If you were to look up the word “superstar” in the dictionary, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brad Pitt’s visage was strewn across the page. When you hear his name, it’s hard not to think of his chiseled abs, effortless charm, and distinctively beautiful face. Many may even immediately think of all the media surrounding his romantic entanglements with Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston, but we’re definitely not here to talk about that.
Today, we are here to talk about the many strides Brad Pitt has made in his film career; from war movies to heist comedies, he’s taken his physical beauty and made the most of it. While he may not have the reputation of Tom Hanks or Al Pacino, Pitt has become a great performer in his own right. In addition to his prolific acting career, Pitt is also a producer with more than 60 credits to his name. Clearly, there is much more to him than just what meets the eye, which is part of what makes him such a compelling screen presence.
Despite having almost 100 acting credits on IMDB, we’ve managed to narrow in on a list of 13 films that make Pitt one of the greats. Nobody is going to agree 100% with any rankings, so please remember that these are subjective and up for debate. Now, here are the 13 best Brad Pitt movies ranked from least great to best.
13. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
12. True Romance (1993)
11. Moneyball (2011)
10. Legends of the Fall (1994)
Legends of the Fall is a dramatic film with a reasonable runtime that feels like a lifetime. Brad Pitt plays Tristan, one of three brothers to a single father living in the Montana wilderness in the early 1900s. We watch these brothers live through heavy losses, deep love, true betrayal, and war. With his flowing golden locks, mathematically symmetrical face, bright blue eyes, and seemingly effortless physical shape, it’s easy to see why he was so seductive to unsuspecting audiences. Pitt gives a wonderful performance playing a brother in pain, further confirming that it sure helps to be attractive, but it won’t make you into a leading man. It feels like this role was written especially for Pitt given how easily he fits into the part.
9. Snatch (2000)
8. Ad Astra (2019)
7. Troy (2004)
6. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
5. Ocean's Eleven (2001)
4. Fight Club (1999)
Likely the most culturally defining role for Pitt, Fight Club was a short-lived “woop!” for critics upon release but later gained a huge cult following. Based on Chuck Palahniuk’s novel, some young and aggravated men decide the best way to solve their problems is to kick the crap out of each other and reject social standards. Other than causing social unrest in the frustrated young men of society (despite the story’s moral resolution in the end), the movie has some great writing and an awesome twist ending. Pitt’s performance in the film is somehow charming, disgusting, sexy, and terrifying all at once, commenting on the social expectations and outlooks of young men in a sometimes very meta way. Whether you love or hate this film, it’s guaranteed to be continually referenced for a long time to come.
3. Se7en (1995)
Se7en tells the classic story of a young buck detective who is partnered with a veteran on his way out, but put David Fincher at the helm of this well-worn tale and you get a much bleaker version. Brad Pitt plays Mills, the aforementioned hardheaded rookie who is new to the homicide detective game. Tracking a serial killer obsessed with the seven deadly sins, he and Somerset (Morgan Freeman) encounter horrors even the days-from-retirement detective has never seen. As one of the best David Fincher films, it is, of course, very dark — also in a literal sense. Pitt’s performance is one of his best, giving a genuinely flawed and rough nature to the character, especially in the popularly referenced climax. Without getting into spoilers, the end scene is without a doubt some of the best dramatic acting from Pitt’s whole career, masterfully emoting what you might expect one to feel in such a situation.
2. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
1. Twelve Monkeys (1995)
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