In addition to being the master of narration thanks to his soothing voice, Morgan Freeman has been working in the film industry since the 1960s and is a fantastic actor and director. He truly had a penchant for dancing and exploited his abilities to launch a career in Broadway plays before he made it into the movie. His breakthrough performance in Street Smart, however, was what actually launched his acting career. He has continued to dominate the industry ever since.
February 1st, 2023 update: If you’re a fan of Morgan Freeman, you’ll be pleased to learn that we’ve added more of the great actor’s top movies to this list.
Freeman is undoubtedly one of the most adored and acclaimed actors in the world. Look at the best movies starring Morgan Freeman for a reminder of why.
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Driving Miss Daisy
For his performance as Hoke Colburn in Driving Miss Daisy, Morgan Freeman won the Golden Globe for Best Actor. He portrays a wealthy woman’s personal chauffeur in the American South (played by Jessica Tandy). Over the years, their relationship experiences some rocky patches as they gradually forge a lovely bond. In a sense, Freeman’s persona develops into Daisy’s best buddy. Hoke has the appropriate amount of righteous rage and knows when to let it out when he is mistreated. Many people would assume that his comedy is a front, yet the chauffer is precisely what they believe it is.
Invictus
One of the best performers and directors, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood, have teamed together three times, most recently on the movie Invictus. This time, Freeman had the opportunity to portray the late Nelson Mandela during his early years in office as he attempted to bring the country together by getting involved in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The movie Invictus is named after William Ernest Henley’s poem, which was Nelson Mandela’s favorite. Although the accent might have used a little more work, Freeman still did a fantastic job. Mandela’s charisma could only have been captured by a guy who carries himself with such dignity. He received a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards as a result.
Lean On Me
Freeman enjoys playing characters inspired by real-life incidents. Lean On Me, an 80s drama movie, is not an exception. He assumed the persona of Joe Clark, a former principle of Eastside High School who was well-known for his unusual and contentious disciplinary methods. The role of Freeman’s character is placed in a New Jersey high school that is set to be purchased by the state government. He makes the decision to change course and reprimand the children in an effort to maintain their good behavior and improve their grades. Strong personalities like Freeman’s fit a character that isn’t scared to stand up for himself nicely. He was awarded the Best Actor Image Award for his outstanding performance.
Lucy
Lucy tells the tale of a woman named Lucy (Scarlett Johansson), who unintentionally takes a medicine that gives her psychokinetic skills. She seeks out a neurologist, played by Morgan Freeman, to help her navigate the procedure so she can comprehend what’s going on with her. Mixed reviews were given to the film itself. One side applauds the actors for their extraordinary performances, while the other challenges the unrealistic assumption that just 10% of our brain’s capacity is being utilized. Playing a smart scientist just seems to fit Freeman’s persona perfectly in terms of acting.
Million Dollar Baby
One more Clint Eastwood sports drama, 1 Million Dollar Baby stars Morgan Freeman as Eddie Dupris, a gym aide. The main character of the story is Mary Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), who is working with her tough trainer (Clint Eastwood) and Eddie to become the finest boxer. The movie is more concerned with the audience’s inner problems than it is with the actual sporting topics.
The emotional journey is undoubtedly the story’s biggest element, but excellent acting and direction also play a key role. The pseudo-narration provided by Freeman does a fantastic job of moving the plot forward while maintaining a melancholy tone. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in the supporting role.
Se7en
Se7en is best characterized by the adjectives “graphic,” “disturbing,” and “amazingly cast and directed.” William Somerset, a seasoned detective, is played by Freeman. A young investigator named David Mills (Brad Pitt) approaches him for assistance in identifying a serial killer who employs the seven deadly sins as a motif. Pitt and Freeman both do a fantastic job portraying good and terrible cops. Despite some excellent acting, this film is clearly not for the weak of heart. However, if you enjoy a good twist, this one is perfect for you.
Street Smart
A struggling reporter (Christopher Reeve) decides to fabricate a story about a Times Square pimp after failing to gather facts for a real article in Jerry Schatzberg’s 1987 crime thriller Street Smart. Strangely enough, his fictional character resembles the real pimp known as Fast Black. In contrast to his typical performances, Freeman gets an opportunity to explore a violent, cruel, and unscrupulous character in Street Smart. Freeman received nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards for his portrayal.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight trilogy’s tech guru Lucius Fox was brilliantly cast by the great Christopher Nolan as Morgan Freeman. Freeman, who was portraying a supporting role, occasionally stole the show with his clever business. Without the vehicles and equipment that Lucius himself provided, Bruce Wayne would not be able to maintain his reputation. Freeman had a remarkable understanding of the character. His nuanced picture of the bossy, considerate, and methodical business manager undoubtedly appeals to the general public.
The Shawshank Redemption
Despite its current cultural relevance, The Shawshank Redemption wasn’t exactly a box office hit in 1994, when it was released in theaters around the same time as Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, and Forrest Gump. With $16 million in box office receipts at the time, it wasn’t exactly a hit either. The story follows two inmates, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman), as they develop a friendship over the course of two decades at the Shawshank State Penitentiary and move toward rehabilitation. The film itself is as disturbing as it is uplifting. Despite the length of the film, not a single scene is wasted. Freeman delivers another outstanding performance that seamlessly fits the narrative.
Unforgiven
Unforgiven, Clint Eastwood’s 1992 Best Picture-winning Western, is regarded as one of the best Westerns ever made. The film offers an unapologetic look at the West, its myths, and its heroes as it tells the tale of William Munny (played by Eastwood), an old outlaw and killer who is compelled to resume his life of crime after living a tranquil life as a farmer. In his depiction of the principal character’s former sidekick Ned Logan, Freeman consistently excels. It is not shocking that he ended up becoming one of the film’s most adored characters.
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