Debuting in 2020, Peacock has made quite the splash as a streaming service due to its connection to NBC. While Peacock might be quite new, the platform has access to an extensive library of movies and shows. The service also comes in two main forms: Peacock Free and Peacock Premium. The latter offers a wider selection of streamable content, access to Original series like Intelligence, and live sports broadcasts.
If someone decides to stick with Peacock Free, they will not struggle to find shows or movies to watch as the service doesn’t restrict most of its content behind a subscription. For those searching for a blockbuster to watch, here are the best action movies on Peacock.
Note: Only movies listed under Peacock’s “Action & Adventure” section will be considered.
The Rundown (2003)
Dwayne Johnson is currently the biggest action star in the world, and we don’t mean just physically. Towards the beginning of his acting career, The Rock starred in a number of films that failed to impress – The Rundown was an exception. Although a commercial disappointment, the 2003 film demonstrated Johnson’s leading man potential.
The Rundown is just a fun flick. Johnson and Seann William Scott make for a delightful pair, and the Brazil setting is used to good effect by the movie. While far from amazing, this film is an easy sit.
Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013)
Not to be confused with Wilson Yip’s Ip Man duology, Ip Man: The Final Fight is a biopic focusing on the final decades of the titular martial artist’s life. Portrayed by Anthony Wong, this version of Ip Man is almost more myth than flesh and blood, a being formed out of near-pure goodness.
Ip Man: The Final Fight is not the greatest movie revolving around Yip Man, however, Wong’s performance brings an engaging gravitas to the character. Although a bit sparse, the movie handles its fight sequences well.
Highlander (1986)
Highlander is unflinchingly silly in the best possible way. The story revolves around immortal warriors who are stuck in a battle to determine who will be the last person standing so they can claim a legendary prize.
Highlander embraces the absurdity of its concept with unapologetic enthusiasm; the movie is ridiculous, corny, and very ’80s. If the last sentence sounds like a good time, this is the film for you. The action sequences are bolstered by magnetic performances by the likes of Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown.
Spider-Man 2
- Requires Peacock Premium
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy marked a turning point for superheroes in cinema, and the second entry has aged the best. Peter Parker finds himself going up against somebody he respects in Dr. Otto Octavius, a scientist who gains a few arms following a disaster.
An endlessly rewatchable blockbuster, Spider-Man 2 has thrilling stunts, likable characters, and one of the greatest villains to ever grace a superhero film. The train sequence is still a high point in the action genre.
Hanna (2011)
Proving successful enough to spawn a TV series adaptation, Hanna is a stellar entry in the “deadly teen girls” subgenre. Raised by her ex-CIA father in Finland, Hanna is a trained killer who has no experience with the real world. Eventually, Hanna convinces her father that she is prepared to face the unknown, so she alerts the CIA to her location and sets out on an exhilarating trip to Berlin.
Hanna pairs its nicely choreographed action with nuanced character work and strong performances, particularly by Saoirse Ronan as the titular killer.
Warrior (2011)
Warrior is more of a drama than an action film, however, since it is listed under “Action & Adventure” on Peacock, the movie will be included here. Set in the MMA world, Warrior follows two brothers with very different dispositions who have grown apart over the years. When they participate in an MMA tournament, they are forced to face their pasts and relationship.
Warrior’s fight scenes are visceral, intense, and often uncomfortable to watch. Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy lose themselves in their roles, delivering great physical and emotional performances in the process.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The only Bourne film on Peacock is Ultimatum, which is admittedly not an ideal entry point to the series for newcomers. On the positive side, it is arguably the best movie in the franchise and a superb showcase of Paul Greengrass’s style of filmmaking.
As always, Jason Bourne is on the run as he tries to piece together his past while taking on what seems like an army of CIA operatives. The Bourne Ultimatum doesn’t have a slow beat in it; the action hits fast and heavy.
They Live (1988)
As the director of classics such as Halloween and The Thing, John Carpenter’s legacy is directly tied to horror. As genre-defining as those releases are, Carpenter’s filmography is also filled with fantastic non-horror projects, and They Live is a prime example of the director’s versatility.
A drifter picks up a pair of glasses which reveals that parts of the population are secretly aliens in disguise. Naturally, the only way to solve such a problem is with a gun and some bubblegum. They Live is a camp masterpiece, a quotable sci-fi romp with an overabundance of personality.
Fast Five
Peacock Premium has The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, and Fast Five. The first two films are underappreciated entries in the franchise, especially Tokyo Drift; meanwhile, Fast Five basically saved the series. Moving away from street racing, Fast Five transformed Fast & Furious into a globe-trotting action extravaganza starring essentially superheroes. From this entry on, the franchise has more in common with Mission Impossible than Point Break.
The definitive popcorn movie, Fast Five is loud, cheesy in places, and irresistibly entertaining. The bombastic action is enhanced by the charismatic cast, and Dwayne Johnson’s Luke Hobbs serves as the perfect foil to Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto.
Die Hard
All of the Die Hard movies besides 2013’s fifth entry can be streamed on Peacock Free, so that should be a weekend sorted. As enjoyable as the sequels are, they do not compare to the 1988 original. Die Hard is a genuine contender for the best action movie ever, and it cemented Bruce Willis as a Hollywood icon.
An NYPD detective, John McClane heads to LA to try and patch things up with his wife but winds up having just the worst day imaginable when terrorists show up. In the original movie, McClane comes across as an average joe who is attempting to do the right thing but is way over his head. The action is amazing, the characters are unforgettable, and the quotes are legendary.
