John Woo - Actor Profile

John Woo

Directing
Freshness: Jan 21, 2026
49Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 22, 1946
Birth Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

About John Woo

John Woo Yu-Sen SBS (born September 22, 1946) is a Hong Kong film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled and Red Cliff. His Hollywood films include Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Mission: Impossible 2. He also created the comic series Seven Brothers, published by Virgin Comics. Woo was described by Dave Kehr in The Observer in 2002 as "arguably the most influential director making movies today". Woo cites his three favorite films as David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia, Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, and Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samouraï.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Woo reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 49 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Documentary

The majority of John Woo's filmography leans towards the Documentary genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 37% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Woo remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Follow the Star, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best John Woo Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from John Woo's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Woo.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2022 The King of Wuxia Part 2 Self Flop Similar →
2022 The King of Wuxia Part 1 Self Super Hit Similar →
2021 Life in 24 Frames a Second Self Flop Similar →
2017 John Travolta, le miraculé d'Hollywood Self - Filmmaker (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2016 Ken San Self Average Similar →
2011 Beginning of the Great Revival Lin Sen Flop Similar →
2011 Kurosawa's Way Self Average Similar →
2009 The Founding of a Republic Liu Wenhui Flop Similar →
2009 The Founding of a Republic National Army Officers Flop Similar →
2009 How Bruce Lee Changed the World Self Super Hit Similar →
2008 Team-Up: John Woo and Shinji Aramaki - Flop Similar →
2007 The Light and the Dark: The Making of 'Face/Off' Self Flop Similar →
2005 A Century of Light and Shadow Self Flop Similar →
2004 Crossings: John Woo Self Flop Similar →
2003 Chop Socky: Cinema Hong Kong Self Flop Similar →
2003 The Master: Chang Cheh Documentary - Flop Similar →
2003 The Life and Times of Wu Zhong Xian As himself Flop Similar →
2003 Cinema Hong Kong: Wu Xia Self Average Similar →
2003 Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu Self Hit Similar →
2002 The Art of Action: Martial Arts in the Movies Self - Interviewee Average Similar →
2001 Mission: Improbable John Woo Super Hit Similar →
1999 Kurosawa: The Last Emperor Self Average Similar →
1998 Yang ± Yin: Gender in Chinese Cinema Self Flop Similar →
1997 Task Force Police Chief Hit Similar →
1994 Cinema of Vengeance Self (uncredited) Flop Similar →
1993 Film ohne Fesseln - Das neue Hongkong Kino Self Hit Similar →
1992 Hard Boiled Mr. Woo Super Hit Similar →
1992 Twin Dragons Priest Hit Similar →
1991 The Banquet Man on Stairs Average Similar →
1991 Once a Thief Stanley Wu Hit Similar →
1990 Rebel from China Kwong Flop Similar →
1990 Bullet in the Head Policeman Super Hit Similar →
1989 Sunset in Paris Maggie's uncle Hit Similar →
1988 Starry Is the Night Father Fan Average Similar →
1988 I Love Maria - Average Similar →
1987 The Thirty Million Dollar Rush Ling's Husband Hit Similar →
1986 A Better Tomorrow Inspector Wu Hit Similar →
1985 Love, Lone Flower - Flop Similar →
1985 Happy Union 2 - Flop Similar →
1982 Plain Jane to the Rescue Self Flop Similar →
1980 From Riches to Rags [cameo] Flop Similar →
1979 Itchy Fingers Triad Boss on Lorry Hit Similar →
1978 Follow the Star Miss Chen's Father Super Hit Similar →
1976 Hand of Death Zhang Yi Average Similar →
1974 Young Lovers on Flying Wheels Man at Bike Reclaim Centre Flop Similar →
1974 The Young Dragons Message Deliverer Hit Similar →
1973 The Mandarin - Hit Similar →
1969 Dead Knot - Flop Similar →
1968 Accidentally Young Man Flop Similar →

John Woo - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of John Woo?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Woo is "Follow the Star" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has John Woo acted in?

John Woo has been featured in at least 49 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by John Woo?

Other notable films include "The King of Wuxia Part 1", "How Bruce Lee Changed the World", and "Bullet in the Head".