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David Leitch started his career in Hollywood by working behind the scenes. He was a stunt performer and even doubled for Brad Pitt in his early days. Slowly, he moved from stunts to production, and finally, in 2017, he became a full-fledged director. In just a few years, he has proved himself as one of the best action filmmakers working today. His latest hit, The Fall Guy, only adds to his growing reputation.
In only seven years, Leitch has directed five films, and almost all of them belong to the action genre. Each one shows his flair for stylish fight scenes, fast-paced storytelling, and larger-than-life energy. If you’re wondering where to start with his movies, here’s a quick look at all of them, ranked by how well they were received.
Bullet Train (2022)
Leitch came full circle in this film by directing Brad Pitt, the same star he once doubled for. The movie is based on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle. Pitt plays Ladybug, an unlucky assassin sent to retrieve a briefcase on the fastest train in the world. The catch? Other assassins are on board, each with their own dangerous mission.
The film is packed with stylish action, comedy, and big names like Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Hiroyuki Sanada. Critics were mixed, but fans enjoyed the wild ride. It earned over $239 million worldwide and holds a 7.3 IMDb score.
Hobbs & Shaw (2019)
In 2019, Leitch joined the Fast & Furious universe with this spin-off. The movie teams up two fan-favorite characters, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham). Together, they face off against Brixton (Idris Elba), a genetically enhanced villain who threatens humanity.
It’s pure popcorn fun with over-the-top stunts, jokes, and huge action set pieces. The movie worked well with fans, collecting a massive $760 million at the global box office.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
This was Leitch’s directorial debut. Charlize Theron leads as Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent sent to Berlin during the Cold War. Her mission is to recover a secret list that contains the names of top agents.
The movie is dark, stylish, and full of brutal fight sequences, especially the now-famous stairwell battle. The cast also includes James McAvoy and John Goodman. Made on a modest budget of $30 million, it earned $100 million and announced Leitch as a serious director to watch.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Loosely inspired by Leitch’s own stunt career, The Fall Guy follows Colt Seavers, played by Ryan Gosling. Colt is a stuntman who injures himself on the job and thinks his career is over. Life pulls him back when the lead actor of his ex-girlfriend’s film disappears. Colt sets out to solve the mystery while still doing dangerous stunts.
Emily Blunt stars as the ex, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the missing actor. Critics loved the mix of humor and action. The movie opened strong at the box office and has a solid 7.3 rating on IMDb.
Deadpool 2 (2018)
The crown jewel of Leitch’s career so far is Deadpool 2. Ryan Reynolds returned as the sharp-tongued antihero, while Josh Brolin joined as Cable, a time-traveling soldier. The story follows Deadpool as he tries to protect a young mutant from enemies, while forming his own team of misfit heroes.
The film was a huge success. It earned over $785 million worldwide and remains one of Marvel’s funniest and most loved movies. Fans praised Leitch’s fast-paced direction and Reynolds’ hilarious performance. With an IMDb rating of 7.6, it stands as Leitch’s most celebrated work.