10 Best Colin Farrell Movies (According To Rotten Tomatoes)

Colin Farrell has had one of the more interesting Hollywood careers in recent memory. He exploded onto the scene as the hottest young actor around but his career as a Hollywood leading man never quite took off the way people expected. However, Farrell quickly reinvented himself as a much more interesting character actor.

This unique career path has resulted in some unforgettable films as well as a few hidden gems still waiting to be discovered. From his early roles which showcased his promising talents to his versatile and challenging roles later in his career, these are Colin Farrell’s best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.

10 Tigerland (76%)

Farrell was still an up-and-coming actor when he secured the lead in this small independent drama from Joel Schumacher. Farrell stars as a young rebellious man who arrives at basic training to prepare to serve in Vietnam. As he challenges the authority of this new existence, he develops a skill at finding loopholes for his fellow recruits to escape deployment.

The movie is a small and intimate take on the war genre with the story focusing on the psychology of preparing for war. Farrell makes for a compelling and charismatic lead, creating a grounded character that still shows off his movie star charm.

9 The Beguiled (79%)

Farrell was once touted as the next big leading man in Hollywood but now seems more comfortable acting in supporting roles or as part of an ensemble. He joined the stellar cast of Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled alongside the likes of Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. The Civil War-set drama is set in an all-girls boarding school in the south that takes in an injured Union soldier, playing by Farrell.

The gothic feel of the story adds a great sense of foreboding doom throughout the engrossing tale. It is shocking, funny and sexy while also featuring excellent performances from the great cast.

8 Saving Mr. Banks (79%)

In Saving Mr. Banks, Farrell once again proves to be one of the more memorable parts of the movie while in a supporting role. The film stars Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, the creator of Mary Poppins, and the story of the tumultuous relationship between her and Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) as they attempt to bring her character to the big screen. Farrell appears in flashbacks as Travers’ loving but troubled father.

The movie is a charming and interesting behind-the-scenes story of the making of a beloved film. Hanks and Thompson are great and the scenes with Farrell as some of the most powerful in the film.

7 The Killing Of A Sacred Deer (80%)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer is the second collaboration between Farrell and filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, and it proves to be another solid teaming. Farrell stars as a surgeon who makes a mistake during surgery which ends up having consequences far greater than he could have imagined.

Like most of Lanthimos’ films, The Killing of a Sacred Deer is filled with dark humor, sharp writing and intense moments. The performances are also impressive with Farrell, Nicole Kidman and Barry Keoghan specifically standing out.

6 Seven Psychopaths (82%)

Martin McDonagh is another filmmaker who has collaborated with Farrell to great success on more than one occasion. Seven Psychopaths is their second film together and stars Farrell as an alcoholic screenwriter struggling with his latest project when he and his friends become the targets of several dangerous figures.

The movie is a darkly funny story filled with gruesome violence and colorful characters. Farrell once again shows his comedic talents while backed by an incredible cast including Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken, and Woody Harrelson.

5 In Bruges (84%)

In Bruges was the first time Farrell teamed with Martin McDonagh and it’s an even better example of their talents. The film stars Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as two Irish hitmen who are ordered to hide out in Bruges, Belgium after a job goes wrong.

McDonagh immediately made a name for himself as a unique voice in cinema with dark, hilarious and sharp dialogue. Farrell and Gleeson make for a wonderfully mismatched pair while Ralph Fiennes steals the show as their rage-filled boss. It is an oddly beautiful crime-comedy that has grown in popularity over the years.

4 The Lobster (88%)

The first collaboration between Farrell and Yorgos Lanthimos was a strange, dark romantic comedy. Farrell stars as a lonely sad sack man in a dystopian society in which people have 45 days to find a romantic life partner or be turned into an animal of their choice.

The movie features an all-star cast including Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly, and Olivia Colman, all giving stellar and funny performances. It is certainly an odd and unconventional tale filled with wild moments, but it is also a charming story about true love.

3 Minority Report (90%)

When Farrell’s star was on the rise, he got the chance to work with one of the most legendary filmmakers of all time, Steven Spielberg. Minority Report is an inventive science-fiction thriller set in a future in which crime can be predicted. Tom Cruise plays a cop who is predicted to kill a man in the near future and must go on the run to clear his name. Farrell plays a determined government agent pursuing Cruise.

Spielberg’s talents as a master filmmaker are on full display with this exciting, clever and action-packed futuristic adventure. Cruise also proves why he is at the top of his game with an intense movie star performance.

2 Crazy Heart (90%)

Farrell seems drawn to interesting stories no matter how big his role might be. In Crazy Heart, Jeff Bridges stars as a washed-up country singer whose life is slowly being destroyed by alcoholism. He finds hope of redemption after starting a relationship with a single mother (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Farrell plays a successful country singer and former collaborator of Bridges’ character.

Though the story might not be totally original, the movie gained praise from critics largely due to Bridges’ fantastic performance for which he one an Oscar. The raw and touching love story combined with a beautiful original song made it a powerful drama.

1 Widows (91%)

Once again, Farrell joined a stellar ensemble which resulted in one of his best films. Widows is a smart and engrossing crime thriller from Steve McQueen which follows a group of thieves who die during a heist, leaving their widows to pick up the pieces and complete the job themselves. Farrell plays a corrupt politician involved in the robbery.

The movie is a sharp and gripping film featuring fantastic performances from its all-star cats, with Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki and Daniel Kaluuya standing out. The movie serves as a great genre film as well as offering interesting commentary on real-world issues.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2037 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

More From Colin McCormick