Assassins and Hitmen Films have been a staple of Hollywood since the dawn of cinema. In the Crime genre, it’s one of the most popular subgenres and often tends to crossover with other popular Crime subgenres including Caper and Heist Films and Gangsters and The Mob Films.
Prior to the 90’s (when the subgenre took off), the Assassins and Hitmen subgenre wasn’t that popular but there were a few notable films released during that time. Le Samouraï (1967), The Mechanic (1973), The Day of the Jackal (1973), The Eiger Sanction (1975), Prizzi’s Honor (1985), and Cohen and Tate (1989) were the cream of the crop of this subgenre which hadn’t gained mass popularity yet. Then the 90’s happened…
In the 1990’s, the first wave of Assassins and Hitmen Films came to the silver screen as this subgenre’s popularity soared. La Femme Nikita (1990), In the Line of Fire (1993), Romeo is Bleeding (1993), Pulp Fiction (1994), Léon: The Professional (1994), Desperado (1995), Assassins (1995), The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), Grosse Point Blank (1997), The Jackal (1997), A Perfect Murder (1998), and The Boondock Saints (1999) were some of the most popular (and best) films of this subgenre.
As with any subgenre of films that becomes popular, there are often two trends that follow: Franchises and Parodies or Satires. The Assassins and Hitmen Film subgenre saw both trends happen with the Bourne franchise being ‘born’ (pun intended) with The Bourne Identity (2002). The Whole Nine Yards (2000) parodied the Assassins and Hitmen subgenre and was followed by a sequel with The Whole Ten Yards (2004). Some of the best and most popular films of this subgenre were also released during this decade and included Road to Perdition (2002), Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003), Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004), Collateral (2004), Munich (2005), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), Smokin’ Aces (2006), No Country for Old Men (2007), and In Bruges (2008).
The 2010’s decade saw the emergence of the ‘golden age’ of the Assassins and Hitmen Film subgenre, with many films from this decade redefining the subgenre and often crossing over to new genres including Horror, Science Fiction and others. Kill List (2011) was an example of two film subgenres merging – Horror Films About the Occult & Witches and Assassins and Hitmen. And Looper (2012) combined the Time Loop subgenre with the Assassins and Hitmen subgenre to create one of the best films of the decade. Other notable films during this decade included Salt (2010), Killer Joe (2011), Killing Them Softly (2012), Jack Reacher (2012), The Equalizer (2014), Run All Night (2015), The Accountant (2016), Anna (2019), Nobody (2021) and Black Widow (2021).
No discussion of the Assassins and Hitmen Film subgenre would be complete without mentioning the best films and franchise of this subgenre – John Wick. While the Bourne franchise feature some excellent films, the John Wick films helped redefine and energize the entire subgenre. John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017) and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) all are considered some of the best films in this subgenre and should be at the top of anyone’s queue to watch (if you haven’t seen them yet).
Our list of Assassins and Hitmen Films features over 215+ films from 1967 – present. The list also features both domestic (U.S.) and World Cinema releases. This list was particularly hard to trim down to 10 Top Assassins and Hitmen Films You Haven’t Seen, and we had to leave a few great films off the list. Other notable films that didn’t make the list and you should still seek out include Narrow Margin (1990), 2 Days in the Valley (1996), Panic (2000), Real Time (2008), Carlos (2010), 24 Hours to Live (2017), Hotel Artemis (2018), and Nobody (2021).
We have embedded a compilation video of our Top Assassins & Hitmen Films You Haven’t Seen and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#10
Best Seller
Plot: A hitman tries to convince a cop (who is also an author) to write his autobiography.
KBZ’s Take: This is a film to watch primarily for two actors at the top of their game – Brian Dennehy and James Woods. Though the film’s pacing is a bit slow, the revelations during the narrative make it worth sitting through. One of the better Neo Noir Films that just happens to feature a charismatic (but dangerous) hitman played by Woods.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Fu7hDr
#9
Femme Fatale
Plot: Woman flees with jewels from a heist and assumes the identity of a similar looking woman.
KBZ’s Take: Not one of Brian DePalma’s best films, but even his average films are better than most directors. Like most of his films, this tends to be a Neo Noir Film that has many twists and turns. More of a guilty pleasure B movie that is elevated near A movie territory by DePalma’s direction.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gMPNso
Plot: Assassination attempt on the U.S. President is told from different perspectives.
KBZ’s Take: One of the better films to emulate Rashômon (1950) where details of an incident changes based on different (and sometimes contradictory) perspectives. While a few other films have tried this narrative device, Vantage Point excels by ramping up the tension as clues are revealed during each perspective. Not only is it a great film, but it’s also a case study for film students on how to employ the “Rashomon effect” in a taut and thrilling way.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3gRq0z1
#7
The Iceman
Plot: True story of Richard Kuklinski, a notorious contract killer and family man.
KBZ’s Take: Michael Shannon is one of our favorite actors, and The Iceman is one of his best films that few people have likely seen. Be warned, this isn’t a ‘date night’ type of film as the brutality of Shannon’s portrayal of Kuklinski is on full display. Shannon leads an A-list cast that also includes Winona Ryder, Ray Liotta, Chris Evans and James Franco. Must-see film of the Assassins and Hitmen film subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FhUQdw
#6
Headhunters
Plot: A headhunter risks everything to steal a valuable painting owned by a former mercenary.
KBZ’s Take: This film is not technically an Assassins or Hitmen film; however, it features many of the same subgenre tropes especially with scenes involving a ‘hitman on the trail of his target’. This Norwegian film stars Game of Thrones Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and shows why he was cast as Jamie Lannister. The same calculating and smug mannerisms are found in his portrayal of Clas Greve who relentlessly pursues Roger Brown (played by Aksel Hennie). We’re being purposely vague on the plot of the film as the less you know about it, the better it is going in.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3izZJpG
Plot: A corrupt cop gets in over his head when he tries to kill a Russian hit-woman.
KBZ’s Take: Lena Olin owns this film as the Russian hit woman. In fact, you should see the film for her performance alone. Though the film also features Gary Oldman, Annabella Sciorra, Juliette Lewis and Roy Scheider, you’ll be waiting in anticipation for every scene that features Olin. The film is also a classic Neo Noir Thriller that almost makes you feel sympathy for Goldman’s corrupt cop.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3EZ0wYy
#4
Blow Out
Plot: Sound recordist accidentally records audio of an assassination.
KBZ’s Take: This film is a bit forgotten but it’s still one of Brian DePalma’s best. There’s a bit of crossover with the Conspiracy Thriller subgenre, and the focus of the film deals with the conspiracy which is covering up the assassination. John Travolta gives one of his best performances of his career in this film and it’s a must watch for fans of DePalma, Travolta or the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3VJkIV3
Plot: Five criminals face imminent death after screwing up a job.
KBZ’s Take: “I am Godzilla, you are Japan!” is the phrase that will be etched into your mind after seeing this film. Of all the Tarantino-lite films that came out after Pulp Fiction (1994), this film is the best of the bunch. Like Pulp Fiction, there are intertwining stories and oddball characters including Treat Williams as Critical Bill (who also utters the infamous Godzilla line). Though it never reaches the heights of Pulp Fiction, it’s still a worthwhile film to see in the Assassins and Hitmen Film subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3H0xyu9
#2
Possessor
Plot: A corporate assassin uses brain implant technology to take control of other people’s bodies to kill other targets.
KBZ’s Take: The definition of a powerful film is one that stays with you months or even years after you’ve seen it. Possessor is one of those films we still can’t get out of our head 2 years later. This film is not for the faint of heart as it’s brutal, gory and will have you questioning the ethics and morals of the lead character (played by the great Andrea Riseborough). Possessor is directed by Brandon Cronenberg (son of David Cronenberg) and if you’re familiar with the father’s work, you’ll know what you’re getting into with his son. A disturbing yet powerful film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3B2BIh6
#1
Anna
Plot: Female assassin is caught between both sides and only wants freedom.
KBZ’s Take: This film is also #3 in our Top Cold War Films You Haven’t Seen list. How much you like this film (we loved it!) will depend on how much you like Luc Besson films. This is trademark Besson with action and humor similar to his previous efforts including Léon: The Professional (1994) and Lucy (2004). Where this film diverges from other “female assassins who kick ass and fully recover within an hour after getting beaten to a bloody pulp” films, is the sympathetic backstory to the assassin in training. Despite the best efforts of the KGB and CIA to control her, you end up rooting for the video game-like body count she piles up to get her way.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3FkCt7T
