Top 10 Badass Movie Tattoos

Top 10 Badass Movie Tattoos

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Another Top 10 Badass Movie Tattoos

Body modification for the movies has never been this magnificent, or this menacing! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 badass movie tattoos. For this list, we’ve looked at well-known movie tattoos and narrowed them down to the most eye-catching, the most intimidating and/or the most formidable ink.

#10: John Constantine “Constantine” (2005)

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Our first tattoos look badass, and they do badass things! In “Constantine,” Keanu Reeves is bound for the underworld and terminally ill... But he has an inked-on gift that summons supernatural forces. When they’re matched together, the mirror image, pentagram-esque designs on his forearms act like a calling card for angels, demons, heaven and hell. Tattoos often draw extra attention but usually from human, rather than higher, beings.

#9: The MacManus Brothers “The Boondock Saints” (1999)

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The Boston mob is an unruly, apparently unending one, and for Connor and Murphy MacManus it’s the inspiration for some ‘to the point’ tattooing. Guns are the weapons of choice in this movie, and the trigger finger is its anatomical epicentre. Not content with just three knuckles and a fingernail though, Connor has ‘Veritas’ inked down his gun-toter, and Murphy has ‘Aequitas’. Latin for ‘Truth’ and ‘Justice’ respectively, these designs are a lethal demonstration of loyalty.

It takes a lot to steal attention away from the other eye-catching aspects of a Brad Pitt torso... But the curiously collaged designs on Mickey O’Neil’s body almost out-shine his six-pack. Of all the bare-knuckle boxer’s collection, though, it’s the sketchy side profile of the Madonna that stands out in particular. Drawn across his chest, it’s not a Hollywood tattoo but it is hardcore! It’s like his heart’s on his sleeve, but it’s a woman... on his pecs...

#7: Seth Gecko “From Dusk till Dawn” (1996)

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There was no holding back on the badass for our next design! As Seth Gecko, George Clooney played out one of his most ruthless roles, and redesigned his entire left arm to do so. From a 21st century point of view, the tribal flames are a relatively simple design, but their reach from forearm to throat is a serious statement of inky intent. Spilling out from an open shirt-collar, they’re un-missable, intimidating, often imitated, and rarely bettered.

Some people view their body as a scrapbook, and their tattoos as the entries. In “The Illustrated Man,” which is based on several Ray Bradbury short stories, Carl is an advocate of that approach, but he takes it to awesome levels! The guy has travelled through time and space, and has been tattooed along the way. His body is his story, and it’s one that we can’t take our eyes from. Never has the needle captured quite as much magic!

It’s common practice to ‘write it down before you forget it’, but what about if you forgot where you wrote it down? That’s the cyclical situation in which “Memento”’s amnesiac Leonard finds himself. By transforming his body into a pack of Post-it notes, however, he can begin to piece together the murder of his wife. Text and tattooing usually equates to an inspirational quote or two, but for Leonard, it’s evidence to catch a killer. It’s less fashionable, and more functional.

It is said that in a Russian prison, if you don’t have tattoos then you don’t exist... In “Eastern Promises,” Nikolai has clearly led quite the existence! Played by Viggo Mortensen, the film’s main character is involved with the mob, and the evidence is etched all across his skin. There are skulls, churches, and grim reapers on his torso, and a prominent crucifix on his chest. The images are as alarming as they are evangelical, however, and their story is a sinister one.

#3: Snake Plissken “Escape from New York” (1981)

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Kurt Russell’s character in this early ‘80s film is far from a shrinking violet, and the ink-work on his abdomen is a blatant middle finger to anyone and everyone. The cobra protruding from his crotch is as jet-black as his eye patch, and as rebellious as his nature. The snake slithers from his waistband, bringing with it a wealth of phallic connotation and awesome attitude. No, he isn’t pleased to see us; he’s just a guy you do not want to disagree with!

#2: Max Cady “Cape Fear” (1991)

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When Robert De Niro stepped into the skin of Max Cady, he decorated it with antagonistic inkings aplenty! The former prisoner is released back into the real world with vengeance as much on his body as it is on his mind. Sam Bowden’s the man who sent him down, and he’s the inspiration behind the ink. There are biblical quotations and broken hearts, but it’s the ‘truth’ and ‘justice’ holy cross on his back that really hits home. Good luck, Bowden... We think you’re gonna need it... Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: - Reverend Harry Powell “The Night of the Hunter” (1955) - Dr. Stuart “Stu” Price “The Hangover Part II” (2011) - Lisbeth Salander “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” (2011) - Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters “Harry Potter” franchise (2001-11) - Xander Cage “xXx” (2002)

Our winner fascinates as much as it intimidates, it can hypnotise as much as it can horrify. To modify your body in line with a series of William Blake paintings is perhaps not an obviously badass thing to do, but “The Great Red Dragon” on the back of Dolarhyde is a dark, deadly, dangerous piece. The back is typically branded with the wings similar to those of an angel, but here on the tattoo, we have the horns of the devil. Ralph Fiennes wears the scales spectacularly, and this tattoo is second to none! Do you agree with our list? Which tattoo did we overlook? For more ink-redible Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.