Top 11 George Clooney Movies
- CJ Tiernan
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Updated: 5d
By CJ Tiernan
Suave. Debonaire. Handsome. This actor oozes charisma and charm. He also happens to have starred in a some great motion pictures. The following is a list of my Top 11 favorite movies featuring George Clooney and the dulcet tones of his deep voice
1. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Why You Should Watch It:
This is the greatest stop-motion animation film I've ever seen. It proved to be the perfect canvas for director Wes Anderson's unique color palette. From anthropomorphic animals to slapstick comedy, I don't know that I've ever laughed harder at a movie.
George Clooney's Role:
Clooney plays the titular Mr. Fox, an instigator in rising tensions between human farmers and the nearby animal densions. His endearing charm is on full display even though he lends only a voice to this role. Mr. Fox is crafty, smooth, sly like a... you know.... fox.
2. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Why You Should Watch It:
When George Clooney partners with the Coen Brothers, the Audience wins. He teams up with Tim Blake Nelson, and John Turturro as a jailbreak trio in search of treasure in the 1930s American South. They also stumble backward into recording a hit song. The movie is loosely based on Homer's Odyssey, but the departures from the source material's time and place lead to pure comedy gold.
George Clooney's Role:
Clooney goes broad here. Really broad with the comedy. It's over the top and wildy expressive and I couldn't stop laughing. His eyes are so expressive and wild. He plays Ulysses Everett McGill, a chain gang escapee rushing to dig up buried treasure before the area it is buried is washed away in a flood.
3. Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Why You Should Watch It:
It's a remake of a movie I've never seen. Some people say that one is better. I really like this one. I'm a sucker for a heist movie and this is a very satisfying heist movie. Did I mention it also has Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, and Matt Damon. It's stacked and it's good. What more do you need?
George Clooney's Role:
He plays Danny Ocean, the puppet master behind the elaborate heist, who has to appear hands-off as he is a wanted man by the casino owner. He exhibits effortless charisma in this one.
4. Out of Sight (1998)
Why You Should Watch It:
Another crime comedy. Another must watch. J-Lo and Clooney, on opposite sides of the law. You can't look away, man.
George Clooney's Role:
Criminal Jack Foley, who kidnaps government agent Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez), in a saucy Steven Soderbergh flick.
5. The Perfect Storm (2000)
Why You Should Watch It:
In Literature, they say there are several different flavors of conflict: Man v. Man, Man v. Self, Man v. Animal, and Man v. Nature. This movie is an excellet example of that last one. Action on the high seas. This is a white-knuckler. It also has the benefit of supporting players, John C. Reilly, Mark Wahlberg, and Diane Lane.
George Clooney's Role:
Clooney plays the Captain of a commercial fishing vessel, Billy Tyne, caught in a storm off the east coast of the US. It takes place in the Fall of 1991, and is based on a true story and packs all the commensurate emotion.
6. Spy Kids (2001)
Why You Should Watch It:
This is not a George Clooney Movie. This is a movie that has George Clooney in it. It is a delightful kids movie that I love in no small part because I was a kid when I first saw it. I still quote this movie and it is a great source of entertainment.
George Clooney's Role:
He plays Diego Devlin, the head of the Organization of Super Spies. He pops up as a talking head. This is a cameo appearance. It is a buttoned-up, straightforward performance. He is not the reason to watch this movie.
7. Burn After Reading (2008)
Why You Should Watch It:
Coen Brothers Again! Crazy-eyed George Clooney again! The funniest Brad Pitt has ever been. This movie starts crazy, and then goes off the rails. Also features, J.K. Simmons, Francis McDormand, John Malkovich.
George Clooney's Role:
George plays Harry Pfarrer, a US Marshall. and hijink ensue.
8. Up in the Air (2009)
Why You Should Watch It:
Back to Suave George! This movie features the talents of Vera Farmiga, Jason Bateman, and Anna Kendrick and the director of Juno and Thank You for Smoking. It is a hearting delight and features a shoutout to Dubuque, Iowa (my hometown). Worth the watch.
George Clooney's Role:
He plays Ryan Bingham, a man who flys all over the country to help companies fire people. His life gets shaken up by the advent of video conferencing.
9. Intolerabe Cruelty (2003)
Why You Should Watch It:
Coen Brothers again! This one features George going head to head with Catherine Zeta Jones in a delightful romantic comedy. This one also features Billy Bob Thornton and Geoffrey Rush in juicy roles.
George Clooney's Role:
George Clooney plays Miles Massey, a divorce attorney with a stellar track record. He manages to win in court against Catherine Zeta Jones' Marylin Rexroth and she sets forth a plan for revenge.
10. Gravity (2013)
Why You Should Watch It:
This is a Sandra Bullock movie. George Cloonely lends some emotional gravity to the proceedings (ha, see what I did there?). It is also a visual marvel from the maker of Children of Men.
George Clooney's Role:
He plays Matt Kowalski, an astronaut and coworker of Sandy B's Ryan Stone.
11. Tomorrowland (2015)
Why You Should Watch It:
This is a movie based on a Disney Ride. Well not a ride, per se, but a land in a theme park where rides are located. The story follows Casey, a brilliant kid played by Britt Robertson, on a quest to reach Tomorrowland, a seemingly idyllic land of the future. It also features House, M.D. himself: Hugh Laurie.
George Clooney's Role:
George is Frank Walker, a previous denizen of Tomorrowland who begrudgingly helps Casey. This is a jaded and cantankerous George. It's fun!
Final Thoughts
I am willing to concede that my rankings my not align with your own. Watching movies can elicit an emotional response in us that links to our enjoyment of the film. How fun is that! We're different. We've had different experiences. That's pretty cool. Things like how old you were and who you saw the movie with can impact your opinion. Below is a list of the remaining movies I've seen that have George Clooney in them so you can have a little more context for my rankings. Feel free to offer up your own rankings in the comments section.
Michael Clayton (2007), Hail, Caesar! (2016), South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999), Ocean's Twelve (2004), The Descendants (2011), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), From Dusk Till Dawn (1996), IF (2024), Batman & Robin (1997), The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), Spy Kids 3D: Game Over (2003), The Ides of March (2011), Leatherheads (2008), The Midnight Sky (2020)
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