He is set to touch 50 million followers on Instagram. He agrees that his movies are not meant to win Oscar awards. But his no-nonsense machismo in his over-the-top action films keeps making money for the producers and earns him a solid fan base. He sometimes chuckles or grins for a second but he mostly tears apart goons in his movies - action film fans love both his styles along with his witty dialogues. For 12 years, he was a member of Britain's National Swimming Squad, representing England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. He’s Jason Statham - the best action movie hero today. The list of best Jason Statham movies is long.
What makes Jason Statham the best action movie hero?
For some reason, the action film fans are outnumbered by others. The other reason is that there are no real action heroes. Movie fans want more action flicks but are left disappointed due to the growing focus of production houses on superhero movies or series for streaming services.
Thanks to Jason Statham. We have someone who is keeping the action movies alive. He keeps action film fans entertained with his swashbuckling action scenes and witty dialogues. His dialogues truly make him stand out. His style of dialogue delivery is hard-boiled. His usual tough-guy dialogue style is a combination of sarcasm, wit, and a no-nonsense, assertive tone. This style of dialogue delivery shows Jason Statham’s characters as confident, resilient, and quick-witted. When you look for best movies on Netflix or films showing near me, don't forget to check out his new releases. His best action movies are available on all major streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max and Amazon Prime.
The other action movie heroes
The reasons are many. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson loves to do movies that are a mix of drama, comedy, and action rather than pure action movies. Some actors who have switched over to action movies are known more for their high-quality movies in other genres.
Lately, Jake Gyllenhall (Ambulance, The Covenant, Road House), Denzel Washington (Equalizer series), Liam Neeson (Taken series, The Ice Road, Memory, Marlowe, In the Land of Saints and Sinners), Mark Wahlberg (Mile 22, Infinite, Spenser Confidential), Vin Diesel (XXX and XXX: Return of Xander Cage, The Chronicles of Riddick series, Babylon AD, The Last Witch Hunter - mostly sci-fi and dystopian action movies, and of course the Fast & Furious franchise) and some other actors have tried their hand in action movies category but none has been really successful. Most of these movies except a few have fared well at the box office.
Gerard Butler - Contender for the best action movies hero - but he doesn’t cross the B-grade mark
Then there’s Gerard Butler who is extremely successful as the B-grade action hero who will keep surprising audiences with his low-budget movies that are usually a good one-time watch. Starting from 300, he has created a niche for himself. Movies like London Has Fallen, Hunter Killer, Geostorm, Den of Thieves, The Vanishing, Angel Has Fallen, Kandahar, Copshop, Last Seen Alive, and Plane have earned Gerard Butler fame.
These Gerard Butler best movies have cemented his place as an actor who produces 2 to 4 movies a year and keeps his audience happy with films that come with bits and pieces of action, thriller, survival and comedy elements.
And Jason Statham makes an entry as the ultimate action movies hero
Seeing the above points, it’s easy to say that the only real action film star today is Jason Statham. Some of his movies do carry the comedy (Spy, Operation Fortune Ruse de Guerre) but mostly, action movie fans watch these because of the same reason as other movies - Jason Statham-style action and tough and witty dialogues. And he never disappoints. With tough guys like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jean Claude Van Damme, dominating the box office with their pure action movies in the 1980s and 1990s, their retirement phase created a void.
Someone needed to step in their shoes to be the best action movies hero and there was nobody better than Jason Statham who had already made a flying start with Guy Ritchie's superhit movies Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000).
Let’s take a look at some of the best Jason Statham movies you must watch.
1. Snatch (2000)
Guy Ritchie’s Snatch is the second big movie after Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) that proved to be a game-changer for many actors. The film revolves around the London underworld and how different mafia gangs are trying to get to a stolen diamond. Jason Statham plays the role of Turkish (character name), who is a small-time boxing promoter. He gets caught up in the chaotic events around the diamond heist and the couple of punches that he throws around in the movie proved too good.
2. The Transporter Franchise (2002, 2005, 2008)
The Transporter franchise is about Frank Martin, a military-background, now-retired driver for hire. Known for his strict set of rules, he is entangled in various high-stakes situations involving dangerous criminals. The explosive action sequences and outstanding car chase/escape scenes stamped Jason Statham’s authority in the next best action movie hero category.
3. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
This is Jason Statham's debut film and it straight away got him the attention. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it's a fast-paced British gangster comedy. It had all the elements like the lives of various characters involved in a complex card game, weed dealing, and criminal activities that helped the Guy Ritchie film become a superhit. Jason Statham plays the role of Bacon, one of the characters caught up in the mafia chaos.
4. The Bank Job (2008)
The Bank Job is based on the true story of the 1971 Baker Street bank robbery in London. Jason Statham plays Terry Leather. He’s a car dealer pulled into a scheme to rob a bank's safe deposit boxes. This one of the best action movies by Json Statham has a suspenseful plot, twists, and Statham's charismatic lead performance.
5. Spy (2015)
Jason Statham takes on a comedic role as Rick Ford in Spy. His role is of a hilariously arrogant and deadly CIA agent. The action film stars Melissa McCarthy as a desk-bound CIA analyst who becomes an unlikely field agent. Jason Statham finally got the chance to show his talent in a comedy role and his witty lines were bigger and better - something that the audience had been really wanting.
6. Wrath of Man (2021)
Directed with considerable verve by Guy Ritchie, Wrath of Man is one of the best action movies of recent times. Wrath of Man is a dark and brutal revenge thriller. Jason Statham plays H, a mysterious security guard with hidden intentions seeking justice for a personal tragedy caused by a notorious gang.
The action film explores themes of vengeance and features intense action sequences. Besides showing the fine class that Guy Ritchie is capable of coming up with one film after another, it showed a new intense side of Jason Statham where witty one-liners are replaced with serious dialogues.
7. Fast & Furious Presents Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
This one of the action movies by Jason Statham is a spin-off from the Fast & Furious franchise. Movie fans wanted someone as tough as Dwayne Johnson to lock horns with him and since they had seen the clash between him and Jason Statham in a Fast & Furious franchise movie, they wanted more of it. Hobbs & Shaw made it possible.
The spin-off movie features Jason Statham reprising his role as Deckard Shaw. The film follows the unlikely alliance between former enemies Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw as they team up to stop a global threat.
8. Fast & Furious Movies
Who can forget the iconic post-credit scene in Furious 6 where Jason Statham stands near dying Sung Kang and dials Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and says ‘’'You don't know me, you're about to.’’
That set the tone for his entry to the elite star cast of Fast & Furious franchise where only the mighty tough guys and gals get a chance. He appears in Fast & Furious 7 (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), and Fast X (2023). In every movie, Jason Statham makes his presence felt with fast-paced action sequences.
Standing out among an impressive star cast that includes the likes of Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Jason Momoa, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Paul Walker, Charlize Theron, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris and many other top actors is not easy. But Jason Statham makes it look too easy in his role as Deckard Shaw and proved to be one of the best action heroes in an ensemble cast.
9. Crank series (2006 and 2009)
The Crank movies include Crank (2006) and Crank High Voltage (2009), starring Jason Statham as Chev Chelios. The Crank movies are the best B+ action movies of the 2000s. follow Chelios, a hitman who must keep his adrenaline levels high to stay alive. With over-the-top action, Jason Statham showed what it takes to deliver an energetic and unhinged performance in best action movies where you don’t need to apply much of your brain.
10. The Mechanic Series (2011 and 2016)
The Mechanic movies include The Mechanic (2011) and Mechanic Resurrection (2016). Jason Statham plays Arthur Bishop, a skilled assassin also called ‘Mechanic.’ He specializes in making his hits look like accidents.
The first one was highly liked by his fans and that meant a second movie to follow up. These two best action movies presented Jason Statham as a more cool and calculated character that suited the two stylish and suspenseful thriller movies.
11. Meg Series (2018, 2023)
You may call it a different kind of Jaw movie where Jason Statham alone is good enough to fight a massive prehistoric shark called the Megalodon. Yes, not the usual sharks. If it’s Jason Statham, you need something colossal to set the perfect tone for the movie.
The movie turned out to be a hit and this again meant - a part 2 and there will even be Meg part 3 releasing in early 2026. Both Meg and Meg: The Trench films offer edge-of-your-seat action and a mix of thrilling and cheesy moments, making Jason Statham want more of it.
12. Death Race (2008)
Set in a dystopian world, Death Race features Jason Statham as a convict who is forced by the warden to participate in a brutal car race where the drivers must fight to the death. This dystopian action thriller movie has its own fan base - it’s not Fast & Furious and it’s not Mad Max. It’s Jason Statham’s own signature-style action-packed movie.
13. The Expendables Series (2010, 2012, 2014, 2023)
Sylvester Stallone did an outstanding job of featuring every possible action star in his The Expendables movie franchise. Over-the-top cast featuring almost all of the best action heroes from the 1980s till now, Expendables is as big as it gets. It had action heroes like Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Jean Claude Van Damme, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin, Chuck Norris, Liam Hemsworth, Scott Adkins, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Ronda Rousey, Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson III, Megan Fox, Andy García and many more. Then there were great Asian action heroes Tony Jaa, Jet Li, and Iko Uwais (The Raid star).
To stand out as one of the best in such an extended star cast that includes the biggest names in the industry is not an easy task. But for Jason Statham it was. He is shown as part of elite mercenaries on daring missions in all 4 The Expendables movies, which shows his popularity and importance in the series.
14. Redemption - also called Hummingbird (2013)
Hummingbird (in the UK), also known as Redemption (in the US), stars Jason Statham as Joey Jones. He’s in the role of an ex-special forces soldier who becomes entangled in the criminal underworld of London. This one of the best action movies by Jason Statham has gritty crime elements and great action scenes.
15. Killer Elite (2011)
Killer Elite follows Jason Statham as Danny Bryce, a retired killer for hire. He’s forced back into the game to save his kidnapped mentor. The film involves globetrotting action and intense combat sequences. For a change, this Jason Statham best action movie starred two other big heroes - Clive Owen and Robert De Niro.
16. Wild Card (2015)
In this fast-paced action movie, Jason Statham plays Nick Wild, a Las Vegas bodyguard with a troubled past (gambling addiction). This lovely action movie has intense action sequences as expected from a typical Jason Statham movie. Las Vegas casinos, money, mafia, and a kill 'em-all-style bodyguard - the perfect action movie for time pass.
17. Homefront (2013)
The screenplay for Homefront was written by Sylvester Stallone, the king of action movies in 1980 and 90s, so there were big expectations from the action movie fans for this one to be a hit. And Jason Statham doesn't disappoint his fans who know him as the man who delivers the best action movies. He stars as a former DEA agent trying to live a quiet life. But trouble ensues when he becomes the target of a drug lord whose network he once destroyed.
18. Safe (2012)
In Safe, Jason Statham plays Luke Wright, a former elite operative protecting a young girl with valuable information. The film has intense action with Statham trying to save the girl from the mob and corrupt cops.
19. War (2007)
When two martial arts icons from the East and the West clash, there’s bound to be a cracker of an action movie. In War, Jason Statham stars alongside Jet Li. This action movie is about two FBI agents seeking revenge for the death of their partners. The movie has action, style, and star power that you will simply love.
20. Parker (2013)
In Parker, Jason Statham plays the title character, Parker. He’s a professional thief with a unique code of ethics. The action film involves a heist and revenge plot. The action movie starred Jennifer Lopez in the lead female role.
21. The Italian Job
This stylish heist film belongs to Mini Coopers and the impressive star cast. Among all these, Jason Statham as Handsome Rob really stood out. Everybody in the film from Mark Wahlberg to Charlize Theron and Edward Norton to Mos Def impressed but Statham as the wheelman stole the show.
22. The Beekeeper (2024)
One of the key reasons behind Jason Statham’s image as the top actor who consistently delivers best action movies has been the dashing directors he has worked with. With David Ayeras the director for The Beekeeper, the action movies fans expected the best and the promise was fulfilled. David Ayer has been the director for some big-ticket movies like Training Day (2001), The Fast and the Furious (2001) (the first movie in the franchisee), Fury (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), and many more. Riding on this, the Beekeeper was meant to be one of the best action movies for Jason Statham.
The Beekeeper is brilliant with absolutely great action scenes. It’s a must-watch for every action film lover and Jason Statham die-hard fans. Overall, this one has all the ingredients to be one of the best action movies of 2024. You need to watch The Beekeeper right away.
