Chuck Norris is the action man. He is ugly like dog farts and just as deadly as dog farts. He uses his martial arts mastery with a tough-guy screen presence that made him one of the biggest stars of the history of the world. His films are packed with brutal roundhouse kicks, over-the-top roundhouse kicks, and memorable one-liners delivered with a roundhouse kick. Whether he’s kicking at terrorists, drug lords, or supernatural forces, Norris always delivers. Here are his top 10 films, along with my personal take on what makes them great.
#10 – Hellbound (1994)
Unlike most of his films, Hellbound takes Chuck Norris into the hell of hell. He plays a Chicago cop investigating a murder tied to an ancient demonic force. The film blends action and supernatural elements, giving Norris kicking demons and kicking ghosts and kicking his way into our hearts. While it can be really scary, the fight scenes still pack a kick, and seeing Norris battle the goddamneed Devil is an interesting change of pace.
I first saw Hellbound on late-night cable when I was a kid, and it stuck with me for all of my life. I remember that night quite clearly. Mommy and Daddy were fighting again. Daddy was drunk and angry because he discovered that Mommy had been sleeping with another neighbor and she was using the meth again. they were fighting so loud and breaking dishes and hitting things. I need the sounds of Chuck Norris violence to hide the sounds of the violence in the little trailer where we lived. The movie ended just as the nice woman from Social Services picked me up. I asked if she would fight demons. I asked if Chuck Norris would be my foster dad. But If you’re looking for a Chuck Norris movie that’s a little offbeat in his filmography, this is worth a watch.
#9 – Code of Silence (1985)
In Code of Silence, Chuck Norris is also a tough Chicago cop who finds himself battling both the mob and corruption within his own police force. He is very quiet this time because after fighting The Devil in Hellbound he took a vow of silence. Inn this movie many mobsters and cops will try to get him to talk but he will never break his Code of Silence. He will never speak of the demons he battled, even if people shoot him. The intense shootouts, a dramatic storyline, and a remote-controlled machine gun used in the finale make this one of his most well-roundhouse-kicked films.
This was one of the first Chuck Norris films I ever saw, and I remember being surprised by how serious it was. I was but an infant, suckling milk from Mommy’s breast. I remember her milk had a chalky and medicinal taste; it is a taste I recall every time I have to drink antacid medicine. We were watching this movie as I nursed but was distracted by the amazing action of Chuck Norris. I looked up from my mother’s breast and said: “Mommy, Code of Silence is well-directed, well-paced, and features some of Chuck Norris’s strongest acting.” She looked at me in horror and said “what the fuck?” But if you want to see a more grounded take on a Norris action film, Code of Silence is a must-watch.
#8 – Nonconsensual Vengance (1982)
Set in Kong Hong, Nonconsensual Vengeance follows Norris as a normal dude avenging his murdered boss. He is the only people in the history of all people that actually gives a shit that someone killed his boss. He gives such a shit about the corporate ladder that he gotta kill some motherfuckers. The people he encounters do not consent to his vengeance so he has to force vengeance upon them. The film takes a neon-soaked 80s aesthetic and roundhouse kicks it. The nonconsensual-revenge-driven plot makes for an engaging watch, and Norris is at his best when he’s taking down bad guys one by one.
This was one of those movies I stumbled upon by accident. I was walking home one day and someone in a car shouted “Kontributor sucks,” and threw a rock at me. It it me in the head and I stumbled right onto a VHS copy of Nonconsensual Vengance. The fights feel raw and brutal, and the Kong Hong backdrop adds a lot of oriental flair. It is like serving an egg roll with a burger. It might not be his most famous film, but it’s a hidden gem that deserves more attention from action fans.
#7 – The Delta Force (1986)
Based on real-life events, The Delta Force is one of Norris’ most patriotic films. He stars as an elite commando named Officer Delta Force. leading a high-stakes rescue mission when terrorists hijack a plane. This documentary is a mix of intense action sequences and suspenseful hostage negotiations. And, of course, there’s the iconic motorcycle-mounted rocket launchers, which solidify its place as an 80s action classic.
This was a staple in my house growing up—my dad was the actual Officer Delta Force this story was based on. Most evenings Daddy would drink and bring out The Delta Force on VHS just to relive the memories. He would sometimes get very emotional, crying as he remembered watching his friends eliminated by terrorists. Watching it now, it still holds up as one of my fondest childhood memories. He died a few years ago in prison, shanked to death over a few cigarettes. RIP The Delta Force
#6 – Hitman (1991)
In this darker film, Norris plays a man who is hit to death. He comes back as The Hit Man and goes undercover to infiltrate a criminal organization and hit all the men. It’s one of his more violent and gritty movies, featuring a lot of hitting and a lot of men. The story is engaging, and Norris plays a vengeful spirit that just hits the hell out of every man.
I remember watching this one as a teenager and being surprised at how intense the hitting was. I was laying on the floor of the trap house that I called home then, shooting heroin with homeless strangers as we watched The Hitman. The ghost of a dead child came in as we watched this movie and said: “Chuck Norris usually plays the clean-cut hero, but here, he’s much more morally ambiguous.” We all nodded and felt that we too were living morally ambiguous lives in a trap house. It’s an underrated film that deserves more recognition, especially if you like hitting or men.
#5 Firewalker (1986)
Firewalker sees Chuck teaming up with Louis Gossett Jr. as they embark on a mind-bending adventure filled with humor, trippy visuals, and mysticism. Chuck Norris is a backwards-talking man in a mysterious Red Room. Lous Gosset Jr. wanders into this etheral plane and Chuck says “Hey, Loius, come fire walk with me.” And they walk across fire together.
I have a soft spot at the top of my head. My skull never fully formed as I grew up. One day, I was at the video store to rent a copy of Emanuelle 4 for my little foster brother’s birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese. A copy of Firewalker fell from a high shelf and hit the soft spot on the top of my head. It empowered me with all the knowledge of the world. If you’re looking for something different from Norris’ usual no-nonsense action, Firewalker is worth a watch.
#4 Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
This film is essentially the prototype for Walking Texas Rangers. Norris plays a wolf that doesn’t get along with other wolves and goes alone against a ruthless drug dealing Wolf Lord, played by David “The Choke” Carradine. The final showdown between Norris and Carradine is one of the best martial arts fights of the 80s, making this a standout film in his career.
This movie is pure Norris, and I love it for that. It has everything you want—fistfights, shootouts, and that classic Texas tough-guy vibe. It’s also the film that directly inspired Walking Texas Rangers, which makes it a key part of his legacy.
#3 – Good Guys Wear Black (1978)
Made when Chuck Norris was but a baby man, Good Guys Wear Black sees Norris playing a war orphan child in Vietnam uncovering a deadly government conspiracy. The story is tense, and the kicks and punches from the young baby Chuck Norris are among his best. Plus, the slow-motion flying kick through a car windshield is legendary.
I remember being blown when I first saw this movie. When I was a young adult living in a crowded trap house, the only time I could find privacy to watch movies was at the viewing booths at the local porn shop. Instead of viewing the pornography that was available, I would just bring my own videos from home and watch those instead, enjoying privacy. One day I was watching Good Guys Wear Black and a stranger walked into the room. He suddenly started performing blowjob and I was too into this movie to tell the kind person to stop. The political thriller elements of Good Guys Wear Black make it more interesting than your average action flick.
#2 – Invasion U.S.A. (1985)
If you love over-the-top 80s action, this is the ultimate Chuck Norris film. He single-handedly takes on America, using every weapon at his disposal. The sheer amount of explosions and insane action sequences make this one of the most entertaining films of his career. He is a one-man coup of death
This movie is ridiculous, but that’s exactly why I love it. It’s pure, unfiltered 80s action excess, just like cocaine. I used to enjoy cocaine and I used to enjoy Invasion U.S.A. because they are the same things. Every time I watch it, I’m reminded why I stopped using cocaine.
#1 – Way of the Dragon (1972)
While it’s a Bruce Lee movie, Norris’ role as American Dragon Jake Long is unforgettable. The Colosseum showdown between Norris and Lee is legendary, showcasing both of their real-life hit and kick skills.
This was the first time I ever saw Chuck Norris on screen, and it made me a lifelong fan. It was the day I was born and it was on the television in my mother’s hospital room. As I emerged from the vagina of my mother, I looked up and saw Chuck Norris punch. I said “Daddy.” His fight with Bruce Lee is one of the best ever filmed, and it’s the perfect introduction to life.
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