Looking to sit down and enjoy a relatable protagonist’s epic quest? That’s what you will get in action and adventure movies! You’ll be swept up in this kind of adventure as well as the fast-paced action that comes in an action movie, where the dramatic thrills and explosions hide a compelling story of survival. We’ve gone beyond our typical rankings, here, and bring you a list of the best action and adventure movies that really are like no other. this curation of blockbuster hits and public favourites will help you pick the ones you definitely should see.
This article puts the spotlight on the top 10 films that deliver on every front, from heart-pounding action to gripping narratives. At Compare TV, we meticulously searched the streaming world to create these reviews so that you can stream the most impactful and exciting action and adventure movies Australia has to offer. In the mood for a new release or a classic hit? You’ll find your next obsession here.
What are the best action and adventure movies to watch now?
As we built this definitive movie list, we went beyond just personal opinion – our focus involves a careful process of research and analysis and our ranking relies on the opinions of viewers in online channels, social media, discussions, and a wide range of audience data. All of this helps us understand what movies are truly resonating right now, and we also factor in what’s trending, ensuring our guide is as current and relevant as possible.
We’ve then coupled this ranking with the essential details every movie lover needs. Here you’ll find that each entry includes the film’s title, director, cast, and genre. It more than this though, as we offer a synopsis and its runtime. We also specify the streaming service where you can find it, so you can immediately see where your next big-screen adventure is waiting to be streamed.

Nobody
Action •Thriller •Crime •Drama •Mystery •Adventure
Overview
Hutch Mansell, a suburban dad, overlooked husband, nothing neighbor — a “nobody.” When two thieves break into his home one night, Hutch’s unknown long-simmering rage is ignited and propels him on a brutal path that will uncover dark secrets he fought to leave behind.
Director
Ilya Naishuller
Cast
Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Aleksey Serebryakov, RZA
Duration
93 minutes

Dune: Part Two
Sci-fi •Adventure •Action •Drama
Overview
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Cast
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler
Duration
167 minutes

Back to the Future
Comedy •Sci-fi •Action •Adventure
Overview
Eighties teenager Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955, inadvertently disrupting his parents’ first meeting and attracting his mother’s romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by rekindling his parents’ romance and – with the help of his eccentric inventor friend Doc Brown – return to 1985.
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Cast
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson
Duration
116 minutes

Children of Men
Sci-fi •Thriller •Drama •Mystery •Action •Adventure
Overview
In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child’s birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.
Director
Alfonso Cuarón
Cast
Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Duration
109 minutes

Gladiator II
Action •Adventure •Drama
Overview
Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Director
Ridley Scott
Cast
Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn
Duration
148 minutes

Bullet Train
Action •Comedy •Thriller •Mystery •Adventure
Overview
Unlucky assassin Ladybug is determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train.
Director
David Leitch
Cast
Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji
Duration
127 minutes

Top Gun
Action •Adventure •Drama
Overview
For Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell and his friend and co-pilot Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw, being accepted into an elite training school for fighter pilots is a dream come true. But a tragedy, as well as personal demons, will threaten Pete’s dreams of becoming an ace pilot.
Director
Tony Scott
Cast
Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, Tom Skerritt
Duration
110 minutes

Hummingbird
Thriller •Mystery •Action •Adventure
Overview
Homeless and on the run from a military court martial, a damaged ex-special forces soldier navigating London’s criminal underworld seizes an opportunity to assume another man’s identity, transforming into an avenging angel in the process.
Director
Steven Knight
Cast
Jason Statham, Agata Buzek, Vicky McClure, Victoria Bewick, Michelle Lee
Duration
100 minutes

The Mummy
Adventure •Action •Fantasy
Overview
Dashing legionnaire Rick O’Connell stumbles upon the hidden ruins of Hamunaptra while in the midst of a battle to claim the area in 1920s Egypt. It has been over three thousand years since former High Priest Imhotep suffered a fate worse than death as a punishment for a forbidden love—along with a curse that guarantees eternal doom upon the world if he is ever awoken.
Director
Stephen Sommers
Cast
Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Patricia Velásquez
Duration
120 minutes

Spider-Man
Action •Sci-fi •Adventure
Overview
After being bitten by a genetically altered spider at Oscorp, nerdy but endearing high school student Peter Parker is endowed with amazing powers to become the superhero known as Spider-Man.
Director
Sam Raimi
Cast
Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson
Duration
121 minutes
Frequently asked questions
A perfect blend of high-octane sequences and thrilling journeys, yes, those are included action movies, which get your heart racing with intense fight scenes, epic chases, tense meetings between protagonists and antagonists, and explosions. An adventure movie, by contrast, is all about the excitement of a quest, exploration, or survival against the odds, and these combine to give us action and adventure movies.
We try to line up legendary classics, the popular, must-see films that are recently released and many kinds of – action and adventure movies – that’s because while we respect the iconic movies that shaped the genre, we also know you’re looking for what’s trending now. But remember that our list constantly changes, so you won’t miss the greatest and best.
Without a doubt – viewers find that every single movie on our list is available to stream in Australia, so you can start watching right away. And to make this even easier, we check the major streaming platforms and include where you can watch each movie. Now, you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying.
It’s not difficult at all. Right here, in this guide, we reveal exactly which service hosts each film, but you can always use our website to search for other titles. We’ve created a universal guide to streaming in Australia that helps you find shows and movies across multiple platforms in one go.
Yes, definitely! We include a variety of films that appeal to a wide audience, and that includes younger viewers. Even though some of these movies contain intense action, check the list to discover titles that are perfect for a family movie night and keep an eye out for the synopsis for clues on which one is right for you.
With characters overcoming physical obstacles and antagonists through stunts and intense sequences, action movies are generally focused on conflict. But adventure films unfold with the character’s journey taking centre stage. Protagonists often venture to a new place, with the excitement coming from exploration and discovery. This list combines both of these genres.
Everyone has a go-to favourite! The list we curate, however, reflects public opinions and those trending movies that have critical acclaim, rather than a personal opinion. We provide an objective, data-driven guide to the movies most people are watching and loving, and we’re confident you’ll find a new favourite here – so don’t forget to check our list.
In the streaming world, audience opinions are evolving and sequels are waiting to be released, so absolutely, this list is constantly updated. And as new movies hit streaming services and public sentiment shifts, we’ll refresh our rankings to ensure we’re always providing you with the most current and relevant guide. Be sure to check back for updates.