The ‘80s and ‘90s were truly iconic for action movies. The world was emerging into a new tomorrow, where hair-raising, adrenaline-pumping action movies would allow them to vicariously live out their fantasies. And Hollywood was more than willing to oblige and hand out a series of muscular, clever, vulnerable heroes taking down armies of bad guys. One actor that stood out from the crown in the action genre was Bruce Willis.
A relatively unknown actor at the time, he burst into the scene in 1988 with his career-defining turn as the everyman cop, John McClane, in Die Hard. He basically created a new mold for action heroes to fill in with his refreshing, vulnerable, and humorous character, and was far more relatable than the rest of the archetypal heroes of the era. Die Hard was a smashing hit and suddenly, Willis was everywhere. Over the next decade, he starred in a string of successful action movies, landmarks that redefined the genre.
From the high-octane thrills of the Die Hard sequels to buddy cop flicks like The Last Boy Scout, Willis showcased an unmatched talent for playing hardened protagonists who were also deeply human. His characters were strong and brave, but also sometimes haunted by their past demons, which gave them a compelling edge. In this list, we take a look back at the Bruce Willis action movies that defined the ‘80s and ‘90s and made him the most iconic action star of all time.
10 'Mercury Rising' (1998)
- Release Date
- April 3, 1998
- Director
- Harold Becker
In Mercury Rising, a nine-year-old autistic boy named Simon cracks a peculiar puzzle, which turns out to be top-secret government encryption code. When word reaches the National Security Agency, Simon becomes a national security threat and a target for ruthless assassin Peter Burrell, who will stop at nothing to eliminate the child and his parents. Art Jeffries, a burned-out FBI agent, is tasked with protecting Simon.
Not Your Typical Action Fare
Adapting Ryne Douglas Pearson’s incredible novel to full effect, director Harold Becker makes sure the movie is equal parts suspenseful and emotional. And while it’s not as high-octane as some of Bruce Willis’ other action outings, it still deserves a spot on the list for his genuine, grounded, and empathetic performance as Jeffries, who not only goes out of his way to protect the kid (played by young Miko Hughes), but also tackles themes of government overreach.
9 'The Jackal' (1997)
- Release Date
- November 14, 1997
- Director
- Michael Caton-Jones
The Jackal is a departure for Bruce Willis from his usual wise-cracking action roles because he plays an enigmatic and cold-blooded assassin in this one. His aim is to kill a bunch of high-profile targets, including the chief of the FBI, until he reaches the First Lady herself. FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston and Russian agent Valentina Koslova scramble to stop him and enlist help of Declan Mulqueen, a former IRA operative who was sent to prison for a botched mission.
Intense Thriller Starring Willis in a Negative Role
While The Jackal may not reach the dizzying heights of the original 1973 classic, it’s still a sleek and stylish thriller that features Willis at the peak of his leading-man personality. He effortlessly drowns in the role of the Jackal, a chilling and calculating villain, and stuns all alongside Richard Gere’s jaded and reluctant Declan. At one point on their globetrotting chase, the hunter and the hunted grow obsessed with one another, and that’s the dynamic Michael Caton-Jones profits from most.
8 'Last Man Standing' (1996)
- Release Date
- September 20, 1996
Set during the Prohibition era, in Jericho, Texas, Last Man Standing tells the story of John Smith, a drifter with a mysterious past, who arrives in the desolate town and gets caught up in the middle of a violent war between two rival bootlegging gangs. Smith plays both sides against each other, entirely unbothered by the violence it leads to. And while the town spirals into bloody chaos, he remains true to his own morals.
A Stylish Homage to Classic Westerns
Directed by Walter Hill, Last Man Standing combines the gritty sensibilities of classic film noir and gangster dramas with the iconic archetypes of the Western genre. It’s not a tale you haven’t heard before, and yet, the moody and atmospheric action offers a unique experience. Willis portrays the stoic hero in a captivating manner. He’s supported by the likes of Christopher Walken and Bruce Dern. Last Man Standing was a box-office bomb but it eventually became a significant addition to the Western genre.
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7 'Die Hard 2' (1990)
- Release Date
- July 2, 1990
Just when John McClane thought he could catch a break, fate thrusts him into yet another ride-or-die situation. In Die Hard 2, Willis returns to his iconic role. The plot kicks off when a rogue military unit led by Colonel Stuart takes over an airport and holds the planes and their passengers hostage. McClane’s wife is one of the hostages, and naturally, the off-duty NYPD cop uses every ounce of his wits and combat skills to get them out of the terrorist situation.
A Worthy Sequel That Builds on the Original
Die Hard 2 obviously did not meet the lofty standards set by its groundbreaking predecessor, but it solidified the franchise as a mainstay in the action genre by delivering a high-stakes, relentless storyline that was just as thrilling. Under Renny Harlin’s direction, the movie keeps its momentum going at a relentless pace and leaves the room open for Willis to lead some of the most pulse-pounding action sequences of the era opposite William Sadler’s antagonist.
6 'The Last Boy Scout' (1991)
- Release Date
- December 13, 1991
- Director
- Tony Scott
- Cast
- Bruce Willis , Damon Wayans , Chelsea Field , Noble Willingham , Taylor Negron , Danielle Harris , Halle Berry , Bruce McGill , Badja Djola , Kim Coates , Chelcie Ross , Joe Santos , Clarence Felder , Tony Longo , Frank Collison , Bill Medley , Verne Lundquist , Dick Butkus , Lynn Swann , Billy Blanks , Ken Kells , Morris Chestnut , Michael J. Fisher , Doug Simpson , Joe El Rady
The Last Boy Scout follows the story of Joe Hallenbeck, a down-on-his-luck private eye and former Secret Service agent, who once saved the President from an assassination attempt. After his friend, a professional football player, is murdered, Joe reluctantly teams up with the player’s disgraced teammate, Jimmy Dix, and together, the mismatched duo tries to solve a greater conspiracy about sports gambling and ruthless killing.
Buddy cop action movies were a massive draw in the 1990s and director Tony Scott capitalized on the popularity by making a movie that was gritty but also filled with dark humor, clever dialogue, and fast-paced action. Willis stars as the sarcastic and cynical Hallenback, whose dry wit anchors the plot. Damon Wayans is also dynamic in his role and the two actors bounce off each other effortlessly. Overall, The Last Boy Scout is a smart and subversive action thriller.
5 'Armageddon' (1998)
- Release Date
- July 1, 1998
In Armageddon, a giant asteroid the size of Texas is on a collision course with Earth and it is believed to be powerful enough to annihilate the planet and destroy all humanity. Desperate to prevent this, NASA turns to a ragtag team of oil drillers for help. Leading the crew is Harry Stamper, a seasoned non-nonsense veteran who supervises the roughneck drillers as they make a hole deep into the asteroid’s surface to plant a bomb in it and split it into two before it reaches Earth.
A Hugely Entertaining, High-Stakes Blockbuster
Armageddon quite possibly featured how humanity managed to pull off one of the most daunting and daring missions in human history, even if it was for two and a half fictional hours. Directed by Michael Bay, the movie is lauded for its grand scale and amazing special effects. At the heart of its glory, however, is Bruce Willis, who lends the movie its emotional core by breathing life into a character driven by love and sacrifice. Armageddon may not be subtle, but it’s a defining film of the ‘90s action genre.
4 'Die Hard With a Vengeance' (1995)
- Release Date
- May 19, 1995
- Cast
- Bruce Willis , Samuel L. Jackson , Jeremy Irons , Larry Bryggman , Graham Greene , Anthony Peck , Nicholas Wyman , Kevin Chamberlin , Colleen Camp , Sam Phillips , Michael Alexander Jackson , Aldis Hodge , Sharon Washington , Stephen Pearlman , Mischa Hausserman , Edwin Hodge , Robert Sedgwick , Tony Halme , Bill Christ , Anthony Thomas , Glenn Herman , Kent Faulcon , Akili Prince , Ardie Fuqua , Mike Jefferson
In Die Hard with a Vengeance, the third installment in the iconic Die Hard series, the universe decides to throw John McClane another coverball. This time, he is back in New York City, facing off against a new villain in the form of Simon Gruber, the brother of Hans Gruber from the original film. Apparently, the vengeful terrorist has started a campaign of chaos and destruction across the city with a series of deadly and diabolical games and McClane has to stop him.
The Die Hard Threequel Raises the Stakes
Better than the second film, Die Hard with a Vengeance brings both the style and the substance back to the beloved Die Hard franchise. Willis’ return as McClane is proof of the fact that he’s still capable of combining toughness with vulnerability, his roguish charm becoming a welcome layer of depth to the character. He teams up with Samuel L. Jackson’s character and confronts Jeremy Irons’ villain, and the result is an assured success.
3 'The Fifth Element' (1997)
Directed by Luc Besson, The Fifth Element is a futuristic genre-blending thriller set in the 23th century, where the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. It follows Korben Dallas, a former soldier turned cab driver, whose life is turned upside down when he’s entrusted with saving the world. But to do that, he must team up with Leeloo, a mysterious being, and thwart the plans of an evil industrialist named Zorg.
A Sci-Fi Spectacle You Wouldn’t Want to Miss
Back in the day, The Fifth Element was the most expensive European film ever made, and that’s quite apparent in its vibrant visual style, imaginative world-building, and jaw-dropping costume design. The delightfully bonkers plot doesn’t even begin to describe its aesthetic, which is secured by memorable performances from Willis Gary Oldman and Milla Jovovich. The movie made $263 million at the box office against its $90 million production budget and was praised by critics as outrageous and inventive.
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2 'Pulp Fiction' (1994)
- Release Date
- September 10, 1994
In the mind-bending, non-linear world of Pulp Fiction, several stars, including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, and Uma Thurman, play a vital role in intertwined stories of crime, redemption, and violence in Los Angeles. Bruce Willis plays Butch Coolidge, a washed-up boxer who decides to double-cross a gangster by refusing to fight for him. This triggers a series of events in the dark and intriguing underbelly of the city.
Pulp Fiction A Genre-Bending Classic
Pulp Fiction is not a traditional action movie, and it doesn’t fit in the mold of Die Hard or The Last Boy Scout, but under Quentin Tarantino’s expert direction, it is a landmark film that subverts and reinvents the genre. Its innovative storytelling and razor-sharp dialogue, the flawless transition between moments of intensity and subtlety, the intoxicating art style, and Willis’ chemistry with the ensemble cast make the movie a remarkable entry.
1 'Die Hard' (1988)
- Release Date
- July 15, 1988
The quintessential action film starring Bruce Willis, Die Hard introduces the world to the character of John McClane, the NYPD officer wishing to return home to spend the holidays with his estranged family. But on Christmas Eve, when he visits his wife Holly at her company’s party at the Nakatomi Plaza, the celebration comes to a halt when the LA high-rise is taken hostage by Hans Gruber. McClane, alone and unarmed, uses his training and determination to stay one step ahead at all times.
The Film That Launched an Iconic Action Hero
The movie that single-handedly defined the modern action blockbuster, Die Hard is an extremely thrilling, relentlessly suspenseful, high-stakes movie. At its core, the movie is elevated by none other than Bruce Willis, whose star-making turn as McClane subverts every action movie archetype. Despite being stuck in an impossible situation, his wise-cracking humor and emotional intelligence is on point. And of course, the iconic action sequences, directed by John McTiernan, are what solidify its place in the genre and Willis’ career.
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