The Best Films Directed By Famous Actors, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated June 23, 2023 104.5K votes 5.9K voters 2.0M views
Over 5.9K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Films Directed By Famous Actors, Ranked
Voting Rules
Only movies directed by famous ACTORS (or at least people who are known for their acting as much as for directing)

Over 5,900 movie fans have voted to shape these rankings of the best films directed by famous actors. From Ben Affleck's award-winning Argo to Bradley Cooper's directorial debut A Star is Born, some of Hollywood’s most beloved stars have stepped behind the camera and created truly remarkable works of art. Whether you are a fan of Tom Hanks' romantic comedy Larry Crowne or Robert Redford’s legal drama The Conspirator, there is something here for everyone who appreciates great movies helmed by famous faces.

These kinds of movies often resonate with audiences because they feature actors we know and love in multiple roles - as both an actor and director. It can also be interesting to see how their vision translates from acting into directing a film. For example, Clint Eastwood has become an incredibly successful filmmaker after winning Best Picture for Million Dollar Baby; after his first directorial effort, Unforgiven won him Best Director at the Academy Awards.

The list below contains some incredible films that have been voted on and ranked by movie fans everywhere - why not add yours? Cast your vote today for your favorite film directed by a renowned actor or actress.

Most divisive: The Way We Were
Ranked by
  • A Quiet Place
    1

    A Quiet Place

    John Krasinski
    772 votes
    • Actors: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade Woodward
    • Released: 2018
    In the eerie silence of a post-apocalyptic world, A Quiet Place unfolds. The Abbott family - Lee (John Krasinski), Evelyn (Emily Blunt), and their children - navigate life in a world where noise can mean death. They communicate through sign language, tiptoeing around their farmhouse and the surrounding wilderness, hunted by creatures that stalk sound. Directed by Krasinski himself, this 2018 film is an ingenious blend of horror and drama, earning it critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. A thrilling exploration of survival, it's a masterclass in tension-building where silence isn't just golden; it's vital.

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  • Gran Torino
    2

    Gran Torino

    Clint Eastwood
    2,948 votes
    • Actors: Clint Eastwood, Christopher Carley, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, Brian Haley
    • Released: 2008
    In the gritty drama Gran Torino, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) is a cantankerous, retired auto worker and Korean War veteran. His life takes an unexpected turn when his young Hmong neighbor, Thao (Bee Vang), tries to steal his cherished car: a 1972 Gran Torino. Amidst neighborhood gang tensions and cultural clashes in the Detroit suburbs, Walt forms an unlikely bond with Thao. The film oscillates between moments of tension, humor, and unexpected camaraderie. A thought-provoking exploration of prejudice, redemption, and community, Gran Torino was directed by Eastwood himself, adding another notable credit to his illustrious career.

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  • Unforgiven
    3

    Unforgiven

    Clint Eastwood
    2,288 votes
    • Actors: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris, Jaimz Woolvett
    • Released: 1992
    Unforgiven, a multi-Oscar winning Western drama, showcases the final days of aging outlaw William Munny (Clint Eastwood). Once a notorious killer and robber, Munny is now a widowed pig farmer, living quietly with his two children. Persuaded by young gunslinger The Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to claim a bounty on two cowboys who disfigured a prostitute, he teams up with his old partner Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman). As they embark on their mission, Munny grapples with the violence of his past and the harsh realities of frontier justice. This film explores themes of morality, redemption, and the brutal nature of violence.

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  • Stand by Me
    4

    Stand by Me

    Rob Reiner
    2,308 votes
    • Actors: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer Sutherland
    • Released: 1986
    In the engaging film Stand by Me, four young boys - Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) - embark on an unforgettable quest. Their aim? To locate a missing teenager's body somewhere in the woods of Oregon. Directed by Rob Reiner, this coming-of-age drama is based on Stephen King's novella The Body. It's a gripping tale about friendship, adventure, and the harsh realities of growing up. The film, ripe with poignant performances and a captivating storyline, won critical acclaim upon its release in 1986.

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  • Iron Man
    5

    Iron Man

    Jon Favreau
    2,553 votes
    • Actors: Robert Downey, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub
    • Released: 2008
    Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a genius industrialist and master engineer, builds a powered exoskeleton after a life-threatening incident. The invention transforms him into the armor-clad superhero known as Iron Man. With his new technology, he grapples with his own demons while protecting the world from dangerous threats. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Tony's dedicated assistant, and James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), a military liaison, play pivotal roles in Stark's journey. Directed by Jon Favreau, this action-packed movie won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2009.

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  • A League of Their Own
    6

    A League of Their Own

    Penny Marshall
    2,167 votes
    • Actors: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Jon Lovitz
    • Released: 1992
    In the heart of World War II, A League of Their Own unfolds. This comedy-drama, brimming with historical significance and a dash of humor, is directed by Penny Marshall. Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty), two sisters from Oregon, are recruited to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The league was formed when the male baseball players were drafted into the war. Under the guidance of their hard-drinking coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks), they and their teammates struggle to keep the league alive amidst societal expectations and personal conflicts. Their journey redefines women's roles in sports and society, challenging stereotypes along the way. To this day, it remains a classic for its portrayal of a significant chapter in American history.

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