My Favourite James Franco Movies of All-Time

Not many actors that achieved fame years ago are as controversial as James Franco. Since the 1990’s, Franco has become an icon. Whether it’s heroic survivors, ape caretakers or wizards, Franco played several characters. However, in 2018 sexual assault allegations brought the actor’s career towards a tragic closure. Listed below are my picks for the best movies made by a disgraced actor that deserves to be appreciated.

1. Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that was a big fan of the web-swinging superhero. A comic-book nerd, he appreciated an iconic superhero making him feel heard. He praised a legendary hero whose great powers came with great responsibilities impacting his identity. Through his lifelong love for Spider-Man, my teacher inspired me to make my dreams of film criticism come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that grew up to value Spider-Man, i adored “Spider-Man 2”. Ever since its release in 2004, James Franco’s best movie has stood the test of time as one of the greatest comic-book films ever made. In the greatest role of his career, Franco embodied the friend of the web-swinging superhero carrying a heavy burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Franco has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through monologues, and “Spider-Man 2” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also amazing, Franco honoured a legendary superhero that audiences admire. For instance, the scene in which Harry discovers the true identity of Spider-Man being his best friend causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man 2” James Franco’s best movie is its universal appeal. It manages to turn Spider-Man into an ordinary hero that suffers from flaws whom anyone can relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a comic-book film about a strong superhero whose great powers come with great responsibilities that are challenging, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy whose iconic movies are worth celebrating.

2. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The Planet of the Apes is a powerful franchise that my grandfather always loved dearly. At an early age, my grandfather admired an iconic franchise about apes with courage. He would always speak fondly about a franchise capturing apes with bravery. As passionate as Caesar, he admired a series about apes that changed his life forever. In 2011, James Franco honoured the franchise about apes in his movie “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. In the most compassionate role of his career, Franco embodies a scientist that seeks to care for an ape that becomes a burden to bear. With “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, the actor showcased subtlety he hadn’t shown in his career before. It isn’t easy to act alongside a motion-capture ape character, but Franco succeeded tremendously. Working alongside Andy Serkis who is also amazing, Franco honoured a franchise about apes that are awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Will bids farewell to Caesar after he finds home in the forest causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” a great POTA movie is its message. The film delivers a bold message about animal cruelty which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Caesar’s desire to be a strong ape, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor making movies at which audiences gape.

3. This is the End

Doomsday disasters always fascinated my brother. I remember forming a strong bond with a brother that was fascinated with catastrophic doomsday disasters. He would always fear the day the world would end with a painful price to pay. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that was fascinated with the end of the world, I adored “This is the End”. Released in 2013, James Franco’s comedy depicted celebrities reacting to a doomsday catastrophe. In the most comical role of his career, Franco embodies an actor that becomes involved in a disaster causing despair. With “This is the End”, the actor showcased aptitude for comedy he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Seth Rogen who is also hilarious, Franco created a powerful portrait of disasters that are dangerous. For instance, the scene in which James and his friends witness an earthquake causing despair is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “This is the End” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about doomsday which would resonate with everyone. A hilarious depiction of a doomsday disaster that’s dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured timeless movies audiences consider precious.

4. Oz: The Great and the Powerful

“The Wizard of Oz” is a wonderful musical that my grandmother always considered special. Several years ago, my grandmother adored a musical about women going somewhere over the rainbow. She praised a fantasy film without flaws which she felt deserved a round of applause. In 2013, James Franco honoured the powerful musical in his movie “Oz: The Great and the Powerful”. In the most magical role of his career, Franco embodied the magical wizard on a land facing despair. With “Oz: The Great and the Powerful”, Franco showcased his strengths for playing heroes that are powerful. It isn’t easy to take on an iconic role of a legendary wizard in cinematic history but Franco succeeded immensely. Working alongside Rachel Weisz who is also amazing, Franco honoured a classic musical. For instance, the scene in which Oscar is transported into Oz is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Oz: The Great and the Powerful” a great remake is its universal appeal. Unlike the original 1939 film, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A wonderful tribute towards a musical about wizards that are great and powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor whose movies audiences consider special.

5. 127 Hours

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced grim bombings in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bombing without a scratch alive. As someone haunting by a bombing my family survived over several hours, I appreciated “127 Hours”. Released in 2010, James Franco’s movie honoured a real-life hero that survived catastrophe. In the most demanding role of his career, Franco embodies a real-life mountaineer that survived a disaster causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t exhibited in previous performances. For instance, the scene in which Aaron’s arm gets trapped in a boulder causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “127 Hours” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. A terrific tribute towards a real mountaineer that survived a disaster, it’s a bold reminder of an actor making movies which audiences treasure.

6. The Disaster Artist

Few filmmakers that achieved fame years ago are as comical as Tommy Wiseau. In 2003, Wiseau directed “The Room” which is widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made. Known as the disaster artist, Wiseau became a controversial figure. In 2017, Franco honoured the disastrous artist in his movie “The Disaster Artist”. In the most hilarious role of his career, Franco embodied a real-life filmmaker that created one of the world’s worst movies causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a filmmaker that’s well-known. Working alongsid Dave Franco who is also amazing, Franco honoured a director that achieved fame years ago. A terrific tribute towards an artist that created a disastrous comedy, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that has produced great films audiences love dearly.

7. Milk

When it comes to the most iconic figures in the LGBTQ community, it’s worth discussing Harvey Milk. During the 1970’s, Milk became the first ever gay man to be elected in public office. An inspiring figure in the LGBTQ community, Milk built a lasting legacy. In 2008, James Franco honoured the legendary gay politician in his movie “Milk”. In the most political role of his career, Franco embodied the boyfriend of a queer politician facing a burden to bear. It’s a provocative role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a renowned queer historical figure. Working alongside Sean Penn who is also amazing, Franco honoured a legendary politician. Nearly 50 years after Harvey Milk became a queer icon, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a great career making movies about which audiences care.

8. The Pineapple Express

Drug addiction is a painful process rarely depicted in movies with success. Hollywood has often ignored drug addicts that are misunderstood. Substance abuse is rarely depicted in movies making headline news. In an industry avoiding addiction causing stress, it’s worth praising “The Pineapple Express”. Released in 2008, James Franco’s movie captured drug addiction. In the most hallucinatory role of his career, Franco embodies a drug user facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing reckless characters. Working alongside Seth Rogen who is also amazing, Franco created a powerful portrait of drug addiction. A powerful portrait of a painful process causing stress, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has never failed to impress manufacturing memorable movies achieving success.

9. Spring Breakers

James Franco is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing psychotic characters. Franco has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing characters facing damage. Franco’s strength for playing damaged characters is clearly evident in his film “Spring Breakers”. Released in 2012, Harmony Korine’s movie found the actor playing a drug dealer. In the most eccentric role of his career, Franco embodies a corrupt drug dealer facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone undergoing a drastic transformation. Working alongside Selena Gomez who is also amazing, Franco created a compelling portrait of drug addiction. A phenomenal portrait of hardships that drug dealers face, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences embrace.

10. Spider-Man 3

James Franco hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Spider-Man 3” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Sam Raimi’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Franco embodied the best friend of a superhero facing despair. Franco brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Spider-Man 3” is easily the worst Spider-Man movie, it honoured Franco’s enduring legacy. As strong as webs that Spider-Man has woven, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor with strong dedication whose iconic movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion even when dire sexual assault allegations have destroyed his reputation.