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Top 10 Headshots in Movies

Top 10 Headshots in Movies
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Nathan Sharp

Boom! Watch your head! ... Too late. Join http://www.watchmojo.com as we count down our picks for the top ten headshots in movies. For this list, we're looking at those memorable big screen kills in which characters are shot in the head and ranking those that left such an impression on us that our mouths were also left open. However, we're only including kills from guns, so head shots by any other weapon or similar weapon type, such as the cattle gun in "No Country for Old Men", are excluded. As always, spoiler alert, as you will be seeing characters checking out throughout this list...

Special thanks to our users rodan4777625350, Kijana Marc Brajon, Malcolm Lim, perryhigh, jeppeMCdk, sleepnot, Daniel Bruce, David Ram, Andy Roehl and Margaret Rd, for submitting the idea at WatchMojo.comsuggest



#10: It's Just Been Revoked!
"Lethal Weapon 2" (1989)

In this sequel to “Lethal Weapon,” Riggs and Murtaugh are tasked with protecting a witness from a crime syndicate with diplomatic immunity. You would think that would be a hindrance, while Rudd waves his proof of diplomatic immunity around, Murtaugh shoots him through the head and utters a few choice words. This moment is shocking due to the unexpected nature of the kill, but it’s also funny because of the witty one-liner that immediately follows. The surprised look on Rudd’s face only adds to the humor and acts as a fitting send off to the bad guy.

#9: Clifford Worley
"True Romance" (1993)

While the headshot itself is well done, it’s the intense build up to the kill that makes it that much more brutal. After his son Clarence stops by on his way to Hollywood with a bag full of cocaine, the owners of the drugs interrogate Clifford in an intense moment featuring two Hollywood legends. The kill itself is a perfect end to the scene, as it is quick, brutal, and surprisingly dark. While we all know it’s going to happen, it’s still a shock when that fatal shot finally rings out.

#8: Hans Kills Tagaki
"Die Hard" (1988)

This movie featuring Bruce Willis as John McClane, an everyday cop who fights off thieves in a building, has its fair share of violence, such as the headshot in the finale, but it’s Takagi’s death that sticks with viewers. The kill is completely unexpected, and works well to develop Hans’ character as a ruthless and no-nonsense villain. The exploding head and loud blood splat on the door emphasize the visceral and realistic tone the movie adheres to, and leaves viewers’ mouths on the floor.

#7: Dodge This
"The Matrix" (1999)

This sci-fi flick follows Neo as he learns that reality is simply a computer program created by machines, and features some amazing action set pieces. Following one of “The Matrix”‘s most famous scenes – the lobby shootout – in this unforgettable moment on the rooftop, Trinity utters her famous one-liner and blows the Agent away. This marks the first time in the movie that an Agent has been seriously harmed, and it comes in the most badass and perfect way. Trinity’s line, coupled with the slow motion effect of the Agent falling and his body changing, make this a technical masterpiece of a headshot.

#6: The T-1000's Splitting Head
"Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (1991)

This action classic follows The Terminator as he protects John from the T-1000 and features some of cinema’s most groundbreaking CGI effects, including this scene when the robot assassin’s head splits in half. The headshot is perfect because of the damaging effect it has on the T-1000, and the amazing CGI that proved revolutionary in 1991 and still holds up today. The Terminator’s robotic moans and still-moving body only add to the amazing accomplishment that this headshot proved to be, and the image has become iconic in movie history.

#5: Tommy DeVito
"GoodFellas" (1990)

The world of the mob is a dangerous one, and Tommy finds that out firsthand here. “Goodfellas” follows Ray Liotta’s character as he traverses his way through the life and times of the Lucchese crime family, and the mob life is portrayed perfectly when Tommy gets a shot to the back of the head. It’s filmed quickly and brutally, complete with a sickening burst of blood from his head, which is a great way to film the kill. This is another example of tension trumping the actual headshot, as we know Tommy’s death is imminent; however, when it comes, it comes fast and it comes brutal.

#4: Slow Motion Headshot
"Drive" (2011)

This art-house movie about a stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver has its fair share of visceral, realistic violence, and the motel scene displays that perfectly. After a lengthy getaway chase, the woman The Driver is with is brutally shot through the window of the bathroom by a shotgun, after which her blood and brains are splattered all over the room in glorious slow motion. Even though it’s quick, the violence of the scene leaves viewers in amazement, and it provides one of cinema’s most violent and sickening headshots.

#3: Billy Costigan
"The Departed" (2006)

A movie about a law enforcement agency that finds out there’s a mole from the mob in the organization is bound to draw some deaths, and none is more memorable than Billy’s. After capturing mole Colin, Billy is surprisingly shot when the elevator doors open, and his death results in a spray of blood all over the wall behind him. The shock on Colin’s face says it all, as this is one of cinema’s most unexpected deaths, and the way Billy’s head shoots back is both alarming and realistic. No one – especially not audiences - saw this one coming, and it’s all the more memorable because of it.

#2: I Shot Marvin in the Face
"Pulp Fiction" (1994)

A movie about various characters intertwining through crime, “Pulp Fiction” possesses typical Tarantino black comedy, and no other scene is more indicative of that than Marvin’s death. The initial shot is shocking and violent, with blood covering the interior of the car, but the cool, nonchalant attitude of Vincent also makes the scene hilarious despite its depravity. You can even see brains in Jules’ hairs, but that’s part of the magic: you don’t know whether to be disgusted or laugh during this historic and darkly comedic scene.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Swallow This
"Evil Dead II" (1987)


Didn't See That Coming
"Planet Terror" (2007)

Burt Reynolds
"Dawn of the Dead" (2004)


Erwin König
"Enemy at the Gates" (2001)


Zombie Stephen
"Dawn of the Dead" (1978)

Leon
"Blade Runner" (1982)


#1: Chad Feldheimer
"Burn After Reading" (2008)

In what is perhaps one of the most unexpected deaths in cinema history, Chad from “Burn After Reading” goes out with a bang and gets our top spot. After snooping around and looking at files he wasn’t supposed to, things don’t end quite well for Chad. A panicky Harry ends Chad’s life after he finds him in the closet and this moment is completely shocking. Moreover, the image of Chad’s body slumping over and the blood shooting behind him is quite disturbing. However, like Marvin’s death, we laugh in spite of the horrific imagery. The surprise factor and visceral violence work in the scene’s favor, and leave audience members asking, “Did that really just happen?”

Do you agree with our list? What headshots are your favourite? For more explosive top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.

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