Vigilante films where ordinary people take justice into their own hands outside the law.
Vigilante Movies — 43 entries in the movies category, sortable by Title, Year, Director. Every row is ranked by community votes, giving you a crowd-sourced perspective you won't find on Wikipedia or IMDb.
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Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chao...
Taxi Driver
1976
Martin Scorsese
8.1
Crime, Drama
United States of America
114
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
Prisoners
2013
Denis Villeneuve
8.1
Drama, Thriller, Crime
United States of America
153
Keller Dover is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
2003
Quentin Tarantino
8
Action, Crime
United States of America
111
An assassin is shot by her ruthless employer, Bill, and other members of their assassination circle – but she lives to plot her vengeance.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
2021
Jon Watts
7.9
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
United States of America
148
Peter Parker is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
2004
Quentin Tarantino
7.9
Action, Crime, Thriller
United States of America
136
The Bride unwaveringly continues on her roaring rampage of revenge against the band of assassins who had tried to kill her and her unborn child. She visits each of her former associates one-by-one, checking off the victims on her Death List Five until there's nothing left to do … but kill Bill.
The Dark Knight Rises
2012
Christopher Nolan
7.8
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
United Kingdom
165
Following the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman assumes responsibility for Dent's crimes to protect the late attorney's reputation and is subsequently hunted by the Gotham City Police Department. Eight years later, Batman encounters the mysterious Selina Kyle and the villainous Bane,...
Batman: Under the Red Hood
2010
Brandon Vietti
7.8
Mystery, Crime, Animation
United States of America
75
One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code.
Batman Begins
2005
Christopher Nolan
7.7
Drama, Crime, Action
United Kingdom
140
Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.
The Batman
2022
Matt Reeves
7.7
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
United States of America
177
In his second year of fighting crime, Batman uncovers corruption in Gotham City that connects to his own family while facing a serial killer known as the Riddler.
Man on Fire
2004
Tony Scott
7.5
Action, Drama, Thriller
Switzerland
146
Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she's kidnapped he's consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
The Crow
1994
Alex Proyas
7.5
Fantasy, Action, Thriller
United States of America
102
Exactly one year after young rock guitarist Eric Draven and his fiancée are brutally killed by a ruthless gang of criminals, Draven, watched over by a hypnotic crow, returns from the grave to exact revenge.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
1993
Bruce Timm
7.5
Action, Animation, Crime, Mystery, Romance
United States of America
76
Andrea Beaumont leaves her father to return to Gotham, rekindling an old romance with Bruce Wayne. At the same time, a mysterious figure begins to hunt down Gotham's criminals, wrongly implicating Batman in the murders. Now on the run from the law, Batman must find and stop the culprit, while als...
Law Abiding Citizen
2009
F. Gary Gray
7.4
Drama, Crime, Thriller
United Kingdom
109
A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.
Watchmen
2009
Zack Snyder
7.3
Mystery, Action, Science Fiction
United States of America
163
In a gritty and alternate 1985, the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown. But after one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, an investigation into the killer is initiated. The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but...
The Equalizer
2014
Antoine Fuqua
7.3
Thriller, Action, Crime
United States of America
132
McCall believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri, a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve ...
The Equalizer 3
2023
Antoine Fuqua
7.3
Action, Thriller, Crime
Italy
109
Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafia.
Batman
1989
Tim Burton
7.2
Fantasy, Action, Crime
United States of America
126
Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underwo...
Batman: Year One
2011
Sam Liu
7.2
Action, Animation, Crime, Thriller, Drama
United States of America
64
A wealthy playboy named Bruce Wayne and a Chicago cop named Jim Gordon both return to Gotham City where their lives unexpectedly intersect.
Magnum Force
1973
Ted Post
7.1
Drama, Crime, Action
United States of America
124
"Dirty" Harry Callahan is a San Francisco Police Inspector on the trail of a group of rogue cops who have taken justice into their own hands. When shady characters are murdered one after another in grisly fashion, only Dirty Harry can stop them.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
2020
Cathy Yan
6.9
Action, Crime
United States of America
109
Harley Quinn joins forces with a singer, an assassin and a police detective to help a young girl who had a hit placed on her after she stole a rare diamond from a crime lord.
Batman Returns
1992
Tim Burton
6.9
Action, Fantasy
United States of America
126
The monstrous Penguin, who dwells in the sewers beneath Gotham, joins up with corrupt mayoral candidate Max Shreck to topple the Batman once and for all. But when Shreck's timid assistant Selina Kyle finds out, and Shreck tries to kill her, she's transformed into the sexy Catwoman. She teams up w...
The Equalizer 2
2018
Antoine Fuqua
6.8
Action, Thriller, Crime
United States of America
121
Robert McCall, who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when his former partner is murdered.
Hard Candy
2005
David Slade
6.8
Drama, Thriller
United States of America
104
Hayley’s a smart, charming teenage girl. Jeff’s a handsome, smooth fashion photographer. An Internet chat, a coffee shop meet-up, an impromptu fashion shoot back at Jeff’s place. Jeff thinks it’s his lucky night. He’s in for a surprise.
Blue Ruin
2014
Jeremy Saulnier
6.8
Crime, Thriller
United States of America
90
When the quiet life of a beach bum is upended by dreadful news, he sets off for his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. However, he proves an inept assassin and finds himself in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.
Harry Brown
2009
Daniel Barber
6.8
Thriller, Crime, Drama, Action
United Kingdom
103
An elderly ex-serviceman and widower looks to avenge his best friend's murder by doling out his own form of justice.
The Amazing Spider-Man
2012
Marc Webb
6.7
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
United States of America
136
Peter Parker is an outcast high schooler abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to ...
Mad Max
1979
George Miller
6.7
Adventure, Action, Thriller, Science Fiction
Australia
91
In the ravaged near-future, a savage motorcycle gang rules the road. Terrorizing innocent civilians while tearing up the streets, the ruthless gang laughs in the face of a police force hell-bent on stopping them.
Peppermint
2018
Pierre Morel
6.7
Action, Thriller
China
102
A grieving mother transforms herself into a vigilante following the murders of her husband and daughter, eluding the authorities to deliver her own personal brand of justice.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1990
Steve Barron
6.7
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Hong Kong
93
A quartet of humanoid turtles, trained by their mentor in ninjitsu, must learn to work together to face the menace of Shredder and the Foot Clan.
A Working Man
2025
David Ayer
6.7
Action, Crime, Thriller
United Kingdom
116
Levon Cade left behind a decorated military career in the black ops to live a simple life working construction. But when his boss's daughter, who is like family to him, is taken by human traffickers, his search to bring her home uncovers a world of corruption far greater than he ever could have i...
The Mask of Zorro
1998
Martin Campbell
6.6
Action, Adventure
United States of America
136
It has been twenty years since Don Diego de la Vega fought Spanish oppression in Alta California as the legendary romantic hero, Zorro. Having escaped from prison he transforms troubled bandit Alejandro into his successor, in order to foil the plans of the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero who robbed...
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore
2017
Macon Blair
6.6
Thriller, Drama, Crime, Comedy
United States of America
96
When a depressed woman is burglarized, she finds a new sense of purpose by tracking down the thieves alongside her obnoxious neighbor. But they soon find themselves dangerously out of their depth against a pack of degenerate criminals.
The Brave One
2007
Neil Jordan
6.6
Crime, Drama, Thriller
United States of America
122
A woman struggles to recover from a brutal attack by setting out on a mission for revenge.
Revenge
2018
Coralie Fargeat
6.5
Action, Horror, Thriller
Belgium
108
Jen's romantic getaway with her wealthy married boyfriend is disrupted when his friends arrive for an impromptu hunting trip. Tension mounts at the house until the situation culminates in an unexpected way.
Super
2010
James Gunn
6.5
Comedy, Action, Drama
United States of America
96
After his wife falls under the influence of a drug dealer, an everyday guy transforms himself into Crimson Bolt, a superhero with the best intentions, though he lacks for heroic skills.
The Punisher
2004
Jonathan Hensleigh
6.4
Action, Crime, Drama
Germany
124
When undercover FBI agent Frank Castle's wife and son are slaughtered, he becomes 'the Punisher' -- a ruthless vigilante willing to go to any length to avenge his family.
Last Seen Alive
2022
Brian Goodman
6.4
Action, Thriller
United States of America
95
After Will Spann's wife suddenly vanishes at a gas station, his desperate search to find her leads him down a dark path that forces him to run from authorities and take the law into his own hands.
Batman
1966
Leslie H. Martinson
6.4
Action, Comedy, Crime
United States of America
105
The Dynamic Duo faces four super-villains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
Death Wish
2018
Eli Roth
6.2
Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama
United States of America
107
A mild-mannered father is transformed into a killing machine after his family is torn apart by a violent act.
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How is the Vigilante Movies list ranked?
The Vigilante Movies list is ranked by community votes. Every visitor can pick one option over another in head-to-head matchups, and the running totals determine the order you see. No editors or algorithms — just real people voting.
How many entries are in this Vigilante Movies dataset?
This dataset contains 43 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.
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