List Of Revenge Movies

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, Ellis "Red" Redding, and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money-laundering operation. The film follows Andy's journey as he adjusts to life in prison and eventually gains the trust and respect of his fellow inmates. He eventually realizes that the only way to gain his freedom is to break out of Shawshank. With the help of Red, Andy is able to make a daring escape from the prison and live a life of freedom and happiness. The Shawshank Redemption offers a message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

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

Gladiator is a 2000 Academy Award-winning historical epic directed by Ridley Scott. It stars Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, a once-powerful Roman general who is betrayed by Emperor Commodus and sold into slavery. He is forced to become a gladiator and fight to the death in the Colosseum. As he fights, he comes to realize he is fighting for his own freedom and that of his family. With the help of loyal friends and allies, Maximus rallies the people of Rome and leads a rebellion against Commodus. The film is a powerful story of courage, honor, and revenge in the face of insurmountable odds.

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

Léon: The Professional is a 1994 French crime thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. The film stars Jean Reno as Léon, a professional hitman, and Natalie Portman in her feature film debut as Mathilda, a young girl who seeks his help. Mathilda's family is killed by corrupt DEA agents, and she seeks refuge with Léon, who reluctantly takes her in and teaches her the skills of his trade. Together they form an unlikely duo that must evade the authorities, while taking revenge on those who are responsible for her family's death. The film also features Gary Oldman as the villainous DEA agent Stansfield and features music by Eric Serra.

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

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who is recruited by a bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), to hunt down and kill the notorious outlaws, the Brittle brothers. After successfully completing the mission, Dr. Schultz offers to help Django rescue his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from the clutches of Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), a wicked plantation owner. Django and Dr. Schultz use a ruse to gain access to Candie’s plantation, but their mission is complicated by the presence of Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson), Candie’s loyal house slave. The film culminates in a bloodbath as Django and Dr. Schultz battle their way out of Candie’s plantation. The film explores the deep-seated racism in the antebellum South, while offering an action-packed story of revenge and redemption.

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

Memento is a psychological thriller film that tells the story of Leonard, a man suffering from anterograde amnesia, and his desperate search for justice for his wife's murder. Leonard is unable to form new memories, so he relies on a complex system of tattoos, notes and Polaroid photographs to remember what he has been told and to track his progress. As the film unfolds Leonard meets a series of strangers who may or may not be helping him. He gradually unravels the mystery behind his wife's death, but finds himself in increasingly dangerous situations as he gets closer to the truth. The film is told in an unconventional way, with the story unfolding in reverse.

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

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in Nazi occupied France during World War II, it 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 killing Nazis. The Basterds, led by Lt. Aldo Raine, have their own mission to take out as many Nazis as possible. Along the way, they meet a young German actress, Shosanna Dreyfus, who is determined to exact revenge on the Nazis by turning a movie premiere into a blazing inferno of death and destruction. The film climaxes in a bloody and explosive confrontation between the Basterds and the Third Reich in a movie theater. In the end, Shosanna gets her revenge and the Basterds achieve their mission.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 neo-western crime thriller directed by Ethan and Joel Coen. The film follows Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a Vietnam veteran who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong in the Texas desert. He finds a truck full of heroin and two million dollars, and decides to take it. His decision sets off a chain of events involving an enigmatic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), determined to recover the money; a tenacious Sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), trying to find the killer; and a skip tracer, Carson Wells (Woody Harrelson), hired to help Chigurh recover the money. The film follows the various characters as they cross paths and attempt to outwit each other in a violent game of cat and mouse. As the situation gets out of hand, Sheriff Bell begins to question if he is up to the challenge of tracking down the killer before he takes more lives. As the stakes rise and the conflict intensifies, the characters must face the consequences of their actions, with no easy answers.

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

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a 2003 action-packed film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It tells the story of a former assassin, The Bride (Uma Thurman), who is out for revenge against Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad after they try to kill her and her unborn child. She sets out to track down her former associates and exact revenge on them one by one as she travels across the United States with a vengeance. Along the way, The Bride meets colorful characters, battles with her foes, and eventually comes face to face with Bill himself. Full of martial arts, gunfights, and thrilling stunts, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is an action-packed thrill ride from beginning to end.

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

Unforgiven tells the story of William Munny, a retired, once-ruthless killer turned gentle widower and hog farmer. Munny reluctantly takes on one more job, with the help of his old partner and a young man, to avenge the wrong done to a prostitute by a group of cowboys in a small town. Along the way Munny and his crew must confront the town's hard-nosed Sheriff, his old rival, and the ever-looming specter of death. The film is an exploration of the themes of justice, redemption, and revenge, ultimately leading to a powerful climax that questions notions of heroism and justice.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver follows the story of a disillusioned war veteran, Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), who takes a job as a taxi driver in New York City. He becomes fascinated with a teenage prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), working for a pimp, and begins to obsessively devise a plan to save her. As Travis descends into a state of insanity, he becomes increasingly violent and makes a plan to assassinate a presidential candidate. The film culminates in a bloody confrontation between Travis and Iris' pimp. Throughout the film, Travis' mental state deteriorates as he is unable to cope with the corruption, loneliness, and hatred he perceives in the city.

From George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz
Rated R

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 action-adventure film directed by George Miller. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) teams up with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to free a group of enslaved women from the clutches of the tyrannical Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). In a world filled with chaos and destruction, Max and Furiosa set out on an intense and thrilling road trip, fighting against Joe’s War Boys and other obstacles. Along the way, they are joined by allies and must rely on their wits and strength to survive. In the end, Max and Furiosa join forces to topple Joe’s oppressive regime, ultimately freeing themselves and the women from his clutches.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. It stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. The film follows the story of Nick Dunne (Affleck) who becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife Amy (Pike). The film follows Nick's attempts to prove his innocence while attempting to uncover the truth behind Amy's disappearance. As the police investigation unfolds, shocking truths about the couple's marriage are revealed and the mystery of Amy's disappearance takes a sinister turn. With its gripping plot, twist endings and dark humor, Gone Girl is a suspenseful and thrilling experience from start to finish.

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

The Revenant is a 2015 American semi-biographical adventure drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass, a frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s who is mauled by a grizzly bear and left for dead by his companions. He sets out on a quest of vengeance against those who betrayed him, while undertaking a journey of survival and redemption. Along the way, he encounters Native Americans, ruthless trappers, and nature in its most unforgiving form. In the end, Glass must face his inner demons to gain a deeper understanding of the world and himself.

From Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner
Rated PG-13

The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Marvel Studios, the film features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner as the titular Avengers. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. He assembles Earth's mightiest heroes, The Avengers, to form a team capable of stopping the impending threat and saving the world from utter destruction. The Avengers team up to battle Loki, the powerful and manipulative villain, and his alien army, while also fighting against their own personal differences, as they strive to protect the world from the looming threat. Through their actions, the Avengers must learn to work together in order to save the world.

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

Kill Bill: Volume 2 is the second installment of Quentin Tarantino's martial arts action series. It follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she continues her quest for revenge against her former allies, the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. After killing O-Ren Ishii, The Bride travels to the Mexican countryside to confront Budd and Elle Driver, two remaining members of the squad. Meanwhile, Bill (David Carradine), the leader of the squad and The Bride's former lover, has been tracking her down and is one step ahead of her. After a bloody showdown between The Bride and Elle Driver, The Bride finally finds Bill and puts an end to their feud. In the end, The Bride walks away victorious but with a heavy heart, having lost her chance at true love and peace.

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

The Princess Bride is a classic romantic fantasy adventure film directed by Rob Reiner. It follows the story of Buttercup (Robin Wright), who is kidnapped and almost forced into marrying the loathsome Prince Humperdinck. She is rescued by her one true love, Westley (Cary Elwes), and his companions. Along the way they encounter giants, an evil wizard, a 'Machine of Inconceivable Horror,' and more. The film is filled with witty dialogue, whimsical characters and exciting action, making it a timeless classic.

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

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2011 psychological mystery thriller directed by David Fincher. The film follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist who is hired by the wealthy Henrik Vanger to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his niece, Harriet, 40 years prior. Blomkvist is assisted by a cyber-hacker and ward of the state, Lisbeth Salander. Together, the two uncover a dark, twisted family history as they attempt to solve the mystery of Harriet's disappearance. As the investigation progresses, Blomkvist and Salander find themselves in a race against time to stop a killer, and reveal the horrifying secret hidden in the depths of the Vanger family.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Hye-ja Kim, Won Bin, Jin Goo, Je-mun Yun
Rated R

Mother is a 2009 South Korean drama film directed and co-written by Bong Joon-ho. The story follows an elderly mother (Kim Hye-ja) and her son Do-joon (Won Bin), a mentally challenged adult who is accused of murdering a young girl in their small town. The mother is determined to prove his innocence by finding the real killer. She embarks on a difficult journey to uncover the truth and save her son, ultimately facing the harsh realities of her town and the people in it. Along the way, she finds unlikely allies and makes shocking discoveries that change her views of the world. Mother is a touching and suspenseful drama that explores the complexities of a mother-son relationship and the power of maternal love.

From Pierre Morel, starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Rated PG-13

Taken is an action-thriller starring Liam Neeson as ex-CIA operative Bryan Mills. When his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), is kidnapped by a sex trafficking ring while traveling in Paris, Bryan must use his "particular set of skills" to rescue her before it's too late. With the help of a former colleague, he follows a trail of clues to track down Kim’s captors and ultimately bring her home. Along the way, he must outwit a team of ruthless criminals intent on making a fortune off his daughter’s abduction. Driven by a desire to save his daughter, Bryan will stop at nothing to get her back and make them pay for what they've done.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Chief Dan George, Bill McKinney
Rated PG

The Outlaw Josey Wales is a 1976 western film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Clint himself as the titular character. The story follows Josey Wales, a Missouri farmer who is forced to join a Confederate guerrilla band after his family is massacred by a band of pro-Union Jayhawkers. After the Civil War ends, Josey finds himself unable to reconcile with his former enemies and decides to seek revenge on the Jayhawkers. As he travels across the country, Josey slowly builds a ragtag family of misfits who share his quest for justice. Along the way, he must contend with the U.S. Cavalry and a group of bounty hunters who are determined to bring him in dead or alive. The Outlaw Josey Wales is a classic revenge western that combines action and emotion to create an unforgettable cinematic experience.

From Paul McGuigan, starring Josh Hartnett, Ben Kingsley, Morgan Freeman, Lucy Liu
Rated R

Lucky Number Slevin is a 2006 crime drama film directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Ben Kingsley, and Morgan Freeman. The story follows a case of mistaken identity that lands Slevin (Hartnett) in the middle of a turf war between two rival mob bosses, The Rabbi (Kingsley) and The Boss (Freeman). When Slevin arrives in town for the funeral of his friend Nick Fisher, he is mistaken for Nick by The Rabbi and The Boss and is forced to pay off the debt that Nick had been unable to pay. Slevin must then figure out how to solve the problem of his mistaken identity and how to get out of the dangerous situation he finds himself in. In the process, he gets entangled in a love triangle with two women (Liu and Emily Mortimer), and discovers the truth about his past. With the help of two accomplices (Willis and Stanley Tucci), Slevin must outwit the two mob bosses and uncover the truth if he hopes to survive.

From Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Christopher Walken, Dakota Fanning, Radha Mitchell
Rated R

Man on Fire is a 2004 action-thriller directed by Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. The film follows John Creasy (Washington), a retired CIA operative and former Marine who is hired as a bodyguard for nine-year-old Pita Ramos (Fanning) in Mexico City. After Pita is kidnapped and Creasy is seriously wounded in a failed rescue attempt, he is nursed back to health by Pita's wealthy family and his friend, Rayburn (Christopher Walken). As Creasy recovers, he is fueled by a relentless desire for revenge and sets out to find and punish those responsible for the abduction. As his mission of vengeance takes him deeper into the criminal underworld of Mexico City, Creasy discovers he has become a man on fire, ready to do whatever it takes to save the innocent and punish the guilty.

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Christopher Adamson, JB Blanc
Rated PG-13

The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2002 film adaptation of the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce and Richard Harris, the film follows Edmond Dantes, a young sailor wrongly accused of treason and imprisoned in the notorious Chateau d'If. After a daring escape, Edmond embarks on a quest for vengeance, taking the identity of the mysterious Count of Monte Cristo. With the help of a new friend, Edmond plots revenge against the three men who wronged him and uncovers a hidden treasure. Along the way, he is consumed by his thirst for revenge, as he faces an inner struggle to reconcile his past and his present. The Count of Monte Cristo is an epic tale of redemption and revenge, as Edmond seeks to restore justice for the wrongs done to him.

From Troy Duffy, starring Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, David Della Rocco
Rated R

The Boondock Saints is a 1999 action-thriller film directed by Troy Duffy. The film follows two Irish Catholic brothers, Connor and Murphy MacManus, as they take it upon themselves to rid Boston of crime. After an encounter with a Russian mobster and his henchmen, the brothers are labeled as heroes and recognized by the local media. As the brothers continue to go about their vigilante mission to rid Boston of crime, they find themselves locked in a conflict with the FBI, who are determined to bring them to justice. As the situation intensifies, the brothers must decide if their mission is worth the risk of being caught and punished for breaking the law. With strong performances from Willem Dafoe and Sean Patrick Flannery, The Boondock Saints is an action-packed thrill ride that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.

From Nicholas Meyer, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan
Rated PG

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Nicholas Meyer and based on the television series Star Trek. The film follows Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they come face to face with Khan (Ricardo Montalbán), a genetically-engineered superhuman from the late 20th century. Khan is determined to exact revenge upon Kirk for a past indiscretion, leading to a thrilling battle between the two adversaries. Along the way, the crew of the Enterprise must also deal with the threat of a modified Genesis Device, a powerful weapon capable of destroying entire worlds. The film features an all-star cast, classic characters, and dramatic special effects. In the end, the crew of the Enterprise is able to outwit Khan and save the day.