The Best Movies Made About Jealousy Ranked

Not many genres have built a legacy as strong as jealousy. Since the 1980’s, stories of jealous lovers have often made for engaging movies. Whether it’s doomed lovers, shallow singers or rivalrous co-workers, the genre has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about jealousy which are worth watching.

1. Raging Bull

Rage has impacted my personality. At an early age, I got into the bad habit experiencing tense temper tantrums by throwing a fit of rage. I remember how my parents would often complain that I had a short temper. I would often beat up mean kids in school in ways which were cruel. Being angry all the time caused me to feel strong emotions of jealousy toward peers in school in positions of authority. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the consequences of rage causing jealousy as powerfully as “Raging Bull”. Ever since its released in 1980, Martin Scorsese’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about jealousy. With the most emotional film of his career, Scorsese showcased his strength for creating conflicted characters facing jealousy causing despair. Scorsese has often had an aptitude for making engaging movies about jealous men in danger, and “Raging Bull” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Jake LaMotta becomes jealous of his wife when he suspects that she is having an affair with his brother causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro, who embodies a commemorated real-life boxer that experienced jealousy years ago. Ultimately, what makes “Raging Bull” my favourite film about jealousy of all-time is its bold appeal. Unlike most boxing movies, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about boxers with rage, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to engage making movies with a meaningful message.

2. Titanic

The Titanic is a tragic event in history that shaped my brother’s identity. Ever since its sad sinking in 1912, the Titanic is a disaster that has interested my brother. At an early age, I bonded with a brother that had knowledge about a shipwreck causing damage. In 1997, James Cameron honoured the tragic shipwreck in his iconic film “Titanic”. With the greatest film of his career, Cameron used innovative cinematic techniques to recreate a historical disaster causing despair. Cameron has always had an aptitude for staging spectacle in his movies, and “Titanic” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Cameron used stunning production-design to recreate the tragic shipwreck. For instance, the scene in which Jack and Rose face a dilemma being torn apart from each other by the jealous Cal is one of the greatest moments of the genre. The film is anchored by a pair of amazing performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, capturing doomed lovers facing despair. Ultimately, what makes “Titanic” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a universal message about disasters which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years following the tragic sinking of the Titanic, its a fantastic reminder of a genre which has made unforgettable movies that have created a long-lasting legacy that’s iconic.

3. A Star is Born

Alcohol addiction is a painful process that puts people under stress. Several years ago, I formed a friendship with a classmate in school that suffered from severe alcohol addiction that caused sorrow. Our friendship ended when I decided that I could no longer bear witnessing him getting totally wasted. As someone haunted by sad memories of alcohol addiction causing friendships to be torn, I loved “A Star is Born”. Released in 2018, Bradley Cooper’s film captured the big impact of jealousy on singers. With the greatest film of his career, Cooper used innovative cinematic techniques to capture an alcoholic musician facing despair.  For instance, the scene in which Jackson Maine invites Ally on stage to perform “Shallow” for the first time attracting attention of media is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is a great role by Lady Gaga, who embodied an actress seeking stardom with charisma. Ultimately, what makes “A Star is Born” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about country singers, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about alcohol addiction which would resonate with everyone. A heartbreaking portrait of alcohol addiction causing shallow lovers to face sorrow, it’s a great reminder of a breathtaking genre making movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

4. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a great book about jealousy that my teacher always loved dearly. I remember a school teacher that grew up to treasure a book about millionaires facing disaster. He would always speak fondly about a book that captured social class in the 1920’s. Drawn towards the green light, he adored a book capturing the class barriers that millionaires fight. In 2013, Baz Luhrmann honoured the great book about millionaires in his movie “The Great Gatsby”. Luhrmann has always thrived at making lavish movies about the lives of millionaires, and “The Great Gatsby” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Tom becomes envious of Gastby when he discovers he is having an affair with his wife causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who created an iconic millionaire character. Ultimately, what makes “The Great Gatsby” a great movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about social class that would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a celebrated book about a millionaire that’s mysterious, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies which audiences consider precious.

5. Bright Star

Writing is a passion that I’ve always enjoyed pursuing. As far back as I remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. During childhood, I developed lifelong passions for writing about the art of filmmaking. Despite facing cyberbullying, nothing has stopped me from pursuing my passion for writing. As someone that has sought to become a writer reaching a high bar, I adored “Bright Star”. Released in 2009, Jane Campion’s movie captured the life of a legendary English poet that experienced jealousy. Campion used dramatic monologues to capture a poet growing jealous of his lover under suspicion of an affair. For instance, the scene in which John Keats suspects that his lover Fanny has been having an affair causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Ben Whishaw, who portrayed a poet inspiring awe. Ultimately, what makes “Bright Star” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about poets, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about illness which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a poet that readers celebrate, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies which audiences appreciate.

6. The Social Network

When it comes to the world’s greatest social network companies changing outlook, it’s worth discussing Facebook. Created in the early 2000’s by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook was a company fuelled by feelings of jealousy. In 2010, David Fincher honoured the iconic social network organization in his movie “The Social Network”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Social Network” stand out is its depiction of entrepreneurs. Fincher uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing how feelings of jealousy led to the creation of Facebook. Assisted by Jesse Eisenberg who is sensational in the lead role, Fincher honoured Facebook’s legacy. A spectacular tribute to a company that forever changed social media, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured great movies which are worth seeing in the Cinema.

7. The Substance

Jealousy often affects the lives of actresses in Hollywood. In an industry where women often face intense pressure, jealousy causes the lives of actresses to face disaster. The impact of jealousy on the experience of actresses is beautifully depicted in the movie “The Substance”. Released in 2024, Coralie Fargeat’s movie offered a powerful portrait of an actress’ jealousy. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Substance” stand out is its depiction of addiction. Fargeat uses montages capturing an actress becoming addicted to a substance that’s upsetting. Assisted by Demi Moore who is extraordinary in the lead role, Fargeat created a compelling movie about jealousy. A commemorated portrait of actresses that lack confidence using a substance, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making movies attracting a huge audience.

8. Pride & Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author that often explored themes of jealousy in her literature. With their compelling stories, sharp characters and strong themes, Austen’s books earned a huge following. In 2005, Joe Wright honoured the iconic author without prejudice in his movie “Pride & Prejudice”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Pride & Prejudice” stand out is its production-design. Wright uses gorgeous production capturing the lives of jealous lovers in a prejudiced time period. Assisted by Keira Knightley who is amazing in the lead role, Wright honoured an iconic book about jealousy. Centuries after the conception of a book about sad women forming romantic bonds with pride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a celebrated genre that hasn’t lost its abilities to manufacture movies leaving audiences satisfied.

9. Fair Play

Jealousy is a common emotion that employees face in the workplace. I recall how envy caused my bond with female co-workers to fall apart. As someone haunted by memories of workplace jealousy leading my life astray, I was blown away by “Fair Play”. Released in 2023, Chloe Domont’s movie captured impact of jealousy on workplace employees. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Fair Play” stand out is its depiction of corporate jealousy. Domont uses captivating montages capturing lovers whose relationship is torn apart by jealousy in the workplace. Assisted by Alden Ehrenreich who is amazing in the lead role, Domont created a portrait of corporate jealousy that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of jealousy in the workplace, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre making memorable movies audiences embrace.

10. Black Swan

Few films ever made about ballet dancers facing jealousy are as beloved as “Black Swan”. Released in 2010, Darren Aronofsky’s movie captured ballet dancers facing feelings of jealousy. Aronofsky used captivating montages capturing hardships that a ballet dancer in a tense profession is facing. Assisted by Natalie Portman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Aronofsky created a compelling ballet thriller. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of jealousy causing ballet dancers to face adversity has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. As strong as Nina’s love for ballet, it’s a bold reminder of a genre manufacturing memorable movies about the harmful way jealousy ruins the lives of artists which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking today.