20 Best Action TV Shows on Paramount Plus 2026
Explore the top action-packed Paramount Plus series, from Lioness and SEAL Team to Star Trek, NCIS, and Avatar, all updated for 2026 viewing.
If you want sharp fights, high-stakes missions, and stories that keep moving, this list brings together the shows that deliver. From the elite-team tension of Lioness and SEAL Team to the wide-open sci-fi scope of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Battlestar Galactica, Paramount Plus has plenty of adrenaline to go around. You’ll also find long-running favorites like NCIS, reality-fueled competition in The Challenge, and the timeless adventure of Avatar: The Last Airbender. With drama, thriller, adventure, and sci-fi all in the mix, these picks cover a lot of ground without wasting your time.
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01
Lioness
1 Emmy nomination
action · drama · thriller
Cruz Manuelos, a rough-around-the-edges but passionate young Marine, is recruited to join the CIA's Lioness Engagement Team to help bring down a terrorist organization from within. Joe, the station chief of the Lioness program, is tasked with training, managing and leading her female undercover operatives.
Directed by Michael Friedman, John Hillcoat, Stephen Kay, Anthony Byrne, Paul CameronCast Zoe Saldaña, Laysla De Oliveira, Dave Annable, Jill Wagner, LaMonica GarrettParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
02
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
2 Emmy nominations
action · adventure · sci-fi
Follow Captain Christopher Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Directed by Chris Fisher, Dan Liu, Jordan Canning, Sydney Freeland, Maja VrviloCast Melissa Navia, Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Christina Chong, Rebecca RomijnParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
Battlestar Galactica
Won 3 Emmys 2x Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series · 19 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.
Directed by Michael Rymer, Michael Nankin, Rod Hardy, Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Robert M. YoungCast Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia HelferParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Marshals
action · crime · drama · western
With the Yellowstone Ranch behind him, Kayce Dutton joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, combining his skills as a cowboy and Navy SEAL to bring range justice to Montana, where he and his teammates must balance family, duty and the high psychological cost that comes with serving as the last line of defense in the region's war on violence.
Directed by Christopher Chulack, Gonzalo Amat, John Erick Dowdle, Guy Ferland, Greg YaitanesCast Luke Grimes, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Logan Marshall-Green, Arielle KebbelParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
05
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Won 1 Emmy 2 nominations
animation · action · adventure · family · fantasy · mystery
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
Directed by Oh Seung-hyun, Giancarlo Volpe, Ethan Spaulding, Lauren MacMullan, Dave FiloniCast Dee Bradley Baker, Zach Tyler Eisen, Mae Whitman, Jack De Sena, Dante BascoNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
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06
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Won 18 Emmys Outstanding Drama Series (1994) · 58 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
Follow the intergalactic adventures of Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and his loyal crew aboard the all-new USS Enterprise NCC-1701D, as they explore new worlds.
Directed by Cliff Bole, Les Landau, Winrich Kolbe, Rob Bowman, Robert ScheererCast Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Brent SpinerParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Madison
action · drama
A heartfelt study of grief and human connection following a New York City family in the Madison River valley of central Montana.
Directed by Christina Alexandra VorosCast Michelle Pfeiffer, Kurt Russell, Beau Garrett, Patrick J. Adams, Elle ChapmanParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
08
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
09
Tulsa King
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama
New York mafia capo Dwight "The General" Manfredi is released from prison after 25 years and exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a crew.
Directed by Guy Ferland, Kevin Dowling, Craig Zisk, Jim McKay, Allen CoulterCast Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Jay Will, Garrett Hedlund, Dana DelanyParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Killing Eve
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (2019) · 21 nominations
action · adventure · drama · thriller
A security consultant hunts for a ruthless assassin. Equally obsessed with each other, they go head to head in an epic game of cat-and-mouse.
Directed by Damon Thomas, Stella Corradi, Jon East, Harry Bradbeer, Lisa BrühlmannCast Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia, Owen McDonnellNetflixAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
The Legend of Korra
animation · action · adventure · family · fantasy · sci-fi
Avatar Korra, a headstrong, rebellious, feisty young woman who continually challenges and breaks with tradition, is on her quest to become a fully realized Avatar. In this story, the Avatar struggles to find balance within herself.
Directed by Ian Graham, Colin Heck, Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu, Melchior ZwyerCast Janet Varney, Jeff Bennett, Dee Bradley Baker, P.J. Byrne, David FaustinoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
animation · action · adventure · comedy · crime · family · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Four turtles fall into the sewers and are befriended by Hamato Yoshi a Japanese man sent to New York who was forced to live in the sewers. One day he sees a strange green glow which transforms the four turtles into human-like creatures. Hamato (now Master Splinter) changes into a giant rat from the green glow and teaches the turtles the skills of the ninja as they team up with news reporter April O'Neil to battle against Yoshi's arch enemy Shredder and Krang, an alien warlord from Dimension X.
Directed by Bill Wolf, Tony Love, Mike Stuart, Bruno-René Huchez, Reg LodgeCast Cam Clarke, Townsend Coleman, Barry Gordon, Renae Jacobs, Peter RenadayParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
13
FBI
2 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
The New York office of the FBI brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep their city and the country safe.
Directed by Alex Chapple, Jean de Segonzac, Carlos Bernard, Milena Govich, Jon CassarCast Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, John BoydParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
Star Trek
Won 1 Governor's Award 14 nominations
action · adventure · drama · sci-fi
Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk with First Officer Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles and genetic supermen led by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Directed by Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney, Ralph Senensky, Vincent McEveety, Jud TaylorCast Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James DoohanParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
15
CIA
action · adventure · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
Follows a partnership between a CIA Case Officer & an FBI Special Agent who work together on a clandestine taskforce to prevent domestic terrorism in New York.
Directed by Ken Girotti, Jon Cassar, Ludovic Littee, Norberto Barba, Jean de SegonzacCast Tom Ellis, Nick Gehlfuss, Natalee Linez, Necar Zadegan, Jonathan Randell SilverParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
16
SEAL Team
2 Emmy nominations
action · drama · war
Military drama following the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high stakes missions our country can ask of them.
Directed by Christopher Chulack, Ruben Garcia, J. Michael Muro, David Boreanaz, Gonzalo AmatCast David Boreanaz, Neil Brown Jr., A.J. Buckley, Toni Trucks, Justin MelnickNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
Scorpion
action · crime · drama · thriller
Eccentric genius Walter O’Brien and his team of brilliant misfits comprise the last line of defense against complex, high-tech threats of the modern age. As Homeland Security’s new think tank, O’Brien’s “Scorpion” team includes Toby Curtis, an expert behaviorist who can read anyone; Happy Quinn, a mechanical prodigy; and Sylvester Dodd, a statistics guru.
Directed by Sam Hill, Omar Madha, Jeff T. Thomas, Christine Moore, Milan CheylovCast Elyes Gabel, Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, Ari StidhamParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
2 Emmy nominations
action · adventure · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · horror · mystery · romance · sci-fi
On her sixteenth birthday, Sabrina Spellman discovers she has magical powers. She lives with her 600-year-old aunts Hilda and Zelda as well as talking cat Salem in the fictional town of Westbridge, Massachusetts.
Directed by Gary Halvorson, Kenneth R. Koch, Brian K. Roberts, Linda Day, Peter BaldwinCast Melissa Joan Hart, Nick Bakay, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nate RichertHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
19
The Challenge
action · adventure · game-show · reality-tv
Alumni from reality TV and other forms of entertainment and first time cast members live together and compete against one another in physical and mental challenges for cash prizes.
Directed by Rico Martinez, Jeff Fisher, Joy Rillo Hryniewicz, Mark Seliga, Anthony DominiciCast Verne Troyer, Bruce Flanders, Andrew Morgado, Melissa ReevesParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
20
Golden Axe
action & adventure · animation · comedy · fantasy · science-fiction
Legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead reunite to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder, who just won't seem to stay dead. Their quest is complicated by Hampton Squib, an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose dream of heroism far exceeds his abilities. Forced to work together despite their flaws, they must find a way to stop Death Adder once and for all.
Directed by Lexy Naut, Matthew Bordenave, Christina ManriqueCast Danny Pudi, Lisa Gilroy, Liam McIntyre, Carl Tart, SungWon ChoAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
Whether you want military drama, futuristic battles, or character-driven adventure, this lineup gives you plenty to stream next. Lioness, SEAL Team, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are especially strong choices if you like momentum and big stakes, while NCIS and The Challenge offer a different kind of edge. Keep this page bookmarked for your next queue update, since it’s refreshed regularly as new favorites arrive and older hits keep finding new fans. If you’re comparing what to watch tonight, this is a solid place to start and come back to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Paramount Plus subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Paramount Plus. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these action shows ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the action titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.