The Best Films Directed by Famous Actors

Updated November 1, 2019 74.1k votes 5.9k voters 2.0m views132 items

List RulesOnly movies directed by famous ACTORS (or at least people who are known for their acting as much as for directing)

Several great films were directed by actors. Many of these films went on to win Academy Awards and others became summer blockbusters. When actors step behind the camera, great things can happen. Some actors have directed and starred as well. This list of the best movies directed by famous actors is loosely ranked by fame and popularity.

Kevin Costner's fantastic directorial debut Dances with Wolves took home seven Oscars in 1990. Costner personally received statues for Best Director and Best Picture. Swingers actor Jon Favreau went on to direct the summer blockbusters Iron Man and Iron Man 2. He also directed the Christmas classic Elf.

Other great films directed by actors include Citizen Kane (Orson Welles), A Beautiful Mind (Ron Howard) and Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood).

Are you surprised that so many great films are directed by actors? Vote up the films you think are the best below or add the movie you think is the greatest, that was directed by a famous actor or actress.

Want to vote on more films like these? Check out this list of The Best Directorial Debuts of Famous Actors.

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Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Dreama Walker, Scott Eastwood, John Carroll Lynch, Ahney Her
Released: 2008
Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also... more
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Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner
Actors: Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Charles Rocket, Graham Greene, Maury Chaykin
Released: 1990
Dances with Wolves is a 1990 American epic western film directed, produced by, and starring... more
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Iron Man
Jon Favreau
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges
Released: 2008
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film directed by Jon Favreau, based on the Marvel Comics... more
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Groundhog Day
Harold Ramis
Actors: Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Michael Shannon, Harold Ramis, Chris Elliott
Released: 1993
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. A derisive... more
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Braveheart
Mel Gibson
Actors: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, Catherine McCormack
Released: 1995
Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical medieval war drama film directed by and starring Mel... more
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A Beautiful Mind
Ron Howard
Actors: Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, Ron Howard, Ed Harris, Christopher Plummer
Released: 2001
A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film based on the life of John Nash, a... more
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A Quiet Place
John Krasinski
Actors: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Noah Jupe, Millicent Simmonds
Released: 2018
A Quiet Place is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by John Krasinski. A family... more
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Stand by Me
Rob Reiner
Actors: Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Feldman, John Cusack, Richard Dreyfuss, River Phoenix
Released: 1986
Stand by Me is a 1986 American coming of age comedy-drama adventure film directed by Rob... more
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Rush
Ron Howard
Actors: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino
Released: 2013
Rush is a 2013 biographical sports film directed by Ron Howard. The merciless 1970s rivalry... more
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Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Richard Harris, Frances Fisher
Released: 1992
Unforgiven is a 1992 American Western film produced and directed by Clint Eastwood with a... more
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Backdraft
Ron Howard
Actors: Robert De Niro, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Donald Sutherland, Rebecca De Mornay
Released: 1991
Backdraft is a 1991 action thriller film directed by Ron Howard and written by Gregory Widen.... more
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Dead Man Walking
Tim Robbins
Actors: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, Eva Amurri, Peter Sarsgaard
Released: 1995
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Citizen Kane
Orson Welles
Actors: Orson Welles, Alan Ladd, Agnes Moorehead, Joseph Cotten, Arthur O'Connell
Released: 1941
Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film produced by, co-written by, directed by and... more
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The Cable Guy
Ben Stiller
Actors: Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Owen Wilson, Kathy Griffin
Released: 1996
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The Passion of the Christ
Mel Gibson
Actors: Monica Bellucci, Jim Caviezel, Claudia Gerini, Rosalinda Celentano, Francesco Cabras
Released: 2004
The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American epic biblical drama film directed by Mel Gibson... more
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Sling Blade
Billy Bob Thornton
Actors: Robert Duvall, Billy Bob Thornton, John Ritter, Dwight Yoakam, J. T. Walsh
Released: 1996
Sling Blade is a 1996 American drama film set in rural Arkansas, written and directed by Billy... more
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A River Runs Through It
Robert Redford
Actors: Brad Pitt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Robert Redford, Brenda Blethyn, Tom Skerritt
Released: 1992
A River Runs Through It is a 1992 American film directed by Robert Redford and starring Craig... more
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Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwood
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Hilary Swank, Jay Baruchel, Anthony Mackie
Released: 2004
Million Dollar Baby is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced and scored by... more
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The Apostle
Robert Duvall
Actors: Farrah Fawcett, Robert Duvall, Billy Bob Thornton, Miranda Richardson, Walton Goggins
Released: 1997
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Hoffa
Danny DeVito
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, Tim Burton, John C. Reilly, Jon Favreau filmography
Released: 1992
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Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Terry Gilliam
Actors: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman
Released: 1975
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Zoolander
Ben Stiller
Actors: Natalie Portman, Paris Hilton, Heidi Klum, David Bowie, Milla Jovovich
Released: 2001
Zoolander is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and, starring Stiller and... more
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Colors
Dennis Hopper
Actors: Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Don Cheadle, Mario Lopez, Damon Wayans
Released: 1988
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Best in Show
Christopher Guest
Actors: Jane Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, Parker Posey, Catherine O'Hara, Christopher Guest
Released: 2000
Best in Show is a 2000 American improvisational comedy film written and directed by... more
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Argo
Ben Affleck
Actors: Ben Affleck, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, Taylor Schilling
Released: 2012
Argo is a 2012 American political thriller film directed by Ben Affleck. The film is adapted... more
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