Just like love, hate or anger is a universal emotion; the only difference is that the latter two are not healthy. But despite everything, it happens, and when we get too consumed by anger or hate, comes revenge, which has been an element of fascination for filmmakers for decades, using it as the major theme for movies – from suspenseful movies like “Memento” to action movies like “John Wick.” Because of the popularity of revenge movies, it’s rare to find a film built on the theme and not being successful. So, why don’t we look for something different today apart from lovey-dovey emotional ones? Here is the list of the best revenge movies of all time!
The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writer: Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
Star Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
IMDB Rating: 9.2
Runtime: 2 hrs.55 mins
The movie is adapted from the same-titled best-selling novel by Mario Puzo. This crime drama was praised for its iconic performances by its star cast, direction, and story. Even though The Godfather isn’t specifically recognized as a revenge movie – the plot revolves around revenge as Al Pacino’s Michael Corleone seizes control of the family empire. It went on to receive Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, and Brando won for Best Actor.
Following the post-war period in New York City – the ailing head of an organized crime family hands over command of his shadowy empire to his unwilling youngest son.
Once Upon A Time In The West
Director: Sergio Leone
Writer: Sergio Donati, Sergio Leone, Dario Argento
Star Cast: Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Runtime: 2 hrs.45 mins
This spaghetti western masterpiece, premised on a Dario Argento story, was a huge hit. It is considered one of the best western revenge movies ever produced and was highly influential. Additionally, the main antagonist is the most entertaining character of the cast – despite the remarkable ensemble and prominent role of the female lead.
To defend a gorgeous widow from a brutal killer operating for the railroad – an unknown stranger with a harmonica teams up with a legendary outlaw.
Memento
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan
Star Cast: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Runtime: 1 hr.53 mins
This neo-noir thriller is renowned for having a convoluted non-chronological framework. But this aspect of the movie’s plot has only served to increase its popularity in the years since it came out – because many fans believe it to be one of Nolan’s most undervalued works. The movie became a cult classic, and soon there will be a remake featuring Guy Pierce, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano.
Its story follows a guy with short-term memory loss problems who tries to locate the person who killed his wife.
The Prestige
Director: Christopher Nolan
Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, Christopher Priest
Star Cast: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Runtime: 2 hrs.10 mins
The Prestige, one of Christopher’s best films, has a classic take on the traditional revenge story because of its mystery. It is a brilliant period drama that keeps testing the viewers and is rich with twists and turns – it keeps viewers guessing during the whole running time. It was nominated for an Oscar in Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography categories.
Following a tragic disaster, two stage illusionists in 1890s London compete to conjure the greatest deception – while risking everything to outsmart one another.
Django Unchained
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Star Cast: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Runtime: 2 hrs.45 mins
The brilliantly savage action western Django Unchained, by Quentin Tarantino, is all about a German gunslinger. Just like every other Tarantino movie, the lead cast is fantastic. While Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson both give outstanding performances as supporting actors. Although Django is frequently referred to as one of Quentin Tarantino’s most vindictive characters, his motivation—love—for his wife—is what truly distinguishes him from others.
A liberated slave in Mississippi goes out to save his lady from a cruel plantation holder with the aid of a German hitman.
Oldboy
Director: Park Chan-wook
Writer: Garon Tsuchiya, Nobuaki Minegishi, Park Chan-wook
Star Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Runtime: 2 hrs.
The film’s recognizable hyper-violent and intricate action scenes capitalize on the revenge-themed neo-noir plot of Oldboy. It was given a 2013 American remake by director Spike Lee starring Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen. However, the American version was frequently thought to be weak to the original.
Oh Dae-Su is freed after spending fifteen years in captivity, only to learn that he has five days to track down his kidnapper.
Inglourious Basterds
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Writer: Quentin Tarantino
Star Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth
IMDB Rating: 8.3
Runtime: 2 hrs.33 mins
Inglourious Basterds is a bloody, reckless, and utterly exciting Tarantino genre-blending rollercoaster ride. Given that Tarantino is a big fan of spaghetti westerns, it makes sense that he made such an amazing and moving revenge story – that had viewers cheering for the protagonist and against the villain up until the climax.
Its story follows Jewish soldiers gathered by Allied officer Lt. Aldo to carry out violent acts of vengeance against the Nazis.
Unforgiven
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: David Webb Peoples
Star Cast: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Runtime: 2 hrs.10 mins
The enduring western drama starring Clint Eastwood tells a truly timeless tale of western retribution. Clint Eastwood, who serves as both a filmmaker and a star, peels the Wild West of decades of Hollywood gloss – and resurfaces with a string of scathingly elevated observations on the nature of the conflict.
With the assistance of his former business partner and a young man, a former Old West sharpshooter accepts one last employment.
The Ox-Bow Incident
Director: William A. Wellman
Writer: Lamar Trotti, Walter Van Tilburg Clark
Star Cast: Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes
IMDB Rating: 8.0
Runtime: 1 hr.15 mins
With its iconic story of mob think, this 1942 Western masterpiece still works admirably. Because of its complex storyline making social commentary – The Ox-Bow Incident profoundly impacted audiences’ perceptions of both westerns and revenge tales. The movie was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Picture.
A posse arrests three men after a local farmer is allegedly killed – they are torn over regardless of whether or not to lynch the men.
The Night Of The Hunter
Director: Charles Laughton
Writer: Davis Grubb, James Agee, Charles Laughton
Star Cast: Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish
IMDB Rating: 8.0
Runtime: 1 hr.32 mins
Fans frequently cite the Night Of The Hunter as one of the greatest noir movies ever made. It has an iconic plot, but it is gentle on retribution because the movie focuses more on the harrowing reverend-conman. With Robert Mitchum’s amazing performance, the film excels in the list of best revenge movies of all time.
A religious zealot weds a naive widow with young kids – who are reluctant to reveal where their birth father stashed the $10,000 he had been robbed of.