Paul Newman was one of Hollywood's great leading men of the mid-20th century, particularly famous for his anti-hero roles. He appeared in both blockbusters and critical darlings, earning nine Oscar nominations, one Best Actor win and one Honorary Oscar. Despite the rapidly changing and, at times, tumultuous cinematic landscape that he needed to continuously adapt to, there was never a significant lull in Newman's career, with the actor remaining a major Hollywood star well into his 80s.
Over fifty years, Newman worked with everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to the Coen Brothers. Several of his performances, as well as his method acting approach, were highly influential. Fans on IMDb have rated several of Newman's movies, with many achieving high marks. While these might not necessarily be Newman's all-time best movies, they are a reflection of what modern audiences like about his career. Whether because of their enduring influence, memorable characters, or significant plots, these movies are the best Paul Newman movies in the eyes of IMDb.
12 'Slap Shot' (1977)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
A brilliant mixture of sports spectacle and complete hilarity, Slap Shot thrives with its delightfully fun premise and a magnificent comedic turn from Paul Newman. It focuses on an ice hockey team, the Charlestown Chiefs, in a working town in New England. As the team struggles financially, player and coach Reggie Dunlop (Newman) decides to play three brothers whose brutal approach to the game enthralls fans. As the fanfare grows, so does the team's appetite for the contest, with Dunlop restructuring the side to play in a thuggish and violent manner to draw in big crowds.
It's an old-school sports comedy that wears its heart on its sleeve, exhibiting as much pluck and offbeat charm as its central hockey team. While there's absurdist satire in every ounce of its premise, Slap Shot excels as a rousing and immersive hit of sports fun that boasts a hardened and aggressive exterior but contains a gooey and warm-hearted core that is a treat to embrace. It is one of the funniest movies of the 1970s and stands as a terrific gem in Newman's illustrious career.
11 'The Young Philadelphians' (1959)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
A classical tale of ambition and greed and what those things do to a decent man's soul, The Young Philadelphians focuses on the journey of a young lawyer as he tries to rise up the social ranks of the world. As his mother frets about their family's social status following his father's death, Anthony Lawrence (Newman) works valiantly to ensure his future. However, the higher he climbs, the more he must sacrifice his morality as he begins resorting to unethical methods to get ahead.
Its efforts to evoke a sense of social awe and inspire contemplation concerning what it takes to thrive in modern society probably didn't reach the heights the film was aiming for. However, it still functions immaculately as a well-executed story with engaging plot beats and compelling characters. While it has aged, The Young Philadelphians' broad commentary on class and wealth remains appropriate, and Paul Newman's lead performance makes for an admirable outing from the Hollywood star.