The 30+ Best Nathan Lane Movies

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Updated April 9, 2024 31 items
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List of the best Nathan Lane movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Nathan Lane'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 Nathan Lane movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Nathan Lane movies will be at the top of the list. Nathan Lane has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Nathan Lane movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Nathan Lane films to end the squabble once and for all.

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

The list you're viewing has a variety of films, like MouseHunt and The Producers, in it.

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

Is Nathan Lane your favorite person to watch on the big screen? You might also want to vote on our best Matthew Broderick and Jeremy Irons films lists too.

  • The Lion King
    1
    Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
    42 votes
    In The Lion King, a young lion prince named Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas when young and Matthew Broderick as an adult) is destined to become king of the Pride Lands. His wicked uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), however, has other plans. The film, an animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, presents a tale of betrayal, exile and ultimately redemption. Aided by a meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and a warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), Simba reclaims his birthright. It won two Academy Awards in 1995 for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
  • The Birdcage
    2
    Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane
    43 votes
    The Birdcage, a comedic drama, is a flamboyant spectacle of love and acceptance. Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), owner of a gay nightclub in South Beach, shares his life with Albert (Nathan Lane), the club's star performer. When Armand's son announces his engagement to the daughter of a right-wing senator, chaos ensues as they try to pass off as a traditional family. Directed by Mike Nichols, this film won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast. The Birdcage delves into societal norms with humor, delivering laughs while pushing boundaries.
  • The Producers
    3
    Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman
    25 votes
    Failing producer Max Bialystock (Nathan Lane) and his accountant, Leo Bloom (Matthew Broderick), scam a group of elderly women out of their nest eggs by convincing them to invest in a horrendously offensive Third Reich-themed musical secretly intended to bomb the moment it opens. But when high-brow Broadway audiences mistakenly assume "Springtime for Hitler" is a satire, Bialystock finds himself with the critical acclaim that has long eluded him -- and the biggest hit of his career.
  • The Lion King 1½
    4
    Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Julie Kavner
    20 votes
    This retelling of "The Lion King" is conveyed from the perspective of meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) and shows how the pair became friends. When Timon leaves his colony because he doesn't fit in, he meets the lonely Pumbaa. Together Timon and Pumbaa search for a new home, having adventures along the way and eventually meeting up with lion prince Simba (Matthew Broderick), who is in exile from his home and must challenge the evil Scar for the title of Lion King.
  • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
    5
    Matthew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Andy Dick
    22 votes
    Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala, loves the son of exiled lioness Zira, who is out for revenge.
  • MouseHunt
    6
    Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Vicki Lewis
    30 votes
    When their string magnate father, Rudolf Smuntz, dies, brothers Ernie (Nathan Lane) and Lars (Lee Evans) move into his decrepit mansion. Struggling to keep a promise to never sell the now unprofitable string factory, the brothers decide that restoring the house, the last built by a famous architect, could bring them a great deal of money. But during their restoration attempts, Ernie and Lars are continually frustrated by a malicious mouse that keeps destroying their efforts.
  • Stuart Little
    7
    Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki
    16 votes
    In the family-friendly adventure film, Stuart Little, a charming mouse named Stuart (voiced by Michael J. Fox) is adopted from an orphanage by the Little family. The parents, Mr. and Mrs. Little (Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis), treat him as their son, much to the chagrin of the family cat, Snowbell (Nathan Lane). As Stuart navigates life in a human world, he encounters various thrilling escapades that test his courage and wit. This film weaves elements of comedy, drama, and action into a heartwarming tale of acceptance and love; it's a delightful romp with memorable characters that young audiences will cherish.
  • Frankie and Johnny
    8
    Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Héctor Elizondo
    9 votes
    When Johnny (Al Pacino) is released from prison following a forgery charge, he quickly lands a job as a short-order cook at a New York diner. Following a brief fling with waitress Cora (Kate Nelligan), Frankie develops an attraction for Cora's friend and fellow waitress Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer). While Frankie resists Johnny's charms initially, she eventually relents when her best friend, Tim (Nathan Lane), persuades her to give Johnny a chance.
  • Stuart Little 2
    9
    Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki
    16 votes
    Plucky, pint-sized hero Stuart Little (Michael J. Fox) returns in "Stuart Little 2," delighting audiences with his big heart and even more action-packed adventure. This time, Stuart must journey through the city with a reluctant Snowbell (Nathan Lane) to rescue a new friend, Margalo (Melanie Griffith), from a villainous Falcon (James Woods).
  • Nicholas Nickleby
    10
    Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay
    7 votes
    After the death of the family patriarch, young Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) and his family are left with no means to survive. The family is forced to split up, and Nicholas lands in a school run by brutish principal Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent). Eventually, Nicholas makes a friend named Smike (Jamie Bell), and the two boys break free. Nicholas reunites with his family, but learns he must now defend his sister from the advances of menacing suitor Sir Mulberry Hawk (Edward Fox).
  • Love's Labour's Lost
    11
    Alessandro Nivola, Alicia Silverstone, Natascha McElhone
    6 votes
    Kenneth Branagh continues to make sterling adaptations of classic William Shakespeare plays with this romantic musical-comedy. "Love's Labour's Lost" takes place in 1939, when the King of Navarre and his three best friends make a pact to remain celibate for three years. When the Princess of France arrives with her three beautiful companions, their will, and honor, is put to the test immediately.
  • Titan A.E.
    12
    Matt Damon, Drew Barrymore, Bill Pullman
    10 votes
    In the animated sci-fi adventure Titan A.E., Cale Tucker (voiced by Matt Damon) is thrust into an interstellar quest. Earth has been destroyed by the Drej, a malevolent alien race, and humanity's survival hinges on the Titan, a lost spaceship. Joined by Captain Korso (Bill Pullman), Akima (Drew Barrymore), and other ragtag survivors, Cale must unlock his father's secret maps that lead to the Titan. Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, this film blends traditional animation with computer-generated images for a visually striking odyssey. Despite its box office struggle, it was lauded for its imaginative storytelling and groundbreaking animation techniques.
  • Teacher's Pet
    13
    Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer, Shaun Fleming
    6 votes
    In this animated musical, Spot (Nathan Lane) is a snarky blue-furred dog whose greatest desire is to be transformed into a human, and who already dons a human costume so he can pose as a student at a local school. Opportunity strikes when he sees a television commercial in which Doctor Krank (Kelsey Grammer) claims to be able to turn animals into humans. However, when the experiment goes wrong, Spot must enlist the help of his owner, Leonard Helperman.
  • Swing Vote
    14
    Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, Paula Patton
    6 votes
    Bud Johnson (Kevin Costner), a beer-slinging loser, has one bright spot in his life: his precocious daughter, Molly (Madeline Carroll), who takes care of them both. However, on Election Day, Molly sets off an unforeseen chain of events that results in the race for the presidency coming down to just one vote: her father's.
  • Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
    15

    Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

    Kate Bosworth, Topher Grace, Josh Duhamel
    8 votes
    Pete (Topher Grace), the quirky, self-deprecating manager of a grocery store, is madly in love with his best friend, Rosalee (Kate Bosworth). Unfortunately, she has absolutely no idea. When Rosalee wins a date with her favorite actor, the smarmy Tad Hamilton (Josh Duhamel), Pete delays admitting his feelings to her. And when the scheming Hamilton relocates to their small town to pursue Rosalee in the wake of their initial meeting, a horrified Pete must struggle to win her heart.
  • The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True
    16

    The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True

    Jewel, Roger Daltrey, Jackson Browne
    5 votes
    The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True was a 1995 television musical performance based on the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The book and score of the film were performed on stage at Lincoln Center to benefit the Children's Defense Fund. The concert featured guest performers including Jackson Browne as the Scarecrow, Roger Daltrey as the Tin Man, Natalie Cole as Glinda, Joel Grey as the Wizard, Jewel as Dorothy, Nathan Lane as the Cowardly Lion, Debra Winger as the Wicked Witch, and Lucie Arnaz as Aunt Em. The Boys Choir of Harlem appeared as the Munchkins, and Ry Cooder and David Sanborn performed as musicians.
  • The Lemon Sisters
    17
    Diane Keaton, Nathan Lane, Elliott Gould
    5 votes
    The Lemon Sisters is a 1990 American film from Miramax Films directed by Joyce Chopra and written by Jeremy Pikser. The film was both a commercial and critical failure after being shelved for more than a year with extensive revisions.
  • Life with Mikey
    18
    Michael J. Fox, Christina Vidal, Nathan Lane
    5 votes
    The former child star (Michael J. Fox) of a TV show meets a cute little waif (Christina Vidal) who changes his talent agency and his life.
  • A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
    19

    A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa

    Uma Thurman, Jane Krakowski, Madison Pettis
    5 votes
    The Muppets mistakenly intercepting three letters sent by children to Santa Claus and their attempts to fix the problems created by their mishap.
  • Astro Boy
    20
    Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane
    4 votes
    In futuristic Metro City, a brilliant scientist named Tenma builds Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore), a robotic child with superstrength, X-ray vision and the ability to fly. Astro Boy sets out to explore the world and find acceptance, learning what being human is all about in the process. Finding that his friends and family in Metro City are in danger, he uses his incredible powers to save all that he loves.
  • Mirror Mirror
    21
    Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer
    4 votes
    Snow White (Lily Collins), an orphaned princess, is the rightful ruler of her kingdom, but a jealous, evil queen (Julia Roberts) schemes to gain control. When a charming prince (Armie Hammer) spurns the queen in favor of Snow White, she has the princess thrown into the woods to be devoured by a fearsome beast. Rescued by a band of diminutive highway robbers, Snow White vows to take back her realm from the treacherous queen and, with the help of her small rescuers, roars into action.
  • Isn't She Great
    22
    Bette Midler, Nathan Lane, Stockard Channing
    6 votes
    Jacqueline Susann (Bette Midler) had invented a whole new way of writing books, and once she and Irving (Nathan Lane) hit the road, the publishing world would never be the same. Embarking on a book tour from coast to coast, paying calls on regional booksellers and impressing Mom and Pop shops with her intimate knowledge of all their personal lives, Irving saw to it that everyone was clamoring to read "Valley of the Dolls." Together, Jackie and Irving invented a whole new way of selling books.
  • The Man Who Came to Dinner
    23

    The Man Who Came to Dinner

    Liam Neeson, Nathan Lane, Natasha Richardson
    3 votes
    The Man Who Came to Dinner is a 2000 comedy drama film directed by Jay Sandrich.
  • Jeffrey
    24
    Steven Weber, Michael T. Weiss, Irma St. Paule
    3 votes
    Jeffrey (Steven Weber), a gay man living in New York City with an overwhelming fear of contracting AIDS, concludes that being celibate is the only option to protect himself. As fate would have it, shortly after his declaration of a sex-free existence, he meets the handsome Steve Howard (Michael T. Weiss), his dream man -- except for his HIV-positive status. Facing this dilemma, Jeffrey turns to his best friend (Patrick Stewart) and an outrageous priest (Nathan Lane) for guidance.
  • Ironweed
    25
    Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Tom Waits
    3 votes
    In Depression-era Albany, N.Y., erstwhile baseball star Francis Phelan (Jack Nicholson) has become an alcoholic vagabond after guilt over accidentally killing his infant son led him to desert his family. Over the course of several days, he ambles from gritty job to dirty bar to makeshift sleeping quarters. By chance, he encounters fellow itinerant drinker and his sometime lover, Helen Archer (Meryl Streep). Together, they wax nostalgic about their haunted pasts.
  • Guys and Dolls: Off the Record
    26

    Guys and Dolls: Off the Record

    Nathan Lane, Peter Gallagher, Faith Prince
    5 votes
  • The Nutcracker in 3D
    27
    Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, John Turturro
    4 votes
    Christmas in Vienna is a dull affair for 9-year-old Mary (Elle Fanning), until her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) arrives and gives her a special gift: an enchanted nutcracker. On Christmas night the nutcracker -- named NC -- comes to life and takes Mary to its magical land of sugarplum fairies and talking toys. Mary discovers that the wondrous kingdom faces a dire threat from the evil Rat King, and when the nutcracker is kidnapped, she must rally her new friends to save NC.
  • He Said, She Said
    28
    Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Perkins, Nathan Lane
    4 votes
    The battle of the sexes is displayed from dueling perspectives when two journalists at the same newspaper with little in common are offered their own point-counterpoint talk show. Dan Hanson (Kevin Bacon) is a conceited conservative with sex on the brain, and Lorie Bryer (Elizabeth Perkins) is an erudite liberal looking for long-term love. Their deep-set differences cause sparks to fly and ratings to soar. But things get complicated when opposites attract and romance blossoms.
  • Trixie
    29
    Emily Watson, Dermot Mulroney, Nick Nolte
    2 votes
    Passed over at work and numbed after she witnesses a colleague's murder, security guard Trixie Zurbo takes a relatively easy job at a lakefront casino, working undercover keeping an eye out for pickpockets. Trixie meets an assortment of colorful regulars: Kirk Stans, the casino's lounge act who drinks too much and is a dead-on mimic; Ruby Pearli , a glamorous, young and knowledgeable barfly; and Dex Lang, a raffish ladies' man who pays attention to Trixie in a way that's hard for her to ignore.
  • At First Sight
    30
    Val Kilmer, Mira Sorvino, Kelly McGillis
    3 votes
    In the midst of a desperately needed vacation, cynical Manhattanite Amy Benic (Mira Sorvino) meets blind massage therapist Virgil Adamson (Val Kilmer). Fascinated by his independence and seduced by his positivity, Benic falls for him hard. As their relationship deepens, the two plan to leave the tiny resort town Adamson knows by touch for the hustle and bustle of New York City, where Benic suggests he undergo a cutting-edge medical procedure that could repair his sense of sight.