James Franco’s Movie Career: 10 of His Most Popular Films

James Franco has played various roles throughout his career, ranging from serious dramas to off-beat comedies. He is probably best known for his slacker persona in comedies like Pineapple Express and Freaks and Geeks, but he has also starred in some powerful dramatic roles. Here are ten James Franco movies that have become beloved by fans everywhere.

1. 127 Hours (2010): Directed by Danny Boyle, this film tells the true story of Aron Ralston (played by Franco), an American mountaineer trapped under a boulder while climbing alone in Blue John Canyon, Utah, in 2003. Unable to free himself, Ralston was forced to amputate his arm to escape. This dramatic thriller earned Franco an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and is available on Reelgood.com at https://reelgood.com/movie/127-hours-2010

2. Pineapple Express (2008): This stoner comedy stars Franco as Saul Silver, a marijuana dealer who goes on the run with his friend Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) after witnessing a murder committed by a corrupt cop and drug lord. Along their crime caper journey, the two encounter crooked cops, drug dealers, and a rival gang of criminals. With its unique blend of action and humor, this film has become one of James Franco’s most popular movies and can be found on Reelgood.com at https://reelgood.com/movie/pineapple-express-2008

3. Milk (2008): This biopic tells the story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), the first openly gay elected official in California, and his fight for LGBT rights in San Francisco during the late 1970s. James Franco plays Scott Smith, a young artist who helps Milk with his political campaign and later becomes his lover. The film earned Penn an Academy Award for Best Actor and is available to stream on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/milk-2008

4. Spring Breakers (2012): In this crime drama directed by Harmony Korine, four college girls (Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine) take a spring break trip to Miami. There they meet Alien (Franco), a rapper-slash-drug dealer who helps them rob convenience stores. As the girls become increasingly involved in his criminal ventures, things spiral out of control. This cult classic can be found on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/spring-breakers-2012

5. The Disaster Artist (2017): Adapted from Greg Sestero’s book of the same name, this comedy tells the true story of Tommy Wiseau (Franco) and his quest to make his own movie—the now-infamous The Room. Franco directs and stars in the film, which follows Tommy and Greg (Dave Franco) as they navigate the tumultuous production of Wiseau’s magnum opus. This comedic homage to independent filmmaking can be streamed on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/the-disaster-artist-2017

6. 2001 Maniacs (2005): In this horror comedy, a group of college students take a detour while driving through Georgia and end up in Pleasant Valley, a small town with some strange residents—most notably Mayor Buckman (Franco). With an appetite for human meat, the locals invite them to stay for the annual “Guts ‘n’ Glory Jubilee”. This gory cult classic can be found on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/2001-maniacs-2005

7. Freaks and Geeks (1999): This classic coming-of-age comedy-drama series follows a group of high school outcasts in Michigan during the 1980s. Franco plays Daniel Desario, a bad boy interested in Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), one of the “freaks”. The show was canceled before its time but has since become a cult favorite, and all 18 episodes are available to stream on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/tv/freaks-and-geeks-1999

8. Howl (2010): This biographical drama is based on the life of Beat poet Allen Ginsberg (Franco), focusing on his most famous poem and obscenity trial. The film explores the themes of censorship, freedom, and sexuality at a time when homosexuality was still considered taboo. It’s available to stream on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/howl-2010

9. The Interview (2014): This action-comedy stars Franco as Dave Skylark, a celebrity journalist whose latest assignment is interviewing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. When the CIA recruits them for an assassination mission, they must use their journalistic skills and wits to survive in a dangerous foreign land. Catch this exciting adventure comedy on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/the-interview-2014.

10. In Dubious Battle (2016): Based on John Steinbeck’s 1936 novel of the same name, this drama follows a group of apple pickers in California who organize a labor strike against their oppressive employer. James Franco stars in and directs this historical drama, which is available to stream on Reelgood at https://reelgood.com/movie/in-dubious-battle-2016.

Conclusion

James Franco has had an impressive career in television and movies, spanning many genres. From comedies like Pineapple Express to dramas like Milk and Howl, he has proven himself as an actor capable of taking on any role. With films ranging from cult classics to award-winning biopics, there’s something for everyone in Franco’s filmography. So if you’re looking for a good movie, head over to Reelgood and see what James Franco has in store for you.