Bruce Willisis undoubtedly a legend of the action genre. His starring role as John McClane inDie Hardlaunched Willis' career into the stratosphere, and the actor returned for four more movies, closing out the franchise withA Good Day to Die Hardin 2013. The actor has also lent his talent to the likes ofPulp Fiction,RED, andSin City.But when Bruce Willis blends action with a dose of sci-fi, that’s when things get truly special.The Fifth Elementis arguably his most popular sci-fi action film, with12 Monkeysalso being a fan favorite. But it is one of Willis' more recent and underappreciated films that is about to touch down on streaming, and we strongly urge you to check it out.
In 2014, Bruce Willis teamed up with writer/director Rian Johnson for an original concept sci-fi action film. The movie also starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Bridges. Critics adored the film, bestowing it with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes rating, while audiences gave it a strong 82%. On top of strong reviews, it was also a box office success, raking in $176 million during its theatrical run, against a budget of just $30 million.
10 Most Watchable Bruce Willis Movies of the 2020s
Bruce Willis was on a roll in the early 2020s. While most of his movies weren’t box-office hits, some of them are still worth watching.
If you haven’t worked it out yet, the movie in question isLooper. Johnson and Willis' vastly underrated sci-fi action film is now streaming on Paramount+. The film is set in the future, withJoseph Gordon-Levitt playing a “Looper” named Joe,a hitman who works for a futuristic mob. While it sounds kick-ass, in reality, the mob from the future sends victims back in time to Joe to kill, as it’s easier to dispose of a body in his timeline. Bruce Willis plays the older version of Joe, who is sent back as one of the victims to close out his loop. But the older Joe escapes and begins his mission for revenge against the younger version of the mob boss who ordered his assassination.
Bruce Willis' Sci-Fi Legacy
Fans were heartbroken to learn ofBruce Willis' retirement from acting,followed by a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) a year later. The two-time Emmy-winning actor will no doubt be remembered as a legend of the action genre, but he should also receive equal recognition for his sci-fi contributions.
The Fifth Elementis a cult classic, blending the shootouts ofLeonwith the wackiness of casting Chris Tucker as an intergalactic media personality. It also introduced audiences to one of Gary Oldman’s weirdest villains, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg.12 Monkeysis likely the critics' favorite. Released in 1995, the film starred Willis and Brad Pitt and was nominated for two Oscars. For fans wanting something more action-heavy, Willis also teamed up with Michael Bay for one of the mostloveably ridiculous doomsday films,Armageddon.Not only did it let Willis play an astronaut on the big screen, but he did it all to the tune of Aerosmith.
