12 action series with a gripping storyline

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Superhero stories, tough action about special forces, martial arts and a Star Wars project.

12. Arrow

• USA, 2012-2020.
• Action, science fiction, adventure.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

After a shipwreck, millionaire Oliver Quinn finds himself on a dangerous island. Returning to his hometown five years later, he begins to fight crime. And for the fact that the hero uses an unusual weapon, the hero gets the nickname Arrow.

The CW series, based on the DC comics of the same name, gave rise to a whole television universe, which included The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and other projects. Arrow itself closed after eight seasons, but the world of superhero stories is still expanding.

11. Spetsnaz

• USA, 2017 - present.
• Action, drama.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The elite division of American "SEALs" led by Jason Hayes performs the most dangerous missions around the world. They are involved in the capture of terrorists, rescue and sabotage operations.

"Spetsnaz" is the most simple and predictable action movie about tough guys. But on the other hand, the authors approached the preparation very carefully: the actors trained together with real military men, learning not only how to handle weapons and ammunition, but also slang.

10. Black mark

• USA, 2007-2013.
• Action, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

During a secret mission in Nigeria, Special Agent Michael Westen is declared unreliable. He hardly gets to Miami, but can no longer leave the city. To somehow make a living, Michael becomes a private detective.

The project is primarily built on action and humor. The main character constantly gets involved in dangerous situations, but the training of a special agent and the possession of almost any type of weapon help him get out. A lot of jokes, a lot of explosions - that's enough.

9. In the desert of death

• USA, 2015-2019.
• Adventure, drama, action.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

After several wars, the world is in ruins. Power was seized by cruel barons who divided zones of influence. Experienced Warrior Sunny meets a teenager with unusual abilities and a mysterious past. To understand his powers, the heroes will have to cross the desert of death.

This series will appeal to everyone who loves action films of the 80s – 90s, dedicated to oriental martial arts. The plot is very dynamic, and the post-apocalyptic surroundings only add to the atmosphere.

8. Jack Ryan

Jack ryan

• USA, 2018 - present.
• Political thriller, drama.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst with a military background, finds a terrorist financing channel among bank transfers. The hero changes his office work for the field days of an operative and goes to Europe and the Middle East.

The series of books by Tom Clancy about Jack Ryan has already been repeatedly transferred to screens. The famous agent has been played by such stars as Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, Ben Affleck and Chris Pine. But Amazon's project with John Krasinski is different from previous versions. Here the protagonist is just beginning his career as a field agent.

7. Retaliation

• UK, 2010-2020.
• Action, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Former Special Forces soldier John Porter leaves the service after two of his subordinates are killed while rescuing a hostage. But after seven years, he returns to fieldwork, trying to atone for past mistakes.

The first season of the series is based on the book of the same name by Chris Ryan, a former sergeant of the British Air Force. Then the authors came up with their own stories. But in the United States, they were accused of the similarity of the project with the next series on the list.

6.24 hours

• USA, 2001-2010.
• Action, thriller, detective.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

Jack Bauer of the Counter-Terrorism Department has to save the country, if not the world, from a variety of dangers with unenviable regularity. In the first season, he prevents an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate, in the second, he is looking for a nuclear bomb, in the third, he neutralizes the virus. Moreover, for each assignment, Bauer has only one day.

The project has a main distinguishing feature that makes it as dynamic as possible. All events are shown in real time. That is, 24 episodes of the season are 24 hours in the life of the hero.

5. Warrior

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Action, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

A young emigrant from China arrives in San Francisco in the second half of the 19th century. The city is torn apart by the confrontation of ethnic groups, turning into a real war. The main character finds himself at the epicenter of gang wars in local Chinatown.

The series is based on the idea of the legendary Bruce Lee, which he came up with back in 1971. Moreover, the master's daughter, Shannon Lee, also participated in the development.

4. Punisher

• USA, 2017-2019.
• Action, thriller.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Former Special Forces soldier Frank Castle lost his entire family in a New York gang shootout. He decides to take revenge on the villains and cleanse the city of crime. For his cruelty, Castle quickly earns the nickname The Punisher.

For the first time this hero appeared in the second season of the TV series "Daredevil", where his backstory was told. But from the plot of the Punisher's own story, all people with supernormal abilities were excluded, turning the action into a cruel action movie.

3. Daredevil

• USA, 2015-2018.
• Science fiction, action, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

After a tragic incident as a child, Matt Murdock loses his sight. But he manages to develop all other senses, first of all - hearing. Matt is trained by a martial artist and becomes a superhero. Now he works as a lawyer during the day, and at night he defends the city from criminals with his fists.

This series began the history of the world of "Defenders" - a joint project of Marvel and Netflix. The project is distinguished by superbly staged battle scenes, sometimes shot in one long shot, as well as a special gloom and cruelty.

2. Guys

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Drama, action.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

Superheroes who fight criminals have become the stars and idols of millions. Such popularity has corrupted the former defenders of the world. One of these superheroes accidentally kills the main character's girl. Then he joins the team of Billy Butcher, who hates people with supernormal abilities and dreams of putting them in their place.

One of the main hits of recent years combines a superhero action movie and a black comedy, which helped "Boys" to win the love of the audience. Surprisingly, the plot does not forget about serious topics, capturing politics, the problems of the stars and even relationships with loved ones.

1. Mandalorian

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Science fiction, action, adventure.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The bounty hunter from the planet Mandalore sets out in search of a mysterious goal that many want to possess. This task completely changes the life of the hero, and he finds himself in the center of the confrontation of very serious forces.

The first Star Wars fiction series brought back the feeling of old films with a fantasy world and simple dynamic plots to viewers. The project became a real hit, and its heroes became the favorites of the audience. Since the second season, "The Mandalorian" has become more close to the rest of the plots of the franchise. Soon, viewers will find many spin-offs about the minor characters of the series.