8 Most Underrated Chuck Norris Movies & TV Series, Ranked by IMDb
Not only could he swing his legs, but he could also play dramatic roles and be vulnerable.
Chuck Norris is a name that, for some, sounds synonymous with an invincible action hero, for others, it is a source of endless internet memes.
But behind the tough-guy image of someone who strikes first and asks no questions lies a much more interesting and varied filmography than is commonly believed.
8. 'Forest Warrior', 1996
IMDb Score: 3.7/10
Jebediah McKenna refused to sell his land in Tanglewood Forest to industrialists and was killed for it. A hundred years later, the land is under attack again. Tycoon Travis Thorne is seeking logging rights and is using corrupt lawyers to do so.
However, he will be confronted by local children and McKenna himself, who has become the forest's guardian spirit.
Like several other movies on this list, this one was directed by Aaron Norris, the brother of Chuck Norris. Aaron also tried to become an actor, but later switched to directing.
7. 'Top Dog', 1995
IMDb Score: 4.3/10
Police Officer Jake prefers to work alone, but his superiors force him to hire a partner: a dog named Reno. The only problem is that they both have nasty personalities and don't want to work together. However, Jake and Reno soon become best friends, and then things get tough for the gangsters.
Fans of 80s cinema might feel like they've seen a similar movie before. Perhaps even more than one. Six years before Top Dog, K-9 and Turner & Hooch were released, both with identical plots.
The third version simply made the main character more powerful. Jim Belushi and Tom Hanks are clearly no match for Chuck Norris.
6. 'Breaker! Breaker!', 1977
IMDb Score: 4.4/10
Truck driver J.D. learns that a town is overrun with lawlessness: police officers, backed by a judge, are robbing passing trucks. He warns his brother, who is also a driver, to avoid the dangerous area.
Of course, his brother gets caught. Now, J.D. must rescue his brother and deal with the lawbreakers.
In this movie, Chuck Norris played his first leading role after a couple of small cameos and a villainous role in The Way of the Dragon. Filming took 11 days, and Norris earned $5,000 for his work.
5. 'Hero and the Terror', 1988
IMDb Score: 5.2/10
Police Officer Danny once caught a serial killer nicknamed Terror, but nearly lost his own life in the process. For years, everyone believed the criminal was dead. Then, he reappeared in the city and began killing women again. Haunted by nightmares about his past, it's up to Danny to catch the villain.
In the late 80s, Chuck Norris moved away from playing fearless heroes who defeat villains single-handedly. In this movie, he plays a police officer who works alone and takes down a criminal by himself.
The difference is that the main character is afraid and hesitant, which gives Chuck an opportunity to show off his acting skills.
4. 'Sidekicks', 1992
IMDb Score: 5.3/10
Barry is bullied by his classmates and he is unable to fight back due to his asthma and cowardice. He escapes the stress by fantasizing that he trains and fights alongside his idol, Chuck Norris. One day, however, fantasy becomes reality.
Shortly after the release of Last Action Hero, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger poked fun at his roles, Sidekicks was released – it featured Chuck Norris as a character inspired by his own famous movies.
3. 'The Hitman', 1991
IMDb Score: 5.3/10
Police Officer Cliff is tasked with arresting drug dealers. Suddenly, his partner, who is secretly working for the mafia, tries to kill him.
Cliff is presumed dead, but three years later, he infiltrates a criminal organization posing as a hitman. The cop's goal is to pit the clans against each other so he can eliminate them all at once.
The Hitman differs from most well-known Chuck Norris movies. Here, his character isn't exactly a positive force – although he kills villains, he himself ventures into the realm of gray morality by posing as a hitman.
2. 'Silent Rage', 1982
IMDb Score: 5.5/10
In a small town, psychopath John Kirby murders two people before being fatally shot by Sheriff Dan Stevens. However, scientists decide to test a regenerative vaccine on the dying villain.
John turns into a silent zombie and sets out to exact revenge on those who wronged him. Only the same tough sheriff can stop him.
1. 'Chuck Norris: Karate Kommandos', 1986
IMDb Score: 5.7/10
Chuck Norris is the coolest hero on Earth. He must protect the world from a villain and his henchman. However, even someone like Chuck needs help, so he joins forces with Pepper, samurai Kimo, apprentice Reed, sumo champion Tabe, and Too Much.
In the 80s and 90s, animated series based on famous franchises, particularly action movies, were made. Chuck Norris proved to be the coolest there, too. The animated series wasn't dedicated to any of his characters but to a fictional version of the actor himself.
Norris voiced his character and appeared in the opening scene of each episode, delivering a moral.
