Streaming has made action television shows more accessible than ever, giving audiences instant access to everything from fire-breathing dragons to post-apocalyptic worlds that have you hooked in minutes. While a handful of series dominate pop-culture conversations, many standout action shows remain hidden across crowded streaming platforms.
As streaming libraries continue to grow, action TV has expanded well beyond traditional shootouts and into monster-filled worlds and psychologically driven fights for survival, becoming some of the best TV shows of all time. Some people even argue that many action shows are better than films in the same genre. With so many options available at home, the genre has never been more exciting to explore.
The Walking Dead
- Where To Watch: Netflix, Prime Video
It's the show that shaped post-apocalyptic television and became one of the most influential series of the 21st century. While zombies are the main threat, The Walking Dead ultimately thrives on its human conflict, which drives the story forward and adds an entirely new layer of depth to each action sequence.
Fallout
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
Based on the iconic video game franchise, Fallout centers on a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles filled with high-stakes action sequences as its characters fight to survive. It blends explosive violence with dark humor, which balances perfectly with the large-scale destruction.
Tulsa King
- Where To Watch: Paramount+
Sylvester Stallone brings old-school grit to modern television for Tulsa King, where he's the ultimate mafia man. Crime drama builds the show's suspense, but the action primarily thrives on moments of sudden brutality and unexpected power shifts.
The Last of Us
- Where To Watch: HBO Max
HBO's version of the iconic video game is proof that action doesn't need to be a constant spectacle to keep viewers engaged (and heartbroken). Every action sequence is deliberate, chilling, and emotionally intense, reinforcing the show's exploration of love and survival in a realistic post-apocalyptic world.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- Where To Watch: Disney+
Though it's aimed at younger audiences, Percy Jackson and the Olympians delivers great mythological action that holds some surprising weight. Whether it's sword fights, blood-hungry monsters, or deadly chariot races, this show has something for everyone.
Sons of Anarchy
- Where To Watch: Hulu
This series certainly delivers on excitement. It's filled with motorcycle chases and shootouts — the classic components that define an action show. The raw hand-to-hand combat keeps the suspense building, and the complex characters sometimes have the audience wondering who they should root for.
The Penguin
- Where To Watch: HBO Max
A gritty spin-off of The Batman, this show leans into organized crime action rather than classic superhero fight sequences. Its tension-heavy confrontations emphasize the power dynamics that expand on the world already established in the DC universe. Plus, it's filled with Easter eggs that long-time fans will appreciate.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
Rising CIA analyst Jack Ryan faces conflict at nearly every turn, and it's usually in the form of life-or-death situations on his many field assignments. Even when they're on a global scale, every threat feels immediate and personal. It's intense, brutal, and unpredictable.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Where To Watch: Hulu
Buffy was a pioneer of the entire action genre. It introduced worlds of supernatural dangers, and it notably had a strong female heroine fighting to save the world.
S.W.A.T.
- Where To Watch: Netflix
This series is a modern take on classic law enforcement drama. High-risk missions and coordinated combat keeps the adrenaline pumping, especially with Shemar Moore leading the talented cast.
Peacemaker
- Where To Watch: HBO Max
Flashy fight scenes and extreme chaos define this show, which follows a superhero with less than ethical ambitions who is played by John Cena. The series was created by James Gunn, which instantly makes it a must-watch for superhero fans.
The Boys
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
Few shows have been able to match the action that's as shocking as The Boys. The graphic confrontations de-glamorize the superhero lifestyle and show what happens when power goes unchecked.
House of the Dragon
- Where To Watch: HBO Max
Although it's slower burning than its predecessor, House of the Dragon makes up for it with the devastating action it unleashes. Political tensions and dragon warfare amp up the stakes for the series and for fantasy television as a whole.
FBI
- Where To Watch: Paramount+, Hulu, Prime Video
FBI prioritizes fast-paced operations that seem incredibly realistic. The action is efficient and intentional, which reinforces the urgency that comes with federal law enforcement.
The Mandalorian
- Where To Watch: Disney+
It's Star Wars meets Western television— the perfect combination we didn't know we needed. The Mandalorian cinematically shows the action bounty hunters face after the fall of the Galactic Empire, which occurs more often and more intensely than you'd think.
The Rookie
- Where To Watch: Hulu
The Rookie balances personal narratives with intense action. High-stress assignments and growing dangers showcase the unpredictability and risks of police work.
Squid Game
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Though it's primarily known as a drama, Squid Game earns its place on this list through the relentless life-or-death stakes it depicts. It showcases psychological action, which turns simple games into a fight for survival.
Band of Brothers
- Where To Watch: HBO Max
Band of Brothers has become one of the most respected war series ever made. It portrays military combat in an emotionally realistic way, emphasizing the sacrifice and brotherhood that happen on and off the battlefield.
Prison Break
- Where To Watch: Hulu, Netflix
The name of this series alone suggests a promising amount of action. As the characters work to escape prison, they experience dangers no amount of strategizing could have prepared them for.
Daredevil
- Where To Watch: Disney+
One of the best Marvel adaptations, Daredevil delivers some of television's most visceral action, especially with its iconic hallway fight scenes. The action is brutal, precise, and entirely based on skilled instincts, which is unlike anything we've seen before.
Vikings
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Large-scale battles and savage warfare make this show an action powerhouse. The mix of hand-to-hand combat and geographical threats gives a glimpse into the brutality of historical conflict.
Andor
- Where To Watch: Disney+
Andor is proof that a rebellion isn't built overnight. Its action sequences are explosive, gaining intensity as the story builds in intensity and consequences start to unfold.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Where To Watch: Paramount+, Prime Video, Netflix
Blending martial arts with elemental fantasy, Avatar remains one of the most innovative and infamous action shows ever made. Its animated battle scenes often rival some live-action showdowns.
Cobra Kai
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Cobra Kai puts a modern spin on classic martial arts action. Its fight scenes evolve alongside its characters †hroughout the show, and the series adds depth to the Karate Kid universe.
Person of Interest
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
Combining software expertise with tactical combat, this show delivers action that's both intelligent and intentional. Pattern recognition and strategy drive every confrontation as the characters work to stop crime before it even happens.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
Epic battles and mythical forces make up the Lord of the Rings prequel. With new and familiar faces on screen, this show caters to both fans of the universe and first-time watchers alike.
The Night Agent
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Night Agent is a thrilling action series that begins inside the walls of the White House. The action is intense, which heightens the political conflict unfolding.
Lioness
- Where To Watch: Paramount+
Inspired by real military operations, Lioness delivers grounded, high-stakes action. The combat brings realistic and emotional tolls on the leading character as she attempts to balance her personal life with her role in the CIA.
Reacher
- Where To Watch: Prime Video
This action is blunt and often results from a need for survival. The fights are brutal and efficient, which matches the protagonist's commanding presence.
Ahsoka
- Where To Watch: Disney+
Lightsaber duels and Force-driven fight scenes make Ahsoka a standout part of the Star Wars universe. Its action brings the character's animated origins to life, making her appear even more powerful than before.
Arcane
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Arcane delivers animated action with an intensity that feels real. It tells the origins of two iconic League of Legends champions, and every fight advances their character arcs.
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft
- Where To Watch: Netflix
This animated reimagining of Tomb Raider highlights the title character's agility and resilience. Lara Croft confronts her traumatic past while she also faces dangers that threaten her survival.
One Piece
- Where To Watch: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Light-hearted yet surprisingly intense, One Piece balances humor with high-energy combat while on the search for the ultimate treasure, the "One Piece." As the crew sets sail to search for the prize, it's anything but smooth sailing. The journey is long but worth it.
Alias
- Where To Watch: Disney+
A trailblazer for spy action TV, Alias blends CIA disguises with skilled hand-to-hand combat. Jennifer Garner's performance as the protagonist shows just how powerful the character is, and it even earned the actress a Golden Globe award.
The Witcher
- Where To Watch: Netflix
Monster hunting and sword fights are at the core of this series, with Henry Cavill playing the leading character before being replaced by Liam Hemsworth. Its action sequences perfectly capture the essence of the dark fantasy world and deliver a fun, if not always book-accurate series.
