Top 50 Best Sniper Movies Of All Time

Aishwarya Aishwarya - Updated Jan 22, 2025

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.

1
Quiz about Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan
R
imdb icon8.6
IMDb Rating8.6
Rotten Tomatoes Rating94
Metacritic Rating91

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

Direction
Excellent
Cinematography
Excellent
Casting
Very Good
Screenplay
Good
Visual
Fair
Sound
Fair

Saving Private Ryan is a war film that was partly inspired by the Niland Brothers. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a script from Robert Rodal.

The film was critically acclaimed with eleven Academy Award nominations, out of which, they won five awards. The film is set against the backdrop of D-Day at Normandy, where PFC Ryan is fighting.

A special team is sent to retrieve him as all three of Private Ryan’s brothers have died, and as the last member of the family, the government decided to pull him out of the danger zone.

 

2
Quiz about The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker
R
imdb icon7.5
IMDb Rating7.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating97
Metacritic Rating95

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

Direction
Excellent
Cinematography
Excellent
Screenplay
Excellent
Casting
Very Good
Sound
Fair
Visual
Average

The Hurt Locker is a war film that was written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won six of the awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, etc.

The film follows the Explosives Ordnance Detonation team as they carry out their duties during the Iraq War. The film depicts the many tense situations and difficult experiences their teams have to face every day.

This takes a toll on the members, but each of them handles it differently.

 

3
Quiz about The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter
R
imdb icon8.1
IMDb Rating8.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating86
Metacritic Rating86

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

Direction
Excellent
Cinematography
Excellent
Casting
Excellent
Visual
Average
Screenplay
Average
Sound
Average

The Deer Hunter is an Academy Award-nominated film with stellar performances from everyone in the cast, including Robert DeNiro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Cazale, John Savage, and more.

The film was inducted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list.

Three American youths are working in a steel plant and enjoy deer hunting in their off time. When the Vietnam war was announced, they enlisted for duty and experienced a harrowing journey.

Even after returning stateside, they are unable to shake off the psychological and physical impact it has on each of them.

 

4
Quiz about Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket
R
imdb icon8.3
IMDb Rating8.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating90
Metacritic Rating78

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

Casting
Very Good
Screenplay
Good
Sound
Good
Direction
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average

Full Metal Jacket is a Vietnam War movie that was directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. He also co-wrote the script along with Michel Herr and Gustav Hasford.

The film earned an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. A Full Metal Jacket is a type of bullet used in the military during the Vietnam War.

The film starts with the marine boot camp, where the drill sergeant is shown to be a tough taskmaster who was extra hard on two cadets, Joker and Pyle.

The next part of the film focuses on the experiences of Joker during the Offensive in the war.

 

5

The Day of the Jackal

The Day of the Jackal
PG
imdb icon7.8
IMDb Rating7.8
Rotten Tomatoes Rating90
Metacritic Rating80

CrimeDramaThriller

Director:

Fred Zinnemann

Release Date:

Mon Jul 30 1973

Star Cast:

Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair

Direction
Good
Screenplay
Good
Sound
Good
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Casting
Average

The Day of The Jackal is an action thriller based on a novel of the same name written by Frederick Forsyth.

The film was a collaboration between England and France, with the film earning five BAFTA nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and more.

French president Charles De Gaulle gives independence to Algeria and this angers a terrorist organization. They attempt to assassinate him and hire a highly skilled sniper called The Jackal.

The French police get wind of this operation, and it is a race to see who wins, the Jackal or the Police.

6

Three Kings

Three Kings
R
imdb icon7.1
IMDb Rating7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating94
Metacritic Rating82

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

Direction
Fair
Screenplay
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Three Kings is a black comedy and a war film that is set during the closing days of the Gulf War after the fall of Saddam Hussein.

John Ridley wrote the story for the film and the film was a major box office hit earning over $100 million.

The film tells the story of four American soldiers who find a large stash of stolen gold bullion while doing a routine review.

The soldiers decide to keep the gold rather than report it. However, a news reporter gets wind of this heist plan along with other Iraqi rebel leaders.

There is a mad dash to reap the benefits of this either by stealing it, reporting it, or claiming it.

7

Heat

Heat
R
imdb icon8.3
IMDb Rating8.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating88
Metacritic Rating76

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Heat is a crime drama and action film about the clash between a crew of thieves and a police detective.

The film was made by Michael Mann and won rave reviews. Sadly, it did not have many nominations and awards despite the superb performances by the cast.

An LAPD detective is assigned a case of a career thief and his crew of bank robbers. The detective and the thief have a similar work ethic and attitude toward life but are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

After careful scouting and recon work, the LAPD is able to apprehend the gang and bring them to justice.

8
Quiz about Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds
R
imdb icon8.4
IMDb Rating8.4
Rotten Tomatoes Rating89
Metacritic Rating69

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

Screenplay
Excellent
Casting
Excellent
Direction
Very Good
Cinematography
Very Good
Sound
Fair
Visual
Average

Inglourious Basterds is a World War II film that was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film offers an alternative history to the course of the war.

The film earned eight Academy Award nominations and won the award for Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz. Many teams attempted to assassinate the head of the Nazi party during the world war.

In the film, we see the plan and preparation of two teams, one that is led by a Jewish drama troupe owner, Shosanna Dreyfuss.

The other team is led by First Lieutenant Aldo Raine and his team of American Jews.

9

Grosse Pointe Blank

Grosse Pointe Blank
R
imdb icon7.3
IMDb Rating7.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating82
Metacritic Rating76

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

Casting
Fair
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Sound
Average

Grosse Pointe Blank is a black comedy film about a rivalry between two professional hitmen who sabotage the work of the other out of spite.

The film was directed by George Armitage, received positive reviews, and did well at the box office. The film starts with a professional hitman receiving an invitation to a high school reunion.

At the same time, another hitman offers him a place in his organization. The offer is rejected but it ends up becoming a bruise to the ego of the other hitman, so he sabotages the hitman’s reunion and all future assignments.

10

The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Identity
PG-13
imdb icon7.8
IMDb Rating7.8
Rotten Tomatoes Rating84
Metacritic Rating68

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

The Bourne Identity is an action thriller based on the Robert Ludlum novel of the same name. The film is about an international spy and assassin who is suffering from amnesia.

He gets minor flashbacks of his last mission, but he is unable to piece together his identity. Jason Bourne is a member of a secretive team in the CIA that carries out clandestine operations across the world.

He must now use his investigative skills to get back his identity and avoid being eliminated by his fellow operatives.

11

Casualties of War

Casualties of War
R
imdb icon7.1
IMDb Rating7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating83
Metacritic Rating75

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Casualties of War is a biographical war film set during the time of the Vietnam War. The film is mostly narrated through flashbacks and recollections.

Due to the sensitive nature of the story, the names and stories have been altered. However, the incident came to light in an article in The New Yorker in 1969.

A Vietnam War veteran, Max Erricksson, recollects an incident that occurred during his duty in the army. An American platoon kidnapped a Vietnamese woman, gang-raped her, and killed her.

The incident was witnessed by another soldier and he was threatened by the platoon. Yet, he reported the incident and had the platoon court-martialed.

12
Quiz about Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down
R
imdb icon7.7
IMDb Rating7.7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating77
Metacritic Rating74

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

Sound
Excellent
Direction
Good
Cinematography
Good
Visual
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average

Black Hawk Down is a war film that was based on the book of the same name, written by Mark Bowden.

It covered the events of 1993 when the US Military raided Mogadishu in retaliation to the hostile takeover of Somalia by Mohammed Farrah Aidid.

As the rebel forces of Aidid declare war on the UN Peacekeeping mission, President Bill Clinton sends a company of US Rangers, Delta Force Units, and a crew of the 160th SOAR unit to control the situation.

In this mission, nineteen US servicemen lose their lives, and 1000 Somalis are dead before the operation ends.

13
Quiz about Léon: The Professional

Léon: The Professional

Léon: The Professional
R
imdb icon8.5
IMDb Rating8.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating74
Metacritic Rating64

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

Casting
Fair
Sound
Fair
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average

Léon: The Professional is an English-language French film. It was written and directed by Luc Besson and served as the debut film for Natalie Portman.

The film was praised by critics for its story of an unusual relationship between a professional hitman and a twelve-year-old girl.

The stylish and fresh look was highly praised. Matilda and her family are neighbours of Léon, a hitman. When a corrupt drug enforcement officer murders her parents, Mathilda takes shelter with Léon, and gradually he becomes her guardian and caretaker.

However, things are not smooth sailing as the corrupt officer returns to clean up the crime.

14

Clear and Present Danger

Clear and Present Danger
PG-13
imdb icon6.9
IMDb Rating6.9
Rotten Tomatoes Rating81
Metacritic Rating72

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

Sound
Good
Casting
Fair
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average

Clear and Present Danger is an action film based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name. It is a sequel to previous Tom Clancy novels like The Hunt For Red October and Patriot Games.

The film was a major box office hit, and the critics also gave the movie a thumbs up. Jack Ryan is the Deputy Director of Intelligence at the CIA, however, he finds that a covert operation is underway under the direct orders of the President.

The war on the South American drug cartels has put the team of US forces in a difficult position.

With the President planning to cut them loose, Jack Ryan has to personally intervene and bring the men back safely.

15

American Sniper

American Sniper
R
imdb icon7.3
IMDb Rating7.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating72
Metacritic Rating72

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

Casting
Excellent
Sound
Very Good
Screenplay
Good
Direction
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average

American Sniper is a biographical film about the life of the highly decorated Navy SEAL Sniper Chris Kyle. It is based on his autobiography American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U. S. Military History.

The film was made by Clint Eastwood and earned multiple Academy Award nominations. The story of the film is that of Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle who served in four Iraq tours as a sniper and has over 255 deaths to his credit.

He has received multiple Gold Star medals, Bronze Star medals, Silver Star medals, and more. Despite his shining career, his personal life and psychology took a hit with all the war, killing, and death.

16

Thank You for Your Service

Thank You for Your Service
R
imdb icon6.6
IMDb Rating6.6
Rotten Tomatoes Rating76
Metacritic Rating68

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Thank You For Your Service is a biographical war movie about an Iraq war veteran who is struggling to get back into civilian life.

The film is based on a book of the same name written by David Finkel of The Washington Post.

The film received positive reviews, and the performance of the actors was also praised. Yet, it failed to make an impact at the box office.

Adam Schumann is a combat soldier who returns home after a 15-month tour in Iraq, and he is suffering from PTSD.

He takes comfort in his friendship with fellow veterans, but when his nightmares continue, his wife encourages him to join rehab.

He struggles to unload the survivors' guilt from all his fallen and injured comrades which makes his journey difficult.

17

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor
R
imdb icon7.5
IMDb Rating7.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating75
Metacritic Rating60

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

Casting
Excellent
Sound
Good
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average

Lone Survivor is a biographical film about Operation Red Wings which the US government carried out to capture the Taliban leader Ahmed Shah.

The film is based on a book of the same name, written by Marcus Lattrell with Patrick Robinson. The film depicts the events of Operation Red Wings where four highly skilled Navy SEALS were sent for recon and capture of Ahmed Shah in Afghanistan.

Things go sideways when the SEAL team is engaged in a gun battle and loses all but one member.

A local Pashtun villager shelters the lone surviving member of the team despite the danger to his family and village.

18

Wanted

Wanted
R
imdb icon6.7
IMDb Rating6.7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating71
Metacritic Rating64

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

Sound
Good
Casting
Fair
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average

Wanted is an action thriller film based on the comic book characters created by Mark Millar and J. G Jones.

The story from the comic book has been altered, but the main characters and the dark feel of the stories have been retained in the film by director Timur  Bekmambetov.

A former assassin is killed and his son has been identified to have all the making of an expert marksman.

The secret organization of assassins, The Fraternity, tries its best to recruit the son while fighting off its former members who have turned rivals.

19

Phone Booth

Phone Booth
R
imdb icon7.1
IMDb Rating7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating72
Metacritic Rating56

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

Direction
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Phone Booth is a psychological thriller film that was written by Larry Cohen and directed by Joel Schumacher. The film was shown at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival but was released across the USA in 2003 due to the DC Sniper Attack incident.

A publicist chances upon a ringing phone at a phone booth and answers it. This call changes his life as he becomes a target for a concealed sniper who holds him, hostage, forces him to carry out tasks, and tells hidden secrets that could destroy his life.

20

Spy Game

Spy Game
R
imdb icon7.1
IMDb Rating7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating64
Metacritic Rating63

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

Spy Game is another action thriller written by Michael Friday Breckner and directed by Tony Scott. The film has a good box office run, and critics also had positive reviews for the film.

Spy Game is about a rescue mission of a CIA operative against the wishes of the CIA. This rescue mission could cost the US a crucial trade deal with China.

Yet the mentor of agent Bishop launches a SEAL team rescue mission to save Bishop and his girlfriend Hadley, who is imprisoned in China awaiting the death penalty.

21

The American

The American
R
imdb icon6.3
IMDb Rating6.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating64
Metacritic Rating61

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

"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.

22

Jarhead

Jarhead
R
imdb icon7
IMDb Rating7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating60
Metacritic Rating58

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

Direction
Fair
Casting
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Sound
Average

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.

23

The Wall

The Wall
R
imdb icon6.2
IMDb Rating6.2
Rotten Tomatoes Rating65
Metacritic Rating57

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

24

Jack Reacher

Jack Reacher
PG-13
imdb icon7
IMDb Rating7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating63
Metacritic Rating50

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

25

Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates
R
imdb icon7.5
IMDb Rating7.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating54
Metacritic Rating53

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

26

Shooter

Shooter
R
imdb icon7.1
IMDb Rating7.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating48
Metacritic Rating53

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

"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.

27

12 Strong

12 Strong
R
imdb icon6.5
IMDb Rating6.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating50
Metacritic Rating54

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

28

Hyena Road

Hyena Road
R
imdb icon6.5
IMDb Rating6.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating57
Metacritic Rating44

DramaWar

Director:

Paul Gross

Release Date:

Tue Aug 2 2016

Star Cast:

Rossif Sutherland, Allan Hawco, David Richmond-Peck

Box Office (Worldwide):

$87,768

Direction
Fair
Sound
Fair
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average

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.
 

29

Targets

Targets
R
imdb icon7.3
IMDb Rating7.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating90
Metacritic Rating-

CrimeDramaThriller

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Release Date:

Thu Aug 15 1968

Star Cast:

Tim O'Kelly, Boris Karloff, Nancy Hsueh

Budget:

$130,000 (estimated)

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

30
Quiz about Behind Enemy Lines

Behind Enemy Lines

Behind Enemy Lines
PG-13
imdb icon6.4
IMDb Rating6.4
Rotten Tomatoes Rating37
Metacritic Rating49

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

31

Sniper

Sniper
R
imdb icon6.1
IMDb Rating6.1
Rotten Tomatoes Rating38
Metacritic Rating45

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

32

The Marksman

The Marksman
PG-13
imdb icon5.7
IMDb Rating5.7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating38
Metacritic Rating44

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

33

A Shot Through the Wall

A Shot Through the Wall
imdb icon5.2
IMDb Rating5.2
Rotten Tomatoes Rating82
Metacritic Rating-

CrimeDramaThriller

Director:

Aimee Long

Release Date:

Mon Aug 10 2020

Star Cast:

Kenny Leu, Ciara Renée, Fiona Fu

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

34

Act of Valor

Act of Valor
R
imdb icon6.4
IMDb Rating6.4
Rotten Tomatoes Rating28
Metacritic Rating40

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

35

Savior

Savior
R
imdb icon7.2
IMDb Rating7.2
Rotten Tomatoes Rating56
Metacritic Rating-

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

36

Battle for Sevastopol

Battle for Sevastopol
imdb icon7
IMDb Rating7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating58
Metacritic Rating-

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

Direction
Fair
Cinematography
Fair
Casting
Fair
Visual
Average
Screenplay
Average
Sound
Average

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.

37

The Jackal

The Jackal
R
imdb icon6.4
IMDb Rating6.4
Rotten Tomatoes Rating24
Metacritic Rating36

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

38

Hitman

Hitman
R
imdb icon6.2
IMDb Rating6.2
Rotten Tomatoes Rating16
Metacritic Rating35

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

39

Two-Minute Warning

Two-Minute Warning
Approved
imdb icon6.2
IMDb Rating6.2
Rotten Tomatoes Rating-
Metacritic Rating46

ActionCrimeDrama

Director:

Larry Peerce

Release Date:

Fri Nov 12 1976

Star Cast:

Charlton Heston, John Cassavetes, Martin Balsam

Budget:

$6,700,000 (estimated)

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

40

Sniper: Ultimate Kill

Sniper: Ultimate Kill
R
imdb icon5.6
IMDb Rating5.6
Rotten Tomatoes Rating39
Metacritic Rating-

ActionDramaThriller

Director:

Claudio Fäh, Carl Goldstein

Release Date:

Tue Oct 3 2017

Star Cast:

Chad Michael Collins, Danay Garcia, Billy Zane

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

"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.

41

The Sniper

The Sniper
imdb icon5.5
IMDb Rating5.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating37
Metacritic Rating-

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

Casting
Fair
Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Sound
Average

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.

42

Assassins

Assassins
R
imdb icon6.3
IMDb Rating6.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating16
Metacritic Rating-

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

43

Elephant White

Elephant White
R
imdb icon5
IMDb Rating5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating28
Metacritic Rating-

ActionCrimeThriller

Director:

Prachya Pinkaew

Release Date:

Tue May 17 2011

Star Cast:

Kevin Bacon, Djimon Hounsou, Vithaya Pansringarm

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

44

Liberty Stands Still

Liberty Stands Still
R
imdb icon5.7
IMDb Rating5.7
Rotten Tomatoes Rating20
Metacritic Rating-

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

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

45

Snipers

Snipers
imdb icon6.3
IMDb Rating6.3
Rotten Tomatoes Rating-
Metacritic Rating-

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

Direction
Fair
Cinematography
Fair
Screenplay
Fair
Sound
Fair
Visual
Average
Casting
Average

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.
 

46

Koibito wa sunaipâ: Gekijô-ban

Koibito wa sunaipâ: Gekijô-ban
imdb icon5.5
IMDb Rating5.5
Rotten Tomatoes Rating-
Metacritic Rating-

Action

Director:

Toshiharu Muguruma

Release Date:

Sat Apr 17 2004

Star Cast:

Hiroshi Abe, Miyoko Akaza, Kôsei Amano

Box Office (Worldwide):

$1,839,020

Direction
Average
Visual
Average
Cinematography
Average
Screenplay
Average
Casting
Average
Sound
Average

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.

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