4 min readNew DelhiMar 19, 2025 04:48 PM IST
Actor Bruce Willis grabbed Hollywood by the scruff of its neck and made sure everyone sit up and take notice when he first donned the character of John McClane in Die Hard (1988). Today, on his 70th birthday, we will talk about some of his most celebrated films, which you should definitely watch if you are still walking the planet unaware of Willis’ rich tapestry as an actor.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
This M. Night Shyamalan gem of a horror movie seems to draw from every thrilling screenplay ever produced and still manages to shine through as something so original that it became the yardstick for every horror film that followed. Willis plays a complicated psychologist, Malcolm Crowe, who is consulted by a child named Cole Sear to try and understand his ability to be able to talk to dead people. What follows is a 168-minute masterclass in storytelling, direction and action, which makes it a must-watch for all those who like the horror genre.
Armageddon (1998)
Just a year prior to making a name for himself in the horror genre, Willis played the role of Harry Stamper, an oil driller who is roped into a NASA mission to save the earth. Alongside his crazy crew consisting of actors such as Ben Affleck and Steve Buschemi, he is tasked with saving the world from a life-threatening meteor. Directed by Michael Bay, it is a story of sacrifice and love sprinkled with perfectly timed humour.
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Unbreakable (2000)
Hailed by Quentin Tarantino as one of the best films of the 2000s, Unbreakable is a dark and eerie take on the superhero world and proves that the duo of M. Night Shyamalan and Bruce Willis can do no wrong. David Dunn, played by Willis, is the sole survivor of a train accident and realises that he has superpowers. He discovers that along with super-strength and invulnerability, he can sense people’s crimes when he comes in physical contact with them. If you are bored watching the insipid content being pushed out by Marvel or DC, maybe it’s time to give this film a try.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by one of Bruce Willis’ fans, Quentin Tarantino, the film has one of the most beautifully written screenplays ever. Starring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in leading roles, this happens to be the only movie on our list in which Willis is not the centre of attention. But after watching the movie, you will realise that Willis did not require a single frame more to make the impact he did. Playing a runaway boxer, Butch Coolidge, Willis glides across the film in a parallel narrative which crashes with the main story at some point. It is considered one of Willis’ best performances to date, and to think that he was not even the first choice for the role.
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Die Hard (1988)
No list of Bruce Willis films or action films or Christmas films or cop films can be complete without this film. Directed by John McTiernan, the film propelled Bruce into Hollywood stardom, and the action genre had suddenly found its new face. It is the perfect common-man action film, as John McClane, a normal cop, takes on the bad guys with just his wit and will and saves the day. Yes, there were some scenes which broke the back, but it was worth the cool dismount from the top of Nakatomi Plaza.
Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction (left), Die Hard (center), The Sixth Sense (right).