The best action shows of 2025 include superhero hits, military thrillers, and sci-fi stories. There's something for everyone in this day and age of streaming television, with more shows than ever across a variety of platforms. That can also make it more challenging to narrow down what one is actually looking for.
Prime Video's library is becoming a consistent home for action shows like Reacher, Jack Ryan, and more. Netflix, which provides practically every genre in large quantities, is an equally good place to search for action shows. These titles may be story-focused and mixed with other genres, but action sequences are a major component of their style.
There have been many outstanding action shows with follow-up seasons this year, such as Cobra Kai, Reacher, and The Night Agent. However, this will focus on TV shows that have premiered this year, debuting their first seasons and offering action fans something fresh.
Countdown
Prime Video's action-focused Los Angeles cop thriller barely squeezes onto the list, as although the show had promise, it hasn't fully lived up to other titles. The prospect of Jensen Ackles, in particular, as an Alan Ritchson/John Krasinski-like action lead is a fantastic idea, but there's only so much a star actor can do.
If you're into procedural network dramas like the Chicago franchise (which is made by the same creator as Countdown), this series could be for you. The plot is fairly simplistic and the characters aren't well-defined, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you're looking to unwind and watch something easy, this is a suitable option.
With a 35% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Countdown's critic reviews are fairly reflective of that assessment. The show has a stronger 73% audience approval rating, which is representative of the show's viewership success, but there aren't many people claiming this to be a masterpiece.
I compared the show to 24, at least in terms of its domestic terrorist premise and thematic focus on time. However, one should not go into this series expecting Jack Bauer. Countdown is a fairly run-of-the-mill cop action thriller with decent charisma and solid action sequences, and that's about it.
American Primeval
There's a significant leap from Countdown to the next spot, as American Primeval is a considerably more engaging series. Led by Taylor Kitsch and Betty Gilpin, this is a Netflix Western saga set in the 1850s. While I'd certainly say Western is the primary genre here, the show is also largely dependent on its action sequences.
Of all the shows on this list, American Primeval is likely the most challenging to stomach, as it's not only dealing with difficult themes of colonialism and Western expansion, but it's also much more gory than the other titles. This series is set in a ruthless, violent setting, and it doesn't pull any punches in displaying it.
While critics were mixed on American Primeval, giving the series a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences were much kinder to the title. The series has an 87% audience score, making it one of Netflix's top Western shows. The title comes from experienced filmmaker Peter Berg, who's known for his work on action movies like Mile 22.
Part of what makes American Primeval such an excellent action series is that it's an easy binge-watch. The six-hour run time means Netflix subscribers can sprint through the series in just a weekend of viewing, or even a lazy day/night in if you're really dedicated. If you like violent Westerns, this is the one.
The Bondsman
Kevin Bacon. If that doesn't do enough on its own, I'll describe the show. The Bondsman is an action horror series on Amazon Prime Video led by Kevin Bacon. He plays a bounty hunter who's brought back from the dead with a job to capture demons and send them to Hell.
This series has a ridiculous premise, but that's part of what makes it so fun. It'd be hard to think of an actor better to take on such a plot than Bacon, who manages to pull it off with a rugged charm, earning the series strong acclaim from both audiences and critics. The series has an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 77% audience score.
The biggest flaw in watching The Bondsman is that the series was canceled after its first season. If you're looking for a limited series to watch, The Bondsman can be treated as a weekend, eight-episode binge, but for those looking to invest in a multi-year experience, this isn't the one. It's worth noting that it's still a fun series as a singular season.
The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
Taylor Kitsch looks to be the action king of 2025, as not only does he lead American Primeval, he's also phenomenal in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. As a dedicated Friday Night Lights fan, I'll admit a degree of bias toward Kitsch, but his role in The Terminal List might be one of the best in his career.
Dark Wolf is a prequel to 2022's The Terminal List, but it can be watched as a standalone series. Only the first three episodes are out right now, making it difficult to judge the entire season. That said, from what I've seen, I prefer Dark Wolf over the original and can vouch that the show offers top-quality action.
Dark Wolf is evidently a passion project for Taylor Kitsch and Chris Pratt, and they and Amazon Prime have evidently given their all to deliver a series that honors the Navy SEAL experience. The show currently holds a 77% from critics and an 85% score from audiences, making it a rare critically-praised action show.
Daredevil: Born Again
Daredevil: Born Again was one of the most-anticipated shows of the year, and that's because audiences have been waiting for years to see the character return to the screen. The first three seasons of Daredevil on Netflix (now on Disney+) were phenomenal action television. Unfortunately, the new show is a slight downgrade.
There are elements of Daredevil: Born Again that work really well. Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio are fantastic as ever, reprising their hero-villain tandem that made the original such a hit. As expected with a high-budget superhero show, the action is also top quality.
Many of the newer narrative elements in Daredevil: Born Again failed to land with audiences, and the political allegory is particularly shallow and uninteresting. That still leaves plenty to enjoy, and with more seasons of the series and The Punisher TV special on the way, it's worth catching up.
Butterfly
Butterfly falls into the category of shows that allow the viewer to wind down, relax, and just enjoy some crazy action. If you're looking for much in plot or thematic depth, this isn't for you. If you just want action in its purest form, Butterfly is the strongest new show of 2025.
Butterfly is probably the most similar to Reacher if any of the shows on this list, as it follows a veteran action hero who finds himself tied into a conspiracy mess related to his past. Daniel Dae Kim (Lost) is phenomenal as an action hero, and he truly carries the show on his back.
The South Korean setting and language provide Butterfly with some distinctive qualities, and again, with just six episodes available, this is an easy binge-watch series. Butterfly seems likely to carry on with more seasons, making it the perfect time to kick back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Murderbot
Murderbot is the only action series that I'd not only praise for its strengths within this genre, but also as a TV show as a whole. This is easily one of the best shows of the year, blending action with sci-fi and comedy for a series that's got gripping entertainment, fascinating world-building, and laugh-out-loud humor.
Alexander Skarsgård, David Dastmalchian, and Noma Dumezwani easily give this show the strongest cast on the list, and it certainly benefits the series. While focused on a sci-fi world with prevalent artificial intelligence, Murderbot manages to deliver fantastic depictions of humanity, and that's due to the exceptional acting.
Murderbot is the only action series on the list that's on Apple TV+, which might limit its viewership potential. However, I'd personally recommend getting a free trial or subscribing to check this one out. Sci-fi fans will also find other enjoyable titles on the platform, like For All Mankind and Foundation.