Jason Statham’s 10 Greatest R-Rated Movies, Ranked

Jason Statham is the king of hard-hitting action movies. With his piercing stare and no-nonsense attitude, he has carved out an image for himself as one of the most reliable action stars of the 21st century. And while unleashing roadhouse kicks and pulling off death-defying stunts on the big screen as a global superstar, he’s proved that not all of his movies are for the faint of heart.

That’s where the R-rating comes into play. Statham’s movies often feature intense violence, gritty fight scenes, and a decent amount of profanity. But for fans of the action thriller genre, that’s precisely the appeal. Jason Statham has built a reputation for starring in some of the most visceral action films of the modern era, from Crank to A Working Man. And while they’re not all narratively original, the merciless fight scenes make up for what’s lost.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best R-rated Jason Statham movies, ranked.

10

‘Homefront’ (2013)

Homefront

Release Date

November 12, 2013

Runtime

100minutes

Director

Gary Fleder

Writers

agustin alessio

In Homefront, Jason Statham plays Phil Broker, a former DEA agent who decides to leave his dangerous career behind and start a quiet life in a small Louisiana town with his young daughter. But Broker’s peace is short-lived because he crosses paths with local meth kingpin Gator Bodine, whose actions and ambitions put Broker’s family in danger and he has no choice but to use his lethal skills and protect his daughter.

A Retired Badass Pushed Too Far

Homefront is a gritty, old-school thriller that allows Statham to flex his dramatic muscles while still delivering the kind of no-holds-barred fight sequences that fans have come to expect from his movies. He’s in top form as the world-weary but fiercely capable Broker, and is backed by a supporting cast that includes James Frank, Winona Ryder, and Kate Bosworth. Not a box office juggernaut, but Homefront still has a loyal audience.

9

‘Spy’ (2015)

Spy

Release Date

June 15, 2015

Runtime

120 Minutes

Melissa McCarthy is the heart of Spy, a spy action comedy written and directed by Paul Feig. She plays Susan Cooper, a desk-bound CIA analyst who is thrust into a high-stakes international mission after her partner is compromised. But she’s not navigating the world of espionage alone. Rick Ford, a hilarious and over-the-top secret agent who insists he’s the most elite operative out there, lends a hand.

Statham’s Comedic Genius Shines

Spy finds both the actors perfectly playing off one another. Statham sends up his own action-hero personality by playing an egoistical, borderline ridiculous version of the suave, deadly agents he’s otherwise known for. His exaggerated self-seriousness and deadpan delivery lead to some of the film’s funniest moments. Opposite McCarthy, he churns comedic gags. Critics and audiences both praised the movie’s fresh approach to the spy genre, making it a huge hit.

8

‘A Working Man’ (2025)

A Working Man

3.5
/5

Release Date

March 28, 2025

Runtime

116 minutes

Director

David Ayer

Directed by David Ayer, A Working Man follows Levon Cade, a former special ops soldier turned construction worker who is unwillingly drawn back into violence when the Russian mafia kidnaps his boss’s daughter. Cade knows that his past skills are the only way to bring her home, so he tears through the criminal underworld and shows no restraint.

No-Nonsense Portrait of the Working Class

A fresh addition to Jason Statham’s R-rated action filmography, this one leads into its grounded, hard-hitting action, delivering non-stop combat, tense shootouts, and raw, hand-to-hand action, all while focusing on the broader rescue mission. While critics were mixed on the film’s originality, audiences were thrilled with the straightforward approach. That said, A Working Man proves that sometimes, all you need is Statham doing what he does best – taking down bad guys.

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7

‘Opération Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’ (2023)

Opération Fortune: Ruse de Guerre sees Statham stepping into the role of Orson Fortune, a top-tier spy tasked with retrieving a stolen device before it falls into the wrong hands. Fortune assembles a team, including sharp-witted Sarah Fidel and skilled JJ Davis, and together, they infiltrate the inner circle of a billionaire arms dealer, all while enlisting the help of Hollywood star Danny Francesco.

Spy Film with Swagger

The latest action-packed collaboration between Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie is entertaining because it not only offers witty dialogue and clever twists, but also skewers celebrity culture with ease. Both stylish and fast-paced, it is a film that crackles with an infectious energy. Statham is accompanied by Aubrey Plaza, Bugsy Malone, Cary Elwes, Josh Hartnett, and Hugh Grant. It’s a shame that the movie did not dominate the box office, because as a globe-trotting adventure, it’s pretty fun.

6

‘Wrath of Man’ (2021)

Loosely inspired by a 2004 French film, Wrath of Man follows H, a mysterious new recruit at a Los Angeles cash truck company who seems like an ordinary employee at first. But as he goes about his duties, it becomes clear that he’s more than what he seems. When an attempted heist turns into a bloodbath, his lethal efficiency attracts attention, and it’s soon revealed that H is on a personal mission to seek revenge for the murder of his son.

Cold and Calculated Revenge Thriller

Directed with a neo-noir flair by Guy Ritchie, this one is an atmospheric revenge thriller that infuses elements of the heist genre. It strips away the flashiness and leans into a brutal tone that thrives on tension and precision. Statham’s performance is chilling; his character is a force of nature driven by both grief and vengeance. Holt McCallany, Josh Hartnett, and Scott Eastwood also add depth to the narrative, making it sharper and more intense.

5

‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ (1998)

Before he became an international action icon, Jason Statham burst onto the scene in Guy Ritchie’s breakout crime film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. He plays Bacon, one of the four friends caught in a disastrous poker game. When their debt to a crime boss spirals out of control, they decide to rob a gang of thieves next door, only for matters to get worse.

The Birth of a British Action Icon

With its unpredictable plot, web of double-crosses and stolen shotguns, razor-sharp dialogue, and stylish camerawork, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels established the template for Ritchie and Statham’s future collaborations. It is a landmark of the modern British crime genre and Statham’s scene-stealing performance as the street-smart, constantly hustling Bacon is a big reason why. Its kinetic energy and the way Ritchie brings London’s underworld to life were praised greatly.

4

‘The Bank Job’ (2008)

The Bank Job

Release Date

March 7, 2008

Runtime

112 Minutes

Writers

Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais

• Saffron Burrows

  Martine Love

• Stephen Campbell Moore

  Kevin Swain

• Daniel Mays

  Dave Shilling

Jason Statham stars in The Bank Job as Terry Leather, a struggling car dealer who gets roped into a bank heist that targets a London bank’s safety deposit boxes. What starts as a straightforward robbery, however, spirals out of control as Terry and the crew gets embroiled in a web of government secrets, blackmail and dangerous criminals because the materials in the vault are linked to criminals, gangsters, and the British royal family.

A Gripping Heist Thriller

The Bank Job is a smart and suspenseful movie where the deadly game of survival is just as important as escaping with the loot because there’s a lot on the line. Roger Donaldson’s direction ensures that the film’s more than just a thriller. That is layers the crime and drama with real-world intrigue. The nail-biting tension combines with moments of dark humor and creates an atmosphere of palpable danger. And, of course, the cast, made of Statham, Saffron Burrows and Stephen Campbell Moore, delivers outstanding performances.

3

‘Crank 2: High Voltage’ (2009)

Picking up right where the original left off, Crank 2: High Voltage sees Jason Statham returning to his role of Chev Chelios, the indestructible, adrenaline-junkie antihero as he miraculously survives his helicopter fall and is abducted by Chinese gangsters who want to steal his heart and replace it with an artificial one. The new ticker requires him to be exposed to regular jolts of electricity to keep him alive.

Pure, Unfiltered Action

Known for embracing the deranged, anything-goes spirit of its predecessor, this sequel cranks up the chaos to a whole new level and delivers a wild, unapologetic spectacle. Statham dives headfirst into the role’s manic physicality and pitch-blach humor, shocking himself with car batteries and getting into absurd, over-the-top fights. Amy Smart also returns as Eve, while Dwight Yoakam and Clifton Collins Jr. round out the supporting cast. To sum up, Crank 2 is the cinematic equivalent of a car chase through the gates of hell. You just have to keep the engine running to make it out.

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2

‘The Beekeeper’ (2024)

When it comes to R-rated fun, The Beekeeper stands tall as one of the most entertaining, exhilarating, and compelling thrillers of 2024. It follows Adam Clay, a quiet, disciplined man living a peaceful life tending to his bees. But as always, tragedy strikes. This time in the form of his landlady becoming the victim of a terrible phishing crime and taking her own life. Clay’s past as a trained operative surfaces and he strives for justice.

Character-Driven Showcase for Statham

Directed by David Ayer, The Beekeeper stands out purely for its graphic violence. As Statham’s character, Adam, eliminates his enemies and uncovers a deeper conspiracy, the film delivers brutal action sequences where every move feels deliberate and lethal. The supporting cast, including Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, and Jeremy Irons, make the conflict even more layered, proving that even in the digitalized world, fists and firepower are the only way to deliver justice.

1

‘Snatch’ (2000)

Snatch

Release Date

January 19, 2001

Runtime

102 minutes

Easily the best R-rated movie in Jason Statham’s entire filmography, Snatch revolves around Turkish, a small-time boxing promoter who gets caught up in a plot of stolen diamonds, underground fights, and unforgiving criminals. It all begins when his fighter is knocked out by bare-knuckle boxing champion Mickey O’Neil, played by Brad Pitt.

A Stylish Crime Classic

Snatch is a quintessential crime thriller. Packed with unforgettable characters and dark humor, the Guy Ritchie film is also visually stunning. The rapid-fire editing and witty dialogue, paired with hyperactive performances, make the movie engaging and hilarious. Statham’s portrayal of Turkish is effortlessly charming as it demonstrates his ability to balance humor with intensity. The movie also stars Benicio del Toro and Vinnie Jones. Overall, it was a commercial success too, and it’s lauded as one of the most fruitful actor-director collaborations of the era.

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