Kathy Bates movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best

Kathy Bates movies: 15 greatest films ranked from worst to best

Posted: June 24, 2023 | Last updated: October 27, 2023

<p>Oscar winner Kathy Bates was a highly respected stage actress before her film career really took off. But when her acclaimed theater roles originally were adapted into movies, she was never apart of the transfer. She did get to join the cast of the play “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” when director Robert Altman filmed the play, but in other cases she missed out. Bates saw three of her stage characters adapted to the screen but she was a part of neither: “Crimes of the Heart” (replaced by Diane Keaton), “night Mother” (replaced by Sissy Spacek) and “Frankie and Johnny” (Michelle Pfeiffer).</p> <p>That all changed in 1990, when the 42-year-old thespian was suddenly thrust into movie stardom and an Oscar for her work in the film “Misery” (Best Actress, 1990). It was highly unusual for an actress with only limited film credits to take on a starring film role and win the industry’s highest honor – let alone for a horror movie – but Bates accomplished just that. She later earned Best Supporting Actress bids for “Primary Colors” (1998) and “About Schmidt” (2002).</p> <p>She came roaring back to the surprise of many with “Richard Jewell” (2019), which tells the true story of a security guard (Paul Walter Hauser) who saved the lives of many when he detected a bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, only to be later blamed for the attempted act of terrorism. Bates plays Richard’s loving mama Bobi Jewell, who stands by her son’s side even as the FBI and media vilify him. She managed to crack the Oscar race for Best Supporting Actress with just a Golden Globe bid to her name, proving you should never count her out.</p> <p>Take a tour through out photo gallery of Bates’ 15 greatest film performances, and see if your favorite topped the list.</p>
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Kathy Bates

Oscar winner Kathy Bates was a highly respected stage actress before her film career really took off. But when her acclaimed theater roles originally were adapted into movies, she was never apart of the transfer. She did get to join the cast of the play “Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” when director Robert Altman filmed the play, but in other cases she missed out. Bates saw three of her stage characters adapted to the screen but she was a part of neither: “Crimes of the Heart” (replaced by Diane Keaton), “night Mother” (replaced by Sissy Spacek) and “Frankie and Johnny” (Michelle Pfeiffer).

That all changed in 1990, when the 42-year-old thespian was suddenly thrust into movie stardom and an Oscar for her work in the film “Misery” (Best Actress, 1990). It was highly unusual for an actress with only limited film credits to take on a starring film role and win the industry’s highest honor – let alone for a horror movie – but Bates accomplished just that. She later earned Best Supporting Actress bids for “Primary Colors” (1998) and “About Schmidt” (2002).

She came roaring back to the surprise of many with “Richard Jewell” (2019), which tells the true story of a security guard (Paul Walter Hauser) who saved the lives of many when he detected a bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, only to be later blamed for the attempted act of terrorism. Bates plays Richard’s loving mama Bobi Jewell, who stands by her son’s side even as the FBI and media vilify him. She managed to crack the Oscar race for Best Supporting Actress with just a Golden Globe bid to her name, proving you should never count her out.

Take a tour through out photo gallery of Bates’ 15 greatest film performances, and see if your favorite topped the list.

<p><strong>Director and writer: Woody Allen. Starring Mia Farrow, Jodie Foster, Madonna.</strong></p> <p>This is an unusual type of film for Woody Allen. Instead of his usual New York City based urban dramas and comedies this film tells the story of a meek book keeper who gets thrust into the search for a serial killer that is loss in some fictional European country in an unspecified time period in the past. Bates plays one of a group of prostitutes including Lily Tomlin and Jodie Foster who are among the vigilantes trying to stop the killer. In spite of the dark subject matter the film as a comedy and features some classic Woody Allen jokes such as when he meets circus performer and sword-swallower Mia Farrow and asks her what happens if she ever gets the hiccups while performing.</p>
Brian Hamill/Orion / Rollins-Joffe/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

15. SHADOWS AND FOG (1991)

Director and writer: Woody Allen. Starring Mia Farrow, Jodie Foster, Madonna.

This is an unusual type of film for Woody Allen. Instead of his usual New York City based urban dramas and comedies this film tells the story of a meek book keeper who gets thrust into the search for a serial killer that is loss in some fictional European country in an unspecified time period in the past. Bates plays one of a group of prostitutes including Lily Tomlin and Jodie Foster who are among the vigilantes trying to stop the killer. In spite of the dark subject matter the film as a comedy and features some classic Woody Allen jokes such as when he meets circus performer and sword-swallower Mia Farrow and asks her what happens if she ever gets the hiccups while performing.

<p><strong>Director: Norman Rene. Writer: Craig Lucas. Starring Alec Baldwin, Meg Ryan, Ned Beatty. </strong></p> <p>Based on the Tony nominated play of the same name this film is a body switching comedy in which a nervous bride on her wedding day is transported into the body of an elderly man who has wandered into her wedding ceremony. Her husband then tries to unravel the supernatural phenomenon and restore his bride to her own body. Bates plays the bride’s aunt who is a bubbly happy character unlike many of the darker roles she has taken on her career.</p>
Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock

14. PRELUDE TO A KISS (1992)

Director: Norman Rene. Writer: Craig Lucas. Starring Alec Baldwin, Meg Ryan, Ned Beatty.

Based on the Tony nominated play of the same name this film is a body switching comedy in which a nervous bride on her wedding day is transported into the body of an elderly man who has wandered into her wedding ceremony. Her husband then tries to unravel the supernatural phenomenon and restore his bride to her own body. Bates plays the bride’s aunt who is a bubbly happy character unlike many of the darker roles she has taken on her career.

<p><strong>Director: Emilio Estevez. Writer: James Duff. Starring Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen, Kimberly Williams.</strong></p> <p>Produced on Broadway under the name “Home Front” and starring Carroll O’Connor this play opened to less than stellar reviews and only ran a week and a half. Emilio Estevez took the property anyway and directed he and his real life father, Martin Sheen in a film version of it. The story is about a young Vietnam veteran who returns home from the war and has trouble adjusting to life. Sheen plays Estevez’ demanding father. Bates plays the mother trapped in the middle of the families battles.</p>
Metrodome/Orion/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

13. THE WAR AT HOME (1996)

Director: Emilio Estevez. Writer: James Duff. Starring Emilio Estevez, Martin Sheen, Kimberly Williams.

Produced on Broadway under the name “Home Front” and starring Carroll O’Connor this play opened to less than stellar reviews and only ran a week and a half. Emilio Estevez took the property anyway and directed he and his real life father, Martin Sheen in a film version of it. The story is about a young Vietnam veteran who returns home from the war and has trouble adjusting to life. Sheen plays Estevez’ demanding father. Bates plays the mother trapped in the middle of the families battles.

<p><strong>Director and writer: John Lee Hancock. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron.</strong></p> <p>Sandra Bullock won as Best Actress Oscar for this story of a wealthy Tennessee woman who adopts a neglected high school football player. Bates has a supporting role in the film as a tutor the family hires to help the boy bring up his grades.</p>
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

12. THE BLIND SIDE (2009)

Director and writer: John Lee Hancock. Starring Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron.

Sandra Bullock won as Best Actress Oscar for this story of a wealthy Tennessee woman who adopts a neglected high school football player. Bates has a supporting role in the film as a tutor the family hires to help the boy bring up his grades.

<p><strong>Director and writer: Woody Allen. Starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hiddleston.</strong></p> <p>This Woody Allen movie explores the idea of a person feeling like they were born in the wrong time in history. Owen Wilson stars as a screenwriter visiting Paris who is transported back in time to the days when Paris was an enclave for many famous writers. Allen won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film. Bates plays the famed writer Gertrude Stein whom Wilson meets on one of his fantasy nights on the town in Paris.</p>
Gravier Productions/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

11. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)

Director and writer: Woody Allen. Starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Tom Hiddleston.

This Woody Allen movie explores the idea of a person feeling like they were born in the wrong time in history. Owen Wilson stars as a screenwriter visiting Paris who is transported back in time to the days when Paris was an enclave for many famous writers. Allen won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film. Bates plays the famed writer Gertrude Stein whom Wilson meets on one of his fantasy nights on the town in Paris.

<p><strong>Director: Sam Mendes. Writer: Justin Haythe. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon.</strong></p> <p>“Revolutionary Road” tells the story of a deeply unhappy married couple in 1940s suburbia. The film reunited Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates who had all appeared to great success in “Titanic.” Bates plays the busy body real estate agent who finds the couple their house. She is also the mother of Michael Shannon (in a Best Supporting Actor nominated role) as a psychologically tormented young man who calls out the couple played by DiCaprio and Winslet for settling for a humdrum life in the suburbs and not following thru on their dream of moving to Paris.</p>
BBC/Evamere/Neal Street Prods./Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

10. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD (2008)

Director: Sam Mendes. Writer: Justin Haythe. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Michael Shannon.

“Revolutionary Road” tells the story of a deeply unhappy married couple in 1940s suburbia. The film reunited Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet and Kathy Bates who had all appeared to great success in “Titanic.” Bates plays the busy body real estate agent who finds the couple their house. She is also the mother of Michael Shannon (in a Best Supporting Actor nominated role) as a psychologically tormented young man who calls out the couple played by DiCaprio and Winslet for settling for a humdrum life in the suburbs and not following thru on their dream of moving to Paris.

<p><strong>Director: Robert Altman. Writer: Ed Graczyk. Starring Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black</strong></p> <p>Bates first gained attention on the New York stage. One of her early roles there was in this ensemble comedic drama directed by Robert Altman , who then filmed the play which is largely credited as being Cher’s first prominent film role and launching her acting career. The film tells the story of a reunion of a James Dean fan club where secrets are revealed and old grievances and conflicts played out.</p>
Courtesy Cinecom International Films

9. COME BACK TO THE 5 AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN (1982)

Director: Robert Altman. Writer: Ed Graczyk. Starring Sandy Dennis, Cher, Karen Black

Bates first gained attention on the New York stage. One of her early roles there was in this ensemble comedic drama directed by Robert Altman , who then filmed the play which is largely credited as being Cher’s first prominent film role and launching her acting career. The film tells the story of a reunion of a James Dean fan club where secrets are revealed and old grievances and conflicts played out.

<p><strong>Director: Hector Babenco. Writer: Jean-Claude Carrière, Hector Babenco, Vincent Patric. Starring Tom Berenger, John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah. </strong></p> <p>This underappreciated film takes place in the Brazilian rain forest. Bates plays a devout Christian woman who comes to Brazil with her husband and young child in order to spread Christianity to the primitive tribes people who live there. Bates has particularly riveting scenes in which she is driven mad with grief over the death of her son and the harsh conditions under which they are living.</p>
SNAP/REX/Shutterstock

8. AT PLAY IN THE FIELDS OF THE LORD (1991)

Director: Hector Babenco. Writer: Jean-Claude Carrière, Hector Babenco, Vincent Patric. Starring Tom Berenger, John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah.

This underappreciated film takes place in the Brazilian rain forest. Bates plays a devout Christian woman who comes to Brazil with her husband and young child in order to spread Christianity to the primitive tribes people who live there. Bates has particularly riveting scenes in which she is driven mad with grief over the death of her son and the harsh conditions under which they are living.

<p><strong>Director and writer: James Cameron. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane.</strong></p> <p>Eleven Oscars and major box office success went to this story of the famed unsinkable ocean liner which hit an iceberg and sunk killing over 1,500 people. While most of the main characters in the film are fictional, Bates play the real life Molly Brown whose life had previously been dramatized by Best Actress Oscar nominee Debbie Reynolds in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Her haunted reaction to the ship sinking as she watches from a lifeboat and her pleas to the crew member to have the lifeboat return to save the drowning passengers are among the film’s most memorable moments.</p>
20th Century Fox/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

7. TITANIC (1997)

Director and writer: James Cameron. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane.

Eleven Oscars and major box office success went to this story of the famed unsinkable ocean liner which hit an iceberg and sunk killing over 1,500 people. While most of the main characters in the film are fictional, Bates play the real life Molly Brown whose life had previously been dramatized by Best Actress Oscar nominee Debbie Reynolds in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Her haunted reaction to the ship sinking as she watches from a lifeboat and her pleas to the crew member to have the lifeboat return to save the drowning passengers are among the film’s most memorable moments.

<p><strong>Director: Clint Eastwood. Writer: Billy Ray. Starring Sam Rockwell, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Paul Walter Hauser.</strong></p> <p>Bates returned to the Oscar race with her heartbreaking performance in Clint Eastwood’s true life drama. “Richard Jewell” casts Paul Walter Hauser as the title character, a lonely security guard who saved the lives of many when he detected a bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, only to be blamed for the attempted act of terrorism himself. Bates plays his loyal mama, Bobi Jewell, who sticks by her son’s side even as he’s vilified by the media and the FBI. The moment when she pleads Richard’s case in front of unforgiving TV cameras undoubtedly earned her that Best Supporting Actress bid.</p>
Warner Bros.

6. RICHARD JEWELL (2019)

Director: Clint Eastwood. Writer: Billy Ray. Starring Sam Rockwell, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Paul Walter Hauser.

Bates returned to the Oscar race with her heartbreaking performance in Clint Eastwood’s true life drama. “Richard Jewell” casts Paul Walter Hauser as the title character, a lonely security guard who saved the lives of many when he detected a bomb at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, only to be blamed for the attempted act of terrorism himself. Bates plays his loyal mama, Bobi Jewell, who sticks by her son’s side even as he’s vilified by the media and the FBI. The moment when she pleads Richard’s case in front of unforgiving TV cameras undoubtedly earned her that Best Supporting Actress bid.

<p><strong>Director: Alexander Payne. Writers: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor. Starring Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney.</strong></p> <p>Bates received her third Oscar nomination (as Best Supporting Actress) for this film that stars Jack Nicholson as a directionless widower who finds life difficult after his retirement. Bates plays the mother of Nicholson’s daughter’s fiancee who is as free-spirited as Nicholson is troubled. Her hot tub attempt at seducing Nicholson is one of Bates most memorable comic moments on screen.</p>
Scmidt Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock

5. ABOUT SCHMIDT (2002)

Director: Alexander Payne. Writers: Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor. Starring Jack Nicholson, Hope Davis, Dermot Mulroney.

Bates received her third Oscar nomination (as Best Supporting Actress) for this film that stars Jack Nicholson as a directionless widower who finds life difficult after his retirement. Bates plays the mother of Nicholson’s daughter’s fiancee who is as free-spirited as Nicholson is troubled. Her hot tub attempt at seducing Nicholson is one of Bates most memorable comic moments on screen.

<p><strong>Director: Mike Nichols. Writer: Elaine May. Starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton.</strong></p> <p>The book on which “Primary Colors” is based was written anonymously (later journalist Joe Klein was revealed to be the author) as an insider account of  a president and first lady very closely based on Bill and Hillary Clinton. Bates plays a political operative in the film and received her second Oscar nomination (as Best Supporting Actress for the film.) Bates also won the SAG Award for Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture for her doomed character.</p>
Francois Duhamel/Universal City Inc/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

4. PRIMARY COLORS (1998)

Director: Mike Nichols. Writer: Elaine May. Starring John Travolta, Emma Thompson, Billy Bob Thornton.

The book on which “Primary Colors” is based was written anonymously (later journalist Joe Klein was revealed to be the author) as an insider account of  a president and first lady very closely based on Bill and Hillary Clinton. Bates plays a political operative in the film and received her second Oscar nomination (as Best Supporting Actress for the film.) Bates also won the SAG Award for Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture for her doomed character.

<p><strong>Director: Jon Avnet. Writer: Fannie Flagg, Carol Sobieski. Starring Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker.</strong></p> <p>Bates followed up her malevolent Oscar winning role in “Misery” with this completely opposite type of role as a shy and somewhat timid housewife who gains strength thru stories told to her by a nursing home resident played by Oscar nominee Jessica Tandy. The film has a classic movie moment when a young woman steals a parking space in a supermarket from Bates declaring she got it because she is younger and faster. Bates proceeds to demolish the woman’s car with her own and then declares she did what she did because she’s older and has better insurance.</p>
ITV/REX/Shutterstock

3. FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1991)

Director: Jon Avnet. Writer: Fannie Flagg, Carol Sobieski. Starring Jessica Tandy, Mary Stuart Masterson, Mary-Louise Parker.

Bates followed up her malevolent Oscar winning role in “Misery” with this completely opposite type of role as a shy and somewhat timid housewife who gains strength thru stories told to her by a nursing home resident played by Oscar nominee Jessica Tandy. The film has a classic movie moment when a young woman steals a parking space in a supermarket from Bates declaring she got it because she is younger and faster. Bates proceeds to demolish the woman’s car with her own and then declares she did what she did because she’s older and has better insurance.

<p><strong>Director: Taylor Hackford. Writers: Tony Gilroy. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, Christopher Plummer.</strong></p> <p>Bates has declared this Stephen King film the favorite of all her roles she played. Dolores Claiborne is a mother of a young girl who is being molested by her abusive father. The film flashes back and forth in time telling the present day story of how the daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh) hasn’t spoken to her mother in years and their uneasy reunion. That part is contrasted with the past story of how Dolores plotted to kill her husband to protect the daughter from the abusive father.</p>
Castle Rock Entertainment/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

2. DOLORES CLAIBORNE (1995)

Director: Taylor Hackford. Writers: Tony Gilroy. Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, Christopher Plummer.

Bates has declared this Stephen King film the favorite of all her roles she played. Dolores Claiborne is a mother of a young girl who is being molested by her abusive father. The film flashes back and forth in time telling the present day story of how the daughter (Jennifer Jason Leigh) hasn’t spoken to her mother in years and their uneasy reunion. That part is contrasted with the past story of how Dolores plotted to kill her husband to protect the daughter from the abusive father.

<p><strong>Director: Rob Reiner. Writer: William Goldman. Starring James Caan, Lauren Bacall, Richard Farnsworth.</strong></p> <p>Many major stars such as Jessica Lange and Bette Midler passed on the lead role of this Stephen King story of an obsessed fan who holds her favorite author hostage in her remote home. Director Rob Reiner saw Bates in the play “Aunt Dan and Lemon” in Los Angeles and decided to take a chance and cast the little known film actress in the lead role of his film. Bates when on to win a slew of awards for the film including the Oscar for Best Actress.</p>
SNAP/REX/Shutterstock

1. MISERY (1990)

Director: Rob Reiner. Writer: William Goldman. Starring James Caan, Lauren Bacall, Richard Farnsworth.

Many major stars such as Jessica Lange and Bette Midler passed on the lead role of this Stephen King story of an obsessed fan who holds her favorite author hostage in her remote home. Director Rob Reiner saw Bates in the play “Aunt Dan and Lemon” in Los Angeles and decided to take a chance and cast the little known film actress in the lead role of his film. Bates when on to win a slew of awards for the film including the Oscar for Best Actress.

More for You

Cambria and Angie Cella on ABC's

Barbara Corcoran made a $200,000 'Shark Tank' offer on one condition: Power to revamp the CEO's entire business

TikTok star Kyle Marisa Roth dies at 36

TikTok star Kyle Marisa Roth dies at 36

Jodie Comer, at the 2023 Fashion Awards

One of the best British spy dramas of all time is finally streaming on Netflix

7 CDs You Probably Owned, Threw Out and Now Are Worth Bank

7 CDs You Probably Owned, Threw Out and Now Are Worth Bank

Scott Peterson addresses the appeals court over Zoom

Scott Peterson defense drops motion to seal in bid for new trial after prosecutors note files mostly public

drinking_2_kl_120122

Another popular beer, brewery brand files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The Vatican’s Bewildering New Declaration

The Vatican’s Bewildering New Declaration

Ants In House Gettyimages 1217118154

How to Get Rid of Ants in Your House and Yard

U.S. sprinter Gabby Thomas says she prefers “wearing as little clothes as possible” when she competes, so she's grateful to have options at the Olympics.

U.S. women’s track Olympians say photo was shocking but uniform isn’t

Jean-Pierre on Arizona's Abortion Ban: 'More Extreme and Dangerous'

White House Response To Soaring Gas Prices Sparks Backlash

Al Roker,

Ex-PBS Producer Says He Was Fired From Al Roker Cartoon for Complaining Show Didn't Honor DEI Policy

Property owner's home destroyed while on vacation

‘An unforgivable accident’: This Atlanta woman’s home was demolished by mistake — and then the city threatened to fine her for the mess. How to protect your biggest asset from the unexpected

Potatoes

What Not to Plant with Tomatoes: 10 Companions to Avoid

Pedestrians pass in front of a Red Lobster restaurant in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012.

Red Lobster considering bankruptcy filing: report

Everything you need to know about 1883 season 2

Everything you need to know about 1883 season 2

Peanuts by Charles Schulz

Peanuts by Charles Schulz

US Navy warships shot down Iranian missiles with a weapon they've never used in combat before

US Navy warships shot down Iranian missiles with a weapon they've never used in combat before

Tayla Clement

The girl who can’t smile: How a rare disorder became a young woman's ‘greatest gift’

Spire collapses on one of Europe’s most iconic buildings in huge fire

Spire collapses on one of Europe’s most iconic buildings in huge fire

Jon Taffer slams California for 'junk fees' bill

‘Get used to the $30 burger’: 'Bar Rescue' host Jon Taffer slams California for getting ‘involved' in the restaurant business — warns of ‘incredibly high’ menu prices. Does he have a point?