15 Best Action Thriller TV Shows, Ranked

Action thrillers remain an exciting and popular genre on television, often producing some of the medium’s most compelling shows. While not every action thriller is a must-see, there are 15 that are definitely worth the investment. These top-tier series deliver exactly what viewers expect from the genre: high-octane drama, pulse-pounding action, high-stakes plots, and charismatic leads. Beyond checking the boxes, the best shows expand the boundaries of action storytelling through film-quality production, multidimensional characters, and thought-provoking themes that resonate beyond the thrills. The hallmarks of excellence in this genre are authentic suspense created through tightly-wound scripts.

Elevating dramatic stakes through relationships offsetting the kinetic energy also separates the good from the great. These complex ingredients blend masterfully in the following series, from covert operations to criminal underworlds, making them exhilarating watches that represent the gold standard of contemporary action television. While they cover diverse plots across subgenres, what unites these series is expert pacing, memorable characters, and most importantly, adrenaline that transfers directly from the screen.

15 The Recruit (2022-)

Starring Noah Centineo, Laura Haddock, and Fivel Stewart

With season 2 already confirmed, The Recruit builds major suspense. Navigating charged relationships and globe-trotting danger, the show provides smart writing, avoiding spy drama clichés. Balancing intricate storylines with terrorist threats and sabotage, each episode amps up the stakes while keeping the next moves a mystery. Though bringing adrenaline-fueled intrigue, The Recruit falls short of the top spot due to a lack of visceral, high-octane action sequences compared to other action thrillers. However, through risky missions and paranoia, it still delivers a thrilling rollercoaster centered on one recruit’s attempt to survive.

14 Special Ops: Lioness (2023-)

Starring Zoe Saldana, Nicole Kidman, and Laysla De Oliveira

With its gritty portrayal of an all-female special ops unit, Special Ops: Lioness raises the bar for military dramas. The show spotlights badass women thrust into perilous missions, dodging explosions and beating ruthless enemies while grappling with their own demons. Balancing tense hostage scenarios and rapid gun battles with quiet personal drama, Lioness takes viewers on an adrenaline-spiking ride. However, compared to offerings with higher budgets for expansive stunts and VFX, Lioness lacks some spectacle. Still, with a fierce female ensemble and unique filming locations, the show cements itself as a top-tier action-thriller.

13 Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Adan Canto, and Maggie Q.

Following an unexpected turn of events, Designated Survivor propels a lower-ranking cabinet member into the presidency after a devastating attack wipes out Washington’s power center. Guiding a grieving nation through turmoil, President Kirkman confronts conspiracies and threats aimed at undermining his fledgling administration at every juncture. Unlike other action-packed shows, Designated Survivor focuses more on dialogue than stunts. However, for those seeking insights into the complexities of power dynamics, this intelligent political thriller offers enough adrenaline to captivate genre enthusiasts, featuring an unexpected yet remarkable Commander in Chief facing monumental trials.

12 Burn Notice (2007-2013)

Starring Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, and Coby Bell

When a mysterious burn notice abruptly ends his spy career, Michael Westen relies on his covert ops skills to survive treacherous forces and solve the mystery behind his exile. Mixing high-energy cons and stings with complex spy craft, Burn Notice blazes a trail few shows traverse: the perilous aftermath of operatives cut loose from their duty. The show leverages its stripped-down Miami setting into an adrenaline-spiking strength, making Burn Notice perfect for a revival. For tightly-wound tension grounded in authentic tradecraft and state-of-the-art stunts, Burn Notice brings expert surveillance that thrills.

11 Altered Carbon (2018-2020)

Starring Joel Kinnaman, Martha Higareda, and Anthony Mackie

Altered Carbon constructs a lavish sci-fi realm with a gritty noir undertone, propelled by advanced technology that transfers consciousness across vast galactic cities. Protagonist Takeshi Kovacs grapples with eternal revival, pervasive corruption, and centuries-spanning conspiracies, blending cyberpunk action with profound existential queries. While the dense world-building occasionally overshadows the plot’s momentum, the series captivates with stunning visual effects and intense, Fight Club-inspired violence. Altered Carbon prioritizes dazzling style and rapid pacing over nuanced storytelling. Nonetheless, with its astronomical stakes and frequent twists, this genre-defying thriller stands out as a singular experience.

10 Alias (2001-2006)

Starring Jennifer Garner, Michael Vartan, and Bradley Cooper

Alias introduced a fresh wave of intricate action-thrillers with its detailed web of spy plots and shadowy organizations. Jennifer Garner’s portrayal of agent Sydney Bristow, navigating complex identities and global missions, captivated audiences with her emotional depth and combat prowess. The series balanced ongoing story arcs with standalone episodes, setting the standard for today’s serialized narratives. However, while Alias boasts expansive mythology and Garner’s breakout performance, some outdated elements, like unrealistic technology, detract from its polished feel compared to modern productions. Nevertheless, the show’s bold risks and nostalgic charm ensure its status as a highly entertaining and influential series.

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9 The Terminal List (2022-)

Starring Taylor Kitsch, Chris Pratt, and Riley Keough

After his team faces betrayal and ambush, Navy SEAL James Reece seeks vengeance in The Terminal List, adapted from Jack Carr’s novel. This series delves into murky military-political intrigue with amped up action. With The Terminal List season 2 on the way, the show unfolds like a blockbuster thriller franchise, heightened by a brooding score. However, inconsistent character development creates a disconnect between sociopolitical commentary and escapist action. Despite a gripping conspiracy, logical gaps in the narrative prevent The Terminal List from being considered the absolute best.

8 Banshee (2013-2016)

Starring Antony Starr, Lili Simmons, and Trieste Kelly Dunn

Banshee kicks off with an ex-con assuming the identity of a murdered sheriff to evade powerful enemies, crafting a lawless rural setting ruled by criminal clans. As Lucas Hood navigates moral ambiguity, the series blends visceral fight choreography with a pulpy neo-noir style. However, diversions into supporting characters’ backstories sometimes slow the central conflict’s momentum. Nonetheless, Banshee delivers white-knuckle showdowns and stark violence, heightening Starr’s antihero appeal. Despite some formulaic plot points, this thrill-ride is entertainment at its finest, making it a compelling watch.

7 The Night Agent (2023-)

Starring Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, and Sarah Desjardins

In The Night Agent, when an FBI agent uncovers a mole operating within Washington’s power corridors, the stakes skyrocket as democracy’s highest offices face infiltration. The series pits Russian spies against a lone operative striving to expose their intricate web, blending chilling political espionage with intense action. However, frequently opaque motivations from peripheral players can confuse the propulsive narrative. Nonetheless, for those seeking insider state secrets and layered surveillance echoing the geopolitical pulse, The Night Agent offers an adrenaline fix for insider knowledge.

6 24 (2001-2010)

Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Haysbert, and Elisha Cuthbert

Catapulting viewers into real-time stakes, 24 pioneered adrenaline-fueled serialization starring agent Jack Bauer. As terror threats and political snakes grow more sinister by the hour, the show’s structure ratchets up tension through a perpetually ticking clock. Beyond this pulse-pounding format, 24 delivered unmatched complexity. Compared to one-dimensional offerings, Bauer shines as a dynamic hero, confronting risks and dilemmas while fluidly employing an arsenal of skills. Though heightened scenarios verge on melodramatic, 24 pairs cunning spy craft with relentless action, capturing post-9/11 dangers with an authenticity no rival has matched before or since.

5 The Blacklist (2013-2023)

Starring James Spader, Megan Boone, Ryan Eggold

When a notorious criminal mastermind turns himself in to the FBI, The Blacklist ignites a web of global conspiracies and intriguing character dynamics. Raymond Reddington collaborates with agent Elizabeth Keen to capture criminals on his secret list, blending episodic takedowns with ongoing quests for truth. While the dense plotting occasionally complicates the narrative, James Spader shines as the cunning antihero. The Blacklist elevates this procedural TV show by intertwining geopolitical stakes with revelations from characters’ interconnected pasts. Offering slow-burning secrets, nefarious schemes, and cinematic action, this thriller sets itself apart from the rest.

4 Prison Break (2005-2017)

Starring Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies

Prison Break tells the story of a man who is wrongly convicted and sentenced to death. His brother then infiltrates the same prison in order to orchestrate a daring escape. With each episode, viewers are drawn into the intricate plan, experiencing heart-pounding tension and ingenious schemes. Although some plot twists may stretch believability for dramatic effect, the show distinguishes itself from typical action tropes with its complex characters facing extraordinary challenges. Both main and supporting characters undergo profound personal journeys, adding depth to the adrenaline-fueled action.

3 Jack Ryan (2018-2023)

Starring John Krasinski, Wendell Pierce, and Abbie Cornish

Bringing Tom Clancy’s beloved character to life, Jack Ryan combines intelligence with thrilling action as the CIA analyst races to thwart global conspiracies and war crimes. While following the technothriller formula, John Krasinski’s dynamic portrayal adds a modern twist to Ryan, blending wit and empathy with traditional heroics. Unlike imitators, Jack Ryan’s worldwide missions are authentic, immersing viewers in meticulously depicted locales brought to life by local casts and filming. Elevating the genre as both a gripping series and a reflection of real-world tensions, Jack Ryan offers top-tier production values for maximum entertainment value.

2 Homeland (2011-2020)

Starring Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, and Mandy Patinkin

Homeland is a great example of an action thriller that delivers gripping tension through nuanced character development rather than relying solely on action-packed thrills. As Carrie Mathison focuses on terrorism plots and internal intelligence conflicts, the series confronts political, cultural, and moral dilemmas head-on. Homeland skillfully weaves exhilarating mental chess matches into every episode with support from strong performances and a deep exploration of the personal sacrifices of public service. Homeland‘s web of ambiguous loyalties and conspiracies captivates and compels, making this one of TV’s best.

1 Reacher (2022-)

Starring Alan Ritchson, Willa Fitzgerald, Malcolm Goodwin

Adapted from Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series, Reacher blends cerebral detective work with intense action as its towering, yet silent protagonist uncovers corruption and conspiracy in small-town America. Unlike similar shows that rely on recycled character tropes and scenarios, Reacher injects freshness into the genre with its unique hero, a rarity in today’s TV landscape. With Alan Ritchson’s standout performance leading the way, Reacher revitalizes a saturated genre with the timeless appeal of a classic lone wolf morality tale done right.