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.
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 writer and director Paul W.S. Anderson, Death Race may not have been a big hit with critics but nonetheless made an impression on audiences, spawning three sequels. A great supporting 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 Logan, to Man on Fire – there’s something about this set-up that works for the genre. In 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 joined 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 joining 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, Hobbs & Shaw sees the two supporting characters team up for a buddy spy movie adventure that pits them against a worthy adversary in the form of 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 supporting 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 supporting 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)
Statham’s car chase experience from The Transporter would quickly come in handy when he joined 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.
Crank (2006)
The plot of an action film doesn’t really have to make a whole lot of sense. In the case of this movie, the outrageous plot actually makes the film better. In Crank, Statham plays a hitman who has been injected with a rare poison. As he seeks those responsible, he needs to keep his heart rate elevated or else he’ll die.
It’s like Speed, but instead of a bus, it’s Jason Statham. The wild plot leads to some hilarious sequences as Statham does everything he can to keep his heart going. It’s a funny, over-the-top, and thrilling action-comedy that made perfect use of its star.
Spy (2015)
The only thing more surprising than seeing Melissa McCarthy star in a spy action-comedy was seeing Jason Statham being the funniest person in the film. Spy follows McCarthy’s office drone who is unexpectedly put in the field.
The film is not only hilarious, but it also happens to be a pretty entertaining spy film. But the biggest treat is seeing Statham show off his comedy chops as a dim-witted secret agent who thinks he’s much more of a badass than he actually is. Hopefully, fans will see more of this side of Statham in the future.
Snatch (2000)
● Available on Showtime and Tubi
Guy Ritchie’s follow-up to Lock, Stock was another intertwined British crime caper featuring his cohort Statham in a central role. But while it might sound like a redo of his previous film, this was a big step up for Ritchie in terms of filmmaking and storytelling.
The story, centered around a priceless diamond, was the perfect display for Ritchie’s dialogue and colorful characters. Though the cast includes some big names like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro, Statham still manages to stand out as a small-time boxing manager. Another great collaboration between Ritchie and Statham.
The Bank Job (2008)
● Available on Netflix
While it’s certainly fun to watch Statham kick-butt in films, it’s also nice to see him step outside that comfort zone. As his star was on the rise, Statham took a break from the typical action films to star in this low-key heist film based on a true story.
The movie is a sadly underrated and underseen gem in the genre. Statham proves to be a capable lead for the ensemble and the crime at its center is thrilling enough to keep the audience guessing the whole time. Hopefully, as Statham’s fame continues to rise, more of his fans will seek out his best film.
Honorable Mention: Collateral (2004)
● Available for purchase on Prime Video
The third highest-rated feature film of Statham’s career so far on IMDb, beneath Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Michael Mann’s searing crime thriller Collateral only features the actor in a very brief cameo yet it stands out as a very significant introduction for many movie fans to someone who would go on to become one of the biggest action stars of the following decade and beyond.
Statham is credited simply for the role on IMDb as “Airport Man” and is some kind of mysterious contact for Tom Cruise’s icy hitman in the movie. Despite being, brief it does feel like a palpable torch-passing moment between two respected action stars at different points in their respective careers, and it remains a very memorable moment in Statham’s.
