10 Dangerous Movie Stunts That Nearly Ended in Tragedy

Movie stunts often leave audiences on the edge of their seats, marveling at the daring feats of action heroes. Yet behind the glamour and thrill lies a world of peril, where even the most meticulously planned stunts can go disastrously wrong. Here are ten dangerous movie stunts that nearly ended in tragedy, showcasing the risks stunt performers and actors face in their quest to bring cinematic excitement to life.

1. Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”

Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts, but his dedication nearly led to disaster on the set of “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” While filming a rooftop jump scene in London, Cruise misjudged the leap and slammed into the side of a building, breaking his ankle. The cameras kept rolling, capturing the painful moment. Production was delayed for several weeks, but Cruise eventually returned to finish the film.

2. Jackie Chan in “Armour of God”

Jackie Chan’s reputation for performing high-risk stunts without the use of doubles is legendary. However, his commitment almost cost him his life during the filming of “Armour of God.” Chan leaped from a wall to a tree, but the branch snapped, and he fell headfirst onto a rock, fracturing his skull. The accident required emergency brain surgery, leaving Chan with a permanent hole in his head.

3. Brandon Lee in “The Crow”

Tragedy struck during the filming of “The Crow” when Brandon Lee was accidentally shot and killed. A prop gun that was supposed to fire blanks contained a live round, leading to a fatal injury. Lee’s death highlighted the critical importance of stringent safety checks on movie sets, and his untimely passing remains one of Hollywood’s most tragic accidents.

4. Harrison Ford in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”

Harrison Ford suffered a severe injury on the set of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” when a hydraulic door malfunctioned and crushed his leg. The incident occurred while filming a scene aboard the Millennium Falcon. Ford’s leg was broken, and production was halted as he underwent surgery and rehabilitation.

5. Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky IV”

During the filming of “Rocky IV,” Sylvester Stallone insisted on making the boxing scenes as realistic as possible. This led to a near-fatal punch from Dolph Lundgren, who struck Stallone with such force that his heart slammed against his breastbone, causing it to swell. Stallone was airlifted to intensive care, where he spent several days recovering.

6. Jason Statham in “The Expendables 3”

Jason Statham, known for his tough-guy roles and physical prowess, faced a life-threatening situation on the set of “The Expendables 3.” While driving a truck for a stunt, the brakes failed, and Statham plunged into the Black Sea. Fortunately, his background as a former competitive diver helped him escape the submerged vehicle unscathed.

7. Isla Fisher in “Now You See Me”

Isla Fisher experienced a terrifying moment while filming an underwater escape scene for “Now You See Me.” Her chains got tangled, preventing her from reaching the surface. Fisher struggled to free herself, and the crew initially believed she was acting. When they realized the severity of the situation, they quickly intervened, and Fisher was rescued just in time.

8. Tom Hanks in “Cast Away”

Tom Hanks encountered a life-threatening infection while filming “Cast Away.” He cut his leg, and the wound became infected, leading to a staph infection that could have resulted in sepsis. Hanks was rushed to the hospital, where he received treatment and avoided what could have been a fatal condition.

9. Margaret Hamilton in “The Wizard of Oz”

Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz,” suffered severe burns during the filming of a fiery exit scene. A trapdoor malfunctioned, and she was exposed to the flames, sustaining second-degree burns on her face and third-degree burns on her hand. Hamilton endured a lengthy recovery period but eventually returned to complete her role.

10. Michael J. Fox in “Back to the Future Part III”

In “Back to the Future Part III,” Michael J. Fox experienced a close call during a hanging scene. His character was supposed to appear as if he was being hanged, but the actor accidentally ended up genuinely choking. Fox passed out, and the crew quickly intervened to save him. Despite the harrowing incident, Fox returned to finish the film.