Kurt Russell’s 10 Best Action Movies, Ranked (#1 Is an Undisputed Masterpiece)

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The 1990s were full of popular action heroes like Will Smith, Harrison Ford, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Keanu Reeves, Nicolas Cage, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jackie Chan. Among them stood Kurt Russell, who differed from some like Steven Seagal because he wasn’t just good at fighting. Russell excelled at portraying characters who were challenged and had to evolve to overcome obstacles – he could convincingly show a character’s growth. Plus, he was versatile, able to play everything from intimidating villains and ambiguous authority figures to even the beloved Santa Claus.

Here are ten of Russell’s most exciting, action-packed movies. We’ve included films that mix genres, as long as action is a key part of what makes them great.

10) Death Proof

While it might be considered Quentin Tarantino’s least impressive work, Death Proof feels more like a fun experiment than a major film in his overall career. Ultimately, compared to Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror, which was the other half of the Grindhouse double feature, Death Proof is noticeably less consistent in quality.

Kurt Russell’s portrayal of Stuntman Mike is the standout performance in the movie. It perfectly demonstrates his ability to play a villain who’s still strangely likable – someone you could almost imagine a woman accepting a ride from. He doesn’t initially appear evil, but the danger quickly becomes clear once you’re trapped in his car, facing a terrifying and brutal experience.

Stream Death Proof on Starz.

9) Furious 7

The blockbuster hit Furious 7 served as a farewell to Paul Walker and an introduction to Kurt Russell, who joined the franchise’s growing cast. Russell clearly relishes his role as Mr. Nobody and is having a lot of fun with it.

Mr. Nobody was a helpful character who always seemed to appear with crucial information that moved the story forward. He played a similar role to Q in the James Bond films, providing essential support to the ‘Family,’ but with a consistently cheerful demeanor.

Stream Furious 7 on Peacock.

8) Backdraft

Ron Howard’s Backdraft, a popular and exciting action movie from the 1990s, is known for its impressive practical effects. What makes it stand out, though, is its compelling story about a family struggling with internal conflicts. Interestingly, Kurt Russell portrays two different characters in the film.

The story begins with the death of Captain Dennis McCaffrey while on duty, leaving his sons, Russell (nicknamed “Bull”) and Brian, to cope with the loss. While Bull is responsible and capable, Brian struggles with his life. The brothers may need to team up to investigate a dangerous arsonist, and the shocking truth could be that the culprit is someone they know.

7) Stargate

Featuring a clever idea and strong performances from James Spader and Kurt Russell, Stargate was an early demonstration of director Roland Emmerich’s talent for large-scale, effects-heavy scenes. While the special effects are crucial to the film’s appeal, it’s the chemistry between the two lead actors that truly makes the movie work.

Richard Dean Anderson takes on the challenging role of Colonel Jack O’Neil, brought in as a last resort for the Stargate project if the scientists manage to open the gate. The team initially doubts the choice, as O’Neil has been withdrawn and grieving since the accidental death of his son. The series shows O’Neil rediscovering his passion for life while developing a complex relationship with the cautious but gifted Dr. Daniel Jackson, played by James Spader.

Stream Stargate on fuboTV.

6) Big Trouble in Little China

I absolutely love Big Trouble in Little China – it’s one of the most original movies John Carpenter ever made, and the fourth time he worked with Kurt Russell. It’s just a blast if you’re willing to go along with how totally over-the-top it is. You can really tell everyone involved had a great time making it, and that energy comes through on screen!

Jack Burton is the perfect hero for a strange adventure – he faces danger with humor and a cocky attitude. Though he’s a bit of a show-off, his goofy personality makes him instantly likable.

Stream Big Trouble in Little China on The Criterion Channel.

5) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

I have to say, Kurt Russell completely won me over as Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He took a character who could have been totally unlikeable and made him genuinely charming. I was really surprised by how much I ended up enjoying his performance!

I think all three Guardians of the Galaxy movies are really good, but Vol. 2 is definitely the best. The action just feels so much more connected to the story, and honestly, the emotional core of that movie – a father and son finally connecting – is the strongest of the whole trilogy. It really hit me hard when everything changed with just one line.

Stream Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on Disney+.

4) Breakdown

Up until now, the films on this list have shown Russell playing fairly typical strong, masculine characters. However, Breakdown is different.

This exciting, but often overlooked, action movie stars Kurt Russell as Jeff Taylor, a regular guy whose wife is kidnapped when their car breaks down on the way to San Diego. The film doesn’t tell us what Jeff does for a living, but it’s clear he’s not used to dangerous situations. As the stakes get higher and time runs out, he’s forced to become the kind of man who will stop at nothing to rescue his wife.

Stream Breakdown for free on Kanopy.

3) Executive Decision

Similar to Breakdown, Executive Decision is a fantastic action film from the 1990s that doesn’t get enough recognition. Like in Breakdown, Kurt Russell starts as a hesitant character who eventually transforms into a hero.

The movie stars Russell as Dr. David Grant, an intelligence consultant for the US Army who prefers working at his desk. He helped plan a raid led by Lt. Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal), but it failed. Now, the people they were pursuing have hijacked a plane, and Grant and Travis are sent to stop them. However, during a transfer between their advanced aircraft and the hijacked plane, Travis is unexpectedly pulled out into the open. That leaves Grant and a team of soldiers to handle the situation, forcing him to step up and use his skills in the field if he wants to survive.

2) Escape from New York

For a while, there was talk of remaking Escape from New York, but it feels like a film very much of its era. Its dark, gritty atmosphere is so tied to the early 1980s, and no one could ever quite capture the role of Snake Plissken like Kurt Russell did.

Snake Plissken is arguably Kurt Russell’s most iconic role, and it’s remarkable considering how little he speaks. That silence is actually key to his appeal. We instantly understand his character: he’ll complete the task at hand – particularly if his life depends on it – but don’t expect him to go above and beyond for anyone out of kindness.

Stream Escape from New York on Prime Video.

1) Tombstone

Although credited to someone else, Kurt Russell essentially directed Tombstone, and he did a fantastic job. For many, it’s become the best Western film ever made.

Although Tombstone is mainly a Western, it features several exciting gunfights, the most well-known being its expertly crafted depiction of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. If you haven’t seen Tombstone yet, all the good things you’ve heard about it are true.

Stream Tombstone on fuboTV.

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2025-12-15 03:15