17 Best Bruce Willis Movies

When I was a kid, I would look for my favorite actors on the boxes of VHS tapes to know what I should rent at the Exton library. Among my favorites in the giants of names on the cover was Bruce Willis.

I was pretty sure that if his balding head was on the cover, I was in for a treat.

From his era-defining role as the everyman hero John McClane to his nuanced performances in mind-bending thrillers, Bruce Willis has crafted a cinematic legacy as one of Hollywood's most versatile and enduring stars.

With a career spanning four decades, Willis has navigated the realms of action, comedy, drama, and science fiction with a signature blend of charisma, wit, and vulnerability.

Today, I wanted to go over what I believe are his best films.

Let's dive in.

1. Die Hard (1988)

The quintessential action masterpiece, Die Hard, not only established Bruce Willis as a global superstar but also redefined the genre. It's hard to believe, but before this, he was a sitcom star.

As the perpetually annoyed New York cop John McClane, Willis brought a refreshing humanity to the action hero archetype. The film's critical and commercial success was monumental, and it remains the gold standard against which all other action films are measured.

2. Pulp Fiction (1994)

In Quentin Tarantino's postmodern crime epic, Willis delivered a powerful performance as Butch Coolidge, an aging boxer who defies a powerful mob boss and kills someone in the ring and needs to fetch his father's watch. Willis's storyline serves as one of its most emotionally resonant threads.

3. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Showcasing his range, Willis captivated audiences as Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist grappling with his own past while treating a young boy who can see ghosts.

This movie hinges on Willis taking the role seriously.

The film got six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Willis's understated and poignant performance is central to the film's emotional core.

4. 12 Monkeys (1995)

Terry Gilliam's mind-bending sci-fi thriller features Willis in a complex and physically demanding role as James Cole, a prisoner sent back in time to prevent a devastating plague.

His desperate and often disoriented performance anchors the film's dystopian vision and gives us someone to care about inside the wacky world.

5. The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson's vibrant and imaginative sci-fi adventure sees Willis as Korben Dallas, a futuristic cab driver thrust into a mission to save the world.

Willis gets back to his wit here and grounds the wild world by giving us a relatable driver. This movie is bizarre but deserves its cult following.

6. Sin City (2005)

This ranking was hard, because I really am pulling out Bruce being awesome even in movies that may only be okay. In this adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels, Willis plays John Hartigan, a grizzled and honorable cop in a hopelessly corrupt city.

It made me wish Willis had done more noir over the years.

7. Looper (2012)

This intelligent and thrilling sci-fi film pits Willis against Joseph Gordon-Levitt, both playing the same character at different ages.

As the older Joe, a hitman targeted by his younger self, Willis brings a world-weary gravitas and a desperate sense of purpose. You can see how the world changed him, and you identify with his purpose.

8. Unbreakable (2000)

Reuniting with director M. Night Shyamalan, Willis stars as David Dunn, a security guard who discovers he has superhuman abilities.

I love this movie so very much. And it takes Willis's subdued and introspective performance to convey strength and vulnerability/

9. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

In Wes Anderson's whimsical and heartfelt tale of young love, Willis delivers a wonderfully gentle and melancholic performance as Captain Sharp, the lonely island police officer.

Anderson lets him channel something deep and mournful here.

10. Armageddon (1998)

A blockbuster in every sense of the word, Michael Bay's Armageddon features Willis as Harry S. Stamper, the world's best deep-sea oil driller tasked with saving humanity from an asteroid.

You need a star for this role, and Willis was at the height of his Hollywood power. He makes you cry at the end of this movie. It's wild.

11. The Last Boy Scout (1991)

This gritty and cynical action-thriller, penned by Shane Black, stars Willis as a down-and-out private investigator who teams up with a disgraced quarterback to solve a murder.

It hits those Black stalwarts of razor-sharp dialogue and explosive action sequences. Willis's world-weary and sarcastic performance as Joe Hallenbeck is a perfect fit for the film's neo-noir tone and has made it a cult classic among action aficionados.

12. Death Becomes Her (1992)

In this dark comedy from director Robert Zemeckis, Willis shines in a rare comedic role as the nebbish plastic surgeon Dr. Ernest Menville, caught between two narcissistic and immortal women.

He's so funny here, again, showing all of his range and commanding the screen. Willis's performance is a hilarious and often overlooked gem in his filmography.

13. RED (2010)

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, "RED" (Retired, Extremely Dangerous) is a fun and action-packed ensemble movie.

Willis plays Frank Moses, a retired CIA agent who gets his old team back together when he becomes a target. This was a sneaky hit and spawned a sequel.

14. 16 Blocks (2006)

I always theorized that this is actually a lost Die Hard movie. It's really fun, and Willis' compelling performance as Jack Mosley, an aging and alcoholic detective tasked with transporting a witness (played by Mos Def) 16 blocks to the courthouse, feels like a John McClane experience.

The real-time thriller, directed by Richard Donner, is a tense and character-driven film that allows Willis to explore a more vulnerable and flawed hero.

15. Lucky Number Slevin (2006)

A unique and stylish crime thriller boasts a labyrinthine plot and a star-studded cast. Willis plays the enigmatic hitman Mr. Goodkat, a role that perfectly utilizes his cool and menacing screen presence.

16. Hart's War (2002)

In this World War II drama, Willis portrays Colonel William McNamara, a high-ranking American officer in a German POW camp.

When a murder occurs, McNamara must orchestrate a trial while secretly planning a major escape. The film is a compelling courtroom drama set against the backdrop of war.

17. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

I had to pick another Die Hard movie, so I went with the one that finds John McClane back in New York City, targeted by a brilliant terrorist with a personal vendetta.

The addition of Samuel L. Jackson as McClane's reluctant partner adds a fantastic buddy-cop dynamic to the explosive action. The film was a major box office success and is often regarded as the best of the Die Hard sequels.

Summing It All Up 

The career of Bruce Willis has been staggering. He was the quintessential movie star for so very long, and he put out some of the best movies and performances of all time.

It was hard to compile a list like this and to make sure I got all his beloved roles, but I know this is subjective, and I want to hear your favorites.

Let us know what you think in the comments.