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.
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.
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.
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
The Stroll (2023)
When director Kristen Lovell began to transition in the 90s, she was fired from her job. Like many transgender women of colour during this era, she began sex work in an area known as The Stroll.
The Rehearsal S1-2
In this bizarre HBO docuseries people get a chance to rehearse for their own lives in a world where nothing ever works out as expected.
Must-watch trailer: The ABC Killer, about serial killer Moses Sithole
Watch the chilling trailer for the Showmax twisty true-crime documentary The ABC Killer, about serial killer Moses Sithole. Premiering 22 July on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
How Do You Measure A Year? (2022)
In this deeply personal Oscar-nominated documentary short, longtime HBO collaborator Jay Rosenblatt interviews his daughter on her birthday for 17 years.
Chimp Crazy S1
Tiger King filmmaker Eric Goode delivers another view into exotic animal owners – this time, focusing on the lengths chimpanzee “owners” go to keep their ape babies.
All That Breathes (2022)
Two Muslim brothers devote their lives to protecting black kites, a majestic bird of prey falling from New Delhi’s skies at alarming rates.
Boyzone: Life, Death & Boybands S1
In exclusive interviews, Boyzone band members reveal personal experiences in their massively successful boy band and the true cost of global fame.
1000% Me: Growing Up Mixed (2023)
Emmy-winning filmmaker and comedian W Kamau Bell tackles the joys and challenges of growing up mixed-race through conversations with kids and families, including his own.
Showmax Originals you'll love
Sorisha Naidoo on being an OG of The Real Housewives of Durban
Sorisha Naidoo reflects on her journey in The Real Housewives of Durban ahead of the highly anticipated Season 5 reunion, airing in two parts on Showmax, on 4 July and 11 July 2025.
Made in South Africa
Big Brother Naija S9: No Loose Guard
Relive all the exciting moments of BBNaija S9: No Loose Guard on Showmax, plus catch the reunion show, streaming from 24 June 2025.
Made in Nigeria
Nonku opens up about Untied, now streaming on Showmax
Nonku Williams spills the tea on why she agreed to be on the new Showmax Original talk show, Untied. Catch new episodes every Tuesday on Showmax, hosted by Relebogile Mabotja.
South African
Untied S1
An eye-opening reality talk show that follows beloved South African celebrities as they navigate the highs and lows of divorce. New episodes every Tuesday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa