Best Jason Statham Films, Ranked

Summary

• Jason Statham excels in action, but also shines in more psychological roles, like Revolver and The Italian Job.
• His comedic turn in Spy showcases his self-awareness and delivers laugh-out-loud moments.
• Collaborations with Guy Ritchie in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch remain iconic.

With decades of experience in the action genre, Jason Statham’s martial arts skills and acting range continue to impress. He has played a professional assassin in The Mechanic, a driver-assassin in The Transporter, an elite assassin in The Beekeeper, an undercover assassin in A Working Man, and an assassin-for-hire in Killer Elite… Well, you get the idea. He’s even set to return as an assassin in the upcoming The Beekeeper 2.

Regardless of one’s taste for such movies, it’s hard to deny that Statham is nearly unmatched in his niche. His epic one-liners have even become something of a meme, with the parody film Spy taking the idea to absurd extremes. Beyond that, fans know that any modern Jason Statham movie will at least deliver brutal and convincing action, so at this point, audiences know exactly what to expect.

Amid Statham’s many similar action films, it’s easy to overlook his more diverse and impactful earlier roles, particularly in Guy Ritchie’s gangster films. But beyond those, his occasional ventures into other genres, including comedy, heist films, psychological thrillers, and even period dramas, have always stood out from the rest of his career. In light of the recent premiere of David Ayer’s A Working Man, this list takes a look at the best Jason Statham movies that often break away from his usual action-hero persona.

8

Revolver

Gambler Jake Green

Without a doubt, this one is controversial. Upon its release, Guy Ritchie’s Revolver was largely panned by critics and audiences — and for good reason. Overly pretentious, narratively convoluted, and filled with metaphysics and symbolism, it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Yet for some, it represents Ritchie and Statham at their most daring and distinctive.

For Statham, Revolver offers a rare opportunity to break away from his usual mold, unearthing new facets of his range. Despite the criticism, Ritchie has described the film as one of his most personal and beloved projects, insisting it was the exact film he wanted to make. Over time, Revolver has gained a degree of recognition and remains one of Statham’s most unconventional and psychologically complex roles.

7

Spy

CIA Agent Rick Ford

Spy is a wildly entertaining parody of the spy-action genre, taking everything fans have joked about regarding Statham’s characters for years and cranking it up to 11. Though his screen time in this comedy is fairly limited, every scene featuring him is arguably the funniest Jason Statham moment ever put on screen.

Nearly every line from his character, Rick Ford, feels like a self-glorification meme straight out of Statham-dedicated online discussions. The way he delivers them makes for a truly laugh-out-loud experience. It’s always refreshing when actors are self-aware of the stereotypes that made them famous and can play into them so effectively in films like Spy.

6

Crank

Professional Assassin Chev Chelios

Crank ranks among Jason Statham’s most iconic films, as Neveldine and Taylor take the one-man army subgenre to completely unhinged extremes. Statham’s charisma and performance are a huge part of the movie’s appeal, with its deranged plot delivering non-stop thrills for both his poisoned assassin, Chev Chelios, and the audience alike.

While the sequel, Crank: High Voltage, may have pushed the comedy and chaos a bit too far, it still offers plenty of unforgettable Statham moments fans won’t find anywhere else. Both films stand as rare examples of a time when Statham was already an established action star yet didn’t take himself too seriously to dive into such wildly fun projects.

5

Furious 7

Ex-Special Forces Operative Deckard Shaw

Ever since The Fast and the Furious franchise shifted gears with Fast Five, it was only a matter of time before Statham joined the action. After a brief tease as the next villain in Fast & Furious 6, he made a full-fledged debut in Furious 7, posing one of the biggest challenges for Dom and his crew. As expected, Statham’s Deckard Shaw eventually couldn’t resist the power of family and backyard barbecues, yet his explosive role in Furious 7 remains a highlight of big-budget action cinema for the actor.

Another standout appearance in the franchise comes with Hobbs & Shaw, where Statham takes the lead alongside Dwayne Johnson. Not only is it one of the most action-packed entries in the series, but it also delivers plenty of laughs thanks to the duo’s dynamic as unlikely allies.

4

The Bank Job

Car Dealer Terry Leather

Roger Donaldson’s The Bank Job showcases another layered performance from Jason Statham, going beyond the typical action-packed roles of rugged, retired assassins. While the film does bring some action to the table, at its core, it’s a compelling and nuanced blend of heist thriller and period drama, based on the real-life 1971 Baker Street robbery.

The film’s historical backdrop and authentic tone emphasize the importance of strong performances just as much as the meticulously crafted heist itself, and Statham delivers. Though it may not boast as many big-name stars as some of his other films, The Bank Job is consistently praised for its sharp execution and thoroughly engaging storytelling.

3

Wrath of Man

Patrick “H” Hill

At first glance, Wrath of Man (loosely based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck) might seem like a typical Jason Statham movie, featuring an over-serious man consumed by wrath. However, this collaboration with Guy Ritchie is unexpectedly gripping and atmospheric. Once viewers grasp its unique strengths, they’ll likely rank Wrath of Man among Statham’s best.

The film meticulously builds tension and mystery around Statham’s stoic character, H, using almost every minute of its runtime for an admirable setup. When the action finally erupts, it does so in brief yet spectacular bursts of violence, leaving the audience in awe. For those who prefer their action films with a touch of sophistication, this one is a must-watch.

2

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

Small Hustler “Bacon”

Unlike Revolver, few would dispute the iconic status of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or its place on any list of Jason Statham’s greatest films. Fast, sharp, entertaining, and unmistakably British, the film’s influence on the crime-comedy genre — as well as its role in shaping Guy Ritchie’s signature style — is hard to overstate.

With an engaging story, razor-sharp editing, a perfect soundtrack, and standout performances from Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Vinnie Jones, and a pre-action-hero Statham, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels remains a rewatchable classic. Rightfully counted among the most quoted and beloved films in the Tarantino-esque crime genre, it stands as a testament to Ritchie’s early brilliance.

1

Snatch

Boxing Promoter “Turkish”

Another undeniable Ritchie-Statham classic, Snatch often competes with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels for the title of their best collaboration. The trade-off of Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher for Brad Pitt and Stephen Graham is a key point of comparison, as in almost every other aspect, both films stand among the finest in the crime-comedy genre.

For Statham, Snatch might earn extra points for its more Hollywood-style execution and for placing him at the center of the story. Arguably the pinnacle of Ritchie’s signature filmmaking, Snatch is packed with intriguing (and mostly hapless) characters, sharp dialogue, and unmistakable style, cementing its place as Statham’s best film.