It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that amongst our “50 guy movies” list, many of the same directors and actors show up multiple times. Some directors have an understanding of what makes a guy movie, and some actors are just suited to such roles. So we’re not making an intentional shrine to Quentin Tarantino, Guy Ritchie and Frank Miller. It just appears that way. Don’t forget to click on a movie title to see a poster, movie details, and trailer or other video clip.

50. Revolver. Revolver’s story and camera work is well-thought out, yet another misunderstood movie from Guy Ritchie – a master of the “guy movie’ genre. Jason Statham plays an ex-con who becomes a successful gambler, thanks to a formula, but comes to the negative attention of a crime boss.

49. Joy Ride. This is an early co-writing effort from Lost’s and Cloverfield’s J.J. Abrams. Despite its low-budget feel and non-originality, it’s actually quite compelling – possibly because the actors aren’t big enough yet to be larger than life, adding an authenticity. Perfect viewing for all you pranksters out there.

48. Natural Born Killers. NBK is amongst one of the most violent American films made but meant in fact to be a satire of the violence in American media and entertainment, and shows how media makes superstars of criminals, whether intentionally or incidentally.

47. The Limey. Terence Stamp is a British ex-con who learns of his daughter’s death in Los Angeles. Now, he’s out for vengeance upon the man whom he feels is responsible.

46. The Matador. Pierce Brosnan, once known for being a suave James Bond for female filmgoers, shows a different facet of his acting skills, portraying a comedic, neurotic hitman on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

45. Insomnia. Insomnia brings together three great acting talents – Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank – trying to solve the murder of a young woman in an Alaska town.

44. Face/Off. Reason to watch: For the brilliant acting that Cage and Travolta needed to do to convince us that they actually swapped faces for real in the movie. I can’t think of any two other actors that could have pulled off this John Woo thriller classic.

43. American Psycho. If you’re wondering how it was that Christian Bale gave such a great performance as a much grittier Bruce Wayne/ Batman in Batman Begins (2005), watch American Psycho, about a Jekyll and Hyde-like investment banker who delves into his alter ego. Best lines: “I’m into murders and executions mostly,” says Bateman, to a girl in a nightclub.

42. Speed. Can a movie set on a speeding city bus be a thriller? Sure, if you throw in the conditions that it’s rush hour and the bus must not slow down, else a rigged bomb goes off. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bulloch make it worth seeing this Oscar-winning thriller. Great scenes: when the bus jumps the gap in a highway overpass.

41. Black Snake Moan. Reasons to see this: A nearly unrecognizable Christina Ricci at her grittiest, Samuel L. Jackson possibly at his most zealous, and the incredible Delta Blues soundtrack. Dark, heavy, intense movie. Reasons not to see it: Christina Ricci as a trashy Rae, in shorts and skivvies, chained up by bad-ass Samuel L. Jackson – because it’s not as sleazy as the grindhouse-style poster might suggest.

Essential Guy Movies 40-31 ->