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.
Duster S1
Working on taking down a crime syndicate, the first Black female FBI agent recruits a gutsy getaway driver in this gritty series set in 1972.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three (2024)
The Anti-Monitor wages an unrelenting attack on the surviving Earths that struggle for survival in a pocket universe.
The Equalizer S1-5
Queen Latifah plays Robyn McCall, an enigmatic former CIA operative who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part Two (2024)
An army of shadow demons wanting to destroy all reality swarms all Earths! The only thing opposing them are the mightiest metahumans.
Special Ops: Lioness S1-2
This pulsating espionage drama, led by Zoe Saldaña and a stellar cast, is based on the true story of the agents at the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror.
Twisters (2024)
Storm chasers take on Mother Nature in this thriller with a modern twist. A former tornado chaser is lured back to Oklahoma to study tornadoes using new technology.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024)
Christopher Reeve rose to fame as a celebrated actor before a near-fatal riding accident left him paralysed. This award-winning and Emmy-nomintead documentary was produced by South African Robert Ford.
10 South African true-crime series, ranked
From The ABC Killer to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of South Africa’s darkest crime stories – all available to stream on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Christopher Reeve documentary on Showmax get four Emmy nods
South African producer Robert Ford discusses his Emmy-nominated documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which premieres on Showmax on Friday, 25 July 2025.
South African
Giants: Buccaneers’ untold story streams live on Showmax PL
Showmax Premier League is set to bring you docuseries Giants, which delves deep into the heart of South African football, from 27 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
Director Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer
The director of Showmax Original doccie The ABC Killer, Jasyn Howes, talks about the twisty three-part series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream it now on Showmax.
South African
The ABC Killer S1
Delve into the story of South African serial killer Moses Sithole, whose reign of terror on young Black women in Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland earned him the nickname the ABC Killer.
Made in South Africa
Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary (2024)
This documentary chronicles the world of soft rock epitomised by artists such as Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Steely Dan, and Toto in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Americas S1
Tom Hanks narrates this exploration of the wonders, mysteries, extraordinary wildlife and fragilities of the Americas, the largest landmass on Earth.
Showmax Originals you'll love
Vaal Riviera
Vaal Riviera follows four Afrikaans families living in the heart of Vaal River society, where family, business, car racing and legacy all come into play. Stream from 22 August, with new episodes on Tuesdays.
Made in South AfricaMust-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera
Watch the explosive trailer for Vaal Riviera, a reality series following four families from the Vaal Triangle. Premiering 22 August on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Shaka iLembe’s Dawn Thandeka King on Untied
Dawn Thandeka King opens up about her spiritual journey, motherhood and marriage in Untied, now streaming on Showmax. Catch new episodes every Tuesday.
South AfricanDirector Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer
The director of Showmax Original doccie The ABC Killer, Jasyn Howes, talks about the twisty three-part series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream it now on Showmax.
South African