The 70+ Best George Kennedy Movies

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Updated May 1, 2024 31.3K views 74 items
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List of the best George Kennedy movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. George Kennedy's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top George Kennedy movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated George Kennedy movies will be at the top of the list. George Kennedy has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest George Kennedy movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining George Kennedy films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best George Kennedy role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest George Kennedy performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

This list features films like Bolero and Cats Don't Dance.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best George Kennedy movies?" and "What are the greatest George Kennedy roles of all time?"

George Kennedy is no stranger to working with popular directors, including Stanley Kubrick, Clint Eastwood and Peter Segal.

Most divisive: Wacko
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 70+ Best George Kennedy Movies
  • The Terror Within
    61
    George Kennedy, Andrew Stevens, Starr Andreeff
    8 votes
    In a post-apocalyptic world, a small group of scientists, led by Hal (George Kennedy), is living underground after a chemical warfare incident, since dangerous mutants lurk aboveground. When the group rescues Karen (Yvonne Saa), a female survivor, from the surface, she discovers that one of the monsters has impregnated her -- and soon her vicious offspring arrives to terrorize the crew. Meanwhile, another pregnant female survivor is unsure whether the father is man or beast.
  • Intensive Care
    62

    Intensive Care

    George Kennedy, Dolf de Vries, Koen Wauters
    9 votes
    Intensive Care is a 1991 Dutch action horror film directed by Dorna van Rouveroy.
  • Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story
    63

    Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story

    George Kennedy, Nell Carter, Duane Davis
    6 votes
    Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story is an American 1992 sports drama biography television film about the life of Loyola Marymount basketball player Eric "Hank" Gathers, written for Tribune Entertainment by Fred Johnson, Don Enright and Ed Fields, and directed by Charles Braverman.
  • The Double McGuffin
    64
    Orson Welles, Ernest Borgnine, Elke Sommer
    7 votes
    The Double McGuffin is a 1979 film written and directed by Joe Camp. The film starred Ernest Borgnine and George Kennedy, alongside a group of young actors, some of whom later became famous, including Lisa Whelchel, who would go on to star in the sitcom The Facts of Life. Elke Sommer and NFL stars Ed 'Too Tall' Jones and Lyle Alzado also appear in smaller roles. The film also included a young Vincent Spano as well as Dion Pride. An opening narration is provided by Orson Welles. The cast was rounded out by Chicago native Michael Gerard, and Dallas area child actors Greg Hodges and Jeff Nicholson.
  • Demonwarp
    65

    Demonwarp

    George Kennedy, Billy Jayne, David Michael O'Neill
    8 votes
    Demonwarp is a 1987 science fiction/horror film directed by Emmett Alston and starring George Kennedy.
  • Truce
    66

    Truce

    George Kennedy, Samantha Droke, Buck Taylor
    7 votes
    Truce is a 2005 Drama and western film written and directed by Matthew Marconi.
  • Sands of Oblivion
    67
    Dan Castellaneta, Adam Baldwin, Morena Baccarin
    10 votes
    An archaeologist uncovers terrifying secrets as he digs up the long-buried tablets of The Ten Commandments.
  • Another Happy Day
    68
    Ellen Barkin, Kate Bosworth, Demi Moore
    8 votes
    A woman (Ellen Barkin) attends her son's wedding at the estate of her ex-husband (Thomas Haden Church).
  • Just Before Dawn
    69
    George Kennedy, Jamie Rose, Chris Lemmon
    9 votes
    Just Before Dawn is a 1981 independent slasher film directed by Jeff Lieberman, and starring Chris Lemmon, Gregg Henry, Deborah Benson, Jamie Rose, and George Kennedy. The film follows a group of hikers who travel into the Oregon mountains to visit property inherited by one of them, only to be hunted by a ruthless backwoods killer. Shot on location in the Silver Falls State Park in Silverton, Oregon, the film has often been praised for its eerie atmosphere and lush cinematography; despite not being a commercial success when released, the film has gained a cult following over the years.
  • Hangfire
    70

    Hangfire

    Brad Davis, Kim Delaney, Jan-Michael Vincent
    7 votes
    After executing a daring prison break, a pack of vicious criminals drag their hostage, the wife (Kim Delaney) of Sheriff Ike Slayton (Brad Davis), across the United States border into Mexico. There, they hastily lay siege to a small town, drawing the attention of the National Guard. Determined to get his wife back safely, Sheriff Slayton mounts his own rescue plan because he distrusts the gruff Col. Johnson (Jan-Michael Vincent), who seems more concerned with retribution than with recovery.
  • Born to Race
    71
    George Kennedy, Christina Moore, Spencer Breslin
    6 votes
    Born to Race is a 2011 action film written by Alex Ranarivelo, Steve Sarno and directed by Alex Ranarivelo.
  • Six Days in Paradise
    72

    Six Days in Paradise

    Joanna Krupa, Danny Trejo, David Carradine
    7 votes
    Six Days in Paradise is a 2010 action comedy film written and directed by John Vidor.
  • Gaily, Gaily
    73
    Beau Bridges, Melina Mercouri, Brian Keith
    6 votes
    After runaway Ben Young (Beau Bridges) is robbed and left on his own, he is taken in by Lil (Melina Mercouri), the head of a Chicago brothel. Acting as a surrogate mother for Ben, who thinks she runs a boardinghouse, Lil gets him a job with Francis Sullivan (Brian Keith) at the local newspaper. As Ben is exposed to the workings of the big city, he realizes the extent of government corruption and sets out on the daunting task of reforming Chicago politics, finding several allies along the way.
  • Wacko
    74
    Stella Stevens, Andrew Dice Clay, George Kennedy
    8 votes
    Wacko is a 1983 film.