Some films push the boundaries of filmmaking, often taking risks that go beyond what we see on screen. From dangerous stunts to controversial content, these movies are notorious for the real-life hazards they caused during production. In this list, we explore the top 20 most dangerous movies ever made, where the line between fiction and reality blurred in the most extreme ways.
1. It Wasn’t All Fun and Games While Filming Hangover Part II
The Hangover Part II had its share of laughs, but behind the scenes, things got serious. Stunt double Scott McLean suffered severe head trauma after his head collided with a passing car. He had to be airlifted to the hospital and spent time relearning basic skills like walking and talking. McLean and his wife blame stunt coordinator Russel Solbery for the accident.
2. A Sad Tragedy On The Set of Film Jumper
While Jumper wasn’t a huge hit with critics, its production had a dark side. During filming, a freak accident occurred when sand and gravel fell on two workers. 56-year-old David Richie tragically lost his life, while another worker suffered serious injuries. The incident led to a $250,000 fine for the production company.
3. Roar is the Most Dangerous Film of All Time
Roar holds the title of the most dangerous movie ever. The filmmakers used real wild animals like lions and tigers, and over 70 cast and crew members were injured during production. It took 11 years to complete the film, and there were moments when the filmmakers came dangerously close to death.
4. A Too Extreme Scene for An Extreme Film xXx (also known as Triple X)
The 2002 action movie xXx is known for its over-the-top stunts, but one scene was so extreme, it cost a life. Aerial stuntman Harry O’Connor was performing a daring stunt where he had to zip-line from a paraglide onto a moving boat. Unfortunately, he missed the mark and struck a pillar at high speed, killing him instantly. The scene was still included in the film, but it was edited to make it appear as if nothing went wrong.
5. Deadly Explosives In Rambo: First Blood Part II
In Rambo: First Blood Part II, special effects technician Cliff Wenger Jr. was in charge of setting up explosions. Sadly, one of these explosions led to his death. It’s unclear whether he died from falling off a waterfall while setting up explosives or from a premature detonation. Either way, the tragic accident cast a shadow over the intense action-filled film.
6. When The Set of Twilight Zone: The Movie Became Death Zone
During the 1983 film Twilight Zone: The Movie, a helicopter accident resulted in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors, Myca Dinh Le and Renee Shin-Yi Chen. The helicopter, flying too low, crashed after a poorly timed explosion, killing the actors instantly. The incident led to a legal case, but the director, special effects coordinator, and pilot were acquitted. The film’s release was overshadowed by the tragic accident.
7. Waterworld Almost Became a Deathtrap
Waterworld, released in 1995, had an infamous production that almost turned deadly. Filmed in the unpredictable Pacific Ocean, the cast and crew faced dangerous weather and waves. Kevin Costner nearly drowned after being caught in a storm, and his stunt double, Laird Hamilton, got lost at sea on a jet ski. Despite the chaos, the production was completed, and everyone managed to survive, but the film’s troubled production remains legendary.
8. Sylvester Stallone Getting Injured While Filming The Expendables 3
The Expendables 3 brought together Hollywood heavyweights, but with age came some serious injuries. Sylvester Stallone suffered a bad fall, requiring a metal plate to be inserted into his back. Meanwhile, Jason Statham nearly had a near-death experience when a truck he was driving launched off a dock and into the Black Sea. Despite appearing calm, Statham admitted he feared for his life during the accident.
9. Head Injury While Filming Salt
In the action-packed thriller Salt, Angelina Jolie endured a serious injury when she took a hard blow to the head. The concussion forced her to take several weeks off from filming, which ended up costing the production company thousands of dollars. It was a dangerous reminder of the risks involved in high-intensity action scenes.
10. The Conqueror Movie Resulted In Death of Over 90 People
The 1956 film The Conqueror, starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan, was a box office failure, but its dark legacy lives on. The film was shot in the Utah desert, unknowingly near a site where the US government had detonated 100 nuclear bombs between 1951 and 1962. Many cast and crew members, including Wayne, later died from cancer, believed to be caused by radiation exposure from the filming location. Over 90 people died, making it one of the most tragic productions in film history.
11. Ghostland Injury Lawsuit
Ghostland featured intense stunts, but one went terribly wrong. Actress Taylor Hickson was supposed to be thrown through a glass door without injury. Unfortunately, the wrong kind of glass was used, and Hickson ended up with severe cuts to her face, leaving her with a permanent scar. She later sued the production company for neglecting safety measures during the stunt.
12. When Things Got Too Real While Filming Quantum of Solace
Filming Quantum of Solace took an unexpected turn when Daniel Craig was accidentally hit during a fight scene. A stuntman went for a free-kick, but it ended up striking Craig’s face, causing significant damage. The actor required eight stitches and also suffered a black eye. The production had to halt for a bit and spent extra money to digitally remove the damage in post-production.
13. Troy Incident Leading To Crew Member’s Death
During the filming of Troy (2004), things took a tragic turn. Extras in a crowd scene were given unclear directions, causing stuntman George Camilleri to leap into an unsuspecting crowd, severely injuring his lower leg. Though initially treated, he later passed away from a blood clot in his leg. Brad Pitt also suffered an Achilles tendon injury, halting production for over two months.
14. The Death of Bruce Lee’s Son in The Crow
The 1994 film The Crow was marred by a devastating tragedy when Brandon Lee, son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was accidentally killed during a scene. A piece of debris from a prop gun was not properly cleaned and was fired into Lee’s chest. Despite quick medical attention, he bled to death. His death shocked the world and led to a pause in filming. The film was later dedicated to his memory.
15. It Wasn’t All CGI in Film Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
In Transformers: Dark of the Moon, not all the big stunts were done with CGI. During filming, a steel cable holding a car snapped, sending the car into the windshield where crew member Gabriela Cedillo was sitting. She suffered severe facial lacerations and permanent brain damage. The accident resulted in a lawsuit, and Paramount Pictures awarded Cedillo’s family $18 million in compensation.
16. Iron Man Suit Not Strong Enough
The Iron Man series may have launched the Marvel universe, but filming Iron Man 3 came with its own set of challenges. During one of the action scenes, Robert Downey Jr. injured his ankle, forcing production to halt for six weeks while he recovered. Turns out, even Tony Stark can’t escape the occasional mishap!
17. Real-Life Apocalypse During Filming Apocalypse Now
The making of Apocalypse Now is legendary for how tough it was on everyone involved. Filmed in the Philippines, the crew faced dangerous weather, diseases, and personal breakdowns. Martin Sheen had a heart attack, Dennis Hopper struggled with alcohol and drugs, and director Coppola even threatened suicide multiple times. It’s a miracle that no one died during the grueling shoot.
18. No Need for Tom Cruise’s Stuntman
Tom Cruise is known for doing his own stunts, and Mission: Impossible – Fallout was no exception. But during one action sequence, he shattered his ankle, leading to months of recovery. Despite the injury and the delays it caused, Cruise didn’t back down and continued performing his own stunts once healed, showing his dedication to authenticity.
19. Resident Evil: Final Chapter Incident
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter featured some seriously dangerous stunts. During one scene, stuntwoman Olivia Jackson was in a horrific motorcycle crash when a camera rig failed to move out of the way. She suffered severe injuries, including having her left arm amputated. Sadly, another crew member, Ricardo Cornelius, was killed when a Humvee pinned him to a wall.
20. The Hobbit Trilogy Wasn’t Safe for Animals
While no humans were seriously harmed during The Hobbit trilogy’s production, 27 animals tragically lost their lives. The animals were housed in enclosures built over sinkholes, where they fell, broke bones, and in some cases, suffocated. This was due to the lax safety standards, and it became a heartbreaking scandal for the film.
