The 40+ Best Don Cheadle Movies

Ranker Film
Updated April 27, 2024 37.0K views 48 items
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Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Don Cheadle movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

More than 250 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best Don Cheadle films. With a long and varied career in both television and film, Don Cheadle has become one of Hollywood's most respected and beloved actors. From his early days in popular films like Boogie Nights to his critically acclaimed performances in Hotel Rwanda and Crash, it's no wonder why he is so highly regarded.

Don Cheadle has played an impressive range of characters over the years, from comic book villains to heroic fighters for justice. He gravitates towards roles that are layered, complex, and often morally ambiguous. His nuanced portrayals never fail to leave an impression on viewers - which might explain why these movies consistently rank among some of the best films ever made.

Some of Don Cheadle's top-rated films include Ocean's Eleven, Iron Man 2 (as War Machine), Talk To Me (as Ralph Waldo Greene), Out Of Sight (as Maurice 'Snoopy' Miller) as well as Miles Ahead (which he also directed). No matter what genre you love or how much time you've got to spend watching movies – there’s something here for everybody. So take a look at this list compiled by fellow fans of Don Chaedle’s work – vote up your favorite titles.

Most divisive: After the Sunset
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 40+ Best Don Cheadle Movies
  • Hotel Rwanda
    1
    Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix
    58 votes
    In Hotel Rwanda, Paul Rusesabagina (Don Cheadle), a hotel manager, finds himself in the midst of the Rwandan genocide. As chaos engulfs the nation, he transforms his luxurious Hotel des Mille Collines into a refuge. With Tutsis being hunted and killed by the Hutu militia, Rusesabagina uses his wit and courage to save over a thousand refugees, including his own family. Sophie Okonedo plays Tatiana, Paul's supportive wife. This gripping historical drama, directed by Terry George, is based on true events and earned three Academy Award nominations.
  • Ocean's Eleven
    2
    George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia
    41 votes
    Ocean's Eleven, a stylish heist film, revolves around the suave mastermind Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his handpicked crew of specialists. The team, including the likes of Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) and Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), embarks on an audacious mission. They aim to simultaneously rob three Las Vegas casinos - Bellagio, Mirage and MGM Grand - all owned by ruthless tycoon Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). Director Steven Soderbergh expertly weaves this intricate plot with wit and slick dialogue, earning the film five nominations at the 2002 BAFTA Awards. With its blend of crime, comedy, and suspense, Ocean's Eleven is a cinematic rollercoaster ride in the world of high-stakes thievery.
  • Boogie Nights
    3
    Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore
    29 votes
    In the vivid, pulsating world of 1970s California pornography, Boogie Nights tells the tale of Eddie Adams (Mark Wahlberg). A young man with big dreams and an even bigger talent, Eddie is discovered by industry veteran Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds), who christens him 'Dirk Diggler'. As Dirk, Eddie ascends stardom's dizzying heights but soon learns that fame comes at a steep price. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this drama delves into the dark underbelly of the golden age of adult entertainment. The film earned three Oscar nominations, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Reynolds.
  • Iron Man 3
    4
    Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
    33 votes
    Iron Man 3, an action-packed superhero film, follows the journey of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) as he grapples with his past and future. Post-Avengers, he faces a formidable foe in the form of terrorist Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), while battling his own inner demons. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) return, lending support to Stark's plight. Directed by Shane Black, this third installment won the Saturn Award for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture. It offers a thrilling blend of stark realities and high-tech fantasy, pushing Iron Man to new limits.
  • Traffic
    5
    Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro
    37 votes
    Traffic, a complex and gripping drama, weaves together three intertwined stories of the international drug trade. In Washington, D.C., Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas), a conservative judge, is appointed to spearhead the war against drugs only to discover his daughter is an addict. In San Diego, undercover DEA agents, Montel Gordon (Don Cheadle) and Ray Castro (Luis Guzman), face moral dilemmas as their job infiltrates their personal lives. Lastly, in Mexico, Javier Rodriguez (Benicio Del Toro), a state cop struggles with corruption all around him. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this Oscar-winning film intricately explores the far-reaching effects of the narcotics industry.
  • Traitor
    6
    Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Said Taghmaoui
    36 votes
    When straight-arrow agent Roy Clayton (Guy Pearce) assumes command of a special FBI task force, he becomes entangled in a web of covert operations. All the clues in Clayton's investigation point to Samir Horn (Don Cheadle), a former Special Ops soldier who now aids terrorists. But as Clayton digs deeper and contradictory evidence begins to emerge, he begins to question Horn's motives.
  • Iron Man 2
    7
    Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
    39 votes
    In Iron Man 2, an action-packed sequel, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) grapples with the pressures of being a superhero. He is pursued by the U.S government for his Iron Man technology and faces a formidable new adversary - Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), who has a personal vendetta against him. Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) lend their support as Stark's world unravels. Directed by Jon Favreau, this Marvel production offers thrilling sequences and explores Stark's struggle to balance his public persona with his private vulnerabilities. The film won a Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2011.
  • Ocean's Thirteen
    8
    George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon
    32 votes
    In Ocean's Thirteen, the stakes are higher than ever. Reformed criminal mastermind Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is back, and this time, he's out for revenge. When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of their own, Ocean and his crew hatch a plan to take him down. Set against the glitzy backdrop of Las Vegas, this thrilling caper features an all-star cast that includes Brad Pitt as Rusty Ryan and Matt Damon as Linus Caldwell. With its blend of high-stakes heists and slick humor, Ocean's Thirteen is a stylish addition to the classic heist genre.
  • Ocean's Twelve
    9
    George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon
    32 votes
    In Ocean's Twelve, Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his band of thieves are back, each member played by a Hollywood A-lister. Rusty (Brad Pitt), Linus (Matt Damon), and the rest of their crew find themselves indebted to Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), the man they robbed in their first outing. To repay him, they must pull off a series of daring heists across Europe. This sequel is an intricate caper film that weaves together multiple plots and exotic locations, all under the direction of Steven Soderbergh. It's a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, filled with twists and turns that keep the audience guessing until the very end.
  • Crash
    10
    Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon
    49 votes
    Crash, a potent drama directed by Paul Haggis, weaves together the lives of a diverse set of characters in Los Angeles. Racial tension is at the heart of this narrative, with each character - from the district attorney Rick (Brendan Fraser) and his prejudiced wife Jean (Sandra Bullock), to the hardworking locksmith Daniel (Michael Peña) - grappling with their own prejudices and stereotypes. A pivotal car accident links these disparate lives together, setting off a chain reaction of events that challenge their perspectives on race and humanity. This film won the 2006 Academy Award for Best Picture.
  • Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault
    11
    Kevin Garnett, James Earl Jones, Don Cheadle
    13 votes
    Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault is a 1996 HBO television film about Earl Manigault, an American street basketball legendary player famous under his nickname of "The Goat." The film written by Alan Swyer and Larry Golin and directed by Eriq La Salle stars Don Cheadle in the title role of Manigault. Former professional basketball player Nigel Miguel provided basketball training to the cast, and worked with La Salle to coordinate and stage the basketball scenes.
  • Flight
    12
    Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly
    16 votes
    Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he's managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober -- but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.
  • Reign Over Me
    13
    Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith
    19 votes
    Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler), who lost his family in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, still grieves over their deaths. He runs into his former college roommate, Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), and the two rekindle their friendship. Alan himself is feeling the strain of family and professional responsibilities, and his renewed bond with Charlie gives both men the strength to carry on during a turning point in their lives.
  • Brooklyn's Finest
    14

    Brooklyn's Finest

    Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke
    22 votes
    A massive drug operation changes the lives of three conflicted New York cops. Burned-out vet Eddie Dugan (Richard Gere) is close to retirement; narcotics cop Sal Procida (Ethan Hawke) faces the difficult task of caring for his large family on his ordinary salary; undercover officer Clarence "Tango" Butler (Don Cheadle) finds his loyalties beginning to shift toward a powerful drug dealer. Over seven chaotic days, the three men are drawn toward a fateful crime and destiny.
  • Talk to Me
    15
    Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taraji P. Henson
    29 votes
    Outspoken ex-convict Ralph "Petey" Greene (Don Cheadle) talks his way onto the air at a white-owned radio station in 1960s Washington, D.C. Fueled by the new music and social upheaval of the times, he courts controversy while becoming the voice of the black movement.
  • Hamburger Hill
    16
    Anthony Barrile, Michael Boatman, Don Cheadle
    17 votes
    Over the course of 10 days in May 1969, an infantry squad led by Lt. Frantz (Dylan McDermott) and composed of both seasoned troops and new recruits, attempts to take a hill during the Vietnam War. In between attacks, the squad members deal with the other psychological stresses of the war, including the effect on morale of the antiwar movement back home and flashes of racial hostility between white and African-American soldiers, all mediated by the cool-headed medic, Doc (Courtney B. Vance).
  • Swordfish
    17
    John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry
    24 votes
    There exists a world within our world. A world beneath what we call cyberspace. A world protected by firewalls, passwords and the most advanced security systems. In this world we hide our deepest secrets, our most incriminating information, and of course, a whole lot of money. This is the world of "Swordfish." The world's most dangerous spy is hired by the CIA to coerce a computer hacker recently released from prison to help steal $6 billion in unused government funds.
  • The Family Man
    18
    Nicolas Cage, Téa Leoni, Don Cheadle
    25 votes
    In The Family Man, Jack Campbell (Nicolas Cage), a single, wealthy Wall Street executive, confronts an alternate suburban reality. A glimpse into what life could have been, he wakes up married to his long-lost love, Kate (Téa Leoni), with two kids in tow. The genre blends romance and drama with a dash of comedy. Directed by Brett Ratner, the movie showcases how Jack navigates this unfamiliar world, grappling with domesticity and the demands of a middle-class lifestyle. Notably, it won the ASCAP Award for Top Box Office Films in 2001.
  • Rush Hour 2
    19
    Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone
    27 votes
    The sequel to the thrilling action-comedy, Rush Hour 2 revolves around two dynamic detectives - Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) and Detective James Carter (Chris Tucker). They unite again, this time embarking on an adventure in Hong Kong. The duo is caught up in a complex web of crime involving a Triad gang, counterfeit money, and an explosive conspiracy. Their journey is peppered with high-octane martial arts sequences, comedic banter, and a hint of romance with Secret Service agent Isabella Molina (Roselyn Sanchez). Despite its comedic undertones, Rush Hour 2 is also an action-packed ride that won the BMI Film Music Award in 2002.
  • Colors
    20
    Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso
    24 votes
    In this gritty police drama from director Dennis Hopper, street-wise cop Bob Hodges (Robert Duvall) and hotheaded rookie Danny McGavin (Sean Penn) grapple with their new partnership on the gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles. Although Danny finally lets Hodges show him the ropes, his adrenaline-fed brutality earns him a reputation with the very gangs they want to help. With a gang war ready to explode, Danny confronts his own racism even as he falls in love with Louisa (Maria Conchita Alonso).
  • Mission to Mars
    21
    Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle
    12 votes
    The first manned mission to Mars in 2020 ends in disaster when three of the crew are seemingly killed and the fourth, Luke Graham (Don Cheadle), is stranded with no way to contact Earth. Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), Woody Blake (Tim Robbins), Phil Ohlmyer (Jerry O'Connell) and Terri Fisher (Connie Nielsen) are sent on a rescue mission to rescue any survivors and find out what happened. The team uncovers startling evidence that Mars may not be a dead planet after all.
  • Devil in a Blue Dress
    22
    Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals
    25 votes
    In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Denzel Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city's black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.
  • No Sudden Move
    23
    Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour
    63 votes
    In 1954 Detroit, small-time criminals are hired to steal a document. When their heist goes horribly wrong, their search for who hired them -- and for what purpose - sends them wending through all echelons of the race-torn, rapidly changing city.
  • The Guard
    24
    Don Cheadle, Mark Strong, Brendan Gleeson
    15 votes
    The Guard is a 2011 comedy/thriller film written and directed by John Michael McDonagh. "Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a salty village cop in Ireland, has a subversive sense of humor, a caustic wit, and an uncanny knack for keeping people at arm’s length. When a straitlaced FBI agent chasing an international drug-smuggling ring hits town, Boyle has no intention of letting the arrival disrupt his routine of hookers and wisecracks. Initially, he relishes offending and ridiculing the agent, but a murder and a series of peculiar events draw the reluctant sergeant into the investigation. John Michael McDonagh’s crisply written debut feature transcends the rules of the buddy cop comedy, wryly offering genuine humor and thrills against an unexpectedly moving portrait of its protagonist. Brendan Gleeson’s beguiling portrayal of Boyle defies easy definition as hero or buffoon, hinting instead at the lonely, intelligent man behind the sharp retorts. The Guard is a clever, fresh character study, as well as a snappy joyride of an action comedy." Quoting the description from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival site.
  • Rosewood
    25
    Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle
    16 votes
    Rosewood, Florida, is a small, peaceful town with an almost entirely African-American population of middle-class homeowners, until New Year's Day 1923, when a lynch mob from a neighboring white community storms the town. Among the carnage, music teacher Sylvester (Don Cheadle) and mysterious stranger Mann (Ving Rhames) stand tall against the invaders, while white grocer John (Jon Voight) attempts to save the town's women and children. The film is based on a true story.
  • Bulworth
    26
    Warren Beatty, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle
    10 votes
    Jay Bulworth (Warren Beatty), a financially ruined senator, is now disillusioned with politics. The forlorn statesman orders a contract killing -- the target himself -- so his family will be able to collect a fortune from his insurance policy. Facing imminent death, a devil-may-care Bulworth speaks his mind in public, forsaking platitudes for honest but controversial observations. But when he falls in love with a hip young woman (Halle Berry), Bulworth urgently rethinks his impending murder.
  • Out of Sight
    27
    George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Ving Rhames
    14 votes
    In Out of Sight, Jack Foley (George Clooney), a charismatic career bank robber, escapes from jail and crosses paths with Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez), a tough federal marshal. Their encounter in the trunk of a getaway car sparks an unusual romance. However, as Foley plans his most audacious heist yet, their connection is tested. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this crime drama weaves together suspense, humor, and romance in an unexpected way. The film also features notable performances from Ving Rhames and Don Cheadle. A commercial success, it was nominated for two Academy Awards.
  • The Rat Pack
    28
    Don Cheadle, Ray Liotta, Joe Mantegna
    8 votes
    The Rat Pack is a 1998 HBO TV movie about the Rat Pack. The movie stars Ray Liotta as Frank Sinatra, Joe Mantegna as Dean Martin, Don Cheadle as Sammy Davis, Jr., and Angus Macfadyen as Peter Lawford. Despite his membership in the Pack, Joey Bishop is given minimal screen time, while John F. Kennedy, depicted as an on-and-off friend of Sinatra's, is given a more central role. Also featured in supporting roles are Zeljko Ivanek as Bobby Kennedy, Veronica Cartwright as Rocky Cooper, Deborah Kara Unger as Ava Gardner, Megan Dodds as May Britt, Dan O'Herlihy as Joe Kennedy, Robert Miranda as Sam Giancana, John Diehl as Joe DiMaggio and Barbara Niven as Marilyn Monroe. Don Cheadle won a Golden Globe for his performance as Sammy Davis, Jr. The Rat Pack won three Emmy awards and earned several more nominations, including acting ones for Cheadle and Mantegna.
  • A Lesson Before Dying
    29
    Don Cheadle, Cicely Tyson, Mekhi Phifer
    7 votes
    Grant Wiggins (Don Cheadle) is an African-American schoolteacher in the pre-Civil Rights Movement South who feels conflicted about his status as one of the only educated black men in his area. When Grant learns of Jefferson (Mekhi Phifer), a young black man falsely accused of killing a white shop owner, he reluctantly visits the condemned prisoner. Gradually, the two form a friendship, and Grant tries to remind Jefferson of his value as a human being.
  • Hotel for Dogs
    30
    Emma Roberts, Jake T. Austin, Lisa Kudrow
    14 votes
    After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) must quickly find a home for their dog, Friday. The resourceful pair find an abandoned hotel, and with the help of Bruce's mechanical skills, turn it into a pooch paradise for Friday and a number of strays. But when the inevitable barking makes neighbors suspicious, Andi and Bruce must find a way to hide their canine haven from prying eyes.