10. The “Nightmare on Elm Street” films
The weapon: Freddy Krueger’s Glove
Probably the most famous horror weapon of all time, famed child murderer Freddy Krueger got what was coming to him when the parents of “Elm Street” banded together to get rid of him once and for all.
According to multiple sites, Wes Craven “claimed that part of the inspiration for Freddy’s infamous glove was from his cat, as he watched it claw the side of his couch one night.”
However it happened, the result was a truly scary horror icon being born and living on to this day.
9. Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
The weapon: Thermal Detonator
When Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) shows up at Jabba the Hutt’s palace disguised as bounty hunter Boushh, she is anxious to free Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and bargain for the capture of the mighty Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew).
Negotiations do not go well as the price is debated until Boushh whips out one of these hand grenades that could take everyone out.
Luckily, Jabba agrees and catastrophe is averted.
8. Total Recall
The weapon: Head Bomb
In attempting to make his way to Mars, Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) disguises himself as a middle-aged overweight woman. The planned disguised breaks down when there is a malfunction which causes the disguise to reveal itself.
A truly marvelous visual effect reveals Quaid’s head when the mechanical head opens. Quaid throws the head toward the bad guys and it states “get ready for a surprise!” right before exploding.
The film actually won a Special Achievement Award at the 1990 Academy Awards for its groundbreaking effects.
7. Star Trek
The weapon: Hand Phaser
The Star Trek phaser has gone through many versions and incarnations over the 50 years of the various television series and theatrical motion pictures and is considered one of the fathers of modern science fiction weapons.
The original version had “stun”, “heavy stun” and kill settings. There were even phaser rifles and phaser cannons on starships which has much more power. They always seemed a little too tame as Federation officers found themselves in firefights with enemy combatants who had much more sophisticated devices, but they always did the job.
6. Ghostbusters
The weapon: Proton Packs
Described by Dr. Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) as an “unlicensed nuclear accelerator”, these particle beam devices were needed in order to ensnare an entity or spirit for capture.
They can do a lot of unnecessary damage when not used properly by a trained professional. Whatever you do, don’t cross the streams!
5. Aliens
The weapon: M41A Pulse Rifle
The space marines are equipped with lots of cool weapons and equipment on their journey to LV-426; however, the coolest was the pulse rifle.
It was equipped with not only a machine gun, but a grenade launcher as well. When combined with a flame thrower at the end of the film, the alien queen has met her match.
4. Krull
The weapon: The Glaive
After his love and new bride Lyssa (Lysette Anthony) is kidnapped by the Slayers and brought back to the lair of “the Beast”, Prince Colwyn (Ken Marshall) hears of the existence of the only weapon which can defeat his wife’s captor, the mysterious “Glaive”.
Colwyn first has to rescue it from its fiery home, and then form a fellowship of cohorts to go and rescue his true love hoping he gets the chance to use his new weapon for victory.
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
The weapon: Indy’s Whip
The whip was not only a weapon, it was also a companion to archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford).
Whenever he needed to best an enemy through nonlethal means, cross a ground expanse, subdue an attacker or even corral his love interest, he reached for his trusty sidekick.
The iconic implement is actually 10 feet long; although versions ranging from 6’ to 16’ were used in the various films. Ford practiced for many hours to master the use of the whip which has now become a screen legend itself.
2. Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2
The weapon: Hattori Hanzo Sword
Don’t think there is much that needs to be said about this one.
The blade is also a living character in these films as well, not only because it is used throughout, but, in this case, we get to see the complete origin story as well.
The “Kill Bill” films definitely have many memorable weapons, characters and sequences showcased especially when “The Bride” (Uma Thurman) goes up against “The Crazy 88s” in one of the most memorable fight sequences of all time.
1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
The weapon: The Light Saber
No big surprise here, but it is the coolest weapon ever put on film.
The weapon of choice of every Jedi Master, the light saber is awesome in every way.
So cool, in fact, that the coolest of actors, “Samuel L. Jackson” wanted to be a part of “Star Wars” just so he could use one.
According to Wikipedia, “The lightsaber sound effect was developed by sound designer Ben Burtt as a combination of the hum of idling interlock motors in aged movie projectors and interference caused by a television set on a shieldless microphone.”
The result was a weapon which first appeared on film in 1977 and will not being going away any time soon. There will be versions of it onscreen for many years to come.
Honorable Mention: Beverly Hills Cop 3
The weapon: The Annihilator 2000
When Detroit police officer Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is in desperate need of firepower to take down a gang of thugs printing counterfeit bills at a California amusement park, he turns to his old friend Serge (Bronson Pinchot) when they run into each other at a gun expo.
Serge invites Axel to try his new weapon option. Who doesn’t like to see girls in bikinis with big guns?
Author Bio: Andy Kubica is a life-long cinephile. Having spend time as a video store manager, movie theater manager and the first DVD buyer for a former rental chain he now spends every waking moment reducing his film “bucket list”.