30 Best Action Movies On Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime has proven itself to be one of the best streamers out there, with a slew of original television series and movies loved by viewers and critics alike. The streaming giant finds itself among other titans in the industry like Netflix and Hulu and continues to grow its catalog each day.

While Amazon Prime has an impressive list of comedies, animated features, and documentaries, the platform is also loaded with a plethora of action flicks. They're continuing to grow their catalog as far as original movies in the genre go, and they also host an impressive list containing some of the greatest action films ever made. Additionally, Amazon Prime is home to some amazing hidden gems that you may not have heard of but definitely need to give a watch. We've compiled a list of the 30 best action movies this month on Amazon Prime to save you time from scrolling through their lengthy library. We've only included the best of the best, so take a peek and find your next movie night selection.

Updated on December 22, 2021: When it comes to movies with car chases, fist fights, and insane stunts, Amazon Prime is constantly changing its catalog. In order to keep things current, we'll be updating this list each month so you can stay informed on all the crazy action happening over on Amazon Prime.

Based on the real-life events surrounding the 1980 siege of the Iranian Embassy in London, "6 Days" follows the story of the six-day stand-off to save the hostages inside the building. The film details the different vantage points of three different players in the siege: a Special Air Services corporal, a BBC reporter, and a Metropolitan Police officer. Each has different ideas on how the situation should be handled, each with their own motives, and the result is a white-knuckle action pic and an intense look at a true story.

• Starring: Jamie Bell, Abbie Cornish, Mark Strong
• Director: Toa Fraser
• Year: 2017
• Runtime: 94 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%

This 1978 Hong Kong flick is known by other names, including "The Master Killer," "Shaolin Master Killer," and "Shao Lin San Shi Liu Fang." This tremendous martial arts movie follows the story of Sao Te, who takes a stand against a villainous general who's taken over his town. Wanting to protect himself, his family, and other locals, Sao Te leaves his village to become a master of kung fu, so he can come back and take a stand against the Manchu government. With some fun training sequences and a great lead performance by Gordon Liu (who played multiple parts in "Kill Bill"), this is a kung fu classic that you have to check out.

• Starring: Gordon Liu, Lo Lieh, Wong Yue
• Director: Chia-Liang Liu
• Year: 1978
• Runtime: 112 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90% (Audience Score)

From the always great duo of Jesse V. Johnson and Scott Adkins, "Accident Man" puts a sociopathic assassin at the front of this fun, little thriller. Adkins plays Mike Fallon, a hit man who lives up to the film's title by arranging all his crimes to look like, you guessed it, accidents. But when the one person in the world that Fallon actually cares about winds up dead, he decides to use his murderous powers for good and track down her killers. As he digs deeper and deeper, he realizes there's a conspiracy afoot, and soon, he must go toe to toe with his own colleagues — a colorful cast that includes a seductress with a samurai sword, two Special Ops psychos, and a rage monster with an ax. In other words, watching Fallon roundhouse kick his way through the world of assassins is an absolute blast.

• Starring: Scott Adkins, Ray Stevenson, Michael Jai White
• Director: Jesse V. Johnson
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 105 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 83%

When it comes to making movies, Mel Gibson loves two things — having his actors speak in non-English languages and featuring tons of gore. Both of his passions are on full display in "Apocalypto," a chase movie set in the gorgeous yet brutal jungles of Mexico.

The film follows a group of Mesoamerican villagers going about their peaceful lives, when they're attacked by a Mayan raiding party. Our hero, Jaguar Paw, is captured and next in line for the religious chopping block. But he makes a break for it and does his best to escape his bloodthirsty pursuers, hoping to get back home to rescue his stranded family.

While Gibson's films can be controversial, the action here is impeccable. As Jaguar Paw makes his way through the jungle, Mayan warriors in pursuit, you'll be sitting on the edge of your seat as he sets traps, dodges big cats, and faces every obstacle nature can throw at him.

• Starring: Rudy Youngblood, Dalia Hernandez, Raoul Max Trujillo
• Director: Mel Gibson
• Year: 2006
• Runtime: 137 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

Lieutenant Commander Annibal Ramirez is captured by Mossad accidentally, as he bears a striking resemblance to notorious terrorist Carlos the Jackal. Soon after, his life gets even more complicated when the CIA recruits him to impersonate Carlos in an effort to capture the villain, and Annibal is trained to act just like him. The mission is a dangerous one as Annibal is conflicted with carrying it out and worries about being discovered at every turn. With its impressive cast, stylish action, and intelligent plot, this is one assignment you won't want to skip.

• Starring: Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland, Ben Kingsley
• Director: Christian Duguay
• Year: 1997
• Runtime: 119 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%

Based on the Old English poem we all had to read in school, "Beowulf" is a very specific type of movie — an animated action flick for adults. Thanks to its use of motion capture, the result is a truly unique film where Ray Winstone is strangely jacked, Angelina Jolie is both gold and naked, and Crispin Glover is even more bonkers than usual. And it's all coming from the directorial mind of Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit") and a fantastical screenplay by the otherworldly Neil Gaiman. While there's definitely some uncanny valley stuff happening here, the film does put an interesting spin on the classic tale, and if you enjoy a good monster fight, this one has more than its fair, bloody share.

• Starring: Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Year: 2007
• Runtime: 114 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

After the MacManus brothers accidentally kill a group of gangsters in Boston, they're released from jail and hailed as heroes. Happy with what they've done, the brothers become vigilantes, taking out dangerous criminals across the city. As the police track the men, the lead detective finds himself conflicting with capturing them or joining them. To say critics hated "The Boondock Saints" would be an understatement, but the film became an instant cult classic with a fanbase that loyally defends it, largely thanks to the bonkers action and wild performances.

• Starring: Norman Reedus, Sean Patrick Flannery, Willem Dafoe
• Director: Troy Duffy
• Year: 1999
• Runtime: 108 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28%

Colton MacReady finds himself in possession of a flash drive after he rescues his niece from a dangerous drug cartel. Now, that cartel is out for blood as they try and track down the mysterious drive, putting Colton and his family in imminent danger. He must do whatever it takes to protect those he loves while keeping the drive from making its way back to the criminals who seek it. Seriously, this movie is proof that Scott Adkins should be an A-list action hero. If for no other reason, watch it for the man's combat prowess.

• Starring: Scott Adkins, Nick Chinlund, Caitlin Keats
• Director: Isaac Florentine
• Year: 2015
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• Rating: 18+
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Set in 1966 Vietnam, "Danger Close" finds a group of Australian and New Zealand soldiers on the run while being hunted by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. Only 108 strong, the group of young and inexperienced men must fend off over 2,500 enemies. Based on the incredible true story of the young ANZAC heroes, "Danger Close" gives remarkable insight into a historical event often overlooked.

• Starring: Travis Fimmel, Luke Bracey, Daniel Webber
• Director: Kriv Stenders
• Year: 2019
• Runtime: 118 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

"The Debt Collector" finds a British martial artist named French in serious trouble. He's strapped for cash and about to lose his dojo, so he agrees to take a job working as a, you guessed it, debt collector.

As he chases down people behind on their payments and does battle with those who aren't exactly willing to cough up the dough, he also has to learn to get along with his new partner, Sue, an ex-boxer who's been in the debt collecting business a long time. Sue knows that to survive this line of work, you've got to keep your head down, collect your cash, and move on. Don't get too concerned about things like "right" or "wrong." But when the two are sent off on a very suspicious job, they must decide whether they should follow their code or their consciences.

• Starring: Scott Adkins, Louis Mandylor, Tony Todd
• Director: Jesse V. Johnson
• Year: 2018
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

When NYPD officer John McClane shows up at an office holiday party to meet his estranged wife, he soon realizes he's at the wrong place at the wrong time. Things go haywire when German terrorists — led by the cruel yet charismatic Hans Gruber — take over the building and take everyone hostage ... except John. With a gun in one hand and no shoes on his feet, McClane declares a one-man war on Gruber and his goons, hoping to end the fearful night with one wisecrack after another. "Die Hard" launched an entire franchise of films, but fans should never forget where it all started — right here in Nakatomi Plaza.

• Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia
• Director: John McTiernan
• Year: 1988
• Runtime: 132 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

John McClane is back — this time at ​​Washington's Dulles International Airport, where he waits for his wife to fly in. It's another case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time as a drug kingpin arrives in custody at the airport, and soon enough, the entire facility is overrun by his cronies. And with the airport's landing system compromised, all planes in the air — including the one John's wife is on — are running low on fuel and have nowhere to land. Of course, it's nothing one NYPD detective can't handle.

• Starring: Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, William Sadler
• Director: Renny Harlin
• Year: 1990
• Runtime: 124 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%

When drug lord Tian Ming crashes his car, he's taken into police custody and forced to aid the department in ending the local trafficking ring. If he doesn't help, the leader will find himself on death row. Tian agrees to go undercover and betrays his gang, but he ends up making a shocking decision that affects the entire outcome of the sting. The action here is intelligent, sophisticated, and poetic, and it's a great introduction to the amazing director that is Johnnie To.

• Starring: Louis Koo, Honglei Sun, Huang Yi
• Director: Johnnie To
• Year: 2012
• Runtime: 106 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Expert Chinese martial artist Chen Zhen finds himself on the road to vengeance after members of a Japanese dojo murder his sifu. The bodies start to pile up as a relentless Chen stops at nothing to honor his mentor's legacy. "Fist of Fury" marked the second major motion picture for Bruce Lee and came just one year before his devastating death. And honestly, it's one of his very best flicks and features the greatest "one dude against a ton of bad guys" fight scenes ever put to film.

• Starring: Bruce Lee, Riki Hashimoto, James Tien
• Director: Lo Wei
• Year: 1972
• Runtime: 106 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

A getaway driver finds himself being hunted down in Mexico after he's stolen over $2 million. He ends up in the El Pueblito prison, where he's dubbed "the Gringo." In order to survive and get away with his cash, the driver must enlist the help of a local 10-year-old boy, who seems to have some sort of immunity among the dangerous inmates ... but for a truly disturbing reason. The result is a lot of pulpy, violent fun as "Get the Gringo" plays like the very best kind of B-movie. (This is available with IMDb TV, which is free with ads.)

• Starring: Mel Gibson, Kevin Balmore Hernande, Daniel Giménez Cacho
• Director: Adrian Grunberg
• Year: 2012
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

Miles lives his life in comments sections on the internet, insulting those who put dangerous content on the web. But one day, he's suddenly kidnapped and thrust into a real-life game where criminals fight to the death as an online audience watches on. Miles has two large pistols bolted to his hands, and he must fight with all his might to protect his ex-girlfriend, who gets caught up in the shuffle. Note: This movie is not for those with queasy stomachs, as critics slammed it for its high gore content. But if you like your action films bloody, well, you're definitely in luck.

• Starring: Danielle Radcliffe, Samara Weaving, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
• Director: Jason Lei Howden
• Year: 2019
• Runtime: 97 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 51%

When the local police are no help in finding the people responsible for the death of someone he cares about, the elderly Harry Brown makes it his mission to bring justice to the culprits. And as a retired Royal Marine, Harry is not one to be messed with. "Harry Brown" is a solid watch for fans of Michael Caine. And if you only know him from the latter stage of his career, you'll enjoy seeing him play someone a little more ruthless than usual. But if you're more familiar with his films from the '70s — like the gangster classic "Get Carter" — you'll get to witness a nice return to form from Caine.

• Starring: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Liam Cunningham
• Director: Daniel Barber
• Year: 2009
• Runtime: 103 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%

Guillermo del Toro loves him some monsters — something he showed in the original "Hellboy." But in the sequel, "The Golden Army," del Toro takes his mythological moviemaking to the next level, diving deep into a world of fairies, elves, and trolls.

In this 2008 superhero flick, Prince Nuada — an elf with an axe to grind — declares war on humankind. Naturally, everybody's favorite demon, Hellboy, has something to say about this, and he wades into a fantastical war, hoping to prevent the prince from unleashing an invincible army. Of course, that's easier said than done, especially since Hellboy is having some drama with his girlfriend, Liz, and his BFF (best fish friend) is falling in love with Prince Nuada's sister.

Ron Perlman has an absolute blast as the titular hero, and Doug Jones really shines as Abe Sapien. But the real MVPs here are the creatures. The makeup and effects are unparalleled, and we get a fascinating glimpse into del Toro's mind as he introduces us to a forest god, tooth fairies, and the Angel of Death.

• Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones
• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Year: 2008
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

The immortal Connor MacLeod was born in Scotland in 1518, and he quickly discovers he can only die if he's beheaded. Taken under the wing of fellow immortal Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, he learns how to become a master swordsman. Honing his craft across the centuries, Connor ends up in 1985 New York to battle against cruel immortal Kurgan. The victor receives "the Prize" — the power of all the immortals who've ever lived. In other words, this pure '80s goodness, complete with a killer soundtrack from Queen, insanely campy performances, and several awesome swordfights.

• Starring: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown
• Director: Russell Mulcahy
• Year: 1986
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 69%

In this action-thriller, Joel Kinnaman plays Pete Koslow, an FBI informant who was formerly a special operations soldier. While working with the organization, Pete has to take down the Polish mafia's drug trade in New York City. But his mission takes a drastic turn when an NYPD cop winds up dead, and he's persuaded by the agency to go back to the prison where he previously served time for manslaughter. Pete must now take down the Polish drug cartel from the inside, as things take one drastic turn after another.

• Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen
• Director: Andrea Di Stefano
• Year: 2019
• Runtime: 113 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%

Tom Cruise made himself synonymous with "action star" when he kickstarted one of the all-time film franchises with "Mission: Impossible." Inspired by the popular TV show, this action-packed thriller finds Cruise as Ethan Hunt, a highly skilled member of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). With lifelike masks and some incredible tech, no one can stop the IMF ... well ... until a mission goes very wrong, leaving Hunt as the sole survivor. Framed as a traitor, our hero goes on the run, searching for answers that lead to one of the coolest heist scenes in Hollywood history — Hunt dangling from a wire while hacking a CIA computer and desperately trying to avoid the world's most sensitive motion detectors.

• Cast: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart
• Director: Brian De Palma
• Year: 1996
• Runtime: 110 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

While it's undoubtedly the black sheep of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, "Mission: Impossible 2" starts off with a shaggy-haired Ethan Hunt going free solo on the side of a cliff. And it only gets more amazing from there as our favorite spy finds himself involved in the hunt for a deadly biological weapon.

And how does it get more amazing? Well, the film was directed by John Woo, the Hong Kong legend who brought us classics like "Hard Boiled" and "Face/Off." Here, the man injects his signature style into the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, complete with slo-mo, flying doves, and wild gunfights. Does it live up to the other installments? Perhaps not. Is it still awesome? Yeah, definitely.

• Starring: Tom Cruise, Thandiwe Newton, Dougray Scott
• Director: John Woo
• Year: 2000
• Runtime: 123 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%

In the third "Mission: Impossible" film, Ethan Hunt is just trying to live a normal, peaceful life. But come on, there's no way this guy can stay out of the field for long. When supervillain Owen Davian attempts to get his greedy hands on the weapon to end all weapons, our boy is forced to come out of retirement ... but things get incredibly dangerous when his new wife is dragged into the mission.

It's here that the "Mission: Impossible" franchise really starts building its core group of characters. Ving Rhames returns as hacker extraordinaire Luther Stickell, and Simon Pegg makes his first appearance as tech wizard Benji Dunn. But the star of the show is Philip Seymour Hoffman as Davian, who brings genuine menace to the role, creating possibly the scariest villain in the entire franchise.

• Starring: Tom Cruise, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michelle Monaghan
• Director: J.J. Abrams
• Year: 2006
• Runtime: 126 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

"Ghost Protocol" really established the blueprint for the perfect "Mission: Impossible" movie. And at the center of said blueprint? A truly incredible stunt.

Granted, the previous "M:I" movies all featured great action scenes, with Tom Cruise doing all sorts of crazy stuff. But the fourth installment raised the bar, putting Ethan Hunt on the side of the Burj Khalifa. Sure, the plot is a whole lot of fun too, with Ethan and his new IMF team — joined by a suspicious newcomer who looks a lot like Clint Barton — forced to go off the grid when the government turns its back on our heroes. And there are plenty of amazing sequences, from a Russian prison break to a car chase in a sand storm. But without a doubt, the main attraction is watching Cruise climb up the side of the world's tallest building.

• Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton
• Director: Brad Bird
• Year: 2011
• Runtime: 133 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

In "Predator," an insanely jacked veteran by the name of Dutch is sent on a mission to Guatemala to help recover a trapped group of politicians. Upon arrival, Dutch and his team realize something is amiss after they discover dead body after dead body. Soon enough, these elite soldiers find themselves on the run, hunted by a super strong extraterrestrial being with the ability to render itself invisible. The original flick spawned five sequels, none of which are as great as the '87 film, which does a fantastic job of combining action, science fiction, and slasher horror.

• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura
• Director: John McTiernan
• Year: 1987
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

Bryan Mills is a retired CIA agent whose daughter is abducted by human traffickers while traveling in France. Using all of the skills he acquired while on the job, Bryan makes it his mission to bring his daughter home safely, but with her soon to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, time is of the essence. Audiences loved the 2008 film so much that it spawned two sequels, and while neither were as good as the original, the first film is an awesome thriller that turned Liam Neeson into a bona fide action star.

• Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen
• Director: Pierre Morel
• Year: 2008
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%

Expertly blending sci-fi, horror, and action into one thrilling package, "The Terminator" is the film that turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into a superstar. Plus, it gave us one of cinema's most quotable lines: "I'll be back." As for the plot, waitress Sarah Connor finds she's on a futuristic hit list when a cyborg from 2029 shows up to put a bullet in her head. Turns out, in the future, machines will wage war against man, and Sarah's future son will be the leader humanity needs to win. So here comes the Terminator, looking to even the playing field. Fortunately, Sarah's future son has sent back a guardian to keep her safe, but are two mere mortals enough to stop the never-ending rampage of the T-800? Playing like a slasher film with machine guns, "The Terminator" is an '80s classic that's required viewing for all action fans.

• Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn
• Director: James Cameron
• Year: 1984
• Runtime: 107 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

In the annals of Old West history, there's no tale more thrilling than the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The legendary shootout has inspired countless films, but perhaps the most fun of the bunch is "Tombstone."

This 1993 Western recounts the meeting of lawman Wyatt Earp and gambler Doc Holliday as they police the streets of Tombstone, Arizona, and do battle with the notorious Cowboys gang. Needless to say, it all leads up to a spectacular showdown and a back-and-forth of bloody revenge. Come for the shootouts, stay for the impressive facial hair and Val Kilmer's defining performance as the coughing, killing dentist. Trust us, this movie is your Huckleberry.

• Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott
• Director: George P. Cosmatos
• Year: 1993
• Runtime: 127 minutes
• Rating: R
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%

An Amazon original, "The Tomorrow War," is one of 2021's best sci-fi flicks. When time-travelers from the future reveal that the world is about to succumb to an alien invasion, they enlist help from soldiers from the present to fight the war 30 years away. It's no easy task as the new soldiers travel to the future, and they must fight this deadly species in order to save those they love still in the past. If you're looking for something to fill the "Edge of Tomorrow"-shaped hole in your heart, this one might do the trick.

• Starring: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons
• Director: Chris McKay
• Year: 2021
• Runtime: 138 minutes
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 52%

"Train to Busan" is the perfect blend of horror and action — so perfect that it's a thrilling ride even for moviegoers who are sick and tired of zombie flicks.

The plot follows a divorced businessman who spends more time worrying about his work than his daughter. So no wonder she'd rather spend her birthday with her mom. Of course, that requires our distracted dad to take his kid on a train ride to the city of Busan ... and along the way, the world falls apart. Thanks to a deadly outbreak, the undead are on the attack. They're fast, they're hungry, and they're on the train. But as an everyday trip becomes a fight for survival, not only must our hero learn to become a better father, he must also learn to put aside his selfish, cynical worldview to help his fellow passengers survive.

And yeah, that one dude is from "Squid Game," that other guy is from "Parasite," the big lovable bruiser is from "Eternals," and the director made the Netflix series "Hellbound."

• Starring: Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Choi Woo-shik
• Director: Yeon Sang-ho
• Year: 2016
• Runtime: 117 minutes
• Rating: NR
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%