HBO has long been a powerhouse that has produced some of the best action movies and TV shows. Now, with its streaming platform, HBO Max, it has opened doors and welcomed tons of fantastic gems that have found a new audience. From haunting crime dramas to sweeping fantasies, HBO Max offers some of the best thrill rides, delivering a wide range of adrenaline-charged series.
Shows like the sprawling fantasy epic House of the Dragon, which features betrayals, battles, and, of course, fire-breathing dragons, along with the entertaining superhero action comedy Peacemaker, are just two prime examples of what awaits true action fans who desire quality in their viewing experience. Complied on this list are just eight of the best action shows HBO Max has to offer — series that are as electrifying as they are emotionally impactful.
8
‘Banshee’ (2013–2016)
Ivana Milicevic as Carrie Hopewell and Antony Starr as Lucas Hood standing back-to-back with their hands raised in the series Banshee.Image Via HBO MAX
This wild, intoxicating mix of a martial arts Western and crime thriller is the perfect watch for those who desire a flat-out entertaining action series. Banshee, set in the small fictional, titular town in Pennsylvania, follows an enigmatic ex-con who assumes the identity of the town’s newly deceased sheriff, Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), and begins to wield his own unconventional brand of law enforcement, while tangling with a host of brutal enemies.
Banshee is a criminally underrated gem that, despite its achieved cult status, deserves far more people speaking about it. The show is one of the most audacious, action-filled watches anyone could come across. Viewers have found themselves hooked on the series’ pure intensity and originality, often dubbing it one of the most epic action shows featuring legendary choreography and brutality. With the series being Cinemax’s flagship original during its run, and later an HBO Max gift that has found a new audience of thrill seekers, Banshee endures as a relentless, pulse-pounding action masterpiece that is undeniably bold and exhilarating.
7
‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)
Soldiers yelling in a field in Band of Brothers.Image via HBO
Band of Brothers stands as one of the best miniseries to have ever hit screens. The series dramatizes the true tale of the “Easy” Company, part of the U.S. Army’s 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, across 10 brilliant episodes.
Band of Brothers is often hailed as one of the greatest television achievements ever made by those who have taken the time to indulge in the series. With universal acclaim at its back, the series has seen multiple awards for its groundbreaking story that wields painstaking historical accuracy and a fitting budget. It’s a thrilling watch that entertains with just as much action as it does a character-driven story. Band of Brothers is often lauded for its emotionally impactful tale that stands as a true masterclass in the combination of action and heart. From scenes like the shelling of Bastogne to heart-stopping parachute drops over Normandy, Band of Brothers is an HBO Max work of brilliance.
6
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–Present)
Tom Bennett as Ulf the White riding on his dragon with one hand in the air in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Episode 7.Image via HBO
This record-breaking prequel is a fantasy drama that had one of the most-well-viewed premieres of any HBO show. House of the Dragon is set in the Game of Thrones universe, nearly 200 years in the past, and follows the turbulent dragon-powered reign of the well-known House Targaryen.
House of the Dragon has blessed viewers’ screens and given them an action-packed fantasy series worth watching. The HBO Max series may have some incredibly huge shoes to fill, standing as the successor to one of the highest-ranking shows to ever exist, but it does well in holding its own. With intimate storytelling, House of the Dragon delivers brutal swordfights and thrilling dragon sequences — everything an action-fantasy fanatic could hope for. With hopefully many more seasons of the thrilling series on the way, House of the Dragon stands as a fiery, binge-worthy spectacle that has quickly become one of HBO Max’s top-tier action epics.
5
‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)
Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie) holding swords in ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 3Image via HBO
Game of Thrones is an epic fantasy thriller that became one of the biggest global phenomena known to man. The fantasy wonder is based on the popular George R. R. Martin novels and centers around the greedy noble families and their desire for the Iron Throne of Westeros.
From romance to dragon-riding thrills, Game of Thrones is a fantasy action gem that’s perfect for those who desire an incredibly immersive adventure. The series is lauded as not just one of the best shows HBO ever produced, but also as one of the most influential TV epics of all time. At its peak, fans flocked to get their weekly dose of the action-filled series. From massive epic battles against the dead to dragon-fueled spectacles that are still capable of stunning viewers, Game of Thrones conquered not only the action genre but also the fantasy realm for some time. Even so many years later, Game of Thrones stands as one of HBO Max’s finest action-packed series, with an unparalleled legacy.
4
‘The Last of Us’ (2023–Present)
Pedro Pascal with a gun in the woods next to Bella Ramsey in The Last of UsImage via HBO
This post-apocalyptic drama is undeniable proof that shows adapted from acclaimed video games can be done right. The Last of Us is set 20 years after a fungal pandemic has transformed much of humanity into hungry, infected creatures, following the hardened and grief-filled survivor Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal), who suddenly finds himself tasked with smuggling a 14-year-old girl immune to the infection, Ellie (Bella Ramsey), out of a quarantine zone and across the ruins of a very dangerous United States.
The Last of Us, from its first moments, is a dose of chilling intensity, despite its rather wholesome opening. There is a constant undertone of something dangerous brewing throughout the series, and by the time it actually happens, viewers are often still unprepared. Rife with action sequences ranging from gunfights to the shocking brutality of the infected, The Last of Us delivers a truly epic show that features tons of chaos. While the series doesn’t lack anything in the action category, it also doesn’t skimp on its emotional core either, making The Last of Us a series that people remember far after the credits roll.
3
‘Watchmen’ (2019)
Regina King as Angela in WatchmenImage via HBO
Watchmen is adapted from a graphic novel that mixes social commentary with hyped superhero action. The limited series, set in an alternate U.S. history 34 years after the original graphic novel’s events, centers around the masked detective codenamed Sister Night, Angela Abar (Regina King), as she investigates a white supremacist terrorist group and is drawn into a complex conspiracy.
Praised for its bold storytelling and performances, Watchmen stands as a quality viewing experience for its countless mind-bending twists and amazing action. With action sequences ranging from surreal showdowns to brutally violent fights, the series delivers a cinematic experience that has earned it a place among HBO’s finest. Since its debut, the show has been lauded as a masterful watch that has won its share of great awards, truly beloved by anyone who’s seen it. Wielding plenty of action and a superhero tale featuring a ton of complex themes, Watchmen definitely deserves its place as one of HBO Max’s best and brightest action series.
2
‘Peacemaker’ (2022–Present)
Peacemaker (John Cena) dancing to “Oh Lord” by Foxy Shazam in the title sequence of ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2.Image via HBO Max
This series spin-off of the 2021 film The Suicide Squad is just as brutally violent as it is downright hilarious. Peacemaker is a superhero action-comedy that follows the patriotic crusader, Christopher “Chris” Smith, a.k.a. Peacemaker (John Cena). After recovering from the events seen in the movie, Chris is coerced into joining an A.R.G.U.S. task force called “Project Butterfly,” which leads him straight into the arms of a hilarious group of misfits.
Peacemaker is not only the ultimate good time for DC fans, but it’s also a whole lot of fun for action lovers with its explosive combat scenes. The breakout HBO hit is an enticing combo of spectacular action and outrageous quality humor. Fans of the series have lauded John Cena’s performance, raving about his fantastic portrayal of a brutally violent, knee-slappingly funny, and deeply broken character. Peacemaker is rife with profane jokes and entertaining over-the-top battles, making it the perfect HBO Max action watch — one that offers tons of laughter and, surprisingly, a generous amount of heart.
1
‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)
Ah Sahm in a fighting stance in the 2019 HBO series, Warrior.Image Via HBO
Warrior is an action beauty that hosts some of the best fight sequences seen on TV. The addictive series, set in the gritty streets of 1870s San Francisco’s Chinatown, follows the kung fu prodigy Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), who immigrates from China in search of his sister, only to land smack-dab in the middle of the Tong Wars, sold and forced to become an enforcer of the Hop Wei.
Warrior offers not only an intriguing story but also a truly cinematic experience. The show is packed full of exhilarating martial arts showdowns, ranging from back alley bouts to full-on, bloody battles between the tongs — fists, blades, and all. The series does an amazing job of honoring Bruce Lee’s legacy, especially with its downright stellar fight scenes. With action that is both brutally beautiful and thrilling, Warrior stands as not only HBO Max’s best action piece but also one that tops the action charts, outshining most quality TV hits in the genre.
Warrior
Release Date
2019 – 2023-00-00
Network
HBO Max
Showrunner
Jonathan Tropper
