The1980swere all about action. And when it comes to action stars, few can strike as much fear and awe into the hearts of ruthless villains asChuck Norris. The Texas-born tough guy first made a name for himself in the world of competitive martial arts and earned several championships before transitioning into movies in the 1970s. But it wasn’t until the following decade that Norris really transformed into an action icon, starring in a series of widely popular and entertaining martial arts movies that made the best of his rugged looks and fighting skills.
From the heroics ofThe Delta Forceto the mayhem of theMissing in Actiontrilogy, Chuck Norris brought his own brand of intensity and humor to every role, establishing himself as a one-of-a-kind leading man in a decade that wasoverflowing with stoic and muscular action stars. Yet, Norris’ success was not just limited to his famous franchise. Throughout the 1980s, he starred in a number of standalone movies that were just as good. Here is a ranking of every single Chuck Norris movie from the 1980s.
13’Hero and the Terror' (1988)
Hero and the Terror
Hero and the Terrormarked a chilling turn for Chuck Norris. He plays Detective Danny O’Brien, who is given the title of “hero” after he successfully captures a monstrous serial killer, Simon Moon, ominously known as “The Terror.” But Simon manages to escape jail and is believed dead only to resurface three years later and trigger a series of murders in the city, forcing O’Brien on a harrowing chase once again.
A Mean and Lean Thriller
While not as high-profile as some of Norris’ other action franchises,Hero and the Terrorallowed the actor to step out of his usual martial arts fare and flex his dramatic muscles in a tightly-plotted thriller. It is a notable shift in tone for the actor, but he does incredibly well,creates palpable tension, and drives the plot towards a final showdown in an abandoned theater that’s as eerie as it is atmospheric.
12’Braddock: Missing in Action III' (1988)
Braddock: Missing in Action III
In the final chapter of theMissing in Actionseries, Colonel James Braddock is still reeling from his devastating mission in a Vietnamese prison camp. He returns to his homeland and discovers that his Vietnamese wife and son – long presumed dead – are still alive and being held captive by a sadistic Vietnamese general. Braddock sets out ona deeply personal journey to rescue them.
Big Explosions and Bigger Reunions
Braddock: Missing in Action IIIbrings a beloved franchise to a close through a mission that is both a family reunion and a reckoning with the ghosts of war. It is an adrenaline-fueled action ride complete with fiery explosions and jaw-dropping fight scenes, all directed by Aaron Norris, Chuck’s younger brother. The movie is also a perfect example of Norris’ ability to balance large-scale action with emotional drama.
11’Firewalker' (1986)
Firewalker
Firewalkerfinds Chuck Norris stepping into the role of a treasure-hunting adventurer alongside Louis Gossett Jr. as Max Donigan and Leo Porter respectively. The duo is hired by a mystical woman named Patricia, who shows them a cryptic map that promises gold, and together, they enter the rugged wilds of Central America in search of the ancient treasure.
Old-Fashioned Action Adventure
The movie is a mashup of action, adventure, and comedy, with a dash of Indiana Jones-inspired charm. Norris displays his trademark martial arts chops when necessary and shares incredible chemistry with co-stars, trading barks and engaging in some of the film’s most thrilling sequences. Overall, whileFirewalkeris entertaining, it only holds an 8% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes because of its conventional plot and bad production values.
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10’An Eye for an Eye' (1981)
An Eye for an Eye
Revenge is at the center of the narrative ofAn Eye for an Eye. Norris stars as Detective Sean Kane, a man who is forced to quit the police force by his superiors after an Oriental drug cartel murders his partner. Now free from his badge, Kane embarks on a relentless quest for justice and targets every person responsible for his loss.
Action Film Fueled By Revenge
Packed with raw action and gritty stakes, this movie builds to an explosive finale that sees Norris’ main character coming full circle and confronting the enemy with a storm of fists and fury. It is a significant departure from the lighthearted action-comedies that would later define his career, but Norris delivers one of his most intense and emotionally jarring performances in Steve Carver’s no-holds-barred outing.
9’Forced Vengeance' (1982)
Forced Vengeance
Directed by James Fargo,Forced Vengeanceis set in the dazzling neon-lit chaos of Hong Kong. Chuck Norris stars as Josh Randall, a tenacious former military man working as a security specialist for a casino owned by his friend and mentor, Sam Paschal. When Sam refuses to agree to the demands of mobsters, they kill him and his family and Randall is drawn into a battle with the underworld.
Intense Revenge Thriller
Using the same over-the-top theatrics and one-liners that would become synonymous with Norris’ later action movies,Forced Vengeancefinds the actor in pure action mode. He delivers grit, determination, and kicks and showcases the full range of his dramatic abilities. The movie also has an immersive setting enhanced by Hong Kong’s urban landscape andbrutal yet captivating fight choreography.
8’Missing in Action 2: The Beginning' (1985)
Missing in Action 2: The Beginning
Missing in Action 2: The Beginningis the prequel to the hit 1984 movie and it rewinds to Colonel James Braddock’s experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Norris reprises his role as the highly decorated U.S. Special Forces operative who is captured in Vietnam and held captive by a ruthless commander. Braddock and other POWs endure torture and cruelty, but stay determined to find a way to escape.
Dives Into Braddock’s Backstory
Directed by Lance Hool, the prequel was originally intended to be the first film in the trilogy, but the team decidedMissing in Actionwould be a rather successful installment. And it’s true. The prequel is not as well-known or beloved as the original but it is powerful enough in its pacing, capturing the tension and brutality of life as a prisoner of war, and Norris’ impassioned performance as Braddock.
7’Silent Rage' (1982)
Silent Rage
Combiningscience fiction, action, and horror, this film follows Sheriff Dan Stevens, an otherwise calm lawman in a small Texas town. When he finds himself up against John Kirby, a mentally ill man and psychotic killer, Dan shoots him. But when John is granted immortality by an experimental procedure, and he goes on a killing spree across town, Dan must use his skills to end the scientific terror.
Genre Fusion With Norris as Lead
Chuck Norris steps out of his usual formula inSilent Rage, a film that blends slasher tropes with classic martial arts action. The movie allows the actor to present a darker, more intense side on screen as the world-weary sheriff wanting to do right by his town. Director Michael Miller’s assured hand maintains the film’s suspenseful pace throughout and leads to a climactic face-off that’s worth watching.
6’Invasion U.S.A.' (1985)
Invasion U.S.A.
Invasion U.S.A.brings all sorts of chaos to America. The movie follows Matt Hunter, a former CIA operative who has been living in self-imposed exile. He’s dragged back into action when a ruthless Soviet-backed terrorist, Rostov, launches a surprise attack on American soil. The coordinated strikes lead to civil unrest and Hunter becomes the nation’s only hope of taking on the terrorists and stopping the guerrilla warfare.
Filled With Over-the-Top Action
Dialing the volume of action up to eleven, this unapologetic, high-octane thriller is a spectacle that plays to Norris’ strengths as a leading man. He is brilliant as the no-nonsense retired operative at the heart of all the madness like explosions and bone-crunching fight scenes. The movie also had a strong patriotic tone, which made it a quintessential ‘80s action flickregardless of negative critical reviews.
5’Missing in Action' (1984)
Missing In Action
One of the many, and perhaps most successful, collaborations between Joseph Zito and Chuck Norris,Missing in Actionis the first film in a popular action franchise. It revolves around Colonel James Braddock as he launches a dangerous solo mission to infiltrate the hostile territory and free American POWs being held in Vietnam years after the war has ended, while confronting his own painful memories as a POW.
The Start of a Legendary Franchise
Explosions, gunfights, and nail-biting suspense come together in this ultimate infiltration thriller with Norris as the lead. It is one of the defining entries in the actor’s action-packed filmography, and it finds him embodying the sheer resolve and intense purpose of his character. The film’s palpable depiction of Vietnam-era turmoil and the heroic finale made it a box office success despite the lukewarm reception from critics.
4’Code of Silence' (1985)
Code Of Silence
In Andrew Davis’Code of Silence, Norris steps into the shoes of honest and hard-nosed police detective Eddie Cusack who finds himself caught in the crossfire of a brutal gang war. As violence and crime in Chicago rises, Cusack comes face-to-face with not just deadly Colombian crime families, but also corruption within his own department, which forces him to go rogue and take matters into his own hands.
Norris Fights for Street Justice
Just a year afterMissing in Action, Norris makes a huge departure from his usual over-the-top action spectacles andlone-wolf vengeance talesby starring in a movie that uses urban realism to tell a compelling story. Davis’ direction adds narrative layers to the story and heightens the pulp sensibilities in a way that’s suspenseful but also kinetic. Norris, as usual, delivers a grounded performance and keeps viewers glued to the screen by deploying fists and kicks whenever necessary.
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