Steven Seagal was one of the more revered and prolific stars from the late ’80s to the late ’90s. However, after that point, his appearances in mainstream films became fewer and farther between. For the most part, he’s been relegated to the direct-to-video bin. And, while Seagal diehards may find something worth watching there, it may be tough for casual moviegoers to make their way through his entire theatrical output, beloved though it may be to some others. The following is every theatrical movie starring Seagal where he isn’t playing himself, so for example, the 1998 Billy Crystal comedy My Giant is not included here.
13 Half Past Dead (2002)
There aren’t many positive things to say about Seagal’s final theatrical leading performance as Sasha Petrosevitch in Half Past Dead. The best thing that can be said about his acting is that he (apparently) doesn’t even attempt to adopt a legitimate Russian accent for his undercover-cop-in-a-Russian-mobster-underworld story arc.
Not to mention, by this point in time, Seagal was a bit past believable action hero territory. He seems about ready to fall asleep in most scenes. But, thankfully, Ja Rule brings his energy to the project, not that it’s enough to save Half Past Dead.
Half Past Dead is available to stream on DirecTV
12 Exit Wounds (2001)
Exit Wounds puts Seagal in the shoes of Detroit police detective Orin Boyd. After very publicly and violently saving the Vice President’s life (with lots of damage to city property in the process), Boyd is transferred to the most dangerous precinct in the city.
There, he teams up with a crime lord (played by the late, great DMX) to take down a conspiracy and everyone responsible for Boyd’s railroading. DMX and Seagal have fine chemistry, and it’s a watchable enough film for fans of the leading duo, but it’s hard to see why the film was such a box office success back in 2001. For a time, it signaled a comeback for Seagal, as his previous theatrical venture was 1997’s Fire Down Below. But, the success was short-lived, as Half Past Dead failed to replicate its financial success, relegating Seagal’s leading man ventures to the direct-to-video bin for the long haul.
Exit Wounds is available to rent on Amazon, Google Play, Apple TV, and Vudu
11 On Deadly Ground (1994)
There’s a reason Seagal only directed one of his films, in fact there are many. But, with high production values (which seem present only intermittently) and a bizarrely strong cast, On Deadly Ground is worth a watch, at least for those who can get on Seagal’s check your brain at the door wavelength.
They just might want to skip the last 15 minutes or so. Why? Because Seagal ends his movie with his character addressing a room full of people (Seagal himself addresses the audience) about the merits of being environmentally conscious. He makes good points, but at the same time it’s a pretty boring and preachy way to conclude a narrative. Not to mention, Seagal’s not exactly the most captivating public speaker.
On Deadly Ground is available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, Amazon, and Vudu
10 The Glimmer Man (1996)
The Glimmer Man was a tough movie to make behind the scenes, mostly courtesy of Seagal’s devout beliefs by that point. It’s also a tough movie to watch, given Seagal and Keenen Ivory Wayans’ utter lack of chemistry. But at least there’s an amazing supporting cast (Brian Cox, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Bob Gunton among others) and a few decent set pieces.
The film, like many other Seagal actioners, puts the actor in the role of a law enforcer with the first name Jack. In this case, former government operative turned LAPD officer Jack Cole, who is paired with the brash Officer Jim Campbell to take down what appears to be a serial killer but could very well be much more.
The Glimmer Man is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Youtube, Google Play, and Vudu
9 Fire Down Below (1997)
Thanks to Marg Helgenberger, Fire Down Below is a movie with a lot of heart. She nails the small town resident vibe, and is a perfect entryway into that form of life not just for Seagal’s agent Jack Taggart but the audience as well.
The film takes place in a small Midwestern town where there’s recently been some sketchy digging. After an EPA rep is sent to investigate and winds up dead, it’s up to Taggart to infiltrate the small town and take down the coal tycoon responsible for the destruction of the Earth and the taking of lives. Fire Down Below was the last Seagal-fronted theatrical venture for several years, and there’s an argument to be made it should have stayed the last. It has all the staples of his movies, from unconvincing slap fights to faux environmentalism, and Helgenberger is able to make him more likable than he’s ever been before.
Fire Down Below is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube, DirecTV, and Vudu
8 Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)
Not many Seagal films have earned themselves a sequel, but Under Siege was one of them. However, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory isn’t nearly as effective as the original film.
Not even the addition of Morris Chestnut and Katherine Heigl (who plays the niece to Seagal’s Casey Ryback, and to whom Seagal was ultra creepy on set) can help make up for a lackluster script. But, it’s a competently made action film, and while Eric Bogosian is a little silly as the big bad, Everett McGill is amazing as his second-in-command.
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory is available to stream on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu
7 Marked for Death (1990)
One of the most crucial factors of a Seagal movie is who he’s paired with. Pam Grier in Above the Law, Kelly LeBrock and Frederick Coffin in Hard to Kill, Erika Eleniak in Under Siege are all highlights.
But, outside perhaps LeBrock, none are better than The Thing, Community, and They Live‘s Keith David in the voodoo-themed Marked for Death. Only Seagal’s third film after Above the Law and Hard to Kill, Marked for Death showed a leading performer getting a bit more comfortable in his roles, even if one would be hard-pressed to really call his work as DEA agent John Hatcher revolutionary or even all that convincing. But, the relationship between Hatcher and David’s Max is believable as a lifelong one, and Basil Wallace’s Screwface is the best villain of any Seagal movie not titled Under Siege.
Marked for Death is available to stream on Max and DirecTV
6 Executive Decision (1996)
Executive Decision was an unusual departure from the norm for Seagal in that he was not in the lead role. Instead, that honor went to Kurt Russell.
The film puts Russell’s sheepish U.S. Army specialist David Grant about a plane filled with terrorists and nerve gas. But, the plane is already in flight, and Grant and the crew assigned to protect him have to get in somehow. They do this via flying another plane under that plane, but when the connection becomes insecure, Seagal’s Lt. Colonel Austin Travis sacrifices himself so the mission can go on. Executive Decision is a well-paced and well-written movie, but the most entertaining aspect of it are the behind-the-scenes tales John Leguizamo has about co-star Seagal.
Executive Decision is available to rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu
5 Above the Law (1988)
Seagal’s first is still one of his best, and it certainly is one of the most important in terms of establishing his long-running on-screen persona. Not just because Above the Law was first, but because it opens with an extended retrospective on CIA agent and martial arts expert Nico Toscani.
It might as well be introducing the audience to Seagal in a literal sense, minus the CIA agent aspect. Above the Law works because, like with all good Seagal films, he has a memorable partner (played by Pam Grier) and a nasty villain. In the case of Above the Law, that’d be Henry Silva’s former CIA operative Kurt Zagon, who Toscani takes out in a particularly brutal fashion.
Above the Law is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, and Vudu
4 Hard to Kill (1990)
Hard to Kill has Seagal’s Mason Storm in a coma throughout the first third. But, once he’s out of it, he becomes the physical incarnation of his last name. Storm is a detective with a penchant for taking down corrupt cops. When he is spotted while listening in on a conversation between some members of the mob and corrupt politician Senator Vernon Trent (William Sadler, tragically underutilized), his and his family’s lives are put in immediate jeopardy. His wife is killed in the hit but, thankfully, his son survives.
But Storm is, well, the film’s title. And, with the help of nurse Andy Stewart (Kelly LeBrock, elevating the film with her strong performance) and his pal Lieutenant Kevin O’Malley, Storm aims to take down the Senator. Hard to Kill was the second Seagal film after Above the Law, and while that debut film didn’t look cheap, it’s obvious that there’s some more money behind Hard to Kill. And, thanks to strong work from the supporting cast and hilarious lines like “I’m gonna take you to the bank, Senator Trent. To the blood bank.”
Hard to Kill is available to rent on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu
3 Out for Justice (1991)
Legend has it Seagal was a bigger monster than usual behind the scenes of Out for Justice. And, as legend also has it, Seagal claimed he was quote-unquote “immune” to being choked out by any other man. And, as further legend has it, stunt coordinator and martial arts extraordinaire Gene LeBell swiftly disproved that arrogant self assessment…with the cherry on top being that Seagal (allegedly) pooped his pants.
So, if anything, that legend makes Out for Justice one of Seagal’s most memorable films, because the dichotomy between that and the machismo shown by his ridiculously named Detective Gino Felino is palpable. But, to its credit, Out for Justice is very well-paced and suitably atmospheric, though really the high point has less to do with the protagonist and more to do with William Forsythe’s ruthless antagonist (Forsythe really gives the film his all).
Out for Justice is available to rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube
2 Machete (2010)
About as clear an insight into director Robert Rodriguez’s sensibilities and staples as there can be, Machete is an imminently re-watchable B-Movie masterpiece. And, much to Seagal’s credit, he seems to have put ego aside long enough to fully jump on board with those ludicrous sensibilities.
A feature length version of the faux preview that preceded Grindhouse, Machete gives Danny Trejo his chance to lead a major motion picture, and he doesn’t disappoint. Robert De Niro also has a ton of fun as an opportunistic Senator with schemes lining his back pockets. Seagal stars as Torrez, the film’s big bad above De Niro’s character and Jeff Fahey’s Booth (who really should be focusing on his crumbling family life). There’s an argument to be made that Machete is the best film Seagal has ever been in, but it’s simultaneously tough to really call it a Steven Seagal movie.
Machete is available to rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube
1 Under Siege (1992)
Many Seagal films have interchangable titles, and Under Siege is no different, but the movie itself is a cut above. It’s also a cut above every other Die Hard ripoff (though the Jean-Claude Van Damme-led Sudden Death gives it a run for its blood-soaked money).
This is mostly due to the one-two villainous punch provided by Gary Busey and Tommy Lee Jones, but Seagal does a suitable job carrying the film as well. He stars as sCasey Ryback, a Navy SEAL turned Chief Petty Officer and cook who uses his skill to eliminate the slew of mercenaries who have hijacked his vessel and killed his captain.
Under Siege is available to rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and Vudu
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
