Looking for a Netflix movie that blends the suspense of a thriller with the edge-of-your-seat energy of an action flick? Then you’ll want to check out the streaming service’s range of action-thriller movies.
Of course, combing through Netflix’s library yourself can be exhausting, not to mention a huge waste of your limited movie-watching time, which is why I’ve done all the legwork for you and picked out five must-watch action thriller movies that are streaming on Netflix right now.
From an explosive showdown between a former Marine and a corrupt small-town sheriff to a tense spiral into a criminal underworld where the line between enemy and ally blurs, these are the best action thriller movies to stream on Netflix.
‘Rebel Ridge’ (2024)
Last year, Netflix released one of my favorite action thrillers in the form of “Rebel Ridge.” Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, it’s a masterclass in escalating stakes, as each scene sees the situation get more and more out of hand until one man takes on an entire small-town police force. That Aaron Pierre and Don Johndon are so fantastic in the leading roles as hero and villain, respectively, is just the very sweet cherry on top.
Terry Richmond (Pierre) is a former Marine, cycling into the town of Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin. Pulled over by corrupt officers, the bail money is unlawfully seized, and so Terry has no choice but to take the fight for what is rightfully his to the sheriff (Johnson). But the sheriff proves to be just as dirty, and so Terry is left with no choice but to go to war.
Watch "Rebel Ridge" on Netflix now
‘Sicario’ (2015)
Before Denis Villeneuve took audiences to the desert planet of Arrakis in his “Dune” series, he helmed “Sicario,” one of the most acclaimed action-thrillers of the 2010s, and for very good reason. This ultra-intense movie is impeccably constructed, as you would expect from a Villeneuve project, with stunning cinematography, but it also operates in a moral grey zone that makes identifying the heroes and villains far from simple.
FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) has risen through the ranks of a male-dominated profession and is eager to prove herself. Recruited for a task force, she is assigned to work under CIA officer Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and a trained killer, Alejandro (Benicio del Toro). Their job is to bring down the leader of a Mexican drug cartel, a difficult goal that is complicated further when personal motivations and professional egos arise.
Watch "Sicario" on Netflix now
‘Upgrade’ (2018)
If looking for an action thriller with a sci-fi spin, then you won’t want to miss “Upgrade.” Blending dark humour with some seriously violent action sequences, it’s a huge shot of adrenaline all set in a cyberpunk world that I’d love to see more from. Plus, as it comes from director Leigh Whannell, famous for his work in the horror genre, you won’t be surprised to know that “Upgrade” contains some gruesome body horror that’ll have you wincing.
Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) is a mechanic in the year 2046, but is left paralyzed after a brutal attack, in which his wife was murdered. Given a second chance to walk again, he is implanted with a high-tech chip that gives him superhuman strength and agility. Back on his feet, Grey goes on a blood-soaked quest for revenge against those who wronged him.
Watch "Upgrade" on Netflix now
‘Plane’ (2023)
“Plane” is a big, dumb action movie, and it never tries to be anything else. There’s a brazen confidence to this 2016 with Gerard Butler. It totally understands its target audience and plays to them quite expertly. It's full of ridiculously cheesy dialogue and implausible set pieces, but it’s hard not to get completely swept up in the '80s-style action movie trappings.
Butler plays Brodie Torrance, a commercial pilot and former Royal Air Force officer who must complete a tricky emergency landing when his plane is struck by lightning. But that’s not the end of the ordeal, as the plane has landed in a warzone, and the surviving passengers are soon taken hostage. To save them, Torrance must work together with Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), a man accused of murder and who was on the aeroplane in FBI custody.
Watch "Plane" on Netflix now
‘Havoc’ (2025)
Let’s end with a bit of a controversial pick. “Havoc” was not well-received when it arrived on Netflix in April. It holds a miserable 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and was criticized for its lack of plot and dark visuals (it’s not your TV!). However, the stunning action choreography was enough to win me over, and “Havoc” contains some of my favourite fight sequences of the entire year. It may be a “hot take,” but I had a complete blast with this one.
Directed by “The Raid” filmmaker Gareth Evans, “Havoc” is a hardboiled action-thriller that sees Tom Hardy play a bruised detective fighting his way through the city's criminal underbelly, exposing deep corruption and conspiracy along the way. Yes, I won’t deny that the narrative is flimsy, but the high-octane action is so fantastic that it’s enough to keep your attention. It also packs some of the most powerful shotgun blasts ever caught on camera.
Watch "Havoc" on Netflix now
