Bruce Willis names his 16 favourite films of all time | Films | Entertainment

Bruce Willis is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, especially for action film fans.

Now retired from acting due to his diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, the legendary actor – who turned 70 last Wednesday, March 19 – has built a portfolio of over a hundred movies in 42 years, from big blockbusters to indie pieces.

In a candid text-message interview with Ain’t It Cool News back in 2007, Bruce was asked to name his favourite films of all time.

He couldn’t contain himself to only the 5 or 6 he promised to rank, and instead listed his 16 go-to flicks, each of which he admittedly watched at least 3 times a year. Here, we list them in chronological order:

On the Waterfront (1954)

Starring Marlon Brando, this drama directed by Elia Kazan explores union corruption and racketeering on the New York City waterfront, following ex-boxer Terry Malloy as he witnesses a murder and struggles to stand up against the corrupt union bosses, including his own brother. On the Waterfront won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), Best Supporting Actress (Eva Marie Saint), and Best Director (Elia Kazan), and was nominated for a total of twelve.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

This David Lean classic follows British POWs forced by the Japanese to build a railway bridge, a vital link for their war effort, and the ensuing conflict between the prisoners’ desire to build a superior bridge and the Allied forces’ plan to destroy it. It was based on a Pierre Boulle novel, and inspired by the real story of the Burma Railway, between Thailand and Myanmar. It won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, as well as three Golden Globes and four BAFTAs.

Spartacus (1960)

One of the three Stanley Kubrick films listed by Willis, Spartacus is a historical epic film starring Kirk Douglas as the title character: a Thracian slave who leads a rebellion against the Roman Republic, ultimately facing a brutal end. It won four Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design) and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama.

The Great Escape (1963)

A classic war film directed by John Sturges, The Great Escape is a thrilling recounting of a mass escape by Allied prisoners from a German POW camp during World War II. With an ensemble cast featuring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, the film showcases the planning and execution of the escape, as well as the brave sacrifices made by the prisoners.

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove is a dark comedy and satirical masterpiece that explores the absurdities of the Cold War. Starring Peter Sellers in multiple roles, the film revolves around an accidental nuclear crisis triggered by a deranged general. As the situation escalates, the characters’ efforts to avoid an all-out nuclear war take center stage. It is often cited as one of the greatest films ever made and was named to the AFI’s Top 100 Films list.

Bullitt (1968)

Starring Steve McQueen as a no-nonsense San Francisco cop, Bullitt is best known for its iconic car chase, one of the most thrilling sequences in film history – which was added to the US National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Directed by Peter Yates, the film follows Detective Frank Bullitt as he investigates the murder of a witness under his protection. Bullitt won an Academy Award for Best Film Editing and was nominated for two others, including Best Sound.

Patton (1970)

Starring George C. Scott, Patton is a biographical war drama about General George S. Patton, one of the most controversial and larger-than-life figures of World War II. Patton won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Franklin J. Schaffner), and Best Actor (George C. Scott). It also received three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

The only non-action/war film on Willis’ list, The Last Picture Show is a poignant coming-of-age drama set in a small Texas town in the 1950s. The film captures the lives of a group of teenagers struggling with love, loss, and the passage of time as their once-vibrant community begins to fade. It won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Ben Johnson) and Best Supporting Actress (Cloris Leachman).

The Godfather (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather is one of the most influential films in cinematic history. This epic crime drama, based on Mario Puzo’s novel, chronicles the rise of the Corleone family, headed by Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). The Godfather won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay, and has been named to numerous “best of all time” lists, including the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Films.

The Godfather Part II (1974)

The sequel to The Godfather, The Godfather Part II continues the saga of the Corleone family, focusing on Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) as he navigates his role as the head of the family while reflecting on the dark path his father, Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), took to build the family empire. It is the only sequel in history to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Taxi Driver (1976)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. The film follows Bickle’s descent into paranoia and violence as he attempts to ‘clean up’ the city. It won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Alien (1979)

Ridley Scott’s Alien is a landmark in both the science fiction and horror genres. The film follows the crew of the Nostromo spaceship as they encounter a deadly alien creature that begins picking them off one by one. Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ripley, the lone survivor, became a defining moment in cinematic history. The film’s intense atmosphere, stunning special effects, and heart-pounding tension have made it a genre-defining classic.

Raging Bull (1980)

Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull is a gritty and powerful biographical drama about boxer Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro). The film follows LaMotta’s self-destructive behavior inside and outside the ring, examining his struggles with jealousy, rage, and his eventual downfall. Raging Bull is renowned for De Niro’s Oscar-winning performance and Scorsese’s unflinching look at the complexities of human nature.

GoodFellas (1990)

Another Scorsese masterpiece, GoodFellas follows the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his involvement in the Mafia. The film is a fast-paced, high-energy tale of crime, loyalty, and betrayal, with memorable performances from De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco. GoodFellas won one Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Joe Pesci) and was nominated for six other Oscars, including Best Picture.

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs is a sharp, stylish crime thriller about a heist gone wrong. The film is known for its nonlinear storytelling, intense character interactions, and sharp dialogue. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and Steve Buscemi, Reservoir Dogs is a cult classic that helped establish Tarantino as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation.

300 (2006)

Directed by Zack Snyder, 300 is a stylized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 Spartan warriors against the Persian Empire. The film’s visually arresting action scenes and epic scale made it an instant cultural phenomenon. It became one of the most successful R-rated films of the year, earning over $456 million worldwide.