Every John Carpenter Movie Starring Kurt Russell, Ranked (Including The 1 That Never Made US Theaters)

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John Carpenter is widely considered the most important director in horror, even when compared to other greats like Wes Craven, Tobe Hooper, Ari Aster, and Robert Eggers. Like all these directors, Carpenter often worked with the same actors repeatedly. Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in both Halloween and The Fog, Donald Pleasence was in Halloween, Escape from New York, and Prince of Darkness, Adrienne Barbeau starred in The Fog and Escape from New York, and also provided a voice performance in The Thing. The late Peter Jason had a prolific career with Carpenter, appearing in Prince of Darkness, They Live, In the Mouth of Madness, Village of the Damned, Escape from L.A., and Ghosts of Mars.

Despite working with many people, Kurt Russell was actually John Carpenter’s most frequent and successful collaborator. However, not all of the five films they made together were equally strong.

5) Escape from L.A.

Even though it’s not as good as Escape from New York, this film is still enjoyable. It’s a bit more over-the-top, but it’s fun to see Snake Plissken back in action. Plus, Bruce Campbell makes a memorable appearance as a delightfully crazy scientist who collects body parts!

I have to admit, while I enjoyed Escape from L.A., it just didn’t hit the same way New York did. The story felt a little too familiar, and it didn’t have that same sense of desperate energy. And honestly, the surfing sequence? The special effects haven’t aged well – they’re pretty cheesy! It’s still a fun watch, especially if you liked the wrestling from the first movie (they’re similar!), but most of it doesn’t really stay with you long after you’ve seen it – not in a memorable way, anyway.

4) Elvis

While Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis was solid, it was Kurt Russell and John Carpenter who truly captured the essence of the story. The 1979 film also benefits from a more grounded performance of Colonel Tom Parker, played by Pat Hingle as a realistic person, unlike the over-the-top portrayal seen in other versions.

While many consider Escape from New York and Used Cars to be the films that launched Kurt Russell’s career beyond his Disney days, it was actually this made-for-TV movie that truly signaled his transition to more mature roles. And it was a well-deserved shift, as Russell’s portrayal of the musician is remarkably accurate and convincing.

3) Big Trouble in Little China

While Big Trouble in Little China isn’t for all tastes, it’s incredibly original. If originality was the only factor, it would easily be number one. But for viewers who appreciate its unique style, it’s a film they’ll enjoy rewatching again and again.

This movie playfully works with action film tropes, but never fully commits to them. Russell’s character, Jack Burton, is a fantastic creation – a self-proclaimed tough guy who isn’t actually the hero. He’s more of a lovable buffoon, constantly overestimating his abilities. In his defense, he’s completely clueless about kung fu and just as surprised as the audience by the presence of magic.

Stream Big Trouble in Little China on Prime Video.

2) Escape from New York

What Russell and Carpenter did brilliantly in Escape from New York was create a lovable character despite him having almost no visible emotion. However, Russell’s ideal performance as Snake Plissken is only one of the reasons the film is considered a classic.

The film is perfectly paced and never feels too long, making it incredibly rewatchable – a standout action movie from the 1980s. Add to that John Carpenter’s fantastic score – especially memorable in this film – a compelling villain played by Isaac Hayes, and a realistically depicted, ruined New York City, and you’ve got a true classic.

Stream Escape from New York on Prime Video.

1) The Thing

For most directors, it’s easy to pick their best film. But when it comes to John Carpenter, fans are usually split between Halloween and The Thing. Both movies are so well-made that it’s impossible to say which one is better – they’re both flawless.

While Escape from New York is a classic, this film is arguably the strongest collaboration between Carpenter and Russell. It’s incredibly suspenseful from beginning to end, with fantastic performances and truly impressive practical effects. What’s especially clever is how well-made it is – even after multiple viewings, it remains genuinely difficult to figure out who has been taken over by the Thing.

Stream The Thing on Shudder.

What’s your all-time favorite John Carpenter film? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-15 04:13