Therevenge genreis often one of the most engaging forms of storytelling in cinema. If the story is personal for the main character, it makes it personal for the viewer. Whatever choices are made, for better or worse, they are more easily understood. Most revenge films may be more of an action orthrillervariety, starting with a person with a past and a mission, and will often end happily despite all the destruction and bodies left in the hero’s wake.Commando, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a perfect example.
Thebest revenge filmsmake the viewer feel and think. Whether the protagonist feels cheated, betrayed, or personally attacked, the act of seeking revenge in some way changes them. To avenge a wife’s death or rescue a kidnapped child may turn someone into an entirely different person who does things they never thought capable of themselves. Sometimes, their actions can cause more harm than good, leaving the audience asking themselves: Was it all worth it? Here are 25 of thebest revenge films of all time, ranked.
Updated August 24, 2025: This collection of the best revenge films ever made has been updated with brand-new information and where to find each title on streaming.
25The Northman (2022)
The Northman
Read Our Review
The Northmanis the underrated gem of 2022.Directed by Robert Eggers, one of the most imaginative creatives in Hollywood producing original IPs today, this magnificent movie went unnoticed by most audiences. The film adapts a Danish folk tale named “The Legend of Amleth.” It’s also the story used as the basis of William Shakespeare’sHamlet.
The script, written by Eggers and Icelandic poet Sjón, tells the story of a boy who undergoes the rites to become a man in a Viking tribe. He witnesses the betrayal of his father by his closest ally. His mother is taken away and he escapes into the world, becoming a warrior with a simple mission in mind: to go back home and kill the people who wronged his father. After finding his way back home, he wages a one-man war against the people who wronged him. But there’s more to the story than his narrow vision of justice.
A Nordic Tale of Revenge
The cast includes an imposing Alexander Skarsgård, along with Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Willem Dafoe, all playing prominent roles. Incredible cinematography, shockingly effective VFX, and a surprising appearance by Björk — whose last film role was in 2005’sDrawing Restraint 9— make for a revenge thriller loaded with star power and impressive theming. It’s easily the most surprising of Robert Eggers' movies so far, veering away from outright horror into something much more grandiose.Buy or RentThe Northmanon Prime Video.
24The Punisher (2004)
The Punisher
The second venture ofThe Punisherin cinemas was a film written and directed by Jonathan Hensleigh, starringThomas Jane as Frank Castle. The story plays the angle of revenge from multiple points of view to showcase how one wrong never undoes another. It also borrows from a pair of comic storylines, notablyWelcome Back, Frank. In the film, Castle is an undercover operative working for the FBI. In his last operation, he takes down a weapon shipment by the youngest son of mafia boss Howard Saint, played by John Travolta, who subsequently orders Castle’s family to be killed. Naturally, this sets Castle on the path of revenge.
Thomas Jane’s Turn as Frank Castle
While most today associate Jon Bernthal with Frank Castle, Thomas Jane does more than an amicable job in the titular lead role. Similar to howLoganfelt more like a neo-Western than a typical MCU film,The Punishereschews a colorful tone in favor of character-driven revenge. John Travolta, love him or hate him, is memorable as the antagonistic villain, and the film’s basis on an existing story gives it a hardened edge you won’t find in other prominent Marvel films. It even borrows certain scenes from prominentPunishercomics, making it an entertaining flick for comic fans and casual viewers alike.Buy or RentThe Punisheron Prime Video.
23The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
InThe Count of Monte Cristo,Edmond Dantès (Jim Caviezel) had a great life, a great career, and a loving fiancée. That is, until his best friend betrays him, and he finds himself wrongly imprisoned with everything good in his life stolen from him. For almost two decades, Edmond has thought about the life he once had, and he’s now ready to take back what’s his. He escapes confinement with the help of his cellmate, Abbé Faria (Richard Harris). He then enters the world of aristocracy as a mysterious count to get close to the man who betrayed him (Guy Pearce).
From the Director of Waterworld
This tale shows what one can achieve with time and patience, and it proves that not all ghosts stay dead. Though director Kevin Reynolds is most famously attached toWaterworld, an immense critical misfire, he crafts a film that loosely follows the events of the original novel with many significant alterations. But you could argue that certain changes, including how specific character relationships are handled, are ultimately positive. A predecessor to movies likePirates of the Caribbean,The Count of Monte Cristocombines a tale of revenge with a sense of swashbuckling adventure, made all the better by a fantastic ensemble cast.Henry Cavill also appearsin one of his first film roles.StreamThe Count of Monte Cristoon Hoopla.
22Darkman (1990)
Darkmanis another underrated gem, this timedirected by Sam Raimi, who co-wrote the story with Chuck Pfarrer. It follows the journey of Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson), a scientist who becomes disfigured after his lab is blown up by thugs trying to steal his research. After being rescued, Peyton discovers he’s been subjected to an experimental procedure to cut his nerve receptors so he no longer feels pain. Using his scientific knowledge, he creates a synthetic skin mask to help him blend into society. However, Peyton’s psyche has been broken, and he gains incredible strength each time he gets agitated.
Liam Neeson’s Most Underrated Performance
Darkmanlaunched Liam Neeson’s career to stardom, along with his co-star Frances McDormand, who plays his love interest, Julie. The film has a lot of Raimi’s classic techniques, mixing horror elements with powerful action scenes. It’s a film whose influences are clearly felt throughout, feeling more like a Universal monster movie at points instead of a traditional superhero film. Its focus on Westlake’s psychological plights, along with his quest for revenge, make for a thrilling movie overall.StreamDarkmanon AMC+.
21The Revenant (2015)
The Revenant
The Revenantwas written and directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and features the talents of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. The somber film retells the story of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper who led an expedition in 1823. After being mangled by a bear, fellow fur trapper John Fitzgerald suggests killing Glass in an act of mercy. The party disagrees and leaves Glass in Fitzgerald’s care, along with Glass' half-Pawnee son, Hawk.
Fearing an Arikara attack, Fitzgerald kills Glass' son and buries him alive. Glass digs himself out of his shallow grave and begins his journey back to civilization. After his journey leads him back to civilization, he finds out Fitzgerald has escaped, leading him on a mission to hunt down and kill the man who wronged him and his son.
Leonardo DiCaprio Finally Won Best Actor
The film is a hard watch, considering we must see Glass survive in the wild with no means to help himself other than his wits and drive for revenge. However, it’s this kind of feral brutality that makesThe Revenantsuch a fulfilling watch as well. The cinematography of Emmanuel Lubezki melds harsh survival with incredible scenic shots, making for an incredible contrast between the two that carries the film’s lengthy runtime. Famously,The Revenantalso wonLeonardo DiCaprio his first-ever Best Actor awardat the Academy Awards after several prior nominations, in addition to winning Best Cinematography and Best Director.StreamThe Revenanton Max.
20In the Bedroom (2001)
In the Bedroomtells the story of how an average man and his wife, Matt and Ruth Fowler, come up with a plan to rid the world of a monster, as they grapple with the moral dilemma of taking justice in their own hands and acting as vigilantes. Of course, morals aren’t exactly their family’s thing. Their son, Frank (Nick Stahl), has been sleeping with a single mother, which doesn’t connect with the Fowlers' values. The ensuing summer will throw all three Fowlers headfirst into a tragedy none of them could’ve prepared for.
Nominated for Five Oscars
In the Bedroomfeatures a tense plot,which iswonderfully played by Tom Wilkinsonand Sissy Spacek as the leading couple. Their onscreen performances are nothing short of realistic and believable, as if they were actually the frazzled Fowlers themselves. Director and writer Todd Field also absolutely shines in his feature-length debut, later going on to directLittle ChildrenandTárin 2006 and 2022, respectively.In the Bedroomwas nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but sadly won none.RentIn the Bedroomon Apple TV.
19Unforgiven (1992)
Unforgiven
In the critically acclaimed revisionist WesternUnforgiven,legendary silver screen star Clint Eastwood portrays an aging gunslinger and retired outlaw who is brought back into the fold to help a young man seek revenge. After being approached by the Schofield Kid, an aspiring gunman, repentant widowerWilliam Munny (Eastwood)reluctantly agrees to take a final job with the help of longtime partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) in order to claim a $1,000 bounty. They square off against a corrupt sheriff, Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), to avenge a brutal attack on a sex worker.
A Western That Won Best Picture
The Oscar-winning picture features superb performances by its A-list cast and delves into the complexities of retribution and violence from differing character perspectives. Revenge takes center stage alongside a deconstruction of the typical character archetypes found in the Western genre. It’s a self-reflective film as well, capping off Eastwood’s lengthy history in the Western genre as both a lead actor and director. As of writing, it is also one of three Westerns that ever won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, joining the likes ofCimarronandDances with Wolves.Buy or RentUnforgivenon Apple TV.
Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture Winner Still Holds Up as an Unforgettable Western
As far as Western movies go, Unforgiven is sure to be one for the history books.
18The Equalizer (2014)
The Equalizer
Denzel Washington brilliantly captures the role of a lethal vigilante seeking cold, hard justice in the gripping action filmThe Equalizer. Robert McCall (Washington) finds his quiet, reclusive life disrupted when a girl he befriends is brutally beaten by a violent criminal, reigniting a powerful-yet-dangerous fire within him that leads him to take matters into his own hands. Unfortunately, a simple revenge plot digs him deep into a criminal conspiracy. Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, and David Harbour co-star in this thrilling revenge film.
The Start of an Incredible Trilogy
Washington delivers a tour de force performance as a former intelligence agent, combining a warm smile with cold gazes as he mercilessly takes down those who oppose him. While he comes off as superhuman at points, the tension comes from how his lovable inner circle gets pulled into the violence, leaving you on the edge of your seat throughout. While it didn’t receive that many major accolades, it made back nearly four times its original budget at the box office. The overwhelming popularity ofThe Equalizerled to asuccessful sequel in 2018 and a third follow-up filmreleased in 2023, with Washington’sMan on Fireco-star Dakota Fanning also appearing.StreamThe Equalizeron Netflix.
17Carrie (1976)
Theclassic horror filmbased on Stephen King’s first novel,Carrie, tells the story of a bullied teenage girl who finds out she has telekinesis. On a night that was supposed to be a turnaround in her tumultuous life, she is humiliated in front of the entire school by her tormentors and snaps, deciding enough is enough. Sissy Spacek, Amy Irving, Betty Buckley, and a young John Travolta co-star in the first of many Stephen King adaptations to come.
A Classic Stephen King Story
This film shows a vulnerable girl with a unique ability reaching her breaking point in a brutal climactic ending that’s still being referenced in pop culture today. Brian de Palma gaveCarriean incredibly innovative film style, especially in the final act, and both Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie got Oscar nominations for their respective portrayals of Carrie and Margaret White. Considering how many times the original story was adapted to the big screen, as well as how iconic scenes from this film are mimicked and parodied elsewhere, it’s easily one of the most iconic revenge stories in film history.StreamCarrieon Max.
16V For Vendetta (2005)
V for Vendetta
In the action revenge filmV for Vendetta, Hugo Weaving plays a freedom fighter known as “V” in the middle of a dystopian United Kingdom. Being an anarchist, he crafts a series of devious and elaborate acts to not only ignite a wider rebellion, but to also take revenge on the tyrannical government that wronged him many years prior. Natalie Portman co-stars as Evey Hammond, a witness to his acts, with Stephen Rea playing the stern Chief Inspector Eric Finch.
Alan Moore’s Revenge Thriller
Being based on a graphic novel written by Alan Moore andwritten by the Wachowskis,V for Vendettacrafts a slick and entertaining tale of revenge with the directorial talents of James McTeigue behind the camera. Weaving and Portman give fantastic performances, capturing their characters' personalities flawlessly while providing ample chemistry for each other. The Guy Fawkes mask that V utilizes throughout the film is now synonymous with the hacker group Anonymous, signifying the film’s and accompanying comic’s relevance in pop culture to this very day.Buy or RentV for Vendettaon Prime Video.
