Best Action-Comedy TV Shows of All Time, Ranked (2025)

From film to television, the action genre has long been one of the best sources of escapist entertainment. Known for playing into a variety of popular tropes and clichés, it houses some brilliant heroes, eccentric villains and over-the-top premises. Since the rise of the genre, it has also been associated with comedy, with the likes of buddy cop detective movies and parodies showing how funny action can be.

The blend of comedy and action continues to be a fan favorite, both on film and TV, with such classics as Austin Powers and Get Smart being a testament to this. While some shows are a blend of multiple genres, even leaning more on horror or fantasy, others embrace parody and satire, using action as a vehicle to entertain while poking fun at a genre's tropes.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on October 15, 2024: In an age of high-budget television shows from major franchises, sometimes it's great to enjoy a simple action-comedy series. This article has been updated with additional entries and adheres to CBR's current formatting guidelines.

15 Avatar: The Last Airbender Is One of the All-Time Greats

This Animated Adventure Is Terrific For Kids, Adults, and Everyone In Between

Avatar: The Last Airbender is a thrilling animated series set in a world where four nations (Fire, Water, Earth, and Air) once lived in harmony. However, a century after the Fire Nation attacked, the world has been thrown into disarray as citizens watch and wait anxiously for the Avatar, master of all four elements, to return and set things back in balance. The series follows the young Avatar from the air tribe named Aang as he teams up with friends from the other three nations to defeat the evil Fire Lord Ozai and restore the proper balance in the world.

Although it at times deals with incredibly dark and mature themes, The Last Airbender is also filled with a classic joy and wonder that keeps fans rooting for its main characters. The show has its fair share of funny moments, even if the entire series builds up to one of the most intense battles ever depicted in a children's cartoon. The action-comedy series proved popular enough for Netflix to make a live-action reboot, which aired its first season earlier this year.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

TV-Y7-FV

Animation

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.

Release Date

February 21, 2005

Cast

Dee Bradley Baker , Mae Whitman , Jack De Sena , Dante Basco

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

3

Studio

Nickelodeon Animation Studio

Franchise

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Creator

Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko

Number of Episodes

61

Network

Nickelodeon

14 Cobra Kai Is a Nostalgic Adventure Through a Familiar World

This Martial Arts Series Is Perfect for Fans of the Karate Kid Movies

Set after the events of the Karate Kid movies, Cobra Kai is a spinoff series following former antagonist Johnny Lawrence as he attempts to find redemption by reopening his old karate dojo. As the new sensei of Cobra Kai, Johnny tries to avoid his old mistakes—and makes all new ones in the process.

Cobra Kai is a terrific return to one of the most popular franchises of the '80s. The series includes the return of several classic Karate Kid characters, including Ralph Maccio's Daniel LaRusso. The show is filled with all the epic karate matches fans loved about the original movies, but also features enough heart and humor to keep fans entertained in between. The series is currently set to end with a three-part sixth season, which will help set up an upcoming film, Karate Kid: Legacy.

Cobra Kai

Comedy

Drama

Action

Set decades after the events of the Karate Kid franchise, Cobra Kai shifts gears and puts viewers into the perspective of a former rival/antagonist, Johnny Lawrence. In his 50s and down on his luck, a chance encounter with a bullied young man leads Johnny back to Karate. Agreeing to help him, Johnny takes the opportunity to revive his former home, the Cobra Kai dojo - becoming a refuge for outcast teens.

Release Date

Cast

Tanner Buchanan , Xolo Mariduena , Mary Mouser , Connor Murdock , Ralph Macchio , Nichole Brown , Jacob Bertrand , Griffin Santopietro , William Zabka

Rating

Seasons

6

Franchise

Characters By

Cinematographer

Creator

Distributor

Main Characters

Prequel

Production Company

Sfx Supervisor

Story By

josh heald

Writers

Josh Heald , Jon Hurwitz , Hayden Schlossberg , Michael Jonathan , Mattea Greene , Bill Posley , Stacey Harman , Joe Piarulli , Bob Dearden

Number of Episodes

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix

Directors

Jon Hurwitz

Showrunner

Jon Hurwitz

13 The Orville Is a Terrific Parody of Stark Trek

This Sci-Fi Series Adds Humor to a Well-Worn Genre

As fans anxiously await The Orville Season 4, the first three seasons are available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. The Orville is a science fiction series set aboard the USS Orville, following the crew on its many exploits across the known (and unknown) galaxy. The show primarily follows officer Ed Mercer, who seeks solace and self-fulfillment by exploring the galaxy after a messy divorce.

The Orville is a fun parody of Star Trek, making it a perfect series for fans of the space-faring franchise. Bolstered by a terrific cast that includes Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and more, the action-comedy series is filled with all the laughs that one would expect from a Star Trek parody. It does so while delivering surprisingly poignant plotlines and engaging action sequences.

The Orville

TV-14

Comedy

Drama

Set 400 years in the future, finds the crew of the U.S.S. Orville continuing their mission of exploration, as they navigate both the mysteries of the universe and the complexities of their own interpersonal relationships.

Release Date

September 10, 2017

Cast

Scott Grimes , Penny Johnson Jerald , Seth MacFarlane , Peter Macon , Adrianne Palicki , J. Lee , Mark Jackson , Halston Sage

Main Genre

Adventure

Seasons

3 Seasons

Creator

Seth MacFarlane

Producer

Ryan Ford, Jason Roberts

Production Company

Fuzzy Door Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Number of Episodes

36 Episodes

12 The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Is a Fun Play at Buddy Cops

This Marvel Cinematic Universe Series Plays to Its Characters' Strengths

See Also

Figurine Space Adventure Cobra Max Factory Figma crystal bowie a Japanese anime • EUR 223,13

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is a Marvel Cinematic Universe original Disney+ series following Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as he struggles to take up the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers' retirement during the events of Avengers: Endgame. He finds himself unwillingly teamed up with Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, who has an axe to grind with him after failing to live up to Steve's legacy. Together, the two frenemies find themselves thrown into a globe-trotting adventure as they combat a new faction of terrorists with super-soldier abilities.

While not a perfect series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is at its strongest when it spends time with its two leads, who make for a perfect buddy cop comedy duo. Mackie and Stan have terrific chemistry throughout the miniseries, changing over from comedy to action and vice versa at a moment's notice. With this series, the MCU proved that it can deliver terrific action-comedy television so long as it focuses on the right characters.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

TV-14

Drama

Action

Superhero

Adventure

Following the events of 'Avengers: Endgame,' Sam Wilson/Falcon and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities -- and their patience.

Release Date

March 19, 2021

Cast

Anthony Mackie , Sebastian Stan , Wyatt Russell , Erin Kellyman , Daniel Brühl , Emily VanCamp , Danny Ramirez , Adepero Oduye , Dani Deetté , Indya Bussey , Desmond Chiam , Renes Rivera , Tyler Dean Flores , Cle Bennett , Noah Mills , Carl Lumbly , Amy Aquino , Chase River McGhee , Aaron Haynes , Gordon Danniels , Alphie Hyorth , georges st-pierre , Gabrielle Byndloss , Elijah Richardson , Florence Kasumba , Neal Kodinsky , Veronica Falcón , Tyler Merritt , Charles Black , Janeshia Adams-Ginyard , Zola Williams , Demi Castro , Ken Takemoto

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

1

Creator

Story By

Malcom Spellman

Writers

Derek Kolstad , Malcolm Spellman , Michael Kastelein , Dalan Musson , Josef Sawyer

Streaming Service(s)

Disney+

Franchise(s)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Directors

Kari Skogland

Showrunner

Kari Skogland

Character(s)

Sam Wilson / Falcon / Captain America , James Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier , John Walker / Captain America / U.S. Agent , Karli Morgenthau , Baron Helmut Zemo , Sharon Carter , Joaquin Torres , Sarah Wilson , Gigi , DeeDee , Dovich , Lennox , Diego , Lemar Hoskins / Battlestar , Nico , Isaiah Bradley , Dr. Christina Raynor , Cass Wilson , AJ Wilson , Ancient Shop Manager , Government Official , Georges Batroc , Olivia Walker , Eli Bradley , Ayo , Rudy , Mama Donya Madani , Patron #1 , Carlos , Nomble (Dora #1) , Yama (Dora #2) , GRC Leader #1 / GRC Official , Yori Nakajima

11 Barry Is Both Thrilling and Side-Splitting

Bill Hader Shines In This Off-Kilter Killer Comedy

Barry is a Max original series starring Saturday Night Live alumnus Bill Hader, who plays the titular Barry Berkman, a down-on-his-luck hitman who begins to wonder if he missed his calling. The dark comedy series follows Barry as he battles depression and searches for his true purpose in life, all while killing a few marks along the way. Eventually, Barry discovers a passion for acting and attempts to pivot his career during what is definitely not a midlife crisis.

Barry is a perfect action-comedy series, following the darkly hilarious exploits of a former hitman whose associates won't let him leave the game so easily. Barry balances pursuing his dream with battling his former associates over four seasons of riveting television. The series plays to Hader's strengths while also challenging the comedian with more drama-heavy moments that prove he is more than just a comedy legend.

Barry

TV-MA

Drama

Crime

Comedy

Release Date

March 25, 2018

Cast

Bill Hader , Stephen Root , Henry Winkler , Sarah Goldberg

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

4

Creator

Alec Berg, Bill Hader

10 Archer Pokes Fun at the Spy Genre

Archer Is Both a Parody and a Straight Play on the Spy Genre

Archer follows the adventures of its titular hero, Sterling Archer — a parody of James Bond who works with a team of similarly dysfunctional spies. From covert missions in foreign nations to fighting rival spies, Archer and his supporting cast of characters poke fun at classic spy franchises regularly.

Archer ebbed and flowed in its action, with some seasons being notably more action-packed than others. Unlike other series, the action in Archer is typically designed to parody the genre, rather than bring tension to the show. As such, the fight sequences are often loaded with ironic humor, quips and sarcasm.

Archer

TV-MA

Animation

Comedy

Covert black ops and espionage take a back seat to zany personalities and relationships between secret agents and drones.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

September 17, 2009

Cast

H. Jon Benjamin , Judy Greer , Amber Nash , Chris Parnell , Aisha Tyler , Jessica Walter

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

14

Studio

Floyd County Productions, FXP

Creator

Adam Reed

Number of Episodes

145

Network

FX

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu

9 The A-Team Follows A Team Of Outlaw Heroes

This Classic Action-Comedy Features a Team of Epic Heroes

The A-Team tells the story of four former soldiers turned fugitives as they flee from the US government over false charges, and help people along the way. Led by John Hannibal Smith, the team of B.A. Baracus, Howling Mad Murdoch, and Faceman Peck travel across the United States, often stopping in small towns to aid the vulnerable against everything from corrupt cops and gangsters to predatory corporations.

The A-Team is non-stop comedy fun from beginning to end, playing on the hilarious tensions between Baracus and Murdoch, and casting Smith in increasingly absurd disguises. The series is held together by the chemistry between its main characters, and it often features a MacGuyver-style approach to ingenuity when fighting villains.

The A-Team

TV-PG

Adventure

Crime

Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.

Release Date

March 8, 1987

Cast

George Peppard , Mr. T , Dirk Benedict , Dwight Schultz

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

5 Seasons

Creator

Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell

Producer

John Ashley, Patrick Hasburgh, Tom Blomquist

Production Company

Stephen J. Cannell Productions, Universal Television

Number of Episodes

97 Episodes

8 Batman '66 Never Takes Itself Seriously

Unlike Other Batman Stories, This Batman Series Is All Gags and Guffaws

Batman may be considered one of comics' darkest and most grim heroes, but that's actually a persona that mostly began in the 1970s. Before, he was one of the comics' more campy heroes, in large part thanks to his portrayal by Adam West in the 1966 Batman series. Set in Gotham, the show follows Batman and Robin in weekly adventures, saving the city from preposterous and wildly imaginative plots orchestrated by the hero's rogues gallery.

The campy comedy of Batman '66 could be seen through its whimsical interpretation of the comic book villains, from a mustachioed Joker to the likes of Egghead and Riddler. Batman's long list of Bat-branded gadgets fit in well alongside other comedy action series of its time, such as Get Smart. Thanks to an iconic theme song and an endless stream of one-liners, the series is campy fun at its finest.

Batman TV

TV-G

The Caped Crusader and his young ward battle evildoers in Gotham City.

Release Date

January 12, 1966

Cast

Adam West , Burt Ward , Alan Napier , Neil Hamilton , William Dozier , Stafford Repp , Madge Blake , Yvonne Craig

Main Genre

Superhero

Creator

Lorenzo Semple Jr. and William Dozier

7 Ash Vs. Evil Dead Blends Action, Horror And Comedy

Bruce Campbell Is at His Best Playing In Sam Raimi's Horror World

Ash Vs. Evil Dead is a continuation of Sam Raimi's classic film franchise and picks up on the story of Ash Williams 30 years after the events of Evil Dead II. When he reads from the Necronomicon in an intoxicated state to impress a woman, Ash unleashes the Deadites yet again, and teams up with two of his store colleagues to fight them.

Ash Vs. Evil Dead is a blend of numerous genres, including horror, comedy, action, and dark fantasy. As Ash, Pablo, and Kelly drive across the country, they unleash demons, kill countless Deadites, and make new enemies along the way. The series is arguably the best piece of media in the franchise, and every episode delivers viewers some gory violence, courtesy of Ash's chainsaw and boom stick.

Ash Vs. Evil Dead

TV-MA

Horror

Action

Comedy

Ash has spent the last thirty years avoiding responsibility, maturity, and the terrors of the Evil Dead until a Deadite plague threatens to destroy all of mankind and Ash becomes mankind's only hope.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

October 31, 2015

Cast

Bruce Campbell , Ray Santiago , Dana DeLorenzo , Lucy Lawless

Seasons

3

Main Genre

Horror

6 Lethal Weapon Adapts A Classic Action Franchise

This Series Adapts a Beloved Action-Comedy Film Franchise

Based on the original film series starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, Lethal Weapon returned viewers to the buddy cop team-up between LAPD detectives Riggs and Murtaugh. With the fun dynamic of Riggs' unstable, borderline death wish way of doing things clashing with Murtaugh's responsible personality, fans had a brilliant cop show. In each episode, the duo takes on a new case, ranging from cartel murders to casino heists.

With the later addition of comedy icon Seann William Scott, Lethal Weapon managed to balance emotional highs and lows but did a great job of making viewers laugh. For three seasons, fans had a return to one of the most iconic detective franchises of all time, with the great casting of Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford as the original protagonists. The series was a worthy follow-up to the movies and one of the best buddy cop series of the 2010s.

Lethal Weapon

TV-14

Adventure

Comedy

A slightly unhinged cop is partnered with a veteran detective trying to maintain a low stress level in his life.

Release Date

September 21, 2016

Cast

Damon Wayans , Keesha Sharp , Kevin Rahm

Seasons

3

Creator

Matthew Miller

Production Company

Good Session, Lin Pictures, Warner Bros. Television

Number of Episodes

55

Main Genre

Action

5 The Tick Is a Great Superhero Parody

The Tick Pokes Fun at the Tropes and Tricks of the Superhero Genre

Based on the parody comic book series of the same name, The Tick tells the story of its titular hero, a meta-human who is all but invulnerable. Alongside Arthur Everest, an office temp who joins the Tick after witnessing the violence of a supervillain known as the Terror, the duo takes to the streets to fight crime. Together, they form an imperfect team and stumble through their battle with the city's various criminals and villains.

The Tick has had two brilliant TV adaptations — one in 2016 and one in 2001 — the former following a more cartoonish style and the latter leaning into the satire of modern superhero projects. The Tick is something of a hidden gem and would be the perfect viewing experience for people who enjoy shows like The Boys and The Umbrella Academy.

The Tick

Set in a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an accountant with no superpowers realizes a supervillain owns his city. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

4 Buffy The Vampire Slayer Has Plenty Of Humor

This Female-Led Action Series Opened Plenty of Doors for Similar Future Series

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer is primarily associated with horror and fantasy, the series also earned a reputation for '90s-style comedy. The show follows Buffy Summers, a teenager at Sunnydale High who is forced to balance school with her duties as a vampire slayer, charged with protecting humanity from the forces of darkness. Despite some terrifying and serious stories, the show is a masterclass in irony, sarcasm, and dry humor, with Whedon's signature style of comedy reaching its peak in the show.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is great at alternating between genres, including science fiction, musical, romance, and horror. However, at its heart, the series was a lighthearted fantasy/action show, using the monster of the week format against the backdrop of high school teen comedy. Some of the series' best comedy came from its serious characters, with the likes of Spike and Giles being particular sources of laughs. Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes like "Tabula Rasa," "Pangs" and "Him" gave the show some of its funniest moments.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Action

Comedy

Drama

Horror

Supernatural

A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

March 10, 1997

Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar , Nicholas Brendon , Alyson Hannigan , Anthony Stewart Head , James Marsters , Emma Caulfield Ford , Michelle Trachtenberg , Charisma Carpenter , David Boreanaz , Kristine Sutherland , Amber Benson , Seth Green , Marc Blucas , Danny Strong , Tom Lenk , Eliza Dushku , Armin Shimerman , Juliet Landau , Adam Busch , Robia LaMorte , Mercedes McNab , Harry Groener , Charlie Weber , D.B. Woodside , Iyari Limon , Clare Kramer , Bailey Chase , Leonard Roberts , Sarah Hagan , Lindsay Crouse

Rating

Seasons

7

Creator

Production Company

Network

The WB

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Disney+

3 Chuck Provides a Modern Take on Spy Comedy

Before He Was a Superhero, Zachary Levi Was a Super-Spy

Chuck begins when a government-run supercomputer, the Intersect, is mistakenly downloaded by a computer geek named Chuck Bartowski. However, rather than downloading the Intersect as a simple file, Chuck downloads the entire computer system into his brain, transforming the tech repairer into a walking supercomputer. In their efforts to keep him contained, the NSA and CIA each send an agent to handle Chuck.

Chuck is written like a cross between The Big Bang Theory and Mission: Impossible, with sit-com style comedy in Chuck's regular life balanced against his secret missions. As more people discover his newfound status as a super spy, Chuck's life spirals into an increasingly comedic, action-packed adventure that sadly never received the finale that it deserved.

Chuck

TV-14

Action

Comedy

Drama

When a computer geek inadvertently downloads critical government secrets into his brain, both the CIA and the NSA assign an agent to protect him and exploit his newfound skills.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

September 24, 2007

Cast

Zachary Levi , Yvonne Strahovski , Joshua Gomez

Seasons

5

Creator

Chris Fedak, Josh Schwartz

Production Company

College Hill Pictures Inc., Fake Empire, Wonderland Sound and Vision

Number of Episodes

91

2 The Boys Satirizes The Superhero Genre

​​​​No One Is Safe From The Boys' Ruthless Parody​​

Based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, The Boys takes place in a world where superheroes are morally corrupted villains, who abuse the general public and behave recklessly. When his girlfriend is killed by the superstar speedster A-Train, a young man named Hughie joins a small team of antiheroes dedicated to bringing down the "heroes." Chief among these super-powered beings is Homelander, an evil Superman analog who leads the Seven, the flagship superhero team of the corporation Vought International.

The Boys is one of television's best blends of action and comedy, matching other superhero franchises in its quality and intensity. A modern classic, the series' villains are all obvious parodies of DC's Justice League, and is one of the few franchises where heroes root against the "superheroes." In Homelander, TV has one of its greatest villains, with an excellent cast of heroes, such as Billy Butcher and Mother's Milk.

The Boys

TV-MA

Action

Drama

Crime

Comedy

A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

July 25, 2019

Cast

Karl Urban , Jack Quaid , Antony Starr , Erin Moriarty , Jessie T. Usher , Laz Alonso , Chace Crawford , Tomer Capon , Karen Fukuhara , Nathan Mitchell , Colby Minifie , Dominique McElligott , claudia doumit , Cameron Crovetti , Nneka Elliott , Laila Robins , Shantel VanSanten , Aya Cash , Giancarlo Esposito , Jordana Lajoie , Katy Breier , Matthew Edison , Jim Beaver , Elisabeth Shue , Jensen Ackles , Simon Pegg , Susan Heyward , Valorie Curry , Jeffrey Dean Morgan , Ann Cusack , Nicola Correia Damude , Christian Keyes , Sabrina Saudin , Malcolm Barrett , Liyou Abere , Jennifer Esposito , David Reale , Frances Turner

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

4

Franchise

Creator

Production Company

1 Peacemaker Makes an Obscure DC Antihero a Superstar

DC Redeems John Cena's Killing Machine From The Suicide Squad

James Gunn's Peacemaker series follows its immature antihero, played by John Cena, in the aftermath of the events of The Suicide Squad. After recovering from his fight with Rick Flag, he's recruited by a small task force under Amanda Waller's command to take on a cover alien invasion. Joined by his friend, Vigilante, Peacemaker joins the operation and uses violence to get the answers he wants.

Peacemaker isn't just a great spin on the alien invasion sub-genre, it also borrows from tropes like buddy cop, with the banter between Smith and Waller's task force giving the series its best laughs. The series is riddled with ironic comedy and pits Peacemaker against a variety of threats, such as his white supremacist father and a sapient gorilla. For people who enjoyed The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker is the next best thing.

Peacemaker

Comedy

superheroes

Picking up where The Suicide Squad (2021) left off, Peacemaker returns home after recovering from his encounter with Bloodsport - only to discover that his freedom comes at a price.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

January 13, 2022

Cast

John Cena , Danielle Brooks , Freddie Stroma , Chukwudi Iwuji , Jennifer Holland

Seasons

1

Creator

James Gunn

Number of Episodes

8

Streaming Service(s)

HBO Max

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