12 must-see action thriller movies releasing this fall

There are plenty of fantastic action movies hitting theaters over the summer, but the thrills don't stop there. This fall, a variety of exciting new films will hit theaters and streaming services, with plenty to keep action fans happy as the leaves turn and the temperatures dip.

These upcoming releases span from September to November 2026. They feature stars like Alan Ritchson, Liam Neeson, Brad Pitt, and Ryan Reynolds, alongside some accomplished directors. The director of Jason Statham's The Beekeeper is back with a new movie, as is the director of several of Matt Damon's notable Jason Bourne films. One new movie even ends an iconic director's 10-year filmmaking hiatus. Whether you're looking for a mix of comedy, historical settings, or sci-fi, these 12 selections offer an eclectic blend that should have action enthusiasts ready for a jam-packed fall.

'Mayday'

Ryan Reynolds Goes 'Behind Enemy Lines' With Kenneth Branagh's Lumberjack 'John Wick'

Watch This If: You enjoy a heavy dose of comedy with your action. Ryan Reynolds is a Navy pilot stuck behind enemy lines in the Soviet Union in 1987. He is aided by Kenneth Branagh's eccentric, American-loving ex-KGB carpenter. The trailer immediately reminded me of Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman's 2001 action movie Behind Enemy Lines, with Mayday leaning into Reynolds' comedic talents.

Skip This If: Movies like Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves were not for you. Mayday is by the same writer-director duo, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. Their past movies blended jokes and action well, but the tone seems tailored to specific comedic sensibilities, meaning it won't be for everyone.

'Onslaught'

The Duo Behind 'The Guest' Finally Delivers a Spiritual Sequel

Watch This If: You love the magic that director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett craft together. Wingard has been steering the Monsterverse franchise, most recently with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which Barrett wrote. The pair started with exceptional action horror films like 2011's You're Next and 2014's The Guest. Onslaught feels like a spiritual sequel to The Guest, taking the duo's sensibilities back to smaller-scale action built around well-defined characters. The plot follows a former army sniper protecting her daughter from genetically enhanced super soldiers.

Skip This If: You don't enjoy The Guest or You're Next. The trailer for Onslaught features bold sci-fi ideas reminiscent of movies like Universal Soldier. The tense horror that Wingard and Barrett craft so well means the action may venture into genres some audiences prefer to skip. It's also worth noting that Dan Stevens was in The Guest, and despite thematic similarities, he is not meant to be playing the same character.

'By Any Means'

A True Story Backed by Two Powerhouse Lead Performances

Watch This If: You love unique stories based on true events. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is having a phenomenal year, starting with Marvel's Wonder Man and continuing with Netflix's Man on Fire. In By Any Means, he plays Wayne Striker, a young Black FBI agent teamed up with Gregory Scarpa Sr. (Mark Wahlberg), a real-life Colombo family mobster. Together, these conflicting personalities investigate the deaths of civil rights activists during a tumultuous time in history, with both leads delivering charismatic performances in the trailer.

Skip This If: A heavy focus on criminal investigations amid the action sounds tedious. The trailer promises shootouts and conflicting ideals, but By Any Means is still an FBI investigation, so combing through evidence and crime scenes could slow the pacing. The film will likely feature emotional beats and intense drama. The true story elements may also turn off those looking for escapism.

'Hope'

The Writer-Director of 'The Wailing' Returns With His First Feature Film in a Decade

Watch This If: You know what The Wailing is and you love sci-fi. Director Na Hong-jin impressed critics and audiences with his 2016 horror masterpiece The Wailing, and then left audiences waiting for 10 years. He finally gave us Hope, an action-packed sci-fi film about a small town police chief and rookie deputy hunting a monstrous creature.

Skip This If: You aren't a fan of foreign films with subtitles, as Hope is a South Korean production. The setup is simple, but Na has likely layered the film with emotional character work and symbolic meaning. As with The Wailing, the ending could be more ambiguous than some audiences appreciate, but that remains to be seen.

'The Uprising'

'The Bourne Ultimatum' Director Brings His Action Sensibilities to a 14th-Century Rebellion

Watch This If: You love Andrew Garfield's distinct choices and epic films like Braveheart. The Uprising is based on true events, with Garfield leading a peasant rebellion against a king who exercised excessive power and imposed burdensome taxes. The historical action movie is directed by Paul Greengrass, who previously helmed The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Captain Phillips.

Skip This If: Greengrass's shaky camera work or the film's period setting are dealbreakers for you. He has been criticized for using shaky, hand-held cameras during action sequences. Some viewers find it distracting, while others argue it heightens the kinetic nature of the scene. No matter where you fall, The Uprising trailer looks to continue the director's stylistic choices.

'Runner'

Alan Ritchson & Owen Wilson Team Up for an Action Comedy With Heart

Watch This If: You love Alan Ritchson's undeniable charisma. The actor brings his towering Reacher presence as a former soldier in recovery who works as a delivery driver. The action intensifies when Ritchson and a man (Owen Wilson), who is delivering a liver to a dying child, come under attack by people trying to steal the organ for the black market. The trailer has plenty of action and jokes, with the duo's chemistry something to look forward to.

Skip This If: Ritchson's action flair or Wilson's comedy antics are not your cup of tea. Some viewers may love Ritchson from Reacher or War Machine, but pairing him with Wilson guarantees laughs that might feel like too much of a diversion from the plot's serious tone. This movie should not be confused with Gal Gadot's The Runner, a different film debuting on Prime Video shortly before Runner's theatrical release.

'Heart of the Beast'

Brad Pitt Teams With the Director of 'The Beekeeper' To Survive an Impossible Ordeal

Watch This If: You enjoy action survival films and the work of David Ayer. Ayer first gained attention through his writing work on Training Day and The Fast and the Furious before directing, with recent Jason Statham hitsThe Beekeeper and A Working Man. He also teamed up with Brad Pitt on 2014's tank action film Fury. Heart of the Beast follows a former Special Forces officer who survives a plane crash with his dog, forcing them to survive the harsh wilderness and hungry animals.

Skip This If: You never loved Ayer's work. The director has had a few misfires, including Arnold Schwarzenegger's Sabotage and his team-ups with Will Smith, Suicide Squad and Bright. With Pitt starring and Heart of the Beast seeming like a contemplative journey through dangerous territory, Fury is the most likely comparison in tone and potential violence.

'Matchbox the Movie'

The Director of Chris Hemsworth's 'Extraction' Franchise Finds New Action Fuel

Watch This If: A movie about Matchbox Cars by Extraction director Sam Hargrave starring John Cena sounds like fun. After toy lines like Barbie and LEGO found success with movies, why not Matchbox Cars? Matchbox the Movie is a globe-trotting action thriller where a former soldier (Cena) must team with old friends to clear their names after being framed. There is no full trailer yet, but the movie was teased with a few images.

Skip This If: Movies based on toy lines don't interest you. While Matchbox the Movie promises an action-packed story with comedy, prioritizing Matchbox Cars could detract from the story's quality. Since the movie is based on toys, it will be aimed at younger viewers, with a PG-13 rating likely to keep it in line with films like Barbie. Matchbox the Movie is not to be confused with the Hot Wheels movie, which is also in development.

'Street Fighter'

The Perfect Cast & Video Game Visuals Promise the Best 'Street Fighter' Movie Yet

Watch This If: You're a fan of the Street Fighter video game franchise and movies about fighting tournaments. The trailer highlights the impressive character roster featuring many fan favorites and stunning, vivid aesthetics. Movies based on video games have improved in recent years, with Mortal Kombat paving the way for what should be the best Street Fighter movie yet.

Skip This If: You tend to skip movies based on video games, as the source material often leads to uninspired adaptations. Many action movies have embraced fighting tournaments, going back to classics like Enter the Dragon and Bloodsport. The genre has its share of hits and misses, and Street Fighter has yet to make a great live-action film, which may cause trepidation.

'The Mongoose'

Liam Neeson's Long-Time Stunt Coordinator Makes the Leap To Directing

Watch This If: You enjoy Liam Neeson's brand of action thriller. The Mongoose feels like Charlie Sheen's 1994 film The Chase. Neeson plays a decorated combat veteran being pursued by police in a high-speed chase throughout the movie after he accidentally kills someone. The trailer shows his character dodging roadblocks, swerving past moving trains, and being chased by helicopters, all while telling people he's heading to The Mongoose.

Skip This If: Neeson's slew of action films has grown stale in your mind. Since Taken, there have been many thrilling entries in his career, including Non-Stop and The Ice Road. Some have been better than others, and many have been hard to distinguish in recent years, like Retribution and Memory. The Mongoose looks to set itself apart with car-centric thrills, but Neeson may have worn out his welcome with some.