Surrounded by legends, the sect of Assassins (or Nizaris as they were initially known) operated in the Middle East from around 638 A.D. Being a small and outnumbered group of religious outcasts, the Nizaris had to perfect their combat skills and make them sufficient to infiltrate their enemies' ranks, kill, and submit to torture or death if need be. Their unbelievable fighting techniques made the western onlookers, such as Marco Polo, create plenty of embellished legends, trying to explain their abilities and viciousness. But, of course, the most straightforward explanation to their abilities was substance use, and thus came the name Assassins, derived from the Arabic Hashishin, or "hashish users." However, there's no actual proof of the Nizaris' use of such drugs, but it is precisely how the term came to be. Eventually, the English word came to be associated with paid murderers, and the rest is history.
Now, thankfully, we don't really have to deal with assassins in our lives, but that doesn't stop us from getting a fair portion of thrills by watching them on the silver screen. And though one might think it's quite immoral to get a kick out of watching a hitman go about their day, the explanation of why we love it could be much simpler. First of all, assassin movies are a fantasy (at least on some level) - we, regular folk, would never even think of becoming a paid murderer! Second, it's always mesmerizing to watch a professional do their work, especially so when it involves inherently cool stuff, like fighting techniques. The more impossible those techniques seem, the more we love them. Third, it's a part of human nature to be mesmerized by something that defies all human limits, and we can't help but imagine how cool we'd look in their place. And finally, assassin movies usually depict their protagonists (or should it be 'antagonist,' when talking about hired killers?) in a very desirable way - fearless, determined, unwavering, and unfaltering - qualities we'd all love to have.
So, get ready for some excellent titillation, as here's our list of the best assassin movies that have ever graced our screens. Pick one, or watch them all; these action movies will leave you spellbound and wishing for more. What's more, there's a thriller for anyone's taste - from such blockbusters as the John Wick series, to more obscure ones as No Country For Old Men, and classic ones as the Thirteen Assassins, you'll definitely find what you're looking for in our list. There's just one more thing to do, and it's to scroll down below, check out the greatest assassin movies, vote on the ones that deserve to be at the top, and share this article with your thrill-loving friends.
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#21 The Jackal
The Jackal, a loose remake of 1973 The Day Of The Jackal, mainly earned negative reviews from critics, but, as we all know, critics' words aren't usually the last ones, and despite being professionally bashed, this movie gained massive success with audiences. It's a ruthless chase thriller that doesn't give any mercy breaks to its main characters, played by Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. Hitmen, mobsters, the FBI, and all the thriller twists will surely make your palms sweat with action-induced anxiety.
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34points
#22 The Day Of The Jackal
No matter the year of conception (though, in this case, it's 1973, if you were wondering), a movie based on politics will undoubtedly show you dirty deeds and sleazy secrets. Add in a professional assassin to the mixture, and a thrilling experience is bound to unravel before your very own eyes. Suspenseful and spellbinding, The Day Of The Jackal is worth any action movie fan's time.
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34points
#23 Road To Perdition
Set at the time of the Great Depression, Road To Perdition is an incredibly stylish crime film, captivating its viewer with superb imagery and cinematography. The multi-layered characters are supplied to us by such big-screen stars as Tom Hanks and Jude Law, ensuring both depth and effortlessness in the story's development. And though the movie follows mobsters of the '30s, you won't see any hackneyed cliches in portrayals, settings, and the events concerning them.
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33points
#24 Kill Bill Volume 2
You might not know this, but the whole entirety of Kill Bill was originally shot as one four-hour-long movie. Now that might've been a bit too much of martial art fights and sword duels to take in, and so we got two parts of Kill Bill glory. And, as far as we know, there might or might not be a third sequel to this wonderful piece. A 50/50 chance is still a chance, right?
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32points
#25 The Long Kiss Goodnight
It's always gripping to watch an amnesiac on-screen as neither you nor the protagonist knows what will happen next. Especially so when the amnesiac is a highly-trained assassin with incredible fighting skills. An impactful action movie led by its main star Geena Davis, makes no leeway for soapy romance or naivete, displaying the masterful craftsmanship of a thriller film.
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30points
#26 Looper
A thought-provoking and ingeniously scripted movie, Looper, takes you on a journey through time and timelines. Not only does it deliver finely crafted fight scenes - an attribute indivisible from the thriller genre - but it also gives a peek into a sci-fi universe that's easily believable and eerily tangible. So, if you love dystopian settings, unparalleled action, and unique plots, give Looper a try. Chances are you won't be disappointed.
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26points
#27 Salt
So we all know that the stunts we see on screen aren't usually done by the big-shot stars, but rather by professional stuntmen and women. Well, Angelina Jolie, being as talented and as devoted to her work as she is, did almost all of her stunts needed for the movie. That included various fight scenes, hanging onto the ledges of massive buildings, jumping from helicopters, and so on. And in the end, it paid off - a thrilling action movie, with praise-worthy acting delivered by Jolie.
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25points
#28 Assassins
Love or loathe him; there's no denying that Stallone is a great action movie actor. Always cold, always ready, he can make even the blandest movie enjoyable. With Assassins, it also helps to have Antonio Banderas as a counterpart and Juliane Moore as a source of infatuation. And though this movie's plot might seem confusing and overly tricky at times, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
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25points
#29 Ninja Assassin
It's always enchanting to watch legendary ninja fighters doing their thing - it's mysterious, dark, and oftentimes heartless. But Ninja Assassin is much more than just a glorified display of blood-splashing, spine-chilling fights. Ninja Assassin is about gaining your freedom, and to freedom, we can always relate. It also doesn't hurt to have a stunningly talented and not the slightest bit unattractive Korean pop musician as your leading man.
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24points
#30 Leon: The Professional
An old and hardened hitman who cares only about his plant and dairy brand takes a twelve-year-old protege (played by a very, very young Natalie Portman) under his wing. Sounds unbelievable? Well, just hit that play button and see just how believable such a friendship and apprenticeship can be when played by two stellar actors. Leon: The Professional isn't just another well-crafted action movie; it's also a real heartbreaker that we won't be able to forget in a while.
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15points
