My Favourite Josh Brolin Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood have earned recognition of Josh Brolin. Since the 1990’s, Brolin has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s evil space scavengers, political leaders or corrupt drug dealers, Brolin has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. No Country for Old Men

Westerns are a genre of movies my grandfather always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with a grandfather admiring movies about gunslingers with courage. I recall with nostalgia a grandpa appreciating the western genre. He spoke fondly about good, bad and ugly gunslingers that shaped his identity. Through his lifelong love for the western genre, my grandpa inspired me to pursue my passion for Cinema. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that loved westerns about old men, I adored “No Country for Old Men”. Released in 2007, Josh Brolin’s best movie captured old men in the western genre. in the greatest role of his career, Brolin portrays a hunter that steals cash searched for by a psychopathic killer causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Brolin has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through silence, and “No Country For Old Men” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Woody Harrelson who is also amazing, Brolin created a western hero that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Llewelyn embarks on a journey in a hotel after he’s hunted down by Anton Chigurh causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “No Country for Old Men” Brolin’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most westerns that are targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles encompassing themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about consequences of crime which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking western acknowledging psychotic serial killers causing lives of old men to deteriorate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has never lost his abilities to captivate audiences manufacturing unforgettable movies which are impossible to not appreciate.

2. Milk

Harvey Milk is a legendary politician that shaped my cousin’s identity. Years ago, I witnessed a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. My cousin always admired Harvey Milk for the efforts he made in changing rights for the LGBTQ community. He would always speak fondly about a gay activist that forever changed the way that LGBTQ communities are seen today. In 2008, Josh Brolin honoured Harvey Milk in his Oscar-winning movie “Milk”. In the most complex role of his career, Brolin embodies the politician that assassinated a queer icon causing despair. Brolin has spent most of his career playing fictional characters in movies. With “Milk”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned historical figure. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also amazing, Brolin created a portrait of a politician that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dan White marches into the public office to assassinate Harvey Milk causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Milk” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. A terrific tribute towards a gay activist that forever changed the way homosexual communities are treated with a painful price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor that has produced timeless movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

3. Dune

The Middle East is a misunderstood country that shaped my identity. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyous memories of growing up in Saudi Arabia. I grew up to value a country that I regarded highly. As someone treasuring fond memories of a prosperous country that won’t be forgotten soon, I appreciated “Dune”. Released in 2021, Josh Brolin’s science-fiction blockbuster offered an authentic depiction of Arab countries. In the most authoritative role of his career, Brolin embodied a wise mentor guiding youth on a planet facing despair. Brolin has always had an aptitude for playing strong heroes with wisdom, and “Dune” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Timothee Chalamet who is also amazing, Brolin honoured a legendary piece of science-fiction literature. For instance, the scene in which Gurney trains Paul Atredies to become a warrior seeking to prepare him for combat is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dune” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the science-fiction book to appreciate it. A dazzling adaptation of a book about dune planets beneath the moon, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor whose commemorated films won’t be forgotten soon.

4. Avengers: Infinity War

The Avengers is a spectacular superhero team that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a bond with a teacher that loved a superhero team giving him dreams to follow. He would always enjoy watching marvellous movies. In 2018, Josh Brolin honoured the superheroes facing a war in his movie “Avengers: Infinity War”. In the most villainous role of his career, Brolin embodies a space lord that causes the Avengers to face despair. Brolin has spent most of his career playing honourable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Avengers: Infinity War”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side that audiences hadn’t seen before. As Thanos, Brolin honoured an iconic villain that comic-book fans consider precious. For instance, the scene in which Thanos snaps his fingers causing the Avengers to disappear causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Avengers: Infinity War” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies targeted towards comic-book fans, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As strong as the Avengers’ desire to defeat Thanos, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has produced movies audiences consider precious.

5. True Grit

Revenge is a powerful emotion that shaped my personality. A year ago, I became vengeful when a cyberbully insulted my writing causing sorrow. Seeking vengeance, I would yearn to punish a bully that had destroyed my self-confidence. As someone that has witnessed feelings of revenge with grit, I adored “True Grit”. Released in 2010, Josh Brolin’s western depicted danger of revenge. In the most mysterious role of his career, Brolin embodies a quiet outlaw that commits a scandalous murder causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotionally conflicted men. For instance, the scene in which Mattie confronts Tom Chaney about murdering her father causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “True Grit” a wonderful western is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Mattie’s desire for vengeance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with a larger-than-life presence that has manufactured commemorated movies accomplishing a humongous audience.

6. W.

When it comes to the most controversial presidents in American history, it’s worth discussing George Bush. During the early 2000’s, Bush introduced controversial policies. An inspiring president, Bush built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2008, Josh Brolin did an exceptional job of portraying George Bush in his movie “W.”. In the most political role of his career, Brolin portrays the legendary American president that introduced policies causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a American president. Brolin showcased a strong commitment to capturing the larger-than-life nature of a president in one of his finest roles. As strong as George Bush’s desire to change America, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose memorable movies are always worth seeing in the Cinema.

7. Sicario

Drug trafficking is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided telling stories of drug cartels that are misunderstood. In an industry that often ignored drug trafficking causing sorrow, it’s worth praising “Sicario”. Released in 2015, Josh Brolin’s movie depicted drug cartels facing catastrophe. In the most anxious role of his career, Brolin embodies a courageous CIA officer seeking to catch a drug trafficker causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing anxiety-ridden characters under intense pressure. Working alongside Emily Blunt who is also amazing, Brolin created a CIA agent that’s compelling. As strong as Kate’s desire to stop drug trafficking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing action heroes in movies that are worth celebrating.

8. Hail, Caesar!

Josh Brolin is one of those actors that always excels at playing strong characters in positions of power. Brolin has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing leaders with courage. Brolin’s strength for playing characters in power is clearly evident in his movie “Hail, Caesar!”. Released in 2015, the Coen Brothers’ movie showcased Brolin at his best. In the most comical role of his career, Brolin portrays a Hollywood fixer in the 1950’s facing despair. Brolin has spent most of his career playing serious characters in dramas. With “Hail, Caesar!”, however, the actor showcased a comedic talent audiences hadn’t seen before. A hilarious portrait of the hardships that old-fashioned actors in the 1950’s face, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences embrace.

9. The Goonies

Child actors are rarely ever destined a bright future. Actors that start out as child stars rarely achieve success in their career. Most child actors grow up to face personal issues that prevent them from making movies. However, Josh Brolin showcased his talent for making movies as a child star when he made “The Goonies”. Released in 1985, Brolin’s breakthrough movie captured teens seeking treasure. In the most youthful role of his career, Brolin embodies a teenager that embarks on an adventure to find treasure that’s rare. It’s a role that showcased the actor as a promising star with a bright future. Brolin proved to be a movie-star in one of his first roles. As strong as the Goonies’ desire to find treasure, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor has manufactured memorable movies which audiences always remember.

10. Gangster Squad

Josh Brolin hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Gangster Squad” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Ruben Fleischer’s gangster drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Brolin portrays a CIA officer seeking to catch gangsters in a town facing despair. Brolin brought gravitas to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Gangster Squad” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Brolin’s enduring legacy. As strong as bonds between the gangster squad, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences awed whose movies that are rarely flawed I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of Cinema I applaud.