10 Greatest Kurt Russell Thrillers, Ranked

With an acting career spanning six decades, the legendary Kurt Russell has partaken in some of the most exciting and iconic films in major motion picture history. He’s one of the industry’s most reliable leading men, taking charge of many rewatchable films over the years, and commanding the screen with his endless charm and likability. With over sixty films to his name, the man has an acting legacy that some could only dream of.

Russell’s long career has spanned multiple years and various genres, from horror, action, and adventure comedies. Most agree his best works include The Thing, Tombstone, and Big Trouble in Little China. Indeed, he’s an actor unchained by one specific genre, and he’s got so many classics for everyone to enjoy. So, in honor of this thrilling performer, let’s take a look at his time in the thriller genre. The following are some of the most pulse-pounding, intense, and recognizable thrillers from Kurt Russell’s illustrious career, and prove why he’s such an exciting delight to see on the big screen.

10

‘The Deadly Tower’ (1975)

Directed by Jerry Jameson

Kurt Russell in 'The Deadly Tower' (1975) — Image via NBC

Starting with a film from his early years, The Deadly Tower is a made-for-television thriller drama detailing a terrible real-life tragedy. Russell takes on the eerie role of infamous sniper Charles Whitman, who went on a rampage at the University of Texas at Austin before being taken out by the police.

An underrated film, featuring nail-biting suspense and gripping performances, The Deadly Tower sees Russell at his most intense. He’s unrecognizable in this terrifying role as one of the most infamous shooters in U. S. history. There’s an added sense of shock when watching this movie as it greatly captures this horrible event in detail with realism and mostly accuracy.

The Deadly Tower

Release Date: October 18, 1975
Runtime: 100 minutes
Director: Jerry Jameson
Writers: William Douglas Lansford, Antonio Calderon

9

‘Executive Decision’ (1996)

Directed by Stuart Baird

Halle Barry as Jean and Kurt Russell as Dr. David Grant in Executive Decision — Image via Warner Bros

If it’s an edge-of-your-seat experience you want, check out Stuart Baird‘s Executive Decision, a 1996 airborne action thriller. Armed with a deadly superweapon, a group of terrorists seizes control of a Boeing 747 en route to Washington D.C. Fearing what will happen when this group brings this weapon onto U.S. soil, intelligence agent David Grant (Russell) will team up with Special Forces commander Lt. Travis (Steven Seagal) and his elite squad to board the plane in the air to stop the terrorists before they reach their destination.

Featuring an all-star cast of supporting roles, including Oscar-winner Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, and David Suchet, Executive Decision is an absolute blast of entertainment that can thrill anyone from start to finish. It may be at times dumb and silly, but it’s full of pulse-pounding action and nail-biting tension. Russell, of course, shines in his role as a more grounded and tactical rather than his traditional over-confident action hero roles.

8

‘Unlawful Entry’ (1992)

Directed by Jonathan Kaplan

Image of Kurt Russell and Ray Liotta in 'Unlawful Entry' (1992) — Image via 20th Century Fox

Bringing a new edge to the home invasion formula, 1992’s Unlawful Entry is a tense psychological thriller that pits Kurt Russell against the late Ray Liotta, who gives one of the most disturbing performances of his career. After helping a wealthy couple whose house is broken into, a lonely police officer slowly becomes obsessed with the pair and falls in love with the wife. As the cop’s obsession turns deadly, the husband will have to do whatever it takes to protect her.

Unlawful Entry is quite a unique, underappreciated gem from both Russell’s and Liotta’s careers. They’re an incredible on-screen pair in this intense nail-biter, which is pulse-pounding and grips the viewers’ attention right from the start and doesn’t let go until the very end. The suspense is palpable, and there are so many tense moments within this film that’ll surely thrill any Russell fans out there.

Unlawful Entry

Release Date: June 26, 1992
Runtime: 112 Minutes
Director: Lewis Colick
Writers: Lewis Colick, Jonathan Kaplan, John Katchmer, George Putnam

7

‘Deepwater Horizon’ (2016)

Directed by Peter Berg

Kurt Russell looking ahead in Deepwater Horizon — Image via Lionsgate

Bringing one of the largest environmental disasters in history to the big screen, Deepwater Horizon is a 2016 disaster thriller starring Mark Wahlberg, John Malkovich, and Kurt Russell. It offers a dramatized retelling of the devastating 2010 oil spill after the offshore BP drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon, suffers a catastrophic explosion.

With Oscar-nominated visuals and riveting performances, Deepwater Horizon is a fascinating and tragic story that can amaze anyone watching it. It’s a breathtaking and intense film that offers a mostly accurate look into this unfortunate disaster, and there are some moments here that are just too shocking to believe.

Deepwater Horizon

Release Date: September 29, 2016
Runtime: 107minutes
Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, J.C. Chandor, Matthew Sand

6

‘Silkwood’ (1983)

Directed by Mike Nichols

Meryl Streep, Kurt Russell, and Cher as Karen, Drew, and Dolly walking down the plant hallway wearing white uniforms in 'Silkwood' — Image via 20th Century Fox

Based on a shocking true story, Silkwood is a 1983 biographical drama thriller starring three-time Academy Award-winner Meryl Streep in the title role. Accompanied by Kurt Russell and Cher in an Oscar-nominated supporting role, the film details the life and questionable death of labor union activist Karen Silkwood, who looked into potential misconduct committed by the Kerr-McGee Plutonium plant.

Silkwood is a compelling story with remarkable performances and exceptional writing. It’s also a tense tale, with a plot that can make anyone paranoid and suspicious about these types of companies and what they may be doing behind closed doors. Though he’s taking on more of a supporting role, Russell also shines in his unique and underrated performance, and he manages to hold his own with his legendary co-stars.

Silkwood

Release Date: January 27, 1984
Runtime: 131 Minutes
Writers: Nora Ephron, Alice Arlen

5

‘Vanilla Sky’ (2001)

Directed by Cameron Crowe

Kurt Russell as McCabe in 'Vanilla Sky' (2001) — Image via Paramount Pictures

In this mind-bending sci-fi thriller, which is an English-language remake of Alejandro Amenábar‘s Open Your Eyes, Vanilla Sky takes viewers on a strange, dreamlike journey where nothing is what it seems. Starring Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz, it follows playboy magazine publisher David Aames Jr. as he relays his story to a court-ordered psychologist (played by Russell) while in prison about how his life spiraled out of control, and he lost his grip on reality after surviving a disfiguring car crash.

Vanilla Sky is a mind-blowing experience that’s full of unique twists and turns. It’s a thought-provoking genre-bender with a plot that beautifully subverts expectations and is well-executed without seeming jarring or unsatisfying. Take in Kurt Russell in a complex and interesting supporting role, and you get a fascinating, thrilling film that needs to be experienced.

Vanilla Sky

Release Date: December 14, 2001
Runtime: 136 Minutes
Director: Cameron Crowe
Writers: Cameron Crowe

4

‘Backdraft’ (1991)

Directed by Ron Howard

Scott Glenn, Kurt Russell, Cedric Young, and William Baldwin in Backdraft. — Image via Universal Pictures

Kurt Russell teamed up with William Baldwin and director Ron Howard to deliver the fiery action thriller Backdraft, released in 1991. Decades after their highly decorated firefighting father dies in the line of duty, two brothers fiercely compete to follow in his footsteps. But when Chicago is rocked by a series of intentional fires committed by a professional arsonist, the two have to learn to set their rivalry aside to solve this case before disaster strikes again.

With nail-biting suspense and incredible visuals, Backdraft is an enthralling cult classic that gets more fun with every rewatch. Though some argue it hasn’t stood the test of time, it’s a thrilling tale with plenty of action and enjoyable performances. Russell shines again as the main character, Stephen “Bull” McCaffrey, who isn’t exactly the likable protagonist, but is heroic and truly one of the most exciting parts of the movie. It’s a highly recommendable film from Russell’s career and could definitely leave viewers entertained from beginning to end.

Backdraft

Release Date: May 24, 1991
Runtime: 132 minutes
Writers: Gregory Widen

3

‘Death Proof’ (2007)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Kurt Russell smoking a cigarrette in Death Proof by Quentin Tarantino — Image via Troublemaker Studios

Beginning his wonderful collaboration with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino in 2007, Death Proof sees Kurt Russell in a unique role that’s unlike anything he’s done before. It follows a professional stuntman and serial killer who targets women using his modified muscle car, but soon meets his match when he encounters a group of tough women, led by Zoë Bell.

This high-octane thrill ride is gory, intense, and spectacularly violent. It’s a glorious homage to the 1960s and 1970s, featuring over-the-top action and death-defying stunts. Though he’s primarily known for likable hero roles, Russell absolutely nails his performance as the murderous Stuntman Mike, who is despicable and oddly charismatic. Truly, it’s one of his best films of the 2000s and will never be forgotten.

Death Proof

Release Date: May 22, 2007
Runtime: 113 minutes

2

‘The Hateful Eight’ (2015)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Kurt Russell as John Ruth holding a rifle next to Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue. Both are vocalizing loudly near Bruce Dern as Sheriff Randy Smithers in The Hateful Eight — Image via TWC

Continuing with another Tarantino collaboration, The Hateful Eight is a 2015 Western crime thriller that sees Russell along with Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, and Jennifer Jason Leigh in a paranoia-inducing story where no character can be trusted. While trying to outrun an approaching blizzard in the Wyoming territory, professional bounty hunter Major Marquis Warren teams up with another skilled bounty hunter, John “The Hangman” Ruth, and his fugitive to hold up along with several others in a lodge until the storm passes. Only someone in the cabin who is not who they appear to be is secretly working with Ruth’s prisoner to escape.

The Hateful Eight is truly one of Tarantino’s and Russell’s most accomplished films in recent years. It’s a compelling, slow-burning thriller that takes its time setting up the characters and situation, and has unique twists and shocking reveals that are enough to keep audiences on edge until the bloody conclusion. It’s gripping and memorable, surely one of Russell’s greatest thrillers of his career.

1

‘Breakdown’ (1997)

Directed by Jonathan Mostow

Taking the top spot is 1997’s Breakdown, a pulse-pounding action thriller full of mystery and thrilling chases. It follows Russell as an ordinary man who, after his car breaks down in the California desert, must save his kidnapped wife from a deranged criminal truck driver (J.T. Walsh) and his associates.

It’s intense and incredibly stressful from start to finish, and it never lets up on the suspense once the plot gets rolling. Breakdown is honestly one of the best thrillers of the ’90s, and it’s aged perfectly thanks to its exciting story and memorable performances. Russell is fantastic as usual in this lead performance, which is a unique difference from his more traditional action hero roles, and he knows how to make the audience root for his character to succeed. Overall, this is one of the greatest thrillers from Kurt Russell’s filmography.