Best Action Adventure Movies on Netflix
Image Credit: Tloessy on Deviant Art
Everyone needs a bit of adventure in their life—even if it’s experienced vicariously, in the comfort of your own blanket nest on the sofa. These must-watch action adventure movies on Netflix are sure to deliver the excitement you crave, without any of the physical exertion.
- Sherlock Holmes (2009)
- Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
- Snowpiercer (2013)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Sherlock Holmes is one of the most known and well-renowned detectives in entertainment history—other than Batman, technically speaking. As a franchise, the story’s been told from just about any angle, and yet fans can’t get enough (again, like Batman).
In this rendition, audiences get the too-cool combo of Downey, Jr. and Law, who both manage to capture the most beloved traits of their characters (Holmes and Watson, respectively) while delivering a twist and charm only those actors can.
After stopping the cult-like murder of a young woman, Holmes and Watson are thrust into a much more complicated web than they first imagined: the criminal, Blackwood, warns Holmes that three more deaths—which Holmes cannot prevent—will soon occur and change the world.
Right after this, he is hanged for his crimes…but soon appears to rise from the grave to continue his crimes.
This film blends action with eerie dark magic and incredible science—but the really mesmerizing part is, of course, watching Sherlock’s brilliant deductive skills in action.
Find it on Netflix here.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Alison Pill, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
While it bombed at the box office, no one can deny Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World was an instant cult classic.
Canadian 22-year-old Scott Pilgrim wants to date delivery girl Ramona Flowers, but to do that, he must defeat her seven evil exes—portrayed like 16-bit video game bosses, with fun and thrilling action sequences to match.
Silly, crazy, and ultimately charming, this creative film might lack broad commercial appeal…but in this case, that’s definitely a good thing. Gone are conventional plot elements, overused cinematic tricks, and dull or played-out storylines.
Scott Pilgrim is a visually and musically stunning movie, and just plain fun to watch—and rewatch, time and time again. In the end, that’s the highest praise any film can get.
Find it on Netflix here.
Snowpiercer (2013)
Director: Bong Joon-Ho
Cast: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Ewen Bremner, Ko Asung, John Hurt, Ed Harris
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Dystopian and end-of-the-world movies are a dime a dozen nowadays, but where Snowpiercer shines is that it wastes no time with unnecessary exposition.
Rather, the backstory and character-building happen as the plot progresses (as all good media should do). This keeps you fully immersed in the film from start to finish.
After science attempts to stop global warming and disastrously fails, the world enters another ice age. The last survivors of humanity live aboard the Snowpiercer, a train that never stops moving at incredible speeds to keep its passengers alive.
Class divides the train in two. While wealthy passengers enjoy the front of the train and its best amenities, poorer passengers inhabit dark, uncomfortable cars near the back. When a revolt begins, members of both classes fight for power.
Meanwhile, others wonder if the outside world is still as uninhabitable as they’ve been told.
Out of all the post-apocalypse films, Snowpiercer is by far one of the more underrated ones.
Find it on Netflix here.
Django Unchained (2012)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, Michael Parks, Don Johnson
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Quentin Tarantino is on the list of being one of the best directors of all time. He also creates fantastic revenge films with both irresistible gore and riveting storylines. Django Unchained showcases that perfectly.
Django, a former slave turned bounty-hunting quick shooter, hatches a plan to free his still-enslaved wife from her new owner.
Every actor in this film gives such an amazing performance, you’d think it was their last.
Find it on Netflix here.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen, Nathalie Baye
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Based on true events, Catch Me If You Can follows teenage con artist Frank Abagnale, who posed as a Pan Am pilot, lawyer, and even doctor.
He also made millions in check fraud, all before his nineteenth birthday.
The movie doesn’t just show the thrilling “how” of his crimes, but his evasion of the FBI and the consequences of his brilliant schemes, too.
Tom Hanks and Leonardo Dicaprio give incredible performances, and you’ll feel more than a little conflict as you root for the “bad guy” to get away with it…while also hoping the feds catch him, just to see what happens.
Find it on Netflix here.
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When adventure calls, it’s nice to pick up and head out…but sometimes, a few action-adventure films, like those offered on Netflix, can scratch the itch even better. But, with a platform as large as Netflix, fans of film and TV need not stop at action-adventure. Be sure to mix it up with some of the best original series, including some movies by Netflix or some amazing thriller movies. Or if you’re longing for a longer adventure, Netflix has some of the best binge-worthy shows available to watch.
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