The Best Patricia Neal Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023
Over 80 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Patricia Neal Movies
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List of the best Patricia Neal movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Patricia Neal'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 Patricia Neal movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Patricia Neal movies will be at the top of the list. Patricia Neal has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Patricia Neal movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Patricia Neal films to end the squabble once and for all.

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

The Face: Jesus in Art and All Quiet on the Western Front are a great starting point for your to rank your favorites on this list

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

Notable directors that worked with Patricia Neal include names like Robert Altman, Blake Edwards and Otto Preminger.

Ranked by
  • The Fountainhead
    1

    The Fountainhead

    Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, Raymond Massey
    28 votes
    • Released: 1949
    • Directed by: King Vidor
    Unconventional and arrogant architect Howard Roark (Gary Cooper) sees himself as misunderstood, having been openly criticized by writer Ellsworth Toohey (Robert Douglas). Taking a job at a quarry in lieu of compromising his vision, Roark becomes involved with rich, married socialite Dominique Francon (Patricia Neal). As he struggles to preserve his ideals and projects while competing for the heart of a married woman, Roark's reactions become increasingly complex and dramatic.

    Available On:

  • Hud
    2

    Hud

    Paul Newman, Melvyn Douglas, Patricia Neal
    23 votes
    • Released: 1963
    • Directed by: Martin Ritt
    Hard-drinking, arrogant, womanizing Hud Bannon (Paul Newman) lives a self-centered, indolent life supported by his hard-working and morally upstanding father, Homer (Melvyn Douglas), on the family cattle ranch in Texas. Hud's teenage nephew, Lonnie (Brandon de Wilde), blames Hud for the car crash that took the life of his father, Hud's older brother Norman, but shows hints of following in his ne'er-do-well uncle's footsteps when both men pursue family housekeeper Alma (Patricia Neal).

    Available On:

    free

  • A Face in the Crowd
    3

    A Face in the Crowd

    Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Anthony Franciosa
    16 votes
    • Released: 1957
    • Directed by: Elia Kazan
    Ambitious young radio producer Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) finds a charming rogue named Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes (Andy Griffith) in an Arkansas drunk tank and puts him on the air. Soon, Rhodes' local popularity gets him an appearance on television in Memphis, which he parlays into national network stardom that he uses to endorse a presidential candidate for personal gain. But the increasingly petulant star's ego, arrogance and womanizing threaten his rise to the top.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • The Subject Was Roses
    4

    The Subject Was Roses

    Patricia Neal, Jack Albertson, Martin Sheen
    6 votes
    • Released: 1968
    • Directed by: Ulu Grosbard
    Timmy Cleary (Martin Sheen), who was once considered timid, returns from duty in World War II with newfound confidence. Soon, he realizes that his parents, John (Jack Albertson) and Nettie (Patricia Neal), have long been feigning happiness for the benefit of their son. John is a heavy drinker guilty of numerous infidelities, while Nettie has deeply resented her husband and coddled Timmy for years. When Timmy tries to resolve his parents' issues for them, emotional chaos ensues.
  • In Harm's Way
    5

    In Harm's Way

    John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal
    22 votes
    • Released: 1965
    • Directed by: Otto Preminger
    Naval Captain Torrey (John Wayne) manages to bring his ship through the bombing of Pearl Harbor unscathed, but is later demoted when it is damaged in a subsequent battle due to his negligence. Back on land, he begins a reconciliation with his estranged son (Brandon de Wilde) and a romance with nurse Maggie (Patricia Neal), but duty calls him away when he and his firebrand friend, Cmdr. Paul Eddington (Kirk Douglas), are tasked with salvaging a dangerous and important mission.

    Available On:

    subscription

  • A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story
    6

    A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story

    Blythe Danner, Edward Herrmann, Patricia Neal
    5 votes
    • Released: 1978
    • Directed by: Fielder Cook
    New York Yankees slugger Lou Gehrig (Edward Herrmann) was not a superstar player on the level of his rambunctious, cocky teammate Babe Ruth (Ramon Bieri), but he was a reliable and committed team player right up until he was forced to retire in 1939 due to the illness that would soon become known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." This biopic, which focuses less on Gehrig's rivalry with Ruth than on his loving marriage with wife Eleanor (Blythe Danner), is based on her memoir.