7 of the Most Dangerous Movie Stunts Ever Performed

Most Dangerous Movie Stunts

The days of wild and crazy movie stunts can be traced all the way back to the silent films and Buster Keaton. He would do some of the craziest stunts, most times without the assistance of ropes, wires, or any other item that would keep him safe. In today’s genre of big action films, they are noted for high adrenaline, heart-pumping stunts, some of which (insurance be damned and hello Tom Cruise) the actors perform themselves.

We have found seven of the most dangerous movie stunts on record. Most of these involve professional stuntmen and women, but again, hello Tom Cruise. See if any of these dangerous movie stunts make your list.

7. The Running of the Bulls in "City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold" (1994)

Although it may not seem as dangerous as a stuntperson jumping out of an airplane, this running of the bull’s stunt was no joke. If you have ever seen clips of the real running of the bulls, you know exactly what we are talking about here. The film brings back Billy Crystal and Daniel Stern with an opening sequence that has them participating in the running of the bulls.

The scene, which included stuntmen for Crystal and Stern, was put together quickly so they could film during the running. Although no stuntman was injured, the chances still had been high that injury through goring or being trampled were very high.

6. Bridge Jump in Skyfall (2012)

What better way to start Skyfall, the Daniel Craig James Bond film, than with an action-packed fight on the top of a fast-moving train, punctuated by one of the most dangerous stunts ever performed? In the film, a Bond stuntman must perform a high dive off the train and into the river below. The timing required to make this stunt happen had to be precise.

5. Motorcycle Chase in The Dark Knight (2008)

When you are watching a Batman movie, you have to expect all kinds of stunts, whether it be some exciting hand-to-hand combat, Batman blasting through Gotham City in his Batmobile, or even doing the same on his souped-up Batcycle.

In Christopher Nolan’s 2008 The Dark Knight, there was one intense motorcycle chase scene involving Batman and the Joker. Anytime movies involve motorcycle chases, professional riders are required, and performing these specific stunts was a significant and dangerous risk.

4. Car Chase in Death Proof (2007)

Zoë Bell has a reputation as one of the best stunt performers ever to grace the screen. In Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof, she pulled off one of the most dangerous stunts by latching herself to the hood of a speeding car while another one, a 1970 Dodge Challenger driven by serial killer Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) was crashing into it, trying to knock her off.

3. Aerial Transfer in Cliffhanger (1993)

Not only was this stunt extremely dangerous for stuntman Simon Crane, but it also holds the World’s Record as the most expensive stunt performed. In it, Crane must transfer himself on a wire from one airplane to the other. The stunt was deemed so dangerous that the insurance company wouldn’t cover it. So, lead star Sylvester Stallone chose to pay Crane $1 million from his own fee to complete the stunt.

2. Chariot Race in Ben-Hur (1959)

This stunt is often considered to be one of the most dangerous based on when the film was made and what was involved. The Chariot Race in Ben-Hur is one of the most iconic in film history which required skilled charioteers riding around the track. The high speeds made the stunt even more dangerous. In the final cut of the film, stuntman Joe Canutt can be seen falling forward as a chariot lands, leading to the false rumors that he was killed in the ensuing crash and that his “death” was left in the film.

1. Tower Jump in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Truthfully, you could have put a number of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible stunts on this list. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, at 2722 feet, is the tallest building in the world. Of course, that makes no difference to Cruise and his penchant for doing his own stunts. In this one, Cruise, who was very carefully strapped in and wired, has to run down the side of the building, making it one of the most dangerous (and scary) stunts on record. Think that’s crazy, just wait until you see what Cruise has dialed up for audiences in his next Mission: Impossible film.