Top 10 TV Shows with the Best Action Sequences
For this list, we'll be looking at live action series with the most bombastic, exciting, and well choreographed action scenes. Also, some of the scenes contain important plot points, so watch out for spoilers.
#10: “Into the Badlands” (2015-)
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This is what happens when martial law meets martial arts. Set in a post-apocalyptic feudal society ruled by seven “Barons”, “Into the Badlands” features plenty of political and familial conflict. However, since guns have been banned and diplomacy isn’t usually a viable option, the people of the Badlands needed to get creative, and instead rely on beautiful and balletic fight scenes and melee weaponry to resolve their differences. Thanks to the talents of acclaimed action director Stephen Fung and fight choreographer Ku Huen-chiu, as well as incredible stunt-work, “Into the Badlands” is a great place to get your fix of kung-fu treachery.
#9: “Battlestar Galactica” (2004-09)
The only thing more awesome than epic battle scenes are epic battle scenes in frakking space! Following the adventures of the stalwart crew of the eponymous spaceship, “Battlestar Galactica” is known for its well-rounded characters and thought-provoking themes. It’s also regarded as having some of the best action in a sci-fi television series, with plenty of gunfights and pulse-pounding space battles. They may be the last surviving humans in existence, but they’re not going to lay down their arms and let Cylons be Cylons.
#8: “24” (2001-10; 2014)
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Who knew you could cram so many fights and car chases into such a short time span? A political thriller with an emphasis on the thrills, “24” follows super-competent one-man army Jack Bauer as he takes out scores of terrorists, criminals and double agents in the most brutal and explosive ways possible, usually single-handedly. Thanks to the show’s real-time format and love of cliff-hangers, the white-knuckle action is tight, suspenseful, and occasionally ridiculous, but it’s always fun to watch. Plus, it’s a scientific fact that an action scene is always 200 percent better when Kiefer Sutherland is yelling.
#7: “Spartacus” (2010-13)
Sex sells, and so does violence. Put heaps of both into one show, and you’ve got the blood-soaked brilliance of “Spartacus”. While Spartacus himself may have been a real historical figure, the show plays very fast and loose with the facts of his life. At the same time, though, “Spartacus” does not shy away from the uncompromising and brutal violence of Roman gladiatorial arenas, instead revelling in its gory details, including but limited to decapitations, impalements, and the occasional disembowelment. If you thought the movie “300” was too tame, then “Spartacus” is the show for you.
#6: “Vikings” (2013-)
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Yet another show that cements the fact that history is more action-packed than a summer blockbuster! “Vikings” chronicles the epic adventures of the titular Scandinavian warriors, and is more than happy to show the looting, pillaging, and brutal fighting the people are known for. The series also goes to great lengths to show that the Vikings valued equal opportunity violence, with several great scenes of women, or “shield maidens”, kicking just as much ass as the men, if not more. With all the hacking and slashing happening in this show, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a trip to Valhalla.
#5: “Rome” (2005-07)
The best way to build an empire is on the bodies of your enemies. That’s exactly what this historical drama portrayed during its short two-season run. The Romans were well-known for their enthusiasm for brutal violence and military strategies, both on the battlefield and within their own arenas, and “Rome” has no qualms getting up close and personal in conflicts and skirmishes of all kinds. Lavishly filmed and filled with little historical details, the action scenes in “Rome” are as glorious and ambitious as the city it’s named after.
#4: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
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Well, “Slayer” is right there in the title. Joss Whedon’s hugely influential cult classic is a landmark in TV history, not only for its skillful balancing of high school drama and supernatural adventure, but also for its well-choreographed, exciting, and sometimes emotionally devastating fight scenes. Buffy and her pals are well-versed in all kinds of martial arts and magic, and aren’t afraid to show off their skills. Not only that, but the characters in the action scenes always had a reason for duking it out, making viewers more invested in the fights due to the high ... stakes... involved.
#3: “The Walking Dead” (2010-)
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There’s more than one way to drop a walker. “The Walking Dead” loves showing off the many ways to off a zombie, and isn’t afraid to show off all-out gory slaughter-fests. But while these scenes may be a bloody good time, it’s when Rick Grimes’ group is forced to defend themselves against other human beings that the action scenes really shine, masterfully mixing together pragmatic tactics, brutal violence and terrifying suspense into incredibly memorable action sequences, including the battle for the prison and Rick’s first assault on a Saviour compound. Oh, and sometimes they’ll even throw in a tiger. Gotta do something with that CGI budget.
#2: “Daredevil” (2015-)
Justice is blind, but it can still break your arm in three places. Starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, the world’s most proactive lawyer, “Daredevil” pulls no punches in its depiction of…punches, delivering bone-crunching action almost every episode. The choreography and stunts are on the same level of big-budget movies, making the fight scenes all the more impressive. But the biggest draw is the use of long takes during action sequences, which allows viewers to truly appreciate just how much work goes into staging an impressive fight. We’d tell you more, but in this case, action speaks louder than words. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - “Arrow” (2012-) - “Alias” (2001-06)
#1: “Game of Thrones” (2011-)
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You won’t want your watch to end after getting absorbed into this fantasy series. Bold in almost every sense of the word, “Game of Thrones” depicts a sexy, brutal, and detailed world with its own rich history. And, just like in the real world, that history is filled with epic, awe-inspiring battles. Every season has at least one incredible battle sequence, and the creators outdo themselves every year, constantly one-upping themselves with bigger and bigger fights, with one of the most memorable being the absolutely jaw-dropping “Battle of the Bastards”. The smaller skirmishes and one-on-one fights are also spectacular, especially when any one of these characters can die. Valar Morghulis.
