Over the last 20 years, Bradley Cooper has established himself as one of the most well-known and successful actors of all time and skyrocketed to stardom. He had his movie debut in Wet Hot American Summer in 2001, but he has since appeared in many great movies. Therefore, TechTrends decided to make a list of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time.
Bradley Cooper has become one of the most acclaimed actors, filmmakers, and producers in the movie industry over the last two decades. Cooper started his career in acting when he played in the 2001’s We Hot American Summer and then broke out in “Wedding Crashers” and TV hits such as “Alias”. He has been offering many memorable performances and is one of the most talented and consistent actors ever. Moreover, he has featured in comedies, blockbusters, and thrillers. He is always taking up new challenges and showcasing endless different emotions and experiences. Moreover, he always brings something new to the table. With his wide range of audiences, he is able to try new things with the roles he is given. So, without further ado, let’s get to the list of the best must-see Bradley Cooper performances.
Best Bradley Cooper Movies of All Time
Emerging as one of the defining actors of his time, Bradley Cooper has proven many times that he is capable of pulling off any type of project. Moreover, he even tried directing when he played the lead character in the movie. Let’s have a look at the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time. Note that the list is in reverse-chronological order.
Nightmare Alley 2021
- Genre: Thriller/Drama
- Director: Guillermo del Toro
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, Paul Anderson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 80%, IMDb 7
Bradley Cooper worked with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro for the first time in the movie Nightmare Alley, where he is as dark and conflicted as he has ever been. He plays the role of a con man with a corrupted soul that is beyond reclamation. Moreover, he manipulates everyone around him quite effortlessly. In addition, he has great chemistry with Cate Blanchett, which only adds to his impact. The movie is an adaptation of the 1947 film with the same name. Cooper is a co-producer on the movie and makes this one of Bradley Cooper’s greatest movie roles. Make sure to add it to your watchlist as we strongly recommend it.
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Licorice Pizza 2021
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Skyler Gisondo, Danielle Haim, George DiCaprio
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 91%, IMDb 7.3
Bradley cooper does not arrive in Licorice Pizza, the coming-of-age movie, until late in the proceeding; however, when he does, the 2021 film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson becomes a showcase of his astonishing energy. He performs as famed producer and hairstylist Jon Peters. However, he only gets about seven minutes of screen time. Notwithstanding that, he steals the movie, with many insisting that his performance was worthy of a nomination. Therefore, this has also made it to our list of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time.
A Star Is Born 2018
- Genre: Romance/Musical
- Director: Bradley Cooper
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott, Anthony Ramos
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.6
A Star Is Born is yet another one of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time. Cooper had his directorial debut in A Star Is Born. This incredible movie looks at important issues like substance abuse, suicide, and what fame does to a person in some cases. Musician Jackson Maine, played by Cooper, discovers Ally, Lady Gaga, who is a struggling artist and has given up on her dreams, and then he falls in love with her. However, with Ally’s career thriving, their relationship begins to break down since Jackson is dealing with his own internal demons. A key theme of the movie is how addiction can ruin the lives of the victims as well as their loved ones.
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Joy 2015
- Genre: Drama/Comedy
- Director: David O. Russell
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Isabella Rossellini
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 60%, IMDb 6.6
Although his role in the movie Joy was small, Bradley Cooper made an amazing impression. He plays alongside his Silver Linings co-star Jennifer Lawrence, who is able to bring humor to the character since she can literally make pretty much anything work. Cooper performs as Neil, who is a GVC executive keen on taking the chance on the housewife with no-camera experience. She later becomes a TV sensation. Although the writing is not remarkable, and the pace is also not impressive, the two actors are able to save the movie with their incredible talents. Therefore, Joy is among the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time.
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American Sniper 2014
- Genre: War/Drama
- Director: Clint Eastwood
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 72%, IMDb 7.3
Clint Eastwood directed American Sniper, which is a war experience of marksman Chris Kyle, played by Bradley Cooper. He was a sniper in the Iraq War, and because of that, there was a big toll on his family and personal life. Cooper’s character is a Navy SEAL who is proud of his shooting prowess. However, the movie also focuses on the family life he had to leave behind. Cooper delivers a heart-wrenching performance of this complex character that deserves a lot of adoration and respect. For this movie, Cooper got his third and fourth nominations for the Academy Awards (Best Actor and Best Picture). Therefore, it is included on our list of the best Bradley Cooper movies ever.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2014
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Director: James Gunn
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, James Gunn, Zoe Saldaña, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 8
Cooper’s voice on the iconic Rocket Racoon in the MCU movie Guardians of the galaxy is one of the most memorable things about the film. He is able to bring a new level of comedy and entertainment through the lines of Rocket. This movie is not only one of the most well-known and beloved superhero films ever, but it also paved the way for a new style of blockbuster that is gaining more acceptance over time. Therefore, this one has also made it to our list of the best Bradley Cooper films ever.
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American Hustle 2013
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- Director: David O. Russell
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7.2
American Hustle is also one of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time, where he plays the role of Richie DiMaso. He features as an FBI agent undercover who was able to turn a pair of grifters, played by Christian Bale and Amy Adams. Jennifer Lawrence also performed in the movie and brought a comedic sensibility to the genre of crime thriller. Cooper won his first Screen Actor Film Award for his role as Richie. Moreover, he got his second Oscar nod as well as his second Golden Globe nomination.
Silver Linings Playbook 2012
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Director: David O. Russell
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7.7
Although many believe Silver Linings Playbook is Cooper’s best movie, others think it is his best performance ever. He plays the role of Pat Solitano, Jr., who was released from a psychiatric hospital where he was dealing with his bipolar disorder. The talented actor was able to blend this complicated character with what was a romantic comedy. For his role as Pat, Cooper received his first Oscar nomination, his first Golden Globe nod, as well as his first Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. Jennifer Lawrence portrays the role of Tiffany, who is a young widow trying to help Cooper’s Pat get his life together following his stay at a psychiatric hospital. The two try to get their lives back on track and participate in a dance competition. Despite Pat being the main character, Lawrence was able to steal some scenes for herself with her charm.
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The Place Beyond the Pines 2012
- Genre: Drama/Thriller
- Director: Derek Cianfrance
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Emory Cohen, Ray Liotta
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 78%, IMDb 7.3
When Bradley Cooper teamed up with director Derek Cianfrance as well as amazing actors Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, and Emory Cohen, he showcased his purity as a performer, not scared of facing the demon we all have inside of us. He plays the role of an ambitious cop named Avery Cross and comes across a suspected bank robber called Luke Glanton, portrayed by Gosling. As a police officer, Cross is determined to confront the corruption that is happening in his department. Their confrontation results in tragedy getting taken up a generation later, with their sons threatening to take up those two’s clash. Although the character Cooper portrayed was not the best in the script, the talented actor proved that he knew exactly what to do to make it compelling. The Places Beyond the Pines is one of the best Bradley Cooper films of all time.
Limitless 2011
- Genre: Thriller/Action
- Director: Neil Burger
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 69%, IMDb 7.4
Having his first true lead role in Limitless, Bradley Cooper did not allow it to go to waste as he performed incredibly. Despite critics having a divisive opinion of the movie, the hit was so big that it propelled Cooper through the next ten years of his career. He portrayed the role of Eddie Morra, who was a regular guy taking a pill which allowed him to have access to the parts of his brain that are not typically used. Although the premise is silly, Cooper performed the character’s rise and fall with gusto. With his power, he decides to work in the stock market, making his lifestyle and wealth better. However, he soon realizes that you have to be careful what you wish for. Limitless is one of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time.
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The Hangover 2009
- Genre: Comedy
- Director: Todd Phillips
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 79%, IMDb 7.7
One of the funniest and best Bradley Cooper movies of all time is The Hangover. The plot of the movie is about a group of friends who drive to Las Vegas two days before one of them gets married to make wild memories. However, when they wake up the day after, they don’t remember a thing. Moreover, they can’t find the groom to be. They have little time to find him, so they start to re-trace their steps and find the groom to bring him to the wedding on time. This raunchy and extremely engaging comedy is cast perfectly, which has contributed to its popularity. Bradley Cooper’s success in this movie changed his career forever as he turned out to be a full-fledged movie star. He performed as Phil Wenneck, who is The Wolfpack’s leader. The movie reached a level of success that was not seen since the 80s.
Wedding Crashers 2005
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- Director: David Dobkin
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Isla Fisher, Rachel McAdams, Christopher Walken
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 75%, IMDb 7
Bradley Cooper had his breakthrough part as hothead Sack Lodge in David Dobkin’s comedy. John and Jeremy, played by Wilson and Vaughn, respectively, show up at strangers’ weddings uninvited to pick up beautiful women. John is interested in a maid-of-honor named Claire, portrayed by Rachel McAdams; however, her boyfriend, Cooper, does everything he can to keep him away from his girl. Cooper performs the character with an odious air that makes you want to punch him, which is how he did his job perfectly. Wedding Crashers is yet another of the best Bradley Cooper movies of all time.