Jade Reed
10 Underrated Spy Movies on Netflix That Deserve Way More Attention
Netflix has become home to countless action-packed films, but some of the best spy thrillers get lost in the shuffle.
While everyone talks about the big-budget franchises, there are hidden gems sitting in your queue that offer incredible stories, unexpected twists, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
These underrated spy movies deliver everything you want—secret missions, dangerous betrayals, and heroes fighting against impossible odds—without all the hype.
1. The Angel (2018)
Based on real events, this gripping film tells the story of Ashraf Marwan, an Egyptian official who risked everything to become one of Israel’s most important spies.
His double life changed the entire landscape of Middle Eastern politics during one of history’s most volatile periods.
Every conversation and meeting could mean life or death.
What makes this movie stand out is how it shows the personal cost of espionage.
Marwan wasn’t just passing secrets—he was betraying his country, his family, and everything he knew.
The tension builds slowly as you watch him navigate between two worlds, never knowing who might discover his secret.
Unlike typical spy movies filled with car chases and explosions, this one focuses on psychological pressure and moral complexity.
2. Back in Action (2025)
Imagine trying to live a normal suburban life when suddenly your secret agent past comes knocking.
That’s exactly what happens to Emily and Matt, two retired CIA operatives who thought they’d left danger behind forever.
Their quiet family routine gets shattered when old enemies track them down, forcing them back into the spy game they’d abandoned.
The movie brilliantly mixes heart-pounding action with genuine humor as these parents juggle protecting their kids while stopping international threats.
Watching them switch between carpools and combat is both hilarious and thrilling.
Their chemistry makes every scene entertaining, whether they’re arguing about dinner or disarming bombs.
It’s the perfect blend of family comedy and spy adventure that keeps you smiling.
3. The Union (2024)
Mike McKenna is just an ordinary construction worker enjoying his simple life in New Jersey when his high school girlfriend Roxanne suddenly reappears.
But she’s not there for a reunion—she needs him for a dangerous international mission with a secret spy organization called The Union.
Talk about an unexpected career change!
What follows is pure entertainment as Mike stumbles through spy training and globe-trotting adventures he’s completely unprepared for.
His regular-guy perspective makes everything funnier and more relatable than your typical smooth secret agent story.
You’ll root for him as he faces situations that would make James Bond nervous.
The action sequences are spectacular, but Mike’s bewildered reactions steal every scene.
4. Operation Mincemeat (2021)
During World War II, British intelligence came up with one of the strangest plans ever: use a dead body to trick the Nazis.
This incredible true story follows the team of spies who created a fake identity for a corpse, planted false invasion plans on it, and set it adrift off the Spanish coast.
The goal?
Convince Hitler’s forces that the Allies would attack somewhere other than their real target.
The film captures the absurdity and brilliance of this audacious scheme.
You’ll be amazed at how much detail went into creating a believable fake person, complete with love letters and personal effects.
The stakes couldn’t be higher—if the deception failed, thousands of soldiers would die.
It’s a masterclass in wartime intelligence.
5. The Gray Man (2022)
Court Gentry, known only as Sierra Six, is the CIA’s best black-ops assassin—until he accidentally uncovers secrets the agency desperately wants hidden.
Suddenly, the hunter becomes the hunted as every assassin and mercenary on the planet receives orders to eliminate him.
What follows is a relentless, globe-spanning chase that never lets up.
The action sequences are absolutely insane, from explosive shootouts in European cities to hand-to-hand combat in exotic locations.
Ryan Gosling brings a cool, understated intensity to the role, while the supporting cast creates memorable villains and allies.
Each scene outdoes the last in terms of creative destruction and narrow escapes.
It’s pure adrenaline from start to finish, perfect for action lovers.
6. The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019)
In the early 1980s, a team of Mossad agents did something extraordinary: they bought a rundown resort in Sudan and used it as cover for a humanitarian rescue mission.
Their goal was to smuggle thousands of Ethiopian Jewish refugees to safety in Israel, right under the noses of hostile governments.
The resort became a front for one of history’s most daring intelligence operations.
Chris Evans leads the cast as Ari Levinson, the agent who masterminded this incredible plan.
Watching them balance running an actual tourist destination while secretly evacuating refugees creates constant tension.
Every guest who checks in could potentially expose the entire operation.
The true story behind this film is almost too remarkable to believe.
7. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (2022)
South Korea’s spy thriller scene delivers something raw and uncompromising with this film.
The story centers on rival intelligence agencies conducting brutal black-ops missions overseas, where loyalty is questioned and betrayal lurks around every corner.
Unlike polished Hollywood spy films, this one doesn’t shy away from showing the ugly reality of covert operations.
The protagonist gets assigned to investigate a mysterious team leader known as Yaksha, whose methods are as effective as they are ruthless.
As he digs deeper, he discovers that nothing is what it seems, and survival means making impossible choices.
The action is visceral and intense, pulling no punches.
Korean cinema proves once again it excels at gritty, complex thrillers that challenge audiences.
8. Mission: Cross (2024)
Kang Moo used to be a legendary secret agent feared by enemies worldwide.
Now he’s a devoted stay-at-home husband who specializes in cooking meals and doing laundry.
His peaceful domestic life gets completely upended when circumstances force him back into the dangerous world of espionage he thought he’d left behind forever.
The contrast between his two lives creates both comedy and surprising emotional depth.
Watching him switch from folding laundry to taking down criminal organizations is endlessly entertaining.
His wife, who has her own secrets, adds another layer of complexity to their relationship and the unfolding mission.
It’s a refreshing take on the spy genre that values family as much as action-packed sequences.
9. Munich: The Edge of War (2021)
Set in the tense days before World War II erupted, this film follows two former Oxford classmates who find themselves on opposite sides of history.
One works for the British government, the other for Nazi Germany, and they both possess knowledge of secret documents that could change the course of diplomatic negotiations.
Their friendship becomes a dangerous liability as war looms ever closer.
Rather than relying on action sequences, this spy drama builds suspense through conversations, political maneuvering, and the weight of impossible decisions.
The historical context makes every moment feel significant, knowing what’s coming. It’s a thinking person’s thriller that values intelligence and dialogue over explosions.
Sometimes words are more powerful than weapons.
10. Heart of Stone (2023)
Rachel Stone works for a shadowy intelligence organization that operates outside traditional government channels, protecting global security from behind the scenes.
When a powerful piece of technology called “The Heart” falls into jeopardy, she must race across the world to prevent it from destroying the delicate balance of international power.
This isn’t just another gadget—it’s a weapon that could reshape civilization.
Gal Gadot brings charisma and intensity to the role, making Stone both relatable and formidable.
The action spans multiple continents with elaborate set pieces that showcase creative stunts and smart tactical thinking.
What starts as a straightforward mission becomes increasingly complicated as allegiances shift and betrayals mount.
It’s ambitious, entertaining, and sets up an intriguing franchise.
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