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10 Best Streaming Action Movies That Aren't From Netflix, Ranked

Published 1 month ago10 minute read

Among the many technological and business developments in Hollywood filmmaking, the arrival and popularization of streaming will go down as one of the most important. The presence of streaming has allowed studios to deliver films straight to their audiences' homes, providing them with a means to immediately watch from the comfort of their couches. Eradicating obstacles like ticket prices, childcare and traffic, movie streaming has become immensely popular with a new generation of film watchers.

Out of the many (and counting) streaming services, Netflix has most successfully taken advantage of this new branch of the culture. Primarily known for its Netflix television originals, the platform has dedicated a lot of its resources to producing theatrical quality films, most notably in the action genre. However, as secretly as it might be kept, Netflix isn't the only streamer to produce entertaining and propulsive action films. Ranging from movie star vehicles to excellent reimaginings of beloved franchises, .

Chris Pratt staring down from a helicopter in 'The Tomorrow War'.
Image via Prime Video

In 's futuristic sci-fi action film, soldiers from the year 2051 arrive in 2022 to warn of an upcoming extinction-level alien invasion. To stop this event, 's Dan Forester leads a mixed group of present-day soldiers and civilians who are sent to the future to fight the alien army. 's expansive supporting cast includes , , and .

The Tomorrow War, through its , provides an exciting adventure for sci-fi fans. Yvonne Strahovski and Sam Richardson's supporting performances were pointedly praised, as were the majority of the film's action sequences. In its , The Tomorrow War also aims to speak to a larger issue while entertaining audiences.

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The Tomorrow War

July 2, 2021

Chris McKay

Ryan Kiera Armstrong , Sam Richardson , Edwin Hodge , Betty Gilpin , Keith Powers , ​Chris Pratt2 , Jasmine Mathews , J. K. Simmons , Yvonne Strahovski , Tom Cruise

140 minutes

Zach Dean

Kaley Cuoco as assassin and mother Emma Brackett and David Oyelowo as husband Dave Brackett in Role Play
Image via Prime Video

2023's follows an ordinary married couple attempting to juggle their successful careers and home lives. However, unknown to Dave (), his wife, Emma (), is a deadly assassin for hire. Predictably, as the details of her professional life come to light, it tests the limits of their seven-year marriage.

Role Play is an entertaining action flick that sees Kaley Cuoco pull off a different type of character than audiences might be used to seeing from her. Amidst all the action, though, is the chemistry-filled central relationship between Emma and Dave. Cuoco and Oyelowo's performances effortlessly convince audiences of their characters' shared history. Never taking itself too seriously,, the perfect action vehicle to pass the time.

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Role Play

December 14, 2023

David Oyelowo , Kaley Cuoco , Bill Nighy , Connie Nielsen , Rudi Dharmalingam , Simon Delaney , Sonita Henry , Jade-Eleena Dregorius , Julia Schunevitsch , Stephanie Levi-John , Steffen Jung , Betty Kaplan , Dong Hyun Yoon , Moritz Berg , Angus McGruther , Dominic Holmes , Jonathan Failla , Stacy Thunes , Cornell Adams , Erkan Sulcani

Thomas Vincent

101 minutes

Seth W. Owen

Nathalie Emmanuel aiming her gun offscreen to the left and Omar Sy aiming his gun offscreen to the left a few steps behind her in John Woo's The Killer
Image via Peacock

In a rare filmmaking move, directed 2024's , an American remake of his 1989 film of the same name. Set in France, this version starred , , , and . Attempts at an American remake of The Killer had been circulating for over 30 years, with John Woo on board to produce the most recent attempt. However, in 2015, following several false starts, Woo confirmed that he would direct the remake.

As is in line with John Woo's filmography, 2024's The Killer is . While not as groundbreaking or seminal as the 1989 film, the 2024 version more than holds its weight. that only Woo can come up with, the film is engaging and thrilling, with surplus adrenaline-fueled thrills to satiate excited action film fans.

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The Killer

August 22, 2024

John Woo

Omar Sy , Nathalie Emmanuel , Sam Worthington , Diana Silvers , Saïd Taghmaoui , Angeles Woo , Éric Cantona , Tchéky Karyo , Grégory Montel , Hugo Diego Garcia , Michaël Erpelding , Aurélia Agel , Guillaume Kerbusch , Fabrice Scott , Kelian Maréchaux , Elie Haddad , Lydie Muller , Etienne Guillou-Kervern , Vincent Winterhalter , Igor Skreblin , Octave Delepaule , Marius Delepaule , Kévin Table , David Clark , Jaz Deol

126 minutes

Brian Helgeland , Josh Campbell

Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal, facing each other, in the Road House remake
Image via Amazon MGM Studios

In 2024, and remade 's action film . In the film, Jake Gyllenhaal plays a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida roadhouse. While working there, Elwood Dalton (Gyllenhaal) comes into conflict with a local crime boss () and his organization's psychotic enforcer (). and round out the cast.

While not necessarily an update on the original, 2024's Road House does deliver equal thrills for a new generation. The film's fight scenes are engaging and, in many instances, excitingly choreographed. Conor McGregor makes for a physically intimidating antagonist, and his faceoffs with Jake Gyllenhaal's Elwood Dalton are the highlights of the film. Although far from perfect, Road House is that will appeal to all those who love their action with an extra dose of stylistic flair.

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Road House

March 21, 2024

Doug Liman

Jake Gyllenhaal , Conor McGregor , Daniela Melchior , Billy Magnussen , Jessica Williams , Darren Barnet , JD Pardo , Arturo Castro , Joaquim De Almeida , Lukas Gage , Beau Knapp

Anthony Bagarozzi , Chuck Mondry , R. Lance Hill

John Clark leaning against a wall and looking sad in Without Remorse
Image via Amazon Prime Video

In 2021, Amazon Prime Video stayed in the business with their feature adaptation of his 1993 novel, Without Remorse, written by and directed by . In , stars as the Clancy protagonist, John Kelly, who embarks on a revenge path when his wife and members of his Navy SEAL unit are killed by Russian hitmen. A regular character in Clancy's Ryanverse novels, the 1993 novel was the first time Kelly's origin story was detailed.

Tapping into contemporary US-Russia tensions, Without Remorse is with a magnetic star performance at its center. Michael B. Jordan excels as the highly skilled, scorned man blinded by his singular desire for revenge. As can be expected from the director of , Without Remorse is packed with .

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Tom Clancy's Without Remorse

April 29, 2021

Stefano Sollima

Jamie Bell , Michael B. Jordan , Guy Pearce , Jodie Turner-Smith , Lauren London , Brett Gelman , Jacob Scipio , Jack Kesy , Colman Domingo , Todd Lasance , Cam Gigandet , Luke Mitchell , Stephanie McIntyre , Adrian Rawlins , Lucy Russell , Robert Maaser , Gina Jun , Rae Lim , Merab Ninidze , George Asprey , Mel Fair , Reza Brojerdi , Tom Colley , Rich Graff , Artjom Gilz

109 minutes

Taylor Sheridan

Neo and Trinity standing on the street looking in the same direction in 'Matrix Resurrections'
Image via Warner Bros.

Eighteen years after the completion of The Matrix trilogy, co-wrote and directed . The fourth film in the franchise saw the return of , and as well as a flurry of new characters. The film picks up 60 years after and finds Neo (Keanu Reeves) as a video game developer who has trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy.

Upon its premiere—a day-and-date release with Max—the film was a box office disappointment and met mixed and negative reviews from critics and fans alike. However, in the years since, it has become the prevailing opinion that The Matrix Resurrections was misunderstood. The film has received consistent praise for its earnestness and purity. In a period of constant cynicism, The Matrix Resurrections was while delivering all from a Matrix film.

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The Matrix Resurrections

Commander Ernie Krause (Tom Hanks) with three sailors in Greyhound
Image via Apple TV+

Noted World War II aficionado wrote and starred in this naval action war film based on 's 1955 novel The Good Shepherd. follows a Navy commander's efforts during the 'Battle of the Atlantic' and his command of an Allied defense against German U-boats. , and joined Hanks in the film's cast.

Clocking in at an efficient 90-minute runtime, Greyhound has emerged as an underrated dad movie in recent years. The film was largely praised for its , led by a reliably great Hanks, joined by a more-than-capable ensemble. At the 2021 Academy Awards, Greyhound was nominated for Best Sound, a testament to the film's technical brilliance.

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Greyhound

July 10, 2020

Aaron Schneider

Lee Norris , Elisabeth Shue , Devin Druid , Tom Hanks , Maximilian Osinski , Rob Morgan , Grayson Russell , Karl Glusman , Craig Tate , Michael Benz , Tom Brittney , Stephen Graham , Manuel Garcia-Rulfo , Matthew Zuk

91 minutes

Tom Hanks

Brad Pitt and George Clooney standing in front of a parking garage elevator looking over.
Image via Sony Pictures/Apple TV+

As mentioned above, while the theatrical experience remains important, the ease of streaming has greatly contributed to its success. Sometimes you just want to relax at home and (movie stars). That is exactly what provides. Written and directed by , the film reunites famous friends and for a charming comedy of errors hitman film.

Wolfs sees Clooney and Pitt play two aging fixers who, despite preferring to work alone, are forced to work together on a job. When a District Attorney panics after a young man dies in her room, the two separate fixers are brought in by different interested parties to fix the situation. The night's events proceed to uncover a larger conspiracy and a surprising respect and affection between the two fixers. Clooney and Pitt are as charming as ever and perfect for a night of streaming.

Hannah and Ethan looking at each other while standing really close in Those Who Wish Me Dead
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

In 's , plays a smokejumper in Montana who becomes a recently orphaned boy's sole protector. Based on a novel of the same name by , the film follows a young boy who witnesses his father's murder and looks for protection from the chasing assassins with Angelina Jolie's Hannah.

Those Who Wish Me Dead marked Angelina Jolie's first action film in over a decade. One of the biggest stars of the 2000s and on, Jolie is right at home in the genre. Supported by an ensemble of usual Sheridan players and new recruits, including , and , Angelina Jolie reminds audiences of her action star bona fides with an excellent physical performance. Those Who Wish Me Dead is of the genre.

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Those Who Wish Me Dead

May 14, 2021

Taylor Sheridan

Jon Bernthal , Aidan Gillen , Finn Little , Angelina Jolie , Tyler Perry , Tory Kittles , Medina Senghore , Nicholas Hoult , James Jordan , Jake Weber

Michael Koryta , Charles Leavitt , Taylor Sheridan

Naru in the woods looking intently ahead in Prey
Image via 20th Century Studios

Very accustomed to reinvigorating franchises, followed up his excellent with 2022's . A prequel to the Predator franchise, it is the franchise's first film to have a sole female lead. The film is set in the Northern Great Plains in 1719 and stars Amber Midthunder as Nuru, a Comanche woman who has to protect her people from the vicious Predators while fending off imperialistic French fur traders.

Stripped down and focused, Prey emphasized many of the things that made the original 1987 entry so singular. A gritty survivalist story, Prey embraces the usually sidelined lead and tribe at its center and makes a film that is much more than a sci-fi story. Through effective filmmaking, a strong attention to the details about the Comanche Nation and a willingness to engage with its themes of colonization and exploitation, Prey produced a surprising, patient and tense film that is arguably the best entry in the storied Predator franchise.

Prey

Release Date
August 5, 2022

Director
Dan Trachtenberg

Cast
Amber Midthunder , Dane DiLiegro , Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat , Dakota Beavers

Writers
Patrick Aison

NEXT: The 19 Best Movies on Apple TV+ Right Now (January 2025)

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