Top 7 Must-Watch Sniper Movies You Can't Miss

The film kicks off in peaceful Pennsylvania, where everything takes a dramatic turn when five people are shot dead at random while going about their daily lives. All evidence points to a sniper, a former soldier with deadly precision. He’s swiftly captured and interrogated, but he reveals nothing except a cryptic note scrawled on paper: 'Find Jack Reacher.'

Former military investigator Jack Reacher eventually emerges from hiding to uncover the truth behind the murders. In his quest for justice, Reacher faces intense, life-threatening confrontations with those behind the plot.

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Tomatometer Score: 63%

Audience Score: 67%

Shooter (2007) is based on the novel "Point of Impact" by Stephen Hunter. Starring Mark Wahlberg as Sergeant Bob Lee Swagger, Danny Glover as Colonel Isaac Johnson, and Michael Peña as Agent Nick Memphis, the film follows Swagger, a Marine sniper renowned for his perfect shot accuracy at long distances. After losing a close friend and fellow soldier in a mission in Ethiopia, Bob retreats to Wyoming to live in isolation with his dog. He connects to the outside world only through the Internet, far from the world of warfare that once defined him.

IMDb Rating: 7.2

Tomatometer Score: 47%

Audience Score: 80%

Jarhead (2005) is a standout among sniper-themed films. Based on the memoir of former Marine Anthony Swofford, it tells the story of his life, from joining the elite Marines and being trained as a professional sniper. Anthony’s experience in the Gulf War, a brutal and life-changing conflict, left an indelible mark on him. This critically acclaimed American film features an engaging narrative with emotional depth, drawing praise from both audiences and critics alike.

IMDb Rating: 7.0
Tomatometer Score: 61%
Audience Score: 68%

Enemy at the Gates (2001) focuses on the legendary sniper Vasily Zaitsev. Trained in shooting from a young age, Zaitsev joins the Soviet Red Army during World War II, where his extraordinary marksmanship strikes fear into the Nazis, forcing them to send their best snipers to challenge him.

Set during the brutal battles along the Volga River, the film vividly captures the intensity of war. With a budget of $68 million and a runtime of 131 minutes, the production quality is exceptional. Jude Law, a British actor with a notably Russian look, delivers a stellar performance as Zaitsev.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Tomatometer Score: 53%

Audience Score: 82%

The Marksman (2021) is a thrilling action-drama directed by Robert Lorenz. The film follows Jim (Liam Neeson), a reclusive rancher and former Marine, who lives alone in a small Arizona border town. He becomes the unexpected protector of a young boy, Miguel (Jacob Perez), who is fleeing a dangerous Mexican drug cartel.

The journey is fraught with peril as the cartel relentlessly pursues them. Despite initial tension and coldness between Jim and Miguel, the two develop a bond as they navigate the many life-threatening challenges ahead, gaining mutual respect and trust along the way.

IMDb Rating: 5.6

Tomatometer Score: 38%

Audience Score: 84%

Battle For Sevastopol (2015), directed by Sergey Mokritskiy, stars Yulia Peresild, Joan Blackham, and Evgeny Tsyganov. This powerful war film tells the true story of Lyudmila Pavlichenko, one of the top 10 snipers in history, known as the 'Lady Death'. In 1942, during a visit to the White House, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt became captivated by Pavlichenko’s astounding achievement of killing 309 Nazi soldiers. Pavlichenko, the only child of a military family, was determined to join the fight against the Nazis at a young age. Her story, told through her conversations with Mrs. Roosevelt, unveils a remarkable past filled with both darkness and light, and the unwavering spirit of a 25-year-old woman in the midst of war.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

American Sniper (2014) is based on the bestselling autobiography of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Directed by the legendary Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, the film made a significant impact both artistically and commercially, earning six Academy Award nominations. The story follows the real-life journey of Kyle, renowned as one of the deadliest snipers in U.S. military history. At 25, after witnessing a bombing at the U.S. embassy, Kyle enlisted in the military. Before heading to Iraq, he quickly married Taya Renae. While excelling as a sniper, Kyle struggled to balance his duty and personal life. The film offers a raw and intimate portrayal of the emotional and psychological toll of war on a soldier.

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Tomatometer: 72%

Audience Score: 84%