Top 5 Gerard Butler Movies
Gerard Butler is one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, and more importantly, adored by fans. He sticks to what he knows and manages to capture audiences with compelling performances in everything from sci-fi disaster movies to romantic comedies, while his off-screen Scottish charm helps him stand out amongst the wealth of other actors, making him a genuinely likeable (and obvious) leading man.
Ahead of the release of his latest thriller, Kandahar, we’ve rounded up 5 of the best Gerard Butler flicks to highlight some of his must-watch movies:
300
Obviously, we’re not even going to wait before highlighting the massive hit and most iconic Gerard Butler movie which is 300. The Zack Snyder-directed mythological action thriller took inspiration from the real Battle of Thermopylae and the events that took place in the year of 480 BC in ancient Greece, whereby 300 Spartan soldiers fought off the Persian invaders. 300 is ultra-violent, cinematic, spectacular to watch, and features arguably one of the most quotable movie lines of the generation: “This is Sparta!”.
Den of Thieves
A more underappreciated outing from Butler is that of Den of Thieves. This 2018 crime-thriller sees Butler playing Nick O’Brien, head of the Major Crimes Unit of the LAPD, who is tasked with foiling a planned heist at the Federal Reserve, all while trying to discover who he can and cannot trust in his own department. The film features a lot of twists and turns, with some tension-packed moments that fans of the genre will appreciate.
The Vanishing
Based on the 1900 disappearance of the Flannan Isles Lighthouse crew, The Vanishing is an intense, atmospheric, and creepy thriller that stars Butler alongside Peter Mullan and Connor Swindells as three lighthouse keepers whose shift takes a dark turn. Butler’s performance is more understated than usual, and the sombre tone makes this a harrowing watch for anyone who likes a bit of mystery with their thrills.
Olympus Has Fallen
Butler’s team-up with Training Day director Antoine Fuqua was a match made in heaven for Olympus Has Fallen, the action-thriller in which Butler plays Mike Banning, a disgraced Secret Service agent who has to rescue the US President (played by the always-classy Aaron Eckhart). The action sequences are great, and the cat-and-mouse game throughout the White House gives some nostalgic Die Hard vibes throughout the movie. It may not have reinvented the wheel, but it’s a damn good time watching Butler make a shambles of the radical guerrilla assault with some pretty creative set-pieces.
Copshop
Copshop is one of 2021’s most underrated films, and one of Butler’s best. Director of The Grey (another stellar movie) Joe Carnahan helmed this crime-caper which sees a wiley con artist on the run from a lethal assassin. After hiding inside a small-town police station for safety, the hitman turns up, flipping the once-safe haven of a police station into absolute chaos. Copshop is a great thriller that’s funny, witty and tense with some solid performances from Butler, Frank Grillo, Toby Huss and Alexis Louder.
Up Next: Kandahar
Gerard Butler’s next exciting action thriller is Kandhar, releasing on Friday, 26 May, in cinemas nationwide. It follows a CIA Black Ops agent (Butler) and his Afghan interpreter who must evade deadly forces as they escape Iran after a whistleblower reveals that the agent destroyed a nuclear facility. It looks to be another gritty, tense, and unpredictable adventure that’ll be sure to appease Butler and action fans alike. Check out the trailer below and buy tickets or book for Kandahar here:
