Jason Statham has become a mainstay in the annals of action cinema. Since breaking out of Britain’s gritty crime scene under Guy Ritchie’s direction, Statham has built a strong career starring in indie action and blockbusters like the Fast and Furious franchise and The Meg films. For action fans, you know what you’re going to get whenever you see Statham on screen. His films blend the elegance of old-school professionalism with the raw energy of contemporary action, making him one of the most reliable faces of the genre.
In this list, we take a look at Statham’s best thrillers. Almost all of his movies are action-based, but a few have more overt and palpable thriller qualities. These films also challenge Statham to go out of his comfort zone, bringing more character depth apart from just bone-breaking action. His performances turn what could be a formulaic action film into character-driven suspense and turn these movies into crowd-pleasing favorites.
9
‘Homefront’ (2013)
In Homefront, Statham stars as Phil Broker, a widowed former DEA agent who retires to a quiet Louisiana town with his young daughter. His peaceful life shatters after a schoolyard incident draws the attention of Gator Bodine (James Franco), a local drug dealer. Bodine’s curiosity about Broker’s past turns into a deadly obsession, and Broker must get ready to face Bodine in a full-scale siege to defend his home and family.
Written by Sylvester Stallone, Homefront puts Statham in a setting that he’s rarely seen in: rural America. However, the film’s suspense remains tangible as Broker prepares for a huge battle with Franco’s character. The result is a lean, tightly scripted thriller where character and action go hand in hand. The themes of family and fatherhood resonate throughout, adding an emotional layer to the affair. To round it up, the film is also supported by a stellar cast, such as Kate Bosworth and Winona Ryder. Homefront is an underrated entry in Statham’s filmography and demands to be discovered.
8
‘Hummingbird’ (2013)
Hummingbird follows Statham’s Joey Jones, a former special forces soldier living homeless on the streets of London. Haunted by guilt and addiction, Joey finds an opportunity to assume another man’s identity, using the man’s empty apartment and resources to rebuild his life. As he begins working as an enforcer for a criminal gang, he forms a bond with Cristina (Agata Buzek), a compassionate nun who challenges him to confront his past.
Unlike Statham’s typical action thrillers, Hummingbird takes a much more reflective tone. It’s a moody urban thriller that thrives on the character’s journey rather than action. Statham gives arguably his strongest performance to date; his character is still tough and dangerous, but broken and vulnerable. Director Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders, tells Joey’s journey against the backdrop of the dark streets of London. Its US title, Redemption, is much more straightforward, as this is a story about a man searching for redemption despite his dark past. It’s another underrated film starring Statham, and is worth watching for his performance alone.
7
‘Safe’ (2012)
Statham plays Luke Wright, a former cop and ex-cage fighter, in Safe. His life crumbles after he crosses a powerful crime syndicate, forcing him to live on the streets. Soon, he stumbles upon Mei (Catherine Chan), a young Chinese girl with a photographic memory who’s being hunted by both the Triads and corrupt New York officials for the numerical code she carries in her mind. Luke becomes Mei’s unlikely protector, taking on mobsters and assassins to keep her alive.
By now, you might see a pattern in Statham’s work. Once again, his character is trying to find a second chance. His chemistry with Chan gives the film its heart, even as it moves at a breakneck pace, blending hand-to-hand combat and shootouts into a tense urban chase. Statham’s reliable performance balances physicality with the quieter moments, turning Safe into more than a standard action ride. It’s a gripping, heartfelt thriller about finding connection and redemption in an unlikely place. For its entertainment and emotional value, the film recently saw a viewership bump on streaming services.
6
‘The Italian Job’ (2003)
A modern remake of the 1969 classic, The Italian Job follows a crew led by Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), who is pulling a heist to steal stacks of gold bars from a former crew member, played by Edward Norton, who betrayed them years ago. Statham is part of the crew as Handsome Rob, the crew’s wheelman, who possesses unmatched driving skills pivotal to their plan. Rounding up the crew is Stella Bridger (Charlize Theron), whose father was killed in the previous heist, explosives expert Left Ear (Yasiin Bey), and tech genius Lyle (Seth Green).
The Italian Job thrives on style, precision, and rhythm. Apart from the use of Mini Coopers, it’s entirely different from the Michael Caine film, which makes it a fresh heist film. While he’s only a member of the group, Statham plays Handsome Rob effortlessly, exuding confidence and charisma that is true to his character’s name. After his breakout roles in Snatch and The Transporter, this film gives him a chance to star in a Hollywood film. With a likable, strong cast, The Italian Job is always entertaining to watch more than 20 years later.
5
‘The Transporter’ (2002)
In The Transporter, Jason Statham plays Frank Martin, a highly disciplined courier who specializes in delivering high-profile packages for shady clients under one strict rule: never open the package. He breaks this rule when he discovers that his latest package is a kidnapped woman, Lai (Shu Qi). That single decision instantly involves him in a human trafficking ring, forcing him to stop his delivery route and fight for justice while evading both criminals and law enforcement.
Frank Martin is no doubt Statham’s most iconic role to date, and The Transporter‘s style is entirely driven by his electric screen presence. His portrayal of Frank Martin helped define the modern action-thriller archetype of a cool professional with a code of honor. The fight scenes, choreographed by Corey Yuen, are fluid and methodical. The film is also responsible for the popularity of the European action genre in Hollywood and beyond, a trend that would eventually give birth to Taken. The Transporter is both a career-defining role and one of the most stylish, tightly executed thrillers of the early 2000s.
4
‘The Bank Job’ (2008)
Nothing to do with The Italian Job, The Bank Job is based on a true story that follows Terry Leather (Statham), a small-time car dealer who’s lured into a low-risk heist of robbing the safety deposit boxes of a small London bank. But once Terry and his crew break in, they discover that the safety deposit consists of politically explosive secrets involving government officials, the royal family, and a blackmail scheme that goes up to the top.
The Bank Job is one of the best-reviewed films in Statham’s filmography, shining for its grounded aesthetic and sharp storytelling. The film’s thriller elements do not only come from the heist but also from the layers of conspiracy that haunt the crew. Statham gives a remarkably restrained performance as Terry, leaving his brute force persona for a relatable working-class everyman with an empathetic approach. With its mix of smart plotting and solid ensemble cast, The Bank Job stands as one of Statham’s most satisfying thrillers.
3
‘Snatch’ (2000)
Guy Ritchie‘s Snatch follows several storylines around a stolen diamond and underground boxing, filled with eclectic London criminals. Statham plays Turkish, a small-time boxing promoter who, alongside his partner Tommy (Stephen Graham), gets caught in the crossfire between the gangsters. When the fight involving Mickey (Brad Pitt) goes awry, Turkish and Tommy are put straight into danger.
Snatch is such an enduring thriller for its masterful execution. Beneath the film’s manic pacing and comedic tone lies a constant sense of danger. As one of the leading roles in the large ensemble cast, Statham anchors the madness with his wit and charm, serving as the audience’s guide through Ritchie’s chaotic London underworld. His calm performance gives the film balance and coherence, showing that he can command attention without needing to pull a single punch or relying on his usual tough-guy tricks. Snatch remains one of Statham’s defining roles, and an entertaining crime thriller endures until today.
2
‘The Beekeeper’ (2024)
In The Beekeeper, Statham plays Adam Clay, a solitary man who tends to his bees and keeps to himself. When his kind landlord dies after falling victim to an internet scam, Clay goes on a quest for justice. He revealed his past as a former operative in a covert agency called The Beekeepers, tasked with maintaining balance in the world. His revenge mission unexpectedly unveils a conspiracy that goes up to the top levels of government.
Directed by David Ayer, The Beekeeper is Statham’s latest hit, and for good reason. He leads the tight, thrilling narrative and brings his usual poise to the action sequences. The film sets itself apart from other Statham actioners thanks to its ambitious plot and stellar supporting characters, including Josh Hutcherson and Jeremy Irons. Its central premise related to a phishing scam is relatable in this current digital era, and for audiences, it’s just satisfying to see Statham beat up bad guys in various creative ways. The film was a sleeper hit at the box office, and Statham is up for another beekeeping adventure, with the next one directed by Timo Tjahjanto (Nobody 2).
1
‘Wrath of Man’ (2021)
In Wrath of Man, Jason Statham stars as H, a mysterious new employee at a Los Angeles cash truck company who seems far too skilled with weapons and strategy for an ordinary security guard. When his team is ambushed during a heist, H’s chilling precision and fearlessness hint at something bigger. It turns out that he’s a powerful underworld figure infiltrating the company to hunt down the men responsible for his son’s murder.
Wrath of Man marks a change of pace for Guy Ritchie, who’s known for his quippy, chaotic style that has become his trademark. Here, the film moves methodically and is filled with intensity. Statham delivers one of his most commanding performances, delivering a detached and assertive confidence in every scene while also being able to execute the action scenes flawlessly. The film’s tension builds not from constant action but from anticipation, as the narrative structure smartly puts the audience in the dark until its midpoint. Wrath of Man is one of the best films released after the pandemic, and is undoubtedly one of the best gangster films in recent memory.
