The 20 Best Action Movies on Prime Video Right Now
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PICTURE THIS: YOU'RE sitting on your couch after a long day at work, and you're in the mood for a movie. But you have nothing in mind. You're scrolling and scrolling through your favorite streaming platform and that creeping sense of indecision keeps you clicking around long enough that you check the clock, and it's suddenly too late to watch anything at all. Sometimes choice is nice; other times, you just want an idea of what's actually worth watching, not just the newest and most popular films other people are watching or that the all-powerful algorithm may think is right for you.
With new movies coming out every day, plus streaming services taking on both new and old films to host on their platform, there can seem like a never-ending excess of movies at your disposal. It's overwhelming.
But that's where we come in. We've made a more curated list for you, taking out all of the B and C-level movies so you don't waste time watching the first 20 minutes—or even the first hour—of something before deciding it's not for you. On every streaming service, there are great films out there to watch, but it takes a bit of work to parse through such vast libraries. With our list, a little bit of the work is done for you. All you have to do is choose from these classics, Oscar nominees, and critically acclaimed hidden gems and settle in for a good time.
Casino Royale (2006)
Marking Daniel Craig's first appearance as Bond, Casino Royale is the third screen adaptation of the Ian Fleming novel of the same name, and arguably one of the best 007 films. If you want to get into the Bond franchise, or just enjoy a great action movie, it's a great pick.
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The American (2010)
George Clooney stars as a man on the run in this action thriller. His name is Jack, but that might not even be his real name. While on a vacation in Sweden, he notices he's been found by someone looking to kill him. From there, it's a cat and mouse game.
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Baby Driver (2017)
Edgar Wright directs this action film about a getaway driver looking to get out of a life of crime. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards after its release.
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Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Gamers will love this one. This action-comedy, based on the famous Wizards of the Coast roleplaying game, follows a ragtag group made up of a barbarian, sorceror, rogue, and others who team up to defeat a major evil force.
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Everything Everywhere All at Once (2023)
This sci-fi action film swept the Oscars after its premiere, and notably revived the acting career of Ke Huy Quan. The film follows a laundromat owner named Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), who one day discovers she's the key to saving the fate of the universe.
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Fast & the Furious Presents: Hobb & Shaw (2019)
You don't need to know much about the Fast & the Furious franchise to enjoy Hobbs & Shaw. The Rock and Jason Statham star in this over the top action film.
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The Hurt Locker (2008)
One of Jeremy Renner's best-known (and best overall) roles to date, The Hurt Locker follows an army team deployed in Iraq, and their emotional and mental struggles.
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Nobody (2021)
Bob Odenkirk took a break from his critically acclaimed run on Better Call Saul to star in Nobody, a film about a seemingly regular guy who's thrust into his previous life as an assassin when his family is threatened.
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Mr. Majestyk (1974)
Charles Bronson (The Magnificent Seven) stars in Mr. Majestyk, a 1975 film about a Vietnam vet and farmer who is threatened by gangsters. With a a script written by novelist Elmore Leonard, it's a strong entry for anyone interested in a classic action film.
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Sicario (2015)
Before Dune, one of Denis Villeneuve's best known films was Sicario. Starring Emily Blunt and Benicio Del Toro (and written by Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan), the film follows an FBI agent tasked with bringing down a powerful Mexican drug lord. The film was nominated for multiple Oscars.
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Polite Society (2023)
This British martial arts film may have been overlooked in the midst of the awards-sweeping Everything Everywhere All at Once, but is still worth the watch. Teenager Ria Khan sets out to save her older sister when she decides to give up on her dreams of becoming and artist and gets married to appease her parents.
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Top Gun: Maverick (2023)
If there's an action list, you've got to have Tom Cruise involved. One of the biggest films of 2023, Top Gun: Maverick is a sequel that works just as well as a standalone film. Whether you've seen the original Top Gun or not, you'll love the heart-racing, high stakes airplane action.
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Violent Night (2023)
While it's premise may seem silly enough to be relegated to straight to DVD obscurity, Violent Night is a solid action film, and potentially one you may enjoy watching for Christmases to come. David Harbour stars as Santa Claus, but not the jolly one you know. Instead, he's not afraid to get aggressive when a family is taken hostage during the holidays. Imagine Die Hard but with Chris Cringle saving the day.
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The Mission Impossible Franchise (1996–Present)
Based on the 1966 TV series, Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible franchise has taken on a life of its own. So far there are seven films in the series about IMF agent Ethan Hunt, who goes on, well, impossible missions to stop major international threats and root out corruption within his own organization.
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Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Tom Hardy stars in this masterpiece revival of a long dormant franchise. Taking over the role from Mel Gibson, Hardy made the role of Mad Max his own; the film has some of the most incredible visuals you'll ever see, and also proved to be a standout role for Charlize Theron, who played Furiosa (a prequel film, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa, is coming in Summer 2024).
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The Northman (2022)
Love Hamlet? Then you'll really like The Northman. The film is based on the Scandinavian tale of Amleth, which was a direct inspiration for William Shakespeare's better known play. Alexander Skarsgård stars in this grisly story of a Viking prince who sets out on a journey to get revenge for his father's death.
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The Tomorrow War (2021)
This sci-fi action film stars Chris Pratt as a soldier sent into the future to fight an alien army. While the film doesn't do anything original in within the genre, it's still a decent action film with a major star, so you'll have a good time regardless.
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Sisu (2022)
This Finnish action thriller may have not been on your radar when it first premiered, but you'll be happy you saw it. Set in World War II, Sisu follows a gold prospector who takes on a Nazi death squad while attempting to find his fortune.
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Gladiator (2000)
Ridley Scott directs this critically acclaimed action film about a gladiator who rises through the ranks of the arena to eventually avenge his family. A sequel starring Paul Mescal is currently in development.
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Road House (1989)
Patrick Swayze stars in Road House as a bouncer dedicated to his small town bar. When a local businessman and crime lord's nephew is fired from the bar, he begins a campaign to ruin the bouncer and the bar and, of course, violence ensues. It's not the best movie you've ever seen, but if you want a good time, it's a solid part of Prime Video's classic library.
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