Top 10 Most Satisfying Revenge Scenes In Movies

“Gladiator” (2000)

Before joining Maximus in the gladiatorial arena, the treacherous Emperor Commodus tips the scales in his favor. He gives the gladiator a significant wound that would stop any normal person. Unfortunately for the Roman leader, the stabbing only motivates his opponent even more. The two engage in combat that allows for Maximus to do what he does best with a blade. After attempting one more sly maneuver to win, Commodus still can’t overcome his adversary and is dispatched. The hero still succumbs to his injuries, but not before taking down the man responsible for his family’s death.

“Promising Young Woman” (2020)

Carey Mulligan’s Cassie spends the entirety of “Promising Young Woman” combatting toxic masculinity and predatory behavior. She attempts to avenge her friend Nina who was assaulted, confronting other men who seek to take advantage of women. The plan leads her to the soon-to-be-married original perpetrator who hasn’t received any legal action for attacking his former classmate. Cassie ends up dying in a shocking twist, but not before having a contingency plan that surprises everyone. The wedding guests celebrate before authorities arrive to apprehend the culprit. A series of scheduled text messages appear and show that she’s planned for everything, ensuring that nobody in the film gets away with their crimes.

“John Wick” (2014)

Never mess with somebody’s dog. In the action film “John Wick,” the titular hero is beaten by Russian gangsters who also kill his beagle. He spends the remainder of the movie unleashing his rage upon them. He tracks down the son of an influential crime figure who’s responsible for the death of his pet. Turning a bath house into a shooting gallery, Wick takes out a ton of armed thugs without breaking a sweat. He tracks his target through nightclubs and eventually to a safehouse in an explosive scene. The assassin doesn’t let the man finish his sentence, choosing to silence the villain in a gritty execution.

“Django Unchained” (2012)

Django returns to the Candyland plantation to exact his final revenge on the people who tortured him and hold his wife captive. After they return from Calvin Candie’s burial, the unsuspecting group doesn’t realize that the bounty hunter is waiting. He takes them out one-by-one, before leaving Samuel L. Jackson’s Stephen wounded on the floor. His ruthless aim only makes the moment that much more memorable. Before he leaves, Django lights a carefully placed fuse that connects to a massive payload of explosives. He then destroys any last remnants of the mansion in a glorious display. It’s a thrilling conclusion to a story that features other satisfying revenge scenes, including an earlier sequence on a plantation with the Brittle brothers.

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)

George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” is one incredible chase scene after the other, culminating in a showdown between the heroes and Immortan Joe’s grotesque posse. Furiosa’s injury doesn’t stop her as she makes her way to the main villain’s vehicle. She finally gets up close and personal with the antagonist, hooking his breathing mask to the monster car’s wheels. The resulting momentum of the hook takes most of Joe’s face along with it. Considering the evil leader enslaved his wives and hoarded water, his satisfyingly gruesome demise comes with the promise of a brighter future for the survivors.

“The Departed” (2006)

Matt Damon’s Colin Sullivan spends the bulk of “The Departed” getting away with his double-crossing. His connections to the Irish Mob make him a dubious member of the state police department, allowing him to tamper with evidence and avoid prosecution with an elaborate series of lies. Sullivan isn’t completely in the clear though as he returns home one day after shopping. He walks in the door to find Mark Wahlberg’s Dignam is waiting with a gun. Without giving his target any time to beg for mercy, Dignam takes out the traitor with an unceremonious shot. It’s a quick and dirty death that brings a healthy dose of karma to Damon’s duplicitous character.

“Carrie” (1976)

Carrie is a tragic hero harboring a dark secret in this horror film. She’s seemingly given a chance to have one positive moment in her high school life, but it’s quickly ruined by a prank. A bucket of blood washes over her during her coronation as prom queen. The tormentors think they’ve won until their victim reveals her inner strength. After she blocks the exits, the title character’s telekinetic powers take over and nobody is safe. She slaughters most of the attendees in a series of destructive moves. Bringing together many upsetting images, director Brian De Palma stages the entire sequence as the ultimate revenge for the wronged teenager.

“The Princess Bride” (1987)

Mandy Patinkin’s Inigo Montoya finally gets his revenge at the end of “The Princess Bride.” He corners Count Tyrone Rugen and duels him in a sword fight, but not before receiving a serious knife wound. Inigo pushes through the pain to battle the six-fingered man. The heroic side gains the upper hand, all while saying his personal mantra over and over again. Inigo lets his adversary ask for mercy after repeatedly jabbing him. It’s a fakeout from the Spanish fighter, who still decides to finish off his father’s killer. His character’s main quest is completed in a swift and effective scene that feels especially satisfying because of the greater context of the accomplishment.

“The Godfather” (1972)

In “The Godfather,” Michael Corleone finally joins the family business to avenge his wounded father. He accompanies enemies Sollozzo and McCluskey to a restaurant, but sneaks into the bathroom to grab a planted weapon. Michael emerges in a tense moment that ends with his dinner companions dead. As a turning point for the character and plot, the gripping scene punctuates the engaging narrative. The fast nature of the executions only enhances the brutal reality of the sequence. This wouldn’t be the last time Michael’s son took revenge as he would keep eliminating rivals like his first wife’s killer in a car bomb as seen in a deleted scene from the sequel.

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

William Munny Avenges Ned’s Death by Taking Down a Saloon Full of Gunmen

Bond Sneaks Up on a Criminal Mastermind & Gives the Guy a Limp With a Well-Placed Shot

The Lead Duo Successfully Fake Their Deaths & Make Off With the Villain’s Cash

“Kill Bill: Volume 2” (2004)

“Kill Bill: Volume 2” ends exactly the way you’d hope it would. The Bride confronts the titular villain in a verbal showdown, which proves to be one of the more thrilling parts of the action series. Beatrix finally sits down with Bill and initiates an intricate maneuver that makes the latter’s heart explode. The crooked leader says a few more dramatic words before finally collapsing. With triumphant music, the entire sequence has an almost operatic quality that Quentin Tarantino pulls off with perfection. Uma Thurman’s precise movements sell the climactic finishing move and David Carradine delivers a compelling death performance.