The 40+ Best Marlon Brando Movies, Ranked
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- 1Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint, Karl MaldenDockworker Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) had been an up-and-coming boxer until powerful local mob boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) persuaded him to throw a fight. When a longshoreman is murdered before he can testify about Friendly's control of the Hoboken waterfront, Terry teams up with the dead man's sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint) and the streetwise priest Father Barry (Karl Malden) to testify himself, against the advice of Friendly's lawyer, Terry's older brother Charley (Rod Steiger).More On the Waterfront
- Dig Deeper...Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes
- #680 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #79 of 90 onThe 85+ Most Inspirational Movies Of All Time
2Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James CaanThe Godfather, a celebrated crime-drama, presents an intimate study of the Corleone family. At its core is Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), initially an outsider, who gets reluctantly drawn into the family's criminal enterprises. His father, Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), is the patriarch, whose power and influence cast long shadows over his family's affairs. The movie paints a vivid tableau of post-war New York's underworld, riddled with betrayal and power struggles. This cinematic masterpiece, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, swept the 1973 Academy Awards winning Best Picture amongst others.More The Godfather- Dig Deeper...Small Details About 'The Godfather' Films That Demand A Rewatch
- And Deeper...Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes
- #84 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
3Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim HunterBased on the play by Tennessee Williams, this renowned drama follows troubled former schoolteacher Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) as she leaves small-town Mississippi and moves in with her sister, Stella Kowalski (Kim Hunter), and her husband, Stanley (Marlon Brando), in New Orleans. Blanche's flirtatious Southern-belle presence causes problems for Stella and Stanley, who already have a volatile relationship, leading to even greater conflict in the Kowalski household.- #91 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #34 of 91 onThe 90 Best Black And White Movies
- #1 of 120 onThe Best Movies Based On Plays
4Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert DuvallApocalypse Now, a war drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, plunges its audience into the heart of darkness that is the Vietnam War. Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) receives an unorthodox mission to eliminate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated officer who has allegedly gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. Accompanied by a small crew aboard a patrol boat, Willard's journey evolves into an introspective odyssey filled with surreal encounters and moral ambiguity. The film garnered eight Academy Award nominations for its striking portrayal of war's madness, further solidifying Coppola's place among cinema's greats.More Apocalypse Now- Dig Deeper...Behind-The-Scenes Stories About Marlon Brando In 'Apocalypse Now'
- #17 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #492 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
5Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy, Robert KeithJohnny (Marlon Brando) and his motorcycle gang roll into Carbonville for a biker competition and raise enough hell to get kicked out of town. They repair to nearby Wrightsville and continue their reign of terror. The local sheriff (Robert Keith) is helpless to stop them, but when a rival gang arrives, he manages to arrest their leader, Chino (Lee Marvin). Meanwhile, Johnny finds himself attracted to the sheriff's daughter, Kathie (Mary Murphy), and decides to stick around.More The Wild One- #26 of 36 on36 Movies That Were Ridiculously Banned Around the World
- #244 of 419 onThe 400+ Best Movies Produced By Columbia Pictures
- #2 of 71 onThe 70+ Best Motorcycle Movies
6Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean MartinThree soldiers endure the crucible of World War II. Christian Diestl (Marlon Brando) is a ski instructor turned Nazi lieutenant whose initial enthusiasm for Hitler is vanishing, Noah Ackerman (Montgomery Clift) is a Jewish-American grunt who fights to overcome prejudice in his own unit, and Michael Whiteacre (Dean Martin) is a Broadway crooner who uses his connections to avoid combat, only to later feel guilty about it. Near the end of the war, all three cross paths at a concentration camp.
7Marlon Brando, James Mason, John GielgudBrutus (James Mason) is convinced by a scheming band of Roman senators, led by Caius Cassius (John Gielgud), that his dear friend Julius Caesar (Louis Calhern) intends to dissolve the republic and install himself as monarch, and he joins a conspiracy to assassinate him. Brutus stirringly defends his actions, but when Mark Antony (Marlon Brando) responds with a speech that plays upon the crowd's love for their fallen leader, a battle between the two factions is assured.More Julius Caesar- #280 of 308 onThe 300+ Best Epic Movies Of All Time
- #6 of 13 onPretty Good Movies About Ancient Rome
- #33 of 47 onThe 45+ Best Swords and Sandals Movies
8Marlon Brando, Jean Peters, Anthony QuinnMexican rancher Emiliano Zapata (Marlon Brando) becomes a revolutionary when corrupt President Porfirio Diaz (Fay Roope) ignores the needs of his people. Zapata, his brother Eufemio (Anthony Quinn) and northern rebel Pancho Villa (Alan Reed) band together behind Diaz's political opponent, Francisco Madero (Harold Gordon). But when Madero's administration, particularly General Victoriano Huerta (Frank Silvera), proves just as corrupt as the one it replaced, Zapata is spurred to further action.More Viva Zapata!- #131 of 165 onThe Best Political Films Of All Time
- #55 of 63 onThe Best Western Movies of the 1950s
- #36 of 66 onThe Best Cinco De Mayo Movies
9Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard HarrisOn a sea voyage to transport breadfruit to Jamaica, English Captain Bligh (Trevor Howard) abuses his crew and officers enough to anger his 1st Lieutenant, Fletcher Christian (Marlon Brando). When they reach their destination, tensions ease and the crew luxuriates in island life until Bligh claps several men in irons for trying to desert. On the trip home, further indignities inspire Christian to stage a mutiny and set Bligh and those loyal to him afloat in a row boat.More Mutiny on the Bounty- #16 of 49 onThe Top 45+ Films Released In 1962
- #45 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
- #21 of 70 onThe 70 Best 18th Century Period Movies
10Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank SinatraGambler Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) has few options for the location of his big craps game. Needing $1,000 to pay a garage owner to host the game, Nathan bets Sky Masterson (Marlon Brando) that Sky cannot get virtuous Sarah Brown (Jean Simmons) out on a date. Despite some resistance, Sky negotiates a date with her in exchange for bringing people into her mission. Meanwhile, Nathan's longtime fiancée, Adelaide (Vivian Blaine), wants him to go legit and marry her.More Guys and Dolls- Dig Deeper...Every Song in Guys and Dolls, Ranked by Singability
- #32 of 68 onThe Most Rewatchable Movie Musicals
- #12 of 35 onThe Very Best Classic Musical Movies, Ranked
11Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Harvey KeitelReflections in a Golden Eye is a film directed by John Huston based on the 1941 novel of the same name by Carson McCullers. It deals with elements of repressed sexuality, voyeurism, homosexuality, and murder. The film starred Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Taylor. The film bombed at the box office.
12Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, Robert RedfordWhen "Bubber" Reeves (Robert Redford) escapes from prison, it upsets the folks in the nearby town of Tarl, Texas. Sheriff Calder (Marlon Brando) wants to capture Reeves alive, which puts him in opposition to many of the townspeople who have resorted to mob justice. Businessman Val Rogers (E.G. Marshall) wants Calder to apprehend Reeves quickly, through any means, since he fears the criminal will come after Val's son, Jake, who is sleeping with Reeves' wife (Jane Fonda).
13One-Eyed Jacks
Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Katy JuradoAfter pulling a bank heist in Mexico, the outlaw Rio (Marlon Brando) and his partner, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden), make a run for it, but Dad has bigger plans than freedom. He betrays Rio and absconds with the loot, and Rio ends up in prison. Years pass before Rio finally breaks free to enact his long-plotted revenge. Tracking Dad to California, Rio learns he's become a sheriff -- which is no deterrent -- but when Rio falls for Dad's stepdaughter, Louisa (Pina Pellicer), he has second thoughts.More One-Eyed Jacks- #200 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #39 of 46 onThe Best 1960s Western Movies, Ranked
- #30 of 93 onThe Best Western Movies on Amazon Prime
14Marlon Brando, Teresa Wright, Everett SloaneWhen Ken (Marlon Brando) is shot in battle, he loses the use of both his legs. In the hospital, he spends his time mired in self-pity, making little effort to respond to treatment. After much encouragement from his devoted fiancée, Ellen (Teresa Wright), he finally consents to let kindly Dr. Brock (Everett Sloane) help him and is determined to be able to stand up on his wedding day. However, he and Ellen begin to question whether they're truly ready to accept the burden of his disability.
15Marlon Brando, Red Buttons, Miiko TakaStationed in Japan during the Korean War, U.S. Air Force Major Lloyd "Ace" Gruver falls for the beautiful Japanese actress Hana-ogi (Miiko Taka). However, he is hesitant to pursue the relationship due to the unfortunate example of his crew chief, Airman Joe Kelly (Red Buttons). Kelly, against official military advice and the prejudices of his commanding officers, married a Japanese woman, Katsumi (Miyoshi Umeki), and his military career has suffered ever since.
16Marlon Brando, Anna Magnani, Joanne WoodwardWhen drifter Valentine Xavier (Marlon Brando) arrives in a southern town, he catches the eye of the married Lady Torrance (Anna Magnani) and the oversexed alcoholic, Carol Cutrere (Joanne Woodward). Both vie for his attention, with Lady Torrance emerging victorious, offering Xavier employment in her general store, while her cancer-stricken husband is bedridden upstairs. After impregnating Lady Torrance and butting heads with friends of her husband, Xavier must make a crucial decision.
17Last Tango in Paris
Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider, Jean-Pierre LéaudDistraught following his wife's suicide, American hotelier Paul (Marlon Brando) becomes transfixed by the beautiful younger Frenchwoman Jeanne (Maria Schneider) when he meets her by chance at an apartment both are attempting to rent. The couple begin an extended but purely anonymous sexual relationship in which they do not even tell each other their names, but it soon becomes clear that the couple's deliberate level of disassociation cannot continue.More Last Tango in Paris- #406 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #87 of 125 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #181 of 199 onThe Best Movies Of The '70s, Ranked
18Marlon Brando, Yul Brynner, Janet MargolinDuring World War II, German Robert Crain (Marlon Brando) goes AWOL and heads to India to live peacefully. He is discovered, however, by the British Secret Service, who force him to go on an undercover mission on their behalf. He is sent to pose as a Nazi officer on a German ship, but Capt. Mueller (Yul Brynner) is immediately suspicious of his new recruit. As Crain realizes he could be found out at any moment, he incites a riot in an effort to gain control of the boat.
19Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Randy QuaidWhen vigilante land baron David Braxton (John McLiam) hangs one of the best friends of cattle rustler Tom Logan (Jack Nicholson), Logan's gang decides to get even by purchasing a small farm next to Braxton's ranch. From there the rustlers begin stealing horses, using the farm as a front for their operation. Determined to stop the thefts at any cost, Braxton retains the services of eccentric sharpshooter Robert E. Lee Clayton (Marlon Brando), who begins ruthlessly taking down Logan's gang.More The Missouri Breaks- #187 of 286 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
- #45 of 56 onThe 55+ Best Movies Of 1976
- #40 of 91 onThe 90+ Best Randy Quaid Movies & TV Shows
- 20Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon BrandoIn Superman, we meet Clark Kent (Christopher Reeve), a seemingly ordinary journalist. Raised by his loving adoptive parents in Smallville, Kansas, after being sent to Earth from the dying planet Krypton, he is anything but ordinary. When his otherworldly powers emerge, he transforms into Superman, the Man of Steel and defender of truth, justice and the American way. His nemesis? Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), a criminal genius with a plan that could spell doom for mankind. This thrilling adventure film swept up three Academy Award nominations, a testament to its cinematic prowess.More Superman
21Marlon Brando, Rita Moreno, Pamela FranklinThe Night of the Following Day is a 1968 film starring Marlon Brando and Richard Boone. Filmed in France, around Le Touquet it tells the story of a kidnapped heiress being held hostage in a remote beachhouse on the coast of France.
22Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Faye DunawayAn aging psychiatrist (Marlon Brando) believes in a patient (Johnny Depp) who sees himself as the world's greatest lover.More Don Juan DeMarco- #38 of 55 onThe 50+ Best Johnny Depp Movies Of All Time, Ranked
- #62 of 62 onThe 60+ Best Movies About Therapists
- #77 of 81 onThe Best Movies About Perseverance & Never Giving Up
23Marlon Brando, Anjanette Comer, John SaxonIn this classic Western, buffalo hunter Matt Fletcher (Marlon Brando) plans on starting a horse breeding farm with his friend Paco (Rafael Campos) in the border town of Ojo Prieto. But when a Mexican bandit (John Saxon) steals his prized Appaloosa stallion, Matt crosses the border determined to get revenge. In search of his beloved horse, Matt falls in love with a beautiful woman (Anjanette Comer), battles a band of bandits and faces poisonous scorpions.
24Marlon Brando, Evaristo Márquez, Renato SalvatoriDuring the 1840s, Britain sends secret agent Sir William Walker (Marlon Brando) to break up Portugal's sugar monopoly on the fictional Caribbean island of Queimada. Walker incites the slaves to revolt under the leadership of a dock worker, José Dolores, while simultaneously convincing plantation owners to turn against the government. A decade later, however, Walker must return to Queimada to confront his one-time pupil, Dolores, who now leads a revolt to throw out the British.
25The Freshman
Marlon Brando, Matthew Broderick, Bruno KirbyClark Kellogg (Matthew Broderick) is robbed moments after arriving in New York, so when he sees his mugger several days later, he confronts him. The man promises to return his property and get him a job with his uncle, Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), who turns out to be a Mafia boss. As Clark continues his shady work for Carmine, he discovers an elaborate underworld that has caught the attention of the authorities. As things come to a head, not everything is what it seems.
26Donald Sutherland, Winston Ntshona, Zakes MokaeTeacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) mostly ignores the problems of apartheid in South Africa until he discovers that the son of a gardener (Winston Ntshona) at his school has been killed by corrupt policeman Stolz (Jürgen Prochnow). Du Toit persuades human rights attorney Ian McKenzie (Marlon Brando) to try the long-shot case against Stolz. During the trial, Du Toit's transformation into an advocate for justice is so absolute that it distances him from his family.
27Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Merle OberonDesiree Clary (Jean Simmons) has met the love of her life, and his name is Napoleon Bonaparte (Marlon Brando). But their love is a difficult one, as Napoleon's rise through the military ranks takes him away from her, and they both eventually marry other people. Years later, as Napoleon seems destined to rule the known world, the two cross paths again and attempt to rekindle their romance. But when Napoleon's reign comes to a end, their relationship may not be able to survive.
28Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Charlie ChaplinA Countess from Hong Kong is a 1967 British comedy film and the last film directed, written, produced and scored by Charlie Chaplin. It was one of two films Chaplin directed in which he did not play a major role, and his only color film. Chaplin's cameo marked his final screen appearance. The movie starred Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Tippi Hedren, and Sydney Earle Chaplin, Chaplin's second son. The story is based loosely on the life of a woman Chaplin met in France, named Moussia Sodskaya, or "Skaya" as he calls her in his 1922 book, My Trip Abroad. She was a Russian singer and dancer that "was a stateless person marooned in France without a passport". The idea, according to a press release written by Chaplin after the movie received a negative reception, was that the story "resulted from a visit I made to Shanghai in 1931 where I came across a number of titled aristocrats who had escaped the Russian Revolution". It was originally started as a film called Stowaway in the 1930s, planned for Paulette Goddard, but production was never completed.
29Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin SheenSecret ops assassin Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent on a mission up a river during the Vietnam War to "terminate with extreme prejudice" the errant Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando). In addition to being re-edited with the new footage, the film has been completely restored, converted to digital, and reprinted by dye-transfer, improving color reproduction.More Apocalypse Now Redux- #88 of 264 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #71 of 113 onThe Best Movies Of 2001
- #12 of 207 on200+ Movies And Shows With Now In The Title
30Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, Machiko KyōIn the months immediately after the end of World War II, the U.S. Army has occupied the island of Okinawa, Japan, and is trying to Westernize the local population. Hapless Captain Fisby (Glenn Ford) wants to do good by creating a social club and schoolhouse, but the villagers would rather have a teahouse, complete with geishas. The situation looks like a standoff, until the wily, philosophical interpreter Sakima (Marlon Brando) offers his services as a go-between.
