See Keanu Reeves And 31 Other Iconic Leather Jackets In Movies

As a connoisseur of cinema and fashion, I must say that this list is nothing short of breathtaking! Each of these iconic leather looks has left an indelible mark on our collective memory, and it’s fascinating to see how they have evolved over time.

In no field quite like Hollywood is a stylish leather jacket as instantly recognizable as a movie star. With an array of jacket designs mirroring the diversity of stars themselves, looking great has never been more effortless. From Marlon Brando to Keanu Reeves, these timeless garments have graced some of the most unforgettable costumes in cinematic history. Here’s our compilation of some of the most iconic leather coats and jackets that have left their mark on Hollywood fashion.

Marlon Brando In The Wild One

This list wouldn’t be complete without including the O.G. leather look on Marlon Brando in The Wild One. The 1953 film about a biker gang was not only a big hit in theaters, but it was a huge influence on society. From the outlaw biker gangs who took inspiration from the look to regular folks who saw the leather jackets as the coolest of cool.

Wesley Snipes In Blade

Wesley Snipes portrays the most stylishly badass superhero in the movie “Blade,” with his distinctive attire of leather and sunglasses that exude a sense of unmatched coolness. The entire costume, as well as the character itself, emanates a rebellious spirit that perfectly embodies Blade’s renegade persona.

Arnold Schwarzenegger In The Terminator Movies

Leather jackets undeniably convey an “I mean business” image, and this is especially evident in Hollywood, particularly when Arnold Schwarzenegger sports one in the Terminator films. From the very first movie, he’s almost always wearing one, and it’s clear you wouldn’t want to cross him.

Rooney Mara In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Leather jackets have traditionally symbolized rebelliousness within the Hollywood scene. In “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,” Rooney Mara’s character Lisbeth Salander flawlessly embodies both her solitary personality and hardened exterior through this type of jacket, making it difficult to envision her wearing anything else for the role.

John Travolta In Saturday Night Fever

Back in the 1970s, John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever was undeniably the epitome of coolness. It wasn’t just his walk or his hairstyle, but also his dance moves and that iconic leather jacket that made such an impact. Even today, more than five decades later, people continue to emulate his style.

Carrie-Anne Moss In The Matrix Movies

One could confidently assert that the Matrix movies wouldn’t hold the same impact if the characters didn’t sport anything but sleek and robust-looking leather jackets and coats. From Neo to Morpheus, and not forgetting Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in her stylish, long leather coat, these costumes are truly impressive elements of the films.

Brad Pitt In Fight Club

Leather jackets don’t always need to be black to exude maximum awesomeness. The distinctive reddish-brown jacket worn by Tyler Durden in the movie “Fight Club” is now iconic in Hollywood. Granted, Brad Pitt can pull off just about any style, but he might look his most stylish right here in “Fight Club”.

Hugh Jackman In The X-Men Films

Leather jackets have long been a symbol, representing both heroic figures and their complex counterparts. This duality is most evident in the character of Logan, also known as Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman across various X-Men films and now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Notably anti-social, Logan’s leather jacket serves as a clear warning: tread lightly, or risk provoking him.

Olivia Newton-John In Grease

In the movie “Grease“, the costumes are nothing short of extraordinary. While the T-Birds’ jackets certainly catch the eye, it’s Sandy (played by Olivia Newton-John) who wears a leather jacket in the final act that truly stands out. This outfit marks a significant transformation for her character, and it is this jacket that serves as the inspiration for the entire scene.

Keanu Reaves In The John Wick Movies

Keanu Reeves often opts for leather attire in his films, and the brown leather jacket from the first “John Wick” movie stands out as exceptionally stylish. What makes it remarkable is its perfect blend of coolness without being excessive for a retired assassin’s character. This jacket lends John Wick an ordinary yet incredibly cool and prepared-for-anything demeanor.

Eddie Murphy In Raw

In the film “Raw,” Eddie Murphy elevates the sleek leather style even further. He dons not just a stunning purple leather jacket, but also coordinating leather trousers to match. While he’s worn leather ensembles on stage before, as seen in his first standup movie, “Delirious,” the purple outfit in “Raw” surpasses the red one in every aspect.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds

Although Michelle Pfeiffer’s film “Dangerous Minds” boasts an outstanding soundtrack, it’s not her finest cinematic effort. However, her wardrobe choice in the movie – a pair of jeans and a leather jacket – is particularly striking for an actress known for her iconic styles from the ’80s and ’90s. This costume speaks volumes about the character without any dialogue, offering a powerful visual representation.

Steve McQueen In The Great Escape

It’s tough to dispute Steve McQueen as one of the most stylish icons in Tinseltown’s past. After all, a dash of charisma like his often comes with a signature leather jacket. In “The Great Escape,” McQueen’s brown leather bomber jacket encapsulates the essence of cool. He exudes an air of sophistication even when caked in dirt, but it’s when he dons that jacket that he truly shines at his finest.

Tom Cruise In Top Gun

In the 80s, nothing beat the cool factor of the film “Top Gun,” and among its characters, none were as cool as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, portrayed by Tom Cruise. The leather bomber jacket that Cruise donned in the movie gained such iconic status and became such a defining aspect of the character, that when the first teaser for “Top Gun: Maverick” was released, the jacket played a significant role in it.

Harrison Ford In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

In my opinion, there’s a certain charm about a worn-out leather jacket that adds an authentic touch to a character unlike many other costume elements. This sentiment is particularly evident when we think of Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, in all the Indiana Jones movies. The jacket, coupled with the hat and the whip, are what make this character truly iconic in every sense. Could you imagine Indy wearing any other kind of jacket? Absolutely not.

Uma Thurman In Kill Bill

Among many elements that make Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” fascinating, Uma Thurman’s yellow leather motorcycle jacket stands out as the most captivating. Over time, this jacket has evolved into an iconic costume piece, although not everyone can pull off such a look, Thurman undeniably rocks it, and it has become universally admired.

Mel Gibson In The Mad Max Movies

In terms of stylish distressed leather jackets, the one worn by Mel Gibson in the “Mad Max” films stands out as particularly striking. Given the post-apocalyptic setting, it’s plausible that such jackets would continue to be fashionable. They are extremely durable and boast a timeless aesthetic that is rarely found in other garments.

Joey Lauren Adams In Chasing Amy

This one flies a little bit under the radar, but it’s an amazing look and deserves to be on this list. Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) in Chasing Amy has a lot of “rock and roll” to her style and nothing says rock star like leather.

Samuel L. Jackson In The MCU

As a movie buff and die-hard Deadpool fan, I must admit that when Samuel L. Jackson appeared in a sleek leather ensemble in the post-credits scene of the original Deadpool film, it felt like an expected delight – after all, Jackson’s suave portrayal of Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is never complete without his stylish leather jackets. Even though Deadpool wasn’t part of the MCU at that time, we couldn’t help but anticipate such a fitting appearance.

Tom Hardy In The Dark Knight Rises

Remarkable antagonists frequently don a leather garment. In the film The Dark Knight Rises, Bane, portrayed by Tom Hardy, dons one of the most striking leather coats ever seen in villain roles. The well-designed, fur-trimmed brown leather outfit suits his character exceptionally well and is a look that not all villains can carry off convincingly, but Bane manages to pull it off brilliantly.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

In the James Bond film “Die Another Day,” led by Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry dons several memorable outfits, and while her bikini is undeniably iconic, the striking red leather jacket she frequently wears throughout the movie also deserves recognition as a standout style. Granted, the movie may not be the strongest of the Brosnan-era Bond films, but there’s no arguing that Berry exudes elegance in her costumes.

James Dean In Rebel Without A Cause

Seven decades post his demise in 1955, James Dean remains an embodiment of coolness. Despite featuring in merely three films, his influence on popular culture is profound. The red leather jacket he wore in “Rebel Without A Cause” plays a significant role in this phenomenon. Given the brevity of his career, the iconic nature of that jacket becomes even more pronounced as we have limited portrayals of Dean to look back on.

Kurt Russell In Escape From New York

If you’re aiming for a casual, nonchalant vibe that conveys your indifference without uttering a word, consider sporting a worn-out leather jacket. It’s the kind of style Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) rocked in Escape From New York. Hardly anyone has ever appeared as tough, cool, and detached in an action movie as he did.

Sigourney Weaver In Aliens

Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, stands among the most extraordinary figures in the annals of action cinema history. Her allure lies not only in her bravery and resilience but also in her distinctive appearance, particularly in the film Aliens where she exudes an unparalleled level of badassery in her leather attire. While this isn’t her most recognized outfit, it’s hard to argue against its undeniable cool factor.

Tom Cruise In Mission: Impossible

To put it frankly, Tom Cruise consistently carries off a sharp appearance in quality leather jackets. However, when it comes to judging his costumes based on visual appeal, the jacket from the first Mission: Impossible film holds the highest rank. The scene where he performs his magic trick with the disc containing the NOC list while wearing that jacket is arguably one of the most captivating non-action sequences in the entire franchise.

Peter Fonda And Dennis Hopper In Easy Rider

In the late 1960s, if you aspired to embody the spirit of rebellious hippie fashion, a leather or suede jacket could be an excellent starting point for your style. And if you were riding a motorcycle like Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider, these jackets would certainly fit the bill. Fonda’s character sported a more conventional biker look with his black leather jacket, while Hopper’s character opted for a stylish suede jacket with cool fringe. Both of them rocked their looks brilliantly.

Anne Hathaway In Get Smart

In another style, consider this: Anne Hathaway’s white leather coat in “Get Smart” might not make it her best film performance, but it certainly stands out as stylish. It isn’t the only time she’s graced our screens with a memorable leather ensemble; remember her iconic look from “The Dark Knight Rises”? That unique leather appearance is hard to come by in many films, and Hathaway carries it off beautifully.

Matt Dillon In The Outsiders

As a movie critic, I must say that the greasers in “The Outsiders” are iconically recognized for their denim jackets, yet among them, Dally (portrayed brilliantly by Matt Dillon), stands out with his rugged leather jacket. Far from pristine, this jacket suits him perfectly, exuding an undeniable coolness that is hard to ignore.

Laurence Fishburne In The Matrix

Similar to numerous figures from the movie “The Matrix“, Morpheus, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, carries an extremely memorable look in his leather trench coat. Even though it’s not technically a “jacket,” it was essential that we include it on this list!

Jon Voight In Midnight Cowboy

These days, Midnight Cowboy might not be as well-known as it once was, but when it first came out, it was an enormous success. People who are familiar with it, appreciate it. The long fringe suede jacket worn by Jon Voight in the movie isn’t a style that suits everyone, and even within the film itself, it doesn’t always work, but in retrospect, it can be argued that it deserves a place on this list as one of the most iconic jackets in Hollywood history.

Jason Momoa In Fast X

It’s clear that Jason Momoa exudes coolness effortlessly, a point I believe we all concur on. However, the black and white snakeskin-esque leather jacket he wore in “Fast X” truly stands out. Not everyone can rock such a look, as many would undeniably appear absurd wearing it. Yet, Momoa pulls it off flawlessly, leaving no room for doubt.

Emma Stone In La La Land

Red leather is a fantastic look, though not everyone looks good in it. Emma Stone in La La Land isn’t just anyone though. Stone just looks fantastic in the jacket and it, along with all the others on this list, has become iconic.

2024-12-27 16:38