goriest gladiator fights and battle sequences ever seen onscreen. It’s the story of Spartacus, a gladiator who led a slave rebellion against Rome in what came to be known as the Third Servile War. As for action and visuals, think of it as Zack Snyder’s 300 multiplied by a hundred. It’s nuts.
Why I Rank It #5: I rate Spartacus highly for boldness. Years later, no other show has done what it did. They even had to create a spin-off to please us fans who have been struggling to cope ever since the original ended. However, I’d be lying if I said the show wasn’t more style than substance. There are more thematically deeper shows about Rome.
'Blue Eye Samurai' (2023)
The Edo Period Has Never Looked This Cool
Why It’s Great: As someone who adored Samurai Jack when I was younger, I was very pleased to discover Blue Eye Samurai. This is strictly for grownups and wows with its fight scenes and vibrant colors as it explores a period when the country’s isolation policies created bigger problems than it solved. The show’s protagonist is caught in between as he has a Caucasian father and a Japanese mother.
Why I Rank It #4: This is my first entry on the list with nothing worth criticizing. Winner of six Annies and four Emmys, including the coveted Outstanding Animated Program, Blue Eye Samurai is not just entertaining but informative, offering plenty of historical lessons. However, I strongly believe it should have been a live-action show instead of an animated one. It could have achieved the heights of Shogun.
'Vikings' (2013 – 2020)
A History Action Thriller With More Realistic Action Sequences
Why It’s Great: While I was never big on Norse history and mythology, Vikings blew my mind. Inspired by the tales of the Norsemen of early medieval Scandinavia, the series spares no fake blood as it covers the land-conquering and power-grabbing exploits of the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok as well as his associates and descendants. Each subplot is solid, and you might grow grey hair if you try to find continuity errors.
Why I Rank It #3: Unlike Spartacus, the action sequences in Vikings all look very realistic. It’s obvious that the blood is tomato paste and red paint, but every fight and battle feels so intense and personal that you can’t help but feel the pain, too. Wait until you see the Siege of Paris.
'NCIS' (2003 – present)
Longevity Doesn’t Get Better Than This
Why It’s Great: Any show that’s been around for more than 20 seasons deserves praise. Longevity is a hard thing to achieve in the current overcrowded television landscape, yet NCIS continues to impress. The series is bold, never afraid to point out the flaws in servicemen. And the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team that investigates every crime looks more competent with each passing episode. Not every show leads to more than three spin-offs. So, the CBS gem deserves praise.
Why I Rank It #2: I couldn't rank one of the longest-running TV shows any lower. NCIS lost its most popular character (Mark Harmon's Gibbs) yet continued to dominate the ratings charts. How many shows got worse after the protagonist left? 100? Maybe even more? Besides that, a parent is best judged by how well their children do. From NCIS: Los Angeles to the prequel series NCIS: Origins, NCIS has many great spin-offs.
'The Night Agent' (2023 – present)
A Tasty Blend of Spycraft and Politics
Why It’s Great: Someone… or some people… are behind it all. But why? If you love TV shows that ask those questions, The Night Agent is the show for you. We meet Peter Sutherland, a member of the FBI’s secretive Night Agent program. He rarely gets any serious tasks, but things eventually change. Whether it's government conspirators or terrorists, the show takes you on a bad-guy hunt that reminds you of 24.
Why I Rank It #1:The Night Agent is the kind of show that the television industry no longer churns out that often. Its kind was popular post 9/11. Such an action thriller could easily fail, but Shawn Ryan and his team don’t disappoint. From twists to extended action sequences, this is a real treat for genre fans.
Which hero (or set of heroes) will you be rooting for?
