While 2026 has been a banner year for horror with hits like Obsession and Backrooms raking in nearly $800 million combined, action fans have plenty to celebrate too. The latest must-see entry in the genre is The Furious, a bone-crunching martial arts thriller that has just made its digital debut on PVOD. With a staggering 98% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's now the highest-rated action movie of the year.
Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, The Furious stars Xie Miao and Joe Taslim in a relentless tale of a father who takes on an army of human traffickers to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The film's Rotten Tomatoes consensus calls it a "relentless, blood-soaked spectacle of breathtakingly inventive martial arts choreography" and a "brutal, balletic action extravaganza." Audiences agree, giving it a 94% "Verified Hot" rating.
The movie quietly grossed over $6 million domestically during its theatrical run before hitting digital platforms this week. According to FlixPatrol, it has already debuted among the most popular movies on the domestic iTunes chart, signaling strong demand from home viewers eager for high-octane action.
This digital release follows the success of another acclaimed action film, Blades of the Guardians, which also landed on PVOD after earning over $200 million in China. That wuxia epic, directed by legendary choreographer Yuen Woo-ping, holds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score. But The Furious edges it out with a 98% rating, making it the critics' darling of the genre this year.
For fans of intense fight sequences and gripping revenge stories, The Furious is a must-watch. If you're in the mood for more adrenaline-pumping cinema, check out our ranking of the best action scenes from crime movies, from shootouts to car chases. And for those who prefer streaming, Russell Crowe's must-see crime thriller The Get Out is now on Prime Video.
With its perfect blend of brutal combat and emotional stakes, The Furious proves that 2026 is not just a year for horror—it's a year for action that leaves you breathless. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on the best movies hitting digital platforms.
