The 10 Best Action Movies on Max Right Now

If you need some adrenaline-pumping action movies to watch, HBO Max has the cure. Whether you’re looking for a buddy cop film, fantasy adventure, or superhero flick, there’s something for every action lover on Max. 

With so many options, it can be tough to choose. To help you out, we’ve ranked the 10 best action movies on Max below, based on ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. Plus, we’ll share how PIA VPN can help you make the most of your streaming subscription.

The 10 Best Action Movies on Max Now

10. The Expendables 2 (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 6.6/10

The Expendables, a mercenary group, get back together for a mission that looks like an easy paycheck. When things go wrong, they’ll stop at nothing to get revenge for a comrade’s murder. The film features all the stars of the first movie (Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, and more) but includes better action scenes, more developed storylines, and self-deprecating humor.

Fun Fact: This was the first film Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in after leaving the office of Governor of California. He shot all the scenes for his role in just five days, as he needed to begin work on another movie (The Last Stand, 2013). 

9. American Sniper (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 7.3/10

US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) has pinpoint accuracy as he protects his comrades and becomes the deadliest sniper in US military history. But can he also cope with time at home with his wife and child, away from duty in Iraq? Based on a true story, American Sniper mixes heroic wartime action with real-life drama, making it one of HBO Max’s best action movies.

Fun Fact: Cooper ate about 6,000 calories daily to gain over 40 pounds of muscle for the role. At the peak of his training, he could deadlift 425 pounds (twice his body weight), which is what he’s seen lifting during the movie. 

8. Civil War (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Set in a dystopian future America, Civil War follows well-respected journalists Lee (Kirsten Dunst) and Joel (Wagner Moura) as they journey across the country documenting the ongoing civil war. Along the way, they pick up Jessie (Cailee Spaeny), a young and naive, but talented aspiring photographer. 

The movie is unsettling, striking a balance between suspenseful storytelling and realistic battle scenes. As the story unfolds, you watch it all through the journalists’ insider view. 

Fun Fact: Jesse Plemons agreed to film a scene in the movie days before it was shot because the original actor suddenly dropped out. To stay in character, Plemons avoided interacting with all other cast members before filming his scene, including his wife, Kirsten Dunst.

7. The Revenant

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 8.0/10

Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy lead this epic film set in 1820s America. As part of a fur trading expedition, the frontiersmen must fight to survive in harsh conditions. Along the way, they encounter wild animals, Native Americans, and rough terrain, all of which present opportunities for gorgeous cinematography and wild action scenes. 

Things turn gruesome when one of the frontiersmen is mauled by a bear and betrayed by the rest of the group. The Revenant shows us just how impressive the human spirit is – and how far one man will go for revenge. 

Fun Fact: DiCaprio has said that this was the hardest performance of his career. During filming, he had to learn to speak two Native American languages (Arikara and Pawnee), build a fire, and shoot a musket. He also studied ancient healing techniques with the help of a specialized doctor and ate a raw piece of bison liver during filming despite being a vegetarian.

6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Based on a graphic novel series, this movie follows Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) as his life turns upside down when he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). To win her over, he must defeat an army of her ex-boyfriends. It’s an unlikely villain redemption story, with lots of fun fight scenes to keep things moving quickly. 

The characters are offbeat, nerdy, and uniquely cool. You’ll also notice the film’s unusual cinematography which features fluid transitions, extensive visual effects, and colorful visuals, all of which are reminders of the movie’s graphic novel inspiration. If you’re looking for good action movies on HBO Max to leave you feeling nostalgic, look no further.

Fun Fact: Producers included the famous theme music from the Super Nintendo game The Legend of Zelda in the movie. You can also hear the Seinfeld theme music for one sequence. 

5. The Batman (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Batman (Robert Pattinson) must enter Gotham City’s underworld to investigate hidden corruption when a sadistic killer begins murdering key political figures and leaving behind mysterious clues. The latest Batman movie stands out for its dark storytelling, fiery action, and compelling storyline that explores new depths of Batman’s past. 

Fun Fact: Colin Farrell wears extensive prosthetics and makeup for his role as The Penguin. He once wore them to Starbucks to test them out before filming began. No one recognized him, but he did get some stares. 

4. Dune: Part Two (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.5/10

The Dune series follows the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young man born into power with a great destiny he doesn’t quite understand. When he travels to a dangerous planet, he becomes caught in the battle between good and evil and must protect the universe’s fate following his newfound visions. 

In Dune: Part Two, Paul joins the Fremen and must master their way of life to earn their respect and support. With their backing, he can seek revenge and regain power. This science-fiction series has everything from thrilling cinematics to other-worldly action. Max has both installments, so it’s perfect for a movie marathon.

Fun Fact: Hans Zimmer, known for his work on Interstellar, Inception, and The Dark Knight, composed the soundtrack for both Dune films. He spent a solo week in Utah to absorb the sounds of the sandy landscape and craft the score for them.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 8.1/10

Civilization has collapsed and the world is a desert wasteland. Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) rebels against an oppressive ruler and helps his unconsenting wives escape in her armored truck, picking up drifter Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) along the way. This is the highest-rated Mad Max film for good reason – with captivating characters and nonstop action. 

Fun Fact: More than 80% of the effects in the movie are real, including stunts, sets, and make-up. Film producers limited CGI, mostly using it to remove stunt rigging, enrich the landscape, and add Furiosa’s distinguishing prosthetic limb. As a result, the movie feels raw and real – another reason it’s one of the greatest action movies on HBO Max.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 9.0/10

Based on the epic fantasy novel of the same name, The Lord of the Rings is the story of a group of heroes, some more reluctant than others, who must save Middle-earth from the evil Sauron and the greed of man by destroying the “one ring.” While the movies feature conflict and battle, they tell a greater story of camaraderie, humility, bravery, and hope.

The Return of the King is the action-packed, heart-wrenching conclusion to the trilogy. Aragorn and Gandalf (Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellen) must lead armies of men to battle against Sauron’s massive army. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam (Elijah Wood and Sean Astin) are close to destroying the ring but must depend on an untrustworthy guide to complete the mission.

Fun Fact: Sir Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, was the only cast member to ever meet J.R.R. Tolkien. He also reportedly read The Lord of the Rings once a year until he died in 2015. 

1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.9/10

When respected warrior Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) sends his legendary sword to Governor Yu to mark the end of his bloody career, a masked thief steals the sword. Warrior Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) must track it down, and the story deepens as the characters fight for freedom, love, and nobility. 

Despite being made in 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon still ranks as a top action movie. The film is mesmerizing, from its impressively choreographed martial arts battles to the complex relationship dynamics. It’s the perfect mix of fight scenes, dreamlike scenery, and subtle shows of power. 

Fun Fact: The title of the movie is a literal translation from Chinese mythology. The quote references hiding strength and talent from others. It’s often used as a reminder that you shouldn’t underestimate others. 

How a VPN Helps You Stream HBO Max

Max is only available in certain countries, and has different content libraries in each one, which means some of the best action movies on HBO Max might not be available to you when you travel abroad. To get around this, you can connect to a VPN server in your home country to access your usual content library.

If the Wi-Fi at your office or university library restricts access to streaming sites like Max, a VPN can help. VPN encryption hides your online activity from the network, allowing you to bypass restrictions and stream Max from anywhere.

Get PIA VPN

Why You Should Choose PIA as Your Streaming VPN

PIA VPN is your trusty sidekick for smooth streaming wherever you go. Our 91-country server network gives you seamless access to Max in key locations, ensuring you can stream securely wherever you are – even while traveling abroad.

You need a super-fast VPN for the best video quality, and PIA has you covered there, too. With a 10-Gbps server network and unlimited bandwidth, you get pixel-perfect streaming quality, and can watch for as long as you want.

You can also watch on any device you like: PIA VPN has dedicated apps for Windows, MacOS, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Android, iOS, and Linux. The apps are easy to set up and use, but if you have questions about advanced features, you can chat live with our customer support team 24/7. Try it for yourself with PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

Get PIA VPN

FAQ