20 Best Chuck Norris Movies of All Time

Chuck Norris, a name big enough for the action world, is a record-breaking box-office hero. When he was cast as a villain opposite Bruce Lee in The Way of the Dragon (1972), his best movie and a breakthrough, he soon became a worldwide renowned star with spectacular performances in lead roles in action movies.

Also Read: Cillian Murphy Movies

This big human with unbelievable strength could make it to the top due to his martial arts skills. The “World’s greatest human,” “the worst guy on the planet,” and meme fame Chuck Norris is the first American martial artist to reach stardom. Performing his stunts himself, Norris gave a real-life experience, a feast to watch. Here are the top Norris movies for you to witness the spine-chilling fun.

Chuck Norris Movie

20 Best Chuck Norris Movies of All Time

  1. An Eye for an Eye

    Director: Steve Carver

    Writers: James Bruner, William Gray

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Christopher Lee, Richard Roundtree

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller

    An Eye for an Eye (1981) on IMDb

    This Chuck Norris masterpiece stars him as a San Francisco cop named Sean Kane. He and his friend/partner Dave Peirce are on a mission to unveil a drug ringleader. In an attempt to find the truth, Dave is murdered. Kane, filled with rage and tired of discipline, decides to leave the force and avenge the death of his friend. Dave’s girlfriend and media reporter Linda Chan is furious and pledges to get her hands on the drug dealers. When she sets out to know the truth, she learns about the secret Kane and Dave were looking for, but the hitmen also kill her. Shook by the deaths, Kane, a close friend of Linda and news editor Heather, and Linda’s father, James, join hands to end the drug smuggling ring.

  2. The Delta Force

    Director: Menahem Golan

    Writers: James Bruner, Menahem Golan

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Lee Marvin, Martin Balsam

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, War

    The Delta Force (1986) on IMDb

    In 1980, the dangerous Eagle Claw mission led by the Delta Force under Captain Scott McCoy had to be aborted due to a fatal helicopter crash. Disheartened and disgusted by the dirty politics, Captain McCoy resigns from his position. Five years later, two terrorists, Abdul Rafai and Mustafa hijacked a Boeing 707. With 144 passengers and 8 crew members headed to Rome and New York, the terrorists forced the pilot to take them to Beirut, Lebanon.

    The Delta Force is again called upon for rescue along with McCoy. With the plans all set to attack and save the passengers, the Delta Force is determined to defeat the terrorists who are unaware of this secret plan. Unfortunately, even the Delta Force is unaware of 12 more terrorists coming on board. Incapable of competing at that point, the mission is aborted. The terrorists drop off females and children at Algiers before flying with the male passengers to Beirut. As they start killing the passengers beginning with the marine, the Delta force has to devise a plan to save the hostages before it is too late.

  3. Hellbound

    Director: Aaron Norris

    Writers: Ian Rabin, Anthony Ridio, Brent V. Friedman

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Calvin Levels, Christopher Neame

    Genres: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

    Hellbound (1994) on IMDb

    This hilarious horror movie is a classic with some over-the-top mystical elements combined with action. Chuck Norris plays Frank Shatter, a cop who does not let his other fellow Jackson eat in the entire movie. Yes, that is an absurd joke carried out throughout the film.

    800 years after king Richard defeated the emissary of Satan Prostanos and shattered his scepter in 9 places kept at sacred places, he was set free in the ’50s from his grave. In 1994, the two cop buddies set out to investigate the murder mystery of a rabbi in a cheap hotel. Finding out that his heart was ripped, they start looking for evidence, with the only leads in the form of a scepter and cards with the names of Kreiger and professor Lockley.

    After meeting the professor’s aid, Leslie’s evidence persuades them to believe their suspect is beyond human existence. Upon further investigation, they discover that the professor is the ancient demon they were looking for. He plans to sacrifice 9 holy men and a woman of divine blood, none other than Leslie. Hearing of this, Shatter is ready to take down the demon to make a great save before the transcending apocalypse.

  4. Code of Silence

    Director: Andrew Davis

    Writers: Michael Butler, Dennis Shryack, Mike Gray

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Henry Silva, Bert Remsen

    Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

    Code of Silence (1985) on IMDb

    Yet another movie in which Chuck Norris plays a cop. As an honest Chicago police officer Eddie Cusack, he has the responsibility to stop the drug dealers of the Comacho gang. His mission miserably fails when a rival gang led by drug Lord Tony Luna kills almost all the present members of the Comacho gang. The sole survivor of the shootout, Victor Comacho, is the brother of gang leader Luis. While Tony manages to escape with cash and cocaine, furious due to heavy losses in the encounter, Camachos attack Luna’s family, killing them and kidnapping Luna’s daughter Diana.

    Simultaneously, Cusack encounters another problem as his fellow cop Craigie, an alcoholic, shoots a teenage boy and then plants a gun on him. Owing to his honesty, Cusack testifies against his fellow, which does not sit right with other cops as he breaks the unspoken “code of silence,” which prevents them from testifying against fellow mates. When Cusack learns about Diana, he decides to rescue her but is left alone by all the cops because of his betrayal. Abandoned by all, he decides to battle all by himself.

  5. Lone Wolf McQuade

    Director: Steve Carver

    Writers: B.J. Nelson, H. Kaye Dyal

    Stars: Chuck Norris, David Carradine, Barbara Carrera

    Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller, Western

    Lone Wolf McQuade (1983) on IMDb

    In this movie, Chuck Norris plays a Texas Ranger named J.J. McQuade, who has his way of doing things and no rules. He loves to work alone, which wins him the nickname Lone Wolf McQuade. After helping the police with some horse thieves, he is ready to throw his hands at the drug Lord who has also got possession of automatic weapons, stealing them from the military. Trying his best alone, his martial arts showdown fails miserably as his friend and a prisoner are killed. Relieved of duty, he is offered help from an FBI agent to get his hands on the drug lord. More fuel to the fire is added by a common love interest of both the men who face each one-on-one, putting their martial arts talent on display.

  6. Silent Rage

    Director: Michael Miller

    Writers: Joseph Fraley, Edward Di Lorenzo

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Ron Silver, Steven Keats

    Genres: Action, Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

    Silent Rage (1982) on IMDb

    A mentally ill Vietnamese veteran John Kirby kills two people with whom he was staying in a small town in Texas. Sheriff Dan Stevens( Chuck Norris) and his subordinate Charlie arrest him. Soon he managed to break free from the handcuffs and started attacking the officers. Left with no option, they open fire, leaving the maniac fatally wounded. He is sent to a small hospital where three doctors operate on him. When the doctors think of using the formula they created, Dr. Halman warns them of the consequences, but Dr. Spires ignore all odds and goes ahead.

    Their formula succeeds in bringing the killer back to life, giving him the superpower to heal every time, no matter how brutal the injury. Their actions have repercussions as the killer starts his streak again by killing Dr. Halman and his wife. He does not even spare the other two doctors and Charlie. After all the destruction, he roams around in the street, killing everyone around, and Sheriff Dan is on an impossible mission to stop the immortal.

  7. The Octagon

    Director: Eric Karson

    Writers: Leigh Chapman, Paul Aaron

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Karen Carlson, Lee Van Cleef

    Genres: Action, Drama, Romance, Thriller

    The Octagon (1980) on IMDb

    Scott James, played by Chuck Norris, is a retired martial artist who is challenged to stop the ninja group, which is driven by terrorism. When a beautiful and wealthy woman Justine approaches him for the job of killing the terrorist named Seikura, at first, he declines the offer. After enough persuasion from friends and to settle scores with his half-brother turned terrorist Seikura, Scott departs on his mission to clean sweep the terrorist ninja clan.

  8. Good Guys Wear Black

    Director: Ted Post

    Writers: Bruce Cohn, Mark Medoff, Joseph Fraley

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Anne Archer, James Franciscus

    Genre: Action

    Good Guys Wear Black (1978) on IMDb

    John T booker(Chuck Norris), an ex-soldier, has now taken up the job of political science professor five years after returning from a deadly mission. When he learns that the surviving members of the Black Tigers, an elite unit he was part of in the army, are being killed, he takes a leave to unfold the mystery. He leaves with a bright report named Margaret to inform his fellow about the upcoming threat. Soon he figures out that this trap is set by a mastermind, a high-ranked Vietnamese official, along with politicians of the US.

  9. Firewalker

    Director: J. Lee Thompson

    Writers: Robert Gosnell, Jeffrey M. Rosenbaum, Norman Aladjem

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Louis Gossett Jr., Melody Anderson

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy

    Firewalker (1986) on IMDb

    Max Donigan( Chuck Norris) and Leo Porter are treasure hunters still awaiting a successful venture. This time they are tired by a woman named Patricia Goodwin who claims to have a map of gold treasure. Three of the archaeological adventures leave to try their luck. On their way to the Guatemalan gold mine, they encounter several obstacles. One of them is El Coyote, who wishes to stop the three and keeps attacking them.

    When they finally reach the temple where the treasure is, they encounter the powerful spirit fire walker that protects the ancient treasury. El Coyote also arrives just in time, looking to sacrifice Patricia to become the fire walker. Just in time, the trio plans to defeat him, successfully taking the reward of gold home.

  10. The Way of the Dragon

    Director: Bruce Lee

    Writer: Bruce Lee

    Stars: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Nora Miao

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller

    The Way of the Dragon (1972) on IMDb

    Tang Lung, a martial artist, comes to Rome on the plea of his uncle to help a family friend protect the restaurant from a local mafia. A syndicate run by the mafia tries everything from scaring the customers to thugs threatening the staff. After Lung arrives, the syndicate sees him as a threat, and to eliminate him, they begin sending local thugs. When Lung defeats them all single-handedly, the mafia arranges for a Japanese karate expert and a European fighter. After every plan fails, an American martial artist, champion Colt( Norris), is hired for the showdown in Rome.

  11. Forced Vengeance

    Director: James Fargo

    Writers: Franklin Thompson, James Fargo

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Mary Louise Weller, Camila Griggs

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller

    Forced Vengeance (1982) on IMDb

    Josh Randall(Chuck Norris) is the security chief at the Lucky Dragon Casino in Hong Kong. He has close ties with his owner, who treats him like a family. When a mobster Stan Ramondi approaches the owner to buy the casino, he declines the offer. The furious mobster, a business rival running a syndicate, Osiris, simultaneously kills the owner and his son. Josh rescues the owner’s daughter Joy and protects her from the thugs. As he tries to reach the assassins and save Joy, he seeks help from the police, but his attempts fail due to a mole in the department. Convinced that Stan cannot be the real mastermind behind the Osiris, Josh risks it alone to find the real boss.

  12. Top Dog

    Director: Aaron Norris

    Writers: Aaron Norris, Tim Grayem, Ron Swanson

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Michele Lamar Richards, Erik von Detten

    Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Thriller

    Top Dog (1995) on IMDb

    Police officer Lou and his police dog Reno are on a mission where only Reno survives. The case is transferred to Maverick cop Jake Wilder (Chuck Norris) upon the call of captain Ken. When he is paired with the canine companion, he is not pleased despite the dog proving his worth and outsmarting the cop. Not only do the duo have a funny buddy-cop bond throughout, but they also try to avenge the death of Lou while taking down the terrorists.

  13. Missing in Action

    Director: Joseph Zito

    Writers: Arthur Silver, Larry Levinson, Steve Bing

    Stars: Chuck Norris, M. Emmet Walsh, David Tress

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, War

    Missing in Action (1984) on IMDb

    An American officer, Colonel James Braddock(Chuck Norris), was stuck at a prisoner-of-war camp in Northern Vietnam for seven years. Fast forward ten years and the US government calls upon him to return to Ho Chi Minh City and find the missing soldiers years after a bloody war. After finding the evidence, his suspicion of the soldiers being held captive is confirmed. He then teams up with an old army buddy, Tucks, to invade the jungle and free the POWs.

  14. Invasion USA

    Director: Joseph Zito

    Writers: James Bruner, Chuck Norris, Aaron Norris

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Richard Lynch, Melissa Prophet

    Genres: Action, Thriller

    Invasion U.S.A. (1985) on IMDb

    CIA agent Matt Hunter( Chuck Norris) is called out of his retirement for a new mission. Terrorist Rostov and his men are planning to turn the US into ruins. But before that, Rostov has some scores to settle with Hunter. Years ago, when Hunter caught Rostov, he had to spare his life upon government orders. Disturbed by the encounter, Rostov reaches his Everglades home but does not find Hunter. The latter has already departed for the rescue mission of the nation despite reluctance. Rostov has hundreds of men aligned to destroy the country, and Hunter faces them all by himself to save the lives of millions.

  15. Hero and the Terror

    Director: William Tannen

    Writers: Michael Blodgett, Dennis Shryack

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Brynn Thayer, Steve James

    Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

    Hero and the Terror (1988) on IMDb

    Danny O’Brien is hit by reminiscence when a murder of a woman imitates the style of a serial killer who was assumed to be dead. Three years ago, Danny alone caught the murderer Simon Moon, who was famous as “the terror” for his gruesome murder ways. For capturing him, the city people honored Danny with the title “Hero.” After being handed over to a psychiatric ward, The terror tries to escape in an ambulance that falls off a cliff, deleting the mastermind criminal from the books of the police. When the murders seem to mimic The terror’s style, Danny is skeptical about the death of the “woman killer.” When the investigation leads him to a renovated movie theatre, he encounters Simon, “The terror.”

  16. A Force of One

    Director: Paul Aaron

    Writers: Pat E. Johnson, Ernest Tidyman

    Stars: Jennifer O’Neill, Chuck Norris, Clu Gulager

    Genres: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller

    A Force of One (1979) on IMDb

    The story revolves around Matt Logan, a highly skilled martial artist and instructor who runs a karate school. Matt is not only a martial arts expert but also a dedicated police officer, working as a narcotics detective in a city plagued by a drug epidemic.

    When a powerful and dangerous drug den begins to flood the city with a new and deadly synthetic drug, Matt is called in to help combat this drug problem. His unique martial arts skills and knowledge make him an asset to the police department in this mission.

    As Matt investigates the drug trade and works to dismantle the drug syndicate, he faces numerous challenges and confrontations with Saratov’s henchmen, who are skilled martial artists themselves. Along the way, he forms alliances with other law enforcement officers, including his partner, Amanda, and her brother, a fellow officer.

    The film features various action-packed fight sequences and showcases Chuck Norris’s martial arts prowess. Matt Logan’s pursuit of justice and his mission to stop the drug lord drive the film’s plot, ultimately leading to a climactic showdown between Matt and Victor Saratov.

  17. Enter the Dragon

    Director: Robert Clouse

    Writers: Michael AllinBruce Lee

    Stars: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, John Saxon, Jim Kelly

    Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller

    Enter the Dragon (1973) on IMDb

    Enter the Dragon is a classic martial arts film that centers on Bruce Lee’s character, Lee, a highly skilled martial artist and instructor who is invited to participate in a martial arts tournament held on a mysterious island. A British intelligence agency recruits Lee to infiltrate the tournament and investigate the host, Han, who is believed to be involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and human trafficking.

    Lee travels to the remote island with the cover of being a tournament contestant. Along the way, he meets other martial artists who have their reasons for being there, such as Roper and Williams.

    As the tournament progresses, Lee and his fellow contestants are drawn into a web of intrigue and danger. Lee discovers that Han’s island is a criminal empire, and the tournament serves as a front for his illegal operations. Han is a ruthless and formidable martial artist, and he keeps a private army of fighters and bodyguards.

    Lee, with the help of his new allies, Roper and Williams, uncovers the truth about Han’s criminal empire and sets out to dismantle it. The film features intense martial arts battles, culminating in a climactic showdown between Bruce Lee and the villainous Han.

  18. Delta Force Commando

    Director: Pierluigi Ciriaci Writer: Dardano Sacchetti

    Stars: Brett Baxter Clark, Fred Williamson, Chuck Norris, Mark Gregory Genre: Action

    Delta Force Commando (1987) on IMDb

    The story revolves around the character John, a tough and skilled former Special Forces operative. John is brought out of retirement for a top-secret mission by a government agency. His mission is to infiltrate a South American country that is under the rule of a brutal dictator, General Venegas.

    John assembles a team of elite commandos, and they are sent into hostile territory to rescue a group of American hostages who are being held captive by General Venegas and his forces. The hostages include government officials and scientists who possess valuable knowledge.

    As John and his team infiltrate the country, they encounter a series of obstacles, including enemy soldiers, traps, and treacherous terrain. The mission becomes a high-stakes rescue operation, and the team must use their combat skills and wit to navigate the dangerous situation.

    The film is filled with action sequences, explosions, and gunfights as John’s team battles the dictator’s forces and tries to secure the hostages’ safe return. Along the way, they form alliances with local resistance fighters who oppose the oppressive regime.

  19. Sidekicks

    Director: Aaron Norris

    Writers: Lou Illar, Galen Thompson

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Beau Bridges, Jonathan Brandis

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Sport

    Sidekicks (1992) on IMDb

    Sidekicks is a 1992 action-adventure comedy film that follows a young boy named Barry Gabrewski, who is a teenager with a vivid imagination. He idolizes the legendary martial artist Chuck Norris and daydreams about being his sidekick in various action-packed adventures.

    Barry is often bullied at school and faces challenges in his everyday life. He has asthma, which makes him physically weaker and less confident. To cope with these challenges, he retreats into his fantasies, where he envisions himself teaming up with Chuck Norris to fight bad guys.

    In reality, Barry’s troubles lead him to join a karate class under the instruction of a sensei played by Beau Bridges. As he trains and gains confidence, he becomes more adept at karate and starts to overcome his obstacles. His dedication to martial arts eventually leads to a tournament where he competes to prove himself.

  20. Forest Warrior

    Director: Aaron Norris

    Writers: Ron Swanson, Galen Thompson

    Stars: Chuck Norris, Terry Kiser, Max Gail

    Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Western

    Forest Warrior (1996) on IMDb

    Forest Warrior is a 1996 family adventure film that combines action, comedy, and environmental themes. The plot follows a character named John McKenna, who is a former logger and now a conservationist dedicated to protecting the environment and the wildlife in a forest.

    The story begins when a greedy developer plans to clear-cut the forest and build a shopping mall. John McKenna, known as the Forest Warrior, stands in opposition to this destructive plan. He’s not alone in his efforts, as he’s joined by a group of young friends who share his love for the forest and its creatures.

    Together, they use their wits, survival skills, and knowledge of the forest to thwart the developer’s efforts and protect the natural habitat. The film features various action sequences and stunts, typical of Chuck Norris’s films, as they engage in battles against the villains who threaten the forest.

Kierra Rowsey
Kierra Rowsey

Kierra Rowsey is a freelance TV, Film and anime critic for over 12 years, living in Arkansas with her husband and three kids. She graduated from NYU College of Arts & Science in 2008.

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