Revenge is one of our most primal instincts. The need to inflict suffering and punishment on those who have wronged us goes back to our days in the dark old caves. Because movies about turning the other cheek are a lot less interesting than movies about stabbing someone through the cheek, there have been a pile of great revenge films over the years.
This is our list of the best of the genre – hand picked for your viewing pleasure! Notably absent are films which have a revenge aspect, but not as the primary focus – such as Shawshank Redemption.
[Competition] If we get over 150 comments on this list, I will randomly select one registered user who has commented to select any one of the DVDs on this list as a prize. This includes non-US residents. Random or pointless comments added just to take us over the 150 threshold will not be included. The prize will be drawn tomorrow (7 May, 2008) at 1pm GMT. Good luck! ADDITIONALLY, if we get 200 comments, I will give away a second DVD, and if we get 300, I will give away a third DVD. Get commenting!
Upon moving to Britain to get away from American violence, astrophysicist David Sumner and his wife Amy are bullied and taken advantage of by the locals hired to do construction. When David finally takes a stand it escalates quickly into a bloody battle as the locals assault his house. This is Dustin Hoffman as you have never seen him. This is one of my favorite revenge movies – it is definitely worth the purchase/download.
In Mexico City, the former CIA assassin and presently an alcoholic decadent man John Creasy is hired by the industrialist Samuel Ramos, with the recommendation of his old friend Rayburn, to be the bodyguard of his young daughter Pita and his wife Lisa. Pita changes the behavior of the cold Creasy, making him live and smile again, and he feels a great affection for her. When the girl is kidnapped Creasy swears to kill each one responsible for the abduction. While this one isn’t my favorite on the list, I had to include it because it has Christopher Walken in it – and any film with him is a film worth watching.
Set in beautiful 14th century Sweden, this is the sombre, powerful fable of peasant parents whose daughter, a young virgin, is brutally raped and murdered by goat herders after her half sister has invoked a pagan curse. By a bizarre twist of fate, the murderers ask for food and shelter from the dead girl’s parents, who, discovering the truth about their erstwhile lodgers, exact a chilling revenge. This Ingmar Bergman film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Jack Carter is a vindictive and amoral London gangster who returns to his home town of Newcastle after his brother dies in a car accident. Carter, however, is convinced that he was murdered, and begins an investigation into Newcastle’s criminal underworld. When Carter is ordered to leave town by the minions of a shadowy mob boss, his suspicious become confirmed, and he begins his brutal vengeance. This film was nominated for a BAFTA and it is about a million times better than the 2000 remake.
Leather clad Max Rockatansky (Mel Gibson) husband, father and cop turns judge, juror and executioner after his best friend, wife and baby are killed. Here we see the final days of normality of a man who had everything to live for, and his slip into the abyss of madness. With its astounding car stunts, unbelievable bike chases and constant ultra violence Mad Max is the antihero on the road to vengeance and oblivion. If you have not seen this film, you must – it is a classic.
Carrie White is a shy young girl who doesn’t make friends easily. After her class mates taunt her about her horrified reaction to her totally unexpected first period one of them takes pity on her and gets Tommy Ross, her boyfriend and class hunk to invite Carrie to the senior prom. Meanwhile another girl who has been banned from the prom for her continued aggressive behaviour is not as forgiving and plans a trick to embarrass Carrie in front of the whole school. What she doesn’t realise is that Carrie has supernatural powers and all hell is about to break loose. No one manages to escape Carrie’s revenge in this film.
Paul Kersey is an architect, who is a peaceful man. But when his wife and daughter are attacked in their apartment, his world changes. His wife is killed and his daughter is in catatonic state. His boss decides that Paul needs to get out of New York so he sends him to Arizona to meet with a client. While their the client, a gun enthusiast gets Paul interested in guns and even gives him one. When Paul returns, he brings the gun with him when he goes out and when a mugger tries to hit him Paul shoots and kills him. After that he goes on killing spree.
On the day of his daughter’s birthday, Ho Dae-su gets completely drunk and is arrested. His best friend No Joo-hwan releases him from the police station, and while calling home from a phone booth, Dae-su vanishes. Indeed he has been abducted and imprisoned in a room for fifteen years. One day, he is suddenly released, receives clothes, money and a cellular and meets the Japanese chef Mido, and they feel a great attraction for each other. However, Dae-su seeks for his captor and the reason of his long imprisonment. While looking for revenge, Dae-su discloses deep secrets from the past.
The lead character, called ‘The Bride,’ was a member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, lead by her lover ‘Bill.’ Upon realizing she was pregnant with Bill’s child, ‘The Bride’ decided to escape her life as a killer. She fled to Texas, met a young man, and on the day of their wedding was gunned down by an angry and jealous Bill (with the assistance of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad). Four years later, ‘The Bride’ wakes from a coma, and discovers her baby is gone. She, then, decides to seek revenge upon the five people who destroyed her life and killed her baby.
Frank, a gunslinger, is hired by the powerful owner of a railroad conglomerate to kill anyone who derails the project. But Frank contends with the wrong person when he murders Brett, a landowner. After his death, Brett’s wife demands revenge, hiring 2 renegades to go after Frank. This epic masterpiece by Sergio Leone is number 18 on the IMDB top 250 films ever – watch it and you will see why.
Notable Omissions: Unforgiven, Rolling Thunder, The Crow, I Spit on your Grave, and Point Blank (also remade as Payback)
Synopses courtesy of IMDB
Well, not everybody knows, it’s understandable.
It’s from “The Princess Bride”, which was already mentioned here. It’s an adventure comedy (so, not a revenge film per se). The character says that like 6 times throughout the movie, and that’s why it’s so popular.
This was a great new list. I have seen a majority of these films and they are all great to watch. I will say I would have loved to at least see Sweeney Todd in the notable omissions section (although it is a fairly new film). It has a great premise and shows what loss can really do to a person. The fact that it is done in musical form makes it even better.
119 comments and no one mentioned “High Plains Drifter”. I guess I’m getting old.
Great movie list. As usual.
Kudos to those who mentioned Lucky Number Slevin, Munich, Outlaw Josie Wales among others. Its a genre that never gets old.
I didn’t think Man on Fire that awful. Explosions, death, redemption. Not good, but not terrible.
I’m deciding which one I want for when I win the contest. I’m thinking either Get Carter or The Virgin Spring. I haven’t seen Old Boy either; after reading the comments I’m a little afraid to.
Guys – I hope you realize that with all these suggestions we will have to do at LEAST another 2 or 3 lists like this!
And also, if we surpass 200 comments I will give another DVD – and if we reach 300 – I will give ANOTHER – so that is 3 in total.
Yea in Princess Bride, his entire goal is to catch the 6 fingered swordsman who killed his father.
at the end he says it a bunch in a row while indeed fighting the 6 fingered swordsman.
also I’m not sure if it was posted through all these comments but, desperado was a very good revenge movie.
Payback is such a cool movie this list should go to Eleven!
I have only seen 2 of these. Heard of 2 others and the rest just completely illude me. I have so much catching up to do
Another good one is the Count of Monte Cristo (or maybe that should go in the list of Top 10 Great Revenge Books?). Nothing says “I hate you” like pulling out a man’s life out from under him after planning it for 15 years as a prisoner/outlaw. Great story and movie.
For Your Consideration:
The Outlaw Josey Wales
V For Vendetta
Hamlet (1996)
Diabolique
9 To Five
The Limey
The Road To Perdition
The Fugitive
Gladiator
The Searchers
arr the joy of kill bill. Its 3am here in Aus, and im just done watching kill bill thanks to this fine list putting it in mind. I know i should go to bed but damn i cant help but want to watch the second one. CURSE YOU JFRATER!!!
nar not really, maybe just curse your childrens, childrens children so you wont be around to see it…I kid, i kid.
i love oldboy. the scene where he blanks his tongue is creeping. it sticks with you afterwards. i recommend the other two revenge films made by the same director: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.
I’ve got to agree with my man Rich, “The Count of Monte Cristo” is the greatest revenge tale ever told. The 2002 version with Jim Caviezel and Guy Pierce is quite good.
Good to see a western top the list. I haven’t seen all that many of these movies however…
Rich is right. The book was better but The Count of Monte Cristo is a great revenge movie.
Good list. I watched ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ recently. Pure revenge film from start to finish, and the acting is superb. Some of the most realistic and horrifying violence I’ve seen, though there are some really funny bits too. I’d add it in the top here easily.
What? No Parent Trap?
Good list, the “Mad Max” photo is not from “Mad Max”, its from “Mad Max 2″ aka “The Road Warrior”.
And if you’re going to include Get Carter, you should also mention “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”, which is a 2004 film by the same director, and it’s about revenge too!
Yup, yet another suggestion… ‘another 2 or 3 lists’ is right, Jamie!
Hah, almost forgot. Another honorable mention IMO is Sweeny Todd. The mixture of a heart-wrenching story, fabulous cast, great acting/singing, and Tim Burton’s personal, unique touch make this film one of my all-time favorites…and I’m not usually a fan of musicals!
Gangs of New York. It’s a Scorsese film about the most classic form of revenge–a boy growing up for the sole purpose of avenging his father’s death.
Great list, I especially liked seeing Kill Bill and Mad Max. Good job!
KILL BILL WAS WEAK AS *****
how is Braveheart not on this list? He destroys like half of Englands army because a local english magistrate killed his wife. I’d say that qualifies.
I concur with “Last House on the Left”. She definitely took a bite out of things. (oo, hurts just thinking about it)
Barack: Man, I loved Gangs of New York for one reason and one reason only – Daniel Day mutha*****in Lewis. That man is my god. I fear that without him, that movie would have been *****. Another of those “Leo with a funny accent” movies. He just stole every single scene he was in, including the one’s with DiCaprio. Cameron Diaz gives a satisfying performance, and the supporting cast was talented, but DDL just carried that movie from beginning to end.
I recently watched Oldboy and Lady Vengeance again, and I have to admit I like Lady Vengeance better. The revenge is freakish and surprisingly satisfying. For the uninitiated, these movies come out of South Korea by director Chan Wook Park.
For some reason Asian movies don’t pull any punches, the gore and sheer ‘uncomfortable-ness’ isn’t a problem for their audiences. So in both of these movies as well as the third installation ‘Sympathy for Mr. Vengence’ there are moments that are difficult to watch, but they make the experience much more credible and powerful.
Chan Wook Park also has another less gory and gentler movie called ‘JSA’ about a friendship between North and South Korean DMZ guards. This movie packs a similar emotional wallop without the spurts of blood. I highly recommend it.
I also like the selection of Man on Fire. I though Denzel gave a fine performance in that movie, and jamie, I suspect I like Christopher Walken as much as you do, but this wasn’t one of his best efforts. Especially that painful scene where he’s explaining to the authorities what Denzel is going to do. Anyhoo, the photography and Denzel’s ‘I don’t give a *****, kill em all’ attitude rocks.
Then there’s “Walking Tall”
Last House on the Left is just digusting. No artistic merit to that movie whatsoever. It’s an early splatter***** movie, a precursor to films like Saw and Hostel. And the end was just f-ing ridiculous. A classic horror movie to be sure, it was one of Wes Craven’s first, but I wouldn’t rank it as a great revenge movie. The revenge aspect only comes into play in the last 20 minutes, and it’s a ludicrous revenge at that. The extended rape scenes are excruciating.
Slick – Daniel Day Lewis is a friggen *****. The man can do anything in front of a camera and it always kicks so much ass that we all have to find an ass-like substance to replace the ass that he kicked off.
That final scene in There Will Be Blood is absolutely mind blowing and perfect in every way. Makin the preacher boy eat his soul robbing words was just so perfect and delicious.
Daniel Day Lewis is Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods on the screen.
And “Dead Calm”.
There’s just so many, you may need to break any future revenge lists down by genre:
Comedy: Office Space (I’d say that copy machine got what it deserved, plus Milton’s actions too)
I see above a Mandy put Swimming with Sharks, so I’ll second that.
Action: Die Hard with a vengeance
and my fave Shakespeare adaptation Titus with Jessica Lange and Anthony Hopkins, I know it’s not great, but for some reason I really dig it.
Edmond Dante in the Count of Monte Cristo makes it his entire life’s work to seek revenge.
Also Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride
And Jean Valjean in Les Miserables
Ah yes, Sweeney Todd, the movie based on the musical based on the movie based on the comic based on the legend of Sweeney Todd. I second that comment.
So I guess we won? YAY!
Carrie is one of my all time favs. It used to scare the crap out of me!
Ken got the final laugh in A Fish Called Wanda.
“Oh no, it’s K-K-K-Ken, C-C-Coming to K-K-Kill us.”
Since I garnered the 150′th comment, it’s only fair that I get the swag. Jamie, you still have a lot of making up to do to me for not even selecting my logo graphic for the top 15 to be reviewed. THAT WAS SO WRONG!! YOU OWE!!
I think Munich is probably my favorite revenge movie. There you have a whole country taking revenge.
Good list, ive seen most of these movies….But why is there no Braveheart?!?! The only reason he goes to war is because his wife is murdered. Excellent movie, but historically rubbish. Maybe even Gladiator?
Hey, not to be too exasperating, but I found an interesting fact regarding yet another revenge movie:
We all know ‘Hamlet’ is Shakespeare’s de facto revenge story. (Okay, Shakespearian experts may argue this.) I looked for a good movie adaptation, but arguably there aren’t any worth mentioning… apparently.
It turns out that “THE LION KING” is based on Hamlet!!!
And since I consider this one of the best, if not the best, Disney movie (and I’m sure I’m not alone), then I think it’s worth mentioning.
I personally don’t think a revenge movie needs to be violent in order to be good.
The Changeling — it’s a ghost movie, but the ghost in this movie has one helluva vendetta. It’s one of my all time favorite movies and definately one of the scariest movies ever made.
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon!
I don’t know how many people here have ever seen Oldboy, but it’s pretty much the most disturbing movie I’ve ever seen. Kudos for including Virgin Spring. I’ve never seen Straw Dogs, so I’ll have to check that one out.
Bucslim, Slick;
I am so in agreement about DDL. I honestly thought I was the only person who liked Gangs of New York. He made the movie, I thought Cameron Diaz was pretty good, but you could have substituted any pretty boy for Leo, and made no difference.
Thank you for the warning about Last House on the Left. I will give it a pass; the rape scene in Death Wish near about ruined the entire movie for me. I couldn’t even watch the long distance one at the beginning of Mad Max. I’m such a whuss.
I loved Man on Fire. What about “Eye for an Eye” where the mother exacts revenge on her daughters’ killer?
Kreachure; I knew that. There really are a finite number of plot lines.
But its not my favorite. I prefer Beauty and the Beast. C’mon, Angela Lansbury, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers. Both Robby Benson and Paige O’hara can sing. Great Movie.
Don’t wanna stray too far away but what about those Chuck Heston Classics ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Ben Hur’ Egyptians learning that the Almighty paybacks are a real *****. And scooping Roman goo off the racetrack after the horses used that dude for a hoof scraper and placed in a hefty bag – sucks too.
Bucslim/Mom424: Watching Daniel Day-Lewis on the screen is like watching literal poetry in motion. He is in complete command of himself, all of his mannerisms and movements are so very subtle and yet as a whole they contribute this almost magical aura about him. When he is on screen, you can’t take your eyes off of him. I couldn’t believe he has only made a handful of films…Scorcese personally had to drag him out of retirement as a cobbler in Italy (a *cobbler* of all things…I didn’t know those were still around). There Will Be Blood is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years, and you’re right buc, that last scene was absolutely magnificent. I highly recommend that movie to anyone who hasn’t seen it. Normally I’m not one for high, heavy drama, but DDL has this charisma about him that makes the film move along very easily without ever threatening to become bogged down by its own heavy-handedness.
Mom424: Yeah, it’s a rough film (Last House). Violence and gore don’t bother me a bit anymore (I’m a product of my generation…nothing I can do about that.) but scenes of rape or violence towards women (women that don’t deserve it anyway
) always make me squeamish. It’s the reason that, although I enjoyed Cannibal Holocaust (another early splatter***** flick), I just couldn’t bring myself to watch it twice. There are 5, *5* rape scenes in that movie, the majority of them extremely violent and masochistic that end in the woman’s death. I love campy gore, but the sadistic portrayal of rape is something I just can’t stomach.
Kil Bill was an entertaining movie but, surprisinly i have yet to see the second installment
Revenge movies are great because we can all imagine standing up for ourselves by going out and killing.
or maybe not, anyway awesome list
This is a good list. All of them were really good revenge flicks, and I completely agree with the number 1, Once Upon A Time In The West.
jfrater, what’s the process you go through to whittle down the several hundred possible entries before you come up with The Ten? I imagine you must have a method. Maybe you just write the first ten that come to mind? Do you have a bracket system? Is there criteria?
I found your website about a month ago, and am consistently impressed by the content you add… Nevermind the incredible archive of older lists that I am still reading through for the first time.
Great website, thank you!
I’d have to second braveheart. I thought that was a great movie, I also like the Patriot which was another revenge movie though not a favorite of most people I still liked it.
Mom – Slick – dunno if you’ve seen ‘The Crucible’ but DDL kicked ass and asked for seconds in that movie too.
I was going to list the other movies that DDL has dominated my soul in but I honestly can’t think of one that I don’t like. Just go to IMDB, look him up, close your eyes and point to a movie. Watch it and then wonder what your life was like before DDL mesmerized your senses.
Revenge of the Nerds!
Death Wish and Carrie are good choices. I didn’t see most of the others. BTW, where’s “In The Bedroom?” That s/be on here.
oh also what about roadhouse? I would think that would be another revenge movie of sorts, maybe not all about revenge but it plays a big role.
Jfrater: A user named Bell just made a comment in the arithmatic list that I happen to agree with, but I’ll post here since this is a bit more recent. Still working on that top 10 list book, right? You should draft up an idea for a t.v. pilot, too, I think. Maybe pitch it to TLC or Discovery, or some similar information-centered television channels. Seriously, I think it could work as a television show. Ebaum’s almost got their own show, you might be able to score something too. Just some food for though.
I’ll produce it if you wanna go on TV. Gotta get me a ticket to NZ though.
Great list – I’ve seen (and loved) a bunch of these but no Count of Monte Cristo? It’s honestly the first thing I thought of when I saw the list title.
I cant believe I forgot about the First Karate Kid.
The first movie was all about him getting back at those kids that picked on him. And then wanting to learn Karate to be able to defeat Cobra Kai.
Typo in 4 …”While THEIR the client”…