Brad Pitt’s impressive filmography spans genres and eras, making him not only a Hollywood icon but also a sought-after performer whose range is consistently recognized. For fans wanting to settle the debate on Brad Pitt top movies ranked, Letterboxd’s user ratings now offer a definitive list that captures the collective pulse of cinephiles worldwide.
With Pitt evolving from a breakout role in Thelma & Louise to headlining ambitious projects like Babylon and F1, his career highlights remarkable versatility and enduring appeal. Through the following ranking, see how Pitt’s most celebrated works stack up and whether your favorites made the ultimate cut.
10. Babylon (2022): Pitt Channels Old Hollywood in a Daring Period Piece
Directed by Damien Chazelle, Babylon delivers a sprawling depiction of Hollywood’s turbulent transition from silent films to “talkies,” set against the backdrop of the roaring 1920s. Pitt stars as Jack Conrad, a charismatic but fading film star navigating wild parties, excess, and the emotional toll of fleeting fame alongside Margot Robbie’s Nellie LaRoy and Diego Calva’s Manuel.
Noted for its excess and ambitious storytelling, Babylon stands out as an unconventional homage to cinema’s magical yet brutal realities. Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Jack Conrad grounds the film with equal parts charm and underlying despair, reflecting a man desperate to reclaim his former glory. Despite the large ensemble, including Jean Smart, Tobey Maguire, and Olivia Wilde, Pitt’s performance remains central—the depiction of a fading luminary is poignant, even as his own stardom persists undiminished.
9. Ocean’s Eleven (2001): The Master of Cool in an All-Star Heist Cast
Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven reimagines the classic Rat Pack caper with a dazzling ensemble. Centering on Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and Rusty Ryan (Pitt), this high-stakes heist revolves around stealing $160 million from casino mogul Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) in Las Vegas. The film buzzes with chemistry, thanks to a cast including Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, and Elliott Gould.
Pitt’s Rusty exudes effortless cool, serving as the stylish and hyper-competent right-hand man to Clooney’s ringleader. Fans with a sharp eye often notice his character perpetually snacking, a subtle detail underscoring Rusty’s always-on hustle. Ocean’s Eleven defined the modern blockbuster, and the dynamic between Clooney and Pitt helped anchor the trilogy as a fun, fast-paced ride synonymous with Hollywood’s new millennium energy.
8. Moneyball (2011): Reinventing the Game with Data and Determination
Directed by Bennett Miller, Moneyball dramatizes the literal and metaphorical game-changing 2002 season of the Oakland Athletics. Brad Pitt stars as general manager Billy Beane, who upends baseball tradition by using sabermetrics to assemble a competitive team despite limited resources. Alongside Jonah Hill’s Peter Brand, Beane’s analytical approach challenges entrenched norms, rewriting baseball history in the process.
Pitt’s performance as Beane earned him an Oscar nomination, marking a turning point in his career by proving his dramatic range extended far beyond heartthrob status. His on-screen chemistry with Hill, who brings wit and warmth, enriches the film’s authentic portrayal of persistence and innovation. Moneyball stands out as a compelling story about sports and strategy that resonates with anyone rooting for the underdog.
7. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007): Revisiting a Western Legend
Andrew Dominik’s revisionist Western adapts Ron Hansen’s novel to examine the mythic last days of Jesse James (Pitt) and the psychological unravelling of his admirer-turned-murderer Robert Ford (Casey Affleck). The narrative delves into celebrity, betrayal, and obsession, exploring the dangerous allure of being an anti-hero in America’s collective imagination.
The visually stunning epic, nearly three hours long, is celebrated for its atmospheric storytelling and nuanced performances. Pitt’s brooding, enigmatic James resists simple categorization—a legend haunted by isolation and paranoia. Affleck matches Pitt’s depth, highlighting the fatal consequences of idolizing and ultimately destroying one’s hero. The Assassination of Jesse James may not have garnered blockbuster status, but it remains a quietly powerful entry in Pitt’s celebrated career, reinforced by strong supporting performances from Mary-Louise Parker, Jeremy Renner, Zooey Deschanel, and Sam Rockwell.
6. Snatch (2000): Comic Brilliance in a Crime Thriller Chaos
Guy Ritchie’s Snatch interweaves two main storylines: a frantic search for a stolen diamond and an underdog boxing underworld led by small-time promoter Turkish (Jason Statham) and gangster Brick Top Pulford (Alan Ford). Pitt’s role as Mickey O’Neill, an unpredictable bare-knuckle boxer with an indecipherable accent, instantly became cult favorite material.
With Ritchie’s trademark energetic editing and irreverent humor, Snatch is recognized for its edgy characters and rapid-fire plot. Although his accent is intentionally impenetrable, Pitt’s magnetic performance injects crazed humor and authenticity, demonstrating his willingness to break from his “leading man” image for something vibrantly offbeat. The film’s blend of violence and comedy, supported by an ensemble cast featuring Jason Statham, has ensured its lasting popularity among fans of crime capers.
5. 12 Years a Slave (2013): Portraying Hope Amid Historical Tragedy
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave adapts Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir, tracing the real-life ordeal of a free Black man kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays Northup’s harrowing journey through the American South, battling dehumanization, abuse, and the enduring quest for freedom.
Pitt appears as Samuel Bass, a Canadian abolitionist carpenter whose kindness becomes crucial to Northup’s eventual liberation. While brief, his role represents moral clarity and solidarity within an otherwise brutal story. The performance, along with Pitt’s work as a producer, contributed to the film’s critical acclaim and its impact in confronting the legacy of slavery on the big screen. McQueen’s unflinching direction and the powerful cast, including Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o, earned 12 Years a Slave the Academy Award for Best Picture, cementing its importance in 21st-century cinema.
4. Thelma & Louise (1991): The Movie That Launched an Icon
Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise transformed Pitt from a rising actor into a certified star. The film follows Geena Davis’s Thelma and Susan Sarandon’s Louise as friends fleeing the law after a violent incident in a bar. During their escape in a classic Thunderbird, they cross paths with Pitt’s J.D., a charming drifter whose brief fling with Thelma becomes one of the film’s most memorable encounters.
With electric chemistry, Pitt’s turn as J.D. hinted at his future leading-man appeal. The character signified more than just a pretty face—delivering both sensuality and a streak of rebellion. His shirtless scene in the hotel room is regarded as a milestone in Hollywood heartthrob history, while his role contributed to the film’s enduring cultural resonance and the rise of the buddy road-movie genre.
3. Fight Club (1999): Defining a Generation’s Discontent
David Fincher’s Fight Club has become a touchstone of late-1990s cinema, exploring existential dread, consumerism, and fractured identity. The narrative centers on Edward Norton’s insomniac narrator, who forms a cathartic and chaotic bond with soap salesman Tyler Durden (Pitt)—only to unravel deeper psychological truths as the film progresses.
Pitt’s performance as Durden oozes charisma and dangerous unpredictability, serving as both an antagonist and an alter ego for the protagonist. His ability to simultaneously attract and unsettle audiences defined the film’s tone, making Fight Club a milestone in his career and a cult favorite with a lasting cultural influence.
2. Inglourious Basterds (2009): A Vivid Revision of History’s Darkest Moments
Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds offers an audacious alternative take on World War II. Brad Pitt stars as Lieutenant Aldo Raine, leader of an unorthodox band of Jewish-American soldiers—known as the Basterds—on a ruthless mission behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France. Their story converges with that of Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), who plots her own vengeance after losing her family to Nazi atrocities.
Pitt’s Raine commands attention with his Southern drawl and quirky leadership style, infusing grim subject matter with darkly comedic bravado. His memorable moments opposite Christoph Waltz’s chilling Hans Landa add both humor and suspense. The film’s fearless blending of violence, satire, and history, along with Pitt’s standout performance, make it one of his most celebrated projects and a Tarantino classic.
1. Se7en (1995): A Dark Thrill Ride Through Detective Noir
David Fincher’s genre-defining thriller Se7en stars Pitt as Detective David Mills, a rookie partnered with the world-weary Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman). They race to stop a methodical serial killer (Kevin Spacey) whose elaborate crimes are based on the Seven Deadly Sins, constructing a relentlessly grim vision of urban society.
Pitt delivers a delicate balance between youthful optimism and mounting desperation, avoiding genre clichés and offering emotional depth. The shocking finale, marked forever by the infamous line “What’s in the box?” cemented Se7en as a standout entry in Pitt’s career and a defining film for the decade, exemplifying his growing ability to anchor complex, enduring stories.
The Lasting Influence of Brad Pitt’s Filmography
Across numerous collaborations with directors like David Fincher, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Steven Soderbergh, Guy Ritchie, and Bennett Miller, Brad Pitt’s top movies ranked here reflect both his artistic growth and staying power. From cultural landmarks like Fight Club and Se7en to transformative ensembles and multidimensional roles, Pitt’s performances have consistently captured the attention of audiences, critics, and industry peers alike.
Letterboxd’s community-driven ranking not only provides a snapshot of changing tastes but also underscores Pitt’s importance in shaping modern cinema. As he continues to take risks with new projects, his legacy as a versatile performer remains firmly intact, inspiring both new fans and committed cinephiles worldwide.
