Jason Statham has had quite an amazing rise to stardom. Before he started acting, he was an Olympic diver, among other things. After being discovered by Guy Ritchie, Statham’s movie career started with small roles in British films. Eventually, he became a somewhat unlikely action star which helped make him the superstar he is today.
Though he is most known for his action films, Statham has gradually been showing that there is more to his talents. While not all his films are winners, he has managed to create a pretty stellar filmography for himself over the years. Here are the very best of Jason Statham’s movies.
Updated on June 16th, 2021 by Mark Birrell: The best Jason Statham movies range from high-concept action movies to lighthearted comedies and capers, demonstrating the actor's range and commitment to their roles. There's such a wide array of titles that are worthy of being mentioned on this list that it couldn't be contained to just 10 entries, so it's been updated to add a few more and go beyond Jason Statham's top 10 movies. The available streaming information for each of the movies has also been added to further help fans find the best of the actor's career so far.
Death Race (2008)
● Available on Peacock
A remake of the classic '70s Roger Corman B movie, Death Race 2000, this sci-fi action movie sees Statham play a former NASCAR driver falsely imprisoned for murder and forced to compete in a barbaric blood sport of convicts driving armored vehicles with weapons attached.
Like a number of movies from Death Race may not have been a big hit with critics but nonetheless made an impression on audiences, spawning three sequels. A great ing cast and a tongue-in-cheek attitude, resulting in some memorably silly dialogue, make it a more rare high-concept hit in Statham's filmography so far.
Safe (2012)
● Available on Prime Video and Hulu
For some reason, there are a lot of action movies about a badass guy who must protect a young girl. From The Professional to Safe, Statham got his turn at the child-protecting film.
In the film, Statham plays a rundown ex-cop who stumbles across a little girl who is being pursued by various mobs and corrupt cops. What follows is a fairly standard action movie but with some slick execution that may surprise even some of the most jaded action movie fans.
The Fate of the Furious (2017)
● Available on Spectrum TV
When Statham ed the Fast & Furious franchise, it was clear that he was too big a star to let go after one film. So in the eighth entry in the series, fans saw Statham’s Deckard Shaw ing forces with the good guys. This is a bit hard to swallow considering Shaw killed Han, but everyone seems ready to forgive and forget.
While the implausibility of the movies was starting to grow old, Statham is a stand-out. He is given one of the best action sequences in the film and his chemistry with Dwayne Johnson was strong enough to warrant their own spin-off, which would follow not long after...
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
● Available on HBO Max
Breaking off from the main characters of the Fast & Furious franchise for the series' first spinoff movie, Statham and co-star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson develop the onscreen chemistry that they'd displayed in the previous two Fast movies and open a whole new series of avenues for the future movies to travel down.
A more sci-fi take on the usual action and plotting of the franchise, Idris Elba's superpowered villain.
Wrath of Man (2021)
● Available to rent on Prime Video
One of the most significant professional partnerships of Statham's career so far, if not the most, has been his collaborations with writer and director Guy Ritchie and Wrath of Man marked their return to form after a long hiatus following the release of the movie Revolver in 2005.
This brutal revenge movie sees Statham infiltrate an armored car company to track down a group of robbers who wronged him and leans far more heavily into Statham's established role as a modern action star than their previous movies. The story itself is a remake of a French movie named Cash Truck but leaves itself more open-ended and may become another hit franchise opportunity for both the actor and the director in the future.
Crank: High Voltage (2009)
● Available on Peacock
Though not as well-received as its predecessor, which features further down on this list, this zany sequel sees Statham's unstoppable hitman, Chev Chelios, get implanted with an artificial heart that needs frequent recharging via huge jolts of electricity.
The movie's comedic sensibilities showed off a less serious side to Statham within an action context, providing an interesting stepping stone into the next phase of his career, and allowing for some unforgettably odd sequences.
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
● Available on Starz
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels was Guy Ritchie’s highly energetic debut about the violent intersections of various low-lives in London. The quick humor, fast pace, and fun characters made the film a hit and kick-started Ritchie’s career. As for Statham, his natural performance showed he had a talent for the big screen.
His ing role in the movie introduced Statham to movie fans as a comedic talent first before his later move towards action, which would begin in earnest with our next entry...
The Transporter (2002)
● Available on Max Go
While Statham started his career with ing parts in various crime films, this was the one that introduced him to the world as an action star. Statham played a rule-driven courier, specializing in delivering sensitive materials.
Though the role didn’t require a whole lot of acting range, Statham impressed audiences with his action sequences. Doing the majority of his own stunts, Statham showed he was a real badass in fight sequences and car chases. Though a small film, it would spawn two sequels, a reboot, and a television series, as well as send Statham’s career to another level.
The Italian Job (2003)
● Available on Max Go
Statham’s car chase experience from The Transporter would quickly come in handy when he ed this remake of the classic Michael Caine heist film. This retelling follows a motley crew of thieves who attempt to steal back their gold from a former associate.
While the film doesn’t compare to the original, it’s a fun popcorn heist film with a very likable cast. Statham was able to show off his driving skills as well as his charisma as Handsome Rob. Along with Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron, they made this a fun thrill ride.
Furious 7 (2015)
● Available on Fubo TV
Just when it seemed like there was nowhere else for the Fast & Furious franchise to go, Statham showed up in the sixth film’s post-credit sequence as Deckard Shaw. Furious 7 introduced the character in all his glory as he sought revenge against Dom and his crew.
Despite the silliness of these films, this was another fun action film. Statham helped to energize the story as a Terminator-life villain and was given so suitably awesome action set-pieces. It’s a prime example that this series will only get bigger.
