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.
Gunner (2024)
When a former Green Beret’s sons are kidnapped by a dangerous drug gang, he goes to the extreme to rescue them in this action-packed movie.
Gladiator II (2024)
In this epic saga, a gladiator must draw strength from his past to avenge his family and return Rome to its former glory.
The Bikeriders (2023)
This revealing crime drama chronicles the true story of a motorcycle club as they go from a haven for outsiders to a sinister criminal gang.
Tulsa King S2
An Italian mobster, played by Sylvester Stallone, is given the startling task of reestablishing his Italian mafia family in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth tell the origin story of renegade warrior Furiosa before her encounter with Mad Max.
Reyka S1-2
Kim Engelbrecht and Iain Glen star in this SA crime drama set in KZN about a criminal profiler who is haunted by her past as she investigates shocking murders.
Made in South Africa
Boy Kills World (2023)
Boy is a maniacal killer who’s been trained to assassinate Hilda Van Der Koy and avenge his family’s murder.
Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Tom Hardy reunites with the symbiote in this thrilling third instalment. Eddie and Venom are on the run, hunted by both their worlds, forcing them into a devastating decision.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
This prequel to the trilogy tells an intriguing origin story of a young Coriolanus Snow, 64 years before his reign.
Empini S1-2
Meet Ndoni Themba, who makes it her life’s mission to repay her father’s betrayal by infiltrating the shady world of VIP security.
Made in South Africa
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
The mighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla must unite against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within the planet in this super-sized sequel.
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.
Want something with a different kind of action?
The White Lotus S1-3
Follow the outrageous exploits of the employees and guests of an exclusive resort in this buzz-worthy HBO comedy drama.
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. Adulting S1-3 is ready to binge 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.
After We Fell (2021)
Tessa and Hardin face another test when Tessa makes a life-changing decision and shocking revelations threaten everything they’ve built.
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 AfricaEye-opening documentaries to stream
Anatomy of Lies: Women who con
Grey’s Anatomy’s most shocking medical case took place behind the scenes. Find out how co-executive producer and writer Elisabeth Finch faked cancer and personal tragedy, and meet five more of the world’s most questionable con women.
Anatomy of Lies S1
This riveting doccie series reveals the rise and fall of Grey’s Anatomy star writer Elisabeth Finch, whose jaw-dropping lies fooled Hollywood for years.
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night S1
SNL creator Lorne Michaels commemorates the show’s 50th anniversary. Featuring a look into the audition and writing processes, a deep dive into the ‘More Cowbell’ sketch, and an exploration of SNL’s 11th season.
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
Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (2023)
An epic documentary about Taylor Mac’s flamboyant 24-hour-long musical odyssey covering 24 decades of American popular music.
The Golden Boy: Oscar De La Hoya (2023)
This explosive two-part sports documentary peels back the layers of this celebrated yet complicated figure.
Director Richard Gregory on how he nearly turned down Steinheist
Showmax is now streaming two new episodes of Steinheist, which go even deeper into unpacking SA’s biggest corporate scam and how the net tightened around former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste.
Made in South Africa
Steinheist
Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste got caught pulling the scam of the century. Follow the money in this Showmax Original documentary series that investigates the events leading to his suicide in 2024.
Made in South AfricaShowmax Originals you'll love
Bet I Love You (2024)
Financial gain and social status are necessary for Rex, a compulsive gambler, who strives to overcome his addiction and recover squandered funds in a series of humorous situations.
Made in South Africa
The Roast of Helen Zille vs The Mommy Club reunion moments
Here are some of the jaw-dropping quotes and moments from The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille and The Mommy Club S3 reunion, now streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Mommy Club S1-3
Meet the glamorous ladies of the Mommy Club, the Jozi mothers who let us into their lives. All episodes are streaming including Part 1 of the reunion. Part 2 lands on 24 May.
Made in South Africa
The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille: Burn unit
Get your ice and aloe gel ready: we’ve scooped just 25 of the best burns from Laugh Africa Presents: The Showmax Roast of Helen Zille.
Made in South Africa