TOP TEN ACTION MOVIE HEROES
One of my favorite genre's of cinema is action. I love larger than life heroes and all around badasses. I grew up in the 80's and 90's on the films of Schwarzenegger and Stallone, Bruce Willis, and others. And over the years I've discovered other great actors and characters and begun to appreciate some I hadn't quite attached to in my youth. I still love most of these movies and most definitely love a good action movie.
DISCLAIMER:
"Action" can be a broad term so let me define the parameters of this list. Excluded from this list are Super Hero movies like Marvel, DC, Image, and so forth. I've excluded westerns and samurai films (we just did a top ten on cinema samurai!). No Hong Kong martial arts films or any martial arts films for that matter. And no cartoons or animes. All of these will no doubt be top tens of their own (I am looking forward to many of them actually).
I had to narrow this field down because there are so many heroes of the silver screen that I love and I must do them justice so way or another.
So now that we have the parameters defined, on with the list!
As usual I've included a bonus!
#11
JAMES BOND
You cannot have an action hero list without James Bond on it. The Super Spy, James Bond has been around for a long time (the first novel by Ian Flemming came out in 1953!). He's gone through many incarnations and his adventures have ranged from classy spy espionage, sci-fi super tech based thrillers, even a little voodoo mysticism, and then some balls out action epics. James Bond is an extremely versatile character, each actor in the role bringing something different to the table.
James Bond is too cool and one of cinema's most enduring icons.
THE TOP TEN
#10
JASON STATHAM
Okay, I can't narrow down a single character from Jason Statham that I particularly love more than any other because really it's Jason Statham himself whose persona has become the character. He kinda plays the same sort of character in his action movies, with little variations here and there, but it's that character that I want to see every time I watch a Jason Statham movie. I don't mean that remark as a detriment but rather as the reason why I love watching Jason Statham.
If I had to choose just one of Jason Statham's characters that I enjoy the most it would be Chev Chelios from the CRANK films. But his roles in DEATH RACE, PARKER, HOME FRONT, Dekkard Shaw in the FAST & FURIOUS films, THE MECHANIC, and others have all been great too.
Okay, I can't narrow down a single character from Jason Statham that I particularly love more than any other because really it's Jason Statham himself whose persona has become the character. He kinda plays the same sort of character in his action movies, with little variations here and there, but it's that character that I want to see every time I watch a Jason Statham movie. I don't mean that remark as a detriment but rather as the reason why I love watching Jason Statham.
If I had to choose just one of Jason Statham's characters that I enjoy the most it would be Chev Chelios from the CRANK films. But his roles in DEATH RACE, PARKER, HOME FRONT, Dekkard Shaw in the FAST & FURIOUS films, THE MECHANIC, and others have all been great too.
#9
Films: LETHAL WEAPON (1987), LETHAL WEAPON 2 (1989), LETHAL WEAPON 3 (1992), LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1998)
Taking the "Super Cop" to a whole new level. A member of an elite special forces unit in Vietnam, Riggs was trained to kill with any means possible. He is the lethal weapon. After completing his Mad Max character, Mel Gibson began building another great character in Martin Riggs. Emotionally (and maybe mentally) unstable, humorous, scary, and deadly, Riggs is one complex and incredibly interesting character.
Over the course of four films we watch Riggs go from a "damaged" man to fully healed, thanks in large part to his partner and friend Roger Murtaugh and those friends they meet along the way. And Riggs in turn shows the nearly retired Murtaugh that there is still plenty of life left in them and that they are not too old for this... stuff.
#8
DIRTY HARRY CALLAHAN
Films: DIRTY HARRY (1971), MAGNUM FORCE (1973), THE ENFORCER (1976), SUDDEN IMPACT (1983), THE DEAD POOL (1988)
One of cinema's greatest actors, a man who's played many heroes, is Clint Eastwood. The man is just plain cool or at least his onscreen persona is. It was the Man With No Name films that first hooked me and made me a fan of Eastwood's. Then I discovered the Dirty Harry films. Inspector Harry Callahan was a gruff and abrasive character always seeing the worst in humanity. A natural maverick, he was quick to disregard protocol when it got in his way and as a result was a constant pain in the ass for his superiors. He was a good shot with his .44 Magnum. And he was always quick to fire off a one liner.
Harry Callahan was the original "Super Cop" and set the standard for so many action heroes to come after. He also set the tone for rated R action films too, often brutal violence on displace and some disturbing imagery. Definitely not a hero you appreciate as a kid.
Films: DIRTY HARRY (1971), MAGNUM FORCE (1973), THE ENFORCER (1976), SUDDEN IMPACT (1983), THE DEAD POOL (1988)
One of cinema's greatest actors, a man who's played many heroes, is Clint Eastwood. The man is just plain cool or at least his onscreen persona is. It was the Man With No Name films that first hooked me and made me a fan of Eastwood's. Then I discovered the Dirty Harry films. Inspector Harry Callahan was a gruff and abrasive character always seeing the worst in humanity. A natural maverick, he was quick to disregard protocol when it got in his way and as a result was a constant pain in the ass for his superiors. He was a good shot with his .44 Magnum. And he was always quick to fire off a one liner.
Harry Callahan was the original "Super Cop" and set the standard for so many action heroes to come after. He also set the tone for rated R action films too, often brutal violence on displace and some disturbing imagery. Definitely not a hero you appreciate as a kid.
#7
INDIANA JONES
Films: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC (1981), INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)
Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford created perhaps the ultimate adventurer in the character of Indiana Jones. These films capture the imaginations of both children and adults. These are some of the films you watched as a kid and discovered that they still held up when you were an adult. And the hero of these films is just as strong. Taking the swagger and confidence of Han Solo but toning down the scoundrel, Harrison Ford added more intensity and physicality to create another truly iconic character.
A man of action, thinking on his feet, rescuing the women, and saving the world from the badguys, heroes don't get much grander than Indiana Jones. He's the hero you pretended to be in the backyard as a kid and wished you were as an adult.
Films: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARC (1981), INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)
Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Harrison Ford created perhaps the ultimate adventurer in the character of Indiana Jones. These films capture the imaginations of both children and adults. These are some of the films you watched as a kid and discovered that they still held up when you were an adult. And the hero of these films is just as strong. Taking the swagger and confidence of Han Solo but toning down the scoundrel, Harrison Ford added more intensity and physicality to create another truly iconic character.
A man of action, thinking on his feet, rescuing the women, and saving the world from the badguys, heroes don't get much grander than Indiana Jones. He's the hero you pretended to be in the backyard as a kid and wished you were as an adult.
#6
MAX ROCKATANSKY
Films: MAD MAX (1979), THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981), MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985), MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)
The Road Warrior was on my top ten favorite movies list of all time for quite a while. It may still be. When I was in high school I discovered the Mad Max films and The Road Warrior above the rest blew me away. I wasn't as keen on the other two films back then but as time has passed and I've grown a bit older I have come to appreciate and enjoy them as well. Mel Gibson's performance as Max evolves from film to film. We see him first as a young man with a family and friends only to lose it all as well as his humanity. Next we see him as a shell of the person he once was, more animal than man. And in Thunderdome we see him regain some of his humanity.
It's a great arc for the character which translates to a great character. I like Tom Hardy's interpretation too but he isn't given as much to work with as Mel had. But Fury Road is so ridiculously good. I really wish it had been Mel in Fury Road. Oh well.
MAX ROCKATANSKY
Films: MAD MAX (1979), THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981), MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985), MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)
The Road Warrior was on my top ten favorite movies list of all time for quite a while. It may still be. When I was in high school I discovered the Mad Max films and The Road Warrior above the rest blew me away. I wasn't as keen on the other two films back then but as time has passed and I've grown a bit older I have come to appreciate and enjoy them as well. Mel Gibson's performance as Max evolves from film to film. We see him first as a young man with a family and friends only to lose it all as well as his humanity. Next we see him as a shell of the person he once was, more animal than man. And in Thunderdome we see him regain some of his humanity.
It's a great arc for the character which translates to a great character. I like Tom Hardy's interpretation too but he isn't given as much to work with as Mel had. But Fury Road is so ridiculously good. I really wish it had been Mel in Fury Road. Oh well.
#5
CONAN
Films: CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982), CONAN THE DESTROYER (1984)
Conan is the ultimate swords & sorcery hero. No others save for maybe Red Sonja could compare to the raw power of the character. Seeing Conan grow up amidst the most violent and deadly of time periods, survive, and emerge like a piece of forged steel is an incredible journey to watch. Arnold Schwarzenegger embodies the character nigh perfectly. There's something about Conan that connects with a primal part of humanity, a time long forgotten and a life once lived.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of my top favorite action heroes growing up and I still love his films today. It was a tough call putting Conan here as opposed to where another Schwarzenegger character stands on the list. I'm sure you can guess who it is...
Films: TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (1991), TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES (2003), TERMINATOR: GENISYS (2015)
Okay, technically there is nothing heroic about a machine doing what it was programmed to do, but you're just gonna have to give me this one. The Terminator is an incredible force to behold. He doesn't do fancy tricks or martial arts. He takes everything thrown at him, bullets, knives, fiery explosions, and walks right through them. Proficient in the use of every weapon, and even without a weapon, he'll put his fist through anyone and anything. The Terminator was terrifying as a villain, but when he became a hero it made history. He's like the tough guy we all wish we were, able to take whatever the other guy throws at us and keep coming. Plus that endoskeleton is so rad.
The original Terminator film is not on this list because, well, that particular T-800 was a different character and most definitely not a hero. The T-800 that first appeared in Terminator 2 is the hero. I guess by that logic the T-800 in Terminator 3 is a different character as well and also a hero.
Conan is the ultimate swords & sorcery hero. No others save for maybe Red Sonja could compare to the raw power of the character. Seeing Conan grow up amidst the most violent and deadly of time periods, survive, and emerge like a piece of forged steel is an incredible journey to watch. Arnold Schwarzenegger embodies the character nigh perfectly. There's something about Conan that connects with a primal part of humanity, a time long forgotten and a life once lived.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of my top favorite action heroes growing up and I still love his films today. It was a tough call putting Conan here as opposed to where another Schwarzenegger character stands on the list. I'm sure you can guess who it is...
#4
JOHN McCLANE
Films: DIE HARD (1988), DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER (1990), DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (1995), LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2007), A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD (2013)
Why John McClane is awesome is because he wasn't a "super cop" but merely a normal guy faced with impossible situations. He survives through determination, ingenuity, and a lot of luck. He was the "every man's" hero, in essence, a real person with a marriage on the rocks, two kids, and a smart mouth. Bruce Willis' performance was perfect and embodied everything I mentioned above (at least for the first three films). McClane was unsure of himself, self-deprecating, and well aware of his failings. He went into every situation thinking he was going to die and we could see that written on Bruce's face. That alone elevated the excitement to a higher level, knowing John McClane wasn't invincible.
I definitely prefer the first three films over the latter two. With the final two installments in the series John McClane became a confident badass super cop, which is interesting to see too but not as compelling, at least for me. But I definitely like "invincible heroes" too.
Why John McClane is awesome is because he wasn't a "super cop" but merely a normal guy faced with impossible situations. He survives through determination, ingenuity, and a lot of luck. He was the "every man's" hero, in essence, a real person with a marriage on the rocks, two kids, and a smart mouth. Bruce Willis' performance was perfect and embodied everything I mentioned above (at least for the first three films). McClane was unsure of himself, self-deprecating, and well aware of his failings. He went into every situation thinking he was going to die and we could see that written on Bruce's face. That alone elevated the excitement to a higher level, knowing John McClane wasn't invincible.
I definitely prefer the first three films over the latter two. With the final two installments in the series John McClane became a confident badass super cop, which is interesting to see too but not as compelling, at least for me. But I definitely like "invincible heroes" too.
#3
T-800
Okay, technically there is nothing heroic about a machine doing what it was programmed to do, but you're just gonna have to give me this one. The Terminator is an incredible force to behold. He doesn't do fancy tricks or martial arts. He takes everything thrown at him, bullets, knives, fiery explosions, and walks right through them. Proficient in the use of every weapon, and even without a weapon, he'll put his fist through anyone and anything. The Terminator was terrifying as a villain, but when he became a hero it made history. He's like the tough guy we all wish we were, able to take whatever the other guy throws at us and keep coming. Plus that endoskeleton is so rad.
The original Terminator film is not on this list because, well, that particular T-800 was a different character and most definitely not a hero. The T-800 that first appeared in Terminator 2 is the hero. I guess by that logic the T-800 in Terminator 3 is a different character as well and also a hero.
#2
SNAKE PLISSKEN
Films: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981), ESCAPE FROM L.A. (1996)
Once the great hero of World War III, now a disillusioned outlaw, Snake Plissken went from the hero of a country to criminal number one. Through blackmail and a bomb placed in his neck, Snake was forced to do the government's dirty work once again. Snake could care less about the country, world governments, or the world itself. Even the suffering of innocent people doesn't do much to move him to help. Anti-hero to the core, Snake is a bit of mystery. Much of his past is only hinted at in the movies and it's this backstory that has made the character so intriguing to me. That and what we do see of him in the movies is just so ridiculously cool.
Snake Plissken was a character I had a hard time understanding when I was younger. I always thought he was cool but he was a little too nihilistic for me. But as I have grown older the appeal of the character has grown tremendously. Kurt Russell is just too cool as Snake and under the direction of John Carpenter makes for a perfect character in my opinion surpassed by only one other...
Once the great hero of World War III, now a disillusioned outlaw, Snake Plissken went from the hero of a country to criminal number one. Through blackmail and a bomb placed in his neck, Snake was forced to do the government's dirty work once again. Snake could care less about the country, world governments, or the world itself. Even the suffering of innocent people doesn't do much to move him to help. Anti-hero to the core, Snake is a bit of mystery. Much of his past is only hinted at in the movies and it's this backstory that has made the character so intriguing to me. That and what we do see of him in the movies is just so ridiculously cool.
Snake Plissken was a character I had a hard time understanding when I was younger. I always thought he was cool but he was a little too nihilistic for me. But as I have grown older the appeal of the character has grown tremendously. Kurt Russell is just too cool as Snake and under the direction of John Carpenter makes for a perfect character in my opinion surpassed by only one other...
#1
JOHN RAMBO
Films: FIRST BLOOD (1982), RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II (1985), RAMBO III (1988), RAMBO (2008)
Too obvious, right? Of course it's Rambo!
A soldier returns from a disillusioned war only to discover he has no country to go home to. His fellow soldiers are dead and the world wants nothing to do with him. Rambo is pushed to the breaking point and wages his own war. Rambo did not start off as the typical hero. His first war shown in the movies was a war against his own country and fellow Americans, disillusioned and outraged that his country didn't support him after he fought for them in Vietnam. Rambo's first enemy was the injustice towards the American soldiers who fought in Vietnam. Then he fought for the soldiers still suffering in P.O.W. camps, soldiers the world had forgotten. Next he fought to help the only friend who ever stuck by him.
It's easy to just think of Rambo as the quintessential action hero, but when you really look at him you discover he's not the typical hero at all. He's not the hero of the innocent everyday person, but rather the soldier's hero. At his core though he is a man trying to meaning again when everything he believed in had betrayed him. He was a tool used by someone else and then discarded. Even to the end of his final film he's still a lost soul trying to find his way back. Yeesh, no wonder the alternate ending of the first film has Rambo committing suicide. Heavy stuff to be sure.
And I love watching him blow stuff up though. I really love watching him blow stuff up. He's my number one because no one kicks ass as good as Rambo does. He can drive a chopper, a tank, a motorcycle, he can blow stuff up with arrows and bazookas and rip a dude's throat out with his bare freakin hands! He even disembowels a guy with a machete! YES! ARRRRHHHHHHH!!!! He's like the Jason Voorhees of action heroes!
I'm definitely a child of the 80's.
And there you have it!
Who are your favorite action movie heroes?
Let me know in the comments below or comment on our Facebook page!!
And for more of our Top Ten Lists check out these below!
TOP TEN CINEMA SAMURAI
THE 100 GREATEST KAIJU
TOP TEN FAVORITE KAIJU
TOP TEN GIANT MONSTER MOVIE CLASSICS
TOP TEN UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
TOP TEN DC SUPER HEROES
TOP TEN WOMEN OF DC
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC WOMEN
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GUYS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
Too obvious, right? Of course it's Rambo!
A soldier returns from a disillusioned war only to discover he has no country to go home to. His fellow soldiers are dead and the world wants nothing to do with him. Rambo is pushed to the breaking point and wages his own war. Rambo did not start off as the typical hero. His first war shown in the movies was a war against his own country and fellow Americans, disillusioned and outraged that his country didn't support him after he fought for them in Vietnam. Rambo's first enemy was the injustice towards the American soldiers who fought in Vietnam. Then he fought for the soldiers still suffering in P.O.W. camps, soldiers the world had forgotten. Next he fought to help the only friend who ever stuck by him.
It's easy to just think of Rambo as the quintessential action hero, but when you really look at him you discover he's not the typical hero at all. He's not the hero of the innocent everyday person, but rather the soldier's hero. At his core though he is a man trying to meaning again when everything he believed in had betrayed him. He was a tool used by someone else and then discarded. Even to the end of his final film he's still a lost soul trying to find his way back. Yeesh, no wonder the alternate ending of the first film has Rambo committing suicide. Heavy stuff to be sure.
And I love watching him blow stuff up though. I really love watching him blow stuff up. He's my number one because no one kicks ass as good as Rambo does. He can drive a chopper, a tank, a motorcycle, he can blow stuff up with arrows and bazookas and rip a dude's throat out with his bare freakin hands! He even disembowels a guy with a machete! YES! ARRRRHHHHHHH!!!! He's like the Jason Voorhees of action heroes!
I'm definitely a child of the 80's.
And there you have it!
Who are your favorite action movie heroes?
Let me know in the comments below or comment on our Facebook page!!
And for more of our Top Ten Lists check out these below!
TOP TEN CINEMA SAMURAI
THE 100 GREATEST KAIJU
TOP TEN FAVORITE KAIJU
TOP TEN GIANT MONSTER MOVIE CLASSICS
TOP TEN UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
TOP TEN DC SUPER HEROES
TOP TEN WOMEN OF DC
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC WOMEN
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPER HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPER HERO TEAMS
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPER HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPER HERO TEAMS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GUYS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
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