Marlon Brando Movies

Want to know the best Marlon Brando movies?  How about the worst Marlon Brando movies?  Curious about Marlon Brando’s box office grosses or which Marlon Brando movie picked up the most Oscar® nominations? Need to know which Marlon Brando movie got the best reviews from critics and audiences and which one got the worst reviews? Well you have come to the right place….because we have all of that information.

Marlon Brando (1924-2004) owned the 1950s as an actor. He received 5 Oscar® nominations for Best Actor between 1952 and 1958. He had it all…. blockbusters, critical acclaim, and an Oscar® win. His movies generated over 200 million ticket sales in the 1950s. Unfortunately the 1960s were not so kind to him. One could argue, that every movie he made in the 1960s was a box office failure. By the early 1970s he was considered box office poison. It was during this time that movie magic would happen again. That of course, was his role in The Godfather.

The Godfather was a blockbuster hit that won Oscars® for Best Picture and Best Actor. The following year he earned another Oscar® nomination for Last Tango in Paris. Then he pretty much stop making movies. Over the last 30 years of his life he only made 10 more movies and they were pretty much supporting parts.

His IMDb page shows 47 acting credits from 1949-2006. This page will rank 37 Marlon Brando movies from Best to Worst in six different sortable columns of information.  Television appearances, shorts, cameos, video game roles and direct to DVD movies were not included in the rankings.

Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh in 1951's A Streetcar Named Desire
Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh in 1951’s A Streetcar Named Desire

Marlon Brando Movies Ranked In Chronological Order With Ultimate Movie Rankings Score (1 to 5 UMR Tickets) *Best combo of box office, reviews and awards.

Marlon Brando Movies Can Be Ranked 6 Ways In This Table

The really cool thing about this table is that it is “user-sortable”. Rank the movies anyway you want.

  • Sort by Marlon Brando’s co-stars of his movies.
  • Sort Marlon Brando movies by adjusted domestic box office grosses using current movie ticket cost.
  • Sort Marlon Brando movies by their yearly box office rank
  • Sort Marlon Brando movies how they were received by critics and audiences.  60% rating or higher should indicate a good movie.
  • Sort by how many Oscar® nominations and how many Oscar® wins each Marlon Brando movie received.
  • Sort Marlon Brando movies by Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) Score.  UMR Score puts box office, reviews and awards into a mathematical equation and gives each movie a score.

Stats and Possibly Interesting Things From The Above Marlon Brando Table

  1. Sixteen Marlon Brando movies crossed the magical $100 million domestic gross mark.  That is a percentage of 43.24% of his movies listed. The Godfather (1972) was his biggest box office hit.
  2. An average Marlon Brando movie earned $144.60 million in adjusted box office gross.
  3. Using RottenTomatoes.com’s 60% fresh meter.  28 of Marlon Brando’s movies are rated as good movies…or 75.67% of his movies.  The Godfather (1972)  was his highest rated movie while Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992) was his lowest rated movie.
  4. Eighteen Marlon Brando movies received at least one Oscar® nomination in any category…..or 48.64% of his movies.
  5. Seven Marlon Brando’s movies won at least one Oscar® in any category…..or 18.91% of his movies.
  6. A “good movie” Ultimate Movie Rankings (UMR) is 60.00 or above.  24 Marlon Brando movies scored higher that average….or 64.86% of his movies.  The Godfather (1972) got the the highest UMR Score while Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992) got the lowest UMR Score.
Marlon Brando in 1955's Guys and Dolls
Marlon Brando in 1955’s Guys and Dolls

Adjusted box office grosses are used to make it easier, to figure out how successful a movie was when it was originally released and compare that to our current box office numbers. For example: The classic On the Waterfront grossed $9,240,000 in 1954. In 2014, $9,240,000 million would have ranked 134th for the year….right behind Mom’s Night Out. However its adjusted box office gross of $163,200,000 million would have finished 19th for the year right behind 18th place Gone Girl. 

And finally….just found this page from Luna B. on HubPages….a very interesting read.  Marlon Brando’s Top Ten Movies….highly recommend checking it out.

Steve’s Expanded Marlon Brando You Tube Video

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194 thoughts on “Marlon Brando Movies”

  1. 8 June 2025 – 46 Roles Actors Nailed So Well They Could Never Be Replaced

    Story by Elle Adams

    TOP 10

    1. Marlon Brando – Vito Corleone in The Godfather© Metaflix

    Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Vito Corleone in “The Godfather” is nothing short of legendary. With a commanding presence, Brando brought the powerful yet nuanced character of the mafia don to life. His distinct voice and mannerisms became iconic and are forever etched in cinematic history. Brando’s transformation into Vito was so complete that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role.

    His ability to humanize a ruthless crime boss while maintaining an air of mystery made the performance unforgettable. This role set a standard for all future portrayals of similar characters; but the American Film Institute in a list a few years back cited Brando’s performance as Don Corleone as THE most famous film performance of all time among all great performances.

    2. Heath Ledger – The Joker in The Dark Knight© USA Today

    In “The Dark Knight,” Heath Ledger delivered a villainous masterpiece as the Joker. His fierce dedication resulted in a haunting performance that forever changed the character. With a chilling laugh, unpredictable antics, and a powerful presence, Ledger’s Joker remains unforgettable.

    His unique interpretation and commitment to the role won him a posthumous Oscar, cementing his portrayal as the quintessential Joker. The role’s complexity and Ledger’s tragic passing make this performance one of the most memorable in cinematic history.

    3. Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs© MovieWeb

    With barely 16 minutes of screen time in “The Silence of the Lambs,” Anthony Hopkins turned Hannibal Lecter into an unforgettable enigma — a sinister blend of calm intellect and cold menace.

    Every silent pause and piercing look carved into the audience’s mind, making Lecter a quietly terrifying force.

    Hopkins’ performance is a masterful blend of charisma and menace, making Lecter one of the most memorable villains in film history. His portrayal was so impactful that it defined the character for generations to come

    4. Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter in Harry Potter series© The Independent

    From the moment Daniel Radcliffe donned his Hogwarts robes, he became the face of “Harry Potter.” Growing up alongside his character, Radcliffe’s portrayal evolved from a wide-eyed wizard-in-training to a determined hero. His authentic connection to the role resonated with fans worldwide.

    Radcliffe’s ability to bring depth to Harry’s struggles and triumphs made his performance both relatable and inspiring. This role defined Radcliffe’s career and remains a beloved portrayal of the iconic character

    5. Robert Downey Jr. – Tony Stark/Iron Man in Marvel Cinematic Universe© Cinemablend

    From the very first scene, Robert Downey Jr. redefined what it meant to be a superhero by injecting Tony Stark with a blend of sharp humor and raw vulnerability. His portrayal shattered the mold of the typical comic book hero, making Stark’s genius and flaws equally captivating. Audiences found themselves drawn not just to the tech-savvy billionaire, but to the man behind the armor—charismatic, witty, and surprisingly relatable.

    Setting a new standard for superhero storytelling, Downey’s performance became the cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s success. Through his evolution from a self-centered playboy to a selfless savior, he brought depth and complexity to the role, proving that even heroes have their struggles. This transformation made Iron Man not only an icon of heroism but also a symbol of redemption and growth

    6. Johnny Depp – Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean© Reddit

    Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow in “Pirates of the Caribbean” dances on the edge of madness and charisma. With slurred dialogue and wild unpredictability, Depp created a character whose charm and wit have become timeless staples of the franchise.

    Depp’s commitment to the role and his unique interpretation brought the swashbuckling pirate to life in a way that no one else could. His performance remains the heart and soul of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise

    7. Harrison Ford – Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones series© Britannica

    The essence of the action-adventure hero shines through Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” where daring escapades meet quick humor and unforgettable charisma.

    The combination of charisma and action-packed adventure established Indiana Jones as a timeless icon. Ford’s embodiment of the character is so ingrained in popular culture that it’s impossible to envision anyone else in the role

    8. Sean Connery – James Bond in early 007 films© Den of Geek

    In “Dr. No,” Sean Connery defined James Bond with a perfect blend of charm and lethal precision. His portrayal established the iconic spy’s cool demeanor and irresistible charisma that endured for generations.

    Connery’s portrayal brought a unique blend of charisma and danger that defined the role. His impact on the franchise is undeniable, and he remains one of the most beloved Bonds to date

    9. Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley in Alien series© Bloody Disgusting

    Sigourney Weaver’s “Ellen Ripley” is a groundbreaking role in sci-fi history. As one of the first female action heroes, Weaver’s performance in the Alien series was both fierce and vulnerable. Her portrayal of Ripley as a strong, resourceful survivor redefined gender roles in film.

    Weaver’s ability to convey both strength and empathy made Ripley a relatable and enduring character. Her iconic performance paved the way for future heroines in cinema.

    10. Robin Williams – John Keating in Dead Poets Society© The Business Journals

    Robin Williams brought warmth and wisdom to the role of John Keating in “Dead Poets Society.” His portrayal of the inspiring teacher who encourages students to “seize the day” is both heartfelt and memorable. Williams’ ability to blend humor with sincerity made Keating a beloved figure.

    His performance resonated with audiences, leaving a lasting impact on how we view education and inspiration. Williams’ unique touch and genuine passion for the role made Keating unforgettable

    SELECTED OTHERS

    13/Morgan Freeman as Red in The Shawshank Redemption

    14/Clint Eastwood as The Man with No Name in the Dollar films

    24/Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

    27/Al Pacino as Michael Corleone in the Godfather Trilogy

    30/Alan Ladd as Shane in the western film of that name.

    37/Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver

    44/ Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca

    45/Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All about Eve.

    46/Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

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