10 Greatest Action Shows on Prime Video, Ranked

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Donald Glover as John Smith and Maya Erskine as Jane Smith standing in the woods in Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Marcel is a writer who is passionate about most movies and series. He will watch anything that's good. He is a content manager by day and a videographer when needed. Marcel used to work at a major streaming service based in Asia Pacific as a Content Specialist and was the Distribution Manager for a local movie distribution company.

Over recent years, Prime Video has become the destination for pulpy action shows. The streaming platform usually draws from recognizable IPs, such as books or existing movies, and expands them into full-fledged shows. The result is a wide variety of action series, aimed at different audiences. These series attract talent both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, making them must-sees.

In this list, we take a look at the greatest action shows on the platform. They may not be original stories, as most of them are adaptations of books or comics, but one thing is for sure: they do not have any shortage of action and spectacle. With solid lead performances, like a maniacal Anthony Starr as Homelander or the hulking Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, these shows have created new icons for both Prime Video and the streaming world. It's an eclectic collection of shows with a variety of genres, from action thrillers to post-apocalyptic adventures.

10 'Citadel: Diana' (2024)

A spin-off of the Citadel spy universe, Citadel: Diana is set in Italy in the year 2030. Diana Cavalieri (Matilda de Angelis) is a double agent for the fallen independent spy agency Citadel, having spent years undercover within Manticore, the powerful syndicate that destroyed her organization. Trapped behind two loyalties, Diana sees a potential way out, but it requires her to trust the heir to Italian Manticore.

Citadel: Diana is a high-fashion, high-tech thriller that brings a distinct European flair to the franchise. Matilda De Angelis is mesmerizing in the lead role, as she nails both the emotional scenes and the intense, stylistically choreographed action sequences. The intrigue and twists in the plot are unexpected, and the lore in this is much deeper than what Citadel has established. The show is better received than the flagship series starring Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden, but it has unfortunately been canceled, most likely because the franchise has been bleeding so much money for Prime Video. Nevertheless, it's still an entertaining binge-watch, with just six episodes.

9 'Cross' (2024)

Aldis Hodge as Detective Alex Cross standing in the kitchen holding a glass of alcohol in Season 1 of Cross

Set in Washington, DC, Cross follows the titular Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge), a brilliant homicide detective and forensic psychologist who possesses the unique ability to go deep into the psyches of both killers and victims. While taking a leave of absence to mourn the death of his wife, Cross is called back to action when an influential activist is brutally killed.

After being previously played by Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry in the film adaptations, the character Alex Cross stands out in this series because of Aldis Hodge’s towering, charismatic performance, which brings a new layer to the character created by James Patterson. The central mystery is thrilling as Cross tries to solve the murder with his partner, played by Isaiah Mustafa, and catch the killer (Ryan Eggold). It's a solid, slow-burn thriller that emphasizes intellectual deduction just as much as physical action. It was an immediate hit, and Prime Video was even confident enough that the second season was greenlit before the first season was released.

8 'The Terminal List' (2022)

Chris Pratt as James Reece walking forward and looking determined in The Terminal List

The Terminal List follows James Reece (Chris Pratt), a Navy SEAL who returns home after his entire platoon is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Struggling with fractured memories and the trauma of the event, Reece soon discovers that the tragedy wasn't just a mission failure but also a part of a conspiracy that runs deep in the government and powerful corporations. Reece hunts down the people responsible, crossing their names off his list.

Based on a book by Jack Carr, the show stands out from other Prime Video thriller action series for its realism and visceral, tactical action. Chris Pratt delivers an arguably career-best dramatic performance, shedding his usual charm for a cold, calculated intensity that audiences have never seen before. The ensemble cast, which includes Taylor Kitsch and Constance Wu, is also solid. The show may have divided some critics, but it was a massive hit with audiences. A prequel series centering on Kitsch's character, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, has been released, and a second season is on the way.

7 'Hanna' (2019–2021)

Based on the 2011 film, Hanna follows the journey of the titular young girl, played by Esme Creed-Miles, raised in total isolation in the remote forests of Poland. Her father, Erik Heller (Joel Kinnaman), is a former CIA operative who has spent 15 years training her in extreme survival, hand-to-hand combat, and multiple languages. When they are finally discovered by the relentless CIA agent Marissa Wiegler (Mireille Enos), Hanna must survive in the real world for the first time and uncover the truth about her real upbringing.

Popular action movies have been ripe material to turn into TV, like Taken or Treadstone based on the Bourne franchise, but it's rare that we actually get a show that is also as good as the original film. Hanna, however, is one of them. Creed-Miles delivers a hauntingly raw performance as Hanna. She's able to make the role her own, without the audience having to compare her to Saoirse Ronan, who originated the part in the film. She's supported by a stellar ensemble, from Kinnaman and Enos to Dermot Mulroney and Ray Liotta. The production is notable for its sprawling, cinematic locations, ranging from the snowy forests of Slovakia to the streets of London, and its focus on realistic action sequences. It ran for three seasons, with some fans lauding the series as better than the Joe Wright film.

6 'Invincible' (2021–2025)

CW Invincible flying and looking downward in Invincible.

Invincible follows Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun), a typical teenager whose father, Omni-Man (voiced by J.K. Simmons), is the most powerful superhero on the planet. Shortly after his seventeenth birthday, Mark finally develops his own powers and begins training under his father's tutelage to become the hero named Invincible. However, Mark's idealized view of the superhero world is shattered when he discovers the truth about his father’s true origins.

Invincible immediately became a fan-favorite and one of the best animated shows for its unapologetic take on superheroes. The series is a fearless subversion of superhero tropes, showing the extreme violence and repercussions in a world filled with super-powered beings. The main voice cast, including Yeun, Simmons, and Sandra Oh, provides the show with an emotional weight rarely seen in animation. The rest of the ensemble is star-studded, with notable names guesting in supporting roles. The series has been awarded Best Animated Series by the Critics' Choice Television Awards, and is currently in its third season, with the next two seasons already greenlit.

5 'Reacher' (2022–2025)

Alan Ritchson as Reacher hiding behind a tombstone as a funeral falls under attack

Based on the long-running novel series by Lee Child, Reacher follows Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchison), a veteran military police investigator who is now living as a drifter. In the first season, Reacher investigates a conspiracy in a small town in Georgia after he is arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Then, in the second season, he is enlisted to uncover the murder of his fellow investigator's teammate, and in the third, he faces off against his old enemy, who leads a massive arms trafficking operation.

Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie delivered solid Jack Reacher movies, but this turns out to be the definitive adaptation of the character. Alan Ritchison looks the part, and he captures the silent, intimidating physical power and dry wit that Child described in the books. The action style is brutal and well-choreographed, and the story is engrossing throughout each season. The first season was an instant hit with fans and critics, followed by a solid yet slightly disappointing Season 2. However, the series stumbled back to greatness with its third season, making it one of the best shows on Prime Video in 2025. The series will continue with the fourth season, as well as a spin-off.

4 'Jack Ryan' (2018–2023)

John Krasinski as Jack Ryan in 'Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan'

Tom Clancy’s legendary CIA analyst is brought into the modern era with John Krasinski as Jack Ryan. He starts as an up-and-coming analyst who stumbles upon a pattern of suspicious terrorist bank transfers, leading him to discover a massive biological attack. The following seasons bring Jack Ryan and his allies, James Greer (Wendell Pierce) and Mike November (Michael Kelly), to missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Venezuela.

Taking over the role from a long list of actors that includes Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck, John Krasinski is a convincing analyst who can balance brains and brawns. While Tom Clancy's books may have confined Ryan mostly to his desk, the series deviated and put him at the heart of the explosive action. The series has high production value and great plots throughout its seasons. Each season is usually rooted in real-world conditions, making it relevant or even prescient to current geopolitical conflicts. The series ran for four seasons, and a follow-up film is currently in production.

3 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' (2024–Present)

Maya Erskine and Donald Glover looking disheveled after a fight and staring ahead in Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

The new reimagining of Mr. and Mrs. Smith follows two lonely strangers, John (Donald Glover) and Jane (Maya Erskine), who give up their previous lives to join a mysterious spy agency. Not lovers or rivals like in the film, they are paired together by the agency to live under aliases as a married couple while carrying out high-risk missions. As they work together, the line between their professional lives and emotional connection blurs.

The show is able to break away from the movie, as well as the shadow of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, by updating its premise, making for an action-packed, romantic drama. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine have electric chemistry, grounded by performances that are both vulnerable and witty. The production is incredibly sleek, utilizing stunning global locations and a stylish, minimalist aesthetic that sets it apart from typical spy thrillers. The series was a critical darling, earning a total of 16 Primetime Emmy nominations (including Outstanding Drama Series) and winning two. The series will continue as an anthology series, with the new season focusing on a different couple.

2 'Fallout' (2024–2026)

Ella Purnell as Lucy in Fallout Season 2

Based on the video game franchise, Fallout takes place 200 years after a nuclear apocalypse. Lucy (Ella Purnell) leaves her secure underground vault to rescue her father (Kyle MacLachlan), only to find a functioning, violent, and weird world on the surface. Her path crosses with Maximus (Aaron Moten), a young soldier from the Brotherhood of Steel, and a cynical, mutated bounty hunter known as The Ghoul (Walton Goggins).

Continuing a rare streak of good Hollywood video game adaptations, Fallout now stands as one of the best of them all. With Jonathan Nolan serving as one of the directors, it captures the game's unique blend of retro and futuristic style, as well as its distinct personality. The production design is breathtaking, making the post-apocalyptic landscape and the vaults feel realistic and tactile. The performances, especially those of Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins, are exceptional, with Goggins being nominated for Best Lead Actor at the Emmys. The show itself nabbed 17 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.

1 'The Boys' (2019–2026)

Antony Starr as John Homelander in his supersuit with arms open and a wide smile in The Boys.

The Boys is set in a world where superheroes are real, but the most prominent ones are actually corrupt, narcissistic celebrities owned by a multi-billion-dollar corporation. A group of powerless vigilantes known as The Boys, led by Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), sets out to take them down. They attempt to expose the truth about The Seven and their leader with a god complex, Homelander (Anthony Starr).

Based on a comic book series, The Boys is a cultural juggernaut, famous for its fearless social satire and some of the most shocking visuals on television. While the first season fully satirizes superheroes, the following seasons provide a commentary on politics and society that are incredibly close to reality. Antony Starr’s performance as Homelander is widely considered one of the best villain portrayals in recent memory. The show also features an outstanding ensemble cast, including Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, and Jensen Ackles. It is Prime Video's most successful show to date, and it has been nominated for multiple Primetime Emmys. While the show will end with its fifth season, it has spawned several spin-offs that are also equally potent and popular.