Our team compiled the best action TV shows and here is what they came up with
Action TV shows are a popular genre that feature fast-paced, high-stakes plots and thrilling action sequences. They often include elements of crime dramas, espionage, and science fiction. Some examples of popular action TV shows include “24,” “The Bourne Identity,” “Burn Notice,” “Dexter,” “Fast and Furious,” “Flash,” “Arrow,” “Supernatural,” “The Blacklist,” “The Mentalist, “Vikings,” “The 100” and “Peaky Blinders” among others. These shows usually have a strong central character or a team of characters who are tasked with taking down a dangerous enemy or solving a complex crime. The characters are often highly skilled, and the show often features intense fight and chase scenes. The audience is drawn in by the action and the suspense of the plot and the characters’ struggles, making them a fan favorite. Overall, Action TV shows are a genre that has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular form of entertainment.
Here are the 25 best action TV shows to check out on the streaming service.
1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Breaking Bad (9.5/10 rating, 2008 – 2013, starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn): Breaking Bad follows Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, as he is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and decides to use his knowledge of chemistry to create and sell crystal meth in order to secure his family’s financial future. The show gained critical acclaim for its unpredictable plot and compelling characters.
2. 24 (2001-2010)
24 (8.5/10 rating, 2001 – 2010, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Bernard): 24 follows Jack Bauer, an agent of the Counter Terrorist Unit, as he races against the clock to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. The show was praised for its real-time format, which allowed the audience to experience the story as it unfolded.
3. Fringe (2008-2013)
Fringe (8/10 rating, 2008 – 2013, starring Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble): Fringe follows FBI agent Olivia Dunham and her team as they investigate a series of mysterious events. The show was praised for its unique blend of science fiction, horror, and fantasy elements.
4. Lost (2004-2010)
Lost (8.4/10 rating, 2004 – 2010, starring Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway): Lost follows a group of people who are stranded on a mysterious island and must work together to survive. The show was praised for its complex and mysterious plot, as well as its strong ensemble cast.
5. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Game of Thrones (9.3/10 rating, 2011 – 2019, starring Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington): Game of Thrones follows a group of powerful families as they battle for control of Westeros. The show was praised for its intricate plot and its incredibly detailed world building.
6. The Sopranos (1999-2007)
The Sopranos (9.2/10 rating, 1999 – 2007, starring James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli): The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano, a mob boss, as he struggles to balance his family life and his criminal activities. The show was praised for its complex characters and its exploration of the human condition.
7. Heroes (2006-2010)
Heroes (7.8/10 rating, 2006 – 2010, starring Hayden Panettiere, Milo Ventimiglia, Masi Oka): Heroes follows a group of ordinary people who discover they have superhuman abilities. The show was praised for its unique premise and its rich mythology.
8. The Shield (2002-2008)
The Shield (8.7/10 rating, 2002 – 2008, starring Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins): The Shield follows Vic Mackey, a corrupt police officer, as he attempts to cover up his own misdeeds while still doing his job. The show was praised for its gritty realism and its complex characters.
9. Big Little Lies (2017-present)
Big Little Lies (8.6/10 rating, 2017 – present, starring Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley): Big Little Lies follows a group of women in a small California town as they navigate the secrets and lies that lie beneath its seemingly perfect surface. The show was praised for its strong female characters and its exploration of complex issues.
10. Spartacus (2010-2013)
Spartacus (8.6/10 rating, 2010 – 2013, starring Andy Whitfield, Liam McIntyre, Manu Bennett): Spartacus follows a group of gladiators who must fight for their freedom from their Roman overlords. The show was praised for its action sequences, its complex characters, and its exploration of the human spirit.
11. The Boys (2019-present)
The Boys (8.7/10 rating, 2019 – present, starring Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr): The Boys follows a group of vigilantes as they fight against corrupt superheroes. The show was praised for its dark humor and its commentary on modern society.
12. Daredevil (2015-2018)
Daredevil (8.6/10 rating, 2015 – 2018, starring Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson): Daredevil follows Matt Murdock, a blind attorney who uses his heightened senses to fight crime. The show was praised for its intense fight sequences and its exploration of morality.
13. The Wire (2002-2008)
The Wire (9.3/10 rating, 2002 – 2008, starring Dominic West, John Doman, Idris Elba): The Wire follows a group of Baltimore police officers as they try to take down the city’s drug trade. The show was praised for its realistic portrayal of urban life and its complex characters.
14. The Expanse (2015-present)
The Expanse (8.5/10 rating, 2015 – present, starring Steven Strait, Cas Anvar, Dominique Tipper): The Expanse follows a group of space explorers as they uncover a conspiracy that threatens the survival of humanity. The show was praised for its realistic depiction of space travel and its exploration of complex themes.
15. Arrow (2012-2020)
Arrow (7.9/10 rating, 2012 – 2020, starring Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey): Arrow follows Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy, as he defends his home city from villains. The show was praised for its action sequences and its exploration of morality.
16. The X-Files (1993-2002)
The X-Files (8.6/10 rating, 1993 – 2002, starring David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi): The X-Files follows FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate a series of unsolved cases that involve supernatural forces. The show was praised for its clever writing and its exploration of the paranormal.
17. Vikings (2013-present)
Vikings (8.6/10 rating, 2013 – present, starring Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen): Vikings follows Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary Viking warrior, as he leads his people on raids and battles across Medieval Europe. The show was praised for its intense action sequences and its exploration of Norse mythology.
18. Jessica Jones (2015-2019)
Jessica Jones (8.2/10 rating, 2015 – 2019, starring Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville): Jessica Jones follows a former superhero who now works as a private investigator. The show was praised for its strong female lead and its exploration of trauma and recovery.
19. Better Call Saul (2015-present)
Better Call Saul (8.7/10 rating, 2015 – present, starring Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn): Better Call Saul follows lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the criminal underworld of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show was praised for its complex characters and its exploration of morality.
20. The Last Kingdom (2015-present)
The Last Kingdom (8.2/10 rating, 2015 – present, starring Alexander Dreymon, David Dawson, Emily Cox): The Last Kingdom follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon warrior, as he struggles to reclaim his birthright. The show was praised for its exciting action sequences and its exploration of the Anglo-Saxon period.
21. Stranger Things (2016-present)
Stranger Things (8.8/10 rating, 2016 – present, starring Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder): Stranger Things follows a group of teenagers as they investigate a series of supernatural occurrences in their small town. The show was praised for its thrilling plot and its nostalgic references to the 80s.
22. Westworld (2016-present)
Westworld (8.7/10 rating, 2016 – present, starring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright): Westworld follows a group of robotic “hosts” as they gain sentience and rebel against their human creators. The show was praised for its complex storyline and its exploration of the nature of consciousness.
23. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present)
The Handmaid’s Tale (8.6/10 rating, 2017 – present, starring Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes): The Handmaid’s Tale follows Offred, a handmaid in a dystopian society, as she attempts to survive and reclaim her freedom. The show was praised for its gritty realism and its exploration of gender and power.
24. Mindhunter (2017-present)
Mindhunter (8.6/10 rating, 2017 – present, starring Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv): Mindhunter follows two FBI agents as they attempt to understand and catch serial killers by studying their behavior. The show was praised for its exploration of the criminal mind and its realistic portrayal of the FBI.
25. Ozark (2017-present)
Ozark (8.4/10 rating, 2017 – present, starring Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner): Ozark follows Marty Byrde, a financial planner, as he moves his family to the Ozarks and begins laundering money for a drug cartel. The show was praised for its intense plot and its exploration of the criminal underworld.
Action TV shows have become increasingly popular since the 1990s and offer some of the most thrilling and entertaining content available today. From Breaking Bad to Ozark, the best action TV shows have something to offer for everyone. Whether it’s an unpredictable plot, compelling characters, or an exploration of complex themes, these shows have captivated audiences and become some of the most beloved and acclaimed television shows of all time.