3 Best Action Thrillers To Watch on Netflix This Weekend (October 31-November 1)

Published Oct 29, 2026, 3:33 PM EDT David is a Senior Editor at Collider focused primarily on Lists. His professional journey began in the mid-2010s as a Marketing specialist before embarking on his writing career in the 2020s. At Collider, David started as a Senior Writer in late 2022 and has been a Senior Editor since mid-2023. He is in charge of ideating compelling and engaging List articles by working closely with writers, both Senior and Junior, as well as other editors. Occasionally, David also reviews movies and TV shows and writes episode recaps. Currently, David is also writing his second novel, a psychological horror satire that will, hopefully, be picked up for publication sometime next year. Few genres go along with the thriller better than action. Indeed, few things are better than watching an action hero fight their way through a storm of enemies on their way to avenge some heinous crime or settle some unfinished score. Many of the best movies of the last 50 years are action thrillers, from foundational gems like Die Hard to instant modern classics like John Wick. If you are in the mood to watch a great action thriller this weekend, Netflix has you covered. Indeed, the so-called King of the Streamers has one of the best and most extensive libraries in the business, and it has no shortage of incredible action thrillers to get your adrenaline pumping. From daring originals to gritty urban stories, these are the best action-thrillers for you to watch on Netflix this weekend. 'The Equalizer' (2014) Image via Sony Pictures Releasing Let's start strong, shall we? Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, The Equalizer is a vigilante story with true grit. The film follows Robert McCall (Washington), a retired Marine and DIA Officer who is brought back into action to protect Teri (Chloë-Grace Moretz), a teenage victim who was being trafficked by the Russian mafia. The cast also includes David Harbour in a dastardly villainous role. Although it received largely mixed reviews, The Equalizer is a solid action-thriller that delivers exactly what it promises. Seeing Washington kick ass left and right is among the best cinematic experiences, especially when the film's villains are so openly unlikable. Fuqua does not pull back on the violence but blends it with considerable panache, resulting in an action thriller that is as brutal as it's stylish. The Equalizer is the perfect Sunday-night movie, and it's already scoring big numbers on Netflix. The two sequels are also solid, with great actors like Pedro Pascal and Dakota Fanning joining Washington. 'The Night Comes for Us' (2018) Image via Netflix Indonesian action cinema really exploded in the 2010s following the overwhelming success of Gareth Evans' now-iconic The Raid: Redemption. In 2018, Timo Tjahjanto delivered yet another banger with The Night Comes for Us, starring Iko Uwais and Joe Taslim. The duo plays a crime enforcer and a rising gang prospect, respectively, who come into conflict when the former rescues a young girl from a crime syndicate that subsequently sends the latter to recover her. It's truly no exaggeration to say The Night Comes for Us is one of the most intense movies of the 21st century. The action is non-stop and hyper-violent, to the point where some viewers might find it actively distressing and perhaps too much. However, all those who love their action with a heavy dose of larger-than-life vigor will be over the moon. There's gore, blood, elaborate choreography, and enough carnage to attract a Marvel symbiote. Uwais and Taslim are at the top of their game, creating a cinematic rivalry that more than justifies the violent chaos. The ending is particularly memorable, a mix of hope and nihilism that further cements the movie as a modern classic of action. 'Apex' (2026) Image via Netflix Lastly, we have one of Netflix's most recent movies that attracted a strong audience but faded from public awareness far too quickly. Oscar winner Charlize Theron stars in Apex as Sasha, a rock climber and kayaker grieving the recent passing of her boyfriend. In the Australian wilderness, Sasha finds herself hunted by Ben (Taron Egerton), a psychopathic local who enjoys hunting other humans as sport. Apex is a great survival thriller powered by two stellar performances. Theron is great as the adventurous woman who must struggle against the elements and her private demons while fighting a deranged and violent hunter. For his part, Egerton shines against-type in a role that asks him to embrace his wildest and most perverted instincts. The result is a classic game of cat-and-mouse that becomes all the more immersive due to the striking Australian landscape, both alluring and disturbing, a gorgeous death trap that makes the action feel more visceral. It's far from original, but Apex still delivers a solid adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Apex Release Date April 24, 2026 Cast Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana, Caitlin Stasey, Bessie Holland, Zachary Garred, Matt Whelan, Rob Carlton, Aaron Pedersen, Duncan Fellows, Julia Ohannessian, Niam Hogan, Willow Seager Runtime 96 minutes Director Baltasar Kormákur Writers Jeremy Robbins