Jason Statham plays a tough guy in almost every film, but what are his best movies ever?
Jason Statham is an English actor and former professional diver born on July 26, 1967, in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, England. He is known for his intense action roles and charismatic on-screen presence. Before entering the world of acting, Statham competed as a diver for the British national diving team, even representing England at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Statham’s acting career began with small roles in British films and television shows. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he was cast as Bacon in the crime thriller “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” directed by Guy Ritchie. This role helped establish his tough-guy persona and paved the way for future action-oriented roles.
One of Statham’s most iconic roles is Frank Martin, the skilled driver and mercenary in the “Transporter” film series, which catapulted him into international fame. He is also recognized for his performances in other action-packed movies such as “The Italian Job” (2003), “Crank” (2006), “The Expendables” series (2010-2014), and “Fast & Furious” series (2013-2021).
Statham is known for performing his own stunts and has developed a reputation for his athleticism and physicality on-screen. His intense fight scenes and high-octane action sequences have made him a fan favorite in the action genre.
Aside from his action roles, Statham has also showcased his versatility as an actor, appearing in films like “Snatch” (2000), “The Bank Job” (2008), “Spy” (2015), and “The Meg” (2018).
With his distinct voice, rugged looks, and impressive martial arts skills, Jason Statham has become one of the most recognizable and respected action stars in Hollywood. His dedication to his craft and consistent performances have made him a sought-after actor in the industry.
Since his career launched with two Guy Ritchie movies in the late 1990s, he has made a name for himself as a hardboiled character in many iconic action movies. He is reprising his role as Deckard Shaw in the new movie, Fast X, which is the tenth main installment in the Fast & Furious franchise. His career is going strong, as he previously appeared in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre this year and will later be appearing in Meg 2: The Trench. With that in mind, here’s a list of some of the best Jason Statham action movies from his career.
Transporter Movies (2002-2015)
Jason first starred in the original movie over 20 years ago.
- The Transporter” (2002) Release Date: October 11, 2002 Plot: Frank Martin (played by Jason Statham) is a skilled driver and specialist in delivering packages without asking questions. He abides by three strict rules: no names, no changes to the deal, and no opening of the package. However, when he breaks one of his rules, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
- “Transporter 2” (2005) Release Date: August 3, 2005 Plot: Frank Martin returns in this sequel, working as a private chauffeur for a wealthy family in Miami. When the young son of his employer is kidnapped, Frank becomes embroiled in a deadly plot involving a deadly virus. He must use his driving skills and combat expertise to save the child and uncover the truth.
- “Transporter 3” (2008) Release Date: November 26, 2008 Plot: Frank Martin is coerced into delivering a package for a criminal mastermind. However, things take a turn when he discovers that the package is a young woman named Valentina, who he must transport against her will. As he races against time, Frank must navigate dangerous obstacles and confront enemies to complete his mission.
- “The Transporter Refueled” (2015) Release Date: September 4, 2015 Plot: This film is a prequel to the original trilogy, with a new actor, Ed Skrein, portraying Frank Martin. Frank gets involved with a group of femmes fatales seeking revenge against a Russian kingpin who forced them into a life of prostitution. Together, they embark on a dangerous mission to bring down the powerful crime lord.
Crank (2006)
One of the most over-the-top movies in his career, Crank stars Statham as Chev Chelios, whose heart has been injected with a drug that will kill him if he does not keep his adrenaline high. The movie follows Chelios as he must commit insane, violent acts to keep his adrenaline going. Imagine the 1994 movie Speed, but instead of a bus, you get Jason Statham. This is a non-stop riot, giving absurd scenes and ideas at every turn. It’s the type of film that stays at 100 the entire time and never comes down, which is why it kicks off our list of the best Jason Statham action movies.
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
The buddy cop subgenre of action films is not as prevalent as it was in the ’80s and ’90s. However, every once in a while, we get a throwback like Hobbs & Shaw. This Fast & Furious spin-off takes the characters played by Statham and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and teams them up to fight Brixton (Idris Elba), a genetically enhanced soldier. This is a quintessential mismatch of two famed action heroes sharing the screen and kicking ass together while trading insults and banter. It may be a long way from the roots of Fast & Furious, but this is a gleefully ridiculous action comedy where every law of physics is thrown out the window.
The Expendables 2 (2012)
Statham appears in all three of The Expendables films and will be co-starring in the fourth movie later this year. However, his best outing as Lee Christmas is the second one, which is the best overall film. Although the movie is notable for bringing Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis together to fight Jean-Claude Van Damme’s villain (named Vilain), the movie is more than just fan service for fans of old action movies. Statham gets many moments to shine as part of this action ensemble, such as his battle with martial artist Scott Adkins and his one-liner, “I now pronounce you man and knife.” It’s no wonder he is set to take over the series after Stallone’s departure.
The Meg (2018)
Although Statham is known for his pure action films, this is a movie that contains elements of horror, science fiction, and comedy as well. When you can’t make a shark movie as good as Jaws or as ridiculous as Sharknado, you cast Jason Statham in the lead and make the shark a whole lot bigger. There is a sequel coming out later this year, but before then, it’s crucial to watch this very fun movie about Jonas Taylor saving a crew from a 75-foot prehistoric shark called the Megalodon.
Spy (2015)
This one may not be the one you would expect, as Statham is not the star of the show here. However, he is the scene-stealer in this Melissa McCarthy action-comedy vehicle, where he plays Rick Ford, a badass spy who sometimes feels like a parody of his other roles. This is easily the funniest role he has had in a film, as he plays a character who takes his job so seriously that it becomes comical. There is a scene where Ford lists every badass feat he has accomplished, and each thing he says gets more absurd than the last. Although McCarthy is the headliner, Statham makes every scene he’s in much better in this wonderfully hilarious film, which completes our list of the best Jason Statham action movies.
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