How do you define “action” when it comes to movies? Does it have to include a car chase? A shoot out? Explosions? A protagonist hellbent on revenge? Adam Fresco has found all of the above on Prime Video.
See also
* Best new movies & series on Prime Video
* All new streaming movies & series
21 Jump Street (2012)
Watch on Prime VideoDynamic duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller make the jump from animation to land a hilarious, action-packed buddy-cop comedy. Rebooting the old TV show, Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill make for the oddest of odd couples, Ice Cube embodies the grumpy police captain cliché, and there’s even a spot-the-Johnny-Depp cameo. Full of whip-smart comic cracks and action a-plenty, it’s big and silly but still enormous fun.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOThe first Bourne movie unleashed Matt Damon’s amnesiac secret agent onto our screens, fighting furiously to uncover his forgotten identity and mysterious connection to the CIA. With a taut script from Tony Gilroy, this adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s novel is defty directed a boasts a smashing performance from Damon, his character equipped with as much brains as brawn.
Constantine (2005)
Watch on Prime VideoOnce you get over the fact that this is not Alan Moore’s blonde, English John Constantine from the original comic books, Francis Lawrence’s version has lots to offer. Keanu Reeves has a supernatural ball as the world-weary exorcist, while Tilda Swinton and Peter Stormare chew scenery. Angels, demons, and a trip to Hell, this is a wild, gothic ride, fusing stand-out visuals, action, horror, and superhero tropes.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Watch on Prime VideoDoug Liman’s sci-fi Groundhog Day takes the Japanese tale All You Need Is Kill and turns it into a brilliantly addictive rollercoaster-ride. Tom Cruise stars as a military public relations officer (and first-class cowardly a-hole), plunged into humanity’s fight against aliens. With a sparkling script by Cruise’s Mission: Impossible writer/director Christopher McQuarrie, and Emily Blunt as a full-metal marine, it’s a joy to watch Cruise live/die/repeat.
The Equalizer (2014)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEODirector Antoine Fuqua reimagines the TV series of the same name about an avenging angel, casting Denzel Washington as former marine Robert McCall. It’s a slow burner, but like Denzel in Man On Fire, once it gets cooking this “one man against the Russian mob” arc builds to an action-packed climax. It’s a relentlessly tension-filled thriller.
The Gentlemen (2019)
Watch on Prime VideoGuy Ritchie returns to his Lock, Stock and Snatch UK gangster roots with a rip-roaring comedic tale of Matthew McConaughey’s cannabis kingpin, caught up in a comedic, twisted, and fast-moving plot involving gangsters, aristocrats, lowlifes, con artists, and tabloid journalists. Hugh Grant does a wicked Cockney accent, Jeremy Strong plays it camp, Charlie Hunnam gets his best role yet, and Colin Farrell is hilarious as the coolest boxing coach since Mickey trained Rocky.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Watch on Prime VideoQuentin Tarantino’s war epic balances all-out action with tension, wicked humour, and historical revisionism. Brad Pitt chews through the celluloid as Aldo Raine, leader of the “Basterds.” The opening scene, introducing Christoph Waltz as Nazi Hans Landa, remains one of the most terrifyingly white knuckle moments since Chief Brody nervously watched over the crowded beach in Jaws.
John Wick (2014)
Watch on Prime VideoKeanu Reeves’ former stunt double for The Matrix movies, Chad Stahelski, turned director for this stunning action classic. Who the hell would be dumb enough to kill the dog John Wick’s dying wife gave him? That’s like borrowing Liam Neeson’s lawnmower and not returning it. Anyway, cue a bone-crunchingly fun cinematic delight that spawned an entire universe of sequels, rip-offs, and wannabes.
Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOGerard Butler is the honest Joe who sees the killers of his family escape justice, then takes matters into his own hands. This modern-day Philadelphia-set Deathwish is a bold, bone-crunchingly brutal action movie, pitting Butler’s ingenious vigilante against Jamie Foxx’s bewildered cop. Butler’s portrayal of a man pushed too far shines in a tale that twists, turns, and never lets up.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003)
Watch on Prime VideoOkay, so it was released as three movies, but together The Fellowship of The Rings, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King rival the original Star Wars as the greatest action-packed adventure trilogy of all time. Aotearoa’s Peter Jackson took the world by storm with a stunning cast, great direction, and technical virtuosity.
Mad Max (1979)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOGeorge Miller’s first entry into the dystopian world of Max Rockatansky remains an intensely visceral classic. Mel Gibson rules as the titular cop turned vigilante, hunting Toecutter’s gang of motorbiking marauders to avenge his wife and son. The scene in which Max handcuffs Johnny to a petrol-leaking wreeck and gives him a hacksaw is up there with Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry asking a punk if he feels lucky.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Watch on Prime VideoWow! George Miller’s action masterpiece blows me away every time I watch it. Tom Hardy burns as Max, Charlize Theron smoulders as Furiosa, and Hugh Keays-Byrne napalms the screen as Immortan Joe. The non-stop chase and fight never falls below top gear, and the array of mad, bad vehicular mayhem is jaw-dropping. From the amazing stunts to the stunning colours, vibrant cinematography, and ear-drumming sound, it’s Action with a capital “A”.
The Other Guys (2010)
Watch on Prime VideoWhen cool cop duo Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock take a nosedive off a skyscraper in the first act, mismatched cops Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are the other guys who must stop squabbling and step up. Backed by a stellar cast, including Michael Keaton and Eva Mendes, Adam McKay’s film is crammed with crass comedy, crazy chases, and outlandish action.
Robocop (1987)
Watch on Prime VideoPaul Verhoeven’s fascist satire is a brilliant, brutal, bloody film with brains. Paul Weller is a Detroit cop resurrected inside a shiny chrome exoskeleton created by Omni Consumer Products in a bid to corner the market on inner-city crime fighting. Witty, gritty and violent, but always with its tongue firmly in its cheek, Robocop rewards repeated viewings with an amazing 1980s cast, a sizzler of a score, and an overdose of over-the-top action.
Rolling Thunder (1977)
Watch on Prime VideoCo-written by Taxi Driver scribe Paul Schrader, John Flynn’s Rolling Thunder is a dynamite tale of revenge. William Devane plays the Vietnam vet out to avenge his murdered family, aided by BFF Tommy Lee Jones. Like watching a pot boil over, the tension and air of menace build to explosive violence. No wonder it’s one of Tarantino’s favourite films. Now a stone cold classic, it’s a savage 70s story up there with Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry and Charles Bronson’s Death Wish.
Sicario (2015)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOBefore Dune, Denis Villeneuve perfected his art in one of the greatest action crime thrillers ever made, starring Emily Blunt as an FBI agent wading deep into the USA’s clandestine war on Mexican drug cartels. Josh Brolin is hard as nails, but it’s Benicio Del Toro that’ll have your jaw on the floor. The film is boosted by stunning cinematography and a scintillating score.
Sisu (2022)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOA legendary army commando turned prospector (Jorma Tommila) strikes gold, only to have a rogue Nazi SS-platoon try to kill him and steal his treasure. Stuffed full of outlandish over-the-top violence, the film is a gleefully grisly adult fantasy delivering non-stop comic book mayhem.
Skyfall (2012)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEODaniel Craig’s second outing as 007 delivers one of the best Bond movies ever, in Sam Mendes exhilarating homage to the iconic action series. Highlights include Adele’s opening song, Javier Bardem’s deliciously scene-chomping villain and the stylish cinematography of Roger Deakins. The story, which involes M16 being compromised and relocated, grips like a vice.
Snatch (2000)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOGuy Ritchie’s outrageously addictive crime comedy is a blast-and-a-half. There’s Brad Pitt’s hilarious accent and pugilistic prowess, Jason Statham’s cocky cockney, plus the likes of Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones and others. Snatch is a rollicking and rowdy ride, full of broad humour, wild violence and bonkers plotting, set in good ol’ London (“you know: fish, chips, cup ‘o tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fucking Poppins!”).
Warrior (2011)
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEOGavin O’Connor’s mixed martial arts drama is a highly rewatchable combination of family feels and grueling fight scenes. Estranged brothers Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton literally fight to unite, the actors delivering performances with absolute conviction—plus Nick Nolte is sensational as the boys’ outlandishly drunken bum of a dad.
Titles are added and removed from his page to reflect changes to the Netflix catalogue. Reviews no longer available on this page can be found here.
