James Cromwell’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actors have made movies that excel like James Cromwell. Since the 1990’s, Cromwell has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s corrupt police-officers, prison managers or political leaders, Cromwell has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies 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. The Green Mile

The Green Mile is a legendary book about prison my teacher always loved dearly. I remember my teacher was once a huge fan of a legendary book he considered to be timeless literature. He would always praise an iconic book about dark inmates facing stark prisons which were hostile that left him with a lasting smile. My teacher often yearned to see the iconic book depicted on the big-screen. In 1999, James Cromwell honoured the iconic book about hostile prisons in his movie “The Green Mile”. In the greatest role of his career, the actor portrayed the authoritative warden of a prison facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Cromwell has spent most of his career playing likeable heroes in period dramas. With “The Green Mile”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a literary character that’s well-known. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured a book about prisons that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Warden Moores becomes aware of the magical powers possessed by John Coffey causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Green Mile” James Cromwell’s best movie is its appeal. Unlike most Stephen King adaptations, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the legendary book to appreciate it. It delivers a bold message about hope that will resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a classic film about inmates questioning their place in a scary prison, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable films deserving celebration.

2. The Queen

Queen Elizabeth is a legendary figure of the royal family my father loved dearly. I remember a father that once used to be a fan of a queen he would treasure. Fascinated with the royal family, he sought to become educated about queens he appreciated. In 2006, James Cromwell honoured the legendary queen in his movie “The Queen”. In the most historical role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a legendary member of the royal family carrying a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a legendary royal family member that’s well-known. Working alongside Helen Mirren who is also amazing, Cromwell created a royal family movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Prince Phillip becomes aware of the personal issues that the Queen is facing causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Queen” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the royal family to appreciate the movie. It delivers a meaningful message about importance of leadership which would resonate with everyone. A breathtaking tribute towards a beloved British queen, it’s a brilliant reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies throughout his career which deserve to be seen on the big-screen.

3. Spider-Man 3

Spider-Man is a legendary comic-book character that always inspired my brother. Several years ago, my brother was once a huge fan of the web-swinging superhero. He would always praise a hero whose great powers came with great responsibility shaping his identity. Fond of Peter Parker, he would always love discussing an iconic superhero he grew up to treasure. In 2007, James Cromwell honoured the iconic superhero in his movie “Spider-Man 3”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a police-officer seeking to resolve crimes in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Tobey Maguire who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured a web-swinging superhero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which officer Stacy becomes aware that Spider-Man has saved the city is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man 3” a comic-book classic is its appeal. Unlike most Spider-Man movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about dangers of temptation which would resonate with everyone. As powerful as webs Spider-Man loves spinning, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor making movies that are definitely worth celebrating.

4. L.A. Confidential

The lives of cops in L.A. fascinate my father today. During my childhood, I bonded with a father that had dreams to one day become an actor in Hollywood. He would always marvel at ways in which cops resolved crimes in L.A. As someone treasuring a father that appreciated cops which are confidential, I adored “L.A. Confidential”. Released in 1997, James Cromwell’s movie captured cops solving crimes in a downtrodden city. In the most commanding role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a heroic police-officer seeking to resolve crimes in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is also amazing, Cromwell created a crime drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Dudley becomes aware of crimes committed in L.A. is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “L.A. Confidential” a masterpiece is appeal. Unlike most movies about L.A., it discusses themes that resonate with everyone today. It delivers a meaningful message about consequences of crimes which would resonate with everyone. A commemorated portrait of cops facing a price to pay in L.A., it’s a breathtaking reminder of a talented actor that has manufactured movies in his career which are worth celebrating today.

5. Becoming Jane

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose timeless literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a fan of the legendary author in English literature. She took pride rather than prejudice reading books written by an author that left her satisfied. In 2007, James Cromwell honoured the iconic author whose stories entertain in his movie “Becoming Jane”. In the most literary role of his career, Cromwell portrayed the father of a legendary author facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing the father of a legendary English author that’s well-known. Working alongside Anne Hathaway who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured an English author that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Reverend Austen becomes aware of his daughter’s gift for writing stories is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Becoming Jane” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Jane Austen’s literature to appreciate it. Centuries after Jane Austen became a legendary author in English literature, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor manufacturing commemorated movies which audiences commonly treasure.

6. The Artist

The silent era is a time period that changed Cinema. During the 1930’s, silent movies without sound had a huge impact on the film industry. In 2011, James Cromwell honoured the silent era of the artist in his movie “The Artist”. In the most artistic role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a Hollywood producer seeking to prepare for a silent film causing despair. It’s a silent role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for communicating emotions without any dialogue. Working alongside Jean Dujardin who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured a commemorated time in silent film history that’s captivating. A spectacular tribute towards the silent era, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his impressive career which have attracted audiences towards Cinema.

7. Babe

James Cromwell has always thrived at playing ambitious characters driven to excel. Cromwell has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Cromwell’s strength for playing emotional heroes is clearly evident in his movie “Babe”. Released in 1995, Chris Noonan’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most compassionate role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a farmer seeking to care for a pig causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Hugo Weaving who is also amazing, Cromwell created an animal drama that’s engaging. As strong as Farmer Hoggett’s desire to care for an animal, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated actor that has made movies audiences consider special.

8. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Few film franchises about dark dinosaurs with a spark are as beloved as “Jurassic Park”. With its awe-inspiring special effects, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, the series has earned a following. In 2018, James Cromwell honoured the dinosaur kingdom in his movie “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Cromwell portrayed an aging archaeologist whose home is invaded by dinosaurs evoking fear. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Chris Pratt who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured a franchise about dinosaurs that are frightening. As powerful as a dinosaurs’ roar, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that seeks to pour his soul into every role in commemorated movies which audiences commonly adore.

9. Star Trek: First Contact

When it comes to the greatest science-fiction series about galaxies that trek, it’s worth discussing Star Trek. Since its creation in the 1960’s, Gene Roddenberry’s series has been made into memorable movies. In 1996, James Cromwell honoured the series about first contact in his movie “Star Trek: First Contact”. In the most scientific role of his career, Cromwell portrayed a space scavenger embarking on adventures causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Patrick Stewart who is also amazing, Cromwell honoured a series about galaxies that are frightening. A spectacular tribute towards a science-fiction franchise about space, it’s a sensational reminder about an actor that has manufactured great movies that audiences commonly embrace.

10. Surrogates

James Cromwell hasn’t always made great movies that excel. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Surrogates” falls into the latter category. Released in 2009, Jonathan Mostow’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a surrogate robot participating in warfare. Cromwell brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Surrogates” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Cromwell’s commemorated legacy. As strong as Tom’s desire to survive in a surrogate’s body, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.