Our team compiled the best George Clooney movies and here is what they came up with
George Clooney is a Hollywood icon who has captivated audiences for decades with his talent, charisma, and good looks. From his early days as a television actor to his current status as a respected and seasoned performer, Clooney has consistently delivered strong and memorable performances in a wide variety of films.
Here are 23 of the best George Clooney movies, along with a summary of the film, the box office gross, the MPAA rating, the year of release, and why Clooney was appreciated in it:
1. Gravity (2013)
In this science fiction film, Clooney plays Matt Kowalski, an astronaut who becomes stranded in space after a disaster and must find a way to return to Earth. The film grossed over $723 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Kowalski was praised for his ability to bring a sense of calm and competence to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
2. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
In this heist film, Clooney plays Danny Ocean, a thief who assembles a team of experts to rob a casino in Las Vegas. The film grossed over $450 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Ocean was praised for his ability to bring charm and charisma to the character, and he helped make the film a box office hit.
3. Up in the Air (2009)
In this comedy-drama, Clooney plays Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizer who travels the country firing people for a living. The film grossed over $178 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Bingham was praised for his ability to bring depth and complexity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
4. The Descendants (2011)
In this drama, Clooney plays Matt King, a Hawaiian lawyer who must deal with the aftermath of a tragic accident involving his wife (Patricia Hastie) and the revelation of her infidelity. The film grossed over $177 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as King was praised for his ability to bring emotion and depth to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
5. The Monuments Men (2014)
In this historical drama, Clooney plays George Stout, a member of a team of art experts who are tasked with rescuing artwork stolen by the Nazis during World War II. The film grossed over $155 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Stout was praised for his ability to bring a sense of leadership and determination to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
6. Out of Sight (1998)
In this crime comedy, Clooney plays Jack Foley, a career criminal who escapes from prison and goes on the run with a U.S. Marshal (Jennifer Lopez) in hot pursuit. The film grossed over $77 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Foley was praised for his ability to bring charm and wit to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
7. Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
In this comedy, Clooney plays Miles Massey, a divorce lawyer who becomes embroiled in a battle of wits with a gold digger (Catherine Zeta-Jones). The film grossed over $76 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Massey was praised for his ability to bring humor and charm to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
8. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
In this historical drama, Clooney plays Edward R. Murrow, the legendary journalist who challenges the tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy during the McCarthy era. The film grossed over $54 million at the box office and received a PG rating. Clooney’s performance as Murrow was praised for his ability to bring depth and gravitas to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
9. Michael Clayton (2007)
In this legal thriller, Clooney plays Michael Clayton, a fixer at a law firm who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving a client (Tom Wilkinson) and an agrochemical company. The film grossed over $49 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Clayton was praised for his ability to bring a sense of intelligence and determination to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
10. Three Kings (1999)
In this war comedy, Clooney plays Archie Gates, a sergeant who leads a group of soldiers (Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube) on a mission to find Kuwaiti gold during the Gulf War. The film grossed over $60 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Gates was praised for his ability to bring a sense of humor and humanity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
11. The Perfect Storm (2000)
In this disaster film, Clooney plays Billy Tyne, the captain of a fishing boat who leads his crew into a deadly storm in the Atlantic Ocean. The film grossed over $328 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Tyne was praised for his ability to bring a sense of leadership and courage to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
12. Burn After Reading (2008)
In this comedy-thriller, Clooney plays Harry Pfarrer, a dim-witted CIA agent who becomes embroiled in a plot involving a gym employee (Brad Pitt), a disk containing sensitive information, and Russian spies. The film grossed over $160 million at the box office and received a R rating. Clooney’s performance as Pfarrer was praised for his ability to bring humor and absurdity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
13. The Ides of March (2011)
In this political drama, Clooney plays Governor Mike Morris, a presidential candidate who becomes embroiled in a scandal involving a young campaign worker (Ryan Gosling). The film grossed over $76 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Morris was praised for his ability to bring depth and complexity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
14. Solaris (2002)
In this science fiction film, Clooney plays Dr. Chris Kelvin, a psychologist who is sent to a space station to investigate the strange behavior of the crew and becomes embroiled in a mystery involving a mysterious ocean planet. The film grossed over $72 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Kelvin was praised for his ability to bring depth and emotion to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
15. The Peacemaker (1997)
In this action-thriller, Clooney plays Thomas Devoe, a U.S. Army colonel who is tasked with stopping a terrorist plot to detonate a nuclear weapon in the United States. The film grossed over $110 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Devoe was praised for his ability to bring intensity and determination to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
16. Leatherheads (2008)
In this sports comedy, Clooney plays Duke Colburn, a player-coach for a professional football team in the 1920s who becomes involved with a journalist (Renee Zellweger) and a talented young player (John Krasinski). The film grossed over $62 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Colburn was praised for his ability to bring charm and humor to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
17. The American (2010)
In this thriller, Clooney plays Jack, a hitman who goes on the run in Italy after a job goes wrong. The film grossed over $67 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Jack was praised for his ability to bring intensity and depth to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
18. The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
In this comedy-drama, Clooney plays Lyn Cassady, a soldier who claims to have psychic powers and is part of a secret military unit that uses paranormal methods to fight wars. The film grossed over $66 million at the box office and received a R rating. Clooney’s performance as Cassady was praised for his ability to bring humor and absurdity to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
19. The Great Hope Springs (2012)
In this comedy-drama, Clooney plays Dr. Bernie Feld, a therapist who helps a middle-aged couple (Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones) reignite their relationship. The film grossed over $160 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as Feld was praised for his ability to bring charm and humor to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
20. One Fine Day (1996)
In this romantic comedy, Clooney plays Jack Taylor, a newspaper columnist who is tasked with taking care of his daughter (Mae Whitman) for the day while his ex-wife (Michelle Pfeiffer) is busy with work. The film grossed over $100 million at the box office and received a PG rating. Clooney’s performance as Taylor was praised for his ability to bring charm and wit to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
21. The Good German (2006)
In this noir-style film, Clooney plays Captain Jacob “Jake” Geismer, a journalist who becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue and danger while covering the aftermath of World War II in Berlin. The film grossed over $9 million at the box office and received an R rating. Clooney’s performance as Geismer was praised for his ability to bring a sense of cynicism and world-weariness to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
22. Ticket to Paradise (2021)
In this romantic comedy, Clooney plays George, a man who travels to Bali with his ex-wife (Julia Roberts) in an attempt to win her back. The film grossed over $200 million at the box office and received a PG-13 rating. Clooney’s performance as George was praised for his ability to bring charm and humor to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.
23. The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
In this drama, Clooney voices the narrator, a dog named Enzo who reflects on the life and lessons of his owner, a race car driver (Milo Ventimiglia). The film grossed over $82 million at the box office and received a PG rating. Clooney’s performance as the narrator was praised for his ability to bring emotion and depth to the character, and he received numerous awards for his portrayal of the character.