Jeff Bridges is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, having starred in over 80 movies and television shows since 1965. His illustrious career spans genres from comedy to drama, horror to romance, and everything in between. Here, we look at some of his best performances – the top 10 Jeff Bridges movies you must watch!
1. The Big Lebowski (1998) – https://reelgood.com/movie/the-big-lebowski-1998
The Coen Brothers’ cult classic stars Jeff Bridges as the unforgettable Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski as he gets embroiled in an increasingly strange mystery involving a millionaire namesake, an angry mobster, and a stolen rug. It’s been 20 years since the movie’s release, and it’s still as hilarious today as it was then – Bridges is perfectly cast as the lovable slacker The Dude.
2. True Grit (2010) – https://reelgood.com/movie/true-grit-2010
Jeff Bridges won his first Academy Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his performance in this Western remake of 1969’s True Grit. A loose adaptation of Charles Portis’ novel of the same name, True Grit stars Bridges alongside Hailee Steinfeld and Matt Damon in this story about a US Marshal who helps a young woman avenge her father’s death.
3. Tron (1982) – https://reelgood.com/movie/tron-1982
Jeff Bridges’ performance in this groundbreaking sci-fi classic helped launch his career as one of Hollywood’s most beloved leading men. In the film, he stars as computer programmer Kevin Flynn who finds himself inside a digital world called The Grid and has to fight against an evil AI program.
4. Fearless (1993) – https://reelgood.com/movie/fearless-1993
This powerful drama, directed by Peter Weir, follows Jeff Bridges’ character Max Klein after he survives a plane crash with no physical injuries but can no longer experience fear. Bridges’ powerful performance in this movie earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe win.
5. Starman (1984) – https://reelgood.com/movie/starman-1984
In this sci-fi classic, Jeff Bridges plays an alien who takes the form of the deceased husband of a young widow (Karen Allen). With just three days to return to his home planet, he has to travel cross-country with her help while trying to elude government agents determined to capture him.
6. Iron Man (2008) – https://reelgood.com/movie/iron-man-2008
Jeff Bridges stars as the villain in this Marvel superhero movie, playing industrialist and weapons manufacturer Obadiah Stane who goes up against Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark/Iron Man. Bridges were praised for his performance even though he was playing a villain – something he admitted to having reservations about beforehand.
7. The Fisher King (1991) – https://reelgood.com/movie/the-fisher-king-1991
Jeff Bridges stars alongside Robin Williams in this Terry Gilliam film about two men who cross paths while searching for redemption from their troubled pasts. Bridges play Jack Lucas, a shock jock whose career is destroyed after an on-air rant leads to tragedy, while Williams plays Parry, a homeless man on a quest for the Holy Grail.
8. Heaven’s Gate (1980) – https://reelgood.com/movie/heaven-s-gate-1980
This Michael Cimino-directed epic Western is set in the 1890s. It follows Jeff Bridges as a Harvard graduate who joins forces with newly arrived settlers to fight off local ranchers demanding their land rights. Despite its initially unfavorable reception, the film has since been reappraised by critics and audiences alike, thanks largely to Bridges’ performance.
9. The Last Picture Show (1971) – https://reelgood.com/movie/the-last-picture-show-1971
Jeff Bridges stars in this classic coming-of-age drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich alongside Cybill Shepherd, Timothy Bottoms, and Cloris Leachman. Set in a small Texas town in the 1950s, The Last Picture Show follows two teenage boys as they navigate relationships and explore life beyond their hometown.
10. Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) – https://reelgood.com/movie/tucker-the-man-and-his-dream-1988
This inspiring historical drama tells the true story of Preston Tucker (Jeff Bridges), an innovative car designer who faced strong opposition from Detroit’s auto industry when he tried to launch his own independent car company in 1948. Francis Ford Coppola directed this movie, which earned Bridges a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.
Overall, Jeff Bridges has had an illustrious and varied career that spans five decades, having starred in some of the most beloved films of our time. From science fiction to Westerns, comedies to dramas – Bridges has done it all and continues to do so. His talent and range is evident from his long list of memorable performances – these are just 10 movies out of many more he has starred in!
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