A sniper is a marksman who can shoot at a target from a long distance, usually from a concealed position, and with great accuracy.
Based on this description, we can gather that a sniper is someone with good aim, a steady hand, a solitary existence, and great concentration.
All these qualities make them mysterious and perfect subjects for a gripping thriller movie. Snipers are generally employed in the armed forces or as assassins.
They can be heroes, or they can be ruthless adversaries, mobsters, or cunning psychopaths. This makes for engaging suspense and action thrillers.
This is why there is a movie category dedicated to sniper movies. ENTOIN has a list of sniper movies that have entertained us, amazed us, and kept us at the edge of our seats on many occasions.
For all the fans of this genre of movies, you have a chance to review a list of Sniper movies and pick your favourite.
Please message us back if we have missed any good ones. Here goes.
DramaWar
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Fri Jul 24 1998
Star Cast:
Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$482,349,603
"Saving Private Ryan" is a gripping war film inspired in part by the true story of the Niland Brothers. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat, the film stands out for its realistic portrayal of World War II combat.
Widely praised by critics, the movie earned eleven Academy Award nominations and ultimately claimed five Oscars. The story unfolds during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, centering on PFC James Ryan amid the chaos of battle.
After learning that Ryan's three brothers have been killed, the government assembles a special team. Their mission: to find and safely bring home the last surviving son, pulling him out of imminent danger.
DramaThrillerWar
Director:
Kathryn Bigelow
Release Date:
Fri Jul 31 2009
Star Cast:
Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$49,259,766
"The Hurt Locker" is an intense war drama written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The film earned nine Academy Award nominations, taking home six Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay, among others.
The story centers on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team operating in Iraq, highlighting their nerve-wracking missions and the constant danger they face on a daily basis. The film delivers gripping portrayals of life on the front lines.
The relentless stress of their work deeply affects each team member, with everyone coping with the pressure in their own unique way.
Recommended:
DramaWar
Director:
Michael Cimino
Release Date:
Fri Feb 23 1979
Star Cast:
Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$49,074,379
The Deer Hunter, an Academy Award-winning classic, features outstanding performances from Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Cazale, John Savage, and a talented supporting cast.
This influential film has been honored by its induction into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and recognized on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list for its significant impact on American cinema.
The story follows three American friends who work at a steel mill and share a passion for deer hunting. When the Vietnam War begins, they enlist, facing unimaginable trials both during their deployment and after returning home.
Haunted by the psychological and physical scars of war, each man struggles to regain a sense of normalcy, making The Deer Hunter a profound exploration of the cost of conflict.
Recommended:
DramaWar
Director:
Stanley Kubrick
Release Date:
Fri Jul 10 1987
Star Cast:
Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio
Budget:
$30,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$46,358,827
"Full Metal Jacket" is a gripping Vietnam War film directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Michael Herr and Gustav Hasford. The film is renowned for its unflinching portrayal of the brutality and psychological toll of war.
The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Its title refers to a type of bullet used extensively by the military during the Vietnam War, symbolizing the film's raw and realistic approach.
The story begins at a Marine boot camp, where a relentless drill sergeant pushes two recruits, Joker and Pyle, to their limits. His harsh methods leave a lasting impact on the cadets.
As the film progresses, the narrative shifts to follow Joker's harrowing journey and experiences during the conflict, particularly during the war's major offensives.
Recommended:
CrimeDramaThriller
Director:
Fred Zinnemann
Release Date:
Mon Jul 30 1973
Star Cast:
Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair
"The Day of The Jackal" is a gripping action thriller adapted from Frederick Forsyth's acclaimed novel of the same name. The film masterfully brings suspense and intrigue to the screen, drawing viewers into a high-stakes assassination plot.
This Anglo-French co-production received widespread critical acclaim, earning five BAFTA nominations and two Golden Globe nominations, among other accolades. Its tense atmosphere and meticulous storytelling have cemented its place in cinematic history.
Set against the backdrop of French president Charles de Gaulle granting Algeria independence, the story explores the repercussions of this political move. In response, a terrorist organization enraged by the decision plots to assassinate de Gaulle, hiring a mysterious and elite sniper known only as "The Jackal."
Soon, the French police become aware of the deadly plot. This sets off a thrilling race against time between law enforcement and the elusive assassin, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats until the very end.
ActionAdventureComedy
Director:
David O. Russell
Release Date:
Fri Oct 1 1999
Star Cast:
George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube
Budget:
$75,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$107,752,036
"Three Kings" is a gripping black comedy and war film set during the final days of the Gulf War, shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Written by John Ridley, the film achieved significant box office success, grossing over $100 million worldwide.
The story follows four American soldiers who, during a seemingly routine mission, stumble upon a cache of stolen gold bullion.
Instead of reporting their discovery, the group decides to keep the gold for themselves. Their secret plan unravels when both a news reporter and Iraqi rebel leaders learn about the scheme.
This triggers a frantic race, as various parties compete to steal, claim, or expose the treasure for their own gain.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Michael Mann
Release Date:
Fri Dec 15 1995
Star Cast:
Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer
Budget:
$60,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$187,436,818
"Heat" is a gripping crime drama and action thriller that centers on the intense rivalry between an elite crew of professional thieves and a relentless LAPD detective.
Directed by Michael Mann, the film received critical acclaim for its direction, storytelling, and outstanding performances, though it surprisingly garnered few award nominations despite its high praise.
The story follows a determined detective tasked with capturing a master thief and his skilled team of bank robbers. Both the detective and the criminal share a meticulous approach to their work and a deep commitment to their personal codes, placing them on a collision course despite being on opposite sides of the law.
Through strategic surveillance and careful planning, the LAPD ultimately moves in on the crew, leading to a tense and memorable showdown.
AdventureDramaWar
Director:
Quentin Tarantino
Release Date:
Fri Aug 21 2009
Star Cast:
Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$321,457,747
"Inglourious Basterds" is a World War II film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino that reimagines the events of the conflict through an alternate-history lens.
The film received eight Academy Award nominations and secured a win for Best Supporting Actor thanks to Christoph Waltz's unforgettable performance. The story revolves around several teams scheming to assassinate the head of the Nazi party during the war.
One of these teams is led by Shosanna Dreyfuss, a resilient Jewish drama troupe owner, who orchestrates a bold plan for vengeance. Parallel to her plot, a group of American Jewish soldiers led by First Lieutenant Aldo Raine devises their own mission to bring down the Nazi leadership.
ActionComedyCrime
Director:
George Armitage
Release Date:
Fri Apr 11 1997
Star Cast:
John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$28,084,357
Grosse Pointe Blank is a darkly comedic film centered on the intense rivalry between two professional hitmen, each determined to undermine the other’s operations out of personal spite.
Directed by George Armitage, the movie was both a critical and commercial success, earning praise for its unique blend of action and humor. The story begins when a hitman receives an unexpected invitation to attend his high school reunion, setting the stage for new conflicts.
Meanwhile, another hitman approaches him with an offer to join his criminal organization. When the offer is declined, wounded pride leads the rival to plot against him, disrupting his reunion and sabotaging his upcoming assignments in an escalating game of one-upmanship.
ActionMysteryThriller
Director:
Doug Liman
Release Date:
Fri Jun 14 2002
Star Cast:
Franka Potente, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper
Budget:
$60,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$214,034,224
"The Bourne Identity" is a gripping action thriller inspired by Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel. The film centers on an international spy and assassin who, after a failed mission, is left suffering from amnesia.
Haunted by fragmented memories and fleeting images from his past, he struggles to piece together his real identity. Jason Bourne, the protagonist, belongs to a clandestine group within the CIA that specializes in covert operations around the globe.
As he races to uncover the truth about himself, Bourne must rely on his wits and combat skills to outmaneuver relentless agents determined to eliminate him. His journey is both a search for identity and a fight for survival.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Brian De Palma
Release Date:
Fri Aug 18 1989
Star Cast:
Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, Don Harvey
Budget:
$22,500,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$18,671,317
"Casualties of War" is a biographical war drama set during the Vietnam War and unfolds through a series of vivid flashbacks and recollections.
Because of the sensitive and disturbing real-life events portrayed, the film changes the characters' names and alters some details. Nonetheless, the story is based on a harrowing incident exposed in a 1969 article in The New Yorker.
The narrative follows Vietnam War veteran Max Eriksson, who remembers a traumatic episode from his service: an American platoon kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered a Vietnamese woman.
Despite threats from his fellow soldiers, a witness to the crime courageously reported the atrocity, leading to a court-martial for those involved.
ActionDramaHistory
Director:
Ridley Scott
Release Date:
Fri Jan 18 2002
Star Cast:
Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
Budget:
$92,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$172,989,651
"Black Hawk Down" is a gripping war film adapted from Mark Bowden's acclaimed non-fiction book of the same name.
The film dramatizes the intense 1993 US military raid in Mogadishu, sparked by the violent rise of Somali warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid. This high-stakes mission aimed to destabilize Aidid's hold over the region.
As Aidid's forces challenge a UN peacekeeping mission, President Bill Clinton dispatches US Army Rangers, Delta Force operatives, and the elite 160th SOAR helicopter crew to regain control and rescue captured personnel.
The harrowing operation results in the loss of nineteen American servicemen and more than a thousand Somali casualties, capturing the chaos and sacrifice of modern warfare.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Luc Besson
Release Date:
Fri Nov 18 1994
Star Cast:
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman
Budget:
FRF 115,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$19,569,225
"Léon: The Professional" is an English-language French thriller directed and written by Luc Besson. This film marks Natalie Portman's stunning debut performance, quickly establishing her as a remarkable young talent.
Critics have widely praised the film for its unique and compelling narrative, which centers on the unconventional bond formed between a skilled hitman and a twelve-year-old girl.
The movie's stylish visuals and fresh approach have received significant acclaim. Mathilda, portrayed by Portman, becomes Léon's neighbor after her family moves in next door. When a corrupt drug enforcement officer brutally murders her family, Mathilda finds refuge with Léon, who gradually steps into the role of her protector and mentor.
Their newfound relationship, however, is threatened when the corrupt officer returns to cover up his crimes, setting in motion a gripping and intense confrontation.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Phillip Noyce
Release Date:
Wed Aug 3 1994
Star Cast:
Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe, Anne Archer
Budget:
$62,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$215,887,717
"Clear and Present Danger" is an action-packed thriller based on Tom Clancy's bestselling novel. Serving as a sequel to works like "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games," the film continues the gripping saga of CIA operative Jack Ryan.
The movie achieved significant box office success and received positive reviews from critics, highlighting its engaging storyline and suspenseful atmosphere. Jack Ryan, now the CIA's Deputy Director of Intelligence, becomes aware of a covert mission operating under the President's direct orders.
The ongoing battle against South American drug cartels places the team of U.S. operatives in a perilous situation. As political pressures mount and the President considers abandoning the mission, Jack Ryan must personally intervene to ensure the safety and rescue of the men involved.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Clint Eastwood
Release Date:
Fri Jan 16 2015
Star Cast:
Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner
Budget:
$58,800,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$547,659,020
"American Sniper" is a gripping biographical film that chronicles the extraordinary life of Chris Kyle, one of the most decorated Navy SEAL snipers in U.S. history. The movie draws inspiration from his memoir, "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History."
Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film received critical acclaim and garnered multiple Academy Award nominations. It follows Chris Kyle through four harrowing tours in Iraq, where he became renowned for his precision and record of over 255 confirmed kills.
Kyle was honored with numerous accolades, including Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and Gold Star medals for his valor. However, the relentless violence and trauma of war took a toll on his mental health and personal life, adding a profound layer of complexity and humanity to his story.
BiographyDramaWar
Director:
Jason Hall
Release Date:
Fri Oct 27 2017
Star Cast:
Miles Teller, Beulah Koale, Joe Cole
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$9,995,692
Thank You For Your Service is a gripping biographical war drama that delves into the life of an Iraq War veteran grappling with the challenges of readjusting to civilian life.
Adapted from David Finkel's acclaimed book of the same name, the film offers an intimate look at the often overlooked struggles faced by returning soldiers.
Despite earning positive reviews and receiving praise for its powerful performances, particularly from its lead actors, the movie did not achieve major commercial success at the box office.
The story centers on Adam Schumann, a combat soldier who comes home after a grueling 15-month tour in Iraq, burdened by the effects of PTSD.
Adam finds solace in his friendships with fellow veterans, but his ongoing nightmares prompt his wife to urge him toward rehabilitation.
Haunted by survivor's guilt over his fallen and injured comrades, Adam's journey to healing is both moving and deeply challenging.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Peter Berg
Release Date:
Fri Jan 10 2014
Star Cast:
Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch
Budget:
$40,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$154,802,912
"Lone Survivor" is a gripping biographical film based on the true events of Operation Red Wings, a mission launched by the US government to capture Taliban leader Ahmed Shah.
The movie adapts the best-selling book co-authored by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson, tracing the harrowing journey of four highly trained Navy SEALs sent into Afghanistan for a risky reconnaissance and capture mission.
Their mission quickly unravels as the SEAL team is ambushed, resulting in a brutal firefight that leaves only one member alive.
Against all odds, a compassionate Pashtun villager risks everything to offer sanctuary to the lone survivor, despite the grave danger it brings to his village and loved ones.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Timur Bekmambetov
Release Date:
Fri Jun 27 2008
Star Cast:
Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman
Budget:
$75,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$342,463,063
Wanted is an action-packed thriller, inspired by the comic book characters created by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones. The film delivers high-octane sequences while capturing the essence of the original comics.
Although the plot has been adapted from its source material, director Timur Bekmambetov successfully preserves the dark and intense atmosphere of the stories, along with the core group of intriguing characters.
The story focuses on a young man whose father, a former assassin, is murdered. Soon, the son discovers he has all the traits necessary to become a master marksman and is drawn into his father's shadowy world.
The Fraternity—a clandestine organization of assassins—seeks to recruit him, even as they face betrayal and opposition from ex-members turned rivals, raising the stakes even higher.
CrimeThriller
Director:
Joel Schumacher
Release Date:
Fri Apr 4 2003
Star Cast:
Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker
Budget:
$13,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$97,837,138
"Phone Booth" is a tense psychological thriller penned by Larry Cohen and directed by Joel Schumacher. Though it premiered at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival, its nationwide U.S. release was postponed until 2003 following the DC Sniper attacks.
The story centers on a publicist who unsuspectingly answers a ringing phone in a Manhattan phone booth. This seemingly innocent act plunges him into a dangerous game, as a hidden sniper takes him hostage, forcing him to follow tense demands while revealing secrets that threaten to unravel his entire life.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Tony Scott
Release Date:
Wed Nov 21 2001
Star Cast:
Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack
Budget:
$115,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$143,049,560
"Spy Game" is a gripping action thriller, penned by Michael Freitag Breckner and directed by the acclaimed Tony Scott. The film achieved notable box office success and earned praise from critics for its intense storyline and compelling performances.
The plot revolves around a daring rescue mission to save a CIA operative, undertaken despite direct opposition from the agency itself. This high-stakes operation jeopardizes a vital trade agreement between the United States and China.
Undeterred, the mentor of Agent Bishop defies orders and orchestrates a Navy SEAL rescue to save Bishop and his girlfriend Hadley, who are imprisoned in China and facing the death penalty.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Anton Corbijn
Release Date:
Wed Sep 1 2010
Star Cast:
George Clooney, Paolo Bonacelli, Violante Placido
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$67,876,281
"The American" is an action thriller based on the novel, A Very Private Gentleman, written by Martin Booth. The film was directed by Anton Corbijn and received positive reviews from the audience.
"The American" also performed well at the box office. The film opens with a gunmaker living a peaceful life with his girlfriend in Sweden.
While walking around his estate, he realizes that he is being followed and escapes a sniper. His handler advises him to escape to Italy and hide there, but the sniper is still following him.
Who is the sniper, and what happens to the gunsmith is the movie story.
BiographyDramaWar
Director:
Sam Mendes
Release Date:
Fri Nov 4 2005
Star Cast:
Jake Gyllenhaal, Jamie Foxx, Lucas Black
Budget:
$72,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$97,076,152
Jarhead is a biographical war film about the life of a US marine during the first Gulf War. It is based on the memoirs of U. S. Marine Anthony Swofford and directed by Sam Mendes.
The film received positive reviews, but the critics also felt that the film lacked any emotional depth to it.
Jarhead is a slang term used to refer to US Marines. Swafford joined the Marines because his father served in the Vietnam War, and he followed in his footsteps.
However, Swofford appeared to slack off on his responsibility, so his staff sergeant suggested that he join the scout sniper program, and this set the course for the rest of the film.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
Doug Liman
Release Date:
Thu May 18 2017
Star Cast:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, Laith Nakli
Box Office (Worldwide):
$4,477,141
The Wall is an American war thriller directed by Doug Liman for Amazon Studios. The film received rave reviews from critics for the gripping portrayal of being stuck in the Iraqi desert.
However, the audiences were a little sceptical about the film. The film is a psychological thriller where an American sniper and his spotter are wounded and trapped by an Iraqi sniper.
As the Americans are inspecting an infrastructure site, a sniper shoots them down and uses their situation to attract rescue choppers and trap them as well.
ActionMysteryThriller
Director:
Christopher McQuarrie
Release Date:
Fri Dec 21 2012
Star Cast:
Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins
Budget:
$60,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$218,340,595
Jack Reacher is an action thriller based on the novel, One Shot by Lee Child. The film was directed by Christopher McQuarrie.
It was a box office hit and earned positive reviews. The audience was also amazed by the stunt work that Tom Cruise performed by himself, without any double.
The film starts with a sniper shooting a group of people. He is easily tracked down to be James Barr, a former marine sniper.
During his investigation, he only states Call Jack Reacher. It turns out that Jack Reacher, a Marine MP, knew the man and involuntarily gets involved in the investigation, which throws up new startling discoveries.
ActionDramaWar
Director:
Jean-Jacques Annaud
Release Date:
Fri Mar 16 2001
Star Cast:
Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes
Budget:
$68,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$96,976,270
Enemy At the Gates is a war film that concentrates on the Battle for Stalingrad, fought between 1942 and 1943.
The film is inspired by the book, Enemy At The Gates: The Battle For Stalingrad, written by William Craig.
The critics praised the film for getting the war atmosphere and the tension correctly captured but found the romantic side story to be unnecessary.
The film depicts the face-off between the two greatest snipers of World War II, Vasily Zaitsev, and Major Erwin Konig.
Vasily Zaitsev was the star sniper for the Red Army, and Major Konig was the Wehrmacht sniper school director.
The climax of the film is a direct standoff between the two snipers from opposing armies.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
Antoine Fuqua
Release Date:
Fri Mar 23 2007
Star Cast:
Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Rhona Mitra
Budget:
$61,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$95,696,996
"Shooter" is an action thriller that was based on the novel Point of Impact by Stephen Hunter. The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua.
It received mixed and average reviews, with many critics calling it another action thriller. They pointed out the plot holes that made the film implausible.
An American Marine scout sniper and his spotter are abandoned on a mission in Ethiopia. This leads to the death of the spotter, and the sniper retires from duty to lead a nondescript life.
Out of the blue, he is contacted by government agents requesting his assistance in foiling a terror threat to the president.
However, it turns out to be a set-up to frame the Marine for killing the Ethiopian Archbishop.
ActionDramaHistory
Director:
Nicolai Fuglsig
Release Date:
Fri Jan 19 2018
Star Cast:
Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña
Budget:
$35,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$67,359,190
12 Strong is another biographical war film based on the mission of the Horse Soldiers during the early days after the 9/11 attacks in the USA.
The film is inspired by the non-fiction book titled, Horse Soldiers, written by Doug Stanton on the recently declassified files.
The film received praise for the acting and the action sequences. However, they felt the movie lacked insight into the war on Afghanistan and looked like a soulless war movie.
Immediately after the terror strikes in the USA, a special team of servicemen is put together to do recon and lay the groundwork in Afghanistan.
Taking into account all eventualities, a team of soldiers is sent to Mazar-e-Sharif, a Taliban stronghold, on horseback. The film recounts their heroic efforts and sacrifices that led to many victories in the war.
DramaWar
Director:
Paul Gross
Release Date:
Tue Aug 2 2016
Star Cast:
Rossif Sutherland, Allan Hawco, David Richmond-Peck
Box Office (Worldwide):
$87,768
Based on the real story of Route Hyena, a vital route constructed in Afghanistan by the Canadian military, Hyena route (2015) is a war drama from Canada. Paul Gross directed the movie, which for the first time gave the Canadian viewpoint on the war in Afghanistan.
Three soldiers are followed in the movie: a teenage Afghan interpreter caught in the middle, a proficient but cold-blooded shooter, and an intelligence officer troubled by past choices. Their paths cross as they encounter the difficulties of war.
They start doubting their own morality and finding it difficult to pinpoint the enemy in a region rife with shifting allegiances and moral ambiguity. The film was nominated for Directors Guild of Canada Awards, ACTRA Awards, Canadian Film Awards, etc.
CrimeDramaThriller
Director:
Peter Bogdanovich
Release Date:
Thu Aug 15 1968
Star Cast:
Tim O'Kelly, Boris Karloff, Nancy Hsueh
Budget:
$130,000 (estimated)
Targets is a psychological drama film written by Polly Platt and Peter Bogdanovich. The film explores the impact of war and mindless violence on the mind and psyche.
The film was highly acclaimed and included in the book 1001 Movies You Must Watch Before You Die. A seemingly normal family man and a Vietnam war veteran go on an unexplained killing spree with his sniper rifle.
Parallelly, we are shown another story of an ageing horror film actor who attends a film premiere and ponders over the mindless violence around him, and contemplates retirement.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
John Moore
Release Date:
Fri Nov 30 2001
Star Cast:
Gene Hackman, Owen Wilson, Gabriel Macht
Budget:
$40,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$91,753,202
Behind enemy lines is a war film based on a real-life incident during the Bosnian war. It was inspired by the Mrkonjić Grad incident.
The film received negative reviews from critics, but the audience loved the film. It was declared a box office success with an earning of over $90 million.
Naval flight officer Lieutenant Chris Burnett gets caught on enemy territory after his plane crash lands. His co-pilot is dead, and his commanding officer is having to struggle to get approval for a counterstrike to retrieve his man.
While in Bosnia, Burnett discovers that a widespread genocide is underway, and the world is unaware of it.
ActionThrillerWar
Director:
Luis Llosa
Release Date:
Fri Jan 29 1993
Star Cast:
Tom Berenger, Billy Zane, J.T. Walsh
Box Office (Worldwide):
$18,994,653
Sniper is an action film and the first in the film franchise that spawned over six films. The story for the film was written by Michale Frost Beckner and Crash Leyland, with Luis Llosa as the director.
In this film, we are introduced to Master Ginnery Sgt. Thomas Beckett was sent on a mission to assassinate two Panamanian rebel leaders.
He is teamed with a civilian S. W. A. T. officer and together to achieve different goals. How they work out their differences to achieve the result forms the story.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
Robert Lorenz
Release Date:
Fri Jan 15 2021
Star Cast:
Katheryn Winnick, Liam Neeson, Teresa Ruiz
Budget:
$23,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$23,076,711
The Marksman is an action thriller movie made by Robert Lorenz. The film is about a retired Marine veteran, and it garnered mixed reviews from critics.
The performance of Liam Neeson was praised while the story was considered a little formulaic. Jimm Hanson is a Vietnam veteran and a marine scout sniper who is residing in Arizona.
He meets a mother and child who are trying to escape the Mexican drug cartel, and he tries to help them.
The mother dies, but Hanson rescues the kid and takes him to another state. Now, the cartel is chasing him to track down the kid.
CrimeDramaThriller
Director:
Aimee Long
Release Date:
Mon Aug 10 2020
Star Cast:
Kenny Leu, Ciara Renée, Fiona Fu
Shot Through The Heart is a made-for-TV movie that was telecast on BBC and HBO. The story of the film is a true event that took place during the Bosnian War and is called the Siege of Sarajevo.
The events were published in an article titled Anti-Sniper, by John Falk, which won the Peabody Award. Two friends from the opposing armies have a face-off during the Siege of Sarajevo.
Vlado Selimovid is a Muslim marksman who becomes a sniper for the Army of Bosnia out of his sense of duty.
Slavko is an ethnic Serb who is unemployed and decides to become a sniper in the Army of Srpska out of anger and rebellion.
ActionAdventureThriller
Director:
Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh
Release Date:
Fri Feb 24 2012
Star Cast:
Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sanchez, Nestor Serrano
Budget:
$12,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$82,499,399
Act of Valor is a film written by Kurt Johnstad, directed and produced by Mike McCoy. The film cast includes a real US Navy SEAL team and the Navy SWCC crew.
The film received negative reviews from critics, yet the audience loved the film, and it earned over $80 million at the box office.
The film opens with a terrorist attack on a US diplomat in Indonesia by a Chechen separatist. At the same time, a CIA operative with information on a drug lord is captured.
Both incidents are linked as the perpetrators are friends and close associates. With great risk and danger, the SEAL team resolves the crisis.
DramaWar
Director:
Predrag Antonijevic
Release Date:
Fri Nov 20 1998
Star Cast:
Dennis Quaid, Nastassja Kinski, Pascal Rollin
Budget:
$10,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$14,328
Savior is a war film that is set against the backdrop of the Bosnian war. A soldier and sniper lose his humanity after witnessing the death of his wife and child.
The film was described as a stark image of what war does to people without differentiating between religions and nationalities.
A US mercenary sniper in the UN peacekeeping mission goes on a killing spree after watching his wife and child die.
Years later, he is a sniper in the Bosnian War and loses his only friend. This takes him on a journey to reacquaint him with his humanity and offers him redemption.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Sergey Mokritskiy
Release Date:
Thu Apr 2 2015
Star Cast:
Yuliya Peresild, Evgeniy Tsyganov, Oleg Vasilkov
Budget:
$5,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$9,104,504
Battle for Sevastopol is a biographical war film about the creation and rise of one of the Soviet Union's most skilled snipers, Lyudmila Pavlichenko, during the German invasion of the USSR.
This World War II film is a joint Russia-Ukraine film. In 1937, with the rising tensions between Germany and the rest of Europe, the USSR prepared for all eventualities.
Lyudmila Pavlichenko displays a near-perfect score at a shooting range which earns her an invite from the Red Army.
After years of strenuous training, she becomes the most lethal sniper in the Red Army and fights to stop the German invasion of Soviet Russia.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Michael Caton-Jones
Release Date:
Fri Nov 14 1997
Star Cast:
Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier
Budget:
$60,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$159,330,280
The Jackal is an action thriller that is loosely based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth, titled The Day of the Assassin.
The film was a commercial hit and performed well at the box office. However, the critics were not appreciative of the film, providing negative reviews. The story begins with an operative being hired to assassinate a public figure.
The authorities become aware of this plot and make every effort to apprehend the assassin and thwart his mission. The film marked one of the final film roles for Sidney Poitier.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Xavier Gens
Release Date:
Wed Nov 21 2007
Star Cast:
Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko
Budget:
$24,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$101,276,318
Hitman is an action thriller inspired by a video game of the same name. The characters of the game are replicated in the film, with Agent 47 being the central character.
However, the critics felt that the plot was weak and choppy with excessive violence and unnecessary dialogue. Agent 47 is a trained assassin who was picked up from an orphanage by an organization called the ICA.
Years later, he is sent on a mission to assassinate the Russian president, and before he can get back to base, an attempt is made on his life.
He realizes that he was set up, and now he seeks vengeance.
ActionCrimeDrama
Director:
Larry Peerce
Release Date:
Fri Nov 12 1976
Star Cast:
Charlton Heston, John Cassavetes, Martin Balsam
Budget:
$6,700,000 (estimated)
Two-Minute Warning is an action thriller about an unknown sniper who is targeting innocent football fans. The film is based on a novel of the same name and is one of the early films to explore this kind of psychological thriller.
An unknown sniper is perched atop the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where a football match is scheduled. The stadium manager accidentally discovers his position and immediately intimates the police, who arrive with an S. W. A. T. team to take down the sniper. The call for action is set as the two-minute warning that is given out at the end of the game.
Despite their best efforts, the sniper lets lose a few rounds injuring a few spectators before he is subdued.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
Claudio Fäh, Carl Goldstein
Release Date:
Tue Oct 3 2017
Star Cast:
Chad Michael Collins, Danay Garcia, Billy Zane
"Sniper: Ultimate Kill" (2017) is an action thriller film directed by Claudio Fäh. The story follows a skilled sniper, Brandon Beckett, who teams up with his father's former protégé to take down a drug lord in Colombia.
As they venture deep into enemy territory, they encounter formidable obstacles, including lethal snipers and treacherous terrain.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its intense action sequences and solid performances. While some appreciated its thrilling moments and competent direction, others found the plot predictable and formulaic.
Despite the mixed reception, "Sniper: Ultimate Kill" gained moderate success at the box office, appealing to fans of the sniper subgenre and action enthusiasts.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Dante Lam
Release Date:
Thu Apr 9 2009
Star Cast:
Richie Jen, Xiaoming Huang, Edison Chen
Budget:
HK$30,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$329,945
The Sniper is a Hong Kong - Chinese film that tells the story of three champion sharpshooters in the Hong Kong PD.
The film stars Edison Chen, Huang Xiaoming, and Richie Jen as the Sharpshooters. The film starts with a hostage situation gone wrong as the best sharpshooter killed the hostage instead of the mobster.
Although Lincoln, the best sharpshooter pleads innocence as the mobster was about to blow a blow, his teammates do not support him, and he is jailed.
Once Lincoln is back from jail, he vows revenge on his old team that betrayed him. It is now up to the other two snipers to stop him.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Richard Donner
Release Date:
Fri Oct 6 1995
Star Cast:
Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$30,303,072
Assassins is a film written by the Wachowskis and Brian Helgeland. The original script by the Wachowskis was completely revised by Helgeland.
Although they tried to have their name removed, it was already associated with the film. "Assassins" is a story about the best assassin in the world who plans to retire.
However, the new upstart wants to kill him to gain the title of the world's best assassin. In the midst of their rivalry, a computer hacker is caught up as the target.
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Prachya Pinkaew
Release Date:
Tue May 17 2011
Star Cast:
Kevin Bacon, Djimon Hounsou, Vithaya Pansringarm
Budget:
$10,000,000 (estimated)
Elephant White is an action film that was made by the Thai director Prachya Pinkaew. The film was set in Thailand and deals with the power struggle within the gang.
Curtis Church is a sniper and hitman employed by Rajahoon to eliminate the members of a certain gang. Church finishes his task and implicates the rival gang for it.
However, as he goes to collect his bounty, things take a turn for the weird, and Church realizes that Rajahoon plans to double-cross him.
Church has to plan his escape and save his friends.
ActionDramaThriller
Director:
Kari Skogland
Release Date:
Fri May 3 2002
Star Cast:
Tanya Allen, Hart Bochner, Fulvio Cecere
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$595,214
Sniper 2 is the second film in the Sniper franchise. The film follows the events of the first film, where the Former U. S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Scout Sniper Thomas Beckett has lost his index finger.
Yet due to his formidable skill and abilities, the CIA agents contact him on a special mission. The film was released on the paid TV channel Cinemax and garnered mixed reviews, but it was mostly for technical flaws.
The film was about a mission to eliminate a Serbian dictator who was doing ethnic cleansing, yet the film shows him speaking Hungarian.
ActionDramaWar
Director:
Mo Zhang, Yimou Zhang
Release Date:
Tue Feb 1 2022
Star Cast:
Yongsheng Chen, Yu Zhang, Jonathan Kos-Read
Box Office (Worldwide):
$90,120,000
A Chinese military film titled "Snipers" (2022) is based on the story of Zhang Taofang, a teenage soldier who turns into a lethal sniper during the Korean military. In just 32 days during the Korean War, he killed or wounded 214 American soldiers, making a significant contribution to the Chinese Army.
With his exceptional marksmanship, he breaks enemy lines in the face of insurmountable odds and harsh circumstances. His bravery, ingenuity, and the sacrifices he made in the face of conflict are shown in the movie.
With breathtaking sights and an engrossing story, "Snipers" pays moving homage to the valour of Chinese soldiers. In China, the movie received numerous nominations and honours from the Changchun Film Festival, Huading Awards, Golden Rooster Awards, and other events.
Action
Director:
Toshiharu Muguruma
Release Date:
Sat Apr 17 2004
Star Cast:
Hiroshi Abe, Miyoko Akaza, Kôsei Amano
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,839,020
Sniper 3 is the third instalment in the franchise, and it picks up right after the events of Sniper 2.
The film is an action-packed adventure directed by P. J. Pesce. It was released directly to the video. The film follows Thomas Beckett as he joined the Marine Corps.
As he attends the wedding of his old friend Finnegan’s son, he is approached by the CIA on a secret mission.
He is requested to go to Vietnam and shoot Finnegan, who is still alive and running an underground drug trafficking ring.
However, everything that the CIA has described is not true, and Beckett has to struggle his way out of another mess-up.