Summary

• Tom Clancy's legacy lives on through movies, TV shows, and video games, with Jack Ryan being his most iconic creation.
• The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, and Clear and Present Danger are key movies in the Jack Ryan franchise.
• From Without Remorse to Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, the Jack Ryan series has seen various actors and adaptations.

All of the Tom Clancy movies and television shows, including upcoming releases, originated from the legendary author's impressive body of work. Clancy has also become a staple in the gaming world, with dozens of popular first-person-shooter video games developed based on his characters and novels. Clancy is most famously known for creating the Jack Ryan character, who has been depicted by numerous big-name actors and has transcended decades over various mediums.

Although Clancy passed away in October 2013, his legacy is carried on through multiple installments of his namesake franchise. There is even a particular method to watch all Tom Clancy movies in order to get the full experience of the world Clancy created. Before Clancy's death, giant video game publisher Ubisoft purchased the rights to his intellectual property, securing many future installments of video games, films, and television shows still to come under his legendary brand.

1 The Hunt For Red October (1990)

Jack Ryan Must Find A Rogue Soviet Submarine

After delivering two classics of the action genre with Predator and Die Hard, director John McTiernan delivered his third iconic movie with The Hunt for Red October. McTiernan was an interesting choice for the project as Tom Clancy's story is far more of a political thriller than an action movie, but McTiernan proved to adapt to the intrigue of the story well.

The Hunt for Red October tells the riveting story of a Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius (Sean Connery), who plans to defect to the United States with his submarine, the Red October, in order to avert a nuclear catastrophe. The film is the first on-screen appearance of the Jack Ryan character as a CIA analyst deciphering the mystery of Marko's intention, portrayed by a young Alec Baldwin. The story was based on Clancy's bestselling novel which was published in 1984.

2 Patriot Games (1992)

Jack Ryan And His Family Become The Target Of A Vengeful Terrorist

Patriot Games is the second novel and film installment in the Jack Ryan franchise, played on-screen by the impeccable Harrison Ford. The movie introduces the combative element of the Jack Ryan character as a former Marine who becomes the target of a terrorist group after preventing the assassination of the British Royal Family. Both the novel and film expand on the Jack Ryan protagonist with expert military detail and authentic depictions of international espionage, ultimately laying the foundation for future Jack Ryan installments.

The movie also introduces his family, including his wife Cathy Ryan who appears in several other adaptations. Though Patriot Games operates as a standalone movie, James Earl Jones reprises his role as James Greer from The Hunt for Red October. Sean Bean also has a standout role as the movie's chief villain.

3 Clear And Present Danger (1994)

Jack Ryan Gets Mixed Up In The CIA's Involvement In A Drug War