Best action movies and series on Showmax
Can’t get enough of car chases and fight scenes? We’ve trawled through the entire Showmax catalogue to pick our favourite hard-hitting action movies and series. Travel from war zones to outer space in this action-packed selection.
From gripping heists to the relentless pursuit for justice, heart-stopping hand-to-hand (or sword-to-sword) combat, war zone terror, high-stakes shootouts and the bloody quest for revenge, this curated selection of action-packed series and movies is sure to satisfy your craving for non-stop excitement.
Don’t see anything you like? Browse all series and movies on Showmax here.
Power Book IV: Force S2
Tommy Egan is on a mission to avenge Liliana and take over Chicago. But what is he willing to sacrifice to ascend a kingpin’s throne?
SAS Rogue Heroes S1-2
Follow how the world’s greatest Special Forces unit, was formed under extraordinary pressure in the darkest days of World War Two.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
As always, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence find themselves in a precarious situation as they are framed and on the run in Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
The Killer (2024)
When a feared contract killer refuses to murder a young blind woman, she finds herself hunted by old colleagues and a determined detective.
Civil War (2024)
Amid a civil war, a group of journalists try to reach DC before rebel factions get to the White House in this dystopian thriller.
Billy the Kid S2
An epic western adventure based on the life of Billy the Kid, from his humble roots to his days as a gunslinger to his role in the war.
The Fall Guy (2024)
A stuntman must track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life in this crazy mixture of action, comedy and romance.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part 1 (2024)
Based on DC’s iconic comic book. The Monitor tries to gather heroes from across the Multiverse to fight his evil counterpart.
Chicago PD S11
Action-packed spin-off of the Chicago series, following two different units at the Chicago police department: uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
The long-anticipated sequel to the 2018 release. Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father’s death.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
It’s all hands on deck in this exciting sequel to 2021’s hit reboot. It brings together Ghostbusters, new and old, as they try to save the world from a second ice age.
Monkey Man (2024)
This heart-pounding and brutally sweet revenge thriller follows the journey of Kid, who’s played by Dev Patel. He’s on a quest for justice against those who took everything from him.
Lioness S1-2
A woman is wrongly convicted of fraud and, after eight years in prison, goes on a quest to reunite with her children and clear her name.
Made in South Africa
The Equalizer S1-4
Queen Latifah plays Robyn McCall, an enigmatic former CIA operative who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.
Die Geval van Gideon
Gideon’s night of fun in Johannesburg turns into a nightmare when he wakes up next to a corpse. He’s been set up by three women needing his IT skills…
Made in South Africa
Land of Bad (2024)
A US Army special forces unit is ambushed during a mission and their only hope is a remote Air Force drone operator.
The Sympathizer S1
The Sympathizer follows a communist spy who finds that his spying days aren’t over when he ends up in Los Angeles as a refugee at the end of the Vietnam War.
The Butcher’s Soul (2023)
Stakes are high in this pulsating action-thriller about a butcher who is granted nine days by the Angel of Death to bring her nine souls in exchange for his daughter’s life.
Made in South Africa
Silent Night (2023)
Joel Kinnaman drives this powerful action movie. A grieving father enacts his long-awaited revenge against a ruthless gang on Christmas Eve
The Beekeeper (2024)
A former operative of a powerful and clandestine organisation known as Beekeepers is on a brutal campaign for vengeance.
Want something with a different kind of action?
The Sex Lives of College Girls S1-3
This fun series follows four freshmen roommates trying to balance their newfound independence with the challenges of college life.
Adulting S1-3
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. New episodes land every Saturday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
7 edgy R-rated movies and series for adults only
Looking for a winter warmer? Here are seven sets of adults-only, NSFW series and movies on Showmax that’ll hit the hot button.
Wyfie S1-2
An edgy, youthful and urban Afrikaans drama that follows four friends as they navigate the complicated world of university life.
Made in South Africa
Fellow Travelers S1
Follow the decades-long chronicle of the risky, volatile and steamy relationship between the charismatic and ambitious Hawk and the pious and idealistic Tim, who fall in love at the height of the 1950s Lavender Scare.
Koek S1
A despondent housewife, convinced her husband is having an affair, is inadvertently thrust into the underbelly of a crime syndicate.
Made in South Africa
And Just Like That S2
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis and Nicole Ari Parker reprise their iconic roles in this mini-series about their new chapter.
This Body Works For Me S2
This Body Works For Me explores the lives of seven women in the South African adult entertainment industry, letting us in on their family dynamics, relationships, hustles, and careers.
Made in South AfricaEye-opening documentaries to stream
5 eye-openers from Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos
Here are five of the most eye-opening things we saw in the new HBO documentary, Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos.
Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos S1
An illuminating two-part documentary film exploring the life of David Chase and his role as the creator of The Sopranos.
Eye-opening homegrown documentaries to stream
These unmissable South African shows and movies deliver surprising insights on the country we’re living in today.
Made in South Africa
9 reasons that 2024 was the best year yet for local TV
Stream the best local content on Showmax in 2024, featuring iEmmy winners, record-breaking documentaries, SAFTA winners, and globally acclaimed hits.
Made in South Africa
Crush
This award-nominated two-part docuseries unravels the events of the deadly 2022 Halloween crowd crush in Seoul, South Korea.
Great African Crimes with Mandy Wiener (2024)
This one-off special explores three dramatic cases that left South Africa stunned: Daisy de Melker, the so-called Sea Cottage incident, and the Krugersdorp bank robbery.
Made in South Africa
Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero
A remarkably intimate portrait of Lil Nas on tour as he navigates identity, family, expectations, and acceptance, all while reflecting on his place within the legacy of Black, queer performers.
5 reasons to watch Ngizwe Mchunu on Unfollowed S2
Ngizwe Mchunu opens up about issues that have made headlines and captivated public attention in Unfollowed. Watch new episodes every Wednesday on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaShowmax Originals you'll love
Tarryn Wyngaard gets romantic in Gebokste Liefde
Tarryn Wyngaard talks about starring in her first romcom, Gebokste Liefde. Stream the movie from 7 February on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Tiek Tok Boem!
Tiek Toek Boem! takes a deep dive into the world of Afrikaans TikTokers who are pushing the platform to new – and often disturbing – levels. Stream from 18 February on Showmax.
Made in South AfricaMust-watch trailer: Tiek Tok Boem!, a doccie on Afrikaans TikTok
Watch the explosive trailer for Tiek Tok Boem!, an explosive Showmax Original documentary set to premiere on 18 February 2025.
Made in South Africa
Triple bill of local romcoms on Showmax this Valentine’s Day
Watch these romantic movies, which promise laughter and love, making them the perfect choice for your Valentine’s Day watchlist. Stream them from 14 February on Showmax.
Made in South Africa