The Best Michael Douglas Movies Of All Time

Ranker Film
Updated October 1, 2023 5.0K votes 1.0K voters 87.7K views
Over 1.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Michael Douglas Movies Of All Time
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Michael Douglas movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big his role was.

More than 1,000 movie fans have voted to shape this list of the best Michael Douglas movies. The legendary actor has been a staple of Hollywood for over four decades, and his iconic performances in films like Wall Street and Fatal Attraction are sure to remain timeless classics. But it's not just his dramatic work that stands out; he's also had memorable turns in comedies such as Romancing the Stone and The In-Laws.

Whether playing an egotistical corporate raider or a jilted lover, Douglas brings a level of complexity to every one of his characters that few can match. His range is on full display here, from inquisitive mysteries like The Game to darker thrillers like Don't Say A Word – there’s something for everyone.

So why not vote up your favorite Michael Douglas movies and settle down with some popcorn? There’s no better way to spend an evening than by binging through these classic flicks starring one of Hollywood’s finest actors.

Most divisive: You, Me and Dupree
Ranked by
  • Wall Street
    1

    Wall Street

    Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen
    304 votes
    • Released: 1987
    • Directed by: Oliver Stone
    In Oliver Stone's riveting drama, Wall Street, we follow the journey of ambitious stockbroker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen). Intoxicated by the promise of power and wealth, Fox finds a mentor in the ruthless, yet charismatic, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a titan of high-stakes trading. As Gekko's underhand tactics become clear, Fox is torn between his desire for success and his moral compass. Douglas's riveting performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film dissects the greed-infested world of Wall Street, serving as a stark reminder of the dangerous allure of unchecked ambition.

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  • The Game
    2

    The Game

    Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger
    371 votes
    • Released: 1997
    • Directed by: David Fincher
    Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas), a wealthy banker with a sharp intellect, receives an unusual birthday gift from his estranged brother Conrad (Sean Penn). It's a live-action game from a company called CRS, promising an unmatched experience that begins to dissolve the boundaries between reality and illusion. The Game, directed by David Fincher, is a psychological thriller that sends Nicholas on an unpredictable journey of self-discovery and danger. As the stakes escalate beyond what he could've ever imagined, Nicholas must distinguish the game from reality before it consumes him completely.

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  • Falling Down
    3

    Falling Down

    Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Barbara Hershey
    454 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Joel Schumacher
    In the gripping drama, Falling Down, we follow William Foster (Michael Douglas), a down-on-his-luck defense worker navigating the gritty streets of Los Angeles. Struggling with unemployment and divorce, Foster's pent-up frustration boils over into a reckless odyssey, confronting society's ills head-on. Robert Duvall plays Sergeant Prendergast, an about-to-retire police officer hot on Foster's trail. The film, directed by Joel Schumacher, offers a raw portrayal of urban decay and societal pressure. It was nominated for the coveted Palme d'Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.

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  • Romancing the Stone
    4

    Romancing the Stone

    Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Danny DeVito
    313 votes
    • Released: 1984
    • Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
    In the thrilling 1984 adventure-comedy Romancing the Stone, Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner), a successful but unfulfilled romance novelist, is hurled into an unexpected real-life escapade. When her sister's life is threatened, Joan must deliver a treasure map to her captors in Colombia. Alongside Jack Colton (Michael Douglas), a roguish opportunist with his sights set on the potential fortune, Joan embarks on a perilous journey full of danger and intrigue. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, proving its entertainment value along with its narrative strength.

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  • Basic Instinct
    5

    Basic Instinct

    Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza
    188 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Paul Verhoeven
    In the thrilling world of Basic Instinct, a seductive crime noir, we find Detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) ensnared in a web of danger and deception. The prime suspect in his latest murder case is Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), an enticing and enigmatic novelist who seems to have an eerie knack for predicting real-life crimes through her fiction. As Curran delves deeper into Tramell's mysterious life, he finds himself caught between duty and desire, truth and deception. This film, layered with suspense and eroticism, is one of director Paul Verhoeven's most notable works, earning several award nominations.

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  • A Perfect Murder
    6

    A Perfect Murder

    Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen
    240 votes
    • Released: 1998
    • Directed by: Andrew Davis
    Wall Street baron Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) discovers that his pretty young wife, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), is cheating on him. But what concerns him more than her infidelity is the hope of profiting from her untimely death. Emily has millions, and Steve's own financial empire is collapsing before his eyes. He hires her lover, David (Viggo Mortensen), to murder her. The plan -- to stage a break-in that will look like a random murder -- turns out to be far from perfect.

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