Jason Statham has become one of the most reliable action stars today, consistently delivering compelling thrills in gun battles, car chases, and martial arts combat. Throughout his filmography, he excels at exacting revenge, often for himself but sometimes for those closest to him, ensuring those who maliciously cross his path learn their lesson.
His next theatrical release is the revenge thriller Mutiny, hitting theaters on August 21. The trailer shows Statham’s Cole Reed being framed for his billionaire boss’s murder, prompting him to disappear to clear his name. He becomes trapped on a container ship, where his plans for revenge uncover an international conspiracy that pushes Cole beyond personal motives toward a greater purpose. With Statham’s career including many similar thrillers, I explored his filmography to assemble a list of his best movies to help you prepare for his next outing, or at least hold you over until its debut.
‘The Beekeeper’ (2024)
David Ayer’s Brutal Crowd-Pleaser Has a Sequel on the Way
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IMDb Score |
6.3/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
71%/92% |
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Where To Watch |
Streaming on Prime Video |
Watch This If: You need a revenge plot easy to get behind. After a friend is scammed out of thousands of dollars, Statham’s Adam Clay refuses to stand by, launching a campaign of destruction. Audiences identify with the fear inherent in the central scam, and each moment is satisfying as he takes on the callous people behind it.
Skip This If: You think too many bee-related puns will make you roll your eyes. While the action is fast-paced and brutal as Statham carves his way to the top of the criminal conspiracy, The Beekeeper adds backstory about the retired operative’s secret past: he is a “Beekeeper” who worked as part of a “Hive.” The movie has clever elements, but having him tend bees as a hobby loses some subtlety.
‘The Mechanic’ (2011)
A Great Statham Franchise That Deserves a Third Film
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IMDb Score |
6.5/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
50%/51% |
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Where To Watch |
Streaming on Paramount+ and Fubo |
Watch This If: You love a calm, calculated revenge story. Statham plays a hitman tricked into killing his mentor, setting in motion a plot to take out the man who duped him. The movie offers stellar action set pieces, with every moment earned through methodical planning and precise execution. The uneasy alliance with Ben Foster’s Steve keeps audiences on their toes, as they can’t trust anyone.
Skip This If: You prefer the 1972 original over Statham’s interpretation. The Charles Bronson version has era-inspired action sensibilities, while Statham delivers a more charismatic performance. Foster’s role in the 2011 remake is underrated, as he delivers a chilling, often callous presence. The sequel, Mechanic: Resurrection (2016), was a financial hit but drew poor reviews, making it a franchise with a great start that never got its due.
‘Wrath of Man’ (2021)
One of Statham and Director Guy Ritchie’s Best Collaborations
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IMDb Score |
7.1/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
68%/90% |
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Where To Stream |
Available To Rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, Plex, and Fandango |
Watch This If: You enjoy a mysterious protagonist whose motivations stay hidden until the end. Guy Ritchie and Statham often excel with gangster films, and Wrath of Man offers a unique take on crime and revenge. Audiences meet H (Statham), who works for a security company transporting money. His true motivations stem from bleak personal circumstances, giving the revenge plot more emotional weight than a simple robbery.
Skip This If: You prefer more likable protagonists. Little is known about H at first. While his revenge mission is sympathetic, he is not a good person. Statham often plays skilled operatives or former military personnel, but Wrath of Man sees him as a man whose past stays hidden until late in the film, changing how audiences see him.
‘Death Race’ (2008)
Statham Drives Through Hell To Get Revenge and Clear His Name
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IMDb Score |
6.4/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
41%/60% |
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Where To Stream |
Streaming on Prime Video |
Watch This If: You love dystopian worlds and car combat. Death Race centers on high-stakes car chases that pit prisoners against each other in heavily armed vehicles fighting for their freedom. Jensen Ames (Statham) is framed for murdering his wife and sent to prison. He finds the road to revenge laid out for him, as the man responsible and the person pulling the strings fuel his rage.
Skip This If: The gritty, bleak stakes of a dystopian society are not the escapism you wanted, or you dislike Paul W.S. Anderson movies. The prison setting and grim world can feel overly dark but allow for visceral action, with Statham flexing his hand-to-hand combat skills outside the car. The circumstances feel grand, making Jensen’s mission seem impossible and each threat impactful. Still, it often has the campy sensibilities that come with Anderson’s direction.
‘Crank’ (2006)
One of Statham’s Most Unhinged Performances
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IMDb Score |
6.9/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
62%/71% |
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Where To Stream |
Streaming on Fawesome and Plex |
Watch This If: You love an absurd plot that serves as an excuse for relentless action. Statham plays Chev Chelios, a hitman drugged with only an hour to live. To stay alive and get revenge on the person who drugged him, Chev must keep his adrenaline up, constantly getting into extreme situations, and the non-stop thrilling set pieces get more ridiculous as the movie goes on.
Skip This If: The frantic editing and video game-style aesthetics aren’t your style. Crank is shot and edited to feel like an intense bombardment moving at a rapid pace. It’s a fantastic way to put the audience in Chev’s shoes as he tries to keep his heart from stopping. Still, the movie can feel disjointed, with the protagonist’s circumstances causing anxiety.
‘Crank: High Voltage’ (2009)
If You’re Going To Watch ‘Crank’, the Sequel Only Ups the Ante
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IMDb Score |
6.1/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
64%/49% |
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Where To Stream |
Streaming on Fawesome and Fubo |
Watch This If: The absurdity of Crank spoke to you, and you want to see what happens when Chev’s heart is stolen. After the first movie, Chev returns with a fake heart that he must keep charged with relentless jolts of electricity. The stakes rise as Chev tries to stay alive and get revenge on the gangster who stole his heart.
Skip This If: The first Crank was too much because it only gets weirder in the sequel. Crank 2 features a Godzilla-like kaiju fight and a villain who is just a talking head in a jar, ensuring that every insane idea the filmmakers had about Chev’s path was present and accounted for. The ending was left open for a third entry, but it sadly never materialized.
‘Parker’ (2013)
Statham’s Donald E. Westlake Adaptation Should Have Started a Franchise
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IMDb Score |
6.2/10 |
|---|---|
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Rotten Tomatoes Critics/Audience Score |
42%/48% |
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Where To Stream |
Streaming on Tubi |
Watch This If: You love Statham with a strict code. Donald E. Westlake’s Parker novels have been adapted several times, and Statham is a unique fit for the character in one of his most underrated roles. It features visceral action and violent acts that can make the audience wince. Michael Chiklis’ villain is easily detestable, making Parker easy to root for as he navigates complications while sticking to his code.
Skip This If: You’re a fan of Westlake’s novels. Parker isn’t a perfect adaptation, and some fans find Statham a mismatch for Westlake’s career criminal. Despite the action star’s charismatic presence, it may not land for everyone. The relationship dynamics with Jennifer Lopez’s character can feel awkward at times.
- Birthdate
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July 26, 1967
- Birthplace
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London, England, UK
