Kurt Russell - His Top 30 Best Movies Ranked

Kurt Russell – His Top 30 Best Movies Ranked

Here at Deathbyfilms we LOVE Kurt Russell, the guy is a legend. He been in the acting business since he was a little kid, working for Disney, and is still going strong six decades later. Many of his films are considered classics, especially his Sci-Fi genre films. Outside of movies, he had one of the strongest relationship going with actress Goldie Hawn (they have been together since 1983!), he is a licensed airplane pilot, a huge Elvis fan, and, by all acounts, a bloody lovely bloke!

So here are his top 30 highest rated movies, using a data-driven approach, by averaging his publicly voted scores from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Letterboxd.

30 – Soldier (1998)

Left for dead on a remote planet for obsolete machines and people, a fallen hero has one last battle to fight

IMDb: 6.0 / 10

RT Users: 4.4 / 10

Letterboxd: 5.44 / 10

5.28 /10

Science Fiction | Action

Directed by: Paul W. S. Anderson

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Jason Scott Lee, Jason Isaacs, Connie Nielsen, Sean Pertwee, Gary Busey, Michael Chiklis, Sara Paxton

SYNOPSIS:

Oscar-winning fantasy in which the residents of a Florida rest home get a new lease of life when they stumble across an alien “fountain of youth” in a disused holiday home. Unbeknown to them, aliens have been using the swimming pool in the house to store their cocooned brethren, giving the waters a powerful, rejuvenating quality.

29 – Captain Ron (1992)

Martin just wanted a nice, quiet family vacation. Instead, he got… Captain Ron

IMDb: 5.8 / 10

RT Users: 5.2 / 10

Letterboxd: 5.56 / 10

5.52 /10

Adventure | Comedy | Family

Directed by: Thom Eberhardt

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Martin Short, Mary Kay Place, Benjamin Salisbury, Meadow Sisto, Tom McGowan, Dan Butler, Paul Anka

SYNOPSIS:

28 – Tango & Cash (1989)

Two of L.A.’s top rival cops are going to have to work together… Even if it kills them.

IMDb: 6.4 / 10

RT Users: 5.2 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.18 / 10

5.93 /10

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Thriller

Directed by: Andrei Konchalovsky

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Sylvester Stallone, Teri Hatcher, Jack Palance, Brion James, James Hong, Marc Alaimo, Philip Tan, Michael J. Pollard,

SYNOPSIS:

Police officers Ray Tango (Sylvester Stallone) and Gabe Cash (Kurt Russell) are narcotics experts working to bring down drug lord Yves Perret (Jack Palance). In an attempt to stymie their efforts, Perret sets up Tango and Cash, making it look as if they’ve killed an FBI agent. Arrested and put in prison, the two cops formulate an escape plan and, once out, team up with Tango’s exotic dancer sister, Katherine (Teri Hatcher), in order to clear their records and take down Perret once and for all.

27 – Executive Decision (1996)

Fasten your seat belts

IMDb: 6.5 / 10

RT Users: 5.3 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.06 / 10

5.95 /10

Action | Adventure | Drama | Thriller

Directed by: Stuart Baird

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Steven Seagal, Halle Berry, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, BD Wong, Len Cariou

SYNOPSIS:

When terrorists hijack a plane traveling from Greece to Washington, D.C., U.S. Army specialist David Grant (Kurt Russell) and Lt. Colonel Austin Travis (Steven Seagal) join forces to bring the plane to safety. While terrorists on board the plane claim they hijacked the plane to force the U.S. government to release their leader, who was captured by military forces, David and Austin discover that the plane is carrying a bomb full of nerve gas to be released on Washington, D.C.

26 – Unlawful Entry (1992)

Desire, passion, lust… It’s a deadly game of obsession.

IMDb: 6.4 / 10

RT Users: 5.3 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.18 / 10

5.96 /10

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Directed by: Jonathan Kaplan

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Ray Liotta, Madeleine Stowe, Roger E. Mosley, Ken Lerner, Deborah Offner, Johnny Ray McGhee, Carmen Argenziano

SYNOPSIS:

Happily married Michael (Kurt Russell) and Karen Carr (Madeleine Stowe) call the police after a failed robbery. Officer Pete Davis (Ray Liotta) arrives and helps arrange the installation of a new security system. The grateful Carrs have Pete to dinner and strike up a friendship. Pete invites Michael to ride with him during a night’s patrol and gives him the chance to beat up the burglar. Michael refuses and tells the disturbed cop to stay away, but Pete begins stalking the terrified couple.

25 – Dark Blue (2002)

1992, L.A is at boiling point. One cop’s turning up the heat

IMDb: 6.6 / 10

RT Users: 5.2 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.24 / 10

6.01 /10

Crime | Drama | Thriller | Action

Directed by: Ron Shelton

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele, Brendan Gleeson, Ving Rhames, Kurupt, Dash Mihok, Jonathan Banks

SYNOPSIS:

Set in the Los Angeles Police Department in 1992, “Dark Blue” is a thriller that takes place just days before the acquittal of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent L.A. riots. In this racially charged climate, the LAPD’s elite Special Investigations Squad is assigned a quadruple homicide. As they work the case, detective Eldon (Kurt Russell), tutors SIS rookie Bobby (Scott Speedman) in the realities of police intimidation and corruption.

24 – Sky High (2005)

Saving The World… One Homework Assignment At A Time.

IMDb: 6.3 / 10

RT Users: 5.7 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.18 / 10

6.06 /10

Adventure | Comedy | Family

Directed by: Mike Mitchell

Top Billed Cast:

Michael Angarano, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker, Bruce Campbell, Lynda Carter

SYNOPSIS:

At a school in the sky where teens learn how to be superheroes, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) lands in a class for students who show special promise. Classmate Gwen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) quickly cozies up to Will, but it’s soon clear that she has other motives. When he learns that Gwen’s mother is a villain who was defeated by his father, Steve Stronghold (Kurt Russell), Will realizes that Gwen is aiming for revenge, and he rushes to a school dance in the hope of stopping her.

23 – Touchback (2011)

Would you give up everything you love for a shot at everything you’ve ever wanted?

IMDb: 6.5 / 10

RT Users: 6.3 / 10

Letterboxd: 5.88 / 10

6.23 /10

Drama | Family | Fantasy

Directed by: Don Handfield

Top Billed Cast:

Brian Presley, Kurt Russell, Melanie Lynskey, Marc Blucas, Christine Lahti, Sarah Wright, Drew Powell

SYNOPSIS:

A man (Brian Presley) seeks counsel from his longtime mentor (Kurt Russell) when he gets a unique opportunity to revisit his youth and the injury that ended his promising football career.

22 – Elvis (1979)

The King lives on!

IMDb: 7.0 / 10

RT Users: 6.5 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.34 / 10

6.61 /10

Drama | Music | TV Movie

Directed by: John Carpenter

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Shelley Winters, Bing Russell, Season Hubley, Pat Hingle, Melody Anderson

SYNOPSIS:

Covering the rise of music legend Elvis Presley (Kurt Russell), this film starts with his early years in Mississippi and Tennessee raised by his parents, Gladys (Shelley Winters) and Vernon (Bing Russell). Eventually, Elvis forms a partnership with “Colonel” Tom Parker (Pat Hingle) that leads to the release of his first song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” which zooms to the top of the charts. Elvis soon catapults to stardom, marrying the beautiful Priscilla (Season Hubley) and becoming an actor too.

21 – Used Cars (1980)

Like new, great looking and fully loaded with laughs.

IMDb: 6.7 / 10

RT Users: 6.8 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.74 / 10

6.75 /10

Comedy

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Jack Warden, Gerrit Graham, Frank McRae, Deborah Harmon, Joe Flaherty, Michael McKean, Michael Talbott

SYNOPSIS:

Rudy Russo (Kurt Russell) is an unscrupulous car salesman who aspires to become a politician. In the meantime, however, Rudy works for the nice but ineffective automobile dealer Luke Fuchs (Jack Warden). When Luke dies, Rudy takes over the lot, but he faces stiff competition from the scheming Roy L. Fuchs (also Warden) who wants his brother’s business for himself. In order to get more customers, Rudy and Roy each devise ridiculous promotions to gain the upper hand.

20 – The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Santa’s in town early this year

IMDb: 7.0 / 10

RT Users: 7.5 / 10

Letterboxd: 5.94 / 10

6.81 /10

Comedy | Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Directed by: Clay Kaytis

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Darby Camp, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Judah Lewis, Martin Roach, Lamorne Morris

SYNOPSIS:

Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce hatch a scheme to capture Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. When the plan goes awry, the kids join forces with a somewhat jolly Saint Nick and his loyal elves to save the holiday before it’s too late.

19 – Backdraft (1991)

Silently behind a door, it waits.

IMDb: 6.7 / 10

RT Users: 7.5 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.30 / 10

6.83 /10

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Directed by: Ron Howard

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, William Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Scott Glenn, Rebecca De Mornay, Jason Gedrick, J.T. Walsh

SYNOPSIS:

Chicago firefighting brothers Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian (William Baldwin) have been rivals since childhood. Brian, struggling to prove himself, transfers to the arson unit. There he aids Don (Robert De Niro) in his investigation into a spate of fires involving oxygen-induced infernos called backdrafts. But when a conspiracy implicating a crooked politician and an arsonist leads Brian back to Stephen, he is forced to overcome his brotherly competitiveness in order to crack the case.

18 – Stargate (1994)

It will take you a million light years from home. But will it bring you back?

IMDb: 7.0 / 10

RT Users: 7.3 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.24 / 10

6.83 /10

Action | Adventure | Science Fiction

Directed by: Roland Emmerich

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Viveca Lindfors, Alexis Cruz, Mili Avital, Leon Rippy

SYNOPSIS:

In modern-day Egypt, professor Daniel Jackson (James Spader) teams up with retired Army Col. Jack O’Neil (Kurt Russell) to unlock the code of an interstellar gateway to an ancient Egypt-like world. They arrive on a planet ruled by the despotic Ra (Jaye Davidson), who holds the key to the Earth travelers’ safe return. Now, in order to escape from their intergalactic purgatory, Jackson and O’Neil must convince the planet’s people that Ra must be overthrown.

17 – Overboard (1987)

From opulence… to rags… to love.

IMDb: 6.9 / 10

RT Users: 7.4 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.38 / 10

6.89 /10

Comedy | Romance

Directed by: Garry Marshall

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Edward Herrmann, Mike Hagerty, Katherine Helmond, Roddy McDowall

SYNOPSIS:

Snobbish and wealthy Joanna Stayton (Goldie Hawn) is living a life of leisure with her husband, Grant (Edward Herrmann), when she falls off their yacht and suffers amnesia. Grant takes the opportunity to rid himself of the demanding Joanna — but Dean (Kurt Russell), a widowed carpenter with four kids who once worked for Joanna, arrives and claims she’s his wife. Joanna can’t remember her past identity, but has trouble believing that she was ever meant to be a working-class mother of four.

16 – Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)

Inspired by a true story.

IMDb: 6.8 / 10

RT Users: 7.8 / 10

Letterboxd: 6.08 / 10

6.89 /10

Drama | Family

Directed by: John Gatins

Top Billed Cast:

Kurt Russell, Dakota Fanning, Kris Kristofferson, Elisabeth Shue, David Morse, Freddy Rodríguez, Luis Guzmán

SYNOPSIS:

Ben Crane (Kurt Russell) is a horse trainer who is struggling to connect with his precocious daughter, Cale (Dakota Fanning). But then a horse by the name of Soñador suffers a broken leg after its evil owner (David Morse) races her despite Ben’s advice. Rather than put his client’s injured horse down, Ben adopts her and welcomes Cale into the family business. They train Soñador to race again as grouchy but kind-hearted Grandpa (Kris Kristofferson) lends his encouragement.