Marlon Brando is largely considered an actor who changed Hollywood forever, thanks to his contributions to film and performances in some of the best movies of all time. Throughout his career, it seemed that Brando understood what made a good script and what directors he would best work with, as the projects he sought out almost always garnered significant attention and accolades. Though there’s much more to a performer’s legacy than how many awards they win, Brando was consistently recognized for his work and is frequently singled out as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Much of his early acting work and training took place on stage in the theater, which informed much of Brando’s success. Several of his early projects were film adaptations of stage plays, easing the transition from theater to the movies. Many of Marlon Brando’s best movies feature him in classic roles that highlight his ability to play the rough character from the wrong side of the tracks. However, as Brando aged, he received further opportunities to explore different characters and lend his talent to some of the most iconic projects of the 20th century.
8 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
As Stanely Kowalski
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) is an adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, directed by Elia Kazan. The film stars Vivien Leigh as Blanche DuBois, a fragile and unravelling Southern belle who moves in with her sister Stella and confronts Stella’s domineering husband, Stanley Kowalski, played by Marlon Brando. The tension between Blanche and Stanley serves as the central conflict, highlighting themes of desire, mental illness, and societal change.
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*Availability in US Director Elia Kazan Release Date September 19, 1951 Cast Vivien Leigh , Marlon Brando , Kim Hunter , Karl Malden , Peg Hillias , Nick Dennis Runtime 125 Minutes
In many ways, Brando owes much of his success to A Streetcar Named Desire, as the actor was still unknown when cast as Stanley in the original Broadway production. However, his incredible performance as the cruel and complex Stanley quickly turned heads and led to his being cast in the film adaptation. While Streetcar is memorable because of the iconic script by Tennesse Williams, the actor’s performances are what bring the tragedy and emotional heart of the story to life.
The film did successfully catapult Brando to stardom and helped establish the types of characters he would go on to play throughout his career.
Though Brando was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for playing Stanely, he didn’t win, despite the fact that it’s retrospectively considered one of his greatest roles and performances. However, the film did successfully catapult Brando to stardom and helped establish the types of characters he would go on to play throughout his career. A Streetcar Named Desire is a seminal work of film, and Brando’s chemistry with Vivien Leigh makes their scenes together enrapturing.
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A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) |
97% |
89% |
7 Julius Caesar (1953)
As Mark Antony
Julius Caesar ApprovedDramaHistory
Julius Caesar, directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, is a 1953 adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic play. Starring Marlon Brando as Mark Antony and James Mason as Brutus, this film explores the political machinations, betrayal, and assassination of the Roman leader Julius Caesar, portrayed by Louis Calhern. The screenplay remains faithful to Shakespeare’s original dialogue, bringing to life the tension and tragedy of ancient Rome.
Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz Release Date June 4, 1953 Studio(s) De Angelis Group Writers William Shakespeare , Joseph L. Mankiewicz Cast Louis Calhern , Marlon Brando , James Mason , John Gielgud , Edmond O’Brien , Greer Garson , Deborah Kerr , George Macready Runtime 2h Expand
Most actors of Brando’s caliber take on a work by Shakespeare before their career is over, and Brando portrayed Mark Antony early on with amazing results. Starring alongside James Mason as Brutus and Louis Calhern as Caesar, Julius Caesar was primed for success, also boasting Joseph L. Mankiewicz as the director of the picture. While there are many great movies based on Shakespeare’s plays, Julius Caesar is a true adaptation. The project is a strong iteration of the writer’s work and was another film adaptation of a stage production in which Brando excelled.
Once again nominated for Best Actor, Brando didn’t win but was universally praised for his role as Antony. It was wise to move from A Streetcar Named Desire to Julius Caesar, as it helped prevent Brando from being typecast as a brutish character who was less intellectual. Julius Caesar showed a new side of the actor to critics and audiences, helping him be taken more seriously as a performer in the future.
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Julius Caesar (1953) |
96% |
81% |
6 The Wild One (1953)
As Johnny Strabler
The Wild One NRDrama
The Wild One is a drama film directed by László Benedek, starring Marlon Brando as Johnny Strabler, the leader of a rebellious motorcycle gang that invades a small California town, causing tension and chaos among the residents.
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*Availability in US Director László Benedek Release Date December 30, 1953 Studio(s) Stanley Kramer Productions Writers John Paxton Cast Marlon Brando , Mary Murphy , Robert Keith , Lee Marvin , Jay C. Flippen Runtime 79 Minutes Expand
If there was one film that helped foster the “bad boy” persona for Brando even more than A Streetcar Named Desire, it was The Wild One. From the iconic costuming to every aspect of the character of Johnny, The Wild One became a cultural touchstone for youthful counterculture in the 1950s. The film is considered revolutionary for how it touched upon the up-and-coming popularity of motorcycle gangs and the violence that was brewing in these spheres during the ’50s.
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Eccentric on-set behavior and disrespect toward director Frank Oz nearly sabotaged the final movie of legendary Hollywood actor, Marlon Brando.
Though it’s not his most critically acclaimed performance, and the movie hasn’t been as well-remembered as his other work, there’s still a lot to recommend about The Wild One. Johnny is a character with such a big personality that he’s been copied and satirized many times, as with most of Brando’s best characters. However, nothing comes close to the original, as Brando tapped into something poignant and real underneath his bravado as Johnny in The Wild One.
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The Wild One (1953) |
75% |
71% |
5 On The Waterfront (1954)
As Terry Malloy
On The Waterfront NRCrimeDramaRomance
On The Waterfront is a classic drama film directed by Elia Kazan, released in 1954. The film tells the story of Terry Malloy, a dockworker who becomes a longshoreman and gets caught up in a corrupt union. Starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy, the film explores themes of morality, redemption, and the struggle for justice on the waterfront.
Director Elia Kazan Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Horizon Pictures Writers Budd Schulberg Cast Marlon Brando , Karl Malden , Lee J. Cobb , Eva Marie Saint , Rod Steiger Runtime 108 Minutes
The brutal but ultimately uplifting story of On the Waterfront is one of the best pieces of cinema that Brando was part of. As Terry, Brando carefully portrays the crisis of conscience and the slow realization that he must step up and do the right thing.On the Waterfront exemplifies all the best parts of Brando’s early career, and it’s no wonder that he was singled out for his performance. However, his costars, Karl Malden and Eva Marie Saint, are great scene partners who help appeal to Terry to stand against the corrupt union leader he fights in the movie.
On the Waterfront earned Brando his first Oscar win for Best Actor, and the film itself won for Best Picture. Brando’s work in On the Waterfront has been cited as a landmark moment for acting and cinema. When watching On the Waterfront today, it’s difficult to argue as the film’s message and emotional appeal land just as poignantly within a contemporary context. Brando is truly a master at work when playing Terry, giving everything he has to the role.
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On the Waterfront (1954) |
99% |
95% |
4 One-Eyed Jacks (1961)
As Rio
One-Eyed Jacks Western
One-Eyed Jacks is a 1961 Western film directed by and starring Marlon Brando. The story revolves around Rio, a fugitive seeking revenge against his former partner, Dad Longworth, who betrayed him. Co-starring Karl Malden, the film explores themes of betrayal, honor, and redemption. Notable for its captivating performances and direction, One-Eyed Jacks remains a classic in the Western genre.
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*Availability in US Director Marlon Brando Release Date March 30, 1961 Studio(s) Pennebaker Productions Writers Guy Trosper , Calder Willingham Cast Marlon Brando , Karl Malden , Katy Jurado , Ben Johnson , Pina Pellicer Runtime 141 Minutes Expand
Though Brando didn’t star in many Westerns during his time in Hollywood, the ones he did lend his name to made their mark. One-Eyed Jacks is an underrated Western that should be better remembered, not just because Brando stars in the film as Rio, the criminal in search of revenge, then redemption. Though it’s somewhat difficult to shake the memory of Brando’s performances in more contemporary works, he quickly disappears into the role of Rio and is comfortable in the world of the West.
While much of
One-Eyed Jacks
unfolds in the style of a typical Western, it’s the morally ambiguous and complicated Rio who makes the movie worth watching.
One-Eyed Jacks is a Western movie where the hero is terrifying, as Rio is a formidable protagonist who pulls no punches in his treatment of his enemies. However, the villain in One-Eyed Jacks, Dad Longworth (Karl Malden), is worthy of Rio’s ire. While much of One-Eyed Jacks unfolds in the style of a typical Western, it’s the morally ambiguous and complicated Rio who makes the movie worth watching. Brando, as always, excels when he’s playing a man with a dark side.
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One-Eyed Jacks (1961) |
61% |
72% |
3 Mutiny On The Bounty (1962)
As Fletcher Christian
Mutiny on the Bounty was somewhat of a departure for Brando, as it was a project set at sea and was a distinctly action-oriented film. While he had been in many movies with action and drama, Mutiny on the Bounty was a new challenge. That’s not to say that Fletcher Christian isn’t a complex role that Brando made the most of. Based on the novel of the same name by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall, Mutiny on the Bounty follows Brando’s Christian as he heads up a mutiny against the captain.
Though it’s gone on to receive some critical and audience reevaluation, Mutiny on the Bounty is also memorable because it was a significant flop for Brando. While most of his projects succeeded merely by having his name attached to them, this wasn’t the case with Mutiny on the Bounty. Overall, Brando’s performance was considered a bright spot, but this became a turning point for the actor. In the wake of Mutiny on the Bounty, he took on some of his most experimental and enduring roles.
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Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) |
70% |
73% |
2 The Godfather (1972)
As Vito Corleone
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9.8/10 The Godfather RDramaCrime
Francis Ford Coppola directed this 1978 classic that would go on to become one of the most iconic crime films ever made. Starring Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Al Pacino, The Godfather gives a tense and introspective look into the Corleone crime family of New York City.
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*Availability in US Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date March 24, 1972 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Mario Puzo , Francis Ford Coppola Cast Marlon Brando , Diane Keaton , James Caan , Al Pacino , Robert Duvall Runtime 175 minutes Franchise(s) The Godfather Expand
Though Brando’s screen time in The Godfather isn’t as much as audiences might think, he makes the most of every moment he’s onscreen. Every moment in the film is informed by Vito and, by extension, Brando’s performance. Every other character is thinking about him and how their actions will reflect on their relationship with Vito. Brando’s portrayal of the character set the tone for the remaining films. The fact that he lent his reputation and expertise to the project added to the atmosphere of his scenes.
The Godfather
might be the role that Brando is best known for and will be remembered for in the years to come.
The Godfather might be the role that Brando is best known for and will be remembered for in the years to come. The Godfather trilogy hasn’t wavered in its popularity or success since the first movie premiered in 1972 and is still considered a touchstone for the gangster genre. The film set the careers of many creatives on new paths, with performers like Al Pacino holding their own against the imposing and iconic Brando in his most synonymous role.
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The Godfather (1972) |
97% |
98% |
1 Apocalypse Now (1979)
As Colonel Walter Kurtz
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10/10 Apocalypse Now RDramaWarMystery
In Francis Ford Coppola’s classic Vietnam War film, loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a cult-like compound in the Cambodian jungle and is currently waging his own war outside the army’s purview. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively, with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and Dennis Hopper.
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*Availability in US Director Francis Ford Coppola Release Date August 15, 1979 Studio(s) United Artists Writers Joseph Conrad , John Milius , Francis Ford Coppola , Michael Herr Cast Marlon Brando , Martin Sheen , Robert Duvall , Frederic Forrest , Sam Bottoms , Laurence Fishburne Runtime 147 minutes Expand
Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now goes down in history as one of the most fraught filmmaking experiences of the 20th century (via Collider). However, the tense and difficult shooting conditions led to the creation of a movie that has been hailed as a triumph of the war genre. Similarly to The Godfather, Brando isn’t onscreen for long in Apocalypse Now. The actor doesn’t fully appear until the last act of the film, demonstrating his and the other characters’ full descent into madness and his disconnect from reality.
Inspired by the novella by Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse Now was Brando at his most unrecognizable as Kurtz. The elusive and unhinged Colonel who’s lost his grip on reality could only be played by Brando, as he was at the perfect moment in his career to take on such a risky yet rewarding role. Though Marlon Brando plays a singular man, his actions and performance in the film represent a much greater comment on American history during this period and the violence of the war in Vietnam.
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Apocalypse Now (1979) |
91% |
94% |