List of Best Performances

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Last Updated: 1/16/25
Note: Each thespian has a list of films that s/he gave his best performances in. The number varies as according to her or his body of work. It's based on what I have seen so far. There may be honorable mentions in that order.

Multiple parts (i.e. duology, trilogy, etc.) can be put together as one if there's a continuation in the narrative. Miniseries and telefilms are fair game, but documentaries are excluded. These films have made the cut when I think about cultural phenomenon, uniqueness, famous movie moments, iconic scenes and/or lines, cinematic power, and timelessness.

If a thespian is missing, it's because I haven't seen enough films to make an accurate judgment or there aren't many great performances out of her or him to warrant a list.



  1. Tom Berenger
  2. Marlon Brando
  3. Richard Burton
  4. Daniel Day-Lewis
  5. Robert De Niro
  6. James Dean
  7. Matt Dillon
  8. Val Kilmer
  9. Burt Lancaster
  10. Ray Liotta
  11. Steve McQueen
  12. Al Pacino
  13. Robert Redford
  14. Mickey Rourke
  15. Patrick Swayze
  16. Denzel Washington