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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1439100Tombstone
Val Kilmer, Kurt RussellReleased: 1993
Directed by: Kevin Jarre, George P. Cosmatos
Tombstone is a 1993 American western film directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin... more on Wikipedia
236191Big Trouble in Little China
Kurt Russell, Kim CattrallReleased: 1986
Directed by: John Carpenter
Big Trouble in Little China is a 1986 American action film directed by John Carpenter, and... more on Wikipedia![The Thing]()
3366101The Thing
Kurt Russell, Keith DavidReleased: 1982
Directed by: John Carpenter
The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, written... more on Wikipedia![Escape from New York]()
431379Escape from New York
Jamie Lee Curtis, Kurt RussellReleased: 1981
Directed by: John Carpenter
Escape from New York is a 1981 American science fiction action film co-written, co-scored, and... more on Wikipedia![Overboard]()
529897Overboard
Goldie Hawn, Kurt RussellReleased: 1987
Directed by: Garry Marshall
Overboard is a 1987 American romantic comedy film starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. It... more on Wikipedia![Backdraft]()
627072Backdraft
Robert De Niro, Kurt RussellReleased: 1991
Directed by: Ron Howard
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.... more on Wikipedia![Miracle]()
720660Miracle
Kurt Russell, Patricia ClarksonReleased: 2004
Directed by: Gavin O'Connor
Miracle is a 2004 American sports docudrama about the United States men's hockey team, led by... more on Wikipedia![Stargate]()
821475Stargate
Kurt Russell, James SpaderReleased: 1994
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Stargate is a 1994 French-American adventure science fiction film released through... more on Wikipedia![Captain Ron]()
920468Captain Ron
Kurt Russell, Roselyn SánchezReleased: 1992
Directed by: Thom Eberhardt
Captain Ron is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Thom Eberhardt, produced by David... more on Wikipedia![Soldier]()
1018959Soldier
Kurt Russell, Gary BuseyReleased: 1998
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
Soldier is a 1998 American science fiction action film directed by Paul Anderson, written by... more on Wikipedia![Tango & Cash]()
1121392Tango & Cash
Sylvester Stallone, Teri HatcherReleased: 1989
Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky, Albert Magnoli
Tango & Cash is a 1989 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Andrei Konchalovsky,... more on Wikipedia![Death Proof]()
1215760Death Proof
Rose McGowan, Rosario DawsonReleased: 2007
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
This film is a 2007 American action-exploitation film written and directed by Quentin... more on Wikipedia![Breakdown]()
1315962Breakdown
Kurt Russell, Kathleen QuinlanReleased: 1997
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
Breakdown is a 1997 American thriller film, written and directed by Jonathan Mostow. The film... more on Wikipedia![Executive Decision]()
1416275Executive Decision
Halle Berry, Steven SeagalReleased: 1996
Directed by: Stuart Baird
Executive Decision is a 1996 American action film directed by Stuart Baird in his directorial... more on Wikipedia![Used Cars]()
1514452Used Cars
Kurt Russell, Michael McKeanReleased: 1980
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Used Cars is a 1980 comedy satire film. It stars Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Deborah Harmon,... more on Wikipedia![The Hateful Eight]()
1613529The Hateful Eight
Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt RussellReleased: 2015
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
The Hateful Eight is a 2015 American Western film directed by Quentin Tarantino. In a Wyoming... more on Wikipedia![3000 Miles to Graceland]()
17138613000 Miles to Graceland
Courteney Cox, Kevin CostnerReleased: 2001
Directed by: Demian Lichtenstein
3000 Miles to Graceland is a 2001 action film., starring Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner,... more on Wikipedia![Escape from L.A.]()
1815172Escape from L.A.
Kurt Russell, Steve BuscemiReleased: 1996
Directed by: John Carpenter
Escape from L.A. is a 1996 American science fiction action film co-written, co-scored, and... more on Wikipedia![Bone Tomahawk]()
198823Bone Tomahawk
Kurt Russell, Patrick WilsonReleased: 2015
Directed by: S. Craig Zahler
Bone Tomahawk is a 2015 American Western horror film directed by S. Craig Zahler. Four men set... more on Wikipedia![Unlawful Entry]()
209044Unlawful Entry
Kurt Russell, Madeleine StoweReleased: 1992
Directed by: Jonathan Kaplan
Unlawful Entry is a 1992 American thriller film directed by Jonathan Kaplan starring Kurt... more on Wikipedia![Elvis]()
2110647Elvis
Kurt Russell, Shelley WintersReleased: 1979
Directed by: John Carpenter
Elvis is a 1979 American television biographical film directed by John Carpenter. It is based... more on Wikipedia![Tequila Sunrise]()
2210944Tequila Sunrise
Mel Gibson, Michelle PfeifferReleased: 1988
Directed by: Robert Towne
Tequila Sunrise is a 1988 American crime thriller film written and directed by Robert Towne.... more on Wikipedia![The Best of Times]()
238439The Best of Times
Robin Williams, Kurt RussellReleased: 1986
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
The Best of Times is a 1986 American comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and written by... more on Wikipedia![Grindhouse]()
248854Grindhouse
Nicolas Cage, Bruce WillisReleased: 2007
Directed by: Edgar Wright, Eli Roth, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Rob Zombie
Grindhouse is a 2007 American horror film double feature co-written, produced, and directed by... more on Wikipedia![Sky High]()
258738Sky High
Kurt Russell, Mary Elizabeth WinsteadReleased: 2005
Directed by: Mike Mitchell
Sky High is a 2005 American superhero family comedy film about an airborne school for teenage... more on Wikipedia
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