Best Revenge Movies

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. It stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of a fictional New York crime family. The story, spanning 1945 to 1955, chronicles the family under the patriarch Vito Corleone, focusing on the transformation of his son Michael Corleone (Pacino) from reluctant family outsider to ruthless Mafia boss. The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in world cinema and one of the most influential, especially in the gangster genre. It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 1990 and is ranked the second-greatest film in American cinema (behind Citizen Kane) by the American Film Institute. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews upon its release and was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1972 and was for a time the highest-grossing film ever made. It won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay (for Puzo and Coppola). Its 27 worldwide

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God tells the story of two young boys growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) is a poor kid from the favela who is determined to make something of himself and escape the slums. His friend, Lil' Ze (Leandro Firmino da Hora), is a violent gangster who wants to rule the streets. As the boys grow up, their paths diverge and their lives become intertwined with the violence, drugs and corruption of the city. The film follows Rocket as he struggles to make a better life for himself and his family, while Lil' Ze's ambition leads him down a darker path. The film is a powerful exploration of the cycle of violence and poverty in the city, and how even good intentions can be corrupted by the harsh realities of life in the slums.

From Sergio Leone, starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards
Rated PG-13

Once Upon a Time in the West is a classic western film directed by Sergio Leone and starring Henry Fonda, Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson and Jason Robards. Set in the American West in the late 19th century, the film tells the story of a mysterious woman named Jill McBain, who has inherited a large plot of land near a railroad line. Her arrival to the town triggers a power struggle between a bandit leader, Frank, and the railroad baron, Morton, who are both vying for control of the land. The film follows Jill's journey as she faces the dangers of the Wild West and the machinations of the two men. With its epic narrative, breathtaking cinematography and iconic soundtrack, Once Upon a Time in the West is considered by many to be one of the greatest Westerns ever made.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. It follows two rival magicians, Robert Angier (Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Bale), as they engage in a dangerous battle of twisted illusions and deception. After one of their tricks goes wrong, the two become obsessed with outdoing the other, leading them down a dangerous path of obsession and deceit. The film culminates in a dramatic showdown between the two, revealing the secrets and lies that have been driving their rivalry. Along the way, they discover the dangers and consequences of their obsession, as well as the power of magic.

From Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello
Rated R

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French-American action thriller written and directed by Luc Besson. The film follows the story of an Italian hitman, Léon (Jean Reno), who takes in 12-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) as his protégé after her family is killed by corrupt DEA agents. As Mathilda learns the hitman's trade, the two develop a father-daughter relationship. With Mathilda's help, Léon confronts the DEA agents and takes revenge for her family's death. In the end, the two part ways, with Mathilda determined to become a professional assassin herself.

From Ridley Scott, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Rated R

Gladiator tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a brave and loyal Roman General who is betrayed and forced into slavery by the Emperor's jealous son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). After fighting in the gladiator arenas of Rome, Maximus' heroic deeds and courage are recognized by the Emperor's successor, and he is recalled to Rome to help overthrow the corrupt regime of Commodus. Maximus ultimately succeeds in his mission, sacrificing his own life in the process. The film is an epic tale of revenge and redemption, as Maximus seeks justice for himself and his family, while at the same time restoring the honor and glory of Rome.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. It tells the story of Oh Dae-su, who is kidnapped and imprisoned in a hotel-like room for 15 years without knowing his captor's motives. After being released, he embarks on a quest for vengeance and to solve the mystery of his imprisonment. Along the way he discovers a much darker secret about himself and society. The film is noted for its violence, multi-layered story, and dark underlying themes.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The story follows Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator suffering from anterograde amnesia, who is searching for his wife's killer. Leonard is unable to create new memories and can only remember details for a short period of time, so he relies on notes, Polaroid photos and tattoos to keep track of his investigation. During his search, Leonard meets several people who may or may not be involved in the crime. The film is told in a complicated reverse-chronological order, which adds to the suspense and mystery. In the end, Leonard is left without an answer but with a new understanding of his condition.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 Western film directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in the antebellum South, it follows Django (Jamie Foxx), a freed slave who teams up with a former German dentist-turned-bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), to rescue his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Along their quest, they cross paths with various characters, including a gang of outlaws and a mysterious former slave (Samuel L. Jackson). Along the way, Django and Dr. Schultz attempt to take down the plantation, while also finding a way to save Broomhilda. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, and won Best Original Screenplay.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 action-adventure war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Mélanie Laurent. Set in German-occupied France during World War II, the film tells the story of a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as the "Basterds" who are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds soon cross paths with a French-Jewish television-cinema proprietor, Shosanna Dreyfus, who seeks to avenge the Nazi execution of her family. The Basterds join forces with a British sergeant named Archie Hicox and a German actress named Bridget von Hammersmark to plan and execute a daring assassination of Adolf Hitler, his generals, and other important officials. As the Basterds and their allies get closer to their goal and to their enemies, the unlikely yet daring plan is put into action. With suspense, violence, and unexpected plot twists, Inglourious Basterds will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris
Rated R

Unforgiven is a 1992 Western film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by David Webb Peoples. It follows the story of William Munny, an aging former outlaw, who is reluctantly drawn back into the same kind of violence he had once turned his back on. He is hired to avenge a prostitute who was disfigured by a group of drunken cowboys, and enlists the help of his old partner Ned Logan and a young gunslinger, The Schofield Kid. As the trio make their journey towards the cowboys, they must face danger and obstacles along the way. The film deals with themes of morality, justice and the consequences of violence, ultimately showing the futility of revenge. Unforgiven won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor and Best Editing.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is an action-adventure film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The story follows The Bride (Uma Thurman), a former assassin who awakens from a four-year coma and seeks revenge on the team of assassins who betrayed her. She battles her way through the criminal underworld, facing off with colorful characters and epic fight scenes, all while trying to find her ultimate goal of revenge. The film is a mix of genres, including classic martial arts action, spaghetti westerns, and Japanese samurai films, creating an experience that is both thrilling and stylistically unique.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri
Rated Not Rated

The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook in 2016, is a psychological thriller set in Korea during the Japanese occupation in the 1930s. It tells the story of Sook-Hee, a young pickpocket in a thief gang, who is hired by Fujiwara, a conman, to play the role of the handmaiden of Lady Hideko, a rich and beautiful heiress living in a mysterious and secluded estate. Sook-Hee must gain Lady Hideko’s trust in order to help Fujiwara marry her, so her inheritance can be stolen. However, Sook-Hee and Lady Hideko develop an unexpected and passionate relationship, complicating things. As the story progresses, dark secrets of the estate are revealed and Sook-Hee and Lady Hideko must fight to survive the machinations of Fujiwara and the cruel intentions of Lady Hideko’s uncle, who plans to marry her against her will.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed Korean War veteran who is alienated from his family and angry at the world. When his young Hmong neighbor, Thao Vang Lor, is pressured by his cousin into stealing his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Through their relationship, Kowalski and Thao develop a bond that transcends cultural differences, and ultimately leads Kowalski to confront his own personal demons. In the end, Kowalski learns to accept change and find acceptance within his community.

From Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason
Rated Not Rated

The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 classic American film directed by Charles Laughton. It stars Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish. The film follows the story of a preacher, Harry Powell (Mitchum), who marries a widowed mother in order to find out the location of the money she and her late husband stole. He then sets out on a mission to track down the two children who know the whereabouts of the stolen loot. Along the way, he meets the beautiful, young widow Rachel Cooper (Gish), who takes in the children and helps protect them from Powell's malicious intent. In the end, Powell is outwitted and sent to the electric chair, while Cooper and the children are reunited and move away to start a new life.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson
Rated R

The Revenant tells the story of Hugh Glass, a nineteenth century frontiersman and fur trapper who is viciously mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team. With sheer will and determination, Glass survives the mauling and embarks on a quest of survival and revenge against his former companions. Along his journey, Glass is aided by a local Native American tribe, who help to heal his wounds and provide him with the guidance and resources he needs to complete his mission. Ultimately, Glass succeeds in his quest and is reunited with his family. The movie is a gripping tale of courage and perseverance, set against the stunning backdrop of the American frontier.

From Rob Reiner, starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon
Rated PG

The Princess Bride is a classic fairytale-style adventure story about a young woman named Buttercup and her one true love, Westley. After Westley is tragically killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts, Buttercup is forced into an arranged marriage with the evil Prince Humperdinck. However, a mysterious group of adventurers, led by the swordsman Inigo Montoya and the giant Fezzik, come to rescue Buttercup and help reunite her with Westley. Along the way they must battle and outwit clever foes such as the six-fingered Count Rugen, the Sicilian genius Vizzini, and Buttercup's jealous suitor Prince Humperdinck. With the help of true love and a little bit of magic, anything is possible in this classic adventure story.

From David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a Mystery/Thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on the novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) as they investigate the disappearance of wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger's niece. As they uncover clues, they discover a web of corruption, murder and deception, with Vanger himself implicated as a suspect. Along the way, they must confront their own personal demons in order to solve the case. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping and powerful thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.

From J. Lee Thompson, starring Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Lori Martin
Rated Passed

Cape Fear is a psychological thriller starring Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck, and Polly Bergen. The film follows the story of Sam Bowden, a small-town lawyer and his family as they are terrorized by Max Cady, a violent criminal who is out for revenge after being wrongfully convicted by Sam years earlier. Sam is eventually forced to take the law into his own hands in order to protect his family, leading to a climactic showdown between him and Cady. The film is a suspenseful exploration of justice and morality, featuring strong performances and a gripping score by Bernard Herrmann.

From Alex Garland, starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Sonoya Mizuno
Rated R

Ex Machina is a science fiction film directed by Alex Garland, released in 2014. The film follows computer programmer Caleb Smith, who is invited to the home of his reclusive boss Nathan Bateman. Once there, Caleb is tasked with administering the Turing Test to Nathan's latest creation, a robot named Ava. As Caleb interacts with Ava, he begins to uncover the truth about Nathan's motivations and discovers that his intentions may be far more sinister than Caleb first believed. As the film progresses, the audience is left to ponder whether Ava is a sentient being or just a program created by Nathan. At its core, Ex Machina is a thrilling exploration of what it means to be human.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, Josh Brolin
Rated PG-13

True Grit is a 2010 American western film directed by the Coen brothers. The film is a remake of the 1969 film of the same name, and stars Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld, and Josh Brolin. The story follows Mattie Ross (Steinfeld), a 14-year-old girl who enlists the help of U.S. Marshal Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn (Bridges) to help her avenge her father’s murder. With the help of Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Damon), the three set off to track down Tom Chaney (Brolin), the man who killed her father. The film is a classic Western, with a strong focus on morality as well as themes of justice, revenge, duty, and honor. The Coen brothers bring a unique and humorous touch to the film, and the acting from the cast is outstanding. All in all, True Grit is an entertaining and thought-provoking film that is sure to please fans of the classic Western genre.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a psychological thriller by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar. The film tells the story of Dr. Robert Ledgard (played by Antonio Banderas), a brilliant plastic surgeon who is obsessed with developing a new kind of synthetic skin that is able to withstand any kind of damage. After a tragic accident with his wife, he decides to use his research to create a new identity for a mysterious woman, Vera (played by Elena Anaya). As the story progresses, it is revealed that Ledgard has been using Vera as an unwilling guinea pig to test his invention and has been keeping her locked up in his home. The film examines themes of identity and revenge, as Ledgard’s plans are slowly revealed and the shocking truth of Vera’s past is revealed.

From Jordan Peele, starring Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker
Rated R