Patrick Swayze’s 10 Greatest Movie Fight Scenes, Ranked

Over a career that spanned more than 30 years, Patrick Swayze established himself as a talented and powerful action star. He was recognized worldwide for his good looks, natural charm, and ability to adapt to different characters. His career was brought to an end by his tragic death in 2009, but he left behind a stellar list of television and movie performances that are still enjoyed today.

Throughout his career, Swayze proved his ability to perform in multiple genres, including action and romance; many of his films went on to become cult classics and have received modern remakes, as seen with 2017’s Dirty Dancing and 2024’s Road House. He was a talented dancer and action performer, and he famously performed his own stunts throughout his career. Many of Swayze’s movies involve epic fights that allow the actor to showcase his true skills as an actor.

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10 Scott Vs Sailor (Uncommon Valor)

Depicts a Fight Between The Young and The Experienced of War

In this 1983 action film, Swayze portrays Kevin Scott, a former Marine who joins a team of war veterans, 10 years after the Vietnam War. In the early stages, Scott gets into conflicts with his teammates, as they don’t see him at their level, and they refuse to cooperate with him. Their conflicts culminate in Scott picking a fight with Sailor (Randall “Tex” Cobb) and the two brawling in the mud and water.

In this fight, Swayze’s character proves his skills against the tougher and more experienced Sailor; despite the jeers and beatings he receives, he refuses to back down from the fight. His stubbornness and his reason for joining the mission ultimately earned Scott the respect of his fellow team-mates. Swayze’s Scott is beaten to the ground, but his determination helps him prove himself as a fighter.

9 Guerilla Warfare (Red Dawn)

Swayze Uses Weapons and The Element of Surprise Against the Enemy

Red Dawn

Director

John Milius

Release Date

August 10, 1984

Studio(s)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Distributor(s)

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Writers

John Milius , Kevin Reynolds

Cast

jennifer grey , Patrick swayze , Lea Thompson , C. Thomas Howell , Charlie Sheen

Runtime

114 minutes

Budget

$17 million

John Milius’ Red Dawn is set during the early stages of World War III, in America and depicts a group of young men, known as the Wolverines, defending their home from the Russians. The Wolverines are led by Swayze’s character, Jed Eckert, and he leads the group into action against the enemy. One of the fight scenes depicted in the movie depicts Eckert and his friends using guerrilla warfare against the Russian soldiers and saving a group of individuals from being shot by the soldiers.

This fight scene shows Swayze’s character using the element of surprise against the Russian soldiers; Eckert and the Wolverines are shown sneaking up behind the soldiers before firing their weapons. It depicts the lengths that Swayze’s character and his friends are willing to go to survive during the war and shows their bravery against the Russians. The scene also shows the Wolverines leaving their mark on the abandoned artillery, showing they will not be taken down, and leads them to continue fighting for their freedom.

8 Protecting Baby’s Honor Against Robbie (Dirty Dancing)

Swayze’s Johnny Remained Calm Throughout The Movie Before He Finally Snapped

Dirty Dancing

Director

Emile Ardolino

Release Date

August 21, 1987

Studio(s)

Vestron Pictures

Distributor(s)

Vestron Pictures

Writers

Eleanor Bergstein

Cast

jennifer grey , Patrick swayze , Jerry Orbach , Cynthia Rhodes , Jack Weston , Jane Brucker

Runtime

100 minutes

Budget

$6 million

In one of his most popular movies, Dirty Dancing, Swayze’s character, Johnny Castle, works as a dance instructor at Kellerman’s holiday resort, where he meets Frances “Baby” Houseman, who’s vacationing with her family; they soon bond and become a couple, and Baby learns about what happens behind the scenes with the resort’s staff. When Robbie, a waiter at the resort, insults Baby, Johnny snaps and attacks him.

The main idea of Dirty Dancing is about fighting for what one believes in; this is shown multiple times when Baby clashes with her father about what he believes is right for her. However, interestingly, the fight between Johnny and Robbie is the only time any of the characters get physical in the entire movie. Throughout the movie, Swayze portrays Johnny as a cool and calm individual; this scene shows that when Johnny is pushed too far, he will eventually snap. It is disappointing that the fight ended as quickly as it started, but as Johnny pointed out to Robbie, “he’s not worth it” and sends him on his way.

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7 ‘Too Stupid To Have a Good Time’ (Road House)

Swayze’s Dalton Is Shown To Be Able to Immediately Spot Trouble

Road House

Director

Rowdy Herrington

Release Date

May 19, 1989

Studio(s)

United Artists

Distributor(s)

United Artists

Writers

R. Lance Hill , Hilary Henkin

Cast

Patrick swayze , Kelly Lynch , Sam Elliott , Ben Gazzara , Marshall R. Teague , Julie Michaels , Red West , Sunshine Parker

Runtime

114 Minutes

Budget

$17 million

In one of arguably his most recognized roles, Road House sees Swayze as James Dalton, a martial arts expert hired as a bouncer to a nightclub. Throughout the movie, Dalton is involved in multiple brawls in his role of protecting the Double Deuce nightclub. In an early scene, Dalton takes out a man who enters the club with a hidden weapon and throws him out, calling him “too stupid to have a good time” in Double Deuce.

This scene depicts Dalton’s skills as a martial arts fighter and his ability to spot trouble instantly; he immediately sees the knife concealed in the club-goer’s boot and senses trouble. When the man attempts a kick with the knife, Dalton immediately blocks it and breaks his knee, sending the man limping away in defeat. This scene arguably sets the stage for the further conflict that Dalton endures in the film.

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6 Willie’s Demise (Ghost)

Swayze Uses Fear and Intimidation to Frighten His Opponent, Rather Than His Fists

In the 1990 film Ghost, Swayze portrays Sam, a murdered banker whose ghost sets out to rescue his lover, Molly, from those who killed him. While learning the truth about his death, Sam is frustrated that, because of his state, he cannot interact with those around him. Through the help of an angry subway ghost, Sam learns how to channel his emotions into physically interacting with the world; this proves useful when he enacts revenge on the man who murdered him, Willie Lopez.

What makes this scene interesting is that, due to being a ghost, Swayze’s character, Sam, is forced to rely mainly on using scare tactics, rather than his fists, to intimidate Willie. Thanks to his newly learned skills, Sam manages to frighten Willie to the point of insanity until he finally meets his demise underneath a vehicle. Given his skills as an action fighter, this scene in Ghost offered Swayze the opportunity to try a different tactic of fighting, by using intimidation, which worked brilliantly.

5 Final Battle With Brad Wesley (Road House)

Depicts Dalton’s Inner Battles and His Decision Not To Give In To Anger

Throughout Road House, Swayze’s Dalton struggles with his guilt for killing a man in self-defense and trying to end the cruelty of Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara), who controls the town of Jasper, Missouri with intimidation and violence. Their clashes ultimately culminate in Wesley murdering Dalton’s mentor, Garrett, and Dalton confronting Wesley at his home, after taking out his henchmen in the process.

Swayze’s Dalton showcases his martial arts skills in a realistic and gripping manner; it’s made more thrilling in that, during their fight, Wesley uses weapons while Dalton only uses his body to protect himself. Despite the anger he feels at Garrett’s death, Dalton ultimately chooses to be the better person and spare Wesley; however, the townspeople are not as merciful, and they shoot Wesley dead for his crimes.

4 Wave Before The Storm (Point Break)

Allowed Swayze The Opportunity to Portray a Villain Striving to Achieve His Goals

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Point Break depicts Swayze as Bodhi, a surfer and bank robber, who is anticipating the 50-Year Storm waves in Australia. As Bodhi travels to his destination, he is pursued by an FBI agent, Johnny Utah, determined to bring Bodhi to justice. Their chase results in a showdown at Bells Beach, during the storm; Utah is determined to bring Bodhi to justice, but Bodhi refuses to give up without a fight.

In contrast to other roles, this movie allowed Swayze to portray a villain who wavers between his desire to surf and the adrenaline rush he feels when committing crimes. During their chase, Bodhi and Utah develop mutual respect; their final fight is the culmination of their inner struggles about what is the right thing to do. The fight leads to a gripping ending, where Utah allows Bodhi to ride the surf one final time, knowing he will not return.

3 Greasers & Socs Rumble (The Outsiders)

Depicts Loyalty Between Brothers and Comrades In Gang Fights

The Outsiders

Release Date

March 25, 1983

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Writers

Kathleen Rowell

Cast

Diane Lane , Ralph Macchio , Rob Lowe , Emilio Estevez , Matt Dillon , Patrick swayze , C. Thomas Howell , Tom Cruise

Runtime

91 minutes

Budget

$10 million

Adapted from the 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton, The Outsiders is a coming-of-age movie that follows a group of teenage boys in the 1960s’ who are involved in a feud with a wealthier group; their feud reaches another level when one gang member kills another. In this movie, Swayze portrays Darrell Curtis, the oldest member who tries to keep his younger brothers, Sodapop and Ponyboy in check; the movie also has an impressive ensemble cast that assists in bringing both gangs to life.

Darrell strives to maintain custody of his brothers, but he becomes one of many who is drawn to the rumble between the Greasers and the Socs; the fight shows that Darrell stands with his brothers and will fight alongside them. Darrell’s loyalty to his brothers makes the fight more meaningful and is regarded by many as one of Swayze’s best fight scenes.

2 Sam’s Final Revenge (Ghost)

Allows Swayze’s Character The Chance to Seek Revenge on His Former Friend

Throughout Ghost, Sam is determined to find out the truth about his murder, but he is horrified to learn that his best friend Carl is responsible. After Sam and Oda Mae sabotage Carl’s financial schemes, Carl becomes desperate and pursues Molly and Oda Mae, in hopes of calling Sam out. Weakened after possessing Oda Mae, Sam struggles to catch up before he finally manages to help her and Molly escape and confront Carl.

Being a spirit gives Sam the advantage as he pulls Carl’s gun away and attacks his former friend in revenge for his death. Similar to his earlier fight with Willie, he uses intimidation to scare Carl, which results in Carl being impaled by a window shard. Sam can only watch as demons drag Carl away to the depths of hell, a bitter end to their longtime friendship.

1 “The Name is Dalton” (Road House)

Arguably Swayze’s Most Recognizable Fight Scene In His Filmography

Swayze’s most iconic fight scene is arguably in Road House when Dalton begins his new job as a bouncer in Double Deuce. When Dalton notices a man with a knife, Dalton grabs him and slams his head down on the table, before ordering him out of the club. His actions both surprise and impress the spectators and earn him the respect of the club’s owners; the band introduces him by telling the club “The name is Dalton.”

This scene introduces the viewers and the club-goers to Patrick Swayze’s impressive martial arts skills. It is a scene that has been referenced and parodied repeatedly in pop culture, thanks to Swayze’s strength and subtle intimidation towards his opponents. This scene sets the stage for Dalton’s emotional and gripping journey during the rest of the movie and serves as the best of Patrick Swayze’s fight scenes seen throughout his career.