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Ranking Brad Pitt's 20 Best Movie Roles
Today we're here to celebrate a legendary actor, who has had an incredible career. We're talking about none other than Brad Pitt. We have ranked 20 of his best roles, so let's dive right in!
20. Death (Meet Joe Black)
While this movie didn't achieve that much critical success, Brad Pitt did stand out here, by portraying death in a nuanced and almost serene manner. He brings an almost childlike curiosity to his character, exploring the complexities of life, love, and mortality. For that, we have him as our number 20 pick.
© Universal Pictures
19. Achilles (Troy)
In "Troy", Pitt plays the character Achilles, with an expected amount of physicality. His look and battle skills were put to the test in a movie that is mostly about fighting a futile war. While it's not his best role, it was his first real outing as an action movie star, which fitted him quite well.
© Warner Bros. Pictures
18. Gerry Lane (World War Z)
World War Z went through a rough production process, after which the movie was much different than when it was first conceived. Brad Pitt did everything he could, with the tools given to him, and you can see that he really tried to make his role work. For that dedication, Gerry Lane lands on number 18.
© Paramount Pictures
17. Tristan Ludlow (Legends of the Fall)
Tristan Ludlow is a character defined by his love of nature and unhinged personality. Pitt manages to portray this almost primal person with his charisma, while also giving subtle glimpses into Tristan's sensitive side. Though this role helped establish Pitt further as a Hollywood actor, the role still falls into the category: Making Brad Pitt look as handsome as he can be.
© Sony Pictures Releasing
16. Jesse James (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)
The role of Jesse James takes the number 16 spot in this list. Pitt’s performance stands out for its quiet intensity. He plays Jesse as a brooding, unpredictable figure who can be charming and magnetic one moment, and terrifyingly menacing the next. Pitt’s ability to convey the weariness of a man whose reputation has become a burden, and whose downfall feels inevitable, makes the character tragically compelling.
© Warner Bros. Pictures
15. Ben Rickert (The Big Short)
Although he doesn't get a lot of screen time in The Big Short, Brad Pitt plays a rather unusual role, as Ben Rickert. Rickert is an ex-finance mogul who turned his back on capitalism and has some slightly paranoid opinions of the government. Pitt really nails the tone of this character, and he really got under my skin with his line about betting against America's housing market.
© Paramount Pictures
14. John Smith (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
Brad Pitt’s role as John Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a high-energy, charismatic performance that blends action, comedy, and romance in a way that only Pitt can. As one half of a married couple who also happen to be secret assassins, Pitt’s John Smith is smooth, confident, and charming, while also exuding a laid-back sense of humor. His chemistry with co-star Angelina Jolie is electric, and it’s this dynamic that elevates the film from a standard action-comedy to something far more entertaining.
© 20th Century Fox / Summit Entertainment
13. Ladybug (Bullet Train)
Brad Pitt's role as the professional assassin “Ladybug” in Bullet Train is a refreshing and fun departure from his more serious roles, showcasing his comedic chops while still delivering the intensity of an action film. He is both relatable and hilarious in the movie, trying to keep up his laid back attitude, while everything goes bananas around him. While the role is highly entertaining and allows Pitt to showcase his comedic and action abilities in equal measure, it’s a lighter, more fun performance rather than a deeply complex one, which is also why I like it that much.
© Sony Pictures Releasing
12. Early Grayce (Kalifornia)
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Early Grayce in Kalifornia is one of his darkest and most unsettling roles, marking a significant departure from the more glamorous or charming characters he had played before. As a violent, disturbed drifter and murderer, Early Grayce is a chilling figure who embodies raw menace and unpredictability. His dedication to the role shines, as he picked up many little mannerisms to show how odd this character is as a person, for example his slightly hunched over walk. Early Grayce ranks at number 12 because of how effectively Pitt subverts his own star persona to deliver a raw, uncompromising performance.
© Gramercy Pictures
11. Louis de Pointe du Lac (Interview with the Vampire)
As a reluctant vampire grappling with his immortal existence, Louis is a deeply tortured character, burdened by guilt, loneliness, and a sense of moral conflict. Pitt’s performance brings a quiet, brooding intensity to Louis, making him a sympathetic figure in contrast to the more flamboyant and sinister characters around him, particularly Tom Cruise’s Lestat. What is also impressive, is how he subtly conveys the slightly homosexual undertones of his character. Louis is a pivotal role in Pitt’s career, showing his ability to delve into complex emotional territory and explore themes of immortality, guilt, and identity with subtlety and depth.
© Warner Bros.
10. Rusty Ryan (Ocean's Eleven)
Rusty Ryan is one of Brad Pitt's most iconic and effortlessly cool performances. As Danny Ocean’s right-hand man, Rusty is a suave, smooth-talking con artist with a laid-back demeanor and impeccable style. Pitt’s performance exudes confidence and charm, perfectly complementing George Clooney’s character, while also standing out as one of the most memorable parts of the ensemble cast. He lands at number 10, since this was one of the first times we got to see Brad Pitt's impressive comedic timing.
© Warner Bros.
9. Benjamin Button (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Benjamin Button ranks at number 9 because of the technical and emotional demands of the role. As a man who ages in reverse, Pitt brings a profound sense of vulnerability, curiosity, and melancholy to the role, navigating a life lived in an unusual and isolating condition. His performance captures the essence of someone experiencing life’s joys and sorrows uniquely, as Benjamin’s journey through time becomes a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and love. That's a tearjerker, alright.
© Warner Bros. / Paramount Pictures
8. Cliff Booth (Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood)
This is easily one of my personal favorite roles of Brad Pitt, though it's maybe not his best. Pitt brings a relaxed charm to the character, making Cliff feel effortlessly charismatic while also hinting at a darker, more dangerous side beneath the surface. I love the comedic moments between him and Leonardo DiCaprio's Rick Dalton. The role is a perfect marriage of Pitt’s star power, charm, and ability to convey complexity beneath the surface. His performance as Cliff, a man content with the simple life but with a mysterious past, highlights Pitt’s ability to deliver both humor and gravitas.
© Sony Pictures Releasing
7. Roy McBride (Ad Astra)
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Roy McBride in Ad Astra is one of his most introspective and emotionally restrained performances, offering a deep dive into themes of isolation, inner turmoil, and the search for meaning. As an astronaut on a mission to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father, Roy is a character driven by emotional repression and a sense of duty. Pitt’s ability to convey so much through so little, makes this a standout role in his catalog.
© 20th Century Fox
6. David Mills (Seven)
As a young, idealistic detective thrust into the dark and twisted world of a serial killer, Mills is a character defined by his ambition and naivety. Pitt expertly brings this youth and inexperience to life in his performance. You can really see, without any dialogue, that Mills has never been faced with a threat like this before, and simply put, doesn't know what to do. Though many mostly remember the "What's in the box?" scene, I think the best things about this performance lie in the ideological clashes he has with Detective Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman.
The performance showcases Pitt’s ability to blend emotional vulnerability with explosive intensity, giving a performance that anchors the film’s dark and nihilistic tone.
© New Line Cinema
5. Aldo Raine (Inglorious Basterds)
Aldo Raine really isn't from this world! In this larger-than-life role, Pitt masterfully blends dark humor, bravado, and intensity. What makes Aldo Raine stand out is Pitt’s ability to fully embrace the exaggerated, almost cartoonish nature of the character. Maybe this is just my taste, but this is the funniest Pitt has ever been, aside from another character that is ranked higher. His scenes, especially during the tense “Italian” sequence where he tries to pose as a film director, are some of the funniest moments in the whole movie. Aldo Raine ranks at number 5 because of the sheer fun and charisma Pitt brings to the role, creating one of the most entertaining characters in his career.
© The Weinstein Company / Universal Pictures
4. Billy Beane (Moneyball)
Brad Pitt's lead role in Moneyball is a standout performance that captures the essence of a man challenging the norms of baseball with intellect and resilience. As the Oakland Athletics' general manager who revolutionizes the game using statistical analysis to build a competitive team on a tight budget. His charisma and determination, make for incredibly entertaining dialogue that lies at the center of this film, for example the board meeting scene. This performance represents a significant departure from the more dramatic or action-oriented roles Pitt is known for, showcasing his range as an actor capable of handling complex, real-life characters.
© Columbia Pictures
3. Jeffrey Goines (12 Monkeys)
This might be the most eccentric, we have ever seen Brad Pitt be. As a charismatic yet unhinged environmental activist with a penchant for chaos, Goines is a whirlwind of manic energy and unpredictability. Goines is a complex figure, blending elements of madness with a genuine sense of purpose, and Pitt’s portrayal captures this duality perfectly. He immerses himself in the character’s erratic behavior, wild gestures, and offbeat humor, creating a performance that is as unsettling as it is mesmerizing.
© Universal Pictures
2. Mickey O'Neil (Snatch)
Mickey O'Neil, despite being a rather small role, is one of Brad Pitt's best ones. As a charismatic Irish boxer who finds himself entangled in a convoluted plot involving stolen diamonds, Mickey is a character marked by his fierce demeanor and enigmatic presence. Pitt’s performance is both magnetic and entertaining, adding a distinctive flavor to Guy Ritchie’s fast-paced, stylish film. Pitt’s portrayal is full of energy and humor, and he fully embraces the role’s eccentricities, from Mickey’s unusual speech patterns to his strategic prowess in the ring. The character’s role in the plot’s twists and turns, as well as Pitt’s commitment to playing Mickey with a mix of seriousness and comedic timing, adds a memorable dynamic to the film.
© Sony Pictures Releasing
1. Tyler Durden (Fight Club)
Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Tyler Durden is not just one of his most iconic roles but a defining moment in his career. As the embodiment of raw masculinity, anarchist philosophy, and anti-consumerism, Tyler Durden represents the ultimate charismatic anti-hero. Tyler is the alter ego of Edward Norton’s unnamed narrator, and Pitt’s portrayal captures the allure of Tyler’s anarchic worldview while also hinting at the character’s dangerous, self-destructive tendencies. His physicality in the role, from his sculpted appearance to his intense, hypermasculine confidence, makes Tyler Durden an unforgettable symbol of rebellion against the constraints of modern life. Pitt’s delivery of Tyler’s iconic lines – “The things you own end up owning you” and “It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything” – further cement his status as a pop culture icon.
Tyler Durden ranks at number 1 because it is the role that transformed Pitt from a Hollywood heart-throb into a cinematic legend.
Did we forget a movie you can't believe didn't make the list? Let us know in the comments!
© 20th Century Fox
