Best Movies of Bruce Willis

Since his rise to stardom in the 1980s, Bruce Willis has frequently jumped between smart independent features and blockbuster hits. This New Jersey-raised actor is known for his variety of hard-edged and cerebral characters in action and suspense movies. He also has his share of films from other genres, including a couple of dramas, comedies, and sci-fi efforts. Based on critical acclaim, awards received, blockbuster success, and classic appeal, it's clear that he has a distinct share of memorable roles that justify his place as one of the most successful stars of his generation.

John McClane in "Die Hard" (1988)

"Die Hard" initiated the making of Willis as he is known today. With acting experiences only coming from his notable TV credits on "Moonlighting" and "Blind Date," he was a wild card choice for the role of NYPD officer John McClane. Yet, Willis was able to pull off the character, becoming the iconic hero in this legendary action movie franchise.

Apart from making him an instant superstar, "Die Hard" also struck the industry as one of the most influential action films ever made. Revolutionizing the blockbuster action flick formula, its basic elements became a benchmark for future action movies centering on a lone, unstoppable hero's personal struggles and his triumph over countless villains.

Butch Coolidge in "Pulp Fiction" (1994)

Putting a variety of roles on his acting plate, Willis would occasionally delve into some ensemble works -- like "Pulp Fiction," a film that featured a dynamic cast of big Hollywood names, including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, and Uma Thurman. This Quentin Tarantino opus was structured around three interrelated stories. Willis starred as prizefighter Butch Coolidge, the lead character of the second tale.

Tarantino based this boxer role on a classic Hollywood crime story archetype of the 1950s: a physically powerful man who was both a bully and a jerk. This postmodernist piece helped diversify Willis's extensive body of work, adding another impressive and memorable character to his filmography.

Korben Dallas in "The Fifth Element" (1997)

"The Fifth Element" showcased the successful tandem of Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich in this action-packed sci-fi adventure set in the 23rd century. Both critics and regular viewers fell in love with how the film provided a balance of pop sci-fi, action, and comedy elements in an inventive story about a futuristic battle between good and evil.

The movie featured Willis as Korben Dallas, a taxi driver who teams up with so-called "perfect being" Leeloo, played by Jovovich, to search for four mystical stones needed to defend the world from impending destruction. With the way the stars carried their remarkably appealing roles, they are now remembered as an iconic sci-fi tandem in motion picture history.

Dr. Malcolm Crowe in "The Sixth Sense" (1999)

Willis played the role of child psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe in the "The Sixth Sense," an Oscar-nominated horror-suspense tale about a man who tries to help a troubled boy who sees and talks to the dead. Known for using subtle devices to generate genuine horror, this ghost story allowed Willis to explore a character that could blend well in carrying the story's psychological elements. His role became unforgettable, validating the film's striking ending. Crowe served as a driving force that transformed the challenging material into a masterpiece of the genre.

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