All Of Best Robert Duvall's Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 15.5K votes 2.6K voters 160.6K views
Over 2.6K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of All Of Best Robert Duvall's Movies, Ranked
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Robert Duvall movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

Over 2,600 movie fans have voted to shape these rankings of Robert Duvall movies. From action films like Assassination Tango and Gone in 60 Seconds, to drama favorites such as The Godfather and Colors, the range of films that make up this list is wide. Fans are especially fond of his performance in the classic western, Open Range. In this role he plays an aging cowboy who sets out on a journey which tests both his physical strength and moral convictions. It's easy to see why this film has become a fan favorite over time.

Other great performances include his work as Major Frank Burns in M*A*S*H, for which he earned an Oscar nomination; Mac Sledge from Tender Mercies, for which he won Best Actor at the Academy Awards; and Colonel Kilgore from Apocalypse Now – one of his most memorable roles. Each character brings something unique to their respective stories, making them unforgettable characters among fans everywhere.

This ranked list aims to bring together some of Robert Duvall’s best performances into one place so you can easily find your favorite ones or vote up those that should be higher on people’s lists. Vote up your favorites today.

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Ranked by
  • Lonesome Dove
    1

    Lonesome Dove

    Anjelica Huston, Timothy Scott, Robert Duvall
    1,150 votes
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Simon Wincer
    In the sweeping landscape of television dramas, few can compare to the epic tale woven in Lonesome Dove. Set against the backdrop of the American West, this Emmy Award-winning miniseries masterfully delves into the lives and relationships of its richly drawn characters. The series follows former Texas Rangers Augustus "Gus" McCrae (Robert Duvall) and Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones) as they embark on a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Along the way, viewers are treated to a compelling narrative that explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh realities of frontier life. With its top-tier performances and stunning cinematography, Lonesome Dove remains a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

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  • Open Range
    2

    Open Range

    Robert Duvall, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening
    862 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Kevin Costner
    In the movie Open Range, Charley Waite (Kevin Costner) and Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) are free-grazing cattlemen, wandering the wild terrains of the American West. Their peaceful existence is disrupted by Denton Baxter (Michael Gambon), a land baron who despises their free-ranging lifestyle. A brutal confrontation ensues, forcing Charley and Boss to stand their ground, defending not only their herd but also their way of life. Brimming with intense performances and stunning cinematography, this film, directed by Kevin Costner himself, is a gripping tale of justice and camaraderie set against the backdrop of a volatile frontier.

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  • The Godfather
    3

    The Godfather

    Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan
    776 votes
    • Released: 1972
    • Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
    The Godfather, a celebrated crime-drama, presents an intimate study of the Corleone family. At its core is Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), initially an outsider, who gets reluctantly drawn into the family's criminal enterprises. His father, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), is the patriarch, whose power and influence cast long shadows over his family's affairs. The movie paints a vivid tableau of post-war New York's underworld, riddled with betrayal and power struggles. This cinematic masterpiece, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, swept the 1973 Academy Awards winning Best Picture amongst others.

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  • Secondhand Lions
    4

    Secondhand Lions

    Robert Duvall, Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine
    898 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Tim McCanlies
    Secondhand Lions, a 2003 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Tim McCanlies, tells the story of an introverted young boy who is sent to live with his eccentric great-uncles on a farm in Texas.

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  • Apocalypse Now
    5

    Apocalypse Now

    Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall
    556 votes
    • Released: 1979
    • Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
    Apocalypse Now, a war drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, plunges its audience into the heart of darkness that is the Vietnam War. Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) receives an unorthodox mission to eliminate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated officer who has allegedly gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. Accompanied by a small crew aboard a patrol boat, Willard's journey evolves into an introspective odyssey filled with surreal encounters and moral ambiguity. The film garnered eight Academy Award nominations for its striking portrayal of war's madness, further solidifying Coppola's place among cinema's greats.

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  • The Godfather Part II
    6

    The Godfather Part II

    Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
    571 votes
    • Released: 1974
    • Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
    In the mesmerizing sequel, The Godfather Part II, we plunge deeper into the Corleone saga. This time, the narrative oscillates between two compelling timelines. In one, we follow a young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) as he navigates the gritty underworld of early 20th century New York. The parallel story presents an older Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), grappling with the family business's expanding empire and his own moral quandaries. A crime drama masterpiece, this film bagged six Academy Awards including Best Picture, affirming its cinematic legacy.

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