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.

Black Bag (2025)

Michael Fassbender faces the ultimate test of loyalty in espionage movie Black Bag, about a spy whose wife might be the mole he's tasked to find.

Den of Thieves: Pantera (2025)

In this sequel, Big Nick gets ensnared by diamond thieves and the notorious Panther Mafia as he pursues the elusive career criminal Donnie Wilson.

Flight Risk (2025)

On a small plane, a US Marshal escorts a government witness, but the pilot (Mark Wahlberg) turns out to be an assassin.

The Peacemaker S1-2

John Cena reprises his role in the spin-off of DC's Suicide Squad, where Peacemaker and his ragtag black ops squad target dangerous parasites.

First

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 on Showmax

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.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part 2 on Showmax

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.

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.

Sylvester Stallone (aka Rocky Balboa) as Dwight “The General” Manfredi in Tulsa King S1

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.

Joseph Sikora plays Tommy in Power Book IV: Force

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?

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.

Chicago PD S12

Action-packed spin-off of the Chicago series, following two different units at the Chicago police department: uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit.

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.

Morgan Freeman as Secretary of State Mullins In Special Ops: Lioness

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.

Want something with a different kind of action?

Former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor's life story is one of miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in a setting of abject poverty that few can comprehend.

From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals

Emmanuel Adebayor's life story is one of miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in abject poverty that few can comprehend.

LiveMade in South Africa

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip - Africa on Showmax

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more

Christall Kay shares what to expect on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, landing 28 November on Showmax and 6 December on Mzansi Magic.

Original South Africa

You Were My First Boyfriend is on Showmax

You Were My First Boyfriend (2023)

In this introspective high school reunion movie turned inside out, filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo relives her tortured adolescence.

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God S1

This HBO docuseries explores the rise and fall of cult leader Amy Carlson, aka Mother God. As her health declined, followers awaited UFO salvation.

Stand Up and Shout: Songs from a Philly High School is on Showmax

Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School (2023)

This heartfelt documentary follows a unique music programme at Hill-Freedman World Academy, which teaches students to create original songs.

The Insurrectionist Next Door on Showmax

The Insurrectionist Next Door (2023)

An intriguing and insightful documentary that focuses on the individuals who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

No Accident (2023)

A lawsuit followed the deadly Charlottesville rally, targeting white nationalist leaders. Who were the conspirators? And were they held accountable?

Catch Manchester City v Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League, on Sunday, 09 November 2025 at 18:30 (SAST)

Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites

Catch the thrilling encounter between Manchester City and Premier League champions Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League on Suynday at 18:30 (SAST)

Live

Eye-opening documentaries to stream

From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals

Emmanuel Adebayor's life story is one of miracles and staggering perseverance, beginning in abject poverty that few can comprehend.

LiveMade in South Africa

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more

Christall Kay shares what to expect on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, landing 28 November on Showmax and 6 December on Mzansi Magic.

Original South Africa

You Were My First Boyfriend (2023)

In this introspective high school reunion movie turned inside out, filmmaker Cecilia Aldarondo relives her tortured adolescence.

Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God S1

This HBO docuseries explores the rise and fall of cult leader Amy Carlson, aka Mother God. As her health declined, followers awaited UFO salvation.

Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School (2023)

This heartfelt documentary follows a unique music programme at Hill-Freedman World Academy, which teaches students to create original songs.

The Insurrectionist Next Door (2023)

An intriguing and insightful documentary that focuses on the individuals who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.

No Accident (2023)

A lawsuit followed the deadly Charlottesville rally, targeting white nationalist leaders. Who were the conspirators? And were they held accountable?

Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites

Catch the thrilling encounter between Manchester City and Premier League champions Liverpool live on Showmax Premier League on Suynday at 18:30 (SAST)

Live

Showmax Originals you'll love

Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more

Christall Kay shares what to expect on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, landing 28 November on Showmax and 6 December on Mzansi Magic.

Original South Africa

Annie Mthembu opens up about The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

Annie Mthembu talks about being on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, her return to reality TV and more. Catch the premiere on 28 November on Showmax, with new episodes every week.

Original South Africa