Best On Netflix

The 17 Action Movies on Netflix with the Highest Rotten Tomatoes Scores

By Brett White @brettwhite

Published March 12, 2019, 8:30 a.m. ET

photo collage of BLACK PANTHER THE LAST JEDI THE TERMINATOR — Get your adrenaline pumping with these critically-acclaimed action movies on Netflix.Photos: Everett Collection ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

THE TERMINATOR, Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1984. ©Orion Pictures Corporation/Courtesy Everett Collection — **The Terminator**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
This cyberpunk thriller changed the action movie genre forever when it hit theaters in 1984. James Cameron's low-budget vision of a post-apocalyptic future spawned one of the biggest franchises in movie history, spawned hundreds of imitators, and turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into a household name. *The Terminator* is the perfect blend of the thriller and sci-fi genres.
[Stream *The Terminator* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

**Black Panther**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This Marvel blockbuster introduced the world to Wakanda, an isolationist African nation with hyper advanced technology and a noble warrior king. Chadwick Boseman heads up an all-star cast (Michael B. Jordan! Lupita Nyong'o! Angela Bassett! Forest Whitaker!) in this game-changing superhero movie. Not only did *Black Panther* dominate the box office and inspire an entire generation or two, it also won Marvel Studios its first ever Oscars.
[Stream *Black Panther* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

THE HURT LOCKER, Jeremy Renner, 2008. ©Summit Entertainment/courtesy Everett Collection — **The Hurt Locker**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This Best Picture winner details the dangerous job carried out by an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team during the Iraq War. Director Kathryn Bigelow injected plenty of real world intensity into this gripping action/drama, enough that you'll think you're watching a gritty documentary. The film stars pre-Marvel Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, as well as Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce.
[Stream *The Hurt Locker* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, (aka WO HU CANG LONG), Michelle Yeoh, 2000. ©Sony Pictures Classics/courtesy Everett Collection — **Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
This martial arts film became an international sensation back in 2001, becoming one of the very few action movies to score a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. *Crouching Tiger* also turned Michelle Yeoh into a superstar, an honor she still enjoys today thanks to the success of *Crazy Rich Asians* and *Star Trek: Discovery*. Known for it's breathtaking cinematography and pulse-pounding fight sequences, *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* is a cinematic experience that has to be seen to be believed.
[Stream *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

JAWS, front, from left: Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, 1975 — **Jaws**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Steven Spielberg invented the blockbuster film in 1975 with the release of *Jaws*, a massive movie phenomenon unlike any in film history up to that point. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw star as three men taking on the unenviable task of tracking and killing a great white shark that's taking a bite out of New England beachgoers. With its mix of suspense and special effects, *Jaws* defined what a summer movie is.
[Stream *Jaws* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

GOLDFINGER, Sean Connery, 1964 — **Goldfinger**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
The best-reviewed James Bond movie, *Goldfinger* drops Sean Connery's 007 into an intricate gold-smuggling plot and finds him at odds with the dastardly Auric Goldfinger. This is the third film in the James Bond franchise, but it's the first that could be considered a true blockbuster (at least in the 1964 sense) thanks to its huge budget and even bigger box office receipts.
[Stream *Goldfinger* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, Sean Connery, 1963. — **From Russia with Love**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
1962's *From Russia with Love* is the rare sequel that was an even bigger success than the franchise-starter. The second James Bond film ups the action as Connery faces off against a SPECTRE assassin played by *Jaws'* Robert Shaw.
[Stream *From Russia with Love* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

DR. NO, from left: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, 1962 — **Dr. No**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
And finally, here's the third Connery-era Bond film on the list, the one that started it all. 1962's *Dr. No* introduced audiences to Sean Connery's devilishly handsome and dangerously competent super spy, and cinema was never the same again. The disappearance of a fellow agent sends Bond to Jamaica where he uncovers a nefarious plot by the mad Dr. No.
[Stream *Dr. No* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

**April and the Extraordinary World**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
This animated steampunk adventure from the producers behind *Persepolis* and based on the work of graphic novelist Jacques Tardi. In an alternate reality version of 1940s Paris, a young woman named April works to complete her parents' scientific research-research that was interrupted by their abduction. Now April's on the run from scheming adversaries that want to corrupt her family's work.
[Stream *April and the Extraordinary World* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

ENTER THE DRAGON, Bruce Lee, 1973 ETD 001CP MOVIESTORE COLLECTION(12515) — **Enter the Dragon**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Bruce Lee's most iconic role is now available to stream on Netflix! The film cemented Lee's status as the king of martial arts movies and one of-if not *the*-greatest action movie star of the 20th century, but the hit film would also be the last movie Lee completed before his tragic death. In *Enter the Dragon*, Lee plays a martial artist working undercover to expose a wealthy narcotics dealer.
[Stream *Enter the Dragon* on Netflix]Photo: Everett Collection

Hero, Jet Li — **Hero**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
As for modern martial arts movies, you can't go wrong with Jet Li's action epic *Hero*. Jet Li plays Nameless, a peerless swordsman and martial arts master with vengeance in his heart. The film also features Donnie Yen, who would later get his own hugely successful martial arts franchise *Ip Man* and would then appear in *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story*.
[Stream *Hero* on Netflix]Photo: Netflix

TRAIN TO BUSAN, (aka BUSANHAENG), GONG Yoo, holding KIM Soo-Ahn, 2016. © Well Go USA Entertainment /Courtesy Everett Collection — **Train to Busan**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
South Korea's *Train to Busan* earned rave reviews back in 2016 thanks to its deft mix of engrossing social commentary and gross zombie violence. For the passengers of this cross-country train, the timing of the zombie apocalypse couldn't be any worse (but then again, when is a good time for a zombie apocalypse?). Watch as trains passengers try to get from point A to point B without becoming brain-hungry monsters along the way.
[Stream *Train to Busan* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, 1981. ©Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection — **Raiders of the Lost Ark**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Harrison Ford added another iconic character to his resume with the release of *Raiders of the Lost Ark* in 1981. Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' throwback to Depression-era action/adventure serials and the pulp heroes of World War II delighted fans and critics alike, creating one of the all-time greatest characters in pop culture. In Indiana Jones' debut film, the daring archaeologist goes in search of the lost Ark of the Covenant-and he punches Nazis along the way!
[Stream *Raiders of the Lost Ark* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

CASINO ROYALE, Daniel Craig as James Bond, 2006. ph: Jay Maidment/©Sony Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection — **Casino Royale**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Daniel Craig kicked off his James Bond career in 2006 with this back-to-basics approach to 007. Gone were the over-the-top shenanigans that defined Pierce Brosnan's '90s run as Bond. Craig's version was a rough and tumble brawler, one that still looked great in a suit (as well as a swimsuit). This was a darker, leaner, and meaner Bond, one that pushed the franchise into the 21st century.
[Stream *Casino Royale* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

THE WILD BUNCH, Ben Johnson, Warren Oates, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, 1969. — **The Wild Bunch**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
This vintage western flick tells the tale of an aging group of outlaws coming together to pull off one final score before going into retirement. The film stars William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, and Robert Ryan and became a big hit with audiences in the waning days of the western's original glory period.
[Stream *The Wild Bunch* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

THOR: RAGNAROK, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, 2017. © Marvel / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection — **Thor: Ragnarok**
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Director Taika Waititi took the Marvel Cinematic Universe on a truly wild ride in the third *Thor* film. The movie, which pairs the God of Thunder with the incredible Hulk and the already drunk Valkyrie, owes way more to '80s action comedies like *Big Trouble in Little China* than any superhero film. Thor's quest to return to Asgard and save his home realm from the clutches of his totally evil sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) is complicated by his meddling brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and the flamboyant Gamesmaster (Jeff Goldblum).
[Stream *Thor: Ragnarok* on Netflix] Photo: Everett Collection

Where to Stream:

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Best On Netflix

11 Best New Shows on Netflix: July 2024's Top Upcoming Series to Watch

11 Best New Movies on Netflix: July 2024's Freshest Films to Watch

11 Best New Movies on Netflix: June 2024's Freshest Films to Watch

11 Best New Shows on Netflix: June 2024's Top Upcoming Series to Watch

Who doesn’t love a good action movie? If you’re looking for the ultimate entertainment, few things beat watching charismatic do-gooders defy the odds and win the day. Some of the most iconic characters in pop culture are action heroes, characters ranging from Indiana Jones and The Terminator to James Bond and Black Panther. If you’re into super spies and superheroes, then Netflix has the goods.

In addition OG blockbusters like Jaws and mega franchises like James Bond, Marvel, and Indiana Jones, Netflix also has a wide selection of Oscar-worthy adventure flicks (The Hurt Locker) and iconic martial arts movies (Enter the Dragon). They even have Oscar-worthy martial arts movies (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)! In addition to films that were essential viewing for modern movie audiences, movies like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Black Panther, Netflix is also home to acclaimed international action movies just waiting to blow you away (like April and the Extraordinary World and Train to Busan).

What else can you stream on Netflix when you’re in the mood for an adrenaline rush? Check out the gallery above for a list of the 17 action movies on Netflix with the highest Rotten Tomatoes scores.

Stream Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Netflix