8 Action Shows Better Than Reacher

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Despite being a really good action show – and one of the best recent ones – eight other TV series in the genre are even better than Reacher. This Amazon Prime Video drama, which started in 2022 and currently has three seasons (with a fourth coming soon), is based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child.

Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher has big shoes to fill, following the 2012 movie adaptation starring Tom Cruise. Luckily, both critics and viewers have generally enjoyed the show. However, it’s not without flaws, and it’s probably not the greatest action series ever made.

8. The Boys

2019–Present

Amazon Prime Video has quickly become known for its excellent action shows, and it’s where you can find The Boys. This show, created by Eric Kripke, is a darkly comedic and action-packed series based on the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. It centers on a group of vigilantes—known as ‘The Boys’—who fight against ‘The Seven,’ a team of superheroes who are secretly corrupt.

Unlike typical superhero stories from Marvel and DC, The Boys offers a completely fresh take on the genre. If you’re tired of the usual superhero films and shows, this Amazon Prime Video series is a great alternative. It’s been highly praised by critics and even earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama Series in 2021.

Many fans consider The Boys to be the best show Amazon Prime Video has ever created, especially when it comes to action series. The only drawback is that it’s scheduled to conclude after its fifth season in 2026. Fortunately, the world of The Boys is expanding with two spin-offs: Gen V, which has already released two seasons, and Vought Rising, a prequel featuring Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy.

7. Slow Horses

2022–Present

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Okay, so I stumbled onto Slow Horses and honestly, it totally surprised me. It’s one of those shows that doesn’t immediately grab you, but trust me, it’s way better than it looks! The idea behind it is really fresh, and having Gary Oldman as the lead is a huge plus. I didn’t expect it to be one of the best action shows on TV lately, but it genuinely is. I’m a bit of a spy thriller fanatic, and this one really delivers.

Slow Horses is a TV series based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels. The show follows a team of MI5 agents who have been sidelined and sent to Slough House after making errors in their previous roles. Considered untrustworthy by the agency, they’re assigned to perform dull, routine tasks.

The Apple TV show Slow Horses started in April 2022 and finished its fifth season in October 2025. Because it’s been so popular, Apple TV has already renewed it for two more seasons, up to season seven. This means fans can continue enjoying the highly-rated series for quite a while.

6. Daredevil

2015–2018

As a huge Marvel fan, I always thought the Netflix Daredevil series was their best live-action show. So, I was really disappointed when it was canceled back in 2018. It was a massive relief to hear Disney+ was bringing it back after seven years! The show originally dropped in 2015 and quickly became a hit for Netflix, running for three seasons before the unfortunate cancellation.

Unlike many TV shows, Daredevil consistently maintained a high level of quality throughout its run. Each season of the Netflix superhero series was strong, largely due to the talented cast – especially Charlie Cox – the well-written stories, and the exciting action. The show is famous for its incredible fight choreography, including the unforgettable hallway fight in season 1 and the intense prison battle in season 3 – both remarkably filmed in single, continuous shots.

There’s a lot of hope for the new Daredevil series, Daredevil: Born Again, on Disney+. Early signs are good – Disney has already renewed the show for a third season, ensuring it will run for at least as long as the original. However, the Daredevil series that originally aired on Netflix is still considered the best version.

5. Fallout

2024–Present

Amazon Prime Video continues to deliver top-notch action series, and their 2024 release of Fallout is no exception. This Emmy-winning drama, based on the popular video game, tells the story of how society fell apart after a nuclear war in 2077.

Following a devastating war, survivors sought safety in underground shelters called Vaults. Each Vault secretly conducted social and psychological experiments on its residents. Two centuries later, in 2296, a woman named Lucy (played by Ella Purnell) ventures out of her Vault to find her father, who has gone missing.

There’s a lot more to discover in Fallout, and you can find it by watching the first season. Season 2 is scheduled to arrive on December 17, 2025. Because the show was so popular on Amazon Prime Video, it’s already been renewed for a third season!

4. Banshee

2013–2016

I’m a huge fan of Banshee, and honestly, it doesn’t get nearly enough attention! It’s an amazing action show. The story centers around Lucas Hood, played by Antony Starr – he’s an ex-criminal who basically becomes the sheriff in a small town after the original sheriff is killed. It’s all a clever disguise, though. He’s hiding from a dangerous crime boss named Rabbit, someone he ripped off in the past, and he’s trying to stay one step ahead.

Even though viewers loved it, Banshee only lasted four seasons and 38 episodes, ending in 2016. The creators felt the story had come to a satisfying end and didn’t want to prolong it unnecessarily. Despite its short run, Banshee remains a highly recommended show for fans of action-packed dramas.

3. Alias

2001–2006

J.J. Abrams’ Alias was a standout action show in the early 2000s, and many consider it one of the best TV series of that era. The ABC drama starred Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow, a CIA agent who secretly worked for a criminal organization called SD-6. The show centers on Sydney’s efforts to keep her double life a secret.

Critics and viewers both loved Alias, especially its exciting action scenes. The show was a hit, running for five seasons and a total of 105 episodes. Although ABC canceled it in 2006, Alias remains a significant show in the action genre and is remembered for helping to pave the way for strong female characters on television in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

2. Justified

2010–2015

During its six seasons, Justified was widely praised, winning two Emmy Awards (for Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies) and being hailed as one of the best shows of the 2010s. Simply put, the FX action crime drama is exceptional.

At the heart of Justified is Raylan Givens, a Deputy U.S. Marshal played by Timothy Olyphant, who approaches his work in a unique way. He often feels like a lawman from a bygone era, reminiscent of the Old West. While that description captures a piece of it, Justified is a surprisingly layered and complex show, and those who give it a chance will find it’s a modern Western done brilliantly.

1. 24

2001–2010, 2014

It’s tough for any action show to compare to 24, which many consider the greatest of all time. While it wasn’t flawless, 24 at its best was truly exceptional and undeniably shaped television in the 2000s.

Fox’s show 24 is truly one-of-a-kind because each episode unfolds in real time. With 24 episodes per season, the entire story of a season takes place over just one day. This innovative concept initially attracted a large audience, but it was the show’s intense action, gripping storylines, and Kiefer Sutherland’s compelling portrayal of Jack Bauer that kept viewers coming back for more.

The show 24 originally aired for eight seasons, plus a TV movie called 24: Redemption Day. Four years after it ended, the network Fox revived it for a ninth season. 24 won several Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Drama Series. While it’s hoped Reacher will also be a hit, it’s hard to deny that 24 was the superior show.

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2025-11-04 03:11