List Rules Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
List of the best David Strathairn movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. David Strathairn's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top David Strathairn movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated David Strathairn movies will be at the top of the list. David Strathairn has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest David Strathairn movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining David Strathairn films to end the squabble once and for all.
If you think the best David Strathairn role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest David Strathairn performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.
List films include The Uninvited, Simon Birch and more.
"This list answers the questions, "What are the best David Strathairn movies?" and "What are the greatest David Strathairn roles of all time?"
Steven Spielberg and Joseph McGinty Nichol are among those who have directed David Strathairn at one point or another during their careers in the film industry.
list ordered by
1
20 2
L.A. ConfidentialKevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger L.A. Confidential is a 1997 neo-noir crime film based on James Ellroy's 1990 novel of the same title, the third book in his L.A. Quartet series. Like the book, the film tells the story of a ...more
2
16 3
The Bourne UltimatumMatt Damon, Julia Stiles, Brian Cox The Bourne Ultimatum is a 2007 American-German action spy thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass loosely based on the Robert Ludlum novel of the same title. The screenplay was written by Tony ...more
3
13 2
A League of Their OwnMadonna, Tom Hanks, Rosie O'Donnell A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Directed by Penny Marshall, the ...more
4
13 2
SneakersRobert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley Sneakers is a 1992 caper film directed by Phil Alden Robinson, written by Robinson, Walter Parkes, and Lawrence Lasker and starring Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell, ...more
5
14 3
The Spiderwick ChroniclesNick Nolte, Seth Rogen, Mary-Louise Parker The Spiderwick Chronicles is a 2008 American fantasy adventure film. It is the film adaptation of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi's bestselling series of the same name. Set in the Spiderwick ...more
6
16 5
Good Night, and Good LuckGeorge Clooney, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Daniels Good Night, and Good Luck. is a 2005 American drama film directed by George Clooney and starring David Strathairn, Clooney, Robert Downey, Jr., Patricia Clarkson and Jeff Daniels. The movie was ...more
7
14 4
The FirmTom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Gary Busey The Firm is a 1993 American legal thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Hal Holbrook, and David Strathairn. ...more
8
12 3
We Are MarshallMatthew McConaughey, Kate Mara, January Jones We Are Marshall is a 2006 American historical drama biopic film directed by McG. It depicts the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University ...more
9
15 6
The River WildMeryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly The River Wild is a 1994 adventure crime-thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, Benjamin Bratt and Joseph Mazzello as ...more
10
11 3
Dolores ClaiborneKathy Bates, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Christopher Plummer Dolores Claiborne is a 1995 drama thriller film based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King, starring Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It was directed by Taylor Hackford.
11
11 4
SilkwoodMeryl Streep, Cher, Kurt Russell Silkwood is a 1983 American drama film directed by Mike Nichols. The screenplay by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen was inspired by the life of Karen Silkwood. Silkwood was a nuclear whistleblower ...more
12
13 6
Memphis BelleJohn Lithgow, Sean Astin, Harry Connick Memphis Belle is a 1990 film directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Monte Merrick. The film featured an all-star cast with Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and Harry Connick Jr. in leading ...more
A Midsummer Night's DreamMichelle Pfeiffer, Christian Bale, Sophie Marceau A Midsummer Night's Dream is a 1999 romantic comedy fantasy film based on the play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare. It was directed by Michael Hoffman. The ensemble cast ...more
14
11 5
Bob RobertsSusan Sarandon, Jack Black, Helen Hunt Bob Roberts is a 1992 satirical mockumentary film written, directed by and starring Tim Robbins. It tells the rise of Bob Roberts, a right-wing politician who is a candidate for an upcoming ...more
15
7 2
Eight Men OutCharlie Sheen, Christopher Lloyd, John Cusack Eight Men Out is a drama film based on Eliot Asinof's 1963 book 8 Men Out. It was written and directed by John Sayles. The film is a dramatization of Major League Baseball's Black Sox scandal, ...more
16
10 5
LincolnJoseph Gordon-Levitt, Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field Lincoln is a 2012 American epic historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as United States President Abraham Lincoln and Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln. The ...more
17
10 5
A Dangerous WomanJake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Debra Winger A Dangerous Woman is a 1993 film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. The screenplay was written by his then wife Naomi Foner, loosely based on the award winning novel of the same name by Mary ...more
Simon BirchJim Carrey, Ashley Judd, Jan Hooks Simon Birch is a 1998 American comedy-drama film loosely based on A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving and was directed and written for the screen by Mark Steven Johnson. The film stars Ian ...more
19
10 5
MatewanJames Earl Jones, Chris Cooper, Mary McDonnell Matewan is a 1987 American drama film written and directed by John Sayles, and starring Chris Cooper, James Earl Jones, Mary McDonnell and Will Oldham, with David Strathairn, Kevin Tighe and ...more
20
10 6
The Notorious Bettie PageNorman Reedus, Sarah Paulson, Gretchen Mol The Notorious Bettie Page is a 2005 biographical film directed by Mary Harron. The screenplay by Harron and Guinevere Turner focuses on 1950s pinup and bondage model Bettie Page.
21
9 5
My Blueberry NightsNatalie Portman, Rachel Weisz, Jude Law My Blueberry Nights is a 2007 romance/drama/road film directed by Wong Kar Wai, his first feature in English. The screenplay by Wong and Lawrence Block is based on a short Chinese-language film ...more
22
8 4
The Bourne LegacyRachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Jeremy Renner The Bourne Legacy is a 2012 American action thriller film directed by Tony Gilroy, and is the fourth installment in the series of films adapted from the novels originated by Robert Ludlum, and ...more
The UninvitedElizabeth Banks, Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel The Uninvited is a 2009 American psychological horror film directed by the Guard Brothers, and starring Emily Browning, Elizabeth Banks, Arielle Kebbel and David Strathairn. It is a remake of ...more
24
7 3
The Brother from Another PlanetDavid Strathairn, Joe Morton, John Sayles The Brother from Another Planet is a 1984 science fiction film written, directed and edited by John Sayles. It stars Joe Morton as "The Brother", an alien and escaped slave who, while ...more
25
7 3
HowlJames Franco, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker Howl is a 2010 American experimental film which explores both the Six Gallery debut and the 1957 obscenity trial of 20th-century American poet Allen Ginsberg's noted poem Howl. The film is ...more
26
7 3
Harrison's FlowersGerard Butler, Brendan Gleeson, Adrien Brody Harrison's Flowers is a 2001 French film by Elie Chouraqui. It stars, among others, Andie MacDowell, Elias Koteas, Brendan Gleeson, Adrien Brody, Marie Trintignant, Gerard Butler and David ...more
27
5 1
The TempestRussell Brand, Helen Mirren, Alfred Molina The Tempest is a 2010 American film based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare, featuring Helen Mirren in the principal role of Prospera. The film is directed by Julie Taymor and ...more
City of HopeAngela Bassett, Gina Gershon, Chris Cooper City of Hope is a 1991 American drama film written and directed by John Sayles. The film features Vincent Spano, Stephen Mendillo and Chris Cooper.
29
5 2
IcemanDanny Glover, David Strathairn, Timothy Hutton Iceman is a 1984 science fiction film from Universal Studios. The screenplay was written by John Drimmer and Chip Proser, and was directed by Fred Schepisi. The cast included John Lone, Timothy ...more
30
4 1
In the GloamingWhoopi Goldberg, Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda In the Gloaming is a 1997 HBO film based on a story written by Alice Elliott Dark. Directed by Christopher Reeve, it stars Glenn Close, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg and Robert Sean Leonard.
31
4 1
Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get EvenJenny Lewis, David Strathairn, Ben Savage Big Girls Don't Cry...They Get Even is a 1992 American comedy film directed by Joan Micklin Silver.
32
4 1
Steel ToesDavid Strathairn, Ron Lea, Andrew Walker A Jewish humanist and lawyer (Academy Award-nominee David Strathairn) is court-appointed to represent a Neo-Nazi Skinhead on trial for the racially-motivated murder of an East Indian immigrant. ...more
FractureRyan Gosling, Anthony Hopkins, Rosamund Pike Fracture is a 2007 American-German crime-mystery thriller film, directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. It tells the story of a man accused of attempted murder ...more
34
5 3
At Close RangeSean Penn, Christopher Walken, Kiefer Sutherland At Close Range is a 1986 crime drama film directed by James Foley, based on the real life rural Pennsylvania crime family led by Bruce Johnston, Sr. which operated during the 1960s and 1970s. It ...more
35
5 3
LimboKris Kristofferson, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, David Strathairn Limbo is a 1999 drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by American independent filmmaker John Sayles. The drama features Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, David Strathairn, Vanessa ...more
36
5 3
The WhistleblowerMonica Bellucci, Rachel Weisz, Benedict Cumberbatch The Whistleblower is a biographical film, drama and thriller directed by Larysa Kondracki.
37
4 2
Heavens FallLeelee Sobieski, David Strathairn, Timothy Hutton This gripping true story depicts the spring of 1931 in segregation-era Alabama, when nine black men were accused of raping two white women. Having been tried and sentenced to the electric chair, ...more
Passion FishAngela Bassett, Alfre Woodard, Mary McDonnell Passion Fish is a 1992 American film written and directed by John Sayles. The film stars Mary McDonnell, Alfre Woodard, Vondie Curtis-Hall, David Strathairn, Leo Burmester, and Angela Bassett. ...more
39
4 3
Cold SoulsPaul Giamatti, Katheryn Winnick, Lauren Ambrose Cold Souls is a 2009 comedy-drama film written and directed by Sophie Barthes. The film features Paul Giamatti, Dina Korzun, Emily Watson, and David Strathairn. Giamatti stars as a fictionalised ...more
40
3 2
Losing IsaiahHalle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Lange Losing Isaiah is a 1995 American drama film starring Jessica Lange and Halle Berry, directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal. It is based on the novel of the same name by Seth Margolis. The screenplay is ...more
41
2 1
The Miracle WorkerDavid Strathairn, Lucas Black, Kevin Duhaney The Miracle Worker is a 2000 television remake of the two films with the same name from 1962 and 1979. It is based on the life of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan's struggles to teach her.
42
2 1
Hemingway & GellhornNicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Clive Owen Hemingway & Gellhorn is an HBO biopic film about the lives of journalist Martha Gellhorn and her husband, writer Ernest Hemingway. It was directed by Philip Kaufman, and first aired on HBO ...more
A Map of the WorldJulianne Moore, Sigourney Weaver, Chloë Sevigny A Map of the World is a 1999 drama film directed by Scott Elliott.
44
4 4
The ClimbJohn Hurt, David Strathairn, Marla Sokoloff The Climb is a film directed by Bob Swaim and starring John Hurt, Gregory Smith, David Strathairn, Marla Sokoloff, and Sarah Buxton. It was re-released on DVD August 21, 2007.
45
4 4
TwistedSamuel L. Jackson, Ashley Judd, Andy Garcia Twisted is a 2004 American thriller film written by Sarah Thorp and directed by Philip Kaufman. It stars Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson and Andy García. The film is set in San Francisco,
Lost in YonkersRichard Dreyfuss, David Strathairn, Mercedes Ruehl Lost in Yonkers is a 1993 film film adaptation of the Neil Simon play of the same name, directed by Martha Coolidge. It stars Irene Worth, Mercedes Ruehl, and Richard Dreyfuss. It was the first ...more
48
1 1
Freedom SongDanny Glover, Loretta Devine, David Strathairn Freedom Song is a made-for-TV film based on true stories of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi in the 1960s. It tells the story of the struggle of African Americans to register to vote in ...more
49
1 1
When Nature CallsDavid Strathairn, Gates McFadden, Morey Amsterdam When Nature Calls is a 1985 spoof comedy written and directed by Charles Kaufman and starring Academy Award nominee David Strathairn in an early performance. The film was distributed by Charles ...more
50
1 1
Temple GrandinClaire Danes, Julia Ormond, Catherine O'Hara Temple Grandin is a 2010 biopic directed by Mick Jackson and starring Claire Danes as Temple Grandin, a woman with autism who revolutionized practices for the humane handling of livestock on ...more
