Daniel Day-Lewis is renowned as one of the greatest actors in cinematic history, boasting three Academy Awards to his name—three more than the English action star Jason Statham. However, while Day-Lewis has never choked someone with casino chips, knocked out an opponent with a coin, killed someone with a spoon, or punched someone in the fist with their own head, Jason Statham has done all of these in a single film. There's no denying Statham's prowess in action cinema.
Statham has solidified his status as one of the 21st century's most reliable action superstars. With his latest release, A Working Man, now in theaters, it's the perfect time to celebrate some of the most memorable moments from his action-packed and often humorous career. After all, until the Academy starts recognizing feats like walking through fire, water-skiing blindfolded, or mastering the piano late in life, this is the least we can do.
The Best Jason Statham Movie Moments
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12. Homefront
Ever wondered if Jason Statham's action heroes could take down multiple opponents with their hands tied behind their back? In Homefront, Statham proves it's not just a feeling—it's a fact. He annihilates three thugs while restrained, setting the stage for an action-packed showcase.
The Beekeeper
While The Beekeeper might have some viewers buzzing with disappointment over Statham's leniency towards some scam call center employees, he redeems himself with a thrilling chase. After letting some employees escape, he pursues the call center manager, straps him to his truck, and sends the vehicle off a bridge, dragging the villain behind. It's a harsh reminder that even bumblebees fly better than a 1967 Ford F-100.
Wild Card
Returning to the film mentioned in our opening, Wild Card is a gem that didn't get the attention it deserved at the box office. Directed by the mastermind behind Con Air and featuring Stanley Tucci with a full head of hair, the film boasts some of Statham's finest fight scenes. In the climax, he takes down five armed thugs with nothing but a spoon and a butter knife, emerging unscathed. Jason Statham truly is the king of "knifey spoony."
Death Race
Paul W.S. Anderson might not have won many accolades for his video game adaptations, but Death Race deserves recognition. This 2008 film showcases a commitment to practical effects reminiscent of Mad Max: Fury Road, but years before it. Statham outsmarts the Juggernaut with the help of a rival, proving that real effects trump CGI any day.
The Meg
No list of Jason Statham's greatest moments would be complete without his epic showdown with a megalodon in The Meg. Statham spears the giant shark, slices it open from end to end, and then surfs it as it leaps into the air, stabbing it in the eye. The prehistoric beast falls back into the water, only to be devoured by smaller sharks. Statham's rule: If it bleeds, you can kill it.
The Transporter
Landing at number seven is Statham's iconic role as Frank Martin in The Transporter. The 2002 original is packed with Hong Kong-style fight scenes, making it hard to choose a single highlight. However, the oil fight stands out, where Frank uses oil to slip past his enemies before unleashing a series of devastating spinning heel kicks.
The Fate of the Furious
Deckard Shaw's transition from villain to hero in the Fast and Furious saga was initially controversial, but Fast 9 cleared the air by revealing he didn't kill Han. One of Statham's standout moments is the airborne rescue of Dom and Elena's baby in The Fate of the Furious, blending gun-fu with humor in a way that only Statham can.
The Expendables
Joining the ranks of Hollywood's toughest in Sylvester Stallone's Expendables series, Jason Statham's Lee Christmas has many memorable moments. From kicking Scott Adkins into a helicopter to firing a flare from a flying boat, his brutal basketball court beatdown of his girlfriend's abusive ex and his cronies is unforgettable. Christmas comes once a year, and when he does, he delivers a swift, brutal justice.
Spy
In the uproariously funny Spy, Jason Statham showcases his comedic talents as Rick Ford, the unkillable agent who's immune to 179 poisons and makes his own suits. His best moment is undoubtedly when he regales Melissa McCarthy with tales of his legendary toughness, including driving a car off a freeway onto a train while on fire.
Transporter 2
How could we forget the iconic barrel roll from Transporter 2? Frank Martin calmly flips his Audi to dislodge a bomb, demonstrating the cool confidence of a man brushing off a speck of dust. It's a move that defies physics and showcases Statham's action hero finesse.
Crank: High Voltage
After surviving a fall from a helicopter, Chev Chelios faces a new challenge in Crank 2 when Chinese gangsters steal his heart. The film reaches a surreal peak when Chev hallucinates a giant fight at a power station, turning into a 100-foot-tall kaiju version of himself, complete with a mask of his own head. It's a testament to Statham's ability to embrace the absurd.
Snatch
Topping the list is Snatch, where Jason Statham, in only his second film role, shines alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. Statham delivers some of the film's most quotable lines, with Turkish's iconic response to Tommy's gun in his trousers ("What is a gun doing in your trousers?" "For protection." "Protection from what? Zee Germans?") standing out. It's a safer bet than anything Brick Top suggests, at least.
