Revenge or vengeance is a powerful emotion that comes naturally to everyone.
While most of us get over it after some time, others don’t rest until they get revenge. This is why most Hollywood movies add a few elements of vengeance within the story.
However, there are a few occasions when the entire film is based around the revenge plot.
Best Hollywood Revenge Movies of All Time
Revenge is an interesting plot used in films and most often gives us some satisfaction and makes us feel that justice is served. While most of the films on this list feature a story where matters are taken into their own hands to seek justice, a few display the right and ethical means to avenge.
Let’s get on with the list of Best Revenge Movies of Hollywood without further ado.
Also Read: Best Bollywood Movies on Revenge
1. Memento (2000)
It is quite natural to feel vengeful and angry if someone kills your wife in front of you. However, the task gets complicated and difficult when you suffer from short-term memory loss. That’s the story of the 2000 Christopher Nolan psychological thriller Memento. The protagonist uses tattoo art on his body to remember things and avenge his wife’s death.
2. Kill Bill (2003-2004)
Kill Bill, both part 1 and 2 have earned cult status over the years. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film revolves around a woman who swears revenge against a team of assassins and their leader named Bill, hence the name Kill Bill. The film stars Uma Thurman in the lead role as The Bride who goes after the assassins when they pose a threat to her and her unborn child.
3. I Spit on Your Grave (1978)
I Spit on Your Grave is a 1978 Hollywood film that tells us the story of a Manhattan writer who plots revenge against the 4 men who gang raped her. Directed by Meri Zarchi, the film also has two sequels. The films are kind of controversial for the abundance of nudity, foul language, and depicting gang rape visually.
4. Gladiator (2000)
The movie Gladiator has gone down in the history of Hollywood as one of the best historical drama films ever made. However, many of us ignored the fact that it was also one of the best revenge saga story ever portrayed on the big screen. The story of Gladiator revolves around Maximus who was betrayed and enslaved by Commodus for the throne. Maximus takes part in the gladiator arena and fights through the ranks to finally get a chance to avenge the murders of his family and his Emperor.
5. The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2002 film directed by Kevin Reynolds. The film revolves around Edmond Dantes, portrayed by Jim Caviezel, who is betrayed by his own people and imprisoned. He later finds an opportunity and escapes the prison to hunt for the treasure by following the map given to him by another prisoner. The film features a great story with elements of vengeance, betrayal, treasure hunt, and prison escape.
6. Sleepers (1996)
The best way to get revenge is by opting for a legal process. The 1996 Hollywood legal crime drama Sleepers is all about that. Directed by Barry Levinson, the film is actually adapted from a 1995 novel of the same name penned by Lorenzo Carcaterra. The film tells the story of four friends who are bent on revenge when the opportunity arises for the abuse they experienced thirteen years ago.
Also, Read Hollywood Movies on Aliens.
7. John Wick (2014)
Well, you might get away with almost everything but not if you kill John Wick’s dog and steal his vintage 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. The Russian gangsters got to know this the hard way. John Wick is a 2014 action thriller film featuring the story of John Wick, a retired hitman, who is goes back to his old ways to avenge when his dog is murdered and Russian Gangsters steal his vintage car. As a result, he gears up for one more final job.
Also, check Greatest Hollywood Trilogies of all time.
8. Braveheart (1995)
Braveheart is a 1995 war film directed by Mel Gibson, who also plays the lead protagonist in the film. While the film depicts a story about a 13th Century Scottish warrior named William Wallace who led the Scots triumph against King Edward I of England during the First War of Scottish Independence. Despite a war theme throughout the film, the movie’s basic plot remains revenge. William launches the attack on the British initially to avenge his wife’s death. The Braveheart effort turns out to be the turning point as the Scots begin a war against England for their independence.
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Directed by David Fincher, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a psychological thriller film about Hacking adapted from Stieg Larsson’s novel of the same name. The film tells the story of a journalist and a computer hacker set off on a journey to trace a girl who went missing 40 years ago. The base of the film is set on revenge as the Journalist played by Daniel Craig takes the job to seek revenge basically.
10. The Crow (1994)
The Crow is a 1994 dark fantasy thriller film based on the comic book character of the same name created by James O’Barr in 1989. Directed by Alex Proyas, the film is basically a revenge story of a dead rock musician who is revived from the dead by a mystical crow to avenge his and his fiancé’s death. The movie also marks the last film appearance of Brandon Lee.
11. The Italian Job (2003)
Here’s a heist film on our list of best Hollywood vengeance movies. Directed by F. Gary Gray, The Italian Job is a treat to watch for its brilliant screenplay and spectacular action sequences. The film tells the story of a team of thieves who conspire to steal from a former associate to seek revenge for his betrayal. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Edward Norton, and others in pivotal roles, The Italian Job is one of the best Hollywood Heist Movies of all The Time.
12. Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Law Abiding Citizen is another F. Gary Gray film on our list. The film revolves around two main characters. One of whom, Clyde Shelton, has taken justice into his own hands and targeted the culprit behind the murder of his family. However, he doesn’t stop at this and now targets those who aided the corrupt justice system, among whom is our second main character, Prosecutor Nick Rice. The characters of Clyde and Rice are portrayed by Gerrard Butler and Jaime Foxx, respectively.
13. Unforgiven (1992)
Unforgiven is a 1992 film about a retired, aging outlaw who took up farming. However, when an opportunity strikes and money calls, he takes on one last job. He becomes the dreaded outlaw he was once before when his friend is brutally tortured and murdered. The film is directed by Clint Eastwood who also plays the lead protagonist in the film alongside Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, and Richard Harris in important characters.
14. Faster (2010)
Faster is an action-packed 2010 film directed by George Tillman Jr. The film is about a convicted criminal who sets off to seek revenge as soon as he exits prison. He gets on a killing spree by targeting everyone on the list involved in the death of his half-brother. The film stars Dwayne Johnson as the criminal, whereas Billy Bob Thornton is the cop after him.
15. Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Lucky Number Slevin is a 2006 crime thriller film and an interesting one for that matter. Towards the film’s end, you don’t realize what’s going on until the suspense is revealed. Directed by Paul McGuigan, the film is known for its amazing cast and brilliant screenplay that keeps you guessing constantly.
16. Now You See Me (2013)
Now You See Me is an interesting Hollywood heist thriller featuring a group of magicians stealing money. The story of the film is quite interesting because of the suspense maintained throughout the film and revealed at the end. The film is a vengeance story that keeps you guessing the real motives behind all the heists. Louis Leterrier directs the film and features an amazing ensemble cast.
Also Read: Best Suspense Thriller Movies of Hollywood
17. Payback (1999)
Payback is a 1999 crime drama that lives up to its title. Directed by Brian Helgeland, the film revolves around a man named Porter who is betrayed and left to die by his partner and his estranged wife following a heist. After recovering from his wounds, Porter is set out to seek revenge and his fair share from the heist. The film stars Mel Gibson in the lead role as Porter.
18. True Grit (2010)
True Grit is a 2010 film that portrays a story about how people react when tested in different ways. Directed by the Coen Brothers, the film tells the story of a 14-year-old farm girl who seeks revenge for her father after an outlaw murdered him. She hires a lawman and later is accompanied by a Texas Ranger on this adventurous quest.
19. Red (2008)
Directed by Trygve Allister Diesen and Lucky Mckee, Red is a 2008 thriller film adapted from a novel of the same name written by Jack Ketchum. After his dog named Red is killed in an attempted robbery, Avery Ludlow, the owner of the dog, seeks revenge. He tries all legal means and later takes justice into his own hands when all doors seem closed. The film stars Brian Cox as Avery Ludlow.
20. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
Once Upon a Time in the West is a 1968 Spaghetti Western film directed by none other than the legendary Sergio Leone, who has almost trademarked this genre. The film comprises of every element that you seek in a westerner film. Gun fights, verbal spats, fierce rivalry, horse riding, cowboys, and a revenge plot are expected in a westerner film. The film is also the first installment in Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy.
Also Read 15 Finest Hollywood Western or Cowboy films.
21. V for Vendetta (2005)
V for Vendetta is a film set in a dystopian era and revolves around a man’s quest to fight against the wrongs done by the existing Government and the overall administration. Directed by James McTeigue, the film tries to draw our attention to the fact that when fascism rises to an extent, people will unite to fight it. The film is a political thriller set in a distant alternative future where a neo-fascist regime controls the United Kingdom.
22. Gangs of New York (2002)
Gangs of New York shares a deeper yet fictional take on the gang war that existed in the mid-19th century in New York City. The film is an epic period drama directed by Martin Scorsese and tells the story of a rift between a gang leader and a young man who seeks revenge for his father’s murder. Gangs of New York star Leonardo Di Caprio as the young man seeking revenge, whereas Jim Broadbent plays the gang leader.
23. Hamlet (1996)
The 1996 film Hamlet is one of the many adaptations of Shakespeare’s popular play of the same name. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who plays the titular character in the film, the 1996 film Hamlet is brilliantly narrated thanks to the spectacular screenplay penned by Branagh himself.
The film also deserves a special mention for it is the longest film adaptation and features a four-hour long unabridged version of the play offering a great experience for the audience.
Over to you!
Vengeance can always make you feel good, but when it’s done the right way, going through a legal procedure is the right one.
These Hollywood films on Revenge help us witness the wide range of emotions that a person goes through when they are seeking vengeance. If you think, we missed any of your favorite Hollywood vengeance films in this list, feel free to share in the comments section below.
