Top 10 Brutal Fight Scenes on TV
For this list, we're looking at the most intense fight scenes from TV shows. We're excluding fights between large groups and from animated shows. As most of these confrontations end in death or disfigurement, we're going to hit you with a spoiler alert. And, since some of these entries get really, really gruesome, a mature content warning is also in effect.
#10: Jack Bauer vs. Abu Fayed “24” (2001-2010; 2014)
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Agent Jack Bauer had plenty of bad blood with the terrorist Abu Fayed. When Fayed tried to detonate nuclear bombs in L.A., their bitter feud ended with an explosive fight. Jack initially gains the upper hand with coordinated strikes and the help of a large wrench. Fayed returns the favor with some hard blows of his own. Ultimately, it’s Jack’s quick use of a hanging chain that stops the terrorist in his tracks. To ensure his win, the agent hits Fayed with a one-liner. Between the close fight and the high stakes, this climatic battle is easily one of “24”’s best.
#9: Green Arrow vs. Deathstroke “Arrow” (2012-)
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This rivalry was so epic it needed to be shown in two timelines. In the present, the Arrow struggles to defeat Deathstroke in a city about to be bombed. During that fight, we flashback to the past where Oliver struggles against the crazed Slade Wilson while onboard a sinking ship. Both fights feature devastating blows, dangerous environments, and plenty of emotion. The two clashes are edited together so seamlessly that it’s hard to tell who has the upper hand. However, both conflicts end with Oliver narrowly defeating his nemesis. In the rivalry between these tough fighters, the Green Arrow is the best of all time.
#8: Walter White vs. Jesse Pinkman “Breaking Bad” (2008-13)
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Jesse Pinkman and Walter White team up to cook and sell meth. After a bad deal forces them to work for a vicious drug kingpin, their partnership starts to fall apart. When Walter discovers that Jesse missed an opportunity to kill their evil boss, the two begin a violent altercation. Since neither man has much fighting experience, the ensuing fight feels wild and almost animalistic. Despite Walter having both brawn and brains, Jesse’s endurance leaves White on the receiving end of some nasty blows. Fortunately, Jesse stops himself before the brawl becomes fatal. In the end, Walt’s glasses and their partnership are irreparably damaged.
#7: Will Graham & Hannibal Lecter vs. Francis Dolarhyde “Hannibal” (2013-15)
Special Agent Will Graham and serial killer psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter have a complicated relationship. But they put all their past differences aside when they are cornered by the vicious Francis Dolarhyde. After Dolarhyde shoots Lecter and stabs Will in the face, it looks like the night will have one survivor. However, the wounded men overcome their gruesome wounds and attack their assailant. Will pulls a knife out his body twice and Hannibal takes a literal bite out of Dolarhyde before the night comes to a bloody conclusion. The two survivors of this bloodbath aren’t always on the same page, but they’re capable of macabre teamwork.
#6: Dan Dority vs. Captain Turner “Deadwood” (2004-06)
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When you’re a successful businessman, other people can fight on your behalf. In this “Deadwood” duel, George Hearst’s man, Captain Joe Turner, challenges Al Swearengen’s enforcer, Dan Dority. These burly men grapple and slug each other while the entire town watches. As the fight continues, both parties are willing to resort to dirty tactics and use anything in their environment to get the edge. Their desperate fight is finally decided when Dan Dority plucks out the Captain’s eye in horrifyingly realistic detail. By the time this confrontation ends, Dority looks utterly exhausted and we can all “see” why. Too soon?
#5: Sydney Bristow vs. Allison Doren “Alias” (2001-06)
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An assassin named Allison Doren killed the innocent Francie Calfo. She then assumed Calfo’s identity to get closer to Francie’s best friend, Agent Sydney Bristow. When Bristow uncovers this truth, she aims to put an end to the assassin. The ensuing fight erupts into every room of the Bristow’s house. Fists go flying, glass is shattered and everything that isn’t nailed down is hurled. Neither woman is willing to give an inch in their intense conflict. The action comes to a decisive halt when Sydney regains control of her gun. She may have avenged her friend, but the victory is still bittersweet.
#4: Clay Burton vs. Nola Longshadow “Banshee” (2013-16)
If a fight begins with a combatant taking a tomahawk to the chest, you know things are about to get crazy. In order to get her vengeance on Kai Proctor, Nola Longshadow needs to go through his bespectacled bodyguard, Clay Burton. Unfortunately for Nola, Clay is a lot tougher than he looks. The two skilled fighters tear into each other while shrugging off massive amounts of pain. Their clash is beautifully shot and absolutely gory. Although the two fighters have strong motivations, Clay’s loyal instincts triumph in the end as he rips Nola’s throat open and crushes it. We think you got her, Clay.
#3: The Governor vs. Michonne “Walking Dead” (2010-)
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Michonne and the Governor would rather hang out with zombies than each other. Tensions between the survivors boil over when Michonne mercy kills the Governor’s zombified daughter. The Governor flies into a blind rage that leaves Michonne bloody and bruised. At one point, he bashes her head into his glass walker tanks. However, that proves to be his undoing when she jams a shard of glass into the Governor’s eye and breaks it off. The fallout from this harrowing fight leads to a lot more undead bodies. But despite the bloody cost, Michonne saw her way through. We promise that’s the last eye pun.
#2: Billy Russo vs. Frank Castle “The Punisher” (2017)
Frank Castle’s prison brawl was gruesome, but that was mainly self-defense. We saw him enter a whole new level of carnage with Billy Russo. Russo and Frank served together in the military and returned home as close friends. That was all forgotten when Russo revealed that he let Frank’s wife and kids be murdered. After they meet up where Frank’s family died, the two begin a vicious struggle. The combat is fast, raw and desperate. Although Russo has insane combat skills, he can’t measure up to Frank’s pure rage. In the end, Castle slowly and permanently scars Russo’s face. Killing Russo might have been more merciful than this grisly punishment. Before we scrap with our top pick, here are some honorable mentions. Martin Hart vs. Rustin Cohle “True Detective” (2014-) Fighting an Angel “Preacher” (2016-) Brienne vs. The Hound “Game of Thrones” (2011-)
#1: Oberyn Martell vs. Gregor Clegane “Game of Thrones” (2011-)
The Red Viper, AKA, Oberyn Martell and the mountainous Gregor Clegane were destined for a savage showdown. Before their bout, Clegane raped and murdered Martell’s sister and killed her children. Thirsty for revenge, the Viper lashes at the Mountain with deadly precision. But before Martell lands the final blow, the duel takes a nasty turn. Clegane knocks out his opponent’s teeth and then uses his monstrous strength to squeeze the viper’s skull until it bursts. The horrified looks left on the crowd’s face perfectly capture how it felt to watch this scene. For its choreography, shock value, and pure violence, this brutal clash dominates our list.
