Mark Ruffalo has established himself as one of the greatest actors and he is a household name now. His filmography is quite diverse that earned him nominations for at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award over his career. TechTrends decided to celebrate his career by putting together a list of the best Mark Ruffalo Movies of All Time.
Mostly known for his role as Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and he is currently playing in the company’s latest project She-Hulk, which sees his character, Bruce Banner, coming back after saving the universe in Avengers: Endgame. During the past decade, Ruffalo has been busy with the MCU; however, there are a number of incredible movies before Hulk that made him quite recognizable. He also played in great indie films during his career. He has three Oscar nominations to his name for his performances in The Kids Are All Right, Foxcatcher, and Spotlight.
Moreover, he got nominated for two Golden Globes and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Here are the best must-see Mark Ruffalo performances, ranked based on their rating on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb. Here we go.
Best Mark Ruffalo Movies of All Time
These days, Mark Ruffalo’s fame is largely courtesy of his part as Hulk, also known as Dr. Bruce Banner, in the Marvel Universe. In addition, he has appeared in a lot of hit movies, as well as indie films. Let’s tour a list of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time. Without further ado, let’s get to it.
12. Now You See Me 2013
- Genre: Thriller/Crime
- Director: Louis Leterrier
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Morgan Freeman, Dave Franco
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 51%, IMDb 7.2
One of the best Mark Ruffalo films of all time is Now You See Me, which revolves around an F.B.I Agent who is looking for a team of illusionists. The magical group can pull off big bank heists in their shows and give the money to the audience. Ruffalo appeared alongside a mind-blowing cast, with Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Morgan Freeman, and Michael Caine also shining in this crime thriller. The Four Horsemen are really skilled tacticians and magicians that are several steps ahead of the audience in tricking them.
Read more: Best Jesse Eisenberg Movies of All Time
11. Shutter Island 2010
- Genre: Thriller/Mystery
- Director: Martin Scorsese
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 68%, IMDb 8.2
Shutter Island is another amazing movie in which Mark Ruffalo collaborated with Martin Scorsese. This is one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time. His character in the movie was layered and complex, with different aspects of his role making it a lot more appealing. Ruffalo was able to showcase all that complexity perfectly. Moreover, it is considered one of the best performances of Ruffalo’s career. Leonardo DiCaprio performs as a US Marshal, Teddy Daniels, investigating a murderer’s disappearance. The woman escaped the criminally insane hospital. While he goes deeper into his operation in the asylum, he realizes he is losing his grasp on reality. There are a lot of disturbing imagery and lingering dread in the movie, but Scorsese was incredible.
Read more: Best Leonardo DiCaprio Movies of All Time
10. Margaret 2011
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Kenneth Lonergan
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Anna Paquin, Kenneth Lonergan, Matt Damon
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 75%, IMDb 6.5
Margaret revolves around the themes of justice, accountability and destiny as it tells the tale of a woman’s quest to bring down a bus driver who was behind a terrible accident. The movie is pretty thought-provoking and Anna Paquin’s performance as the lead character was incredible. Mark Ruffalo plays the role of the bus drive and he was able to show conflicting emotions. His professional restraint and control let the movie focus on the ambiguity of justice and the fault concept, making it stand out among other dramas. This is indeed one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time.
Read more: Best Matt Damon Movies of All Time
9. Begin Again 2013
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: John Carney
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Keira Knightley, Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, James Corden
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7.4
Another one of the best Mark Ruffalo films ever is Begin Again, where she is given a chance to be among an impressive cast. He was alongside James Corden, Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, and Adam LeVine. The movie revolves around a singer, played by Knightley, and a music exec, featured by Ruffalo. The duo meet and decide to collaborate. Hailee Steinfeld plays the role of Ruffalo’s daughter in the film. Knightley’s character takes her under her wings. The indie film became a hit and got an Academy Award nomination.
Read more: Best Hailee Steinfeld Movies of All Time
8. Avengers: Infinity War 2018
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8.4
The Avengers’ struggles with Thanos begin in Avengers: Infinity War. Tony Stark, Dr. Strange, Sider-Man, and some of the Guardians began fighting the Mad Titan in his homeworld. In this movie, Iron Man presented his sleeker, and stronger nanotech suit for the first time. Downey performed amazingly in this movie and that is why Avengers: Infinity War is among the best Robert Downey Jr. movies of all time.
With the help of Peter Parker, Iron Man was able to defeat one of the stronger pawns of Thanos, who kidnapped Dr. Strange. Thanos is believed to be the Avengers’ most powerful enemy yet, who is on the mission to get all six Infinity Stones. He wants to use it to realize his twisted wish. Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk comes in the first scene of the movie and has a great role in making the audience know what they are all struggling with.
Read more: Best Robert Downey Jr. Movies of All Time
7. Foxcatcher 2014
- Genre: Drama/Sport
- Director: Bennett Miller
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, Steve Carell, Sienna Miller
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 87%, IMDb 7
Bennet Miller directed this biographical sports movie named Foxcatcher, in which Steve Carrell plays the role of John du Pont. In 1988, he recruited Mark and Dave Schultz, portrayed by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo, who were gold medalists to make a wrestling team that would compete in the Olympic. The film is quite intense and the lead roles of the movie received a lot of critical acclaims for their portrayals of the characters, especially Carrell. The movie got five Oscar nominations. Foxcatcher is known as one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time.
Read more: Best Channing Tatum Movies of All Time
6. Zodiac 2007
- Genre: Mystery
- Director: David Fincher
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Jake Gyllenhaal, Chloë Sevigny, John Carroll Lynch, Brian Cox, Dermot Mulroney
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 89%, IMDb 7.7
One of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time is Zodiac, directed by David Fincher. The movie tells the story of fear pervading San Francisco in the 1960s and early 1970s when a serial killer named Zodiac was terrorizing the people in the city. Investigators and journalists became dedicated to find out who this murderer is and bring him to punishment. While they are doing that, Zodiac keeps taking victims, tormenting police with messages and clothes soaked with blood as well as newspaper ciphers.
Robert Downey Jr. plays the role of Paul Avery, who is a real-life journalist of the same name. When he gets a letter that threatens his life, he becomes paranoid and starts taking drugs and alcohol to an addiction level. Moreover, other MCU star actors like Mark Ruffalo, Hulk, and Jake Gyllenhaal, Mysterio, also feature in the movie. Mark Ruffalo plays the role of Melvin Belli, the lawyer. His role had a crucial part in the SFPD investigation. Therefore, it is a rare treat for the fans who really want to watch these actors together but not in an MCU movie.
Read more: Best Johnny Depp Movies of All Time
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 2004
- Genre: Romance/Sci-fi
- Director: Michel Gondry
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Kate Winslet, Jim Carrey, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 8.3
Although Mark Ruffalo has a supporting role in this movie, he was able to perform remarkably. However, the main characters of the movie are played by Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has a very heart-wrenching story revolving around a couple’s fallout, facing dire consequences for their choices. Kate Winslet plays the role of Clementine, who is a beautiful woman, but she gets her memories erased following a tragic breakup. Then, she finds out that Joel, featured by Jim Carrey, her partner, also does that. It is only then that he realizes his love for her. However, it is too late to go back now.
Read more: Best Sci-fi Movies of 2022
4. The Normal Heart 2014
- Genre: Drama/Television
- Director: Ryan Murphy
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Julia Roberts, Taylor Kitsch
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.9
Although the movie The Normal Heart is not well-known, it is considered one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time as it is pretty moving and emotional. It tells the story of a homosexual activists group in New York back in the 1980s. They try to bring it to other people’s attentions and spread the truth regarding the HIV-AIDs problem. Mark Ruffalo’s performance in the movie was very strong as he masterfully captured the frustration and anger that comes with a sensitive topic. He was able to perform the role with the perfect amount of compassion.
3. Avengers: Endgame 2019
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Brie Larson, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8.4
Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, has a crucial role in the Endgame as he helps bring many of the characters back with the snap of his finger. The movie Avengers: Endgame starts with Iron Man in space for three weeks after Thanos’ Snap wiped out half the universe’s population. However, they get saved by Captain Marvel later in the movie. The rest of the Avengers, on the other hand, have to find out a way to bring their lost ones back. In the beginning, Tony Stark was not willing to do anything. However, when he remembered Peter Parker, he decided to help them bring everyone back. They then find a way to go back in time, and he even meets his father before the time he was even born.
As fans kind of expected, the final film ended with Tony Stark’s heroic death, making it way more special to them. Avengers: Endgame was without a doubt one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time.
2. You Can Count on Me 2000
- Genre: Drama/Indie Film
- Director: Kenneth Lonergan
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Laura Linney, Kenneth Lonergan, Matthew Broderick, Rory Culkin
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.5
You Can Count on Me is a quite touching and vulnerable movie from Mark Ruffalo, directed by Kenneth Lonergan. The film follows the story of a single mother, whose life turns upside down when his brother comes back to her life. While the story is quite simple, the brilliant performance bring it to life. Ruffalo and Laura Linney’s relationship in the movie appears so authentic and makes this one of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time, that we strongly recommend.
1. Spotlight 2015
- Genre: Drama/Indie Film
- Director: Tom McCarthy
- Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Stanley Tucci
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 97%, IMDb 8.1
The first one on our list of the best Mark Ruffalo movies of all time is Spotlight, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2016. The message of the film is quite interesting and it revolves around the Boston Globe’s investigation into the Catholic Church, which focused on some dangerous secrets that was about sexual misconduct. Mark Ruffalo was exceptional as always when bringing his character to life. He is able to get the audience to be on his side through this story.