There are no higher stakes than a fight to the death. Whether it's hand-to-hand combat, a knife fight, or a duel with pistols, death battles push film characters to their very limits. The top fight to the death movies feature dangerous scenarios where it's every man for himself. This is a list of fight to the death movies featuring everything from Bloodsport to Battle Royale to Gladiator.
What titles will you find on this list of films featuring fights to the death? If you're a fan of young adult fiction, you might vote The Hunger Games to the top. This series captivated movie-goers as Katniss Everdeen fought to keep her loved ones safe by entering a bloody and brutal tournament. The Kill Bill movies offered scores of breathtaking fight-to-the-death scenes, splashed in director Quentin Tarantino's signature bright colors and inventive cuts. The Running Man, based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, features Ben Richards using cunning and creativity to evade the deadly aim of the stalkers hunting him on a gladiator game show. Other good films featured on this top fight to the death movies list include The Naked Prey, Death Race, and The Killing Room.
Do you have a favorite death battle movie? Give the best films a thumbs up and please add any good life or death movies that are missing.
1
8638Battle Royale
Beat Kitano, Chiaki KuriyamaReleased: 2000
Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku
Battle Royale is a 2000 Japanese action thriller film adapted from the 1999 novel of the same... more on Wikipedia2
7845The Hunger Games
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh HutchersonReleased: 2012
Directed by: Gary Ross
The Hunger Games is a 2012 American dystopian science fiction adventure film directed by Gary... more on Wikipedia3
6436Kill Bill Volume 1
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin... more on Wikipedia4
4421The Condemned
Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vinnie JonesReleased: 2007
Directed by: Scott Wiper
The Condemned is a 2007 American action film written and directed by Scott Wiper. The film... more on Wikipedia5
4220The Raid: Redemption
Iko Uwais, Joe TaslimReleased: 2011
Directed by: Gareth Evans
The Raid: Redemption is a 2011 Indonesian martial arts action film directed by Gareth Evans. A... more on Wikipedia6
4429The Quick and the Dead
Leonardo DiCaprio, Sharon StoneReleased: 1995
Directed by: Sam Raimi
This film is a 1995 western film directed by Sam Raimi and starring Sharon Stone, Gene... more on Wikipedia7
3721The Running Man
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jim BrownReleased: 1987
Directed by: Paul Michael Glaser
The Running Man is a 1987 American science fiction action film loosely based on the 1982 novel... more on Wikipedia8
3018Bloodsport
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Forest WhitakerReleased: 1988
Directed by: Newt Arnold
Bloodsport is a 1988 American martial arts film directed by Newt Arnold, and starring... more on Wikipedia9
5252Gladiator
Russell Crowe, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2000
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Gladiator is a 2000 American-British epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott,... more on Wikipedia10
3026Death Race
Jason Statham, Tyrese GibsonReleased: 2008
Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson
This film is a 2008 American science fiction action thriller film produced, written, and... more on Wikipedia11
2225Death Race 2000
Sylvester Stallone, David CarradineReleased: 1975
Directed by: Paul Bartel
This film is a 1975 cult action film directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine,... more on Wikipedia12
10The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth BanksReleased: 2013
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
This film is a 2013 American science fiction action film based on Suzanne Collins' dystopian... more on Wikipedia13
2025The Most Dangerous Game
Fay Wray, Joel McCreaReleased: 1932
Directed by: Irving Pichel, Ernest B. Schoedsack
The Most Dangerous Game is a 1932 Pre-Code adaptation of the 1924 short story of the same name... more on Wikipedia14
2331Kill 'em All
Chia Hui Liu, Johnny MessnerReleased: 2012
Directed by: Raimund Huber
Kill 'em All is a 2012 action film written by Ken Miller and directed by Raimund Huber.15
1419The Tournament
Ian Somerhalder, Kelly HuReleased: 2009
Directed by: Scott Mann
The Tournament is a 2009 British independent thriller film, marking the directorial debut of... more on Wikipedia16
4160Kill Bill Volume 2
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2004
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill Volume 2 is a 2004 martial arts action film written and directed by Quentin... more on Wikipedia17
1221The Killing Room
Nick Cannon, Chloë SevignyReleased: 2009
Directed by: Jonathan Liebesman
The Killing Room is a 2009 psychological thriller film directed by Jonathan Liebesman and... more on Wikipedia18
1021No Escape
Ray Liotta, David WenhamReleased: 1994
Directed by: Martin Campbell
No Escape, released in some countries as Escape from Absolom, is a 1994 American... more on Wikipedia19
922House of 9
Kelly Brook, Dennis HopperReleased: 2004
Directed by: Steven R. Monroe
House of 9 is a 2004 thriller film directed by Steven R. Monroe and starring Dennis Hopper and... more on Wikipedia20
820The Naked Prey
Cornel Wilde, Patrick MynhardtReleased: 1966
Directed by: Cornel Wilde
The Naked Prey is a 1965 adventure film starring Cornel Wilde, who also served as director and... more on Wikipedia21
2650Gamer
Gerard Butler, LudacrisReleased: 2009
Directed by: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor
Gamer is a 2009 American science fiction action film written and directed by Mark Neveldine... more on Wikipedia22
932Series 7: The Contenders
Will Arnett, Brooke SmithReleased: 2001
Directed by: Daniel Minahan
Series 7: The Contenders is a 2001 dark comedy directed by Daniel Minahan. The movie is... more on Wikipedia