Top 10 Bruce Willis Movies
#10: “Armageddon” (1998)
This Michael Bay film might not have been a critical success upon release, but it became an audience favorite. Not only was it Willis’ highest-grossing movie at the time, but it topped the 1998 worldwide box office. Over two decades later, we find “Armageddon” oddly comforting. It takes us back to a simpler time when humanity’s biggest threat was a Texas-sized asteroid. Nothing that a ragtag group of oil drillers can’t solve. Everything about “Armageddon” gets us pumped, from the explosive premise, to the infinitely rewatchable slow-motion walk, to the ensemble of all-American heroes. Whether you see it as a beacon of patriotic optimism or silly fun, “Armageddon” will leave you wanting to punch an asteroid into space. And that’s a special feeling.
#9: “Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)
While Willis is one of our definitive action stars, he’s somewhat underappreciated as a comedic actor. In “Moonrise Kingdom,” he joins a cast of fellow comedic talents like Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, and Bill Murray, to name a few. For all the seasoned players, this magical film belongs to newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as two outcasts made for each other. Like most Wes Anderson films, “Moonrise Kingdom” creates a world of its own. Yet, few other Anderson films possess such childlike wonder blended with childlike cynicism. On an island populated by precocious children and dense adults, Willis’ police captain serves as something of a mediator. It all builds to an atmospheric climax involving Willis and our young protagonists.
#8: “12 Monkeys” (1995)
There isn’t another project in Willis’ filmography quite like “12 Monkeys.” We also can’t think of a post-apocalyptic film like this one, creating a future that’s simultaneously bleak and whimsical. To prevent an earth-shattering virus from spreading, Willis’ James Cole is sent back in time. He gets a little sidetracked along the way, however. Cole not only becomes lost in time, but also lost within himself. Director Terry Gilliam finds a middle ground between a mental hospital and Wonderland, leaving us to contemplate if we’re watching a work of brilliance or a work of madness. It’s a little of both, but “12 Monkeys” is mostly brilliant and surprisingly poignant. What’s more, it eerily got more right about the future than anyone could have anticipated.
#7: “Looper” (2012)
From one time travel movie to another, “Looper” is a completely different beast. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe, an assassin who takes out people sent back in time. To tie up all loose ends, Joe knows that one day his older self will be sent back and he’ll have to put him down. Old Joe, played by Willis, eventually arrives, but things don’t go as planned. Old Joe has built a life for himself while his younger self is ready to start living his. We empathize with both versions of Joe, making for a sci-fi film that has just as much heart as it has brains. That said, writer/director Rian Johnson crafts a smart screenplay that tackled time travel in ways we’ve never seen.
#6: “Sin City” (2005)
Some comic book adaptations are more faithful than others, but few have done their source material justice like “Sin City.” Not only is Frank Miller’s dynamic dialogue followed almost line for line, but the graphic novel panels spring to life in a film ironically draped in death. Even if you know the source material inside and out, this film’s cinematography, production design, and makeup effects make for a wholly unique experience. Every role is exceptionally cast with Mickey Rourke delivering a comeback performance as Marv, Rosario Dawson’s biting work as Gail, and Bruce Willis embodying John Hartigan - Sin City’s only honest cop, but that doesn’t mean he plays by the rules. Co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez, “Sin City” is where comics and cinema intersect.
#5: “Unbreakable” (2000)
Willis has a knack for playing characters who seem ordinary on the surface, but there’s something stronger underneath. In his second outing with M. Night Shyamalan, Willis plays David Dunn, a man with superhuman strength struggling to accept his destiny. Coming off their previous hit, “Unbreakable” was initially seen as a step down. Reevaluating “Unbreakable” today, though, it’s not only an underrated thriller, but a film that was ahead of its time. Coming out when superhero movies were just getting their mojo back, “Unbreakable” took a grittier, more grounded approach, creating a hero you could almost see existing in the real world. The film also analyzed superheroes and supervillains in refreshing ways, arguably foreshadowing the rise of obsessive fans who go too far.
#4: “The Fifth Element” (1997)
It’s hard to get a consensus on “The Fifth Element” with some calling it a sci-fi masterpiece and others finding it too campy for its own good. For us, it’s not only one of the decade’s best sci-fi films, but the camp is part of what makes it a gem. At a time when most futuristic films were cut from the same cloth, director Luc Besson dared to be different with sets, costumes, and creature designs unlike any in cinema. While the film doesn’t take itself too seriously, it’s still heavy on ideas about consumerism, technology, and humanity. It’s never on the nose about these themes, however. At its core is another quintessential Willis performance as an unlikely hero thrust into unusual circumstances.
#3: “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
“Pulp Fiction” was certainly a change of pace from the last movie that featured Bruce Willis and John Travolta, “Look Who’s Talking.” It was also a breath of fresh air for cinema in general. Quentin Tarantino has always drawn inspiration from classic films, but he merges genres, styles, and tones to the point that they become something wholly original. “Pulp Fiction” remains in a league of its own with a mix of nonlinear storytelling, changing protagonists, and moments that shift from hilarious to shocking on a dime. Perhaps the film’s greatest feat is making the mundane side of being a criminal sound fascinating. Even when the characters are talking about $5 milkshakes, blueberry pie, and a Royale with Cheese, we hang on every word.
#2: “The Sixth Sense” (1999)
In addition to being his highest-grossing film, “The Six Sense” may contain Willis’ most dramatic acting turn. This supernatural thriller is about much more than a child who can see dead people. It’s about a man coming to terms with his regrets, failures, and very existence. Many attribute the film’s rewatchability to its twist ending. While the twist was definitely a factor, it wouldn’t have mattered if the rest of the film weren’t so intense, sad, and rich with symbolism. Going in knowing the twist, it’s almost like watching a different film. Aside from picking up on little details, we come to see what Malcolm Crowe’s journey was always building towards. What seemed like a redemption story was truly about making peace with the inevitable. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Tears of the Sun” (2003) One of Willis’ Finest War Pictures “Alpha Dog” (2006) Another Standout in Another Ensemble Piece “Disney’s The Kid” (2000) Not to be Confused With Bruno the Kid “The Whole Nine Yard” (2000) One of Willis’ Funniest
#1: “Die Hard” (1988)
While Willis previously played a detective on “Moonlighting,” David Addison was a far cry from John McClane. With this turn, Willis not only changed the trajectory of his career, but also the action genre. The fact that Willis didn’t come from an action background works to the film’s advantage, as McClane also starts as an average joe. When his wife and several others are taken hostage, though, McClane summons the one-man army inside him, delivering some of cinema’s most rousing action sequences and one-liners. Alan Rickman’s charismatic debut as Hans Gruber is just as integral to the film’s success. Director John McTiernan captured lightning in a bottle with two future screen legends as perfectly-matched adversaries. What else can we say except, “Yippee-ki-yay, Mr. Falcon.”