Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesThe best Kurt Russell movie roles, regardless of box office success or critic reviews.
The best Kurt Russell movies of all time prove that he is one of the most versatile actors currently working. Since he started as a child actor in the late ‘50s, Russell has appeared in plenty of blockbusters and critically-acclaimed movies, earning awards and accolades along the way. His highest grossing movies have been well-received at the box office and his lifetime box office total exceeds $1.5 billion.
Kurt Russell started his acting career at the age of 11 with an uncredited role in Elvis Presley’s It Happened at the World's Fair followed by a series of small credited roles in TV and film in the ‘60s. In the 1970s, Kurt Russell starred in a series of films for Disney and several TV series for ABC and NBC.
In the 1980s, Kurt Russell’s career started taking off with high profile roles in movies—often partnering with director John Carpenter. It was with Carpenter that he became well-known as the anti-hero Snake Plissken. From the ‘80s onwards, Kurt Russell has starred in a variety of action, comedy, and even dramatic movies. Some of the best Kurt Russell movies from his era include Backdraft, Stargate, and Tango & Cash.
Kurt Russell is no stranger to working with popular directors, including Ron Howard, Quentin Tarantino and Garry Marshall. Kurt Russell has been in plenty of blockbusters and has surpassed many of his contemporary peers such as David Caruso and Steven Seagal in terms of fame and success.
So what are the best Kurt Russell movies of all time? Is it Escape From L.A. or Tombstone? See what fans have ranked as their favorites in the Kurt Russell filmography below. Movie trailers have been included below if you want a preview of the film. If you think the best Kurt Russell role isn't at the top, then vote it up. Don’t see it listed? Add it so that others may vote for it. After all, this list of the best Kurt Russell movies should be as comprehensive as possible.
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1425102Tombstone
Val Kilmer, Kurt RussellTombstone is a 1993 American western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin... more
234796The Thing
Kurt Russell, Keith DavidThe Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, written... more![]()
333691Big Trouble in Little China
Kurt Russell, Kim CattrallBig Trouble in Little China is a 1986 American action film directed by John Carpenter, and... more![]()
429775Escape from New York
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kurt RussellEscape from New York is a 1981 American science fiction action film co-written, co-scored, and... more![]()
528298Overboard
Goldie Hawn, Kurt RussellOverboard is a 1987 American romantic comedy film starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. It... more![]()
625673Backdraft
Robert De Niro, Kurt RussellBackdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.... more![]()
720671Stargate
Kurt Russell, James SpaderStargate is a 1994 French-American adventure science fiction film released through... more![]()
820056Miracle
Kurt Russell, Patricia ClarksonMiracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by... more![]()
919568Captain Ron
Kurt Russell, Roselyn SánchezCaptain Ron is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Thom Eberhardt, produced by David... more![]()
1020588Tango & Cash
Sylvester Stallone, Teri HatcherTango & Cash is a 1989 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Andrei Konchalovsky,... more![]()
1117757Soldier
Kurt Russell, Gary BuseySoldier is a 1998 American science fiction action film directed by Paul Anderson, written by... more![]()
1214861Death Proof
Rose McGowan, Rosario DawsonThis film is a 2007 American action-exploitation film written and directed by Quentin... more![]()
1314864Breakdown
Kurt Russell, Kathleen QuinlanBreakdown is a 1997 American thriller film, written and directed by Jonathan Mostow. The film... more![]()
1413651Used Cars
Kurt Russell, Michael McKeanUsed Cars is a 1980 comedy satire film. It stars Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Deborah Harmon,... more![]()
1515374Executive Decision
Halle Berry, Steven SeagalExecutive Decision is a 1996 American action film directed by Stuart Baird in his directorial... more![]()
1613332The Hateful Eight
Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt RussellThe Hateful Eight is a 2015 American Western film directed by Quentin Tarantino. In a Wyoming... more![]()
17134583000 Miles to Graceland
Courteney Cox, Kevin Costner3000 Miles to Graceland is a 2001 action film., starring Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner,... more![]()
1814570Escape from L.A.
Kurt Russell, Steve BuscemiEscape from L.A. is a 1996 American science fiction action film co-written, co-scored, and... more![]()
198925Bone Tomahawk
Kurt Russell, Patrick WilsonBone Tomahawk is a 2015 American Western horror film directed by S. Craig Zahler. Four men set... more![]()
2010348Elvis
Kurt Russell, Shelley WintersElvis is a 1979 American television biographical film directed by John Carpenter. It is based... more![]()
218743Unlawful Entry
Kurt Russell, Madeleine StoweUnlawful Entry is a 1992 American thriller film directed by Jonathan Kaplan starring Kurt... more![]()
2210442Tequila Sunrise
Mel Gibson, Michelle PfeifferTequila Sunrise is a 1988 American crime thriller film written and directed by Robert Towne.... more![]()
239541The Fox and the Hound
Kurt Russell, Mickey Rooneyhe Fox and the Hound is a 1981 American animated drama film based on the Daniel P. Mannix... more![]()
248120Touchback
Kurt Russell, Barry SandersTouchback is a 2012 film written and directed by Don Handfield. It stars Brian Presley,... more![]()
257937The Best of Times
Robin Williams, Kurt RussellThe Best of Times is a 1986 American comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and written by... more
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