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.
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.
Assassin (2023)
South African star Nomzamo Mbatha stars alongside Bruce Willis in this sci-fi action thriller about a widow on a mission for vengeance.
Justice League: Warworld (2023)
An action-packed fantasy animation. Transported to a place of unending brutal gladiatorial combat, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman must form a resistance and lead the planet to freedom.
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
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.
The Station Strangler (2023)
A gripping documentary that explores the facts behind the serial killer known as The Station Strangler, who targeted young boys on the Cape Flats in the 80s and 90s.
Made in South Africa
Great African Mysteries (2023)
John Robbie delves into three major mysteries: the discovery of Homo Naledi, the hoard of gold Paul Kruger supposedly hid from the British, and the crash of the Helderberg.
Made in South AfricaShowmax Originals you'll love
Empini episodes 51-52: A picture is worth a thousand bullets
In Empini Season 1 finale, Ndoni confronts Khaya and Zenzele is alerted about General’s impeding doom. All the episodes are ready to binge on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
Law, Love and Betrayal Season 1, episode 11: Damage
In episode 11 of Law, Love and Betrayal, Gatsha gets charged with driving under the influence. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
4 unmissable moments that kick off Youngins Season 2
A dorm room drug fire, a teacher-beating school bully, and a child in a bodybag! Here are our top “gasp” moments from the Youngins Season 2 premiere.
Made in South Africa
Youngins S1-2
When a teen flees from a family tragedy in rural KZN to a boarding school in Jozi, she gets entangled in a scandal of epic proportions.
Made in South Africa