The 7 Most Explosive Action Films On Paramount+ Right Now
Action films are a hallmark of the cinematic landscape, appealing to fans of practically every prospective genre imaginable.
Whether you’re partial to light-hearted romantic comedies or routinely gravitate towards darker horror films, there’s something universally captivating about a crowd-pleasing action movie, be it the latest Mission: Impossible film or a long-awaited sequel like Gladiator II.
Fortunately, Paramount+ has plenty of fantastic action movies lining its online catalog, each of which are capable of elevating your movie-going experience tenfold. From comedic fantasy films to iconic ‘80s adventure movies, here are some of the greatest action films currently streaming on Paramount+, ranked from worst to best.
Bumblebee (2018)
Aside, perhaps, for a few dedicated fans, Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise hasn’t exactly matched other notable action franchises of the 2000s, 2010s, or 2020s. However disappointing most of the past Transformers films have been, the series did include one memorable outing with 2018’s exceptional Bumblebee. A fantastic prequel film set in mid-1980s California, Bumblebee’s light story, agreeable performances, and sleek direction is enough to appease longtime fans and relatively newer Transformers viewers alike, outfitting the franchise with its single best outing to date – bar none.
The Warriors (1979)
There’s a reason The Warriors has remained a beloved cult classic for the past four decades. Singled out for praise by everyone from Edgar Wright to Quentin Tarantino, The Warriors offers a stylized tour of Manhattan’s seedier underbelly, from the dark corners of Van Cortlandt Park to the clutter-filled boardwalk of Coney Island. Set over the course of a single night, The Warriors follows its titular gang as they journey from the northern edge of the Bronx to their home turf in Brooklyn. Framed for the murder of an influential gang leader and outrunning countless rival factions, the Warriors must battle for their survival on their epic odyssey home, narrowly staying one step ahead of the criminal bands seeking their demise. A slightly campy crime film? Perhaps. An effortlessly fun time? Absolutely.
Gladiator II (2024)
A sequel 24 years in the making, Gladiator II might not measure up to the dramatic heights of 2000’s Oscar-winning Gladiator, but it’s a more than entertaining historical film featuring memorable characters, wondrous action, and awe-inspiring performances. Bolstered by scene-stealing appearances from Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington, Gladiator II is a long-awaited sword-and-sandal epic viewers never knew they wanted, favorably complimenting its predecessor in more ways than one.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
It may have taken roughly five decades to see the light of day, but audiences finally witnessed a worthwhile D & D adaptation with 2023’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Set in the expansive world of the hit role-playing game, Honor Among Thieves acts as an endearing love letter to D & D itself, ingeniously incorporating various devices from the original game, from mischievous bards and shapeshifting druids to traitorous rogues and lovingly plump dragons. Rather than taking itself too seriously, Honor Among Thieves instead offers a more light-hearted depiction of its central narrative, likening itself to an actual D & D game played among close friends than an overly serious fantasy epic like LOTR or The Hobbit.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
It’s not very often that a mainstream action franchise gets better over time. But like its lead star Tom Cruise, Mission: Impossible is only continuing to age like a fine wine, growing from a tech-heavy espionage series into an action property every bit as great – if not better – as the James Bond franchise. With Dead Reckoning Part One, Cruise leads his industrious IMF team on their most dangerous assignment yet, coming face to face with a rogue AI unit that threatens to plunge the world into political chaos. A promising first act in a two-part adventure, Dead Reckoning Part One ranks among the best M:I films viewers have seen to date – which, when compared to the critical heights of Ghost Protocol, Rogue Nation, and Fallout, is certainly saying something.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Mission: Impossible isn’t the only action franchise Tom Cruise has successfully revitalized in recent years. Thirty-six years after its earlier entry, Cruise returns to the franchise that helped make him an overnight sensation with 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick. A drastic improvement over the original Top Gun in every way, shape, and form, Maverick comes equipped with bigger, bolder, and even more high-octane action than its predecessor, standing apart as a sequel well worth viewers’ time and attention. That being said, all we can suggest is watching the finished film on the largest, loudest television or movie screen at your immediate disposal.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
It’s hard to think of a name more closely tied to the action genre than Harrison Ford’s fedora-clad, bullwhip-cracking archaeologist, Indiana Jones. Making his debut with 1981’s all-time classic Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first chapter in the Indiana Jones franchise might very well be the best in the series’ continuity. Transposing its lead hero from the jungles of South America to the rolling deserts of the Middle East, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the ultimate pulp adventure film, complete with a rip-roaring plot filled with scheming fascists, tough-talking love interests, claustrophobic tombs, and breathtaking chase chases. What more could you ever ask for in a tried-and-true Indiana Jones outing?
