Prime Video’s original TV shows are a big part of what keeps subscribers coming back to the streamer, and its action series are some of the best works available to watch right now. Blending genres and starring some of the best actors of their generation, the action sequences are what initially make audiences fall in love with these projects, but it’s the character development and deeper themes that will stay with you.
The best action shows on Prime Video are a mixture of original series and older content, but watching the Prime shows is an interesting exploration into how the genre has changed. Contemporary action series have become much more violent and gory than their predecessors, and these projects are self-aware enough to comment on these changes and the way TV has evolved as a whole.
While there are plenty of iconic action series on the streamer that we love revisiting, not all of them are perfect, and it’s easy to notice some of their flaws and pitfalls. Fortunately, there are still plenty of shows that hit every mark, making them the most notable and rewatchable action TV series on Prime Video that viewers of all kinds can enjoy.
Invincible (2021–Present)
Prime Video has cornered the market on dark takes on the superhero genre, and Invincible might be the most violent addition to the lineup. While projects like The Boys are iconic for being over-the-top in their violence and gore, Invincible takes things to the next level thanks to the animation style. Unlike live-action shows, Invincible doesn’t have to worry about holding back, as the artists can capture anything.
Like all the best action TV shows, Invincible is riveting not only because the fight sequences are fast-paced and surprising, but because the darkness and emotional stakes of the story are gripping. Following the adventures of Mark Grayson, whose alter ego is the superhero Invincible, the titular character struggles to establish his identity as a hero when compared to his father, Omni-Man, who isn’t who the world thinks he is.
As the seasons have progressed, Invincible has only become more complex and engaging, introducing new villains and morally ambiguous characters who force Mark to question everything he knows about the world. Based on the comic series by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, Invincible has drawn the attention of fans across a variety of genres, not just action.
Gen V (2023–Present)
A spinoff of the hit darkly comic superhero TV series The Boys, Gen V has quickly cemented itself as much more than a typical offshoot. Though the timeline of Gen V does connect to the trajectory of The Boys, the series narrows the scope of the themes and conversations that The Boys grapples with, creating a series that’s a little more accessible, that contends with the coming-of-age genre as well.
Gen V season 2 recently premiered on Prime, and it’s been a compelling continuation, giving Jaz Sinclair even more to work with in her portrayal of Marie Moreau. No less committed to bringing the gore, blood, and guts that The Boys is known for front and center, Gen V is a timely project that touches upon the impact of technology and social upheaval on the generation entering adulthood.
While some of the metaphors in Gen V can be a touch on the nose, this doesn’t make them any less relevant, and the performances from the young cast make it easy to emotionally connect with the characters, even as they’re beating each other to a pulp. As The Boys approaches its final season, Gen V is primed to take over as the live-action superhero series to watch on the streaming service.
Fallout (2024–Present)
It’s no secret that we’ve been living through a video game TV show renaissance. Fallout is far from the only compelling and well-crafted take on a beloved game series, with high-profile projects like The Last of Us, Arcane, and more capturing the attention of fans of the games and newcomers to the stories. However, Fallout is Prime’s best take on the video game genre.
Starring Ella Purnell as Lucy, Fallout blends action, sci-fi, and some truly disgusting gore into its story, making it impossible to stop watching the series until we’ve seen Lucy reach the end of her journey. With an ensemble cast that also includes Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins, and Kyle MacLachlan, Fallout is as well-acted as it is visually imagined, which is saying something considering the detailed set pieces.
Waiting for Fallout season 2 has already been agony, but as the series prepares to adapt new settings, creatures, and characters for the screen, excitement for the next installment has been building. Though Fallout is a little more out there than traditional action shows, the science fiction and post-apocalyptic elements all serve to elevate the fight scenes and make the action sequences all the more dynamic.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024–Present)
Many of the best Prime Video action TV shows have an element of espionage, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith is no exception. Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine as the titular characters, the series sees them go undercover as a married couple to complete mysterious tasks for the company they’ve been hired by. A story about love and connection as much as it is about action and violence, of which there’s plenty.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is loosely inspired by the 2005 film of the same name, but the show takes the premise of married spies and pushes it further, creating something never seen on TV before. Unfortunately, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is on an indefinite hiatus, which could indicate that we’ll be waiting for the next installment of the show for a long time (via The Hollywood Reporter).
However, Mr. & Mrs. Smith season 1 tells a satisfying and complete story, tracking the evolution of Glover and Erskine’s characters as they fall in and out of love and have to confront their unhealthy patterns within the high-stakes confines of their life as spies. Each episode pairs a relationship hurdle and a thrilling mission, letting each aspect of the story influence the other.
Reacher (2022–Present)
Hailed as the quintessential “dad” TV show airing on Prime right now, Reacher might adhere to some of the tropes of the genre, but it also distinguishes itself, becoming much more than that. Starring Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, Ritchson’s portrayal has quickly become the definitive take on the beloved character, as he has Reacher’s intimidating stature and his tough persona.
Based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, Reacher has brought several installments to life since premiering in 2022, and so far, there’s no end in sight for the action-packed series. Prime Video’s Reacher replacements have come close to capturing the magic of the show. However, it will never get old to watch Reacher take down every antagonist who crosses his path, embodying the one-man-army trope in the best possible way.