Scope Out The Best Sniper Movies Ever Made

Alex Alvarez
Updated April 1, 2024 48 items
Ranked By
411 votes
142 voters
1 reranks
Latest additions: Sniper: Ultimate Kill
Most divisive: Two-Minute Warning
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Scope Out The Best Sniper Movies Ever Made

You don't need a spotter to find good movies about snipers and sharpshooters because we've ranked them from best to worst using votes from Rankers like you. It makes sense that films about marksmen hitting targets from a distance are great subject matter for thrillers like Phone Booth and Grand Piano. There are also a few war drama films on the list like American Sniper, Enemy at the Gates, and Battle for Sevastopol. But if straight action is what you're looking for, be sure to check out Tom Berenger in the Sniper franchise or Mark Wahlberg in Shooter. No matter what you choose to watch, you'll either know what it's like to see a target through a scope or find out what it feels like to be in the crosshairs. With so many good sniper movies, it will be hard to determine the top ten best sniper movies, not to mention which one belongs in the number one spot.

Vote up your favorite films about marksmen and markswomen so other fans will know what to watch next. Also, don't hesitate to vote down the sniper movies you wish you hadn't seen to keep them from going to the top of the list. Lastly, look for the Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Apple TV+ buttons below each film to stream them whenever you want.

  • Enemy at the Gates
    1
    Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Rachel Weisz
    58 votes

    Enemy at the Gates is a movie about one of history's most legendary snipers, Vassili Zaitsev. The film follows him as he works tirelessly to defend Stalingrad from Nazi forces during World War II. It does a remarkable job showing how his skill and accuracy with a rifle were key to the battle, but more importantly, it emphasizes the human cost of war in a powerful way. Enemy at the Gates is an excellent historical drama with suspenseful action sequences.

  • Shooter
    2
    Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover
    61 votes

    Shooter is an action-packed movie about a former military sniper, Bob Lee Swagger. It tells the story of how he is framed for murder and must fight to clear his name. The film does an excellent job of showing the skill and expertise required to be a good marksman, as well as highlighting the moral dilemma faced by soldiers who have to make life-or-death decisions in their line of work.

  • American Sniper
    3
    Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Jake McDorman
    81 votes

    American Sniper is a powerful movie about a Navy SEAL sniper, Chris Kyle. The film follows his story from enlisting in the military to being deployed for four tours and eventually returning home with PTSD. It's an honest portrayal of what war does to soldiers, as well as their families, and shows just how difficult it is for them to readjust back into civilian life.

  • Saving Private Ryan
    4
    Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore
    28 votes

    Captain John Miller is tasked with retrieving Private James Ryan from behind enemy lines during WW II. This film makes the list because of Barry Pepper as Private Daniel Jackson, a gifted marksman who participates in one of the most memorable scenes involving snipers ever in a war film.

  • Sniper
    5
    Tom Berenger, Billy Zane, J.T. Walsh
    36 votes

    Sniper, released in 1993 and starring Tom Berenger and Billy Zane, is a great movie about the life of a sniper. The film follows the story of Thomas Beckett (Berenger) as he attempts to complete one final mission before retiring from his career as an expert marksman. It's a gripping tale that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats until its thrilling conclusion. With realistic battle scenes and excellent performances by both lead actors, Sniper is sure to please fans who are looking for an entertaining movie about snipers.

  • Sniper: The White Raven
    6
    Maryna Koshkina, Andrey Mostrenko, Pavlo Aldoshyn
    41 votes
    After his pregnant wife is killed by militants, an eccentric pacifist enlists to fight as a sniper in Donbass, Ukraine, vowing vengeance for both his wife and his comrades.
  • The Jackal
    7
    Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier
    21 votes
    During an FBI raid on a Moscow nightclub, the brother of Russian gangster Terek Murad (David Hayman) is killed. Murad wants revenge and hires anonymous hit man the Jackal (Bruce Willis) to kill FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier). With the help of Russian agent Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora), Preston finds the only man who knows what the notorious Jackal looks like, imprisoned IRA terrorist Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), and forces him to help hunt down the hit man.
  • The Wall
    8

    The Wall

    Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, Laith Nakli
    19 votes

    The Wall is an intense and captivating movie about a sniper, set in the backdrop of a war-torn Middle East. The film follows two soldiers who are trying to survive after one of them is shot by an unseen enemy sniper. While under constant threat, they must use their wits and courage in order to make it out alive. It's an incredibly thrilling experience that will keep you on edge throughout its entirety.

  • Battle for Sevastopol
    9
    Yuliya Peresild, Evgeny Tsyganov, Joan Blackham
    28 votes

    The Battle for Sevastopol is a 2015 Russian war film based on the real-life story of Ukrainian sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko. The movie follows Pavlichenko's journey as she fights to defend her homeland and become one of the deadliest snipers in history. From intense action sequences to psychological drama, this movie will keep you on your toes.

  • Jack Reacher
    10
    Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Robert Duvall
    23 votes

    The action thriller movie Jack Reacher, starring Tom Cruise and Rosamund Pike, is a good action-mystery movie about a sniper. The film follows former military police officer Jack Reacher as he investigates an assassin who shot five random victims in Pittsburgh. With gripping suspense and intense fight scenes, this movie keeps you on your toes as you follow Jack's journey to uncover the truth behind the shootings.

  • Hyena Road
    11

    Hyena Road

    Rossif Sutherland, Paul Gross, Allan Hawco
    19 votes
    Hyena Road is a 2015 Canadian war drama film written, directed by and starring Paul Gross. In Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Canadian Army troops are encountering resistance from insurgents as they construct "Hyena Road" deep into Taliban territory.
  • Dirty Harry
    12
    Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni
    16 votes

    Dirty Harry is an iconic movie from 1971 starring Clint Eastwood. It follows a San Francisco detective, Dirty Harry Callahan, who uses his sharp wit and deadly accuracy with a .44 Magnum to take down criminals in the city. He must track down a vicious sniper before a kidnapped girl pays the ultimate price, but due to Harry's overzealousness, the sniper is back on the street and takes a school bus hostage. It's up to Dirty Harry to stop him for good this time.

  • Targets
    13
    Boris Karloff, Tim O'Kelly, Nancy Hsueh
    10 votes
    After unhinged Vietnam vet Bobby Thompson (Tim O'Kelly) kills his wife and mother, he goes on a brutal shooting spree. Starting at an oil refinery, he evades the police and continues his murderous outing at a drive-in movie theater, where Byron Orlock (Boris Karloff), a retiring horror film icon, is making a promotional appearance. Before long, Orlock, a symbol of fantastical old-fashioned scares, faces off against Thompson, a remorseless psychopath rooted in a harsh modern reality.
  • Sniper: Reloaded
    14

    Sniper: Reloaded

    Billy Zane, Richard Sammel, Patrick Lyster
    15 votes

    Sniper: Reloaded is a good movie about a sniper, released in 2011. It follows the story of a sniper, Brandon Beckett, who is tasked with preventing rebel forces from overthrowing the government. The action sequences are intense and dramatic, making them exciting to watch. The soundtrack also adds to the overall effect by adding suspenseful music at key moments throughout the film. Sniper: Reloaded is definitely worth watching for anyone interested in snipers or military-style movies.

  • Sniper 2
    15
    Tom Berenger, Bokeem Woodbine, Dan Butler
    14 votes

    Sniper 2 is a thrilling movie about a sniper, Thomas Beckett. It has plenty of thrilling moments and intense action sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story follows Beckett and his spotter as they are sent to assassinate a general responsible for ethnic cleansing attacks.

  • Phone Booth
    16
    Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker
    17 votes

    Phone Booth is a suspenseful movie about a sniper who traps an unsuspecting man in a phone booth. The movie follows the man as he desperately tries to escape from his captor while also trying to save himself and innocent bystanders. It stars Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Katie Holmes, and Forest Whitaker. This tense thriller has great performances all around and keeps viewers glued to the screen until the very end. It is an excellent example of a good movie involving a sniper that leaves viewers with plenty of questions and excitement.

  • Sniper: Assassin's End
    17
    Chad Michael Collins, Tom Berenger, Sayaka Akimoto
    18 votes
    On the run from the CIA, special ops sniper Brandon Beckett and his legendary father take on Russian mercenaries and a yakuza-trained assassin.
  • Jarhead
    18
    Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Jamie Foxx
    16 votes

    Jarhead is a gripping war drama that follows the story of sniper Anthony Swofford, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie does an excellent job of delving into the psychological effects of being in combat and conveying how difficult it can be to make decisions in such high-stakes situations. It also realistically captures what life is like for those serving in the military, from small moments between comrades to big battles on foreign soil. All in all,  Jarhead provides viewers with a unique look at war through its thrilling action scenes as well as its thought-provoking narrative.

  • The Sniper
    19
    Edison Chen, Huang Xiaoming, Richie Ren
    13 votes

    The Sniper (2009) is an intense, action-packed movie about the top snipers in the Hong Kong Police Force. The majority of the drama is derived from relationships on the elite Special Duties Unit Sniper Team. Get ready for combating egos and wild cards in this action thriller.

  • The Virtuoso
    20

    The Virtuoso

    Anthony Hopkins, Abbie Cornish, Eddie Marsan
    8 votes

    The Virtuoso is an action-packed and thrilling movie about a professional sniper who must complete a difficult mission in return for his freedom. It stars the talented Anthony Hopkins, and his performance will leave you captivated from start to finish. With intense action sequences, unexpected twists, and turns, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat throughout its entirety.

  • Assassins
    21
    Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore
    11 votes

    Assassins is a movie about a skilled sniper, portraying the story of his life and all he has gone through to become an expert in his craft. It depicts how someone who obeys orders can question what is right and wrong. The film uses stunning cinematography to capture the tension between the protagonist’s moral choices and his devotion to duty, making it an enthralling watch for any viewer.

  • Silent Trigger
    22
    Dolph Lundren, Gina Bellman, Christopher Heyerdahl
    12 votes

    Silent Trigger is an action-packed movie about a soon-to-be-retired sniper, Waxman. Not only does Silent Trigger provide suspenseful entertainment but it also paints a picture of the emotional toll being a sniper can take on someone. It gives us insight into what soldiers go through in high-stakes situations and provides viewers with thought-provoking reflections on morality and justice.

  • The American
    23
    George Clooney, Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten
    9 votes
    When an assignment in Sweden ends badly, master assassin Jack (George Clooney) retreats to the Italian countryside with the intention of remaining anonymous. In an uncharacteristic move, he becomes friends with a local priest and pursues a torrid romance with a beautiful woman (Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be making a fatal mistake.
  • Two-Minute Warning
    24
    Charlton Heston, John Cassavetes, Beau Bridges
    13 votes

    Two-Minute Warning is a 1976 thriller directed by Larry Peerce that follows the story of a sniper who takes hostages at a crowded football stadium. It's an intense, suspenseful movie with plenty of twists and turns. All in all, Two-Minute Warning is an excellent film about a sniper that should be seen by anyone interested in thrillers or crime dramas.

  • The Ravine
    25

    The Ravine

    8 votes

    The Ravine is a gripping war drama about a special ops sniper on the front lines of battle. It follows his journey as he works to complete his mission and defend his country from the enemy forces. Despite being a movie about warfare, it has many aspects that people can relate to in their own lives, making it an emotionally engaging film with great performances from its cast. The beautiful visuals and intense action sequences make this movie engrossing to watch.

  • Sniper 3
    26

    Sniper 3

    Tom Berenger, Byron Mann, Andrew Lawrence
    11 votes

    Sniper 3 is a great movie about the life of an expert military sniper. Although it is action-packed, there are also many intense emotional moments that show us how tough and stressful being a sniper can be. It follows the story of Major Beckett as he battles both his enemies abroad and personal demons at home.

  • D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear
    27

    D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear

    Charles S. Dutton, Helen Shaver, Jay O. Sanders
    7 votes

    D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear is a gripping movie that follows the real-life story of two men responsible for a serial killing spree in 2002, which left ten people dead and three others injured throughout the Washington D.C. area over three weeks. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the fear and tension felt by residents as they lived in constant worry of becoming victims to these snipers during this time while delving into the complex psychological profiles of both shooters.

  • Assassination Games
    28
    Jean-Claude Van Damme, Scott Adkins, Michael Higgs
    7 votes

    Assassination Games is a great movie about a sniper and his unique skills. It follows the story of two assassins, each with their own motivations but both of them seeking revenge on the same target. The sniper's character arc is especially interesting as he begins to question why he does what he does and how far will he take it in order to get his revenge. The movie has some intense action sequences that really show off the power of a skilled shooter.

  • Mine
    29
    Armie Hammer, Annabelle Wallis, Tom Cullen
    4 votes
    Mine is a 2016 psychological thriller film directed by Fabio Guaglione and Fabio Resinaro. After a failed assassination attempt, a soldier (Armie Hammer) finds himself stranded in the desert, struggling to survive the dangers of the desert and battle the psychological and physical tolls of the treacherous conditions.
  • Downrange
    30

    Downrange

    6 votes

    Downrange is a 2018 suspenseful thriller about six college students who are stranded on the side of the road after their car tire gets punctured. What starts off as an innocent roadside stop quickly turns into a nightmare when they realize that they have become targets for a mysterious sniper. This movie does a good job of painting the picture of what it's like to be in the shoes of someone being hunted by a trained marksman.