9 Groundbreaking Action Shows That Changed TV Forever

by

Action is a key ingredient in many popular and successful shows. It’s not just a widely enjoyed genre, but one that’s constantly growing, whether through exciting stories or thrilling fight scenes. What’s great about action is that it can be added to almost any type of show, like romance or even anime, making it incredibly adaptable.

Action has always been a popular element in TV shows, sometimes the main focus and other times used to drive the plot forward. While many action series have been forgotten over time, some have become incredibly popular and are now seen as innovative. These standout shows are packed with exciting action, intense conflicts, and physical fights.

Game of Thrones Is One of the Most Memorable TV Shows

As a huge fan of TV, I have to say Game of Thrones is one of those shows everyone knows. It’s based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels and ran for eight seasons. What I loved about it was how epic it was – a massive cast and so many storylines happening at once! It all really revolved around the struggle for control of the Iron Throne, and that central conflict drove everything.

While Game of Thrones is known as a fantasy series, its thrilling action is a major reason it’s considered one of the best TV shows ever made. Even though it’s not just about action, the show delivers plenty of intense fights and large-scale battles for viewers who enjoy that. These scenes are often brutal, but they’re also beautifully filmed and expertly choreographed.

Squid Game Features Action-Packed Brutality

When Squid Game premiered in 2019, it quickly became a massive online sensation and is widely considered one of the most original TV shows ever made. The story centers on Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, a man with a gambling problem who joins a competition where players participate in childhood games for a large sum of money.

I was shocked to learn that Gi-hun and the others weren’t just playing a game for money – their very lives were on the line! Over the course of this dark and twisted story, I watched Gi-hun desperately try to survive each challenge, all while secretly trying to take down the games from within.

The show wasn’t initially well-received, and its ending also faced criticism. However, the action scenes are exceptional. What really sets this Netflix series apart is how all the physical fights are rooted in the characters’ emotions and motivations, making each battle more meaningful and impactful. Every conflict feels purposeful and contributes to the story.

The Boys Is a Shocking Yet Brilliant Superhero Parody

The Boys is a superhero series that turns the typical superhero story on its head. This Amazon Prime Video show, with a fifth season expected in 2026, follows a group of vigilantes—known as ‘The Boys’—who are determined to expose and stop the corrupt superheroes (‘Supes’) who abuse their powers instead of helping people.

The show features key characters Major, played by Antony Starr, Billy Butcher, portrayed by Karl Urban, and Hughie Campbell, played by Jack Quaid. It’s a satirical take on the superhero genre, originally based on a comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.

Similar to Game of Thrones, The Boys doesn’t hold back on showing intense violence, gore, and death. The series begins with a shocking and brutal event – the death of the main character’s girlfriend. The main story and the characters’ personal journeys are so gripping and extreme that it’s difficult to stop watching.

Meanwhile, the characters have to deal with the results of what they’ve done, which isn’t often seen in this type of story.

Vikings Is an Underrated Historical Drama

You know, Vikings is one of those shows that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but it’s seriously good. It draws on a lot of Norse sagas, and really centers around Ragnar Lothbrok – played brilliantly by Travis Fimmel – this farmer from the 8th century who basically transforms into a legendary warrior through raiding England. It’s a fantastic story of ambition and becoming something more.

Over time, the show shifts its attention beyond Ragnar to include the lives of his family, friends, and fellow fighters. A continuation of the story, Vikings: Valhalla, first appeared in 2022.

The show brings its story, characters, setting, and dialogue to life with genuine energy. It creates a captivating world through believable scenery, detailed costumes reflecting the time period, and a vivid portrayal of the Viking age and the years that followed.

The show features well-done fight scenes that are both exciting to watch and keep you engaged.

Sons of Anarchy Is an Epic Action Crime Drama

The world of motorcycle club drama is returning to television over ten years after the show’s intense final episode. The series, which originally aired for seven seasons on FX, centers on Jax Teller (played by Charlie Hunnam), a complicated character known for his temper and often violent behavior.

After discovering a document written by his deceased father, John, Jax starts to doubt his place within SAMCRO, a motorcycle club operating in California.

Sons of Anarchy is a consistently high-quality TV series, and Charlie Hunnam delivers a standout performance. The show features compelling, well-developed characters with complex relationships, and explores interesting themes about morality, whether people can be redeemed, and the damaging effects of corruption. The action sequences are a great bonus, too.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Is One of TV’s Ultimate Warriors

Joss Whedon, known for writing the screenplay for the 1992 film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created the action-packed supernatural drama about Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar). Buffy appears to be a typical teen, but she’s destined to fight vampires and other creatures. At first, she’s reluctant to embrace this role, but with guidance from her mentor, Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), she develops into a skilled vampire hunter.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer remains incredibly popular years after it first aired. Sarah Michelle Gellar is captivating as Buffy, and the show features a strong supporting cast. While the supernatural elements are central to the story, the action scenes are also skillfully done and thrilling, which is fitting considering Buffy’s job as a vampire slayer.

Hawaii Five-0 Features Intense Procedural Action

Hawaii Five-0 is an action-packed drama that’s definitely earned its place on this list. This CBS series, which ran for ten seasons, is a fresh take on the original Hawaii Five-O from 1968-1980. It follows a special team working directly for the Governor of Hawaii.

The show follows a team as they solve challenging and dangerous cases. Key members of the team include Steve McGarrett, played by Alex O’Loughlin, Danny Williams, played by Scott Caan, and Chin Ho Kelly, played by Daniel Dae Kim.

Hawaii Five-0 is a reboot that successfully establishes its own identity, which is uncommon for shows reviving older series. The characters are well-rounded, and the story is captivating, enhanced by its Hawaiian location. The show features large-scale crimes that result in exciting and dynamic action scenes.

Justified Is a Must-Watch Neo-Western Crime Drama

The show is inspired by the writings of Elmore Leonard and centers on Raylan Givens, played by Timothy Olyphant. He’s a dedicated U.S. Marshal who isn’t afraid to bend the rules.

Raylan consistently delivers his own brand of justice in the Appalachian Mountains, and along the way, he unexpectedly develops a complicated friendship with Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins).

Justified is truly a standout show, largely thanks to the fantastic chemistry between Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins. The storyline is strong, the dramatic moments are captivating, and the show is beautifully directed. It also delivers plenty of exciting action without ever feeling stale or slow.

One Punch Man

Based on a manga series that began in 2009, this Japanese action show follows Saitama, a superhero with the incredible ability to defeat any enemy with a single punch.

Saitama is incredibly powerful, but his strength leads to boredom because he rarely faces any real challenge. The story follows his search for worthy opponents who can finally give him a good fight.

If you’re looking for a show that blends serious moments with hilarious situations, definitely check out One Punch Man. Even though the main character, Saitama, can win any fight with a single punch, the action is surprisingly diverse and fun to watch. Saitama is a compelling protagonist, and the supporting cast is equally well-developed. The story is straightforward but has plenty of room to grow with new content.

Read More

2025-12-29 06:46