The 16 Greatest Morgan Freeman Movies

Morgan Freeman is one of the greatest actors of all time. With a filmography that includes over 100 movies, Freeman has consistently shown his acting range and commitment to the art form throughout his career. Here, we’ll explore the 16 greatest Morgan Freeman movies of all time, some of which have defined his career and earned him a stellar reputation in the movie industry.

Who Is Morgan Freeman? Life And Career Synopsis

Freeman is not only celebrated for his evocative acting and attention to detail; the authoritative baritone of his voice has fascinated fans for decades. Although he was born in Memphis, he spent a few of his formative years in Mississippi, before moving to Gary, Indiana, and then Chicago. After making his acting debut at 9-years-old, he continued to act throughout his high school years at Threadgill Elementary School, formerly known as Broad Street High School. After graduating high school, he joined the Air Force as a mechanic, but after moving to Los Angeles in the 1960s, his acting career kicked off, and he began landing stage roles and appearances in television shows. His big break came with the movie Street Smart in 1987, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Top Morgan Freeman Movies

Morgan Freeman’s top movies are ranked based on their critical acclaim, cultural impact and performances. Since his career started, Freeman has acted in over 100 films, including critically acclaimed roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Amistad, Driving Ms. Daisy and Street Smart. Some of Freeman’s least famous films, according to movie critics, include The Contract, The Poison Rose and Kiss The Girls. Apart from acting, the 87-year-old has also produced and narrated numerous films and documentaries. Here are the 16 greatest movies of Morgan Freeman’s career.

16. Street Smart (1987)

Freeman portrays the menacing pimp, Fast Black, in the gritty storyline, Street Smart. The movie is about a struggling reporter (Christopher Reeve), who gains popularity after writing an attention-grabbing exposé that Freeman believes is about him. His acting in this movie was both profound and magnetic, showcasing his ability to embody the essence of a character. The role was a major turning point for Freeman, and it earned him his first Academy Award nomination and established him as a Hollywood A-lister. The critically acclaimed film was directed by Jerry Schatzberg and also featured Kathy Baker as a co-star.

Memorable quote from the movie: “That ain’t me. And don’t be using that lawyer tone with me. I pay you. I can stop paying you. I’m the one that was up there being arraigned while you was pulling your dong. So don’t use that schoolhouse tone with me.” – Fast Black (played by Freeman).

Where to watch: Tubi and Pluto TV.

15. Red (2010)

In Red, directed by Robert Schwentke, Freeman stars as Joe Matheson, a member of a retired group of CIA operatives who are known as “Retired, Extremely Dangerous.” After Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), one of the retired members of the squad, survives a physical assault from a group of mysterious, dangerous men, the group reunites to investigate a conspiracy that appears to target them. The action-comedy shows Freeman’s acting range and ability to engage with different genres. John Malkovich and Helen Mirren also starred in this movie, which brought in $199 million at the box office.

Memorable quote from the movie: “Frank, I never thought I’d say this again. I am getting the pig!” – Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich)

Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

14. Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Freeman takes on the role of cynical Boston-based police officer Jack Doyle in the thriller-mystery Gone Baby Gone, a film about two private detectives, Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monoghan), who are hired to investigate the disappearance of 4-year-old Amanda McCready. After Amanda goes missing in a rough neighborhood in Boston, her mother, Helene McCready (Amy Ryan), goes public to talk about her abduction. The movie dives deep into the complex nature of complicated crime cases, the scramble to fix mysteries, and the dark underbelly of city life. The movie was directed by Ben Affleck and also stars Ed Harris, and Madeline O’Brien. The film brought in $34 million at the box office.

Memorable quote from the movie: “I always believed it was the things you don’t choose that makes you who you are. Your city, your neighborhood, your family. People here take pride in these things, like it was something they’d accomplished. The bodies around their souls, the cities wrapped around those. I lived on this block my whole life. Most of these people have. When your job is to find people who were missing, it helps to know where they started. I find the people who started in the cracks and then fell through. This city can be hard. When I was young, I asked my priest how you could get to heaven and still protect yourself from all the evil in the world. He told me what God said to his children. “You were sheep among wolves. Be wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves.” — Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck).

Where to watch: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.

13. Bruce Almighty (2003)

In Bruce Almighty, Freeman plays the role of God and grants omnipresent power to a struggling TV reporter, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey). Bruce blames God for all of his troubles, and in response, God gives Bruce divine powers to see if he can do a better job of running the world. The plot has a mix of humor and life lessons, as Bruce misuses his newfound powers for personal gain and petty revenge before realizing the broader impacts of his actions. The film also features Jennifer Aniston and Grace Connelly and was directed by Tom Shadyac.

Memorable quote from the movie: “Now, I’m not much for blasphemy, but that last one made me laugh.” – God (Freeman).

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

12. The Bucket List (2007)

In The Bucket List, billionaire Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and auto mechanic, Carter Chambers (Freeman) act as two men diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and are admitted to the same hospital room. After they both find out that they have similar interests, they set out on an adventure of a lifetime, intent on checking off several items from their bucket lists before they die. Although they start out as complete strangers, the two end up being close friends. The heartwarming film shows themes of life, friendship and fulfillment. The Rob Reiner-directed movie was named by the National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2007, with a box office profit of $175.4 million worldwide and also starred Alfonso Freeman Beverly Todd and Sean Hayes.

Memorable quote from the movie: “Edward Perryman Cole died in May. It was a Sunday in the afternoon and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. He was 81 years old. Even now, I can’t claim to understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this: I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open, and I’m pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place because he was buried on the mountain, and that was against the law.” – Carter Chambers (Freeman).

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

11. The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is one of the movies from the trilogy that revamped the Batman film series, albeit with a darker undertone. In this movie, Freeman plays Lucius Fox, a principled business executive who supplies technology and equipment for Bruce Wayne’s campaign as Batman. In this movie, Wayne enlists the help of Lt. Jim Gordan (Gary Oldman) and Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to help put a stop to crime in Gotham City, but the Joker (Heath Ledger) is determined to quash their plans. The movie raked in over $1 billion at the box office and also starred Maggie Gyllenhaal and Michael Caine.

Memorable quote from the movie: “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” – Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart).

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max.

10. Glory (1989)

The movie Glory is a historical war drama that loosely recounts the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first official African-American units in the United States during the Civil War. In the movie, Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) is assigned to command the United States’ first all-African-American regiment. Shaw assembles a unit that includes escaped slave Silas Trip (Denzel Washington) and gravedigger John Rawlins (Freeman). Although they are initially not taken seriously, the regiment fights to prove that they are capable of fighting on the frontlines. The Edward Zwick-directed film grossed over $27 million worldwide.

Memorable quote from the movie: “That’s right, Hines. Ain’t no dream. We runaway slaves, but we come back fightin’ men. Go tell your folks how kingdom come in the year of jubilee!” – Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Freeman).

Where to watch: Philo, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

9. Nurse Betty (2000)

In Nurse Betty, waitress Betty Sizemore (Renée Zellweger) is content with living her small-town life in Kansas, and for a while, things go well until she witnesses the horrifying death of her husband in a drug-related deal. After she witnesses this, she becomes delusional and begins to live in an alternate reality that leads her to Los Angeles, California. Meanwhile, the two men who murdered her husband, Charlie (Freeman) and Wesley (Chris Rock), are also trying to track her down because they learned that their drugs are stashed away somewhere in her Buick. The film was directed by Neil LaBute.

Memorable quote from the movie: “Did you have a good time? Did you make a wish? Get in touch with your blackness? Found your Betty… well, at least where she has been hanging out.” – Wesley (Chris Rock).

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video.

8. SE7EN (1995)

David Fincher’s SE7EN, one of the best films of the 90s is a neo-noir thriller that sees Freeman take on the role of a seasoned detective named William Somerset, who is faced with catching a murderer whose killing sprees are directly connected to the seven deadly sins. William teams up with David Mills (Brad Pitt) to get to the root of the heinous murders. The movie also features Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. Fincher’s clever use of suspense and psychological plot twists adds an extra level of thrill to the storyline. The film was well-received by viewers and also brought in over $327.3 million at the box office.

Memorable quote from the movie: “If we catch John Doe and he turns out to be the devil, I mean if he’s Satan himself, that might live up to our expectations, but he’s not the devil. He’s just a man.” – William Sommerset (Freeman).

Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video.

7. High Crimes (2002)

Carl Franklin’s High Crimes is an action-packed crime drama that follows the life of Claire Kubik (Ashley Judd), a successful attorney who seems to have it all until her husband, Tom Kubik (Jim Caviezel), is arrested and accused of heinous war crimes. Determined to help him regain his freedom, Claire collaborates with Charlie Grimes, an orthodox attorney, to help her husband. The complex storyline not only shows Freeman’s credibility but also demonstrates his ability to command the screen.

Memorable quote from the movie: “This is C.W. Grimes and associates. If you wanna talk to Charlie you should leave a message after the beep. If you wanna talk to Delilah, you should get your head examined!” Charlie Grimes – (Freeman).

Where to watch: Apple TV, Tubi.

6. Invictus (2009)

This Clint Eastwood-directed movie earned Freeman his fifth Oscar nomination for playing the South African icon, Nelson Mandela. In the movie, Freeman embodies the spirit of the great Mandela, as a newly-elected president of the country, focusing on his efforts to unite the country through sports. To do this, he enlists the help of the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon). Freeman’s portrayal of the African icon in this movie and his command of the South African accent add credibility to his portrayal of the South African legend. The film also featured performances from Adjoa Andoh and Tony Kgoroge. Movie critics had mixed reviews of this movie, with many criticizing Eastwood for his safe appraoch to the Mandela-inspired storyline.

Memorable quote from the movie: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” – Nelson Mandela (Freeman).

Where to watch: Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video.

5. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

In Million Dollar Baby, Freeman collaborated once again with director Clint Eastwood to tell the story of Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a tenacious woman aspiring to be a professional boxer. Maggie approaches Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) to train her in boxing, but he initially refuses, saying that he will not train. a girl. Freeman’s character, Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris, who works at Dunn’s gym, is one of the first to recognize Maggie’s determination and potential and he eventually becomes a pivotal person in her life and boxing career. The film was well-received by movie enthusiasts worldwide and has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie also earned Freeman an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Memorable quote from the movie: “People die every day, Frankie, moppin’ floors, washin’ dishes, and you know what their last thought is? I never got my shot.” – Scrap-Iron (Freeman)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube.

4. Lean On Me (1989)

Directed by John G. Avildsen, Lean On Me is based on the true story of Joe Louis Clark, a principal who became widely known for his radical and effective reforms at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey. The movie follows the story of a school in dire straits, with plummeting test scores, drug-related gang activity is rampant. Dr. Frank Napier, portrayed by Robert Guillaume, recruits Clark (Freeman) to turn the school around, believing that his tough demeanor and determined attitude are what the school needs to get back on track. Freeman’s tough-as-nails character gets to work to rehabilitate the school system.

Memorable quote from the movie: “No one talks in my meetings. No one! You take out your pencils and write. I want the names of every hoodlum, drug dealer, and miscreant who’s done nothing but take this place apart on my desk by noon today.” -Joe Clark (Freeman).

Where to watch: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

3. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Before its movie adaptation in 1989, Driving Miss Daisy had its New York premiere on April 15, 1987, featuring Freeman, Dana Ivey, and Ray Gill. The play, written by Alfred Uhry, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1988, and was adapted into a top 80s movie directed by Bruce Beresford. In the movie, Freeman starred as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy as Daisy Werthan, a high-strung, elderly widow who can no longer drive herself. Although their relationship starts out rocky and tumultuous, it eventually deepens into a meaningful friendship that grows over the course of 25 years, and this becomes particularly evident in the emotionally charged final scene. The movie received critical acclaim for its themes of friendship, humanity and the implications of race.

Memorable quote from the movie: “Hello, Mr. Werthan? Yeah, it’s me…guess where I’m at? I just finished drivin’ your mama to da store…yeah, she flap around some, but she alright, she in da store…oh, Lord, she just looked out the window and seen me on the phone…prob’ly gonna throw a fit right there at the checkout…yeah, you sho’ right about that…only took me six days, same time, it took the Lord to make the world!…alright, bye now!” – Hoke Colburn (Freeman).

Where to watch: YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

2. Amistad (1997)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Amistad is based on the true story of a mid-19th century revolt aboard a slave ship. The story recounts the true story of what transpired when the 1839 slave ship Amistad embarked on a voyage from Cuba to America. In the movie, Freeman plays Theodore Joadson, a freed slave and abolitionist fighting for the freedom of slaves. The film also features powerful performances by Matthew McConaughey, Djimon Hounsou, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Anthony Hopkins. Noted for its deep emotional impact and historical importance, Amistad received positive reviews for its narration of such a critical moment in history.

Memorable quote from the movie: “This man is Black. We can all see that. But can we also see as easily that which is equally true: that he is the only true hero in this room? Now, if he were white, he wouldn’t be standing before this court fighting for his life. If he were white and his enslavers were British, he wouldn’t be standing, so heavy the weight of the medals and honors we would bestow upon him. Songs would be written about him. The great authors of our times would fill books about him. His story would be told and retold, in our classrooms. Our children, because we would make sure of it, would know his name as well as they know Patrick Henry’s. Yet, if the South is right, what are we to do with that embarrassing, annoying document, The Declaration of Independence? What of its conceits? ‘All men created equal,’ ‘inalienable rights,’ ‘life, liberty,’ and so on and so forth? What on Earth are we to do with this?” — John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins)

Where to watch: Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Apple TV.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Directed by Frank Darabont, this film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella is frequently regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Tim Robbins plays the role of Andy Dufresne, a Maine-based banker who is wrongfully sentenced to two life sentences in the Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover. While in prison, he meets Red (Freeman), a smuggler who is also serving a life sentence in prison. The two form a close friendship, which plays a central role in the film. Despite its initially modest box office performance, it has since gained immense popularity and critical acclaim over the past three decades since its release.

Memorable quote from the movie: “They send you here for life, and that’s exactly what they take.” – Red (Freeman)

Where to watch: HBO Max and Amazon Prime.

New Morgan Freeman Movies

Freeman continues to be a prolific actor, with several projects in the pipeline. His most recent movie, My Dead Friend Zoe, released in 2024, is a war-themed comedy-drama about Army veteran Merit, played by Sonequa Martin-Green who is battling PTSD after her best friend Zoe (Natalie Morales) dies during the Afghanistan war. Freeman plays Dr. Cole, a counselor who helps Merit on her healing journey. The film was well-received by critics, with a Rotten Tomato score of 100%.

Bottom Line

With a career that has spanned 60 years, Freeman has repeatedly shown why he is one of the greatest actors of all time. With each performance and each new character, he brings a bit of humanity, edge, and curiosity to the big screen, which is what has kept fans enthralled by him.