Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time

Morgan Freeman is the master of narration because of his calming voice, and he is also an iconic actor. Moreover, he is also a director who has been involved in the film industry since the 1960s. Making a list of his best performances was tough, but TechTrends put together a list of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time.

Morgan Freeman once described his own career as “long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past.” What he meant is that becoming successful in acting took a long time, but he hoped it would all be worth it, with his career lasting and not being a flash in the pan. He has reached that hope as he has been playing in movies for more than 30 years. Before coming to the television, Freeman was interested in dancing. Therefore, he used that to break his way through and start a career in Broadway plays. His performance in the movie Street Smart in 1987 kicked off his career in acting.

He is one of the most well-known and popular actors in the world. He has featured in many amazing and unforgettable movies over the years. Therefore, narrowing down a list was a tough task, but TechTrends picked up some of the best must see Morgan Freeman Performances.

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time

Morgan Freeman is an 85-year-old actor who has earned worldwide critical acclaim and success as one of the most beloved stars in history. For a man who had his break when he was around 50, Freeman has put together a great career. Now, let’s dive into the list of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time made by TechTrends. The list is in reverse chronological order.

Lucy 2014

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Action/Thriller
  • Director: Luc Besson
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Scarlett Johansson, Amr Waked, Choi Min-sik
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 67%, IMDb 6.4

One of the best Morgan Freeman movies ever is Lucy, in which he plays the role of a neurologist. The movie follows the tale of a woman named Lucy, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, who is pumped with a drug which leads to her gaining psychokinetic abilities. To understand the process she is going through, she asks help from Morgan Freeman, who is a neurologist, to guide her. Although the movie got mixed reviews, the actors were praised for their outstanding performances.

Morgan Freeman’s role in the movie is set well with him as his persona is meant for these kinds of characters.

Invictus 2009

  • Genre: Drama/Political Drama
  • Director: Clint Eastwood
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Adjoa Andoh, Marguerite Wheatley
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 76%, IMDb 7.3

Invictus is one of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time and the third collaboration between the actor and director Clint Eastwood. Freeman played the role of president Nelson Mandela during his beginning years of the presidency when he attempted to unite the nation through his involvement in the Rugby World Cup in 1995. It is a sports drama showing how a game helped heal the wounds people have suffered following years of apartheid. The title of the movie is after Mandela’s favorite poem by William Ernest Henley. Although his accent could have been better, Freeman pulled off an astonishing performance. Choosing Freeman to portray Mandela was a perfect choice as he carries himself with such dignity that shows the president’s force of personality. Following his role in the movie Invictus, he got nominated for Academy Award for the Best Actor.

Read more: Best Johnny Depp Movies of All Time

The Bucket List 2007

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Comedy/Drama
  • Director: Rob Reiner
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Alfonso Freeman, Sean Hayes, Rob Morrow
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 41%, IMDb 7.4

In the movie The Bucket List, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are diagnosed with lung cancer. Morgan Freeman plays the role of a mechanic named Carter, while Nicholson portrays a billionaire named Edward. The two decide to live their lives to the fullest and do things they have always wanted to but never did. The phrase “bucket list” was popularized by this movie. They travel around the world and check things off their bucket list, like skydiving and riding a motorcycle on the Great Wall of China. This is one of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time.

Gone Baby Gone 2007

  • Genre: Mystery/Drama
  • Director: Ben Affleck
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Casey Affleck, Amy Ryan, Ed Harris, Michelle Monaghan
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.6

Ben Affleck had his directorial debut in the movie Gone Baby Gone, which is an adaptation of one of Dennis Lehane’s page-turners. The director’s younger brother, Casey, and Michelle Monaghan are the leads but the heavyweight actors in supporting roles turn every scene into a showcase. Freeman plays the role of Jack Doyle, who is the chief of the Crime Against Children police task force. Like always, even when given little material, Freeman is able to manage a lot as an actor, with every word coming out of his mouth having worlds in them. This is indeed one of the best Morgan Freeman films of all time.

Read more: Best Leonardo DiCaprio Movies of All Time

The Dark Knight Trilogy 2005, 2008, 2012

  • Genre: Action/Fantasy/Thriller
  • Director: Christopher Nolan
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Christian Bale, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine, Katie Holmes, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 84%, IMDb 8.2 / Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 9 / Rotten Tomatoes 87%, IMDb 8.4 respectively

In all of Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies that starred Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman also played a crucial role. He portrays the role of Lucius Fox, who is an executive in the Wayne Enterprises company who assists Batman with his technical weapons as well as a suit. Therefore, his character is instrumental in arming Bruce Wayne/Batman for the role he has as Caped Crusader of Gotham. The Dark Knight movies are indeed among the best must see Morgan Freeman performances.

Million Dollar Baby 2004

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Drama/Sport
  • Director: Clint Eastwood
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Jay Baruchel, Lucia Rijker
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 8.1

In the movie Million Dollar Baby, Morgan Freeman worked once again with Clint Eastwood and co-starred with Eastwood and Hilary Swank. Moreover, Freeman won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in this movie. The story follows a young woman, Maggie Fitzgerald, who wants to convince Frankie Dunn, played by Eastwood, to train her for professional matches. Dunn is a seasoned Los Angeles boxing coach, and he is not willing to help her. In addition, Freeman is among the first people to believe in Maggie. The movie was so great that it took home four Oscars, with the other three being Best Picture, Director, and Actress for Hilary Swank.

Read more: Best Angelina Jolie Movies of All Time

Nurse Betty 2000

  • Genre: Comedy/Romance
  • Director: Neil LaBute
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Renée Zellweger, Greg Kinnear, Chris Rock
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 6.3

Another one of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time is Nurse Betty, where Freeman plays alongside Chris Rock. The two hitmen killed Renee Zellweger’s husband when searching for a drug stash. Zellweger then starts to believe that she is a soap opera character and goes to Los Angeles to be a nurse because that is what the soap opera character does. Freeman pursues her due to the fact she has the drugs in her car, but she is not aware of it. With Freeman falling in love with Zellweger slowly, there are some charming moments there as well.

Se7en 1995

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Crime/Mystery
  • Director: David Fincher
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Spacey
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 8.6

One of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time is Seven directed by David Fincher. The movie shows a classic young buck who becomes a partner of a veteran who is on the verge of retiring. Brad Pitt plays the role of a hardheaded rookie who has recently joined the homicide department as a detective. He then starts to track a serial killer who is obsessed with the seven deadly sins with the help of Somerset (Morgan Freeman). The two come across horrors that even Somerset, with that level of experience, has never faced. Moreover, Fincher’s thriller is one of the best of its kind, courtesy of a career-best performance from the two amazing and outstanding actors we have ever seen.

The end climax is indeed one of Pitt’s most dramatic and greatest performances alongside Freeman, who still tries to bring some sense to him. It masterfully shows what one might feel like in such a situation.

The Shawshank Redemption 1994

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Drama/Crime
  • Director: Frank Darabont
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, Bob Gunton, Clancy Brown, William Sadler, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 91%, IMDb 9.3

One of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time is the Shawshank Redemption, which took many people by surprise. Notwithstanding it being based on a Stephen King story, it is not horror. Moreover, the movie does not show a dank depressive life in prison, but it shows a lot of hope and redemption. The two actors portraying the main characters did a remarkable job, showing off their finest hours. IN addition, Freeman gives a gentle narration of the movie that led to him getting a nomination for Best Actor. In addition, the ending will have you both drained and rejuvenated, which is what a great dramatic film will do. However, the movie has only made $28 million.

Read more: Best Jennifer Lawrence Movies of All Time

Unforgiven 1992

  • Genre: Western/Drama
  • Director: Clint Eastwood
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Anna Thomson, Richard Harris
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8.2

In the movie Unforgiven, Morgan Freeman portrays the role of Ned Logan, who is a longtime friend of Will Munny (Clint Eastwood). The two join up to assist a young woman named “The Schofield Kid” find a gang of vial cowboys, who were accused of torturing a prostitute. Moreover, Freeman displayed a brilliant performance. Despite the movie getting four Oscars including Best Picture, Director, and Supporting Actor (Gene Hackman), Freeman was not nominated for any awards. However, he is as mesmerizing as always.

Glory 1989

  • Genre: War/Drama
  • Director: Edward Zwick
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Jihmi Kennedy
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.8

The movie Glory is based on a true story from many high school history books. It was directed by Edward Zwick, who made a powerful war drama telling the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This is the first all-Black unit during the Civil War, whose members expressed great courage notwithstanding being dealt with as less than second-class citizens. Although Matthew Broderick performs excellently as the white commanding the group, the most outstanding performances come from Freeman and Denzel Washington. Freeman plays the role of a Sergeant, and Washington won his first Oscar after this movie for Best Supporting Actor. This is indeed one of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time.

Read more: Best Brad Pitt Movies of All Time

Driving Miss Daisy 1989

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Drama/Comedy
  • Director: Bruce Beresford
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Alfred Uhry, Dan Aykroyd
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 82%, IMDb 7.3

Many believe that Morgan Freeman had his breakout role when he featured in Driving Miss Daisy in 1989. He played the chauffeur to Jessica Tandy, playing the role of Miss Daisy, which put him on the star map. Their relationship endures a bumpy road over the years while they create a nice bond, becoming best friends. Moreover, the movie won four Oscars and got five more nominations. Morgan Freeman was nominated for Best Actor, but he did not win. However, he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for portraying Hoke Colburn masterfully. Driving Miss Daisy is one of the best Morgan Freeman movies of all time.

Lean on Me 1989

Best Morgan Freeman Movies of All Time
Source: IMDb.com
  • Genre: Drama/Action
  • Director: John G. Avildsen
  • Stars: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume, Karen Malina White, Jermaine Hopkins
  • Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 67%, IMDb 7.4

The drama movie of Lean on Me is based on true events, where Morgan Freeman played the role of former Eastside High School principal Joe Clark. The principal was known for his unconventional and controversial disciplinary measures. He is appointed at a high school in New Jersey that is close to be sold to the state government. He does his best to change everything and discipline the kids to encourage them to behave better and get better grades. Freeman shows a strong personality that fits well with the character that is not scared to stand up for himself. Because of his outstanding performance, he got an Image Award for Best Actor.

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