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.
Tabby McTat (2023)
A delightful animated movie about friendship and loyalty. Tabby McTat and his busker friend Fred charm crowds with their harmonious duets until an unexpected separation tears them apart.
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.
The Old Way (2023)
An old retired gunslinger’s past catches up with him when the son of a man he murdered years ago returns to take revenge.
Expend4bles (2023)
In the fourth instalment of the action-packed franchise, Stallone and Statham return with new recruits to face off against an arms dealer.
Special Ops: Lioness S1
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.
Fast Charlie (2023)
Charlie is a fixer with a problem: the thug he whacked is missing his head, and Charlie will only be paid if the body can be identified.
Retribution (2023)
In this action thriller, a bank executive receives a bomb threat while driving his children to school – his car will explode if they exit.
Want something with a different kind of action?
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
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.
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.
Babylon (2022)
An ensemble cast drives this black comedy-drama set during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.
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
Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
In the final movie in the hit franchise, Mike is bartending after a setback – until he meets a wealthy socialite with a lifetime deal.
Adulting S2
Adulting follows four varsity friends on their journey to find love and success in modern-day South Africa. New episodes land on Mondays on Showmax.
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.
Eye-opening documentaries to stream
9 South African true-crime series, ranked
From Devilsdorp to Tracking Thabo Bester, these true-crime documentary series explore some of the darkest and most audacious acts – all available to stream on Showmax.
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Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises on Wicked
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated two-part blockbuster film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.
Stream The Earthshot Prize Awards 2024 on Showmax
Stream The Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony, filmed in Cape Town, on Showmax now.
Made in South Africa
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
Sergio Leone: The Italian Who Invented America
An homage to legendary Italian director Sergio Leone, who was famous for creating the “spaghetti western”.
Action S1
A high-octane, adrenaline-pumping docuseries about the legendary 87North stunt team who have electrified the world of action sports, martial arts, motocross and more.
5 jaw-dropping moments in HBO documentary Brandy Hellville
Being aware of something is not the same as seeing it! Check out our most shocking moments from the documentary Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion.
Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion
This documentary uncovers the toxic origins and culture of Brandy Melville and the global ramifications of mass-produced clothing.
Showmax Originals you'll love
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi’s blueprint for a lasting career
Nambitha Ben-Mazwi shares insights on navigating a successful career in the new Showmax Masterclass. Watch her on Empini, ready to binge on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Spooksoeker S1
When Warno Alberts turns 15, he suddenly becomes aware of ghosts in his dorpie – and it’s now his job to banish them. Stream on Showmax from 5 December.
Made in South Africa
Rising star Joshwin Dyson is hunting for ghosts in Spooksoeker
Rising star Joshwin Dyson talks about starring in his first Showmax Original series, Spooksoeker, coming to Showmax on 5 December 2024.
South African
Helen Zille on her drag transformation on Showmax
Helen Zille takes on a quickfire round, offering insights into her time in drag on Die Tollie & Manila Show. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa