Kurt Russell movies in order

In 1963, Kurt Russell made his film debut via an uncredited role in the movie, It Happened at the World’s Fair. From here he followed up his acting work with appearances in films such as Guns of Diablo, Follow Me, Boys!, and Mosby’s Marauders.

To begin with, his on-screen roles were small parts, but soon his star status began to grow as audiences took the actor to their hearts. This in turn increased Kurt Russell’s presence on the big screen, and propelled his career toward the icon he would eventually become.

Over the years, Kurt Russell starred in films such as The Thing, Silkwood, Tango & Cash, and Tombstone. He also wowed audiences in the role of Snake Plissken, in two action-adventure movies beginning with Escape from New York.

But how familiar are you with Kurt Russell’s back catalogue of movies? If you were asked to name all of his films what would you say?

Well, don’t worry, because I can help. In this post you will find a list of all Kurt Russell’s movies, presented in chronological order, starting with minor roles and bit parts in his early pictures, and running through to more substantial roles in later life.

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1960s

As noted above, Kurt Russell made his screen debut in 1963 via an uncredited role in It Happened at the World’s Fair. From here his appearances began to increase, with films such as The One and Only, Genuine Family Band, and The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.

Kurt Russell’s films during the 1960s included:

• It Happened at the World’s Fair (1963)*
• Guns of Diablo (1964)
• Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
• Mosby’s Marauders (1967)
• The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)
• The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)
• Guns in the Heather (1969)
• The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)

*Uncredited role

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1970s

Moving into the 1970s and Kurt Russell began the decade with the movie, Dad… Can I Borrow the Car?, before appearing in The Barefoot Executive, and Fool’s Parade. More movies followed including Superdad, and The Strongest Man in the World.

His movies during the 1970s included:

• Dad… Can I Borrow the Car? (1970)
• The Barefoot Executive (1971)
• Fools’ Parade (1971)
• Now You See Him, Now You Don’t (1972)
• Charley and the Angel (1973)
• Superdad (1973)
• The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
• Search for the Gods (1975)
• The Deadly Tower (1975)
• The Quest (1976)
• The Quest: The Longest Drive (1976)
• The Captive: The Longest Drive 2 (1976)
• Christmas Miracle in Caulfield, U.S.A. (1977)

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1980s

Moving into the 1980s and Kurt Russell took a number of high-profile roles beginning with Elvis in 1980 and continuing with director John Carpenter‘s Escape from New York in 1981, where he played the iconic role of Snake Plissken. More movies followed, including the Disney Animated Classic, The Fox and the Hound; the biographical drama, Silkwood, with Meryl Streep and Cher; and the comedy, Overboard, with Goldie Hawn.

It was during this decade that Russell re-teamed with John Carpenter for the superb horror movie, The Thing, and the action-adventure picture, Big Trouble in Little China. He also starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Tango & Cash.

Kurt Russell’s movies during the 1980s included:

• Elvis (1980)
• Amber Waves (1980)
• Used Cars (1980)
• Escape from New York (1981)
• The Fox and the Hound (1981)**
• The Thing (1982)
• Silkwood (1983)
• Swing Shift (1984)
• The Mean Season (1985)
• The Best of Times (1986)
• Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
• Overboard (1987)
• Tequila Sunrise (1988)
• Winter People (1989)
• Tango & Cash (1989)

**Voice role

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1990s

Into the 1990s and Kurt Russell began the decade with Backdraft, before taking notable roles in films such as Captain Ron, Tombstone, Stargate, and Breakdown. He also reprised the role of Snake Plissken for Escape from L.A..

Kurt Russell’s movies during the 1990s included:

• Backdraft (1991)
• Unlawful Entry (1992)
• Captain Ron (1992)
• Tombstone (1993)
• Forrest Gump (1994)* **
• Stargate (1994)
• Executive Decision (1996)
• Escape from L.A. (1996)
• Breakdown (1997)
• Soldier (1998)

*Uncredited role

**Voice role

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2000s

Slipping into the 2000s and there was more Elvis action with 3000 Miles to Graceland; a role in the Tom Cruise movie, Vanilla Sky; and some superhero hijinks in the underrated family film, Sky High. Russell also appeared in the 2006 remake of The Poseidon Adventure, simply titled, Poseidon.

Kurt Russell’s movies during the 2000s included:

• 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
• Vanilla Sky (2001)
• Interstate 60: Episodes of the Road (2002)
• Dark Blue (2002)
• Miracle (2004)
• Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004)
• Sky High (2005)
• Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005)
• Poseidon (2006)
• Death Proof (2007)

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2010s

Into the 2011s and films included Fast & Furious 7, Fast & Furious 8, The Hateful Eight, and the brilliant Western-horror, Bone Tomahawk. It was during this decade that Russell joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing the role of Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and took on the part of Santa for Netflix’s The Christmas Chronicles.

His movies during this decade included:

• Touchback (2011)
• The Art of the Steal (2013)
• Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
• Bone Tomahawk (2015)
• The Hateful Eight (2015)
• Deepwater Horizon (2016)
• Fast & Furious 8 (2017)
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
• The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
• Cypto (2019)
• Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)

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The 2020s

And finally, into the 2020s, and Kurt Russell’s movie career has continued. He started the decade with the festive sequel, The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two, before appearing in Fast & Furious 9.

Kurt Russell’s movies during the 2020s included:

• The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)
• Fast & Furious 9 (2021)
• The Rivals of Amziah King (2025)
• Smurfs (2025)**

**Voice role

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Above are all of Kurt Russell’s movie appearances, but which are your favourites? Is Overboard your No.1 film, or is 3000 Miles to Graceland your go-to picture? Perhaps you can’t get enough of Elvis? Or maybe Tango & Cash?

And then there are Russell’s collaborations with John Carpenter. Surely The Thing or Escape From New York ranks high, right? Well, whichever Kurt Russell movie is your favourite, sound off in the comments below and let everyone know.

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Editor/writer/film-watcher

Alex Wiggan

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Kurt Russell movies on It’s A Stampede! – I hope it has proved useful. For more useful posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.