Ritesh Sharma
The espionage genre always delivers something exciting for audiences to enjoy. Watching spies take on dangerous missions is packed with thrills and tension. It can be done in both serious and lighthearted tones, making it versatile. Some espionage thrillers take a darker turn, showing the emptiness of revenge-driven actions. As one of the leading streaming platforms, Netflix offers a great selection of espionage, spy, and secret agent films. Whether you’re looking for fast-paced action or a more thoughtful take on betrayal and consequences, it has plenty of thrilling options to dive into, and we have curated a list of the best spy movies on Netflix that you should check out.
13. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)
Helmed by Na Hyeon, ‘Yaksha: Ruthless Operations’ follows an intense mission where a high-minded prosecutor is sent to audit a Black Ops team in a dangerous city. After he gets entangled in the covert world of espionage in Shenyang, China, he must navigate a deadly web of deceit and betrayal. As he allies with the enigmatic leader of the Black Ops team, he uncovers a larger conspiracy that threatens to tip the scales of global power. The South Korean film brings action and suspense to the forefront, with Sol Kyung-gu (Han Ji-hoon) as the lead. It offers a gritty and immersive portrayal of the high-risk world of espionage. The film’s thrilling action sequences, along with its tense plot, make it a compelling watch for fans of spy dramas. You can stream the movie here.
12. Khufiya (2023)
‘Khufiya’ is an engrossing Indian espionage thriller that delves into the world of undercover agents. The film follows a talented intelligence officer who is faced with a complex mission involving espionage, deceit, and personal sacrifice. Set against the backdrop of political intrigue, the story explores the cost of loyalty and the line between patriotism and betrayal. Featuring stellar performances from Tabu as the lead agent, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi, the film brings intense drama and tension to the espionage genre. This Vishal Bhardwaj directorial remains an engaging watch throughout. If you find it compelling, watch it here.
11. Operation Mincemeat (2022)
Set in 1943, ‘Operation Mincemeat’ film follows a team of British intelligence officers who devise an elaborate scheme to deceive the Nazis by planting false documents on a dead body, leading them to change their military strategy. The John Madden directorial stars Colin Firth as Ewen Montagu and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeley, who play key roles in the operation’s execution. Based on the book ‘Operation Mincemeat: The True Spy Story That Changed the Course of World War II’ by Ben Macintyre, Operation Mincemeat offers a thrilling look at one of the most ingenious covert operations in history. The movie blends historical accuracy with dramatic tension, making it an engaging watch for fans of real-life espionage and war stories. For fans of such cinema, the movie can be streamed here.
10. The Angel (2018)
Ariel Vromen’s ‘The Angel’ is an intense espionage thriller based on the true story of Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian businessman and spy who played a crucial role in Middle Eastern politics during the 1970s. The film follows Marwan (Mahershala Ali) as he comes to terms with his dual life, working as a spy for Israel while maintaining his position as a trusted confidant to Egyptian President Nasser. If you’re intrigued by true stories of espionage, political intrigue, and secretive alliances, ‘The Angel’ offers a fascinating and thrilling watch. The movie is perfect for fans of historical spy stories with moral ambiguity and tension-filled narratives. You might watch this tense thriller here.
9. Mosul (2020)
Helmed by Matthew Michael Carnahan, ‘Mosul’ is a riveting war thriller based on true events. The film chronicles the heroic efforts of the Nineveh SWAT team, a group of renegade police officers who fight to reclaim their city of Mosul from ISIS control. The team goes on a daring guerrilla operation, battling through perilous conditions and personal losses, all in an effort to save their home and families. Starring Suvendu Misha and Adam Bessa, ‘Mosul’ delivers an intense and emotional portrayal of courage under fire. With its raw depiction of real-life heroism, Mosul is a must-watch for fans of war films that highlight real struggles and the resilience of those fighting against extreme odds. If you are game for such a premise, you can watch the movie here.
8. Number 24 (2024)
Helmed by John Andreas Andersen, ‘Number 24’ is an engrossing wartime thriller set during World War II, focusing on the Norwegian resistance. The film follows the protagonist, Gunnar Sønsteby (Sjur Vatne Brean), who looks back on his actions during covert operations against the Nazi occupation. The story begins with humble resistance efforts that slowly build to intense, bloody missions of sabotage, espionage, and moral conflict. The protagonist experiences the toll of war and grapples with regret and the weight of his choices. The movie’s brutal and action-packed finale delivers an unforgettable experience. ‘Number 24’ is a gritty, realistic, and powerful portrayal of the resistance, offering an intense narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you’re a fan of wartime thrillers with emotional depth, you can watch this film. To do so, stream here.
7. Munich: The Edge of War (2021)
‘Munich: The Edge of War’ is a historical spy thriller set against the backdrop of the 1938 Munich Agreement. The film follows British diplomat Hugh Legat (George MacKay) and his former Oxford classmate, Paul von Hartmann (Jannis Niewöhner), who is now a German official. With the rise of tension, Legat and von Hartmann uncover a covert plot by Adolf Hitler (Ulrich Matthes) to invade Czechoslovakia, threatening the fragile peace in Europe. They must fight a web of political intrigue and personal loyalties to prevent a devastating war. Based on Robert Harris’s novel ‘Munich,’ the Christian Schwochow directorial offers a tense and thought-provoking portrayal of a pivotal moment in history. You can stream it here.
6. Back in Action (2025)
‘Back in Action’ follows elite spies Matt (Jamie Foxx) and Emily (Cameron Diaz), who have been living a quiet life after disappearing from the CIA to start a family. However, when their cover is blown, they are thrust back into the dangerous world of espionage, where they must confront past enemies and battle complex international threats. The Seth Gordon directorial promises thrilling action, witty dialogue, and enthralling missions. With Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz leading the charge, ‘Back in Action’ offers a refreshing blend of suspense and excitement. This is a movie that promises to give you a fun time with a dash of humor and emotional depth. You can watch the movie right now here.
5. Heart of Stone (2023)
‘Heart of Stone’ follows the story of Rachel Stone (Gal Gadot), a highly skilled secret agent working for a global peacekeeping organization known as Charter. When a mission goes awry, she is forced to confront a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the world’s most valuable asset, The Heart—a powerful piece of technology. Directed by Tom Harper, the film brings high-stakes action with a strong lead performance by Gal Gadot. The film stands out with its strong female lead and thrilling twists, making it an exciting watch for those looking for a fresh take on spy thrillers. If you like this premise, watch the movie here.
4. The Gray Man (2022)
Anthony and Joe Russo’s ‘The Gray Man‘ follows Court Gentry (Ryan Gosling), a top CIA operative whose identity is known to no one—until he stumbles upon dark agency secrets. Now, his ruthless former colleague puts a bounty on his head, unleashing elite assassins from around the world to hunt him down. As Gentry fights to survive, he must rely on his skills, wits, and unexpected allies to stay ahead. Based on the novel by Mark Greaney, the film delivers high-octane action, breathtaking set pieces, and intense espionage thrills. With standout performances from Gosling and Evans, The Gray Man is a must-watch for fans of gripping spy thrillers. If you enjoy relentless chases, edge-of-your-seat action, exciting plot twists, and a battle of wits between two formidable foes, this film is for you. Find The Gray Man here.
3. Red Notice (2021)
Rawson Marshall Thurber’s ‘Red Notice’ follows FBI Special Agent John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson), who is tasked with capturing two notorious criminals: the world’s most wanted art thief, Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds), and a rival thief, Sarah Black (Gal Gadot). Once the chase ensues, the lines between hunter and hunted blur in this action-packed heist film. ‘Red Notice’ is a fun and thrilling ride, blending humor, action, and clever plot twists. The dynamic performances by Dwayne Johnson (John Hartley), Ryan Reynolds (Nolan Booth), and Gal Gadot (Sarah Black) make this a must-watch for fans of lighthearted, fast-paced espionage films. If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure with lots of action and comedic banter, Red Notice is the perfect pick. The movie is available to stream here.
2. Safe House (2012)
When a rogue CIA agent, Tobin Frost, who has killed many other agents, is finally captured and sent to a safehouse that junior CIA officer Matt Weston is assigned to, the latter finally has something to look forward to after months of no work. However, his life turns upside down very soon when the safehouse is attacked by mercenaries, and he escapes with Tobin. As the two flee, Tobin makes it clear to Matt that the game is bigger than he thinks, and the truth is not what it seems. Now that Matt is a part of the game, he must find the truth and reveal it for the world to see before getting killed. Starring Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost and Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston, ‘Safe House’ gets more out of its audience due to the star power and the action than the story. You can watch it here.
1. Spy Game (2001)
Directed by Tony Scott, ‘Spy Game’ is set during the Cold War. It shows about-to-retire CIA agent Nathan Muir getting back into the game to save his protégé, Tom Bishop, who has been taken prisoner in Suzhou, China. The movie shifts between past and present, with the past revealing the experiences of Muir and Bishop, which forged their friendship, and the present showing the strings Muir pulls to rescue his friend from imminent execution. With powerful performances by Robert Redford as Nathan Muir and Brad Pitt as Tom Bishop, ‘Spy Game’ is a gripping drama enhanced by the use of real locations and action set pieces. You can watch it here.
Read More: Most Underrated Movies on Netflix
You must be logged in to post a comment.