Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good? Good.
The Academy finally caught up with what many of us have been saying for decades: stunts deserve recognition. Last week, they announced a new award for Achievement in Stunt Design, debuting in 2028 for films from 2027. It only took a century to honor a craft that’s been thrilling audiences since the silent era. Names like Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and Harold Lloyd still evoke some of cinema’s most iconic moments, all driven by fearless stunt work.
Alongside the new stunt category, Achievement in Casting joins the lineup this year, bringing the total to 25 categories in 2028. Maybe it’s time to shift those short film awards to the Governors Awards to streamline the main ceremony.
This week, we celebrate the stunt community – designers, performers, choreographers, and more who help with the meticulous preparation to ensure safety and precision. So strap in, hold tight, and brace for impact – here’s a Top Ten Tuesday spotlighting the best stunts of the last 25 years.
10. Train Fight – Skyfall (2012)
9. Staircase Fight – John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)
8. The Bombing Run – Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
7. Opening Getaway Chase – Baby Driver (2017)
6. Motorcycle Cliff Jump – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
5. Car Roll – Casino Royale (2006)
4. Rotating Hallway Fight – Inception (2010)
3. Climbing the Burj Khalifa – Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)
2. Plane Takeoff Hang – Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015)
1. Gastown Pole Cats Attack – Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
