The Best Jared Leto Movies

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Updated April 25, 2024 63.8K views 25 items
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Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Jared Leto  movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

Movie fans from all walks of life have come together to cast their vote and determine the best Jared Leto movies. With a career spanning over two decades, it's no surprise that this list is so varied and fascinating.

Leto has been able to captivate audiences with every role he plays; his commitment to embodying each character allows him to bring an intensity that few actors can muster. Whether it be in Requiem for a Dream or Suicide Squad, you always know you're going to get something special when Leto is involved

Not only are these films memorable due to Leto's performances, but they also resonate with many people throughout the years. From Oscar-winning dramas like Dallas Buyers Club to classic sci-fi epics like Blade Runner 2049, there truly is something for everyone on our list of the top ten Jared Leto movies. So if you're looking for inspiration, why not find out which movies made the cut? After all, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

  • Dallas Buyers Club
    1
    Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
    202 votes
    In the gripping drama Dallas Buyers Club, we follow the life of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), a hard-living Texan diagnosed with HIV. Struggling against the medical establishment, he establishes an operation to smuggle unapproved treatments into the US. Aiding him is Rayon (Jared Leto), a transgender woman also battling the disease. Their unconventional methods and dogged determination bring hope to those left in the margins. The film, which won Oscars for both McConaughey and Leto, presents a raw portrait of courage and resilience in the face of adversity.
  • Requiem for a Dream
    2
    Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly
    314 votes
    Requiem for a Dream, a harrowing dive into the depths of addiction, paints an unflinching picture of four lives ravaged by drug dependency. The movie stars Ellen Burstyn as Sara Goldfarb, a lonely widow obsessed with television fame, while Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly portray young lovers Harry Goldfarb and Marion Silver, whose dreams are derailed by heroin. Lastly, Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans), Harry's best friend, struggles to escape his past in their shared downward spiral. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, this intense drama weaves a tale of dreams shattered under the relentless weight of substance abuse.
  • Fight Club
    3
    Brad Pitt, Ed Norton, Helena Bonham Carter
    295 votes
    In the gritty urban drama Fight Club, Edward Norton (the unnamed protagonist) finds himself spiraling into the underbelly of his own psyche. Stuck in a monotonous job, he meets Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a soap salesman with an unconventional philosophy. Together, they form an underground fight club as a radical form of psychotherapy. As their nocturnal activities escalate, so does their bond. But when Marla Singer (Helena Bonham Carter), a fellow support group crasher, enters their lives, things start to unravel. Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club is a jarring exploration of masculinity and identity that won't soon be forgotten.
  • American Psycho
    4
    Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto
    229 votes
    American Psycho, a chilling psychological thriller, follows the life of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), a successful Wall Street executive by day and a gruesome serial killer by night. Balancing an outward appearance of wealth and normalcy with an inner world steeped in violence, Bateman's double life spirals out of control as his homicidal tendencies escalate. This film, noted for its exploration of materialistic culture and the dark underbelly of American society, is a stark portrayal of a man's descent into madness. Directed by Mary Harron, the movie offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a killer concealed beneath a veneer of sophistication.
  • Mr. Nobody
    5
    Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger
    232 votes
    In 2092 the last mortal human (Jared Leto) on Earth reflects on his long past and thinks about the lives he might have led.
  • Panic Room
    6
    Jodie Foster, Forest Whitaker, Dwight Yoakam
    175 votes
    Trapped in their New York brownstone's panic room, a hidden chamber built as a sanctuary in the event of break-ins, newly divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster) and her young daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart) play a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with three intruders - Burnham (Forest Whitaker), Raoul (Dwight Yoakam) and Junior (Jared Leto) - during a brutal home invasion. But the room itself is the focal point because what the intruders really want is inside it.
  • Girl, Interrupted
    7
    Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea Duvall
    163 votes
    In the drama Girl, Interrupted, Susanna Kaysen (Winona Ryder) finds herself in a 1960s psychiatric hospital after a failed suicide attempt. Among the institution's eclectic mix of patients is sociopath Lisa Rowe (Angelina Jolie), who proves to be both an intimidating presence and an unlikely friend. As Susanna navigates her turbulent journey towards self-discovery, she encounters complex characters battling their own demons. The film, directed by James Mangold, earned Angelina Jolie an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, underscoring the powerful performances and compelling narrative that make Girl, Interrupted an engaging watch.
  • Suicide Squad
    8
    Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie
    285 votes
    In the action-packed, comic-book inspired film Suicide Squad, a motley crew of incarcerated supervillains become unlikely heroes. This band of misfits includes the enigmatic Deadshot (Will Smith), the unhinged Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and the fiery Diablo (Jay Hernandez). Under the manipulative control of government official Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), they're dispatched on a dangerous mission to save the world from an ominous threat. The twist? They're all expendable. With their freedom at stake, this is their chance to do some good - whether they want to or not. Amidst chaos and conflict, Suicide Squad explores the blurred lines between heroism and villainy.
  • Lord of War
    9
    Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Bridget Moynahan
    170 votes
    The 20-year arms dealing career of Queens, N.Y., outcast Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) serves as a window onto the end of the Cold War and the emergence of worldwide terrorism. He finds himself reassuring his more ethically challenged younger brother, Vitaly (Jared Leto), while adeptly sidestepping the pursuit of federal agent Jack Lawrence (Ethan Hawke). The globetrotting arms dealer also pursues the woman of his dreams, supermodel Ava Fontaine (Bridget Moynahan).
  • Urban Legend
    10
    Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart
    128 votes
    In Urban Legend, college students find themselves preyed upon by a mysterious killer who turns widely known urban legends into grisly reality. Natalie (Alicia Witt) is the central character, a student at Pendleton University, surrounded by friends Brenda (Rebecca Gayheart), Paul (Jared Leto), and Parker (Michael Rosenbaum). As the group unravels the truth behind these terrifying tales, they're plunged into an all-too-real nightmare. The suspense thriller, directed by Jamie Blanks, explores themes of folklore and fear in a modern academic setting. Will the students decipher the deadly pattern in time? A chilling narrative unfolds.
  • Alexander
    11
    Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer
    142 votes
    Alexander is an epic historical drama, spotlighting the life and exploits of Alexander the Great (Colin Farrell). Born to King Philip II of Macedon (Val Kilmer) and Olympias (Angelina Jolie), Alexander ascends to the throne at a young age. Inheriting his father's kingdom, he embarks on a conquest that spans continents. As he navigates love, betrayal, war, and ambition, we witness the making of one of history's most formidable leaders. Directed by Oliver Stone, this film offers a sweeping view of Alexander's world - from Greece to Egypt and beyond. The movie won the World Soundtrack Award for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film in 2005.
  • Chapter 27
    12
    Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan, Judah Friedlander
    121 votes
    In this dramatization, mentally disturbed Mark David Chapman (Jared Leto) arrives in 1980 New York City to stalk his idol, John Lennon (Mark Lindsay Chapman). Standing outside Lennon's apartment building every day, Chapman encounters fan Jude Hanson (Lindsay Lohan) and photographer Paul Goresh (Judah Friedlander), as well as the famous musician's son, Sean (Yuuki Hosokawa). While waiting for an autograph, Chapman grows increasingly unbalanced, leading to his infamous assassination of Lennon.
  • Prefontaine
    13
    Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey, Ed O'Neill
    105 votes
    Olympic defeat matures a selfish distance runner (Jared Leto) into a sports activist before his 1975 death in a car crash.
  • Highway
    14
    Jake Gyllenhaal, Jared Leto, Selma Blair
    97 votes
    Highway is a 2002 American independent drama film written by Scott Rosenberg and directed by James Cox. It stars Jared Leto, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Selma Blair.
  • Lonely Hearts
    15
    John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Salma Hayek
    97 votes
    Det. Elmer Robinson (John Travolta), still grieving the loss of his suicidal wife, pursues two notorious murderers in 1940s New York. Martha Beck (Salma Hayek) and Ray Fernandez (Jared Leto), known as the Lonely Hearts Killers, prey on spinsters and war widows, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.
  • Switchback
    16
    Dennis Quaid, Danny Glover, Jared Leto
    73 votes
    After his son is kidnapped by a notorious serial killer, FBI agent Frank LaCrosse (Dennis Quaid) travels to Amarillo, Texas, where he believes the murderer is in hiding. Although officially taken off the case because of its personal significance to him, Frank continues to pursue the killer, causing concern for local sheriff Buck Olmstead (R. Lee Ermey). When another victim pops up at a nearby car garage, Frank knows that he is as close as he'll ever be to tracking down the elusive kidnapper.
  • Basil
    17
    Jared Leto, Claire Forlani, Christian Slater
    85 votes
    Basil is a 1998 British historical drama film directed by Radha Bharadwaj and starring Christian Slater, Jared Leto, Claire Forlani and Derek Jacobi. It was based on the 1852 novel of the same name by Victorian author Wilkie Collins. The adaptation was by Bharadwaj.
  • The Thin Red Line
    18
    Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel
    77 votes
    The Thin Red Line, a war drama directed by Terrence Malick, paints a visceral picture of the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. The film's narrative primarily revolves around Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), who is forced to confront his own morality amidst the chaos of battle. Other central characters include First Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn) and Lt. Col. Tall (Nick Nolte), each grappling with their roles within the brutal realities of war. The movie garnered seven Academy Award nominations, testament to its impactful storytelling and powerful performances.
  • How to Make an American Quilt
    19
    Winona Ryder, Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft
    70 votes
    Soon-to-be-wed graduate student Finn Dodd (Winona Ryder) develops cold feet when she suspects her fiancé is cheating on her. In order to clear her head, Finn visits her grandmother, Hy (Ellen Burstyn), and great aunt, Glady Joe Cleary (Anne Bancroft), in Grasse, Calif. There, Finn learns that Hy and Glady Joe are members of a group of passionate quilters, and over the course of her visit she is regaled with tales of love and life by women who have collected rich experiences and much wisdom.
  • Sunset Strip
    20
    Simon Baker, Anna Friel, Nick Stahl
    61 votes
    "Sunset Strip" centers around five up-and-coming habitus: a photographer, a fashion designer, an obsessed guitarist, a depressed, struggling songwriter, a talent manager, and a rock star for the moment. They all want to weave their own bit of history into the fabric of the legendary music business. Set against some memorable music and unforgettable fashions, "Sunset Strip" takes place in a year when groups such as The Eagles, Steely Dan and Bruce Springsteen made their album debuts.
  • The Last of the High Kings
    21
    Catherine O'Hara, Jared Leto, Christina Ricci
    60 votes
    In the summer after he finishes high school, Frankie Griffin (Jared Leto) nervously awaits the results of his college entrance examinations, positive he's failed, while he struggles to get through a long season full of challenges. Over the summer months, he deals with his mother's (Catherine O'Hara) and father's (Gabriel Byrne) high expectations, admires two teenage girls from afar, plans the perfect party, and fights off unwanted attention from an American tourist (Christina Ricci).
  • Black and White
    22
    Scott Caan, Robert Downey, Stacy Edwards
    57 votes
    Rich Bower (Power) is an up-and-coming star in the hip-hop world. Everyone wants to be around him, including Raven (Gaby Hoffman) and her fellow upper-class white high school friends. The growing appeal of black culture among white teens fascinates documentary filmmaker Sam Donager (Brooke Shields), who sets out to chronicle it with her husband, Terry (Robert Downey Jr.). But before Bower was a rapper, he was a gangster, and his criminal past comes back to haunt him and all those around him.
  • Sol Goode
    23
    Carmen Electra, Jared Leto, Tori Spelling
    61 votes
    Sol Goode is a 2001 American romantic comedy film directed by Danny Comden. The lead role of Sol Goode is played by Balthazar Getty; other cast include Katharine Towne, Jamie Kennedy, Danny Comden, and Cheri Oteri. The film features cameo appearances including Jared Leto, Carmen Electra, Jason Bateman, and Shannon Leto.
  • House of Gucci
    24
    Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino
    11 votes
    When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge -- and ultimately murder.
  • Morbius
    25
    Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona
    15 votes
    Morbius is a superhero film that dives into the darker side of the Marvel universe. It centers on Dr. Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), a brilliant biochemist who, in an attempt to cure his rare blood disorder, inadvertently transforms himself into a living vampire. As he contends with his newfound abilities and insatiable thirst for blood, Morbius walks the fine line between hero and monster. The themes of the ethics of scientific experimentation and the struggle for control over one's darker impulses are woven throughout the narrative. Milo (Matt Smith) is the antagonist, setting up a clash between two supernatural beings anchored in a world of moral ambiguity.