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Best Action Thriller Movies to Watch

By Robert Reeve

28 Days Later

Suspense. Excitement. Action. Thriller movies give us scenes where every choice has a consequence and every moment counts. The genre combines strategic plotting with relentless momentum. So, looking for an engaging cinematic experience? Compare TV has expertly compiled 10 best action thriller movies that offer suspense and fast-paced momentum. What made our list were cunning spy thrillers, high-stakes heist thrillers, raw survival thrillers, and more.

Viewer opinions and what is currently trending are two factors that help us provide a clear and credible guide. This list of the top 10 best action thriller movies helps you navigate what's on offer. Discover films that will truly hold your attention and find where you can start streaming them for your next suspenseful night in.

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What are the best action thriller movies to watch now?

A factual approach is what we follow when picking these movies, plus, we give you all the details needed for a transparent review. But how else did we choose them? We created this list of the best 10 action thriller movies by reflecting on the opinion of viewers and what’s currently trending in online communities - we carefully examine audience ratings and take note on what films are frequently chosen to be streamed.

In looking at these elements, we identify action thriller movies that have received positive reviews from critics and are also resonating with today's audience. And from the genre and the cast to the streaming service where it's available and the title, as well as a concise synopsis, the director, and its runtime, we cover everything needed to help you choose.

1
Rank: #21

28 Days Later

Horror •Sci-fi •Drama •Mystery •Thriller

Overview

Twenty-eight days after a killer virus was accidentally unleashed from a British research facility, a small group of London survivors are caught in a desperate struggle to protect themselves from the infected. Carried by animals and humans, the virus turns those it infects into homicidal maniacs -- and it's absolutely impossible to contain.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Danny Boyle

Cast

Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston

Duration

118 minutes

1
Rank: #21
2
Rank: #25

Joker

Crime •Thriller •Drama •Mystery

Overview

During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Todd Phillips

Cast

Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen

Duration

122 minutes

2
Rank: #25
3
Rank: #40

Force of Nature: The Dry 2

Mystery •Thriller •Crime

Overview

When five women take part in a corporate hiking retreat and only four come out on the other side, Federal Agents Aaron Falk and Carmen Cooper head deep into the Victorian mountain ranges to investigate in the hopes of finding their whistle-blowing informant, Alice Russell, alive.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Robert Connolly

Cast

Eric Bana, Anna Torv, Deborra-Lee Furness, Robin McLeavy, Sisi Stringer

Duration

112 minutes

3
Rank: #40
4
Rank: #46

Platoon

War •Drama •Action •Adventure

Overview

As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Oliver Stone

Cast

Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker, Tom Berenger

Duration

120 minutes

4
Rank: #46
5
Rank: #55

Drive

Drama •Action •Adventure •Mystery •Thriller •Crime

Overview

Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene and her young son, Benicio. When Irene's husband gets out of jail, he enlists Driver's help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Nicolas Winding Refn

Cast

Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac

Duration

100 minutes

5
Rank: #55
6
Rank: #58

The Batman

Action •Adventure •Crime •Drama •Mystery •Thriller

Overview

In his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a serial killer known as the Riddler.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Matt Reeves

Cast

Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro

Duration

169 minutes

6
Rank: #58
7
Rank: #60

Logan Lucky

Comedy •Crime •Drama •Action •Adventure

Overview

Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy and Clyde Logan set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Cast

Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Daniel Craig, Katie Holmes

Duration

114 minutes

7
Rank: #60
8
Rank: #63

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Fantasy •Drama •Action •Adventure

Overview

Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Peter Jackson

Cast

Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean

Duration

171 minutes

8
Rank: #63
9
Rank: #65

The Revenant

Adventure •Western •Action •Drama

Overview

In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

VideoPlay video: Video

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck

Duration

157 minutes

9
Rank: #65
10
Rank: #67

Se7en

Crime •Mystery •Thriller •Drama

Overview

Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the "seven deadly sins" in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Somerset researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer's mind, while his novice partner, Mills, scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.

Director

David Fincher

Cast

Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey, R. Lee Ermey

Duration

127 minutes

10
Rank: #67

Frequently asked questions

What makes a film an action thriller?

A relentless race against time. High-stakes scenes. Suspense. These are the key elements of action thrillers. A gripping plot drives the action, and typically the hero must overcome dangerous challenges. Protagonists also need to outsmart cunning opponents, and navigate a world where a single mistake can be fatal.

How is this list different from a general list of action movies?

In our list, we focus on films that combine the physical spectacle of action with the psychological tension of a thriller. Even though a pure action film might be all about the stunts, we left nothing out. For instance, we highlight movies where the suspense and plot twists are just as important, if not more important, as the explosions.

What are the main types of action thrillers?

Several key sub-genres feature in this genre and our expert list. Spy thrillers, for instance, involve espionage and deception, often with political stakes. Heist thrillers, on the other hand, reveal a plot in which there's a complex plan to successfully pull off a major crime, with every step raising the tension. And a survival thriller puts a character against a relentless, often natural, force.

Are these movies all about violence?

Even though action thrillers often contain intense sequences and conflict, we can say that violence isn't always the key part. The core of the genre is suspense. And that means viewers anticipate danger and the strategic moves of the characters. We rank films that use these elements as a tool for storytelling - such films create a credible sense of urgency without relying on shock value alone.

What if I've seen all the movies on the list?

Seen all 20 movies already? You've got great taste! But no worries, the world of action thrillers is vast, and other films fit these sub-genres. Don't forget to check back for updates, as our list changes with new releases and shifts in public opinion. We always keep an eye on what’s trending, so new recommendations are constantly available here.

Why are action thrillers so popular?

Offering a powerful escape from reality, action thrillers are very popular. You'll almost feel as though you're in high-pressure situations, but without the real-world risk. Showing us what the characters are made of in term of brains and brawn, where a hero's cunning is as valuable as their strength, these movies are the perfect entertainment for a world that moves fast.

Can a film be both a thriller and a drama?

It definitely can, as many films bring together the suspenseful nature of a thriller with the character-focused storytelling of a drama. These hybrid films often have more complex characters and deeper themes, as they build suspense from personal dilemmas and emotional stakes, not just physical danger. It's a gripping combination that can lead to some truly unforgettable viewing.

How is public sentiment for a movie measured?

Public sentiment is a credible way of knowing which films are truly resonating with audiences. We track what's being discussed and celebrated by viewers across Australia. Our ranking uses audience ratings, comments on social channels, reviews in communities, and what films are consistently being streamed to create a living, trustworthy guide to the best action thrillers on offer.

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