Bruce Willis is undeniably one of the biggest names in Hollywood, known for both his amazing acting roles as well as for being a film producer. Bruce Willis is one of the beloved action heroes of the 80s and 90s, alongside other big names such as Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, and while Willis's leading role days may be over, he continues to grace the screen in smaller roles.
It's easy to think of plenty of Bruce Willis films and fans certainly have their favorites. However, movie fans might be surprised by which of Willis's films are ranked as the very best according to Metacritic.
10 Over the Hedge — 67
Over the Hedge is an animated comedy family film that released in 2006 and was based on Michael Fry and T. Lewis's comic strip of the same name. Bruce Willis lent his voice to the lead character RJ, a sly raccoon who finds himself forced to gather food for a bear named Vincent after Vincent catches RJ stealing his food.
RJ manages to trick a group of animals into helping him forage for supplies while they deal with the sudden appearance of a new housing development on the land they call home. The film features plenty of laughs, as well as a more emotional moral story too.
9 Die Hard 2 — 67
Die Hard 2 released in 1990 as a follow-up to the hugely popular action-film Die Hard. Bruce Willis reprised his role of John McClane, a police lieutenant who once again finds his Christmas holidays are threatened by a team of terrorists.
This time, the franchise aimed to raise the stakes by setting the movie in an airport and featured several planes stranded in the sky with no communications, all waiting for someone to save the day. Despite its more dramatic setting and premise, Die Hard 2 did not outshine its predecessor.
8 Live Free or Die Hard — 69
Also known as Die Hard 4.0 outside of America, Live Free or Die Hard was the fourth installment to the Die Hard franchise. The film released in 2007 with Bruce Willis once again reviving the fan-favorite role of John McClane, only a much older version than he was in his heyday.
The film uses the time difference to its advantage, featuring a now fully grown Lucy, McClane's estranged daughter, as one of the characters. The film also focuses on cybercrimes, with much of the comedic moments coming from McClane's lack of understanding when it comes to technology.
7 Die Hard — 72
Released in 1988, Die Hard was the first in what would become a series of popular action movies starring Bruce Willis as police officer John McClane. The film follows McClane as he arrives in LA in the hopes of rebuilding his relationship with his estranged wife at Christmas. However, terrorists take over the Nakatomi Plaza where McClane's wife works, prompting McClane to become one of the best action-movie heroes to date as he saves the day.
Though initial reviews of the film were mixed, Die Hard went on to become a massive success and has a large fan following, with there also being a long-standing debate as to whether it should be classified as a Christmas film or not.
6 Twelve Monkeys — 74
Twelve Monkeys, also stylized as 12 Monkeys, is a sci-fi film directed by Terry Gilliam that released in 1995. The film was inspired by the 1962 short film La Jetée by Chris Marker. Bruce Willis takes on the leading role of James Cole, a convict who is sent back in time to discover the origins of a deadly virus that started in 1996 and has since wiped out most of humanity.
It is believed that the virus was unleashed by a group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys, and it is up to Cole to stop the terrible event from occurring. Cole suffers many setbacks and has to time travel more than once in his attempt to find the truth and save the world.
5 Grindhouse — 77
Grindhouse released in 2007 and paid homage to films from the 1970s that were shown in "grindhouse" theatres in both style and format. The double-feature is comprised of two horror films, Planet Terror and Death Proof, and the content of the films, including the fictitious trailers, were created by big-name directors Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, Rob Zombie, Eli Roth, and more.
Planet Terror focuses on Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan), a go-go dancer who decides to quit her job. However, while in the local restaurant, she and her ex-boyfriend El Wray find themselves attacked by zombie-like infected townspeople, dubbed "sickos" by the characters. The outbreak is the result of Lt. Muldoon (Bruce Willis) purchasing a biochemical agent from a scientist, in a shady deal that goes awry, causing the scientist to unleash the gas into the air.
4 Looper — 88
Looper is a sci-film that released in 2012 and features a time-traveling mechanic whereby contract killers called "loopers" are sent victims to execute from the future. The reason this is necessary is that it has become impossible to get away with murder in the future, so the mob has to resort to time travel and hires loopers to do their hits in the past.
A looper's final target is always their future self, which then closes "the loop" and rewards the looper with a final large payday. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Joe, a looper who is faced with his future self, Bruce Willis, who manages to get away before young Joe can kill him, resulting in messed up timelines as both Joes try to achieve their goals.
3 Moonrise Kingdom — 84
Moonrise Kingdom is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that released in 2012. The film is set on New England island of New Penzance and follows a 12-year old orphan named Sam and the love of his life Suzy as they run away together. This prompts the entire town to start searching for the youngsters, who have hiked to a secluded cove that they have named "Moonrise Kingdom".
Bruce Willis plays Police Captain Duffy Sharp, who helps in the hunt for the missing children and who finds himself becoming attached to young Sam once the two are brought home. Faced with being separated as Sam awaits being sent away by Social Services, the two youngsters try once more to run away in order to be together.
2 Nobody's Fool — 86
Nobody's Fool is a comedy-drama that released in 1994 and was based on Richard Russo's 1993 novel of the same name. The film stars Paul Newman as Donald "Sully" Sullivan, a 60-year old hustler who spends his time freelancing in the construction business and drinking in the local Iron Horse Saloon.
Bruce Willis plays Carl Roebuck, another regular at the Iron Horse Saloon and a local contractor who repeatedly attempts to sue Sully. Sully's life becomes much more complicated when his estranged son turns up, with Sully's grandson in tow.
1 Pulp Fiction — 94
Quentin Tarantino's neo-noir crime film Pulp Fiction released in 1994 and was met with critical acclaim, going on to become a cult classic. The plot is not told in chronological order but intertwines the lives of multiple characters, including hitmen duo Vincent and Jules, a boxer named Butch Coolidge, and mob boss Marsellus Wallace, to name a few.
Bruce Willis played boxer Butch, who is paid to throw a fight by Marsellus but reneges on their deal and instead wins the bout. This leads to Marsellus hunting down Butch, utilizing his hitmen in the process.