Every James Spader Movie, Ranked By Fans

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 3.0K votes 703 voters 70.7K views
Over 700 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Every James Spader Movie, Ranked By Fans
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite James Spader movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

For movie fans, few actors have the instantly recognizable style and charisma of James Spader. With nearly 700 votes cast on this list, it's clear that his fans are passionate about their favorite films starring the actor. From his early roles in 1980s classics like Pretty in Pink to his more recent performances as Ultron, Spader has been captivating audiences for decades.

What makes him so alluring? Perhaps it is the subtle vulnerability he brings to each role; a character who seems emotionally distant yet can still break down our defenses with one raised eyebrow or pointed comment. Or maybe it's simply because he knows how to choose the right projects - no matter what genre they fall into.

From thrillers like Wolf to science fiction epics like Stargate, these movies showcase Spader at his best - charming but never saccharine; cool but not aloof; menacing without being cartoonish. So why not dive into this list now? Vote up your favorites and get ready for some classic James Spader entertainment.

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  • Sex, Lies, and Videotape
    1

    Sex, Lies, and Videotape

    James Spader, Andie MacDowell, Peter Gallagher
    161 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
    Ann (Andie MacDowell) is trapped in a sexually and emotionally unfulfilled relationship with her husband, John (Peter Gallagher), a successful but unpleasant lawyer who is sleeping with her sister, Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). The underlying tensions in the couple's marriage rise to the surface when Graham (James Spader), a friend of John's from college who's been drifting for nine years, returns to town and videotapes Cynthia and Ann as they talk about their sexual desires.

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  • Pretty in Pink
    2

    Pretty in Pink

    Molly Ringwald, Jon Cryer, Andrew McCarthy
    155 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: Howard Deutch
    In Pretty in Pink, a classic '80s teen drama, high school senior Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) navigates the social divide between wealth and poverty. Andie, from a modest background, finds herself torn between her childhood friend Duckie Dale (Jon Cryer), who harbors unrequited feelings for her, and affluent Blane McDonough (Andrew McCarthy). As prom night approaches, Andie must wrestle with the class differences that threaten to keep her and Blane apart while also dealing with Duckie's romantic advances. A poignant exploration of love and socio-economic disparity, this film remains a beloved staple of its genre.

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  • Stargate
    3

    Stargate

    Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson
    165 votes
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Roland Emmerich
    In Stargate, a sci-fi marvel, Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader), an unconventional Egyptologist, and Col. Jack O'Neil (Kurt Russell), a disciplined military man, discover an ancient, interstellar gateway. This portal, known as the Stargate, whisks them across galaxies to an alien planet resembling Ancient Egypt. Mysteries unravel and dangers abound as they encounter Ra (Jaye Davidson), a powerful extraterrestrial posing as the Egyptian Sun God. The duo must navigate this foreign world, combat Ra's sinister plans and find their way back home through the cosmic doorway.

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  • Less Than Zero
    4

    Less Than Zero

    Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey
    90 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Marek Kanievska
    Clay (Andrew McCarthy) comes home to Los Angeles after his first semester of college and encounters some disturbing developments. His former lover, burgeoning model Blair (Jami Gertz), has begun to abuse cocaine. But her addiction pales in comparison to the drug dependency of her new boyfriend, Julian (Robert Downey Jr.), who's also Clay's childhood buddy. Clay tries to help them get sober, but the process is complicated by Rip (James Spader), a callous dealer Julian is indebted to.

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  • Tuff Turf
    5

    Tuff Turf

    James Spader, Kim Richards, Paul Mones
    73 votes
    • Released: 1985
    • Directed by: Fritz Kiersch
    The new guy (James Spader) in a Los Angeles high school does some singing and fights a hotshot (Paul Mones) over a disco dancer (Kim Richards).

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  • 2 Days in the Valley
    6

    2 Days in the Valley

    Danny Aiello, Glenne Headly, Jeff Daniels
    65 votes
    • Released: 1996
    • Directed by: John Herzfeld
    Dosmo Pizzo (Danny Aiello), an ordinary guy, finds himself involved in a murder-for-hire scheme. He is betrayed by his partner, the strangely serene Lee Woods (James Spader), who leaves him for dead. Suspecting that Woods will come back to finish him, Dosmo takes an obnoxious art dealer (Greg Cruttwell) and his sweet-natured assistant (Glenne Headly) hostage. Meanwhile, a rookie policeman (Eric Stoltz) investigating the murder begins to suspect that some kind of conspiracy is behind it.

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