'Reacher' and 8 Other Most Testosterone-Fueled Action & Drama Series, Ranked by IMDb

There's a special subgenre where unrelenting force, uncontrollable rage, and a primal sense of justice reign supreme. It's a world where dialogue often gives way to crushing blows and where complex plot twists are resolved with a carefully aimed gun.

We're talking about brutal, testosterone-fueled action and drama shows – and only the best ones are featured here.

8. 'Reacher', 2022-...

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Retired Army Major Jack Reacher arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. The local police immediately arrest him because a murder occurred nearby overnight, and he bears an uncanny resemblance to the perpetrator.

After sorting out the confusion, the detectives offered Reacher a partnership, citing his physical fitness and professional experience.

Thus, Jack finds himself caught up in a conflict between corrupt police officers, local politicians, and wealthy businessmen.

7. 'The Day of the Jackal', 2024-...

IMDb Score: 8.1/10

The plot centers on a hitman nicknamed The Jackal who kills people for millions of dollars. He has mastered the art of disguise, mimicking not only his victims' appearances, but also their habits when necessary.

His next target is Ulle Dag Charles, a brilliant entrepreneur whose innovative developments are unpopular with the financial elite.

British intelligence officer Bianca complicates the mission by becoming obsessed with capturing The Jackal.

6. 'Californication', 2007-2014

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

Hank Moody is wasting his life in sunny California. Once a famous writer and family man, a contract with a Hollywood studio and a move to Los Angeles turned his life into a living nightmare.

A falling out with his wife, conflicts with others, and an endless creative crisis are just the tip of the iceberg.

Furthermore, Moody enjoys drinking and sleeping with anyone he meets, which inevitably interferes with his work and attempts at self-understanding.

5. 'Ray Donovan', 2013-2020

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

From drug problems to blackmail threats to the consequences of adultery, a professional fixer can easily resolve any situation for a client's money.

Solving one's own problems, however, proves far more difficult. When Mickey, Ray's tyrannical father, is released from prison, Donovan's well-being is threatened.

Viewers loved the grim fixer so much that, after seven seasons of Ray Donovan, a feature-length movie of the same name was released to conclude the main characters' storylines.

4. 'Sons of Anarchy', 2008-2014

IMDb Score: 8.5/10

The series follows the rivalry between biker gangs in the small California town of Charming. The most influential motorcycle club is the Sons of Anarchy, led by Vietnam veteran Clay and his domineering wife, Gemma.

The gang is constantly involved in street fights and battles with drug dealers. They also illegally sell weapons while trying to stay out of the local sheriff's reach.

However, the main conflict is brewing within the club. Jax, a biker from a family background and Gemma's son and Clay's stepson, decides to join the power struggle.

3. 'Peaky Blinders', 2013-2022

IMDb Score: 8.7/10

This gangster saga is set in Birmingham, a major British city, between the two World Wars.

The plot centers on the Shelby clan, who are of Romani descent, and their criminal gang, the Peaky Blinders. Robbery, racketeering, and the smuggling of alcohol and weapons are just a few of the gang's daily activities.

Thomas Shelby, the charismatic and calculating leader of the Peaky Blinders, sweeps away his rivals, establishing the family's authority in the criminal underworld.

2. 'The Sopranos', 1999-2007

IMDb Score: 9.2/10

Tony Soprano is a life-weary mob boss whose friends, enemies, and family members, including his treacherous elderly mother, always want something from him.

After experiencing a panic attack, Tony decides to see a therapist despite considering it an act unworthy of a real man. Through therapy sessions with Dr. Melfi, viewers begin to understand how Tony became the way he is.

1. 'The Wire', 2002-2008

IMDb Score: 9.3/10

Set in Baltimore and its surrounding areas, the series centers on a group of police officers who use wiretaps and hidden cameras to bring down a gang.

The creators meticulously explore the routine processes of the task force and the daily lives of drug dealers. Though the characters talk a lot and act little, the on-screen action is utterly captivating.