by Bruce Willis has crafted an legendary career in Hollywood, spanning over 30 years and featuring some of the most iconic characters in movie history. From his breakout role as detective John McClane in Die Hard to his comedic turns in movies like The Last Boy Scout and ARMAGEDDON, Willis has left an indelible mark on pop culture.
As he enters the twilight of his acting career, let’s take a look back at the 5 most iconic Bruce Willis movies – the films that define his legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest action stars.
1. Die Hard (1988)
No list of Bruce Willis iconic roles would be complete without his career-defining performance as John McClane in Die Hard. Prior to Die Hard, Willis was known primarily as a comedic TV actor from his role in Moonlighting.
But when he landed the lead role of tough cop John McClane in this high-octane action thriller, it immediately cemented Willis as a bonafide action movie star.
Die Hard follows McClane as he battles a group of terrorists who take over a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve. Armed with only his wits, his pistol, and his wry sense of humor, McClane outsmarts the terrorists one by one in his bare feet.
The movie was a massive hit upon its release, grossing over $140 million worldwide. And McLane became one of the most popular action heroes of all time – tough, resourceful, hilarious, and always willing to risk it all to save the day.
The success of Die Hard propelled Willis to global stardom and spawned a franchise with several sequels. But none have managed to top the original for sheer iconic action and thrills. Over 30 years later, John McClane still stands tall as one of Bruce Willis’ most legendary roles.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
In this Quentin Tarantino cult classic, Bruce Willis plays aging boxer Butch Coolidge who crosses paths with mob bosses, hitmen, and a host of dangerous criminal underground characters.
Up until Pulp Fiction, Willis was best known for slam-bang action flicks. But this film showed his versatility as an actor, revealing his talent for deadpan comedy and darker dramatic roles.
As Butch, Willis is both hilarious and menacing – gruff yet surprisingly tender. His dynamic performance earned Willis worldwide critical praise and a Golden Globe award.
But it’s the scenes featuring Willis and Ving Rhames that cement Butch as an all-time iconic Bruce Willis character. Their interplay, mixed with Tarantino’s sharp dialogue, makes their storyline one of the most endlessly rewatchable segments ever put to film.
3. The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense marked a critical comeback for Bruce Willis after a few lackluster films in the late 90s. Willis plays child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe, who works to uncover the secrets behind a young boy’s supernatural visions.
Willis turns in one of the finest dramatic performances of his career in The Sixth Sense. As Dr. Crowe, he is serious and determined yet gentle as he tries to protect Osment’s character from supernatural threats only he can see.
Of course, the film’s legendary twist ending shocks audiences and redefines everything that comes before it. But it’s Willis’ strong performance that grounds the story in an emotional reality before the plot’s iconic final reveal.
The Sixth Sense marked Willis’ triumphant return to box office glory, earning over $670 million globally. His nuanced performance also earned him critical raves, as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
4. 12 Monkeys (1995)
In this mind-bending sci-fi thriller, Bruce Willis stars as James Cole – a prisoner living in a post-apocalyptic future who gets sent back in time to prevent a world-ending plague.
12 Monkeys is inspired by the French short film La Jetee, and it allowed Willis to push his acting talent in bold new directions. His character endures a profoundly painful existential journey through time, battling insanity and despair along the way.
In lesser hands, the complex concept and morality issues in 12 Monkeys might have shipwrecked entirely. But Willis turns in a raw, intensely emotional performance that grounds the philosophical sci-fi storyline in a deeply human reality.
Willis earned himself a Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction for his work. But more importantly, 12 Monkeys gave ardent Bruce Willis fans a peek at his versatility as a serious dramatic actor.
5. Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995)
After sitting out the first Die Hard sequel, Bruce Willis triumphantly returned as Detective John McClane for this heart-pumping 1995 thriller. Die Hard With a Vengeance paired him with Samuel L. Jackson for double the wisecracking action hero antics.
This time, Willis must play a deadly game of Simon Says with a terrorist mastermind who seems to know his every move. Loaded with incredible action set pieces and the sharp banter between Jackson and Willis, Die Hard With A Vengeance is the most fun film in the iconic action franchise.
As John McClane, Willis is self-deprecating, roughed-up, and an absolute blast to watch as a world-weary cop with no F’s left to give. Even amidst the most death-defying stunt pieces, Willis brings a human vulnerability that grounds McClane as one of his most iconic and fully-realized characters.
Conclusion
For over 30 years, Bruce Willis has thrilled audiences with iconic roles that showcase his talents as a versatile actor. While he’s brought plenty of laughs and tears, it’s his legendary action character – John McClane – that stands tall amongst his most beloved on-screen personas.
As Willis steps away from acting due to health issues, fans will always remember the joy, excitement and laughs he delivered in these 5 classic films. It’s these iconic Bruce Willis movies that will stand the test of time and ensure his Hollywood legacy lives on for decades to come.
