24 Years Later, the Spy Thriller Series That Changed Hollywood Forever Is Streaming on Netflix

There is no shortage of great spy thrillers and action movies, from the larger-than-life spectacle of James Bond to the death-defying set pieces of Mission: Impossible. Both franchises have spent decades perfecting their own flavors of espionage, featuring cool gadgets, exotic locations, elaborate schemes, and action sequences that get more ridiculous with every new installment. Yet while this sheer theatricality is central to their charm, such extravagant excess and predictable storytelling can eventually breed fatigue, leaving even the most explosive set pieces feeling well-worn.