20 Stunts Across Movie History That Deserved an Oscar

For over a century, the Academy has honored various aspects of cinema, and now, for the first time, it’s highlighting a category to recognize outstanding stunts. These thrilling feats have been an integral part of cinema since its inception. Pioneering performers such as Tom Mix, Helen Gibson, Harold Lloyd, and Douglas Fairbanks Sr. showcased their daring skills on screen even before the Academy was established. Over time, there have been numerous exceptional stunt performances that should have been recognized with an Oscar. Here are 20 films that truly deserved this recognition, starting from the year of the first Academy Awards.

Warner Bros.

Wings (1927)

Director William A. Wellman spent several months devising a way to capture authentic air-battle scenes involving Thomas-Morse MB-3 aircraft. Lt. Clarence S. “Bill” Irvine, a flying specialist, developed an onboard camera system and arranged the dogfights, even piloting one of the planes himself. Remarkably, the footage they produced remains breathtakingly impressive today, almost a century later.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928)

Even though Buster Keaton made most of his films before the Oscars were established, this silent comedian was renowned for his athletic prowess and breathtaking stunt performances. It’s a challenge to watch him get trapped under a collapsing house without thinking he deserved an Oscar for remaining unflinching!

Stagecoach (1939)

The stunt work of Yakima Canutt in Western films is second to none, and his daring stunt, which involves falling from a prominent vehicle, is truly gripping to behold. This memorable act served as the blueprint for a comparable scene in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark. In 1967, Canutt was honored with an Honorary Oscar.

The Black Swan (1942)

Although swashbuckling action may not be as popular today, traces of it can still be found in movies like Star Wars. We owe a debt of gratitude to actors like Errol Flynn, but for me, the epitome of the swashbuckler is Tyrone Power. His battles, particularly in this film and The Mark of Zorro, remain unsurpassed.

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Seven Samurai (1954)

As a cinephile, I can’t imagine the world of fight choreography without the impact of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films. They were captivating on their own, but their influence on subsequent movies is undeniably powerful. Moreover, there was no one else who could command attention and charm even in the heat of a battle quite like Toshiro Mifune.

Ben-Hur (1959)

In actuality, William Wyler was awarded the title of best director, but it’s important to note that the iconic chariot scene was jointly directed by Andrew Marton and Yakima Canutt, with Sergio Leone providing assistance. This sequence, which served as a precursor to the pod-racer scene in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, required a full year of meticulous planning, five weeks to film, and incorporated 78 horses in its execution.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Despite my fondness for the numerous camel-riding scenes featuring Peter O’Toole, it’s the attack on Aqaba that truly shines as the movie’s action highlight. This scene has left a lasting impact, evident in many subsequent battle sequences across film history.

The French Connection (1971)

Although the car chase in Bullitt is thrilling, its blatant disrespect for San Francisco’s geography leaves me unimpressed. Instead, I recommend checking out The French Connection, where Popeye (Gene Hackman) takes control of a 1971 Pontiac LeMans to pursue an elevated train. This scene was filmed on location in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and still sends shivers down my spine when I watch it today.

Enter the Dragon (1973)

Bruce Lee’s last film, “Enter the Dragon“, stood out by merging aspects of spy movies with blaxploitation, thereby propelling martial arts into widespread popularity. Essentially, observing Lee in combat is like witnessing a true craftsman at his peak.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Using a large rock, a lash, and an extraordinary hat, Steven Spielberg introduced a fresh wave of adventure films and unveiled the legendary character Indiana Jones to a new generation. Though real-life archaeologists might criticize the occupation’s depiction (hello, Dad), it’s hard to find someone who isn’t thrilled and astounded by Indiana Jones’ daring feats.

Police Story (1985)

Jackie Chan is unique, blending comedic antics with breathtaking acrobatic fighting and groundbreaking stunts. The Police Story series offers a remarkable demonstration of his diverse skills. After starring in over 200 films and numerous injuries, he was awarded an Honorary Oscar in 2016 for his impact on cinema.

GoldenEye (1995)

Among all the thrilling and outlandish actions of James Bond, none takes my breath away quite as much as when he bungee-jumps from the Contra Dam in Switzerland. This awe-inspiring stunt, performed by Wayne Michaels, held the world record at that moment.

The Matrix (1999)

In the ’90s, it was undeniably Keanu Reeves’ decade. He began the era with an adrenaline-fueled leap from a plane without a parachute in “Point Break.” Then he took things up a notch by leaping out of a Jaguar convertible onto a speeding bus in “Speed.” His dominance culminated as he mastered kung-fu from a computer, dodged bullets by manipulating time, and rescued Morpheus from a skyscraper by jumping out of a helicopter. Cheers to him!

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)

Zhang Ziyi is an unbeatable sword goddess. She overpowers and eliminates a crowd of fools in a teahouse, engages in combat with Chow Yun-fat atop numerous trees, and squares off against the equally formidable Michelle Yeoh.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

20 years have passed since Angelina Jolie took on the role of Lara Croft in “Tomb Raider”! She’s a fierce archaeologist who embodies inspiration with her short-shorts and combat boots, battling everything from common soldiers to robots to the enigmatic Illuminati.

Death Proof (2007)

In the world of Tarantino’s homage to grindhouse movies, I, Zoë Bell, step into the spotlight, having previously served as Uma Thurman’s stunt double in the Kill Bill series. Among the many pulse-pounding scenes, one that leaves me gripping the edge of my seat is when Kurt Russell’s character sends a chill down my spine while menacing me, suspended from the front of a 1970 Dodge Challenger.

Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Tom Cruise’s breathtaking stunts, which leave both viewers and esteemed directors awestruck, remain unforgettable. Watching that particular stunt in IMAX left me with lingering apprehension. The sight of Cruise scaling the glass facade of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai, using only sticky gloves was beyond belief. How and why he did it is not important; what matters is that it was insane and I can’t get enough of it.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

If you’re not a fan of Doof Warrior, then perhaps your tastes are different. After all, who wouldn’t be captivated by a man dressed in red leotard, riding on a massive truck while playing a flamethrower guitar? This movie, breaking free from development difficulties, showcases George Miller as an exceptional filmmaker. With a focus on practical effects and stunts, the action in this film is nothing short of intense.

John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

The John Wick film series, created by Derek Kolstad and directed by former stunt performers of Keanu Reeves (Chad Stahelski and David Leitch), has significantly transformed the way grounded action scenes and fight choreography are executed. This is evident in Leitch’s movie Atomic Blonde and Gina Prince-Bythwood’s The Old Guard. A scene reminiscent of Enter the Dragon is depicted when Reeves engages in combat with villains inside a room illuminated by neon lights, reflecting off mirrors – a sight to behold.

Black Panther (2018)

Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-nominated film, Black Panther, boasts an exhilarating sequence that includes a daring casino heist, martial arts fights atop a waterfall, and parkour stunts performed on a moving vehicle. This specific scene was filmed in two locations – Atlanta and Busan – using numerous cars and 214 different takes before Coogler was fully content. But let me tell you, it was absolutely worth all the effort!

2025-04-11 19:03