If you’re looking for a good story to watch from start to finish in a single night, but don’t want a movie, an action thriller miniseries is a good alternative. Ones with seven episodes or fewer can be finished in the same span of time as a movie trilogy, potentially even fewer if the episodes are short.
I love binge-watching and have watched several of these TV shows in a single sitting, or at least over a single weekend or a couple of nights. For this list, I chose the best action thrillers that keep you hooked and unable to resist pressing play on the next episode to see where the plot takes you. They all have twists and turns, compelling stories, and fantastic casts.
Why You Should Trust Me: I have watched a lot of TV over the years, especially as an entertainment journalist for more than 13 years. A good miniseries is always on my radar since you don’t have to wait for new episodes to be released each week and can watch a complete story. Since I have subscriptions to all the major streaming services and have diverse tastes, I have enjoyed a lot of miniseries, and I’m confident I can pick out the cream of the crop that fit within these parameters.
Honorable Mentions
‘Moon Knight’ (2022): Part of the MCU, Moon Knight stars Oscar Isaac as Marc Spector, a.k.a. Moon Knight, and Steven Grant, a.k.a. Mr. Knight. Marc/Steven has dissociative identity disorder (DID). As a mercenary, he gets embroiled in a mystery involving Egyptian gods, which results in a dramatic, psychologically charged thriller with a story told over six episodes.
‘Bodyguard’ (2018)
A Fractured Man Battles Personal Demons to Become a Hero
Watch This: Often considered the gold standard of action thriller miniseries, Bodyguard centers around Police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), a British Army veteran who stops an attack on a train. If you appreciate politically charged stories that tackle controversial topics like government monitoring and shows like The Night Agent, it’s a great fit that’s easily a modern action classic. It’s filled with action throughout, starting with a subtle yet impactful opening scene that sets the stage for the story. You’re drawn in emotionally to the lead character and will want to see how it all plays out over the six-episode run.
Skip This: If you want something that doesn’t touch on politics or mental health, and prefer a story set within the U.S. The story does get pretty heavy at times. So, if you want something lighter that doesn’t make you think too hard, you might want to consider another show with a more soap opera-esque feeling.
‘His & Hers’ (2026)
A Seriously Twisty Tale About Grief and Loss
Watch This: If you like unexpected twists and stories set in small towns with some soapy elements, His & Hers has one of the biggest twists I have seen in a TV show of its kind in a long time. The story in the mystery thriller begins when a young woman is found brutally murdered in the forest of a small town. As detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal) works the case, his estranged wife Anna (Tessa Thompson), a former reporter, returns to investigate, too. You’ll be constantly asking yourself who might be guilty of what, and you might change your mind with every episode. It’s an amped-up whodunit that features fast-paced action while also tugging on the heartstrings as it features a storyline about grief. With just six episodes, you’ll likely watch His & Hers all in one night, like I did.
Skip This: If you don’t want to see serious subject matter glossed over. One of the core storylines is pretty heavy, yet isn’t given the attention it deserves. Almost all the characters are unlikable, so I wouldn’t say you should watch this if you want a TV show with a lead or even supporting character you can actually root for.
‘We Own This City’ (2022)
A True Story of Policing and Corruption
Watch This: If you like Jon Bernthal and appreciate stories rooted in real events, We Own This City is perfect for you. He stars as real-life Sergeant Wayne Jenkins who, along with seven others, was convicted of corruption charges in 2018 and 2019. Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Justin Fenton, the six episodes take you through the events before, during, and after the arrests in non-linear fashion. Heavy, gripping, and beautifully acted, We Own This City is hard-hitting. I think it’s one of the most underrated action thriller miniseries that only takes a single night to devour. And I think you will get through it fast.
Skip This: If you want something that’s complete fiction and don’t want to watch a story about law enforcement. While it’s gripping, you might be angry and upset over what happened. The non-linear storytelling format isn’t for everyone, either, and if you historically don’t like that, you might want to pass on this show.
‘The Continental’ (2023)
A Great ‘John Wick’ Prequel Story
Watch This: If you love the John Wick movies and want to immerse yourself in the world-building of the franchise, this series is a perfect one-night binge. As a spin-off and prequel to John Wick, the story shines the spotlight on Winston Scott (Colin Woodell), who Ian McShane played in the movies, and follows his origin story running The Continental chain of hotels that serve as safe havens for assassins. There are enough fight scenes here to keep anyone who likes the genre interested. It’s an explosive action miniseries you can binge-watch in a weekend.
Skip This: If you haven’t watched the John Wick movies. While it’s an enjoyable standalone story, it makes much more sense to watch the films first, so you have more context about not only the core plot to come, but also Scott’s character. It’s also a good idea to watch this one first since it’s a prequel.
‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ (2022)
An Essential Star Wars Story
Disney+
Watch This: If you want a character-driven story that stands out against other Star Wars TV shows and movies. Also referred to as Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi, this series is set a decade after the purging of the Jedi Order in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) rescues Princess Leia (Vivien Lyra Blair), which puts him in the crosshairs of Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). With incredible action, visuals, costumes, and acting, you’ll likely binge-watch all six episodes in one weekend.
Skip This: If you haven’t watched any Star Wars movies — particularly Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith — you might miss some necessary context. If you aren’t a die-hard follower who sees every single release, you might not feel you’re missing much here.
‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)
A Gripping and Emotional Crime Drama
HBO
Watch This: Admittedly, Mare of Easttown is more of a slow-burn crime thriller than a high-action series. But if you want something emotional, it’s just as intense as the other shows I picked for this list. It follows Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a detective sergeant investigating the murder of one young girl and the disappearance of another. I think this one is worth watching because of Mare’s fractured personal life, which is pretty harrowing. I can’t imagine going through everything that she has. The story is told over seven gripping episodes, and while there aren’t any traditional fight scenes, the thrills more than make up for that.
Skip This: If you’re looking for something that has more traditional action scenes. If you want to pump your fists in the air watching high-speed car chases and epic choreographed fights, you won’t find that here.
‘Godless’ (2017)
A Modern-Day, Female-Led Western
Watch This: This seven-episode Western drama is set in 1884 and follows young outlaw Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), who is on the run from his mentor Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and seeking vengeance. I like that the town is populated mostly by women as it adds a unique touch to the action-packed story. If you like Westerns, period pieces, and appreciate a female-driven story, Godless is a perfect choice. From the visuals to the acting, you get plenty of action, intrigue, and drama as you follow gun-toting cowboys on their respective journeys. It’s a perfect watch for those who like Taylor Sheridan TV series, too.
Skip This: If you want a more traditional Western story with non-stop action versus slow-paced drama. While it’s exciting and intense, and definitely worth watching, it’s different from other entries in the genre.
‘Echo’ (2024)
An Action-Packed Story With Representation
Disney+
Watch This: If you never miss an MCU project, Echo is a good choice, and it’s a quick binge since it’s just over five episodes. Set five months after the events in the series Hawkeye, Maya Lopez, a.k.a. Echo (Alaqua Cox), is on the run from Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), and his organization. I think the series is particularly fun as Maya uses her special abilities with a martial arts-inspired fighting style. Many appreciate the show’s representation of Indigenous culture. And the series also does a good job showing a deaf character with faded-out audio so you can understand situations from her point of view. You’ll enjoy plenty of fight scenes and the gritty tone, too.
Skip This: If you don’t like a rushed story, you might want to save Echo for another day. The shorter episode run results in what some feel was a weak finale where the conflict was resolved too quickly. If you prefer a longer build-up, another MCU show might be a better fit, like Moon Knight.
Release Date
2024 – 2024-00-00
Network
Hulu, Disney+
Alaqua Cox
Maya Lopez / Echo
Chaske Spencer
Henry ‘Black Crow’ Lopez
Tantoo Cardinal
Chula Battiest
