Top 10 Most Badass Mark Wahlberg Movie Moments

“Invincible” (2006)
Playing real-life football player Vince Papale, Wahlberg spends “Invincible” trying to prove himself as an amateur on the Philadelphia Eagles. During a game against the Giants, the former bartender recovers a fumble for his team. Motivated, Wahlberg flies down the field in a run that’s nothing short of epic. His dramatic strides go into slow-motion, making the actor look as awesome as possible in the process. Scoring a touchdown, Papale gets a win for the Eagles and proves his worth on the team. This moment feels even more impactful considering the lengthy journey the character took to get there. If this scene doesn’t make you believe in the power of sheer will, we don’t know what will.

“The Italian Job” (2003)
In the remake of the classic heist film, Wahlberg plays point man Charlie, hoping to avenge his fallen friend. The team’s climactic getaway in Mini Coopers, with Charlie taking the lead, is a fun and well-orchestrated set piece through Los Angeles. Driving through tunnels, the team of robbers outrun a pair of motorcycles out to catch them. Even when Charlie gets chased down by a helicopter, he executes a number of high-stakes maneuvers that help him outsmart his pursuers. In the end, Charlie steers through even the most dangerous turns with a determined and courageous focus. Always one step ahead, Wahlberg steers this “Italian Job” scene into classic badass territory.

“2 Guns” (2013)
With Wahlberg and Denzel Washington sharing the screen, the entertaining “2 Guns” has more than enough awesomeness for one film. After a convoluted plot of double-crosses and schemes, the two leads booby trap a bundle of cash meant for the villains. When the cash explodes, the actors make it rain bullets and dollar bills. In the chaos of the moment, Wahlberg spins around back-to-back with his partner as they shoot people in slow motion. Adjusting on the fly, the actor turns into a crack shot in seconds flat. For an action scene, there's not much more you could want than two badass stars in full beast mode.

“Lone Survivor” (2013)
Among Wahlberg’s most powerful films, “Lone Survivor” depicts a brave and tragic story about four Navy SEALs in Afghanistan. Playing real-life SEAL Marcus Luttrell, Wahlberg depicts the elite warrior in a fight for his life alongside his fellow squad members. Ambushed on a mountain, Luttrell is the last man left from his team after an intense firefight. After falling down a cliff and suffering numerous injuries, Luttrell still manages to drag himself to safety. Even when he’s seemingly down for the count, the soldier’s relentless spirit and loyalty to his fallen comrades keeps him going. As heroic as Wahlberg’s ever looked on screen, the badass actor lends a degree of fierce intensity to this unforgettable action scene.

“The Gambler” (2014)
Compulsive gambler and professor Jim Bennett is one of the more intellectual heroes in Wahlberg’s filmography. After a bet pays off, Jim takes his money to an underground gambling den. Harboring near inescapable gambling debts, the professor makes the roulette spin of a lifetime. Betting all he has on black, Wahlberg’s cool and calm persona carries him nearly silent through a high-stakes scene. Putting stacks of cash onto a table, the man knows that this decision could cost him more than his life savings. When he wins, Jim plays it cool knowing his debts are gone forever. In the end, Wahlberg sells his badass image hardly lifting a finger.

“Four Brothers” (2005)
In “Four Brothers,” Bobby Mercer and his vigilante brothers track down the mobsters responsible for their adoptive mother’s death. Confronting mob boss Victor Sweet on a frozen lake, Bobby emerges from the distance like a force of nature. With nothing but pure swagger, Wahlberg never lets his guard down nor shows any sign of weakness. In the ensuing fight, Bobby uppercuts Sweet in a knockout. To top it all off, Bobby walks away like it was nothing. In another victory for Wahlberg, he showcases a combination of cool and badass that’s rarely seen on screen in such a satisfying way.

“Shooter” (2007)
Wahlberg playing skilled sniper Bob Lee Swagger, “Shooter” lets him unleash his purest action hero performance. Framed for an assassination, the title character spends most of the runtime hunting down the people that framed him. In the final scene, Swagger shoots his betrayers and blows up their lodge. For fans of skillfully executed action, the scene begins ominously as the offscreen hero fires several deadly shots into the building. After all that, the protagonist is far from finished. He still has time to walk in slow motion as the place goes up in flames behind him. As they say, cool guys don’t look at explosions.

“The Other Guys” (2010)
For the majority of “The Other Guys,” Wahlberg’s character wishes he could be badass. Relegated to a desk job after accidentally shooting Derek Jeter, Terry finds himself stuck with straight-laced partner Allen. Thankfully for the detective, he finally gets his chance when an all out gun battle happens in a crowded conference room. When shooting breaks out, Terry sees an opportunity to show off his improvisational skills. As bullets whizz by, the detective escapes by sliding across the conference table with a gun in each hand. Shooting people on either side of him, he finally gets his huge action hero moment as he glides in slow motion.

“The Fighter” (2010)
As real-life boxer Micky Ward, Wahlberg channeled his Massachusetts roots to play the down-on-his-luck Ward in “The Fighter.” Though the final fight has him go more beast mode, this one’s got the mic drop moment. Hungry to finally prove himself, the boxer busts out a signature move on his opponent. In a split-second decision, Micky pulls off a kidney shot that delivers a knockout. Not only is it a triumph for the fighter and his family, but the badass moment proves Wahlberg can fight with the best of them, performing his own stunts. It’s fair to say that after watching this movie, you'd never want to end up in the ring with Wahlberg for real.

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

Motivational Speech, “Pain & Gain” (2013)
Wahlberg Goes From Bodybuilder to Corrupt Entrepreneur After Attending a Motivational Seminar

Let Me in the House, “Fear” (1996)
Wahlberg’s Menacing Villain Terrorizes a Family & Demands to Be Let Inside Their Home

Mid-Air Fight, “Infinite” (2020)
Wahlberg’s Immortal Badass Fights & Stabs the Villain in Mid-Air Before Hitting the Water

Don’t Mess With Chris, “Contraband” (2012)
When His Family Is Threatened, Wahlberg Beats & Points a Gun at the Man Responsible

Jumping off the Rig, “Deepwater Horizon” (2016)
Depicting a Real-Life Tragedy, Wahlberg Heroically Leaps off a Platform to Escape Danger

“The Departed” (2006)
As Sgt. Dignam, Mark Wahlberg plays a loud-mouthed Boston cop that always speaks his mind. As the treacherous mob informant Sullivan believes he’s home free, he returns to his apartment to find Dignam inside. Seeking revenge for his fallen colleagues, Dignam shoots Sullivan and flees the building. Leave it to Wahlberg to always get the last laugh, ensuring that no sin goes unpunished. In a brief and tense scene, the actor conveys so much machismo without needing to say a word. Capping off an Oscar-nominated performance, there’s no more badass moment in Wahlberg’s career than the conclusion of “The Departed.”