There’s nothing like unwinding after a long, arduous day with a good action thriller. Prime Video’s Reacher certainly fits that bill. The mega-popular Alan Ritchson series has kept fans on the edge of their seats for three seasons with a heaping helping of action, violence, well-choreographed fight sequences, and strong performances. But really, the main draw is watching a massive hunk (who looks like he could break you in half) beat the snot out of bad dudes.
Believe it or not, there is a boatload of shows in the same vein as Reacher – some are (gasp) even better, too. Let’s dive into 10 great action thrillers that will make you forget about Reacher (at least while you watch them).
‘The Terminal List’ – Prime Video (1 Season, 2022-Present)
Nothing gets the blood pumping like a thrilling mystery. One of Chris Pratt’s post-Marvel projects (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, aside), The Terminal List packs in the action, with hand-to-hand combat and shootouts aplenty. It follows Pratt’s character, Lieutenant Commander James Reece, after his Navy SEALs platoon is ambushed during a covert mission. Upon returning home, Reece questions his conflicting memories of said mission. Reece discovers there are dark forces working against him, putting the lives of those he loves in danger, as he fights tooth and nail to keep them at bay.
In addition to Pratt, the action-thriller series also stars Constance Wu, Taylor Kitsch (who spearheads his own spin-off, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf), Riley Keough, Arlo Mertz, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. Season 2 is slated to hit Prime Video later this year.
‘Bloodhounds’ – Netflix (2 Seasons, 2023-Present)
South Korea has become a hub of thoroughly compelling, high-octane action TV. Exhibit A: Bloodhounds. The action-crime thriller zeroes in on Kim Gun-woo, a promising young boxer, who tumbles headfirst into danger after his mother falls prey to a ruthless loan shark organization called Smile Capital. He forges a bond with Hong Woo-jin, a former Marine who also finds refuge in boxing. Alongside Choi Tae-ho, a moneylender, the dynamic duo vows to topple Smile Capital at any cost. Expect a lot of gore with this one. It’s not for the squeamish. The fight sequences are well-choreographed with captivating cinematography.
The Netflix series stars Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Tae Won-seok, Choi Siwon, Yun Yoo-sun, and Choi Young-joon. As of writing, Season 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet.
‘Hanna’ – Prime Video (3 Seasons, 2019-2021)
What if you were the weapon? Prime Video’s Hanna is based on the 2011 Saoirse Ronan film of the same name. Here, Hanna, a 15-year-old girl, resides with her father in a forest in Poland (rather than Finland, like the movie). Born into a CIA program in which children’s DNA was enhanced to create super-soldiers, Hanna is quite gifted. After her dad, Erik, fell in love with her mother, he broke Hanna out of the CIA facility. The CIA ordered a shutdown of their project, UTRAX, and sent an agent, Marissa, to “eliminate” all the babies – including Hanna. What transpires next is an enthralling coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a pulse-pounding, action-packed thriller.
Hanna stars Esmé Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Áine Rose Daily, Cherrelle Skeete, Dermot Mulroney, Yasmin Monet Prince, and Joel Kinnaman.
‘Daredevil’ – Netflix (3 Seasons, 2015-2018)
Ah, the Marvel Netflix years. What a time to be alive. While it’s wonderful that our favorite street-level heroes are finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe proper, nothing compares to the OG Netflix years, particularly for Daredevil. That’s not to say Daredevil: Born Again is “bad” by any stretch, but I digress. Anyway, Daredevil follows Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer by day and a vigilante by night, who fights crime in New York City. He meets his match with Wilson Fisk, also known as Kingpin, a merciless crime lord. The titular Daredevil gets some well-executed, brilliantly choreographed fight scenes that rival some of the best action-thrillers out there. They’re a delight to watch and certainly keep you on the edge of your seat.
The series stars Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Vincent D’Onofrio.
‘Cross’ – Prime Video (2 Seasons, 2024-Present)
Whatever you do, do not cross Cross. Prime Video’s mega-hit crime-thriller show focuses on Alex Cross, a Washington, D.C. homicide detective and forensic psychologist. He solves crimes by delving into the minds of killers and victims alike, working tirelessly to uncover the truth and bring wrongdoers to justice. Cross artfully dissects racial inequality, an imbalanced justice system, and the darker parts of law enforcement. There’s also fast-paced action aplenty, complemented by elements of suspense and psychological drama.
Cross stars Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, Juanita Jennings, Samantha Walkes, Caleb Elijah, Melody Hurd, and Johnny Ray Gill. Season 3 is on the horizon.
‘Alice in Borderland’ – Netflix (3 Seasons, 2020-2025)
Who doesn’t love an action-thriller that defies genre conventions, even exhibiting sci-fi elements? Alice in Borderland is a truly unique series based on the manga of the same name by Haro Aso. It follows Arisu, a jobless, video-game-obsessed young man who inexplicably finds himself in an upside-down version of Tokyo. There, he and his friends must compete in a series of dangerous games in order to survive. Alice in Borderland is a visual feast for the eyes, blending heart-pounding action and bleak scenes of survival with arresting performances for an entertaining watch.
Alice in Borderland stars Kento Yamazaki, Tao Tsuchiya, Nijirô Murakami, Aya Asahina, Yûtarô Watanabe, and Keita Machida.
‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ – Prime Video (4 Seasons, 2018-2023)
Jim from The Office is buff now; ergo, he’s prime real estate to become TV’s next action star. John Krasinski plunged into Tom Clancy’s Ryanverse in 2018, starring as the titular Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst, as he is thrown into the field from the security of his desk job. Upon discovering a series of suspicious bank transfers, Ryan tumbles headfirst into a conspiracy with astronomical stakes. If you love your action thriller with a hefty dose of political intrigue, a smattering of espionage, and a dash of explosions, look no further than Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.
In addition to Krasinski, the series stars Wendell Pierce, Michael Kelly, Abbie Cornish, and Betty Gabriel.
‘Black Doves’ – Netflix (1 Season, 2024)
One sees Keira Knightley in a spy thriller; one must watch Keira Knightley in said spy thriller. Hailing from Joe Barton (who created the criminally underrated The Lazarus Project), Black Doves stars Knightley as Helen, the wife of the Secretary of State for Defence. Helen learns that her secret identity as a spy is in danger when her lover is murdered by London’s underworld. Sam, an old friend, is sent by Helen’s employers, the titular Black Doves, to help her keep her identity under wraps. Black Doves is unabashedly pulpy, gleefully violent, and just plain fun. It deftly balances high-octane action with sharp, dark wit.
In addition to Knightley, Black Doves stars Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan, Andrew Koji, Omari Douglas, Sam Troughton, Ella Lily Hyland, and Isabella Wei. Season 2 is on the way.
’24’ – FOX (8 Seasons, 2001-2010)
Here’s an oldie but a goodie – 24. For almost a decade, the Kiefer Sutherland vehicle was the quintessential action thriller, especially on broadcast TV. Agent Jack Bauer moves through the series as someone who might as well have “ends justify the means” tattooed on their forehead. His objective while working for the Counter Terrorist Unit, Los Angeles Division, is to protect the US from terrorist plots. What makes this show unique is that the plots Bauer must eradicate take place in “real time,” over the course of one hour. That element alone renders 24 a white-knuckled, edge-of-your-seat affair. The narrative stakes are through the roof.
In addition to Sutherland, the series stars Mary Lynn Rajskub, Carlos Bernard, Dennis Haysbert, Elisha Cuthbert, and James Morrison.
‘The Night Agent’ – Netflix (3 Seasons, 2023-Present)
Gotta love it when someone gets an unexpected promotion. In Netflix’s wildly popular The Night Agent, FBI agent Peter Sutherland works in the basement of the White House, manning a phone that never rings. Well, until it does. He barrels into an intricate conspiracy that leads all the way to the Oval Office. Peter embarks on a desperate hunt for the traitor while protecting tech CEO Rose Larkin from those who murdered her aunt and uncle. The Night Agent is as addictive and bingeable as they come. It’s action-packed, thrilling, and just plain entertaining.
The Night Agent stars Gabriel Basso, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Luciane Buchanan, Louis Herthum, Albert Jones, and Amanda Warren. Season 4 will go into production soon.
What are your favorite action thrillers that eclipse Reacher? Did we include yours in this list? Let us know in the comments.
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
