10 Essential Robert Redford Movies, Ranked

10 Essential Robert Redford Movies, Ranked

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Now mostly retired, Robert Redford was one of the biggest stars of the 1970s and ’80s, appearing in blockbusters and classics like The Great Gatsby, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Sting. During this era, he showed off a lot of range from a classic leading man, able to play everything from dashing antiheroes to more introspective loners, charming con artists to hardy men up against nature.

Redford also had a great second act as a director, delivering terrific films like Ordinary People, A River Runs Through It, and Quiz Show. Still, it’s his acting that he will be most remembered for. With this in mind, this list looks at some of Redford’s most iconic performances. They run the gamut from comedy and crime capers to intense, gritty drama, containing something for everyone.

10

‘The Great Gatsby’ (1974)

Directed by Jack Clayton

Robert Redford and Mia Farrow smiling while at a party in The Great Gatsby.
Image via Paramount Pictures

“They’re a rotten crowd. You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” While flawed, Jack Clayton‘s adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald‘s classic deserves a mention as one of Redford’s most iconic movies. He plays the famous but enigmatic Gatsby, a millionaire whose life is defined by his unrelenting pursuit of the American Dream and his obsession with Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow). His story is one of excess and tragedy, set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties.

The movie divided viewers on release (Farrow’s performance, in particular, received a lot of criticism) but it has a lot of strengths, like the sumptuous costumes and production design, and stellar cinematography. It also strives to be mostly faithful to the novel, capturing much of the book’s opulence and melancholy spirit. The script was penned by Francis Ford Coppola, after all. The supporting cast is solid too, particularly Bruce Dern and Karen Black, and Redford is perfectly cast in his part.

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The Great Gatsby

Release Date

March 27, 1974

Runtime

144 minutes

Director

Jack Clayton

Writers

Francis Ford Coppola

Producers

David Merrick




9

‘The Chase’ (1966)

Directed by Arthur Penn

The Chase - 1966 (1)
Image via Columbia Pictures

“What the hell are we all running for?” In this crime drama, Redford plays Bubber Reeves, an escaped convict whose return to his Texas hometown sets off a chain reaction of chaos and violence. The film paints a stark portrait of small-town America on the brink of self-destruction, following an ensemble cast of heavy hitters like Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, and, in a smaller part, Robert Duvall.

The movie is a mix of adventure and morality play, critiquing corruption, prejudice, vigilantism, infidelity, and hypocrisy. It leans into the social commentary a little too hard at times, with the plot itself losing some steam around the halfway mark. Still, the performances are as good as one would expect from stars like this. Redford carries a lot of the more difficult scenes and has a great dynamic with Fonda, who plays his wife. “Jane and I have had a very special relationship going back to The Chase,” Redford has said. “It just clicks.”

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The Chase

Release Date

February 18, 1966

Runtime

135 minutes

Director

Arthur Penn



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8

‘All Is Lost’ (2013)

Directed by J.C. Chandor

10 Essential Robert Redford Movies, Ranked
Image via Lionsgate

“I fought until the end. I’m not sure what that is.” All Is Lost is a tour de force of minimalist filmmaking, featuring Redford as a nameless sailor battling for survival in the Indian Ocean after his yacht collides with a shipping container. With no dialogue aside from a few lines and a haunting final cry for help, Redford carries the film entirely through his physicality and expressions. It’s one of his most compelling late-career performances.

The star’s quiet, composed intensity is spellbinding here; not many actors could have pulled this off so well. He’s helped by director J.C. Chandor‘s lean, straightforward storytelling, which relentlessly ratchets up the tension. The movie is also refreshingly low on metaphors and preachiness, letting the events speak for themselves. This is what drew Redford to the project. ” It was a very pure experience that I felt had gone missing [in movies],” he has said. “It was a chance for me to be a part of going back to that.”

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all is lost

Release Date

August 23, 2013

Runtime

106 Minutes

Director

J.C. Chandor

Writers

J.C. Chandor




7

‘Sneakers’ (1992)

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson

The main cast stands outside in a line looking concerned in Sneakers
Image via Universal Pictures

“It’s not about who’s got the most bullets; it’s about who controls the information.” In Sneakers, Redford leads an all-star cast as Martin Bishop, a former hacker turned security expert who is blackmailed into stealing a mysterious black box capable of decoding any encrypted system. From here, he and his eccentric team must navigate classic caper antics, including double-crosses and high-stakes espionage. The supporting players include Ben Kingsley, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, and River Phoenix.

The movie pulls off a tricky balance between comedy and drama, wackiness and believability, all held together by a series of cleverly constructed, memorable sequences. In particular, there are great scenes where the characters must solve problems based on tiny scraps of information. These moments are both fun and brainy. Finally, Redford turns in a layered performance as a jaded idealist who might still have a bit of spark left in him, resulting in a juicy, satisfying ending.

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Sneakers

Release Date

September 11, 1992

Runtime

126 Minutes

Director

Phil Alden Robinson

Writers

Phil Alden Robinson, Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes




6

‘Three Days of the Condor’ (1975)

Directed by Sydney Pollack

Two men talking in Three days of the condor 19750
Image via Paramount Pictures

“Not every conspiracy is a theory.” Three Days of the Condor is a political thriller that sees Redford as Joe Turner, a CIA analyst who returns from lunch to find his entire office assassinated. On the run, Turner must unravel a web of betrayal while staying ahead of both assassins and his own agency. Redford plays the part with a blend of determination and vulnerability. Turner is skilled, but he’s still something of an everyman, making everything more engaging.

The star is assisted by Sydney Pollack‘s taut direction, which keeps the suspense high, turning even mundane settings into pressure cookers of tension. Atmosphere and paranoia, rather than standard action, are the orders of the day here. This approach spoke to the disillusioned post-Watergate mood of 1975, emphasizing mistrust and government skullduggery. It remains relevant today and inspired plenty of copycats. Cerebral and bleak but still entertaining, Three Days of the Condor towers over most films in this subgenre.

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Three Days Of The Condor

Release Date

August 1, 1975

Runtime

117 Minutes

Director

Sydney Pollack

Writers

Lorenzo Semple Jr., David Rayfiel




5

The Natural’ (1984)

Directed by Barry Levinson

Robert Redford as Roy Hobbs smiling at a person offscreen in 'The Natural' (1984)
Image via Tri-Star Pictures

“God help us if we ever have to have a winner.” Redford helms this emotional baseball drama as Roy Hobbs, a once-promising player whose career was derailed by a tragic incident in his youth. Years later, he re-emerges as an enigmatic figure with extraordinary talent, playing for a struggling team and reigniting their hopes for greatness. Redford is effortlessly magnetic in this one. The moment when Hobbs hits a homerun into the stadium lights, showering the field in sparks, remains one of the most iconic scenes in sports cinema.

The movie is probably overlong at 138 minutes, but it’s jam-packed with strong elements, from the acting and cinematography to the stirring score by Randy Newman. The highlight is the climactic baseball game, a thrilling sequence that more than delivers the necessary emotional payoff. The finished product is a fairy tale but a charming one, leaning a little into the cheese but remaining fundamentally enjoyable.

The Natural Movie Poster

The Natural

Release Date

May 11, 1984

Runtime

138 Minutes



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4

‘Jeremiah Johnson’ (1972)

Directed by Sydney Pollack

Robert Redford as Jeremiah Johnson rests for a moment in the woods in Jeremiah Johnson.
Image via Warner Bros

“I am Jeremiah Johnson. If I’m the one, then you’re welcome.” In Jeremiah Johnson, Redford delivers a powerhouse performance as a man seeking solace in the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains. After abandoning civilization, Johnson must learn to survive in this unforgiving landscape, forging relationships with indigenous people and battling hostile forces. In the process, he changes from a novice mountain man to a living legend. Intriguingly, the role was initially offered to Clint Eastwood, but Redford inhabits it so thoroughly that it’s hard to imagine anyone playing Johnson.

Acting aside, there are striking shots of natural beauty here, including expanses of snow and impassive mountains. The style is a mix of near-documentary realism and episodic adventure, with Johnson facing a series of trials, tribulations, and unexpected discoveries. In the process, the movie becomes a powerful study of American myths of rugged individualism and the allure of the frontier. Plus, the movie contributed an ending meme to the zeitgeist with the “Robert Redford nod of approval” GIF. That’s staying power.

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Jeremiah Johnson

Release Date

December 21, 1972

Runtime

108 Minutes

Director

Sydney Pollack

Writers

Vardis Fisher, John Milius, Edward Anhalt




3

‘All the President’s Men’ (1976)

Directed by Alan J. Pakula

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman sitting at a desk in All the President's Men
Image via Warner Bros.

“Follow the money.” One of the best movies ever made about investigative journalism, All the President’s Men features Redford as Bob Woodward, one half of the Washington Post duo that uncovered the Watergate scandal, alongside Carl Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman). The film meticulously follows their journey as they unravel a conspiracy that leads to the highest levels of government.

The movie is an electric fusion of strong elements, including a snappy script by The Princess Bride‘s William Goldman, confident direction by Alan J. Pakula (of The Parallax View and Sophie’s Choice), and the easy chemistry between the leads. The interactions between Redford and Hoffman brim with a natural, almost improvisational energy. All this adds up to a meticulous snapshot of the ’70s news business, as well as a taut tale of political intrigue. Not for nothing, All the President’s Men has hugely influenced how reporters have been portrayed on screen ever since.

2

‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ (1969)

Directed by George Roy Hill

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - 1969 (2)
Image via 20th Century-Fox

“Who are those guys?” This iconic buddy Western pairs Redford with Paul Newman as two of the most charming outlaws in cinematic history. The former plays the Sundance Kid, a quick-drawing gunslinger, while Newman’s Butch Cassidy is the brains of their operation. The film chronicles their exploits as they rob trains, evade relentless lawmen, and ultimately flee to Bolivia in search of a fresh start. Once again, they work from a strong (though divisive) script by William Goldman.

The movie takes some time to build momentum, but once it gets going it’s an engrossing ride, animated by crackling banter, infectious camaraderie, steady action, and a ton of heart. There are many laugh-out-loud moments and more than a few emotional ones, including the famous, tragic, beautifully shot ending. The sequences where the superposse stalks the heroes are masterfully crafted, and the landscape cinematography is immersive throughout. For all these reasons, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is an immortal Western.

1

‘The Sting’ (1973)

Directed by George Roy Hill

Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford) pretends to read a newspaper as he spies around a train station while Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) peers at him from behind in 'The Sting' (1973).
Image via Universal Pictures

“Revenge is for suckers.” Claiming the top spot on this list is The Sting, George Roy Hill‘s brilliant caper about two con men, Johnny Hooker (Redford) and Henry Gondorff (Newman), who team up to pull off an elaborate scheme against a ruthless mob boss. Set in 1930s Chicago, the film is filled with twists, turns, and clever sleight-of-hand that keep the audience guessing until the very end. This is cinematic misdirection at its very best.

The dynamic between the leads is just as compelling as it was in Butch and Sundance, and David S. Ward‘s screenplay (often ranked among the best of that decade) gives them plenty of great material to work with. So too does Hill’s nostalgic, jazzy, delightfully old-fashioned storytelling style, harking back to 1930s Hollywood. The movie is bursting at the seams with style, from the lush production value to the slick camera. Roguish and sly, The Sting remains a treat all these decades later.

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The Sting

Release Date

December 25, 1973

Runtime

129 minutes

Director

George Roy Hill



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