Many greatactionseries feature thebest TV show battle scenes, and modern fight choreography has been getting faster and more engaging than ever. Whether they’re live-action or animated,these TV series utilize fight sequences that keep the audience guessing and provide plenty of dynamic movements,often making them lauded as the most successful within the action genre. However, these fights only land on the viewer and are treated as impactful parts of the story if audiences care about the characters and if the fight sequences work to drive the plot forward.
WhenTV battle scenes aren’t accurate to real life, this can take the viewer out of the story, but this isn’t the most important piece of an action series. Many audience members aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of technical aspects and are most concerned with whether or not the visuals are compelling.Fight scenes don’t necessarily have to be overtly graphic or bloody to have an impacton the audience. A lot can be achieved by using what the viewer doesn’t see to the series' advantage, letting the audience imagine the worst of the violence.
Banshee
Cast
Banshee is an action television series that aired in 2013 and centers around Anthony Starr as an ex-con who takes on the identity of a murdered sheriff Lucas Hood to hide away from pursuers. Set in Banshee, Lucas assumes the stolen identity while falling back into his old criminal ways, struggling to balance the two properly.
Fans ofThe Boyswill likely recognize the star ofBanshee, Anthony Starr,as he also plays the iconic villain, Homelander, in the Prime TV series. However, he plays someone completely different inBanshee. His character, Lucas Hood, is a criminal who assumes the identity of a local sheriff in a small town in Pennsylvania, and his past and future quickly clash as he tries to build a life there. One of the biggest issues throughout the seasons is Hood’s history with Rabbit, a crime lord, and the local mobster Kai Proctor.
Hood’s involvement in the pivotal fight scenes throughout is a facet of the show that never changes.
Hood never has a shortage of enemies inBanshee,and as the seasons progressed, the series only grew in critical and audience estimation. However, Hood’s involvement in the pivotal fight scenes throughout is a facet of the show that never changes. In both his role as the sheriff and his secret life of crime, Hood uses his considerable fighting skills, whichBansheeelevates with the dichotomy between the many layers of the town. The secret underworld of criminals, the lies, and the budding relationships between characters make the fight scenes all the more engaging.
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Warrior
Warrior is an action-thriller television series set in the ruthless underworld of San Francisco in the late 1800s, pitting rival Chinatown syndicates against one another, the police, and a privileged and prejudiced upper class. Inspired by stories from the late Bruce Lee, the series follows Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances and becomes a hatchet man for Hop Wei, one of Chinatown’s most powerful crime families.
The critically acclaimed seriesWarriorhas been getting a second life on streamingafter being added to Netflix, exposing new viewers to the action-packed and brilliantly crafted show.Warrioruses martial arts in its fight choreography and is based on an overlooked treatment written by Bruce Lee and produced by his daughter, Shannon Lee. Set in San Francisco in the late 1800s,Warriorexplores the organized crime underground of Chinatown during this era and the martial arts prodigy Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji).
There are manyreasons whyWarriorseason 4 needs to happen, but it’s been confirmed that there won’t be a fourth outing of the beloved series. Fortunately, there are plenty of incredible moments to look back on throughoutWarrior’s three seasons, and the fight scenes never leave the audience disappointed.Warriorhas been compared to other period dramas likePeaky Blinders,but the series distinguishes itself through the faithfully adapted martial arts sequences.
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Into the Badlands
Into the Badlands follows Sunny (Daniel Wu) and M.K. (Aramis Knight), who traverse a post-apocalyptic world set 500 years in the future. Premiering in 2015, Into the Badlands was created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar and aired on AMC until 2019 when its third season came to a close.
Blending the best of the sci-fi, martial arts, and post-apocalyptic genres,Into the Badlandshas something for all audiences and will leave the viewer breathless. The conceit of the series seestechnology and weaponry have regressed to ancient times despite taking place in the future,which means that traditional styles of combat are back with a vengeance. When this combat is shown onscreen inInto the Badlands, it’s overwhelmingly considered the strongest part of the series.
The visual style and cinematography ofInto the Badlandsall work in harmony to elevate the fight sequences that the actors deliver brilliantly.
Into the Badlandsis one of thebest post-apocalyptic TV showsbecauseit effectively distinguishes itself from the other offerings within the genre. It’s refreshing to see a show that delves into the depths of a post-apocalyptic world while also being in conversation with the themes and aesthetics of a period drama. The visual style and cinematography ofInto the Badlandsall work in harmony to elevate the fight sequences that the actors deliver brilliantly.
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Reacher
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
Alan Ritchson has successfully embodied the iconic action character, Jack Reacher,in Amazon Prime Video’s series based on the book series by Lee Child. TheJack Reacherbooks have been being published since the late 1990s, but all other screen iterations of the story have paled in comparison to the books untilReacher. While a large part of this is because of Ritchson’s performance, it’s also because of the way the creative team has adapted the stories.
Reacher: 10 Best Fight Scenes, Ranked
Based on Lee Child’s books series, Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher season 1 is packed with some of the best fight scenes of any streaming action show.
Reacher’s imposing stature and innovative fighting style ensure that none of the fight scenes grow repetitive. Due to his powerful build and significant abilities,Reacheroften sees its titular character take on multiple assailants at onceand use his environment to his advantage. Additionally, Reacher is far from the only individual to be at the center of a battle sequence. A key part ofReacheris that every member of Reacher’s team can hold their own and bring their special skills to the table.
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The Gentlemen
Based on the film of the same name, the Gentlemen is a crime drama series created for Netflix by Guy Ritchie. The series follows Eddie Horniman, who inherits his father’s estate, only to discover he has inherited a vast cannabis empire - and all of the rivals that come with it.
A loose spinoff of Guy Ritchie’s action-comedy film of the same name from 2019,The Gentlemenstars Theo James and Kaya Scodelario as Eddie and Susie. The characters represent two sides of an underground criminal organization in England, and Susie is Eddie’s introduction to how business is conducted in her world. Though Eddie had an aristocratic upbringing, he’s a trained soldier and well-versed in how to handle physical confrontation, which he quickly proves throughout the season.
Like all of Ritchie’s work,The Gentlemenis edited and choreographed to the beat of the music and has a rhythm to it that keeps the momentum flowing until the conclusion of a scene.
Like all of Ritchie’s work,The Gentlemenis edited and choreographed to the beat of the music and has a rhythm to it that keeps the momentum flowing until the conclusion of a scene. As the conflict builds and the plot grows more convoluted,The Gentlemenis grounded by the battles between characters, as the audience knows that by the end of the sequence, one of the characters will come out on top.Ritchie proved that he’s just as capable of tackling action for televisionas he is for film.
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The Night Agent
The Night Agent is a suspenseful thriller in which a dedicated FBI agent becomes embroiled in a dangerous conspiracy after answering an emergency line call. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the agent uncovers a mole within the White House, posing significant risks to national security.
The Night Agenthit nearly one billion hours streamedon Netflix when the series first premiered, and as the show gears up for season 2, this creates a lot of pressure. However, if the series continues with the precedent set by season 1, it should be able to keep a high number of its viewers. Whilethe chemistry between Gabriel Basso and Luciane Buchanan as Peter and Rose was a large part ofThe Night Agent’s success,the action the characters were in the thick of was also instrumental in its popularity.
Based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk,The Night Agentprimarily follows Peter as he is thrown into a web of lies and deceptionthat goes all the way to the top of the U.S. government. The story moves just as quickly as the action inThe Night Agent, as the series had a lot of material to cover, but the show never loses its substance. Peter’s quick-witted maneuvers and ability to prove himself in pivotal moments make it easy for the audience to root for him.
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The Boys
The Boys is a gritty and subversive take on the superhero genre, focusing on a group of vigilantes who confront powerful superheroes abusing their abilities, exploring themes of corruption and moral ambiguity in a world where heroes are not always what they seem.
Since 2019,The Boyshas been revered as one of the best takes on the superhero genre on TV, as the series lovingly pokes fun at the tropes and pitfalls of these stories. Eric Kripke, the creator ofSupernatural, is also the mind behindThe Boys, which derives its narrative from the comic book series by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. In the series,the superheroes of the world are extremely overpowered, forcing the characters who oppose them to look for creative measuresto even the playing field.
10 Biggest The Boys Season 5 Theories & Predictions
The Boys has deviated from the original comics, and with season 5 being the last The Boys season, here are the biggest The Boys season 5 theories.
Even though many of the battles inThe Boysend in devastation and destruction, as one side has more deadly abilities, this hasn’t stopped the series from helping its characters get even.Every season ofThe Boyshas been singled out for its action,but it’s the relationships between characters that drive the individuals in the series to take on the supes. Starting in season 1, when Hughie (Jack Quaid) first attempted to expose The Seven,The Boyshas seen its characters grow even more determined to get even.
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Fallout
Set 200 years after an apocalypse, Fallout follows residents of luxury shelters as they re-enter a post-nuclear world. Confronted with a bizarre and violent landscape, the series explores the stark contrasts between their sheltered existence and the harsh realities of the outside universe.
Much like the video game it’s based on,Fallouthas made a name for itself through the intensity of the fighting and the fast-paced world the characters live in.Starring Ella Purnell, Walton Goggins, and Aaron Motenas three characters who embody different niches of theFalloutuniverse, the series sees their paths slowly intersect as the race to save the world and return order and safety to Earth rages in the wake of the nuclear holocaust. In each corner of the world, a different threat lies waiting, whether man-made or a mutation of nature.
Purnell’s Lucy serves as the clearest protagonist in the series,and much of the story tracks her development and acceptance that the world is not the friendly place she was raised to believe in. Though she was trained in combat and is inherently resourceful, Lucy becomes a true fighter when she starts looking out for herself and becomes willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. Whether the characters are fighting each other or themselves, there’s always something lurking around the corner inFallout.
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The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is based on the comic book of the same name created by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The Hargreeves — collectively known as The Umbrella Academy — were born with superpowers, and their adoptive father utilized their abilities. However, as they grew older, the siblings grew apart as they dealt with their trauma. They are brought back together after their father dies and Five returns from the future with grave news: The world will end, and The Umbrella Academy has to stop it before it happens.
The Netflix seriesThe Umbrella Academyhas a lot in common with the comic series it’s based on, as the stylization of the world and the action sequences feel otherworldly.The Umbrella Academyrecently concluded its fourth and final season,and while it’s sad to say goodbye to the thrilling series, it reached a satisfying end. Following the lives of a group of superpowered siblings,The Umbrella Academysends its ensemble cast on many complicated adventures, but it’s always easy to follow the iconic fight scenes.
The Umbrella Academyuses its CGI and visual effects to full advantage during the battles, making the conflicts between the differently powered individuals clash beautifully.
The Umbrella Academyuses its CGI and visual effects to full advantage during the battles, making the conflicts between the differently powered individuals clash beautifully. It helps that the emotional thrust ofThe Umbrella Academyremains strong throughout its four seasons, making the audience care deeply about the siblings and their bond. Even as time, space, and parallel universes come into play,nothing can prevent the Hargreeves from finding their way back to each other.
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Invincible
Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father’s legacy isn’t as glitzy and glamorous as he’s been led to believe.
As audiences wait for the next installment ofInvincible, revisiting the best fight scenes and epic battles throughout the first two seasons is a great way to prepare for season 3.Invincibleis a great example of a series that lends itself perfectly to animation,as live-action would struggle to capture the intricacies of the moments that the animators bring to life so well. While it’s mostly the fights that look best in animation, there are also quieter moments thatInvinciblemakes gorgeous.
Though there aren’t physical people involved in the fight choreography inInvincible,this opens the door for more graphic violence and gore, whichInvincibletakes full advantage of.The superhero series isn’t for the faint of heart, as it tackles serious and devastating subjects. The characters grapple with the implications of their actions and powers, even as they use them to help people and cause destruction in equal measure. Many more tough decisions lay ahead for Mark inInvincibleseason 3.
Invincibleseason 3 will premiere on Prime Video on Thursday, February 6th, 2025 (viaCollider).
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