Let’s be honest: sometimes you don’t feel like watching a serious drama. Action movies are a great way to escape, with exciting stunts and huge explosions. This October, Netflix has many action films that will keep you glued to the screen.
From epic battles and daring heists to fast chases and superheroes, there’s something for every action fan. Whether you enjoy classic blockbusters or new releases, these movies are full of adventure, excitement, and non-stop entertainment. To help you pick, we’ve put together a list of 10 best action movies to watch on Netflix this October.
Godzilla Minus One
“Godzilla Minus One” 2023 is much more than a monster movie. It’s a powerful story about loss, guilt, and redemption. Set in Japan after World War II, it follows Koichi Shikishima, played by Ryunosuke Kamiki, a former kamikaze pilot struggling with shame and survivor’s guilt after the war. His life takes another turn when Godzilla, a massive creature, begins to cause destruction. Wanting to make up for his past mistakes, Koichi decides to face the monster and save his country.
Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. You can stream the movie on Netflix or watch its special black-and-white version titled “Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color.”
Bullet Train Explosion
Directed by Shinji Higuchi and starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi as Kazuya Takaichi, this Japanese action thriller is a sequel to the 1975 film “The Bullet Train.” The story is about a high-speed train heading to Tokyo that is in danger after a mysterious person warns that it will explode if its speed drops below 100 kilometres per hour (about 62 mph).
The situation gets worse when the bomber demands that the passengers work together to raise a ransom of 100 billion yen. As panic spreads among the passengers, the police, government, and train crew race against time to save everyone. On April 23rd, 2025, the film premiered on Netflix.
Da 5 Bloods
Spike Lee’s 2020 film, “Da 5 Bloods,” is a powerful story about friendship, loss, and the lasting scars of war. It tells the story of four Black Vietnam War veterans, played by Clarke Peters, Delroy Lindo, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Norm Lewis, who return to Vietnam years later to recover the body of their fallen squad leader, Stormin’ Norman, and a stash of gold they buried during the war. As they journey through the country, they are guided by Tien, the ex-girlfriend of one of the soldiers, and are forced to face both physical dangers and painful memories.
The story of the film moves between past and present, showing how the trauma of war still affects them, even decades later. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a score of 92%. You can now stream “Da 5 Bloods” on Netflix.
Extraction
“Extraction,” which premiered in 2020, stars Chris Hemsworth as Tyler Rake, a former Australian Army Special Air Service Regiment member and a fearless black market mercenary with a troubled past. When he is hired to rescue Ovi, the kidnapped son of India’s biggest drug lord, Rake’s mission quickly turns into a fight for survival. As the city goes into lockdown, he risks everything to protect the boy and forms an unexpected bond with him.
Directed by Sam Hargrave, who made his feature film debut after years of working as a stunt coordinator on Marvel hits, such as “The Avengers” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” Extraction is filled with high-intensity action scenes and some emotional scenes.
Based on the graphic novel Ciudad and written by Joe Russo, the film received positive reviews for Hemsworth’s brilliant performance. You can stream “Extraction” on Netflix and also watch its 2023 sequel, which brings Idris Elba into the story.
The Gray Man
Before showing off his “Kenergy” in Barbie, Ryan Gosling made his big return to movies with “The Gray Man,” released in 2022. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and based on Mark Greaney’s novel, the film is about a skilled CIA assassin known as Sierra Six, who becomes the target of a ruthless killer, played by Chris Evans, after finding dark secrets within the agency.
The film also stars Regé-Jean Page, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Julia Butters, and Alfre Woodard. Packed with intense action and big stunts, “The Gray Man” brings back the feel of a classic spy thriller. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 6.5/10.
Okja
Two years before “Parasite” made him a global name, Bong Joon Ho worked with Netflix to create “Okja.” The film tells the story of Mija, a young girl from South Korea who has raised a genetically engineered “super pig” named Okja. When Okja is declared the best super pig by a powerful agrochemical company, it is taken away, and Mija sets off on a journey to NYC to rescue it and reveal the cruel practices of the Mirando Corporation, led by Lucy Mirando.
Mixing science fiction, action, fantasy, and adventure, Okja 2017 is a special movie with lots of exciting and touching moments. The film features a talented cast, including Paul Dano, Ahn Seo-hyun, Steven Yeun, Lily Collins, Yoon Je-moon, Shirley Henderson, Byun Hee-bong, Tilda Swinton, Giancarlo Esposito, Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniel Henshall, Devon Bostick, and Choi Woo-shik.
Elysium
In the 2013 sci-fi thriller “Elysium,” Matt Damon stars as Max, a former car thief living in a ruined Los Angeles in 2154. After being accidentally exposed to radiation at work, Max finds out he only has five days to live. His only hope is to reach Elysium, a luxurious space station where advanced technology can heal any illness. However, when he steals important information from Elysium’s defense secretary, getting there safely becomes more dangerous.
In addition to Damon, the film also stars Sharlto Copley, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner, Alice Braga, and Diego Luna. Directed by Neill Blomkamp, the film has exciting action along with strong social messages.
The Hurt Locker
The American war action thriller puts you right in the middle of life-or-death situations. Jeremy Renner plays the character of Staff Sergeant James, a bomb disposal expert who joins Bravo Company during the second year of the Iraq War. His high-risk methods often clash with his team, especially Sergeant J.T. Sanborn, played by Anthony Mackie. Additionally, the film stars Brian Geraghty, Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce, Evangeline Lilly, and David Morse.
Written by Mark Boal, a former journalist and directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film is widely praised for its intensity. Also, Bigelow made history as the first woman to win the Oscar for Best Director for this film. At the 2008 Venice International Film Festival, the film was first premiered. Later, in the United States, it was released in June 2009.
The Electric State
After their hit “The Gray Man,” the directors Anthony and Joe Russo teamed up again with Netflix for the 2025 sci-fi adventure “The Electric State.” The story, written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, takes place in an alternate 1990s where humans and robots fought a devastating war.
Millie Bobby Brown, who appeared in “Stranger Things” and “Enola Holmes,” stars as a teenage girl who finds a robot claiming to hold the mind of her brother, who she thought was dead. Together, they travel across a ruined America toward the Exclusion Zone, where robots were sent after the war.
Along the way, they meet a smuggler, played by Chris Pratt, and his robot companion. The film also features an impressive voice cast for robots, including Jenny Slate, Colman Domingo, Anthony Mackie, Ke Huy Quan and Woody Harrelson as Mr Peanut. On IMDb, the film has a rating of 5.9/10.
The Old Guard
“The Old Guard” 2020, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and based on Greg Rucka’s comic series, is about a team of immortal warriors. They have been protecting the world for centuries. Andy, played by Charlize Theron, leads the group, which has some other members also. Gifted with the ability to heal from any wound, they work as covert mercenaries, using their powers to fight for what they believe is right.
One of their missions exposes their abilities and puts them in danger of capture by an organization seeking to take advantage of their immortality. With the help of U.S. Marine Nile, played by Kiki Layne, the group fights to stay free. The film got mostly good reviews, with people especially liking the action scenes and Charlize Theron’s performance. You can watch the film on Netflix, and to continue the story, you can also stream its sequel, “The Old Guard 2.”
These action-packed films on Netflix are perfect for an exciting movie night this October.
