Triple Frontier. Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix
This piece is frequently updated as titles leave and join Netflix. *New additions are indicated with an asterisk.
Sometimes you just need to escape. You just want to watch things blow up or crash into each other, but it seems like Netflix is always trying to push a serious drama or docuseries on you. Just give me something that goes boom!
Well, we can help you with that. Here are the best choices you could make with a working Netflix subscription if youre jonesing to see a great action movie.
The Age of ShadowsIf you dont know the name Kim Jee-woon, you should really acquaint yourself with more Korean cinema, as hes one of the countrys most consistent filmmakers. His A Tale of Two Sisters is a horror-movie classic, and The Good, The Bad, The Weird is the dream Western fu movie you never knew you needed. And anyone who has seen I Saw the Devil will never forget it. None of those are on Netflix, but you can find his incredibly ambitious 2016 period action piece starring the wonderful Song Kang-ho. Theres actually a pretty robust Asian cinema selection on Netflix, and this is one you should seek out.
*Ant-Man and the WaspIt wont be long before all of the MCU and Lucas-verse movies board the ship from Netflix and other streaming services for the golden shores of Disney Plus. Until then, watch what you can, including the second film in the series starring Paul Rudd as a size-changing superhero. Rudds charisma helps elevate these films into some of the most fun in the MCU.
*Bad BoysWhen this action film was released in 1995, no one involved was anywhere near as big as they would become, including stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence and director Michael Bay. Now, theyre household names. Bad Boys, an early movie in their respective canons, is incredibly rewatchable, which is probably the main reason that interest has remained high enough that a third film, Bad Boys for Life, is landing in theaters in 2020.
*Black Hawk DownRidley Scott directed this 2001 Hollywood version of Mark Bowdens nonfiction book of the same name, which told the story of a 1993 incident in Mogadishu that became known around the world. Members of the U.S. military (including Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, and Tom Hardy) are pinned down in the city as they try to capture a faction leader. This is a technical marvel, winning Oscars for Best Editing and Sound Mixing.
Black PantherTake advantage of this opportunity before Disney+ guts all the Marvel and Disney movie options from every streaming service on the planet. The first MCU movie to win an Oscar is one of the best superhero movies of all time, and a movie that holds up incredibly well on repeat viewing. This isnt just an action movie, its a cultural event something that redefined and reshaped the superhero genre for the rest of time.
*Charlies AngelsThe hit TV series from the 70s is getting a second theatrical treatment in late 2019 with Kristen Stewart (directed by Elizabeth Banks), but fans of a certain age will never forget the first time that Charlies Angels tore up the multiplex in 2000 and 2003. Both films are on Netflix, starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu. Are they good movies? Well, theyre incredibly watchable guilty pleasures, and sometimes thats all you really want.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden DragonAng Lees martial arts epic was an absolute phenomenon when it came out, domestically grossing more than any foreign-language film in history on its way to ten Academy Award nominations. Its held up marvelously, a cinematic explosion of color and passion for filmmaking. If you havent seen it since it took the world by storm, its time for a rewatch.
The CrowArguably as much of a horror movie as it is an action movie, one of the reasons this flick was so popular was the way it straddled multiple genres, willing to go dark with the story of a rock musician returned from the dead in search of vengeance. Stylish, dark, and tragic due to the death of its star, this is a movie that everyone had to see when it came out a quarter century ago. You may not have seen it since. Youre due for a revisit.
*The Dirty DozenEven if youve never seen this 1967 box office smash, youve seen movies inspired by it. Its all about blending star power with fire power, and this action-heavy war film starred some of the biggest talents of the day, including Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Telly Savalas, and Donald Sutherland. It doesnt have much to say about war, but the sheer brute force of it changed the way this kind of movie was made.
EquilibriumA massive bomb when it was released (it didnt even break $6 million), Kurt Wimmers stylish 2002 sci-fi action flick gained a following on DVD. Starring Christian Bale, Emily Watson, and Taye Diggs, its one of many films that tried to emulate the stylish, Asian-influenced action of The Matrix, but its also one of the most successful in that regard, filled with memorable action sequences that incorporate martial arts and gunplay. Sure, its derivative of a lot of better films and pieces of literature, but its also a heck of a lot of fun.
*The GrandmasterIt appears the version of Wong Kar-wais brilliant action epic thats on Netflix is the one that was heavily edited in the final days of Harvey Weinsteins waning power, but its still good enough to make this list. The action choreography alone is breathtaking, and maybe watching this cut will encourage you to seek out the 123-minute Berlin cut (this one is 108) or the even longer one known as the Chinese Cut, which runs 130 minutes.
HellboyNo, not the 2019 box-office and critical bomb, the 2004 Guillermo del Toro adaptation that actually understood its source material and its audience. Ron Perlman stars in this one, based on the iconic character created by Mike Mignola. Perlman is a lot of fun, but what works about this is the flair and craftsmanship brought to it by del Toro, a man whose passion for filmmaking is contagious.
*Ip Man TrilogyDonnie Yen is a sacred name in the martial arts branch of cinema appreciation, and you can see why with three Ip Man films now available on Netflix. They tell the semi-true story of Ip Man, a legendary leader in the world of martial arts, who trained Bruce Lee. These are not traditional biopics or martial arts movies, working as a hybrid of period piece and action. 2018s Master Z: Ip Man Legacy isnt there yet, but hopefully soon.
Incredibles 2While Disney works to get its upcoming streaming service off the ground, its still regularly releasing new hits to Netflix, including the beloved sequel to one of the most popular Pixar films of all time. Brad Birds long-awaited sequel is one of the top films of 2018, and arguably its best animated film (at least thats not about Spider-Man).
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost ArkTheres a lot of Steven Spielberg on Netflix, but this is one of the best choices you could make from the filmography of one of the best American filmmakers. Maybe youve heard of it? All four Indy films are actually still on Netflix. Do a marathon while you still can. Yes, you can skip the last one if you want.
Kung Fu HustleYou have likely never seen a movie quite like this 2004 martial arts action-comedy, Stephen Chows masterpiece. Set in 1940s China, this worldwide hit features some of the best stunt work you can find on Netflix, all in service of a movie that often plays like a live-action cartoon. Its ridiculous and unforgettable.
*The Long Kiss GoodnightIn a better timeline, this 1996 action flick from Renny Harlin started a franchise. Geena Davis plays a woman with amnesia who has started a new life when her old one descends upon her, including Samuel L. Jackson, and she learns she has a very special set of skills. Its a female version of Bourne before Bourne, and its a fun, smart, engaging action-thriller that works from beginning to end.
*The MatrixIts hard to overstate the impact that the Wachowskis masterpiece made when it was released in 1999. Certain movies feel like seismic shifts in the culture, and the journey of Neo was absolutely that, influencing filmmaking for the next two decades. Youve certainly seen it, but maybe not in a long time. Youll be amazed at how well its held up. The fact that it looks like it could be released today without much changed is indicative of how many films have copied it since it came out.
*Rumble in the BronxWe dont deserve Jackie Chan. One of the most beloved international action stars of all time had one of his biggest hits in this 1995 flick that really showed off his incredible physicality and willingness to hurt himself to get the shot. Chan plays a Hong Kong cop who has to come to New York for a wedding and gets caught up in a protection racket being run on his uncles store. The plot doesnt matter nearly as much as Chans charismatic skills as an action star.
*Sin CityFrank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, and Quentin Tarantino adapted this stylish version of Millers beloved graphic novel about violent men and femme fatales. The star power here is one draw (including Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Benicio del Toro, and Elijah Wood), but the best reason to watch this is that theres never been anything else quite like it.
SnowpiercerBong Joon-ho may have just won the Palme dOr for Parasite but his most popular film so far remains this 2013 sci-fi action flick starring Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, and John Hurt. Its a brilliant allegory for society, as a train has been divided into classes per car, and the peasants form a revolt. Visually striking and narratively ambitious, this is a film that only seems to grow in esteem with each passing year.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseThe Best Animated Film Oscar for 2018 went to this unexpected treat, one of the best superhero movies of the modern era. Its got a little bit of everything. First, it replicates the comic-book aesthetic in ways weve never seen before. Second, it is a leap forward in terms of representation in animated superhero movies. Third, it is just an unbelievable amount of fun, the kind of movie that you can watch again and again. It will hold up for generations to come.
Spy KidsYes, a kids movie can be an action one, too! Robert Rodriguez turned his eye for adult-driven action in films like Desperado to something for the younger set in this clever 2001 box-office smash that started an entire franchise. The kids (Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara) are great, but its how much fun the adults are having, including Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, and Cheech Marin, that really makes the joy of this film infectious.
Star Wars: The Last JediBefore Disney+ runs off with all of the MCU and Lucasfilm movies that it can grab, you should take the chance to watch the few that are just sitting there on Netflix waiting for you to enjoy them. One of the most divisive films of this decade, The Last Jedi spawned an entire industry of online hatred and petitions, but its a movie that you should (a) see for yourself, and (b) revisit away from all the hype. You may be surprised.
Thor: RagnarokTaika Waititi is one of the few filmmakers to make an MCU entry that still has the personality of its creator. The quirky sense of humor that Waititi brought to projects like What We Do in the Shadows is there in the interplay between Thor and Hulk, as well as the creative production design and quirky performances from people like Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum. For some, this MCU flick is a bit too quirky, but at least its got some personality.
Train to BusanThis South Korean zombie story is truly one of the best movies available to watch on Netflix, regardless of genre. Its thrilling from start to finish, and the excellent, efficient character development means you feel like you have a stake in everyone involved. Imagine the self-contained maelstrom of Snowpiercer, but with raging undead.
Triple FrontierJ.C. Chandors latest is a solid thriller with a phenomenal ensemble. Oscar Isaac leads a group of soldiers into an illegal job to rip off a notorious drug lord and, well, things dont go as planned. Not only is everyone here excellent especially, Ben Affleck, doing his best work since Gone Girl but its the kind of tight action movie that Hollywood doesnt really make that often anymore. Its a lean, mean fighting machine.
*TroyWolfgang Petersen rode his fame as an action director to make a massive, big-budget version of Homers Iliad, and it ended up being one of the highest grossing films of 2004. Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom lead a massively talented ensemble in an old-fashioned epic film that recalls the era of Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. Its better than you remember, a great example of action-adventure filmmaking.
V for VendettaJames McTeigue directs this successful adaptation of the David Lloyd and Alan Moore classic about fascism and resistance. Set in a future in which a regime has taken over the United Kingdom, the great Hugo Weaving plays V, a resistance leader who unites the subjugated against their oppressors. With definite echoes of the Wachowskis Matrix movies, V for Vendetta has become an iconic, beloved film for good reason.
The Wandering EarthOne of the biggest movies of the decade is a Chinese film that most people in the United States havent even seen. Making almost $700 million worldwide, this is the kind of blockbuster that the MCU sort of pushed out a crazy, end-of-the-world disaster movie with a Roland Emmerich aesthetic and ridiculous special effects. Its almost overwhelming in its onslaught of crazy, but sometimes you just want to see things go boom on a massive scale.
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Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero