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The Best Movies About Terrorism

Ranker Film
Updated September 15, 2020 5.7k votes 2.0k voters 406.0k views69 items

List RulesMovies that feature terrorism as a central plot point.

The best Hollywood terrorism movies serve as a reflection of our chaotic times. The problems the protagonists deal with often hit close to home, and sometimes they are even based on real-world events. Despite that, movies about terrorism are very entertaining to watch and often serve as catharsis for society. So what are the best terrorism movies? See what fans like you think in the crowd voted ranking of movies about terrorism below. The best terrorist movies are not all based on Islamic or arab terrorism.

This terrorism movie list is ordered by popularity, so only the greatest movies about terrorism are at the top of the list. The films on this list are the most famous terrorism movies of all time. Additional details such as top-billed actors, director, and an overview of the movie have been provided when available.

So what movies belong on this list? Two good examples of great terrorism movies are: Body of Lies and From Paris with Love. In Body of Lies, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, a CIA agent must capture a terrorist by drawing him out of hiding. It is a plot that might not be too far from reality. If that sounds like a movie you’d like watching, then you will want to check out the highest ranked films on this list of the best terrorism movies.

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  • 1
    The Sum of All Fears is listed (or ranked) 1 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    146
    33

    The Sum of All Fears

    Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman

    Released: 2002

    Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson

    The Sum of All Fears is a 2002 American action political thriller film directed by Phil Alden... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 2
    Munich is listed (or ranked) 2 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    179
    73

    Munich

    Daniel Craig, Eric Bana

    Released: 2005

    Directed by: Steven Spielberg

    Munich is a 2005 historical drama and political thriller film based on Operation Wrath of God,... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 3
    From Paris with Love is listed (or ranked) 3 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    133
    23

    From Paris with Love

    John Travolta, Kelly Preston

    Released: 2010

    Directed by: Pierre Morel

    From Paris with Love is a 2010 French-American action film starring John Travolta and Jonathan... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 4
    Die Hard is listed (or ranked) 4 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    153
    82

    Die Hard

    Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman

    Released: 1988

    Directed by: John McTiernan

    Die Hard is a 1988 American action film directed by John McTiernan and written by Steven E. de... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 5
    Air Force One is listed (or ranked) 5 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    122
    65

    Air Force One

    Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman

    Released: 1997

    Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen

    Air Force One is a 1997 American political action thriller film written by Andrew W. Marlowe... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 6
    The Dark Knight is listed (or ranked) 6 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    128
    76

    The Dark Knight

    Christian Bale, Michael Caine

    Released: 2008

    Directed by: Christopher Nolan

    The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 7
    Executive Decision is listed (or ranked) 7 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    69
    13

    Executive Decision

    Halle Berry, Steven Seagal

    Released: 1996

    Directed by: Stuart Baird

    Executive Decision is a 1996 American action film directed by Stuart Baird in his directorial... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 8
    Olympus Has Fallen is listed (or ranked) 8 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    72
    34

    Olympus Has Fallen

    Morgan Freeman, Gerard Butler

    Released: 2013

    Directed by: Antoine Fuqua

    Olympus Has Fallen is a 2013 American action thriller film. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, it... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 9
    Swordfish is listed (or ranked) 9 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    49
    28

    Swordfish

    Halle Berry, John Travolta

    Released: 2001

    Directed by: Dominic Sena

    Swordfish is a 2001 American action thriller film directed by Dominic Sena and starring John... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 10
    The Kingdom is listed (or ranked) 10 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    343
    145

    The Kingdom

    Jennifer Garner, Minka Kelly

    Released: 2007

    Directed by: Peter Berg

    The Kingdom is a 2007 action thriller directed by Peter Berg and starring Jamie Foxx, Chris... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 11
    White House Down is listed (or ranked) 11 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    73
    51

    White House Down

    Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx

    Released: 2013

    Directed by: Roland Emmerich

    White House Down is a 2013 American political action-thriller film directed by Roland Emmerich... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 12
    The Devil's Own is listed (or ranked) 12 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    39
    20

    The Devil's Own

    Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford

    Released: 1997

    Directed by: Alan J. Pakula

    The Devil's Own is a 1997 American action thriller film starring Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt,... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 13
    Body of Lies is listed (or ranked) 13 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    190
    77

    Body of Lies

    Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe

    Released: 2008

    Directed by: Ridley Scott

    Body of Lies is a 2008 American action-spy film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in the Middle... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 14
    True Lies is listed (or ranked) 14 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    60
    44

    True Lies

    Arnold Schwarzenegger, Eliza Dushku

    Released: 1994

    Directed by: James Cameron

    True Lies is a 1994 American action-comedy film written and directed by James Cameron, and... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 15
    Traitor is listed (or ranked) 15 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    119
    51

    Traitor

    Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce

    Released: 2008

    Directed by: Jeffrey Nachmanoff

    Traitor is a 2008 American spy thriller film, based on an idea by Steve Martin who is also an... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 16
    The Dark Knight Rises is listed (or ranked) 16 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    25
    9

    The Dark Knight Rises

    Christian Bale, Michael Caine

    Released: 2012

    Directed by: Christopher Nolan

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  • 17
    Unthinkable is listed (or ranked) 17 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    82
    28

    Unthinkable

    Samuel L. Jackson, Carrie-Anne Moss

    Released: 2010

    Directed by: Gregor Jordan

    Unthinkable is a 2010 American suspense thriller film directed by Gregor Jordan and starring... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 18
    United 93 is listed (or ranked) 18 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    82
    38

    United 93

    Olivia Thirlby, Cheyenne Jackson

    Released: 2006

    Directed by: Paul Greengrass

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  • 19
    Patriot Games is listed (or ranked) 19 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    58
    18

    Patriot Games

    Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson

    Released: 1992

    Directed by: Phillip Noyce

    Patriot Games is a 1992 action-suspense film directed by Phillip Noyce and based on Tom... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 20
    The Peacemaker is listed (or ranked) 20 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    84
    44

    The Peacemaker

    Nicole Kidman, George Clooney

    Released: 1997

    Directed by: Mimi Leder

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  • 21
    Five Fingers is listed (or ranked) 21 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    23
    10

    Five Fingers

    Ryan Phillippe, Laurence Fishburne

    Released: 2006

    Directed by: Laurence Malkin

    Five Fingers is a 2006 drama/thriller film directed by Laurence Malkin, and written by Chad... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 22
    Blown Away is listed (or ranked) 22 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    58
    27

    Blown Away

    Jeff Bridges, Tommy Lee Jones

    Released: 1994

    Directed by: Stephen Hopkins

    Blown Away is a 1994 action thriller film starring Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones. It was... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button

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  • 23
    Stuber is listed (or ranked) 23 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    36
    10

    Stuber

    Kumail Nanjiani, Dave Bautista

    Released: 2019

    Directed by: Michael Dowse

    Stuber is a 2019 American action-comedy directed by Michael Dowse. A mild-mannered Uber driver... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 24
    Carlos is listed (or ranked) 24 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    32
    7

    Carlos

    Martha Higareda, Édgar Ramírez

    Released: 2010

    Directed by: Olivier Assayas

    "Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, Carlos is a central figure in the history of international terrorism... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
  • 25
    Four Lions is listed (or ranked) 25 on the list The Best Movies About Terrorism
    60
    37

    Four Lions

    Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Morris

    Released: 2010

    Directed by: Chris Morris

    Four Lions is a 2010 British dark comedy film. It is the feature film debut of director Chris... more on Wikipediaamazon buy button
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