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.
Supercell (2023)
A teenage boy runs away to follow his father’s footsteps, legendary storm chaser Bill Brody in this action movie.
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
Denzel Washington takes his uniquely brutal brand of justice to Italy in this third and final chapter of The Equalizer movies.
Lawmen: Bass Reeves S1
The story of Bass Reeves, a slave who became the first Black US Marshal in the American West in the late 1800s.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (2023)
Ethan Hunt and his team face their most dangerous mission yet: to track down a terrifying new weapon before it falls into the wrong hands.
Gran Turismo (2023)
An avid gamer has his dream come true by becoming a professional race car driver. Directed by Neill Blomkamp and starring Archie Madekwe.
Heels S2
Two brothers and rivals, one the “heel“ and the other a “face,“ war over their late father’s wrestling promotion.
65 (2023)
After a catastrophic crash on a mysterious, unknown planet, an astronaut quickly discovers he’s not alone.
Fast X (2023)
The 10th instalment of this internationally acclaimed blockbuster action franchise. Dom and his family confront their most lethal opponent yet: a terrifying threat from the shadows of the past.
The Diplomat
Laura Simmonds and her Barcelona Consul colleague and friend Alba Ortiz fight to protect British nationals who find themselves in trouble in the Catalan city.
Plane (2022)
A pilot saves his passengers from a storm by landing on a war-torn island, putting all of them in the path of dangerous rebels.
Breaking (2022)
A war veteran in mental and emotional turmoil holds several people hostage inside a bank in this poignant thriller.
Tulsa King S1
An Italian mobster, played by Sylvester Stallone, is given the startling task of reestablishing his Italian mafia family in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Indemnity (2022)
A Cape Town ex-fireman with PTSD races to clear his name after he’s accused of killing his wife in this action-packed thriller.
Made in South Africa
The Equalizer S3
Queen Latifah plays Robyn McCall, an enigmatic former CIA operative who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.
Violent Night (2022)
In this holiday action comedy, David Harbour plays Santa Claus, who is not your typical sweet old man. He faces a team of mercenaries when they invade a wealthy family’s home.
Warrior S3
The original dragon Bruce Lee wrote, pitched and had this story rejected. Fifty years later, Warrior made it to the screen.
The Northman (2022)
A Viking prince undertakes an adventurous quest to seek justice for his murdered father in this revenge thriller.
The Woman King (2022)
The Woman King is inspired by the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors in West Africa in the 1800s.
Power Book IV: Force S1
On his way to California, Tommy decides to stop in Chicago to lay flowers at the grave of his deceased grandmother, only to learn that she is still alive.
The Big Ugly (2020)
See Vinnie Jones on the hunt for retribution and answers in this gritty crime thriller set in West Virginia.
Want something with a different kind of action?
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 Africa
After Ever Happy (2022)
A shocking truth about Tessa and Hardin’s families emerges, leading them to realise they are more similar than they ever thought.
Don’t Worry Darling (2022)
Florence Pugh and Harry Styles lead this mystery thriller set in the 1950s in a utopian town where nothing is as it seems.
Minx S1-2
In 1970s LA, an earnest young feminist and a low-rent publisher team up to create the first erotic magazine for women.
Swap the chill for a long, hot summer with Love Island UK on Showmax
Get ready for a sizzling summer adventure with Love Island Season 10, coming first to Showmax from the UK, hosted by Maya Jama.
Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye on his role in The Idol
The co-creator, exec producer, writer and actor playing the role of Tedros in HBO’s The Idol tells us about how his real life inspired the controversial show.
Lily-Rose Depp on her breakout role on The Idol, IMDb’s most popular show globally
Lily-Rose Depp discusses her breakthrough role on The Idol, the controversial drama series, now streaming on Showmax.
The creator of Euphoria on his even more controversial new show: The Idol
Emmy-nominated Euphoria creator-director Sam Levinson talks about his new HBO Original series The Idol, now coming express to Showmax.
Eye-opening documentaries to stream
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
Tony Hawk: Until The Wheels Fall Off
With never-before-seen footage and unprecedented access, follow the legend Tony Hawk’s personal life, career and relationship with skateboarding.
When We Were Bullies (2022)
A mind-boggling coincidence leads the filmmaker to track down his fifth-grade class and fifth-grade teacher to examine their memory of and complicity in a bullying incident 50 years ago.
HBO’s Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show now on Showmax
Follow the life of the comedian Jerrod Carmichael in his new HBO series as he searches for love, sex, and connection.
Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show S1
A docuseries following Jerrod Carmichael in his encounters with friends, family and strangers, all in his search for love, sex and connection.
Former SAPS profiler on the murder that “stands out the most”
Former SAPS head profiler Dr Gérard Labuschagne discusses the true-crime documentary Original Sin: My Son The Killer, noting it as the most troubling case in his career.
Made in South Africa
Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches
Acclaimed actors bring to life the words of Frederick Douglass, an American anti-slavery activist, with readings from his autobiographies to illustrate how his words about racial injustice still resonate deeply today.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer (2024)
The chilling story of Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, told by his mother, who helped him flee South Africa after he murdered his girlfriend, Andrea Venter.
Made in South AfricaShowmax Originals you'll love
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi stars in Showmax Original Empini
Multi-award winner Nambitha Ben-Mazwi leads new Showmax Original Empini. The action-packed drama series premieres on Showmax 23 May 2024.
Made in South Africa
Youngins Season 1 episodes 31-33 recap: Revelations
Amo and Mahlatse become a couple, Tumelo ditches Sefako, and Khaya sees both Sefako and Principal Mthembu in a new light in episodes 31-33 of Showmax Original Youngins.
Made in South Africa
Interview: Knock knock, it’s Youngins’ Tshepo!
Tshepo Matlala talks about how he brings class clown Tshepo’s jokes to life, and what’s behind the mask, in Showmax Original Youngins.
South African
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Made in South Africa