10 Best Action Shows of All Time, Ranked

Everyone loves a good action show. There's something irresistible about the high-stakes, fast-paced nature of the genre—often balanced with just the right touch of romance and drama to ground the story. While action has long dominated the big screen, television has more than proven its ability to deliver the same adrenaline-pumping thrills, producing some undeniable classics along the way.

Beginning with ABC's Combat! in 1962, action series have evolved to encompass a wide range of styles, from science fiction to gritty adventure. While some have missed the mark, others have etched their names into television history as standout examples of the genre. With that in mind, here’s a ranking of the 10 best action shows of all time. Naturally, this list is subjective—every viewer has personal favorites—but these selections represent some of the most beloved and iconic action series in TV history. Without further ado, here are the top contenders.

10 'Walker, Texas Ranger' (1993–2001)

There is no question that Chuck Norris is a legend in the action genre, making his name in iconic ‘80s action movies such as Lone Wolf McQuade and Code of Silence. But Norris may be best known as the rough-and-tough Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger. Premiering on CBS in 1993, the series, inspired by Lone Wolf McQuade, follows Walker, a Texas Ranger who upholds the laws of the Lone Star State by taking down the state's most notorious criminals.

Despite mixed critical reviews, Walker, Texas Ranger quickly became a hit thanks to the gritty action it portrays, and Norris’ iconic take as the titular character. The series ran for nine seasons, ending in 2001, and it became a darling in syndication, picking up even more fans who were all-in on this action-packed show with a Texas twang.

9 'The A-Team' (1983–1987)

Once you hear the iconic theme in the title card for NBC’s The A-Team, you know you’re about to get 60 minutes of pure, high-adrenaline fun. The action-adventure series created by Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo follows a team of former U.S. Army Special Forces commandos who, after being accused of a crime they didn’t commit, break out of jail and become soldiers for hire, led by Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard).

Ask anyone about the greatest action shows of all time, and you will normally hear The A-Team get mentioned as one of the best. The series is very heavy on explosions and strong bravado, all the hallmarks of action in the ‘80s. This isn’t a series that will have you thinking and problem-solving. Quite the opposite. The A-Team is the ultimate popcorn show—just shut off your brain and enjoy the bombastic action happening on the screen, and let it bring a smile to your face.

8 'The Six Million Dollar Man' (1973–1978)

When a NASA astronaut (Lee Majors) was badly injured in an experiment, the government did something pretty radical. They spent $6 million to rebuild him with bionic implants, and it essentially made him a superhero. That was the basic premise of The Six Million Dollar Man, a sci-fi action show that was one of the best-of-the-best in the groovy ‘70s.

Based on Martin Caidin’s 1972 novel Cyborg, The Six Million Dollar Man stars Majors as USAF Colonel Steve Austin, the man the government spent all that money on to rebuild, giving him superhuman strength, speed, and vision. From that point on, Austin works as a secret agent to fight crime. The show is heavy on action, with the effects (especially his slow-motion effect) becoming quite iconic. The series was a hit, running for five seasons and spawning a franchise that included The Bionic Woman and a couple of TV movies, but none will compare to the original Six Million Dollar Man, which seems likely today, but in the ‘70s was pretty far out for its time.

7 'MacGyver' (1985–1992)

Was there another more resourceful action hero than Angus MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson)? We’re talking about a man who can make a bomb out of a can of soda and a straw, and this cool trade made MacGyver one of the best and most iconic action shows of all time.

Starring Dean Anderson as the titular character, MacGyver, which premiered on ABC in 1985 and ran for seven seasons, follows fans' favorite action hero as he works as an agent for the U.S. government to help solve seemingly unsolvable problems. Because he doesn’t like to use firearms, MacGyver usually turns to unusual methods to achieve the desired means. This makes him incredibly resourceful, and helped make MacGyver one of the more unique action shows ever made.

6 'Prison Break' (2005–2009, 2017)

This pick may be a bit controversial, because it’s technically known as a crime drama. However, when you look underneath the surface, Fox’s Prison Break does have a lot of action that can qualify this series as an action show. Prison Break is a cult classic, a show that took an unusual premise and had audiences hooked.

The premise involves Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) getting into prison to help his brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), who is in prison for a crime that he didn’t commit, break out of the big house. Yes, there is drama involved, but with a show set inside a prison, there was bound to be plenty of high-stakes action in regard to the institution itself, and Prison Break didn't disappoint. Running for five seasons, Prison Break is arguably one of the best modern-day action shows that you’ll never get tired of watching.

5 '24' (2001–2010, 2014)

Several iconic action shows today owe their existence to 24's unexpected success. Premiering just two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, no one was really sure how TV viewers would react to an action drama that focused on a counter-terrorist agent. But, they responded well, and the series is, today, considered one of the best action shows of all time.

24 stars Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a counter-terrorist agent with the FBI who has to stop a terrorist plot within 24 hours. The series is well-known for its tense storylines, and a great leading man in Sutherland as Bauer, an agent who lives by the notion “the ends justify the means.” This approach yields a series that is full of high-stakes action, and you really don’t know if Baur is going to make it through any season. When you talk about great action shows, you can’t help but add 24 to the list.

4 'The Punisher' (2017–2019)

Before Disney+ stepped into the role of being the home of Marvel superheroes, they first had a presence on Netflix, with one of the best being The Punisher. Created by Steve Lightfoot, The Punisher is one of Marvel’s darkest superheroes, with his methods being effective but questionable.

A spin-off of Daredevil, The Punisher stars Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, a vigilante who goes by the nickname “Punisher” and aims to fight and defeat crime by any means necessary. By using this method of crime-fighting, the battles between The Punisher and criminals were often brutal, but it made for great action and high-stakes. There is nothing nearly boring about The Punisher, and it is often cited as one of Netflix’s best Marvel shows.

3 'Band of Brothers' (2001)

War shows are often filled with adrenaline, and none fit this narrative better than the iconic HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series is often regarded as one of the best war shows ever made. Employing a who's who of Hollywood stars, each one of them truly brought their A-game to create a stunning war action drama that you won’t soon forget.

The series follows “Easy” Company, a parachute infantry regiment, during its tour of duty in Europe during World War II. Easy Company played a pivotal role in the events leading up to and on D-Day, the operation that saw the Allied forces return to retake Europe from Nazi Germany. Heart-pounding and action-packed throughout, Band of Brothers will have you on the edge of your seats from the opening credits to the end credits.

2 'Miami Vice' (1984–1989)

Before Miami Vice exploded onto television screens in 1984, police procedures followed a similar, safe formula, never taking too many risks and always showing the good guys (the cops) doing things by the book. Miami Vice was certainly not like any other police procedural, going in its own lane and bringing nonstop action every week.

Created by the legendary Michael Mann, Miami Vice follows James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) and Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas), two vice cops who work to stop crimes of vice in ‘80s Miami. The series often toed the line when it came to the age-old troupe of “white-knighting” cops, with Sonny and Rico often employing methods that other TV cops wouldn’t dare do to solve cases. The action was impressive, often set to the best music of the decade, and Miami Vice ushered in a new breed of cop shows, more exhilarating and pushing the envelope.

1 'SEAL Team' (2017–2024)

When it comes to military action dramas, no network does it better than CBS. Starting with JAG, and following up with the NCIS franchise, the network has always had a finger on the pulse of what viewers want in a great action drama involving the military. You can add SEAL Team to that list, the military show that is definitely more action-focused than its peers.

Created by Benjamin Cavell and starring David Boreanaz, the series follows Bravo Team, the most elite of the Navy SEALs teams, as they’re called on to take on the most dangerous missions around the world at the drop of a hat. Not only is SEAL Team packed with exhilarating action, but audiences also get to see the toll this takes on the team and their loved ones. But, make no mistake, the action is certainly here, making it the best of the genre.