20+ Top Jack Nicholson Movies [& Worst]
[UPDATED 2024]
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Top Jack Nicholson Movies: Jack Nicholson, also known as John Joseph Nicholson, is an American Actor, Filmmaker who has a successful career of 50 years.
But – do you know?
He earned most of his success from his films “Easy Rider,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and “As Good as It Gets.”
We bet you are here for more…
As in this article, we will give you a list of top-rated movies by our favorite star – Jack Nicholson.
I’m sure you’ll love it; so are you excited?
Let’s get started…
#1: Batman
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Initial release: June 19, 1989 (Westwood)
Director: Tim Burton
Box office: 411.6 million USD
Produced by: Jon Peters; Peter Guber
Budget: $35–48 million
Sequel: Batman Returns
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger
One of the best Jack Nicholson movies includes “Batman“ which is a 1989 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton and produced by Jon Peters. It turned out to be the fifth-highest-grossing film in history as it was able to earn over $400 million. Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke influenced the themes and tone of the film.
Moving on…
Check Out: Batman
#2: Wolf
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Initial release: June 17, 1994 (USA)
Director: Mike Nichols
Box office: $131 million
Budget: $70 million
Music by: Ennio Morricone
Produced by: Douglas Wick; Neal A. Machlis
“Wolf“ is an American romantic-horror film released in 1994. Also, directed by Mike Nichols and produced by Douglas Wick. The film grossed $65 million domestically and $66 million internationally, making it $131 million worldwide.
Now…
The story is about a man, Will, who gets bitten by a werewolf accidentally, and all of a sudden, his life takes turns. Turns out he was a shy person, but after being attacked, will find himself a changed person. Now, with full confidence and vigor, he fights in every phase of life that gave him a tough time back then.
Check Out: Wolf
#3: The Pledge
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Initial release: January 9, 2001 (USA)
Director: Sean Penn
Box office: $29.4 million
Budget: $35 million
Nominations: Bodil Award for Best American Film.
Adapted from: The Pledge: Requiem for the Detective Novel, The Pledge
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer
“The Pledge“ is a 2001 American mystery-thriller film that Sean Penn directs. The cast includes Jack Nicholson, Patricia Clarkson, Aaron Eckhart, Helen Mirren, and more. The film earned $19 million domestically and $9 million internationally.
Moving on to the story…
The story revolves around a detective, Jerry, who faces the case of a child murder at his retirement party. Although he has resigned from his job, he still cannot stop thinking about the murderer and eventually promises the child’s parents that he will bring them justice. One after the other, Jerry takes steps into mud which is dangerous for him as he is not an officer anymore. The worst part is Jerry doesn’t even find a single clue, and as soon as his colleagues find out that he is indulged in an open-and-shut case, they, too, give Jerry a tough time. But is the murderer roaming around the streets, or is he dead?
Check Out: The Pledge
#4: How do you know?
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Initial release: December 13, 2010 (Westwood)
Director: James L. Brooks
Box office: $48.7 million
Budget: $120 million
Production company: Columbia Pictures
Music by: Hans Zimmer
“How Do You Know?“ is a 2010 American romantic comedy film, directed and written by James L. Brooks. It is produced by Julie Ansell, James L. Brooks. The film grossed over $49 million but turned out to be successful, because firstly it received negative reviews and secondly, it had a budget of $120 million. No doubt, the movie’s success can be traced to Jack Nicholson’s performance.
Furthermore…
The story is about a girl, Lisa, a star softball player but unfortunately unable to make it to the national team. Eventually, she falls in love with two men simultaneously, which increases the chaos in her life. Throughout, she struggles to find her true match and stands double-minded whenever she meets them. Watch the movie and find out who her choice was?
Check Out: How Do You Know?
#5: A Few Good Men
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Initial release: December 9, 1992 (USA)
Director: Rob Reiner
Adapted from: A Few Good Men
Box office: $243.2 million
Produced by: Rob Reiner; David Brown; Andrew Scheinman
Awards: MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Movie
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise
“A Few Good Men” is a 1992 American legal drama film directed by Rob Reiner, who produced it with David Brown. Castle Rock Entertainment produces the film, and the best part is, it turned out to be a hit. “A Few Good Men” grossed over $243 million. No doubt, the film was nominated for four Academy Awards.
Moreover…
The film revolves around Daniel Kaffee, a US military lawyer who defends two US marines charged with murdering a fellow marine in Cuba. Eventually, all the points lead them to a colonel, but is that possible? Find out!
Check Out: A Few Good Men
#6: As Good As It Gets
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Initial release: December 6, 1997 (USA)
Director: James L. Brooks
Story by: Mark Andrus
Oscar Nominations: Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Movie Stars: Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear
The film “As Good As It Gets“ is a 1997 American romantic comedy film directed and produced by James L. Brooks. The film turned out to be a box office hit and grossed over $314 million worldwide. It also made the lead actors win the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Actress.
Turns out…
The story revolves around a writer with obsessive-compulsive disorder named Melvin. He lived a routine and planned life which makes it annoying for the people around him, and his only interest is a waitress at the closest coffee shop. His life takes a turn when his new neighbor gets assaulted in an incident, and he has to take care of his dog one day. In the beginning, Melvin finds it hard to cope up, but eventually, he builds up an emotional connection with the dog. The best part, he gains the attention of the waitress, thanks to his dog.
Check Out: As Good As It Gets
#7: The Shining
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Initial release: May 23, 1980 (Canada)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Music by: Wendy Carlos; Rachel Elkind
Production companies: The Producer Circle Company; Peregrine Productions; Hawk Films
Adapted from: The Shining
Sequels: Room 237, Doctor Sleep
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Jack Torrance, Shelley Duvall
Author: Stephen King
“The Shining“ is a 1980 psychological horror film which is produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. The film grossed $622,337 worldwide.
Simply put…
The story is about Jack and his family, who move into a hotel with a violent past. Living in a place like that begins to change the lifestyle of Jack, as he starts losing his sanity, and the worst part, it affects his family too.
Check Out: The Shining
#8: The Departed
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Initial release: September 26, 2006 (New York)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Adapted from: Infernal Affairs
Produced by: Brad Pitt; Brad Grey; Graham King
Budget: $90 million
Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Frank Costello, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon
“The Departed” is an American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Brad Pitt. The film was a critical and commercial success, as it won several awards, including four Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and Best Film Editing for Best Director.
Moving on to the story…
The story revolves around a spy and an undercover agent, who try to counter-attack each other constantly, trying to save themselves from being exposed in front of the authorities. Also, they try to infiltrate an Irish gang.
Check Out: The Departed
#9: The Witches of Eastwick
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Initial release: June 12, 1987 (USA)
Director: George Miller
Music by: John Williams
Box office: $63.8 million (North America)
Produced by: Neil Canton; Peter Guber; Jon Peters
Adapted from: The Witches of Eastwick
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer
One of the best Jack Nicholson movies includes “Witches of Eastwick,” a 1987 dark fantasy-comedy film directed by Geroge Miller and produced by Neil Canton; it is from John Updike’s novel.
Adding in more…
The film depicts a magical story of three single women living in a village. Things take a turn when Nicholson plays the role of a man who arrives in their lives and grants them their wishes but at a cost. Now the question is, are their wishes worth an evil curse, or will they gain victory, watch it and figure out!
Check Out: Witches of Eastwick
#10: Easy Rider
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Initial release: July 14, 1969 (USA)
Director: Dennis Hopper
Produced by: Peter Fonda
Production companies: Pando Company Inc. Raybert Productions
Box office: $60 million
Music composed by: Steppenwolf, The Byrds, The Band
Starring: Jack Nicholson, George Hanson
“Easy Rider“ is a 1969 American independent road drama film directed by Dennis Hopper and written by Peter Fonda. The film grossed $60 million worldwide, and it was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Furthermore…
The movie focuses on important issues in the life of adolescents, such as the rise of the hippie movement, commercial lifestyle, and drug use. In the story, two hippies Wyatt and Billy, complete a drug deal in California and decide to travel in search of spiritual truth. During their journey, they experience tons of truths, such as bigotry and hatred, and eventually have a bad drug experience in New Orleans. By the end, they don’t even know if they will ever find peace?
Check Out: Easy Rider
#11: Chinatown
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Initial release: June 20, 1974 (USA)
Director: Roman Polanski
Produced by: Robert Evans
Production companies: Penthouse; Long Road Productions; Robert Evans Company
Music by: Jerry Goldsmith
Oscar Nomination: Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture
The film “Chinatown” is a neo-noir mystery film directed by Roman Polanski.
In the film…
Mrs. Mulwray hires a Detective just to keep an eye on her husband, but things change when Mr. Mulwray dies, and the detective is left in a web of deceit.
Check Out: Chinatown
#12: Ironweed
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Initial release: December 18, 1987 (USA)
Director: Héctor Babenco
Music by: John Morris
Box office: $7.3 million
Adapted from: Ironweed
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep
The film “Ironweed“ is directed by Hector Babenco, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Now…
The story is about Helen Archer, a vocalist on the radio, and Francis Phelan, a league pitcher. They return to their birth city, New York, to celebrate Halloween. But tables turn when they face several unfortunate incidents there.
Check Out: Ironweed
#13: Terms of Endearment
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Initial release: November 23, 1983 (USA)
Director: James L. Brooks
Sequel: The Evening Star
Box office: $165 million
Adapted from: Terms of Endearment
Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture
Starring: Shirley MacLaine
The film “Terms of Endearment“ is directed by James L. Brooks.
In here…
The story is about a woman who is in search of true love but her daughter at the same time faces marital issues. Subsequently, they come together and find a solution to their problems and a way to a happy life.
Check Out: Terms of Endearment
#14: Five Easy Pieces
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Initial release: September 12, 1970 (USA)
Director: Bob Rafelson
Story by: Bob Rafelson; Adrien Joyce
Nominations: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
The film “Five Easy Pieces” is a film directed by Bob Rafelson.
In this film…
An oil rig worker Bobby Dupea, a one-time piano prodigy, goes home to see his dying father. After abandoning his privileged life, he finds his roots way more interesting than ever.
Check Out: Five Easy Pieces
#15: The Cry Baby Killer
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Initial release: August 17, 1958
Director: Jus Addiss
“The Cry Baby Killer” is a film directed by Jus Addiss.
Turns out…
The story revolves around a teenager who has been assaulted to such an extent that he believes he’s a murderer. To save himself, he hides in a storeroom with three hostages while police keep on searching outside.
Check Out: The Cry Baby Killer
#16: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
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Initial release: November 19, 1975 (USA)
Director: Miloš Forman
Adapted from: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Awards: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
One of the best Jack Nicholson movies is “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.”
Adding in…
The story is about prison labor, McMurphy, who fakes his insanity and gets shifted to a special ward due to his mental health. But, he begins to hate his drama when he meets a cruel nurse, Ratched.
Check Out: One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
#17: The Fortune
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Initial release: May 20, 1975
Director: Mike Nichols
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty
The film “The Fortune“ is directed by Mike Nichols and was released on May 20, 1975.
Furthermore…
The story features two scam artists named Nicky and Oscar who vie to gain the fortune of an heiress, Freddy.
Check Out: The Fortune
#18: The Missouri Breaks
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Initial release: May 19, 1976 (USA)
Director: Arthur Penn
Music by: John Williams
Box office: $14 million
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Bill Murray
“The Missouri Breaks“ is directed by Arthur Penn. It was released on May 19, 1976.
Adding in more…
The story is about David Braxton, who hangs one of his best friends, rustler Tom Logan, and as revenge, Logan’s gang decides to get even by purchasing a small farm next to Braxton’s ranch.
Check Out: The Missouri Breaks
#19: The Crossing Guard
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Initial release: November 16, 1995
Director: Sean Penn
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Freddy Gale
The film “The Crossing Guard“ is directed by Sean Penn. It was released on November 16, 1995.
Furthermore…
The story is about Freddy, who has sworn to kill the drunk driver who killed his daughter. As the driver is released from the prison, Freddy tells him that he just has three days to live.
Check Out: The Crossing Guard
#20: Broadcast News
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Initial release: December 16, 1987 (USA)
Director: James L. Brooks
Starring: Albert Brooks, Jack Nicholson
“Broadcast News“ is a film directed by James L. Brooks. It was released on December 16, 1987.
Turns out…
The story is about Jane Craig who is given a choice between a gifted reporter and a handsome young guy, who is not very good at his work.
Check Out: Broadcast News
Conclusion: Best Jack Nicholson Movies
That’s all we have, folks! Hope you enjoyed the long list of movies by our favorite, Jack Nicholson.
But – don’t forget…
… To share this top list with your friends and family and let us know how they like it all. You can learn more about Jack Nicholson’s Net Worth, Memes, Quotes, and more on our website Bouncemojo.com.
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