Top 20 Best Movie Shootout Scenes

“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969)

There’s something wonderfully fatalistic about the finale of 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” There’s a romanticism attached to the film’s final freeze frame of Butch and Sundance, going out in what’s presumably a blaze of glory. The audience knows full well that this affable pair is doomed. Butch and Sundance are clearly outnumbered and outgunned, and we don’t need to see the outlaws cut down by a hail of bullets to know that, ultimately, this is exactly what will happen in the end. The idea that somehow, Butch and Sundance just might make it out alive is forever ingrained in that hopeful side of our brains, even if this iconic closing shootout tells us otherwise.

“Nobody” (2021)

It doesn’t feel unfair to surmise that the plot of 2021’s “Nobody” feels indebted to the success of the “John Wick” franchise. This isn’t a slight, of course, as Bob Odenkirk makes the character of retired assassin Hutch Mansell feel authentic, with an intriguing back-story. He also possesses an impressive set of skills to go along with said back-story, as evidenced by this climatic shootout that takes place within a booby trapped building. Believability and realism take a backseat to fun as Odenkirk and co-stars Christopher Lloyd and RZA take out scores of enemies with a grace that approaches superheroism.

“Wanted” (2008)

Speaking of superheroes, the 2008 film “Wanted” was based upon a comic book miniseries of the same name. The flick also goes for broke with regards to providing a theatrical and gleeful approach to the photography of its shootouts. Specifically, the scene where Wesley Gibson goes buck wild with bullets is hyper-stylized in appearance, but impressively composed with effective slow-motion sequences. The CGI effects definitely date “Wanted,” but this warehouse scene defies the film’s 2008 release date and endures today as a kinetically-filmed shootout that is still fun to watch today.

“L.A. Confidential” (1997)

A good movie shootout doesn’t have to be cacophonous carnage all the time. Occasionally, some of the most effective sequences balance the quiet with the loud. This sequence from 1997’s “L.A. Confidential” is a great example of this sentiment, a scene that’s powerful in execution, but also subtly restrained. The characters of Exley and White aren’t presented as all-conquering and fearless heroes, just cops who are forced to face down some dangerous odds. The Victory Motel Shootout feels more realistic as a result, giving the audience moments of nail-biting downtime to go along with the bursts of bullet-riddled energy that punctuates the action scenes.

“The Boondock Saints” (1999)

1999’s “The Boondock Saints” desperately wants to be your favorite stylish action film, with a number of scenes that practically beg to be watched and re-watched. The firefight ambush comes to mind, [1] as does the scene where the MacManus Brothers drop through an air vent in the ceiling to assassinate their targets. It’s all slow-motion and late-nineties trip-hop as the MacManuses tumble down in an awkward position, yet still manage to coolly take out everyone in the room. They even make time for a little prayer. It’s not out to be the most realistic execution out there, instead trying (and succeeding) in entertaining its audience.

“Léon: The Professional” (1994)

It’s difficult for us to decide who’s more captivating (albeit for different reasons) during this action-packed finale to Léon: The Professional.” Gary Oldman is pure wildness [1] with his performance as DEA head Norman Stansfield. Meanwhile, Jean Reno’s Léon is cool and calculated as he goes up against an invading force of NYPD. This is another fatalistic situation where the ESU team clearly outnumbers Léon, and we’re fairly sure that the assassin isn’t going to make it out of this one. However, the final gift from Mathilda that Léon gives to Stansfield [2] sends this scene off with a literal bang that feels bittersweet, yet satisfying.

“Desperado” (1995)

If you were to look up the word “cool” in the dictionary, then it’s highly likely that you just might find a description of this scene from Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado.” This isn’t a “try hard” sort of cool, either, but the effortless sort that you find from people who just know how to make things look good. This bar shootout owes a LOT to classic spaghetti westerns like “Django” and “Sabata,” right down to Antonio Banderas’ “El Mariachi” hiding guns in a mysterious case. As a result, the bloodshed here is visceral but stylish, a nice balance between the uncanny and the exciting. The bar shootout is a deadly dance of death, with El Mariachi coming out victorious.

“Collateral” (2004)

The characters of innocent cab driver Max and determined hitman Vincent are already deep into it when this nightclub sequence happens during the 2004 film, “Collateral.” Director Michael Mann’s known ability to stylishly and captivating direct film thrillers is set on full display as Vincent makes his way through the crowded nightclub, executing his victims with pinpoint accuracy. It’s a dichotomy of the hitman’s cool calculation and the setting’s loud and crazed atmosphere. This is the sort of scene where it all comes together, script, actors and director, in order to create memorable movie magic.

“Hot Fuzz” (2007)

The entirety of “Hot Fuzz” plays with established action movie tropes, subverting audience expectations of them via some meta commentary about how protagonists in these genres are “supposed” to behave. As a result, the film’s final shootout serves as a gloriously over-the-top homage to the buddy cop films that are enjoyed so much by Nick Frost’s character, Danny. Frost and his co-star Simon Pegg get to engage in all of the behavior seen in films like “Point Break,” only for real and against some deadly adversaries. Edgar Wright’s handling of the self-referential is executed perfectly, and this shootout manages to be both exciting and entertaining.

“Taxi Driver” (1976)

There’s absolutely nothing glamorous, glossy or pleasant about this climatic shootout sequence from 1976’s “Taxi Driver.” Director Martin Scorsese and writer Paul Schrader knowingly craft a troubled and unstable protagonist in the form of Travis Bickle, and this shootout serves as a breaking point for Bickle’s unhealthy fixation on young Iris. Robert De Niro’s Bickle has trained his body to react, but not his mind, and the execution of his deadly plans is chaotic and bloody. By the end, Bickle has taken the lives of three men, borne some grievous wounds and sits on the couch in a near-comatose state. It’s sudden, shocking, and realistic, the sort of scene that sticks with the viewer forever.

“Die Hard” (1988)

For many movie fans, “Die Hard” is a perfect action movie. It’s difficult to disagree with this sentiment, too, especially when you take into account the care and thought put into executing the set pieces. John McClane’s battle against his antagonists at Nakatomi Plaza is one that ebbs and flows between thoughtful planning and breakneck execution. As a result, the quiet bits of McClane sneaking around are punctuated by scenes like his shootouts with brothers Tony and Karl. Another shootout where McClane is cornered by Hans Gruber’s men leads to the wince-inducing scene where the detective is forced to pick shards of broken glass from his foot.

“The Untouchables” (1987)

It takes a master the level of a Brian De Palma in order to construct a scene as complex as the Union Station Shootout sequence from 1987’s “The Untouchables.” De Palma’s reputation for long shots and tension-building takes is put on full display as Special Agents Eliot Ness and George Stone arrive at Union Station. The resulting shootout between the pair and Al Capone’s men is a thing of nail biting beauty, as both sides trade shots while a runaway baby carriage hangs in the balance. The end results feel visually indebted to the Odessa Steps sequence from 1925’s “Battleship Potemkin,” but the 1980s update gives “The Untouchables” a legacy all its own.

“The Wild Bunch” (1969)

There’s a marked difference between an average Western shootout and the bloodiness that embodies the finale of Sam Peckinpah’s 1969 masterpiece, “The Wild Bunch.” The themes of transition and change are echoed in the din of gunfire as Pike Bishop’s once-formidable gang goes down fighting for one of their own. These are men whose world is passing them by, yet they cling to this violent lifestyle in the most visceral fashion possible. Peckinpah and editor Lou Lombardo shoot the violence up close and personal. It’s unflinching and free of any romantic notions about the old west, including terrible collateral damage.

“Django Unchained” (2012)

There can often be a fine line between art and exploitation, but Quentin Tarantino has always been the kind of filmmaker who wants to have his creative cake, and eat it too. As a result, the Candyland sequence from 2012’s “Django Unchained” is both impeccably storyboarded and shot, while at the same time being an absolute case of bloody overkill. The sound design alone amplifies the action, as each bullet nauseatingly makes its way with an approach that feels almost prurient. There’s a certain level of glee at play as Django Freeman mows down gunman after gunman at the Candyland compound, such as the poor fellow caught in the crossfire. It’s sublimely ridiculous.

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

The kicker behind this scene from 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” is given more weight for those who are fans of director James Cameron’s original film. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 annihilates an entire police station in that entry, whereas that same T-800 unit is now a hero in the sequel. Schwarzenegger’s android has been tasked with John Connor not to kill anyone…so he doesn’t. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t absolutely mow down police cars, background scenery, or the kneecaps of an entry guard. In the words of the T-800 itself: [1]

“John Wick” (2014)

Who knew that this 2014 film from director Chad Stahelski would grow into the fan-favorite franchise it’s become in the modern day? Stahelski’s career in the field of movie stunt work was likely one of the reasons why the choreography here is so stellar, as evidenced by this scene from the Red Circle nightclub. There’s a nice balance of close-contact fighting and gunplay during this sequence, but the action really ramps up once the bullets start flying. The throbbing dance music and crowded quarters only add to the unpredictability and Wick takes on a number of adversaries. Wick comes out on top, but he doesn’t leave the Red Circle unscathed, and is forced to seek refuge at The Continental.

“Scarface” (1983)

The finale of this climactic scene from “Scarface” may be embedded in pop culture history today, but let’s also not forget all of the other moments from the compound attack that help make this sequence so incredible. There’s a bravado to Tony Montana’s posturing in the face of overwhelming odds; a confidence that makes the audience think that maybe, just maybe, he might make it out of this assassination attempt alive. Montana takes out scores of Sosa’s men with machine gun fire and a grenade launcher, but he sustains some critical hits. Finally, he’s taken out from behind, ending his brief, but meteoric rise to the top of an illegal empire.

“The Matrix” (1999)

There’s a nice balance between the old and the new within this scene from “The Matrix.” Classically orchestrated gunplay and martial arts meld with stylish slow-motion and a LOT of dated late-nineties fashion to create a thrilling shootout. Neo and Trinity defy the laws of physics as various guards attempt to take them down, while the soundtrack thumps along to the innovative cinematography. The slow-mo works particularly well here, enthralling audiences who were hooked on this world The Wachowskis built with “The Matrix.” It’s also incredible to rewatch today, an exciting scene with thrills to spare.

“Hard Boiled” (1992)

It’s difficult to pick out exactly which shootout from John Woo’s 1992 masterpiece “Hard Boiled” to include on our list. The climax at the hospital is absolutely amazing, [1] but we just gotta go with the opening action at the teahouse. There are so many moving parts that are taken into account once this scene gets going, as Chow Yun-fat and Bowie Lam attempt to break up a gun smuggling deal. There’s a ton of complicated choreography, fire, explosions….the works. Additionally, the teahouse scene gets the wheels of the film’s plot properly in motion, and both Lam and Yun-fat do a lot of great acting with their eyes and body language throughout the tense shootout.

“Heat” (1995)

The actors who took part in this genre-defining shootout from Michael Mann’s “Heat” did so with a LOT of hard work under their belts. The proof is in the pudding, too, since the end results of this shootout were so effective that reportedly the United States Marines have cited it in their training! The tense back-and-forth between Lieutenant Vincent Hanna’s LAPD and Neil McCauley’s bank robbers is deadly for both sides, yet the actors involved possess some seriously steadfast resolve. These are determined men under some intense pressure, yet the end results remain steely and cool, even as total chaos erupts in the streets.