We might not be able to see dead people like Cole Sear in The Sixth Sense (1999), but we can certainly recognise an icon when we see one — and Bruce Willis is exactly that. After all, he was Hollywood’s go-to action hero for a reason. For over four decades, he stood out as one of the industry’s most consistent stars before stepping away from the spotlight. Although the actor has now retired, his most iconic roles are still here, ready to stream. So, with that in mind, here are the 11 best movies and TV shows starring Bruce Willis.
If you’re an action buff like us, Bruce Willis’ retirement announcement is probably etched in your memory, too. In March 2022, Variety reported that the movie star would be stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia — a disorder affecting a person’s ability to comprehend or formulate language.
But so what if the actor is not going to be in front of the camera? Thanks to streaming platforms, his “die hard” fans can still revisit some of his best performances and see him command the screen all over again.
So, if you, too, have a fist-shaped hole in your heart, keep scrolling, because we’re revisiting 11 of Bruce Willis’ best movies and TV shows — the kind that will have you going, “Yippee-ki-yay!” in no time.
The Sixth Sense, Moonlighting and more: 11 best movies and TV shows of Bruce Willis
1 /11
Pulp Fiction (1994)Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Other cast members: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Ving Rhames, Harvey Keitel
Runtime: 2 hours 34 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.8
Synopsis: In Los Angeles’ underworld, hitmen Vincent (Travolta) and Jules (Jackson) carry out jobs for powerful crime boss Marsellus Wallace (Rhames). Before long, however, Marsellus’ wife, Mia (Thurman), becomes entangled in their dangerous world. As Vincent and Jules’ assignments spiral into chaos, a meticulous fixer known as Winston Wolfe (Keitel) is called in to clean up the mess.
In a parallel storyline, boxer Butch Coolidge (Willis) is forced to go on the run after betraying Marsellus. But events take a dramatic turn when a serial killer holds the crime lord captive, leaving Butch with no choice but to rescue the very man he has spent his life trying to escape.
About his role in the movie: While the crime drama Pulp Fiction is packed with standout performances, the character arc of Willis’ Butch Coolidge adds significant depth and tension to this fan-favourite film.
2 /11
Die Hard (1988)Directed by: John McTiernan
Other cast members: Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson
Runtime: 2 hours 12 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.2
Synopsis: John McClane (Willis), an NYPD officer, travels to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve to meet his estranged wife, Holly (Bedelia), at her office party. However, what starts as a routine event soon turns into a nightmare when a terrorist named Hans Gruber (Rickman) and his men arrive at the venue, forcing McClane to take on the attackers.
About his role: This is the role that changed everything for Bruce Willis. Die Hard not only made him a household name but also redefined Hollywood’s definition of an “action hero”.
3 /11
The Sixth Sense (1999)Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Other cast members: Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams
Runtime: 1 hour 47 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.2
Synopsis: Dr Malcolm Crowe (Willis), a child psychologist, begins treating a young boy named Cole Sear (Osment) after he makes the terrifying claim that he can see and communicate with dead people. As Malcolm continues to help the boy, the unusual case takes over his personal life and further fractures his already strained relationship with his wife, Anna (Williams).
About his role: Willis took a step back from action fare, and, instead, delivered one of his most nuanced performances as Dr Malcolm Crowe in the psychological thriller movie The Sixth Sense.
4 /11
12 Monkeys (1995)Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Other cast members: Brad Pitt, Madeleine Stowe
Runtime: 2 hours 9 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.0
Synopsis: Imprisoned in the 2030s, James Cole (Willis) is recruited for a mission that requires him to travel back in time to the 1990s and discover the origins of a deadly virus that threatens the future of the world. However, in the past, he encounters Dr Kathryn Railly (Stowe), a psychiatrist, and Jeffrey Goines (Pitt), a psychotic environmentalist, who prove to be a threat to the time traveller.
About his role: In a film that leans heavily into psychological tension, Willis’ James Cole brings a sense of urgency, desperation and confusion that adds to the film’s narrative.
5 /11
Sin City (2005)Directed by: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller and Quentin Tarantino
Other cast members: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.0
Synopsis: In the dark, crime-infested Basin City, ex-con Marv (Rourke) sets out on a brutal path of revenge after a woman dies under mysterious circumstances. As he avenges her, he uncovers a dangerous web of corruption. At the same time, Dwight (Owen) finds himself caught in a dangerous power struggle as he tries to protect the women of Old Town from violence that could shatter the peace and order of their district.
In a parallel storyline, John Hartigan (Willis), a veteran police officer, puts his life at risk to save a young girl named Nancy (Alba) from an abusive family. Years later, after taking the fall for a crime he did not commit, John is pulled back into the chaos of Basin City when Nancy finds herself in danger once again.
About his role: Amidst Sin City’s stylised noir atmosphere, Willis’ performance as John Hartigan adds a layer of old-school grit and sincerity. In this role, the actor perfectly embodies the character of a cynical cop in an extremely corrupt city.
6 /11
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)Directed by: Wes Anderson
Other cast members: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Edward Norton
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.7
Synopsis: Teenagers Sam (Gilman) and Suzy (Hayward) prompt a widespread search after deciding to run away together on a remote island. Joining the search party are Scout Master Randy Ward (Norton) and Captain Sharp (Willis), a local police officer who gives his all to find Sam and Suzy while dealing with his own personal struggles.
About his role: The character of Duffy Sharp offers a softer, more introspective side of Willis, which wasn’t explored much on-screen before.
Also read: Edward Norton and 12 other actors who have never won an Oscar
7 /11
The Fifth Element (1997)Directed by: Luc Besson
Other cast members: Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Chris Tucker
Runtime: 2 hours 6 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.6
Synopsis: In the futuristic city of New York, Korben Dallas (Willis) is an ordinary cab driver whose life is turned upside down after he becomes involved in a mission to save Earth. Leeloo (Jovovich), a mysterious woman who appears to hold the key to humanity’s survival, enters his life, making things even more complicated. With no other choice, the two join forces to stop a destructive evil from taking over their planet.
About his role: As Korben Dallas, Willis leans into his action-hero persona once again while embracing the film’s eccentric tone. This role required the actor to balance the tropes of an action film with wit, humour and charm.
8 /11
Moonlighting (1985–1989)Created by: Glenn Gordon Caron
Other cast members: Cybill Shepherd, Allyce Beasley
Number of seasons: 5
Number of episodes: 67
IMDb rating: 7.6
Synopsis: After losing her entire fortune, former model Maddie Hayes (Shepherd) teams up with detective David Addison Jr. (Willis) to run the Blue Moon Detective Agency, a struggling investigative firm. As they work together to solve complex cases, the partners are also forced to navigate their feelings for one another.
About his role: Willis’ role as David Addison Jr earned him an Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series as well as a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Musical or Comedy in 1987.
Also read: 13 movies with the most Golden Globe wins
9 /11
Looper (2012)Directed by: Rian Johnson
Other cast members: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt
Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.4
Synopsis: Joe (Gordon-Levitt), a hitman working for a time-travel crime syndicate, is tasked with killing targets sent from the future. However, his life spirals out of control when he learns that his next target is none other than his future self (played by Willis).
About his role: In the sci-fi film Looper, Bruce Willis gives a complex, emotionally driven performance as Joe, providing a stark contrast to Gordon-Levitt’s role of the younger Joe.
10 /11
Unbreakable (2000)Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Other cast members: Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.3
Synopsis: David Dunn (Willis) is an ordinary security guard who finds himself in an extraordinary situation after he miraculously survives a devastating train crash without a single injury. When comic book theorist Elijah Price (Jackson) learns of the incident, he approaches David, believing that he possesses superhuman abilities. This leads David to question everything he thought he knew about himself, including his identity.
About his role: According to Quentin Tarantino, Bruce Willis gave a “magnificent” performance as David Dunn in Unbreakable. Speaking to Sky Movies in 2009, the filmmaker said, “Unbreakable… I actually think one, not only has Bruce Willis’ best performance on film that he’s ever given. I think he’s magnificent in the film. It also is a brilliant retelling of the Superman mythology.”
Also read: Take a leap beyond Marvel and DC with these 11 superhero TV shows
11 /11
Armageddon (1998)Directed by: Michael Bay
Other cast members: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Billy Bob Thornton
Runtime: 2 hours 31 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.7
Synopsis: When NASA identifies a massive asteroid heading towards Earth, driller Harry Stamper (Willis) is recruited, along with A. J. Frost (Affleck), to travel into space and destroy it before it collides with the planet, forcing them to face life-threatening challenges along the way.
About his role: Willis blends nail-biting action with emotional vulnerability through his portrayal of Harry Stamper in Armageddon, the second-highest-grossing film in his career after The Sixth Sense.
(Hero and Featured image credit: © Lionsgate via IMDb)Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.