Russell Crowe’s versatility is unique among actors in the movie industry. Although the Australian started his career as leading roles, he has decided to step into supporting roles in the later stages of his career. TechTrends put together a list of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
It was not an easy task to narrow down the best must-see Russell Crowe movies of all time as his filmography is quite impressive. Not only has he starred in two best picture winners, but he has also received a best actor trophy. In addition, he has played in historical dramas, romantic comedies, gritty crime thrillers, and inspirational sports films. He established an amazing career in the late 90s and early 2000s, becoming one of the greatest stars in Hollywood. In addition, he has delivered memorable and unforgettable performances in the last three decades. With all these in mind, here are the greatest Russell Crowe movies ever, ranked according to their ratings in IMDb. However, we also included their Rotten Tomatoes rating for you to see. Let’s jump into the list without further ado.
Best Russell Crowe Movies of All Time
Russell Crowe, the Academy Award-winner, is one of the best actors of his generation. He has been nominated for three Oscar awards for three years in a row, including 1999’s “The Insider,” 2000’s “Gladiator” (win) and 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind”. Here are the best Russell Crowe movies ever.
12. Body of Lies 2008
- Genre: Thriller/Action
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Golshifteh Farahani, Mark Strong
- Rating: IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 55%
Crowe portrays the role of CIA chief named Ed Hoffman. He helps officer Roger Ferris, played by Leonardo DiCaprio who is on the verge of starting a dangerous mission. He has to go into a terrorist sect in Jordan, infiltrating them. Crowe’s character is mostly on the sidelines, controlling the mission from a base while DiCaprio is in action. Crowe was able to add some portion of comedy to the film as he is concentrated on detailed data, taking for granted the risks Ferris comes across. Their relationship is very well developed, notwithstanding the fact that they do not share the screen that much. We highly recommend this as one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
Read more: Best Leonardo DiCaprio Movies of All Time
11. State of Play 2009
- Genre: Thriller/Drama
- Director: Kevin Macdonald
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Jason Bateman
- Rating: IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 84%
The movie is brought alive by co-stars Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe, with the latter not having any qualms with stepping into the shoes of incredible and iconic characters. He portrayed journalist Cal McCaffrey pretty well in the adaptation of the series State of Play. As for his co-star, the movie State of Play came out in a transitional period in the career of Ben Affleck when he had to struggle with negative media attention. While having the ambition to become something great, he was not taken seriously. The character he plays in the movie, Congressman Stephan Collins has the same struggles. He investigates into private military contractor PointCorp. Do not miss this wonderful film as it is among the best Russell Crowe films ever.
Read more: Ben Affleck Movies of All Time
10. The Nice Guys 2016
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Director: Shane Black
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Angourie Rice, Margaret Qualley
- Rating: IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 91%
Notwithstanding the fact that Russell Crowe is not known for his comedic roles, his performance in The Nice Guys, directed by Shane Black was amazing. He portrayed the role of a straight man, with Ryan Gosling performing as a private detective. His character is named Jackson Healy, who is tasked with keeping Gosling’s Holland March from trying to find a missing woman. However, things change and former rivals have to work together in order to find answers. The two actor’s chemistry is entertaining to watch, making this one of the best Russell Crowe movies ever.
9. Master and Commander: Far Side of the World 2003
- Genre: War/Adventure
- Director: Peter Weir
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Max Pirkis, Billy Boyd
- Rating: IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 85%
In the movie Master and Commander: Far Side of the World, Russell Crowe went back to hero mode. The movie was directed by Peter Weir and it is based on the adventure of Royal Navy Captain Jack Aubrey, portrayed by Russell Crow. It is also about the battles he went to during the Napoleonic Wars. His ship is tasked with firing on the powerhouse French privateer Acheron and he, with the help of his friend, who is a physician and a spy, finds out that he has to go to the fight of his life. This is yet another one of the best Russell Crowe films that earned him his fourth Golden Globe Award nomination.
8. Les Misérables 2012
- Genre: Drama/Musical
- Director: Tom Hooper
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried
- Rating: IMDb 7.5, Rotten Tomatoes 69%
Another one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time is Les Miserables. Despite being singled out by a couple of critics for his live singing, his performance as Inspector Javert was powerfully impressive. He played the role of a police detective who is obsessed with capturing convict Jean Valjean, who has escaped. His obsession then turns into madness if you look at it objectively; however, Russell Crowe was able to portray his character as a determined man who wants justice. Don’t miss this wonderful film.
Read more: Best Musical Movies of All Time
7. 3:10 to Yuma 2007
- Genre: Drama/Western
- Director: James Mangold
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Logan Lerman, Dallas Roberts
- Rating: IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 89%
James Mangold remade the 1957 3:10 to Yuma, with Russell Crowe having a six-gun once again. This is among the rare remakes that was better than the original, according to movie critics. Crowe portrays the role of outlaw Ben Wade. He is captured and guilty of murdering someone during a stagecoach robbery. Rancher Dan Evans agrees to get Wade to a town nearby to sent him to Yuma Territorial Prison by the 3:10 train. The film is quite entertaining and made it to the list of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
Read more: Best Christian Bale Movies of All Time
6. American Gangster 2007
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Lymari Nadal, Carla Gugino
- Rating: IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 81%
Ridley Scott directed this gangster epic, in which Russell Crowe plays the role of a NYPD cop named Richie Roberts. He is criticized and banished by his colleagues for handing over a million dollars that he found in a gangster’s car. In addition, he is tasked with an unenviable job and has to track down suave drug smuggler Frank Lucas, portrayed by Denzel Washington. The two start a deadly game of cat and mouse. Crowe received his ninth Screen Actor Guild Award nomination for his role in this movie. This is yet another one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
5. The Insider 1999
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Michael Mann
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora
- Rating: IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 96%
The Insider is a movie based on real events, and it stars Russell Crowe, performing the role of Jeffrey Wigand, who is an ex-executive at the Brown & Williamson tobacco company. He attracts the attention of Lowell Bergman, the 60 Minutes producer, who suspects that Wigand knows more than he is showing about the tobacco industry. They soon realize that they should team up as CBS and Brown & Williamson. Performing the role of Wigand, Crowe got his first Academy Award nomination, as well as his first Golden Globe Award and his second Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. This is indeed one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
4. Cinderella Man 2005
- Genre: Drama/Sport
- Director: Ron Howard
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Paddy Considine, Craig Bierko
- Rating: IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 80%
Russell Crowe worked with the director of A Beautiful Mind, Ron Howard, once again in the movie Cinderella Man. It is about a boxer named James J. Braddock, who is an inspiration for a nation following his rags-to-riches story of an underdog boxer who won his way into the top. He also used his winning to pay back to the government for the money he received in unemployment benefits. Crowe was able to combine his physicality with his sensitive character work and performed masterfully well. For his role as Braddock, he got nominated for a Golden Globe award. This is indeed one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time.
3. A Beautiful Mind 2001
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Director: Ron Howard
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Ed Harris
- Rating: IMDb 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes 74%
One of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time is A Beautiful Mind, which won an Oscar for Best Picture. His performance of the character Nash was one of his finest ones as it revealed the depth of the famed mathematician’s paranoid schizophrenia as well as the delusional episodes that come from them. For this role, Crowe won his first Golden Globe Award as well as his first Screen Actors Guild Award. He also got an Academy Award nomination. This movie is about the life of John Forbes Nash Jr. and it is a little based on the biography A Beautiful Mind written by Sylvia Nasar. Do not miss this wonderful film that shows Nash’s painful journey of discovering himself.
Read more: Best Romance Movies of All Time
2. L.A. Confidential 1997
- Genre: Crime
- Director: Curtis Hanson
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger
- Rating: IMDb 8.2, Rotten Tomatoes 99%
Playing the role of a LAPD officer named Bud White, Russell Crowe got into the award radar of Hollywood. He portrays the role of a tough cop who easily uses his violence, especially when he sees a man that beats women. White does not like cop Ed Exley, portrayed by Guy Pearce, who is volunteering to testify against fellow cops. One of those cops is White’s partner. The two finally go head-to-head with one another. Crowe showcased one of his finest performances and got his first Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
Read more: Best Crime Movies of All Time
1. Gladiator 2000
- Genre: Adventure/Action/History
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Stars: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
- Rating: IMDb 8.5, Rotten Tomatoes 79%
Gladiator is yet another one of the best Russell Crowe movies of all time that is directed by Ridley Scott. The story revolves around Russell Crowe’s Roman General Maximus. He gets betrayed by the emperor’s son, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix. Therefore, he becomes a gladiator in order to fight through the ranks and get revenge for his family’s murders. This movie is slightly based on real events that happened within the Roman Empire in the 2nd century. The action-packed movie has many epic fights. It is filled with family loyalty, perseverance, dedication and love. we highly recommend this wonderful historical movie.
Read more: Best Joaquin Phoenix Movies of All Time