For millions of Walking Dead fans, Norman Reedus is synonymous with Daryl Dixon. But while the world may know him best for wielding a crossbow through a zombie apocalypse, Reedus’ career outside of television is just as fascinating. His filmography reveals a performer unafraid to take risks.
He’s starred in edgy indie thrillers, daring cult classics, and, honestly, films that are difficult to categorize. As a Walking Dead fan, perhaps it’s time to step beyond the apocalypse for a bit and explore the many other worlds Reedus has inhabited on the big screen.
If you’re ready to see Reedus in more bold, memorable roles that showcase his talent, these three movies below are a perfect place to start!
The Boondock Saints (1999)
- Directed and written by: Troy Duffy
- Cast: Reedus, Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, David Della Rocco, Billy Connolly
- Where to watch: Tubi, Prime Video, Peacock
The Boondock Saints might not have been received well when it first hit theaters, thanks to its extremely limited release and critics who didn’t quite know what to make of its stylized violence and moral ambiguity. But over the years, the film has earned a devoted cult following.
The action thriller flick follows Irish-American fraternal twins Connor and Murphy MacManus, who live ordinary lives in Boston until a violent encounter changes everything. During a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, the brothers clash with members of the Russian mob in a bar fight.
This shocking event sparks a deep sense of destiny in the twins, who come to believe that God has chosen them to rid the city of its criminal underworld. From that point on, Connor and Murphy embark on a vigilante crusade, targeting Boston’s most dangerous criminals. But their mission isn’t easy with a determined FBI Special Agent hot on their trail. Reedus takes on the role of Murphy MacManus.
Blade II (2002)
- Directed by: Guillermo del Toro
- Written by: David S. Goyer
- Cast: Reedus, Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Luke Goss
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy via digital platforms
For superhero fans, the Blade franchise is a darker, edgier corner of the comic book world. It centers around Blade, the half-human, half-vampire hybrid, whose mission is to hunt down vampires and protect humanity from the undead threat. While Reedus wasn’t in the first film, he makes a memorable entrance in Blade II as Scud, Blade’s new weaponsmith.
The sequel continues to follow Blade as he faces a new and terrifying threat. They’re called “Reapers,” a mutated strain of vampires that feed on both humans and their own kind. With just one bite, a victim becomes a savage, uncontrollable monster, spreading the infection rapidly and leaving death in their wake. To combat this deadly outbreak, Blade is forced into an uneasy alliance with the Bloodpack, an elite team of vampires who were originally sent to hunt him.
Ballerina (2025)
- Directed by: Len Wiseman
- Written by: Shay Hatten
- Cast: Reedus, Ana de Armas, Anjelica Huston, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves
- Where to watch: Starz
Most people are familiar with the John Wick film series. Known for its high-octane action, detailed assassin world, and Keanu Reeves’ iconic portrayal of the titular hitman, it has become a benchmark for modern action cinema. But for fans looking to dive deeper into the universe beyond Wick himself, Ballerina offers an exciting new perspective.
The film introduces Eve Macarro, a ballerina-turned-assassin whose life is shaped by tragedy and vengeance. After her father is killed by a mysterious Cult, Eve is taken under the wing of the Ruska Roma, a secret organization of killers disguised as ballet performers.
But when she runs into a member of the Cult years later, she then finds herself on a revenge mission to track down those responsible for her father’s death. Reedus doesn’t have a huge part in the movie. He appears in just a couple of pivotal scenes as Daniel Pine, a fellow assassin trying to protect his young daughter from the dangerous world of killers. However, his brief appearances add emotional depth to the story.
The next time we’ll see Reedus on our screens again is when Daryl Dixon season 4 and Pendulum come out. It’s unknown when Pendulum will be released, but the fourth and final season of Daryl Dixon has been confirmed for a 2026 premiere.