Top 20 Ridiculously Manly Men in Movies

“Big Trouble in Little China” (1986)

Kurt Russell is an actor that can be counted on to deliver reliably masculine performances, while also leaving room for emotional and comedic moments. “Big Trouble in Little China” is one of those over-the-top ‘80s movies that throws a lot of things at the wall, with Russell’s Jack Burton co-leading the charge. This character is confident (perhaps to a fault) but never obnoxious. Burton is loyal to his friend Wang, and “Big Trouble in Little China” hinges upon their relationship. It might’ve been easy for Jack Burton to take a back seat to the monsters, action and sorcery goings-on in the movie, but thankfully this never occurs.

“Road House” (1989)

The 2024 remake of “Road House” had some big shoes to fill when it came to the casting of James Dalton. Jake Gyllenhaal did a fine enough job, but who are we kidding? It’s Patrick Swayze that will always stand (and kick) in those aforementioned shoes, an emotionally-centered tough guy that pulls rank on the Double Deuce. “Road House” was somewhat notorious for its violence and sexuality back in ‘89, yet Swayze’s character never becomes part and parcel to the sleaze. Instead, Dalton is one of those dudes who’s polite and speaks softly. To paraphrase his own words: “He’s nice until it’s time not to be nice.” And if that includes, well, tearing out a man’s throat with his bare hands? Then so be it!

“Shoot ‘Em Up” (2007)

2007’s “Shoot ‘Em Up” admittedly isn’t a film that demands a lot of characterization when it comes to Clive Owen’s character of “Mr. Smith.” We know that he’s formerly been trained as a soldier; that much is obvious by the way he handles his weaponry. Beyond this, “Shoot ‘Em Up” is primarily concerned with keeping the pace quick and the bullets even quicker. Mr. Smith certainly possesses a moral code (he does save a baby, after all), but the audience can also appreciate that he doesn’t pass any sort of judgements upon Monica Bellucci’s sex worker character. They team up, in more ways than one, within a film that never takes itself too seriously.

“The Transporter” franchise (2002-15)

Jason Statham is a modern action movie icon who’s inhabited a lot of different characters over the years, such as Chev Chelios from the “Crank” series. Some of them possess more depth than others, but probably no one would argue against Frank Martin from “The Transporter” being one of Statham’s best. The character’s special ops background creates a fun sandbox in which Statham can play, while the franchise’s penchant for complicated action set pieces has created an impressive legacy. Less is usually more when it comes to Jason Statham performances, but Frank Martin and “The Transporter” sell both steak and sizzle in equal measure.

“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)

There’s a lot to the archetypal male personality than just muscles and one-liners. Will Ferrell’s “Ron Burgundy” from the “Anchorman” franchise instead exists in that space from the 1970s where kitsch met cool. Burgundy is a little chauvinistic, sure, but he also has a sensitive side, and plays jazz flute. He’s a lounge lizard in a suit, delivering some classy news to his San Diego faithful. Ferrell’s performance is satire, but it’s one-hundred-percent on the nose. It’s a broad sort of character for a broad decade, one defined by excess and selfishness…albeit in the best possible way.

“Zombieland” franchise (2009-19)


The “mentor” archetype of moviemaking can often take many forms. Sometimes, it’s a wise old sage that imparts some wisdom, while other times it’s tough guys like Tallahassee from the “Zombieland” franchise. Woody Harrelson’s physicality in the role feels legitimate. We can totally see how this experienced and no-nonsense character could serve as a teacher for younger protagonists like Columbus. It’s a role that can sometimes be thankless, since it often also entails some kind of noble sacrifice. We’re glad that, instead of this, Tallahassee continues on the journey with the “Zombieland” sequel.

“Enter the Dragon” (1973)

It doesn’t take a leap of faith to connect Bruce Lee to nonstop masculinity. His character from 1973’s “Enter the Dragon” helped codify the kung-fu explosion of the 1970s, essentially creating a textbook template. This is a film with a simple, action-driven plot that highlights Lee’s excellence in his field. The actor is ripped and dangerously cool, portraying a martial arts instructor tasked with infiltrating a private compound. That’s all we need to know, since the rest is just gravy. We watch Lee command the screen with power, annihilating all opposition during his quest for answers. Oh, and if you look real closely, one can even spot a young Jackie Chan as one of the henchmen that fall beneath Lee’s educated fists of fury.

“Shaft” franchise (1971-2019)

There were few muthas back then, and even fewer now, that could compare with the coolness of John Shaft. Richard Roundtree’s fashion model good looks belied a believable on-screen toughness with his performance of Ernest Tidyman’s fictional private dick. The first movie in the “Shaft” franchise sets the stage for us, as Roundtree crosses a busy NYC street during heavy traffic. Isaac Hayes’ theme song tells us “Shaft” is bad, but Roundtree’s physicality makes us believe it, as he helps kick in the door for the 1970s Blaxploitation boom. Samuel L. Jackson and Jessie Usher have both carried on the “Shaft” legacy in more recent years, but there will probably never be anybody cooler than Roundtree’s OG. And we can dig it.

“Dirty Harry” franchise (1971-88)


Quentin Tarantino’s 2022 book “Cinema Speculation” included an interesting appraisal of Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty” Harry Callahan. This was a man out of time, to paraphrase Tarantino, a conservative voice that spoke for a generation that was feeling increasingly lost. Callahan’s search for justice in the form of a kidnapped young girl is blurred by his actions, most of which would be considered illegal or at least unlawful today. The free love, anti-authoritarian and black power movements of the ‘70s were frightening to generations of The Establishment, yet Harry Callahan was here to underline certain truths that were forged in stone. Justice was going to be served at the barrel of a gun. And there was nothing any “punk” was going to do about it.

“The Expendables 3” (2014)

The controversies surrounding Mel Gibson’s life have made it easier for the actor to play villains in recent years, including Conrad Stonebanks in “The Expendables 3.” This co-founder of the team comes to a head with his former partner, Barney Ross, a role that allowed Gibson to chew a serious amount of scenery. The “Expendables” franchise on the whole has always played around with ideas of hyper-actualized masculinity. This third entry was no exception, knowingly playing up Gibson’s reputation to the point where the audience isn’t exactly sure where the “Lethal Weapon” actor begins and the character ends.

“Crocodile Dundee” (1986)


The measure of a man isn’t the balance of his bank account, but the length of his knife. At least it is when we’re talking about rugged men from down under! Growing up in the Australian outback has left Mick Dundee unconditioned to the domesticated life of the city, and lets him move through the world unfazed by most things. His uncaring and courageous demeanor inadvertently attracts the eyes of various women, but in Mick’s world all a man needs is a piece of land to call his own and a trusty Bowie knife. Taking down alligators or swooping engaged women off their feet - it’s all the same for the Dundee.

“Escape From New York” (1981)


Most men would be destroyed after being betrayed by their own country, but it’s fairly evident that this ex-Special Forces operator is cut from a different cloth. In a war-torn era, Snake has adopted a survival instinct, which involves not trusting the government or any and all law enforcement. After being incarcerated, he is sought after for his particular set of skills and offered a chance to clear his name by rescuing the President. Although still wary of the government he used to serve, Snake accepts the offer - and in the process, he proves you don’t need both eyes to shoot a gun.

“Black Dynamite” (2009)


Michael Jai White is a formidable action star in his own right, but fans could argue that it was the character of “Black Dynamite” that remains his best and most well-known character. This pastiche of Blaxploitation movie cliches is executed with reverence for the source material, enabling White’s character to jump off the screen with exaggerated examples of toughness. If some of the characters around Black Dynamite feel as if they’re too parodic, White playing it (relatively) straight allows for the audience to dive into the film’s world. It’s a balance that could’ve easily swayed one way or the other under less experienced hands, but “Black Dynamite” thankfully brings it home.

“The Fast and The Furious” franchise (2011-)


If you see this Diplomatic Security Service Agent flashing his sirens behind you, it would be in your best interest to pull over. In the world of “The Fast and Furious,” Luke Hobbs is the law and he isn’t afraid to bend the rules once in a while if it means getting his man. Hobbs’ unfailing loyalty and sense of justice have gotten him far in his career, gaining him respect in the federal world as well as on the streets. On any given day, the agent can be found sporting his signature Smith & Wesson, but we’d advise you to be more scared of the two guns attached to his shoulders.

“Bloodsport” (1988)


The age-old saying of “never let the truth get in the way of a good story” definitely applies to the case of Frank Dux. The tall tales and alleged lies from this Canadian fight choreographer served as the basis for the 1988 action classic “Bloodsport,” starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Time has seen Dux’s story become disputed by multiple, reputable sources, but there’s no denying the righteous machismo of Van Damme’s oiled up Kumite fighting champion. “Bloodsport” was one of the movies that helped make Van Damme a household name in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and it’s a performance that’s still impressive today - unlike the real-life Dux’s military and combat history.

“Dredd” (2012)


This 2012 adaptation of the “Judge Dredd” comic franchise is, depending on who you ask, either a formidable character ret-con or a disappointing CGI-fest bested by its Stallone-counterpart. Praise in the former camp leaned heavily into the performance of Karl Urban in the lead role, one that largely avoids the camp of “Judge Dredd” 1995. We honestly see both sides, since Urban’s “Dredd” is far more serious and poses much more of a threat in this world. The law is black and white to Dredd, and he’s out to enforce it at any cost. It’s a character that almost feels like an updated Harry Callahan for the cyberpunk set, and this is high praise.

“Predator” (1987)


A lot of movie scenes that become memes never quite recover that initial “oomph” that made them great in the first place. “Predator” is a notable exception, an ultra-manly affair that also just happens to contain the hardest-going handshake in the history of cinema. It also helps, of course, that the film is anchored around Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer. Schwarzenegger’s charisma and physical presence set Schaefer apart from other, lean and wiry action protagonists. The muscles and veins are bulging from the moment we meet Dutch, yet at the same time, this paramilitary leader still feels like he’s up against it when the Predator appears on screen. That said, the movie is definitely in good hands with Dutch.

“The Evil Dead” franchise (1981-)


It’s true that Ashley “Ash” Williams’ middle initial does tend to change, depending upon which form of “Evil Dead” media you happen to be reading. Playing devil’s advocate, however, it’s interesting that Williams has retained so many supposed feminine characteristics with regards to his name. This is a character whose masculinity and resourcefulness are never really called into questions. Ash has conquered Deadites again and again, and there’s nobody crazy enough to say otherwise, lest they wind up at the business end of a boomstick. So when his girlfriend Cheryl refers to him as “Ashley,” or the “Ash vs Evil Dead” series drops the “Joanna” reveal, nothing really changes: Ash is Ash. He’s badass, and that will never change.

“Rambo” franchise (1982-)


Movie franchises tend to play fast and loose when it comes to lore and mythology, often inventing or dulling certain aspects of characters over multiple movies. The John Rambo character portrayed by Sylvester Stallone in 1982’s “First Blood” couldn’t feel further apart from the one in 2019’s “Last Blood.” This Vietnam veteran arrives on screen with a lot of psychological baggage from his wartime service. A scrapped, alternate ending for “First Blood” even saw the character committing an act of self-destruction at its climax. Contrast this with the bad-guy annihilating John Rambo from that film’s sequels, and the parodic send-up from “Hot Shots! Part Deux” just sort of makes sense, really.

“Conan the Barbarian” (1982)


If you’re going to survive a vicious world full of mystical beings and evil magic, you’d better be as hardcore as Arnold Schwarzenegger. Much like Schwarzenegger’s role as Dutch in “Predator,” Conan survived a hellish reality thanks to his sheer physicality and expertise in combat. Having been enslaved for the better half of his life and trained as a gladiator, Conan uses his freedom to seek vengeance against Thulsa Doom and his band of warriors. Fearless in his conquest, the barbarian earns his revenge by the end of the film, and goes on to live out the rest of his life as a legend.


Is the idea of “toxic masculinity” overblown when it comes to the fantastical world of cinema? Or do you prefer more grounded representations of masculine behavior in movies? Let us know in the comments!