The Best Gena Rowlands Movies

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Updated September 13, 2023 959 votes 168 voters
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List of the best Gena Rowlands movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Gena Rowlands'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 Gena Rowlands movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Gena Rowlands movies will be at the top of the list. Gena Rowlands has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Gena Rowlands movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Gena Rowlands films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Gena Rowlands role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Gena Rowlands performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

List ranges from Paris, je t'aime to Tony Rome and more.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Gena Rowlands movies?" and "What are the greatest Gena Rowlands roles of all time?"

Gena Rowlands has worked with many famous directors, including big names like Woody Allen and John Cassavetes. Is Gena Rowlands your favorite person to watch on the big screen? You might also want to vote on our best Ellen Burstyn and Anna Magnani films lists too.

Most divisive: Paulie
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  • A Woman Under the Influence
    1

    A Woman Under the Influence

    Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Katherine Cassavetes
    40 votes
    • Released: 1974
    • Directed by: John Cassavetes
    Mabel Longhetti (Gena Rowlands), desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick (Peter Falk). Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to their family and decides to commit her to an institution for six months. Alone with a trio of kids to raise on his own, he awaits her return, which holds more than a few surprises.

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  • An Early Frost
    2

    An Early Frost

    Bill Paxton, Aidan Quinn, Gena Rowlands
    17 votes
    • Released: 1985
    • Directed by: John Erman
    An Early Frost is a landmark 1985 TV movie, and the first major film, made for television or feature films, to deal with the topic of AIDS. It was first broadcast on the NBC television network on November 11, 1985. It was directed by John Erman, from the Emmy Award-winning teleplay written by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman,. Aidan Quinn starred as Michael Pierson, a Chicago attorney who goes home to break the news – that he is homosexual and has AIDS – to his parents, played by Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands.
  • Opening Night
    3

    Opening Night

    Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, Joan Blondell
    23 votes
    • Released: 1977
    • Directed by: John Cassavetes
    Actress Myrtle Gordon (Gena Rowlands) is a functioning alcoholic actress who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.

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  • Gloria
    4

    Gloria

    Gena Rowlands, John Adames, Buck Henry
    37 votes
    • Released: 1980
    • Directed by: John Cassavetes
    A gangster's tough ex-girlfriend (Gena Rowlands) protects an orphaned Puerto Rican boy (John Adames) the mob wants dead.

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  • Minnie and Moskowitz
    5

    Minnie and Moskowitz

    Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel, Val Avery
    17 votes
    • Released: 1971
    • Directed by: John Cassavetes
    Depressed and jaded after being dumped by her married boyfriend, aging beauty Minnie Moore (Gena Rowlands) wonders if she'll ever find love. After shaggy-haired parking lot attendant Seymour Moskowitz (Seymour Cassel) comes to her defense from an angry and rebuffed blind date, he falls hopelessly in love with her despite their myriad differences. Minnie reluctantly agrees to a date with Moskowitz, and, slowly but surely, an unlikely romance blossoms between the two.
  • Love Streams
    6

    Love Streams

    John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Seymour Cassel
    21 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: John Cassavetes
    Love Streams is a 1984 American film directed by John Cassavetes that tells the story of a middle-aged brother and sister who find themselves caring for one another after the other loves in their lives abandon them. The film was John Cassavetes' 11th and penultimate film. He later made the more mainstream Big Trouble.