Top 10 Spy Thriller Movies & Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now

Over the last few weeks, James Bond has dominated the headlines as Amazon takes over the reigns, which got us thinking, does Netflix really have its own spy series or movie worth watching? The answer is yes but whether they’re remotely comparable to Bond is up to you! Here’s our countdown of the 10 best that you should add to your watchlist!

From top-rated series, to the triumphant return of Cameron Diaz in Back in Action, Netflix has a whole lot of original spy and espionage projects. The genre is among the most popular on the streamer, and there’s numerous Netflix Originals to choose from. Which ones should you be watching? Behold our list of the 10 best on Netflix. 

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In From the Cold follows Jenny Franklin, a divorced mother and former Russian spy, now living in the United States. Between juggling family life, Franklin’s past catches up to her, and she finds herself under threat when the CIA ultimately discovers her true identity.

The 8-episode season was praised for its action sequences and authenticity. However, Netflix ultimately axed the series, leaving fans hanging. The one season we have is still well worth watching if you’re into spy and espionage thrillers, though. I’m still very bitter that we never got more. 

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Glória is a bit of everything. It’s a war series, set in 1960s Portugal during the Cold War. But it’s also very much a spy film at its core, following young engineer João Vidal, who’s unwittingly appointed to RARET in Glória do Ribatejo, where he undertakes high-risk espionage missions that have huge implications on the outcome of the war. Specifically, he must locate Mia, a missing KGB agent. The 10-episode series had a pretty open-ended conclusion, but Netflix has not renewed it. It’s fair to assume that there won’t be any further instalments.  

The series cost a reported 6 million euros to make, which cements it as the most expensive production in Portuguese history.

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In Heart of Stone, Gal Gadot stars as intelligence operative Rachel Stone, the who works for a secret global peacekeeping organisation known as “The Charter.” Her main mission? To protect dangerous AI weapon, “The Heart,” and ensure it doesn’t end up falling into unsafe hands.

The plot, admittedly, is pretty thin. But it’s a whole lot of fast-paced and action-packed espionage fun. Think of James Bond; it’s that sort of thing, just not as good. I’d recommend it if only for Alia Bhatt’s electric performance as villain Keya. 

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I would’ve featured The Recruit much higher on this list, but Netflix recently decided to axe the series just two weeks after its season 2 premiere. It’s a huge shame, because the series was pretty good. The numbers simply weren’t up to scratch. As we all know, Netflix’s standards when it comes to viewership are incredibly high. 

Loosely inspired by true events, The Recruit follows emerging CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), who works at one of America’s top intelligence agencies. But he’s far from the type to play the rules, and he soon finds himself at the epicentre of international espionage, fighting assassins at every turn. Like most spy dramas, it can be pretty predictable, but it’s a fun, thrilling ride regardless.

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If you want an action-packed, big-budget Netflix spy thriller with a stacked cast, look no further than The Gray Man. We’re talking stars like Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Ryan Gosling — none of whom need an introduction. Helmed by Avengers: Endgame and The Electric State directors Joe and Anthony Russo, the movie follows the CIA’s top agent, known only as the Gray Man, as he uncovers dark agency secrets, which leads a former colleague puts a bounty on his head, sparking a huge manhunt from international assassins. 

The movie is based in the 2009 novel of the same name by Mark Greaney. Check out the trailer: 

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Once again, harkening back to star-studded casts, it perhaps doesn’t get any bigger than the trio of Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot. The three teamed together for Red Notice, a high-octane spy movie that sees FBI agent John Hartley (Johnson) cross paths with two cunning art thieves, played by Gadot and Reynolds. It’s a heist like no other. From big stunts, to epic drawn-out action sequences — it’s all there.

Oh, and also, if the cast wasn’t stacked enough, Ed Sheeran makes a surprise cameo appearance. 

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I was pleasantly surprised by Netflix’s 2024 spy thriller The Union. Starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry, the movie well balances action with comedic beats. It follows ordinary construction worker Mike, whose life is turned upside down when he rekindles his relationship with high-school sweetheart Roxanne (Halle Berry). How so? Well, he’s thrust into Europe, where he finds himself right into the middle of a super dangerous U.S. intelligence mission.

Sure, The Union is hardly a groundbreaking movie — it’s rife with genre tropes — but the chemistry between Wahlberg and Berry is infectious, and the story is super enjoyable. Don’t be put off by many middling reviews out there. 

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Based on the best-selling Matthew Quirk novel, the TV adaptation of The Night Agent premiered on Netflix in 2023. The undercover spy thriller was an instant success for the streamer — becoming the most viewed series on the streamer for the first half of 2023. The series returned earlier this year for its second season after a long 2-year wait, and continued its winning streak. We also have a few updates on season 3, including its filming status, which you can check out here. 

If you’re unfamiliar with The Night Agent, the series follows Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), a low-level FBI agent who finds himself entangled in a vast conspiracy when he discovers a Russian mole mingling within the U.S. government. The 10-episode debut passes by fast; there are big twists, no filler episodes, and surprises at every turn.

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Netflix’s 2025 movie Back in Action saw Cameron Diaz return to the big screen in over a decade. In the spy thriller, Diaz stars alongside Jamie Foxx. The duo play retired CIA spies, who are forced to step back into their former positions after their secret identities are exposed. But this time, they’re not just working for themselves, they’ve got a family to protect. 

Like most action movies, Back in Action is a whole lot of fun — a real joyride, with a fantastic cast and some great sequences. If you’re seeking out something that has a little more depth than your typical popcorn flick, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you just want some indulgent, action-packed fun, look no further.

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I was instantly blown away by Black Doves when it premiered in 2024, and the ratings back up my opinion, with the show currently holding a staggering 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The 6-episode British spy series stars Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw. The crime-drama is created by Joe Barton, who’s known for several successful Netflix series, such as Our Man From Jersey, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, and Giri/Haji. The show follows Helen (Knightley), who has an affair with a man who’s unaware of her secret identity as a professional spy. However, following her lover’s assassination, her identity is under threat, and her old friend Sam (Whishaw) is sent to protect her.  

Moreover, Netflix has already confirmed that Black Doves will indeed return for a second season. There’s no word on when season 2 will drop, but we will keep you posted.