If there’s one thing Netflix excels at, it’s the action-thriller genre. Some of the platform’s biggest streaming hits, like The Night Agent, hail from this genre. There’s a certain panache in the presentation of these shows that makes them a pleasure to watch. Not to mention, there’s a reason that audiences keep revisiting action thrillers on the streamer. For starters, they’re just plain entertaining. They provide much-needed escapism in a turbulent world. They’re also not particularly cerebral (for the most part), making them easy to tune in to without much brain power.
If you’re searching for your next action-thriller series to watch on Netflix, check out these 10 heart-pounding shows with no bad seasons.
‘Narcos’ – 3 Seasons (2015-2017)
Hot on the heels of getting his skull smashed like a watermelon as the ill-fated Oberyn Martell in Game of Thrones, Pedro Pascal starred in the Netflix smash hit Narcos opposite Oscar nominee Wagner Moura and Boyd Holbrook. Pascal played real-life DEA agent Javier Peña, who, alongside partner Steve Murphy, investigated the exploits of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar in 1980s Colombia. Narcos is a pulse-pounding, gritty crime drama that’s not wall-to-wall action, but it certainly scratches that action-thriller itch from time to time. Above all, it’s a well-crafted series with compelling performances, particularly Moura as the formidable Escobar. The biographical elements elevate the show, too.
‘Black Doves’ – 1 Season (2024-Present)
One sees Keira Knightley among the cast roster for a spy thriller; one must watch Keira Knightley in said spy thriller. Black Doves only has one season thus far, but it has been renewed for Season 2:
“Set against the backdrop of London at Christmas, Black Doves is a sharp, action-filled, and heartfelt story of friendship and sacrifice. It follows Helen Webb (Knightley), a quick-witted, down-to-earth, dedicated wife and mother — and professional spy. For 10 years, she’s been passing on her politician husband’s secrets to the shadowy organisation she works for: the Black Doves. When her secret lover Jason (Andrew Koji) is assassinated, her spymaster, the enigmatic Reed (Sarah Lancashire), calls in Helen’s old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw) to keep her safe. Together, Helen and Sam set off on a mission to investigate who killed Jason and why, leading them to uncover a vast, interconnected conspiracy linking the murky London underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.”
“Espionage” and “action” is the name of the game in Black Doves, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. If pulpy, schlocky TV is your thing, look no further than this show. That’s not to say the performances are poor; on the contrary, they’re quite solid, especially Ben Whishaw. It’s just plain, high-octane fun – entertaining popcorn TV at its bloodiest.
‘Lupin’ – 3 Seasons (2021-Present)
Who knew that a fictional character from the early 20th century could have such an impact over 100 years later? Netflix’s global phenomenon Lupin derives inspiration from Arsène Lupin, a “gentleman thief and master of disguise” created by French writer Maurice Leblanc in 1905. However, here in the present day, Assane Diop (also a gentleman thief) is on the warpath, endeavoring to avenge his father after the latter was falsely accused of a crime and died as a result. Omar Sy infuses Diop with ample charm and a heart of gold. You can’t help but root for him. Lupin incorporates aspects of heist films like National Treasure and Ocean’s Eleven, and if that’s what you’re hunting for in an action-thriller, then this series has the cure for what ails you (and a fourth season is on the way). Be prepared for a hefty dose of escapism.
‘Alice in Borderland’ – 3 Seasons (2020-2025)
Alice in Borderland arguably fits the bill of an action-thriller, but, in a way, it defies genre conventions. It’s also part-horror, part-dystopian sci-fi, part-survival drama. The logline is as follows:
“After Usagi is abducted and left unconscious by a mysterious scholar obsessed with the afterlife, Alisu returns to the perilous ‘Borderland’ to save her. Teaming up with new players, they must face the yet-unseen ‘Joker’ stage in a desperate bid to find a way back to their original world.”
Alice in Borderland is often compared to Squid Game because of the “games” aspect of the series, but the two are quite different. There’s a suspenseful edge to the narrative. It’ll keep you glued to your screen after each episode’s credits roll, making you want to figure out what happens next. It’s also an adaptation of the popular manga by Haro Aso, so expect some anime-manga flourishes throughout.
‘Bloodline’ – 3 Seasons (2015-2017)
Sometimes, there’s nothing darker than a cache of long-buried family secrets. Starring TV veteran Kyle Chandler as John Rayburn, the Florida Keys-set, underrated two-season thriller follows “a close-knit family of four adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home.” Bloodline also features a scene-stealing Ben Mendelsohn, characters making terrible decisions, and is bolstered by gripping psychological thriller elements. One could argue it’s more of the latter than a bona fide action series, but it’ll get your heart pounding, to be sure. There’s an immersive quality to it, too – you really feel like you’re in the Florida Keys (even if you don’t want to be there).
‘The Night Agent’ – 3 Seasons (2023-Present)
Chances are, you’ve probably already watched The Night Agent if action-thrillers are your jam, but this writer would be remiss not to include one of Netflix’s biggest hits in the genre. Season 3 took the platform by storm in February, with a fourth season already on the way. However, for the uninitiated, the series follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), who watches over a phone in the basement of the White House that never rings. Well, it inevitably does. Peter finds himself enmeshed in a high-stakes conspiracy that unexpectedly leads him to the top of the presidential food chain: the Oval Office.
The Night Agent premiered in 2023 and emerged as the most-watched series on Netflix, and it’s easy to see why. It’s filled to the brim with twists and turns, political machinations, and a boatload of action. You’ll get your cardio in while binge-watching. Talk about multitasking.
‘Kingdom’ – 2 Seasons (2019-2020)
This Korean series cleverly blends folk horror with period drama and thrilling action set pieces. It’s perfect for fans of zombies, in particular, and the premise stands out among its contemporaries as quite innovative:
“In a kingdom defeated by corruption and famine, a mysterious rumor of the king’s death spreads, as does a strange plague that renders the infected immune to death and hungry for flesh. The crown prince, fallen victim to a conspiracy, sets out on a journey to unveil the evil scheme and save his people.”
Kingdom only ran for two seasons (unfortunately), but it’s well worth your time and attention. The word “masterpiece” gets thrown around a lot these days; however, this show fits that bill. It provides a uniquely fun take on zombies, and the story only improves over time. The most common comparison to this series is Game of Thrones (but with zombies). Thankfully, Game of Thrones‘ disastrous eighth season isn’t applicable here.
‘Sacred Games’ – 2 Seasons (2018-2019)
Mumbai is in danger, and it’s up to Inspector Sartaj Singh to save the city from a gangster with a god complex. Sacred Games is part gangster drama and part action-thriller with a heaping helping of mystery. The high stakes certainly keep the narrative interesting, as do its dark, deeply flawed characters. The performances of the two leads in particular, Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, are enthralling from start to finish. It’s pedal-to-the-metal storytelling, complete with big, bold action sequences. If well-orchestrated fight scenes are what you crave, give Sacred Games a whirl.
‘Money Heist’ – 5 Seasons (2017-2021)
What would you do if you could execute the perfect robbery? Internationally acclaimed hit Money Heist took Netflix by storm for five seasons, and for good reason. The Spanish heist thriller follows a misfit group of robbers as “they attempt to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history – stealing 2.4 billion Euros from the Royal Mint of Spain.” Money Heist boasts solid character development, and it bursts at the seams with charisma, making it a delightful watch. It keeps you on the edge of your seat with some good old-fashioned explosions, intense action sequences, and even some shootouts as the cherry on top of the action sundae. It was so popular in its heyday that it spawned a couple of spin-offs, to boot: Berlin and Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area.
‘The Recruit’ – 2 Seasons (2022-2025)
It’s a tale as old as time – a lawyer in over his head becomes embroiled in a staggering international conflict between dangerous parties. Noah Centineo stars as Owen Hendricks, a CIA lawyer pulled into layers upon layers of power politics and espionage. The action-thriller deserved more than two seasons, and it certainly stands out from your stereotypical, run-of-the-mill spy series because of its comedic elements. If you love that amalgam of action and comedy with a dash of campiness, add The Recruit to your watchlist.
What are your favorite Netflix action thrillers? Did we include your pick in this list? Let us know in the comments.
- Release Date
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March 23, 2023
- Network
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Netflix
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
