Daniel Day-Lewis is undeniably one of the greatest actors in cinematic history, with three Academy Awards to his name—three more than the renowned English action star, Jason Statham. However, Day-Lewis has never matched the sheer audacity of Statham's feats, such as choking a man with casino chips, knocking someone out with a coin, killing with a spoon, or punching a man in the fist with his own head—all in the same film. In the world of action cinema, there's simply no comparison.
Jason Statham has solidified his status as one of the most reliable action superstars of the 21st century. With his latest film, A Working Man, now in theaters, we celebrate his career with a look at some of his most memorable and entertaining moments. After all, until the Oscars start recognizing feats like walking through fire, water-skiing blindfolded, or mastering the piano later in life, it's the least we can do to honor Statham's unique talents.
The Best Jason Statham Movie Moments
13 Images
12. Homefront
Ever felt that Jason Statham’s action heroes could take down multiple opponents with their hands tied behind their back? That's precisely what happens in Homefront, where Statham effortlessly annihilates three adversaries while restrained. It's the perfect way to kick off our list of his greatest hits.
The Beekeeper
In The Beekeeper, Statham's softer side is evident as he lets some scam call center employees escape before blowing up their building after their apologies. Yet, true to his action-hero roots, he doesn't disappoint entirely. He tracks down the call center manager, straps him to his truck, and sends the vehicle off a bridge, dragging the villain behind it. While bumblebees may not be the best flyers, they certainly outdo a 1967 Ford F-100 in this scenario.
Wild Card
Returning to the film mentioned in our introduction, Wild Card didn't shine at the box office but boasts some of Statham's finest fight scenes. Directed by the mastermind behind Con Air, the movie features Stanley Tucci with hair and a climactic showdown where Statham dispatches five armed thugs using just a spoon and a butter knife. Truly, Jason Statham reigns supreme in the realm of knifey spoony combat.
Death Race
Paul W.S. Anderson may not be celebrated for his video game adaptations, but his slightly campy 2008 film Death Race deserves recognition for its commitment to practical effects and explosive car crashes, predating Mad Max: Fury Road by years. Statham's cunning alliance with a rival to outsmart the Juggernaut remains a standout moment, where practical effects triumph over CGI.
The Meg
No list of Jason Statham's iconic moments would be complete without his epic battle in The Meg. Here, Statham takes down a megalodon with a metal spear, slicing it open from teeth to tail, surfing the beast as it leaps into the air, and ultimately piercing its eye. The giant shark then meets its demise, devoured by smaller predators. As Statham demonstrates, if it bleeds, you can kill it—regardless of its size.
The Transporter
Ranking at number seven is Statham's iconic role as Frank Martin in The Transporter. The 2002 original is packed with thrilling fight scenes choreographed by action maestro Corey Yuen. Standout moments include the container fight, the axe fight, and the bus fight, but the oil fight steals the show. Frank uses oil to slip past his enemies before striking back with bicycle pedals and devastating spinning heel kicks.
The Fate of the Furious
Deckard Shaw's transition from villain to hero in the Fast and the Furious series was initially contentious, but since Fast 9 clarified his innocence regarding Han's death, fans can enjoy his past heroics guilt-free. A highlight from The Fate of the Furious is the airborne rescue of Dom and Elena's infant son, blending gun-fu with humor in a scene inspired by Hard Boiled.
The Expendables
Jason Statham's role as Lee Christmas in Sylvester Stallone's Expendables series allows him to shine alongside Hollywood's toughest. From kicking Scott Adkins into a helicopter to firing a flare from a flying boat, his moments are legendary. However, the most memorable is his swift and brutal basketball court beatdown of his girlfriend's abusive ex and his cronies. Christmas may come once a year, but when he does, he delivers a swift and merciless justice.
Spy
In the uproariously funny Spy, Jason Statham showcases his comedic prowess as Rick Ford, the unkillable secret agent. His scenes are filled with humor, but none more so than when he recounts his incredible feats to Melissa McCarthy, claiming, "I drove a car off a freeway, on top of a train, while I was on fire. Not the car. I was on fire."
Transporter 2
Who could forget the iconic barrel roll from Transporter 2? With cool composure, Frank Martin flips his Audi to dislodge a bomb, demonstrating the confidence of someone merely dusting off their suit. It's a testament to the power of practical action over physics.
Crank: High Voltage
After surviving a fall from a helicopter, Chev Chelios finds his heart stolen by Chinese gangsters in Crank 2. The film reaches surreal heights when Chev hallucinates himself as a giant kaiju, fighting at a power station with a mask of his own head. It's a testament to the film's wild creativity.
Snatch
Topping our list is Snatch, where Jason Statham, in only his second film role, steals the show from stars like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. His character Turkish delivers some of the film's most quotable lines, with the exchange about carrying a gun for protection against "Zee Germans" being a standout. In a movie full of memorable moments, Statham's performance is a safe bet—safer than anything Brick Top might suggest.
