Kurt Russell is quite easily one of the most recognizable actors working in Hollywood today. With a career dating back to the early 1960s, Russell has starred in every kind of film imaginable – from studio blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to low-budget passion project Bone Tomahawk.
No matter what project it is he’s attached to, Russell is famous for his gravitas and charismatic on-screen presence, with industry legends like Quentin Tarantino and John Carpenter lining up to work with him. For those eager to catch up with his filmography, here are Kurt Russell’s 10 best movies, according to IMDb.
10 Silkwood (7.2)
1983’s biographical drama Silkwood chronicles the true story of activist and whistleblower Karen Silkwood in her battle against the shady Kerr-McGee Corporation, who Karen suspected of wilfully exposing employees to dangerous amounts of radiation to keep production moving.
Directed by Mike Nichols, co-written by Nora Ephron and starring Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, and Cher, the movie benefits from an incredible team of on and off-screen talent. The movie’s three central performances received perhaps the most praise however, with Kurt Russell playing the role of Drew Stephens, Karen’s boyfriend, and fellow Kerr-McGee employee.
9 Escape From New York (7.2)
The first of three legendary team-ups between Kurt Russell and director John Carpenter, Escape From New York tells the story of soldier-turned-convict Snake Plissken. Tasked with rescuing the President of the United States in just 24 hours after he’s captured and held in a locked-down Manhattan, Snake is implanted with explosives that will detonate should he fail in his task.
A smart, energetic action movie despite its B-movie influences, Escape From New York is amongst the most iconic movies in Russell’s filmography, with Snake Plissken remaining one of his most widely recognized roles to date.
8 Big Trouble In Little China (7.3)
Considering John Carpenter’s reputation as one of the masters of horror, Big Trouble in Little China is something of an out-there addition to the director’s oeuvre, trading in fear and gore for absurd comedy and martial arts action.
Another iconic team-up between Russell and Carpenter, the movie centers on hero Jack Burton and his mission to save his friend’s fiancé after she’s captured by a malevolent sorcerer. The movie is about as insane as it sounds, but brilliantly so, providing Russell with one of the most memorable roles of his entire career.
7 Miracle (7.5)
Telling the real-life story of an underdog Olympic ice hockey team who beat impossible odds and earned themselves a gold medal, Miracle takes place against the backdrop of the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Although the movie hits all the expected notes of a traditional sports movie, Miracle enjoyed critical praise nonetheless – with Kurt Russell, in particular, receiving credit for his turn as the team’s coach Herb Brooks. In the years since its release, Miracle has become something of a modern sports movie classic, with Russell’s performance elevating the film from good to great.
6 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (7.6)
Perhaps amongst the most overlooked movies the MCU has to offer, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s script is much more layered – and therefore more impactful – than its predecessor. A huge part of what makes the movie so great though is its villain, Ego, who completely eclipses the villain of the first movie by comparison.
Played with sinister charm by Kurt Russell, Ego is one of the Celestials – an ancient race of supremely powerful beings in the Marvel Universe – and also happens to be protagonist Peter ‘Star-Lord’ Quill’s father.
5 Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (7.7)
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood follows the lives of past-his-prime actor Rick Dalton and his loyal stunt double Cliff Booth – played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt respectively – as they attempt to find success in the dying golden age of Hollywood. While DiCaprio and Pitt are the centerpieces of the movie, it also boasts an incredibly large cast of top-tier talent in smaller roles.
Kurt Russell plays stunt co-ordinator Randy Miller in the movie, and despite his limited screen time lays the groundwork for some of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s biggest laughs, playing off DiCaprio, Pitt and actress/stuntwoman Zoe Bell fantastically well.
4 Interstate 60 (7.7)
A road trip movie with several key twists on the formula, Interstate 60 follows the confused and directionless Neal Oliver – played by James Marsden – as he embarks on a journey across a route that’s not marked on any maps. It also just so happens he’s shepherded by Gary Oldman’s supposedly mystical One Wish Grant, who’s said to grant wishes to those he considers worthy.
With the movie consisting of several ‘episodes’ that feature different characters and scenarios, Rusell’s role in Interstate 60 is relatively minor, playing the role of Captain Ives.
3 The Hateful Eight (7.8)
Playing John ‘The Hangman’ Ruth – one of the titular characters in Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight – Kurt Russell delivers one of the movie’s most memorable performances, which is an impressive feat given its incredible cast of characters.
Carrying the movie’s first act with his magnetic delivery and brilliant dialogue, John is amongst the first characters introduced in the story. Sharing entertaining on-screen chemistry with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight is one of Russell’s must-see modern movies.
2 Tombstone (7.8)
Since its release in 1993, Tombstone has received a rather large cult following, quickly becoming one of the most beloved westerns in existence. Following the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp – played by Russell himself – and his companion Doc Holliday, Tombstone charts Earp’s deadly mission to put an end to the vicious Cowboys gang, led by ‘Curly Bill’ Brocious.
Earp’s just actions lead to a violent conflict between the two groups, whose skirmishes include the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Painting a perfectly romanticized picture of the Old West, complete with gripping action and tremendous performances, it’s no wonder Tombstone has become so iconic.
1 The Thing (8.1)
Often considered one of the best horror movies ever put to screen, The Thing easily stands as the definitive collaboration between Kurt Russell and director John Carpenter. A masterclass in gnawing tension, seething paranoia, and nauseating body horror, few movies have captured the thick atmosphere and intense feeling of dread that The Thing achieved.
Set in an isolated scientific base in the middle of Antarctica, the movie follows Kurt Russell’s MacReady and his colleagues as they’re infiltrated by a grotesque shape-shifting creature. This plunges the group into paranoid chaos as they scramble to find out which of their team members have been assimilated by the titular ‘thing.’
NEXT: The 10 Best Fantasy Films Of All Time (According to IMDb)
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