Whether they are fictional or draw inspiration directly from real-life events, assassination movies can deliver a thrilling cinematic experience when executed well.

Not all assassination-based films go all guns blazing and the best flicks in this genre build the tension slowly up until the key event that absorbs audiences into the heist-styled storylines or factual depictions.

Here are just some of the greatest assassination films ever put on celluloid…

 

The Terminator

The only sci-fi themed movie in our list that incorporates time travelling as a way in which to assassinate a target is the James Cameron helmed action adventure The Terminator.

Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as the terrifying T-800 cyborg assassin who is almost unstoppable as he travels back in time to kill the seemingly innocent Sarah Connor to stop her from having a child who would go on to lead an army against the machines in a dystopian future. The Terminator was a truly iconic sci-fi feature from the ’80s which spawned a number of sequels.

 

Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino turns his attentions to the Second World War in this incredibly entertaining war adventure flick that first appeared on our screens in 2009.

Typical Tarantino-type dialogue is peppered heavily throughout the movie and he once more does a supreme job in casting each role with a notably award-winning performance by Christoph Waltz supported by Brad Pitt. The film centres on a plan to assassinate Hitler in an extremely bloody and violent manner which, spoiler alert, they manage thanks to some historically inaccurate liberties being taken.

 

Hitman

In 2007 Justified star Timothy Olyphant lost his locks to tackle the role of Agent 47 in Xavier Gens’ ‘Hitman’.

The movie was inspired by the hit stealth-based video title which spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs including a popular slot sites title. The adaptation proved to be real guilty pleasure for many, grossing over $100 million at the box office. A reboot arrived in cinemas earlier this year.

 

JFK

In 1991 Oliver Stone tackled one of America’s most notorious crimes, the shocking assassination of President John F Kennedy.

Even though the movie’s main focus was on the assassination itself, the actual event took place very early on in the movie allowing Stone to shift focus onto Kevin Costner as New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, the man who investigated the shooting during the aftermath.

 

What’s your favourite assassination movie? Let us know below…