One of Netflix’s best genres is, without a doubt, action. Action movies are frequently found on Netflix’s most popular movies list. Most of these action films are quickly paced and straight to the point. In other words, these movies perfectly provide an escape from our daily lives. Extraction, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and The Adam Project have all been huge hits with subscribers.
More of these movies are under the “Action” section on Netflix. From there, Netflix separates action into subgenres including suspense, sci-fi, adventure, and international. If you don’t feel like scrolling for hours, we did the hard work and picked out three action movies to watch this month. One of these movies features Hollywood’s biggest star in his most underrated blockbuster.
We also have guides to the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Oblivion (2013)
Before saving the world in Top: Gun Maverick, Tom Cruise collaborated with director Joseph Kosinski on Oblivion, a 2013 postapocalyptic blockbuster. Cruise stars as Jack Harper, one of the only remaining survivors on Earth after a nuclear war left the planet uninhabitable 50 years prior. Jack works as a repair technician who fixes drones on Earth. His work will be complete in two weeks, and he will join a group of survivors heading to a new home off Saturn.
While completing his final tasks, Jack finds a crashed pod with a woman inside named Julia (Olga Kurylenko). Why is this relevant? Jack has been dreaming about this woman, but he can’t figure out why. Julia’s arrival throws Jack’s world into chaos, and he starts questioning what really happened with Earth’s survivors. Oblivion does not have the highs of Maverick, but it’s very entertaining and laid the groundwork for Kosinski’s action career.
Stream Oblivion on Netflix.
6 Underground (2019)
Two words: embrace Bayhem. As a filmmaker, Michael Bay is unapologetically himself. Fast cuts, loud explosions, and terrific cinematography are staples of Bay’s films. Do they all make sense? Of course not. Are they entertaining? You better believe it. 6 Underground is preposterous in all the best ways because Bay gives the people what they want — fast cars, graphic violence, and a whole lot of action.
Tired of sitting back and watching the world burn, billionaire philanthropist Magnet S. Johnson (Deadpool & Wolverine‘s Ryan Reynolds) fakes his death and starts a vigilante squad to fight evil and corruption. Johnson, who now goes by the code name “One,” recruits five other elite specialists to join his cause. The numbered crew now must topple a ruthless dictator. Fasten your seat belts because 6 Underground is fast-paced Bay madness.
Stream 6 Underground on Netflix.
U-571 (2000)
Matthew McConaughey became a rom-com icon in the 2000s thanks to roles in The Wedding Planner, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and Failure to Launch. Before becoming a romantic heartthrob, McConaughey starred in U-571, a solid submarine thriller set during World War II.
When German submarine U-571 is damaged, the U.S. Navy sees an opportunity to steal the ship’s Enigma machine coding device. After the Americans successfully overtake U-571, German backup forces destroy the Navy’s ship, killing most of the soldiers. With no other choices, a group of survivors, led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), board U-571 to destroy a nearby German vessel. The ensuing chess game between rival ships provides enough thrills and entertainment to hold your attention.
Stream U-571 on Netflix.