From Henry Hill to John Wick, there are tons of great wise and tough guys in movies that have entertained us over the years. From mafia kingpins to human killing machines, there’s a lot of action on the silver screen. Today, we’re going to celebrate the most legendary tough guys in movies. These fellas will do anything to help and protect their families, wives, or anything else that means the world to them. They’ll stop at nothing and take on anyone and everyone to do what’s right in their particular situation. If you love gangster films or action movies, you’ve likely heard of most of these characters.
In order to create a true list of the greatest and most legendary wise and tough guys in movies, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet to find the best, brightest, and strongest. During our search, we checked in with the Internet Movie Database, Entertainment Weekly, and SlashFilm, among others, to find the rightful entries on this list from both current and past films. We hope you find your favorite character on the list. Once you’re done with the tough guys, spend some time getting familiar with all of the rest of the top movie stars from the 2000s.
John Wick
N/A
- Movie: The John Wick Franchise (2014-2023)
- Played by: Keanu Reeves
We teased him, and here he is. John Wick first graced our movie screens with the first self-titled film. It was a twist on the revenge genre. In this one, Wick, a retired hitman, gets back in the game to take revenge on the men who killed the dog that was the final gift from his deceased wife. People fell in love with the movie, and it became a cult classic. It revived the career of Keanu Reeves, and it spawned three more sequels and a TV series. Critics loved the style and the fact that John Wick would stop at nothing to get the vengeance he desired.
Tommy DeVito
- Movie: “Goodfellas” (1990)
- Played by: Joe Pesci
If you enjoy gangster movies, then you likely have “Goodfellas” at the top of your list. This excellent Martin Scorcese film is incredible from start to finish, and Joe Pesci’s performance as Tommy DeVito is one that shouldn’t be missed. He is not someone you would want to mess with because he won’t hesitate to beat or kill anyone who gets in his way or even disrespects him in any way. Like many gangsters, he fell in love with the feeling of being untouchable by anyone and the big money that came with being associated with the mafia. However, it caused his downfall. Still, this is easily one of the most legendary wise guys in movies.
T-800
- Movie: Terminator Franchise (1984-2019)
- Played by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
The T-800, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the main character in most of the Terminator films. Since he’s not human, he can get away with more than the other characters on this list. He was programmed to either destroy or save lives, depending on the film you watch. In most of the movies, he is the good guy that is meant to save humanity from Skynet, which is an artificial intelligence that is set to take over the world. Schwarzenegger plays the T-800 surprisingly well with a deadpan delivery and seriousness that strikes fear in the bad guys. There are other tough characters in the Terminator movies, including Sarah Connor and the T-100 in “Terminator: Judgment Day,” but the T-800 takes the cake.
Tony Montana
N/A
- Movie: “Scarface” (1983)
- Played by: Al Pacino
When it comes to gangsters and tough guys in movies, it’s not easy to forget Tony Montana, aka. Scarface. This is arguably Al Pacino’s most famous role and the movie is still quoted by people to this day. Montana was a Cuban refugee who came to America with next to nothing but rose up to become one of the most famous and violent crime lords. He wasn’t afraid to use guns and weapons to prove his point, which made him one of the most feared gangsters of all time.
Jules Winnfield
N/A
- Movie: “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
- Played by: Samuel L. Jackson
There are many incredible characters in “Pulp Fiction,” an awesome crime drama by director Quentin Tarantino, but for this list, we’re going with Jules. He was usually calm, cool, and collected, as many characters played by Samuel L. Jackson often seemed to be, but he was not afraid to kick butt and take names either as part of his job or when people did him wrong. He has many memorable quotes during the film, including that he will deliver “furious anger” and “great vengeance,” and you don’t want to test him to see if he’s serious.
James Bond
- Movie: 007 Franchise (1962-2021)
- Played by: Various Actors
When many people think of tough guys in movies, the first character that often comes to mind is the great James Bond. The secret agent has been played by many actors over the years, but each one of them drove home the point that this was a man of action who would do anything necessary to complete a mission. He’s a hard-drinking, woman-loving hero who has thrilled us for decades. Everyone who idolizes James Bond has their favorite 007 movie, and each film has amazing stunts and thrills that only this man of action could pull off.
Alonzo Harris
- Movie: “Training Day” (2001)
- Played by: Denzel Washington
It’s important to remember that not all tough guys are also good guys, and Alonzo Harris, the bad cop from “Training Day,” proves that all too well. Harris is a character that is obsessed with money and power and he’ll do just about everything to get it, including going against his morals as a police officer. He shows a new recruit the ropes during his first training day and proves how tough, rude, and mean he can be within a 24-hour time period. Harris is a man that doesn’t go down easily, but he eventually gets what’s coming to him.
Clark Kent
- Movie: Superman Movie Franchise (1978-2021)
- Played by: Various Actors
Easily one of the toughest guys to ever grace the movie screen is Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman. With the exception of being near kryptonite, the guy is almost literally indestructible, and it’s not like he hasn’t faced some serious foes. From Lex Luthor to Doomsday, Superman has faced everyone, and he’s always come out on top. In addition to having the super strength necessary to defeat baddies, he will do anything in his power to help the love of his life, Lois Lane, and that’s what makes a true hero. To top it all, when he’s not saving the world, Clark Kent also has a day job working for a newspaper. The guy’s a true hero.
“Dirty” Harry Callahan
- Movie: Dirty Harry Franchise (1971-1988)
- Played by: Clint Eastwood
Actor and director Clint Eastwood has made a career out of playing tough guys. He’s still doing it today, even though he’s into his 90s. One of his most famous characters is that of Dirty Harry. Harry is a no-nonsense detective who will do whatever he can to track his man. It doesn’t take long in the first “Dirty Harry” movie for the character to ask his iconic line of “You’ve got to ask yourself a question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’. Well, do ya, punk?” Dirty Harry continued to fight crimes in other movies, including “Magnum Force,” “The Enforcer,” “Sudden Impact,” and “The Dead Pool.” It’s in “Sudden Impact” that Harry says his other iconic line of “Go ahead, make my day.” These are all great films that every action fan must see.
John McClane
N/A
- Movie: Die Hard Series (1988-2013)
- Played by: Bruce Willis
The next no-brainer when it comes to tough guys in movies is the famous John McClane from the five “Die Hard” films. Bruce Willis played this character to perfection. He first blew our minds in the original “Die Hard” as he took on countless terrorists with barely any weapons, and he was also barefoot half of the time. John McClane continued to kick butt over four more movies that took him across the country and around the world, but no matter where he was, he always came up with a plan to save the day. He also had a lot of wise cracks along the way, which is a defining feature of a world-class tough guy.
Henry Hill
- Movie: “Goodfellas” (1990)
- Played by: Ray Liotta
The late and great Ray Liotta played the real-life gangster Henry Hill in Goodfellas, and he’s one of the first characters that people think of when they consider the best wise guys in movies. Henry Hill was in love with gangster life since he was a kid, and as he grew up, he got deeper and deeper into the organization. He’s the kind of wise and tough guy who will walk up to anyone in broad daylight and beat them to a pulp just because they harass his girlfriend. Many people consider “Goodfellas” to be their favorite film of all time, and Ray Liotta playing Henry Hill is one of the main reasons that the film is so well-loved.
Rocky Balboa
N/A
- Movie: Rocky Franchise (1976-2006)
- Played by: Sylvester Stallone
Stallone will have more than one entry on this list and that’s because he plays a great tough guy. That’s why he’s one of the most appreciated action heroes. His character, Rocky Balboa, is a boxer who is tough as nails and is never afraid to back down from a fight. He fought against many different opponents during the six films in which he appeared, and while he didn’t always win the final fight, he proved that if you have heart and a dedication to succeed, you can do almost anything you set your mind towards.
Lee
- Movie: “Enter the Dragon” (1973)
- Played by: Bruce Lee
When many people think about the mainstream films of the famous tough guy and martial artist Bruce Lee, the first movie they remember is often “Enter the Dragon.” In this film, Lee is tasked with going undercover to investigate a suspected crime lord. The movie is often tense but also very exciting, and Lee is very tough throughout. During the film, Bruce Lee proves how very proficient he is with his fighting style, and he kicks a lot of butt throughout. This should be on the short list if you only see one Bruce Lee film.
Ethan Hunt
Source: Courtesy of Paramount PicturesN/A
N/A
- Movie: Mission Impossible Film Franchise (1996-2023)
- Played by: Tom Cruise
An action hero who delivers year after year is Ethan Hunt, who saves the world with his team in the “Mission Impossible” films. He’s been around the world, and he’s not afraid to crash cars, jump out of planes, destroy trains, or do anything else if it allows him to complete his mission. Every new movie has epic new stunts that put the prior films to shame, and the best part is that actor Tom Cruise does all of these stunts himself, so you’re seeing the real deal. Ethan Hunt has faced many different and great villains over the years, but he always comes out on top, and we love to see it.
Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein
- Movie: “Casino” (1995)
- Played by: Robert DiNiro
Another one of Martin Scorecese’s most famous gangster movies is Casino, and the main character, Sam Rothstein, is easily one of the smartest and toughest guys in cinema. This guy was really slick. He was a master gambler who knew how to win every time. In the movie, he ran the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas and his job was to ensure that it remained profitable. However, doing so was often easier said than done. In addition to catching cheaters in his casino, he also had to keep his mafia friend Nicky in line and maintain a relationship with his own family. This was not a man you wanted to cross, and he’s one of the few characters who lived until the film’s end.
Jason Bourne
- Movie: Bourne Franchise (2002-2016)
- Played by: Matt Damon
Another of the most famous tough guys in movies is Jason Bourne. He began life as a character in books, but he was brought to life by actor Matt Damon. The first movie, “The Bourne Identity,” was amazing, and it showed how strong and stealthy this character could be. What separated Bourne from many other tough guys was that he was so cold and calculating, and he could fight his enemies with just about any random thing he could find lying around. Viewers loved this big-time action star, and critics adored the films as well.
Bryan Mills
- Movie: Taken Franchise (2008-2014)
- Played by: Liam Neeson
Another person who comes up when we think about the tough guys in movies is Bryan Mills. You may not recognize that name, but when someone reminds you that he’s the super-dad from the Taken series, then it’s no surprise. In the first movie, when Mills told the bad guys about his particular set of skills, we all felt chills. This is a man who would do anything to rescue his teenage daughter, and it was thrilling from start to finish. Mills continued to kick butt for two more films.
John Rambo
- Movie: Rambo Franchise (1982-2019)
- Played by: Sylvester Stallone
John Rambo is a Vietnam veteran who has returned to civilian life but has trouble adjusting. He’s not your standard action hero. Instead, he’s a flawed character who gets himself into tricky situations and has to find a way to survive and help others who are in need. Rambo has had many special skills since he served in the military, and he uses them for good. While the final film, “Rambo: Last Blood” is supposed to be the last time we see Rambo, Stallone said it’s possible that he could return.
Bruce Wayne
- Movie: Batman Franchise (1943-2022 and Beyond)
- Played by: Various Actors
One of the toughest guys in cinema is Bruce Wayne, who is better known as Batman. He’s been in numerous films going all the way back to 1943. The Batman character has done amazing things. He’s fought off an arsenal of incredible foes, from the Penguin to the Riddler to Catwoman and, of course, the notorious Joker. Bruce Wayne does not have superpowers. But he’s very bright and very tough, and he always manages to win the day. He has a ton of gadgets that help him succeed, and he’s not someone you want to come across if you’re a bad guy.
Dutch
- Movie: “Predator” (1987)
- Played by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
If you’ve ever seen the classic Schwarzenegger film “Predator,” then you know the type of foe these guys were against. The movie was set in the jungle, and Arnold’s Dutch and his men were face to face with an alien hunter who could turn invisible and was equipped with weapons from another world. All seemed lost, but Dutch is a character that would not give up. As his military rescue team is picked off one by one, Dutch uses his military tactics to disable the alien’s weapons and eventually defeats the alien menace. Dutch succeeds where most other people would cower in fear.
Maximus Decimus Meridius
- Movie: “Gladiator” (2000)
- Played by: Russell Crowe
When it comes to tough guys, there are few that compare to the men who fought before the days of guns and other modern weapons. That’s why one of the best tough guys in movies is Maximus Decimus Meridius. This gladiator was on a true revenge mission. He went into the colosseum time after time and came out a victor. He fought off barbaric enemies, guys shooting arrows, and wild animals, and he took them all down. While he did not win in the end, he put up a good fight, and he was a true inspiration.
Captain Jack Sparrow
- Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise (2003-2017)
- Played by: Johnny Depp
While he can come off a bit flaky at times, there’s no doubt that Captain Jack Sparrow is always down for a fight and he’ll always do what’s right for the people he cares about. He constantly found a way to escape death by the skin of his teeth. During the various “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, he fought undead pirates, a massive kraken, and more, and he typically did it all with just his sword and a few tricks.
Marv
- Movie: “Sin City’” (2005)
- Played by: Mickey Rourke
The movie “Sin City” is quite unique. Almost everyone in it is tough in their own way, but few truly compare to Marv. He’s a force to be reckoned. He comes in at almost eight feet tall and has a truly scary appearance. He’s a bit mentally unstable, and he often hallucinates what’s not there. However, he always fights through it to do what’s right. At the end of the movie, he does eventually die, but not before fighting serial killers, facing off with the cops, and being shot many times. The best part is that he does it all to protect a friend who showed him kindness.
Indiana Jones
- Movie: Indiana Jones Franchise (1981-2023)
- Played by: Harrison Jones
For over 40 years, Indiana Jones has been gracing our screens and showing us thrills as he traveled around the world. Technically, he’s not an action hero. Instead, he’s a professor of archaeology. However, during his adventures, he gets into many tight spots, and it’s always pretty entertaining. From finding the lost ark to discovering the dial of destiny, it’s been quite a ride following Indiana Jones around. Harrison Ford does a great job with tough guys in movies, from playing the President of the United States to playing Han Solo in “Star Wars” and he does a great job here as well. Indiana Jones also happens to be one of our most likable characters of all time, so check out the full list.