Top 10 Action Movie Characters Who Survived Bullet Hell

Top 10 Action Movie Characters Who Survived Bullet Hell

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10 action movie characters who survived bullet hell.

For this list, we’ll be going over the characters from action films who managed to make it out of crazy shootouts alive. To be clear, they can’t be immune to bullets like the Terminator, or die soon afterwards of their wounds. Watch out for some spoilers ahead.

If there’s an action star whose miraculous survival we miraculously forgot, take action below in the comments!

#10: Korben Dallas

“The Fifth Element” (1997)
While this former special forces soldier has plenty of experience and skill, luck was definitely more on his side in this scene. When a group of aliens attack a concert Korben is attending, he’s severely outgunned. He’s just got one gun and they’re all packing automatic weapons and a turret with rockets! Somehow, he manages to avoid being severely injured by their tons of ammunition. Despite running out of bullets and having some severely unhelpful bystanders, Korben manages to get his hands on one of their weapons. He’s able to turn the tides and gun down the aliens in the room while using an explosive to blow up the rest. Admittedly, Ruby Rhod also helped a little between screams.

#9: John Preston

“Equilibrium” (2002)
After being restricted by the fascist dystopian society he long served, John Preston escapes his bonds and decides to use his particular set of skills to take it down from the top. His skill set involves using guns and spacial awareness to essentially become a human weapon aimed at them. When Preston is faced with a hallway full of goons armed with assault rifles, he uses “gun kata” to dance his way through them all. This scene features awesomely over-the-top action and incredibly cool reloading moments. There’s barely a wrinkle in his crisp white suit by the end of the sequence. Is this unlikely? Maybe. However, it made for one amazing action sequence!

#8: John Wick & Charon

“John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019)
If anyone can make it through bullet hell, Baba Yaga can. When a heavily armed and armored hit squad assaults a hotel for hitmen, John Wick has to play defense with Charon and their allies. This impossibly badass duo are basically the only ones left standing to take on these grim odds. Both Wick and Charon have to constantly take cover and have to find a way to get around the body armor their enemies wear. But once the duo find weaknesses and get armor piercing equipment, their opponents don’t stand much of a chance. Tightly choreographed and thrilling throughout, this shootout is a perfect illustration of why John Wick and Charon are legends.

#7: Nicholas Angel & Danny Butterman

“Hot Fuzz” (2007)
Sergeant Nicholas Angel discovers that the Neighborhood Watch Alliance of the sleepy town of Sandford is behind a sinister plot. So, he loads up on weapons and takes the fight to them. After a tense standoff, a lot of bullets start flying. It turns out that the Neighborhood Watch is packing a lot more heat than you’d expect. Angel and his partner Danny Butterman somehow manage to take down all the pensioners raining hot lead at them from all sides. The duo manages to not only survive all the bullets flying their way, but they also avoid racking up tons of casualties. Like the rest of the film, this sequence is a well-crafted and hilarious blend of action and comedy.

#6: John McClane

“Die Hard” (1988)
For an ordinary cop in the wrong place at the wrong time, John McClane actually does a damn fine job of fighting off a slew of villains that take over Nakatomi Plaza. When he’s ambushed by Hans Gruber’s men, he has to scramble to find cover as they riddle his hiding place with bullets. McClane manages to take down several of his opponents before getting stuck behind cover in an office. Unfortunately, after Gruber remembers he’s barefoot, the villain asks his henchman to…(insert broll:“Shoot the glass!”) Although John’s feet don’t escape this encounter unscathed, it’s still impressive that his entire self made it out of this tough situation at all.

#5: Sherlock Holmes & Co.

“Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows” (2011)
After Sherlock Holmes is rescued from a factory, he makes his escape with friends into a nearby forest and heads for an approaching train. Unfortunately, their enemies have access to a lot of weapons. Sebastian Moran and the rest of Moriarty’s men unload a literal arsenal on the fleeing detective and the rest of his party. Mortars, bombs, bullets, and all manner of projectiles rain down on them as they flee through the forest. Their frantic escape is gorgeously directed and makes expert use of slow motion to show how close they came to death. It’s frankly miraculous that any of the heroes made it out of this explosive and stunning sequence.

#4: Inspector "Tequila" Yuen Ho-yan

“Hard Boiled” (1992)
The “hard boiled” policeman Inspector “Tequila” is incredibly skilled with firearms. That’s probably part of why he and his partner Benny are sent to bust gun smugglers in a tea shop. When they make moves to intervene, a wild gunfight breaks out. Dozens of innocent bystanders and Tequila’s partner are slain when authorities and rival gangs trade shots. Fortunately, the hard boiled detective has two guns that he knows how to use extremely well. He manages to shoot his way out of an intense melee where bullets can come from any direction. At one point, Tequila fires accurate shots while sliding down a staircase railing! We think he deserves a promotion and a vacation.

#3: Judge Dredd

“Dredd” (2012)
During a crime investigation, Judge Dredd and his partner Anderson are locked inside a gigantic indoor complex and hunted by a gang that’s led by the sadistic Ma-Ma. When sending individual thugs after the pair proves ineffective, she goes big. Ma-Ma sets up 3 massive gatling cannons and opens fire on the entire floor where Dredd and Anderson are. Tons of residents are injured or worse in crossfire that turns apartment walls into Swiss cheese. Despite the massively unfair odds, Dredd, Anderson and their prisoner somehow make it out of the way of Ma-Ma’s initial volley. They’re eventually forced to blow a hole in the wall and escape to an outside balcony. Fortunately, he’s able to keep fighting and get satisfying revenge.

#2: John Matrix

“Commando” (1985)
After his daughter is kidnapped by a former dictator, retired special forces Colonel John Matrix gears up and assaults the compound where she’s being held. Although he has a lot of enemies in his way, he’s essentially a one-man army. Matrix walks through a hail of gunfire from every soldier in the compound while wearing barely any protection. His absurdly high accuracy allows him to mow down everybody in his path. And when they manage to corner him in a shed and shoot it up, Matrix still survives and takes enemies out with gardening tools! We should’ve known that the gloriously over-the-top “Commando” would feature a ridiculous shoot out like this.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Frank Moses, “Red” (2010)
Shouldn’t Baddies Know Not to Try and Kill Bruce Willis by Now?

Travis Walker & Beck, “The Rundown” (2003)
The Power of Dual-Wielding Shotguns & the Rock Cannot Be Denied

Eli & Solara, “The Book of Eli” (2010)
While an Old Couple & Their House Are Obliterated, the Two Main Characters Make It Through
Eli = ee-lye

Jack Slater, “Last Action Hero” (1993)
Schwarzenegger Makes Stunt Driving in a Convertible & Beating Bad Guys Look Effortless

Nathan Algren, “The Last Samurai” (2003)
It’s Amazing Anyone Survived a Final Charge Against a Firing Line

#1: Neo & Trinity

“The Matrix” (1999)
In order to rescue their friend Morpheus in the Matrix, Neo and Trinity arrive at the building where he’s being held with an abundance of firearms. (insert broll for “Guns – lots of guns.”) They need every weapon because they are both outnumbered by guards that have lots of firearms of their own. The ensuing gun fight gave us one of the most awesome action scenes ever filmed. Thanks to a combination of great camera work and slow motion, we can see the heroes take down every opponent that dares to stand in their way. By the battle’s end, Neo and Trinity are calm and collected as ever. But we’re still freaking out over how ridiculously cool their shootout was.