James R | On 17, Jul 2020

Nothing says summer like a massive blockbuster with huge explosions. But with cinemas still struggling with reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, you may need to get your tentpole and sequel fix at home. We’re here to help with a round-up of the biggest and brightest action movies available to stream.

These are the best action films on Netflix UK.

This list will be updated regularly to reflect new releases and removals.

The Old Guard

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s lean, mean comic book thriller is a promising franchise starter.

Extraction

This adrenaline-fuelled thriller delivers an onslaught of visceral action.

John Wick: Chapter 3

Keanu Reeves makes a blistering return as everyone’s favourite hitman in this absurdly overdone sequel – which turns both books and horses into weapons.

Bad Boys

Back when Michael Bay was at the peak of his game, this odd-couple buddy cop movie starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is loud, explosive and – thanks to the main couple’s chemistry – enjoyably brainless fun.

The Terminator

Arnie is on iconic form in James Cameron’s action sci-fi classic.

The Raid 2

Gareth Evans’ follow-up to his blistering thriller isn’t in the same league, but does apply his uniquely visceral approach to set pieces to that action movie staple: the car chase.

The Night Comes for Us

After sparing a girl’s life during a massacre, an elite Triad assassin is targeted by an onslaught of murderous gangsters in this Indonesian thriller starring The Raid’s Iko Uwais.

Ip Man

Because any film with martial arts maestro Donnie Yen is always guaranteed to punch your socks off.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

The Mission: Impossible franchise jumps to new heights with a gripping, astonishing piece of action cinema.Read

Ronin

The 90s were a good decade for loud, brash action blockbusters. John Frankenheimer’s low-key thriller about a group of people trying to steal a briefcase is a welcome change of pace, with its emphasis on characters, betrayals and – of course – quality chase sequences. Oh, and did we mention it stars Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean and Jonathan Pryce?

Inception

Christopher Nolan’s mind-blowing sci-fi literally folds Paris in on itself to achieve the director’s ambitious, imaginative aims: to dissect dreams, reality and memories within the constraints of a mainstream blockbuster. The form struggles at times to keep hold of the content – and that’s exactly the point. If you’ve never seen it, here’s your chance. If you already have, see it again.

The Man from UNCLE

Hugely entertaining period spy hijinks.

Da 5 Bloods

Spike Lee’s bold epic of racial injustice and reparation is uncompromising, urgent, thrilling and powerful cinema.

Waterworld

This iconic 1990s curio is Mad Max on water – with the added bonus of Kevin Costner and Dennis Hopper in an eyepatch.

Jurassic Park

The original trilogy is now on Netflix UK, joining the two Jurassic World movies to make for one dino-tastic marathon.

Psychokinesis

Yeon Sang-ho’s follow-up to Train to Busan is a unique, personal and hugely entertaining superhero thriller.

Pineapple Express

Action movie meets buddy comedy in this hilarious, if uneven, Rogen/Franco joint.

Children of Men

Bleak, stark and stunningly relevant, Alfonso Cuaron’s dystopian thriller is one of the best sci-fi action films ever made

Inside Man

Spike Lee’s studio blockbuster is a slick, smart, spikily subversive thriller.

Miami Vice

Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell go deep undercover in Michael Mann’s underrated update of the series.

The Hurt Locker

Kathryn Bigelow’s claustrophobic war drama is intense, unflinching and utterly riveting.

The Town

Accomplished and riveting, Ben Affleck’s brooding crime drama isn’t as hot as Heat, but it’s a scorcher – with one heck of a car chase.

Enter the Dragon

Bruce Lee kicks butt in this martial arts classic.

Shadow

Zhang Yimou is back at his dazzling yet in this visually stunning martial arts thriller.

Dragon

A History of Violence meets CSI in this superbly choreographed martial arts mystery.

21 Jump Street

A remake that’s far from lazy and full of ideas, this reboot of the TV series about cops going undercover in high school is hilarious, thanks to a leading double-act of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

Non-Stop

Liam Neeson on a plane? Jaume Collet-Serra fuels this improbable thriller with enough suspense for a fun ride.

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