The Best Alexander Payne Movies, Ranked
18 credits from 1985 to 2023, ranked by the Movie Echo Score — a blend of critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The Holdovers (2023) comes out on top with a score of 88. The biggest box office hit is The Descendants (2011) with $177M worldwide. Below: the best films by genre and by decade, the most awarded and the newest releases.
Biggest Alexander Payne Box Office Hits
Alexander Payne's films have made $557M worldwide in total. The Descendants (2011) is the biggest hit at $177M, ahead of Sideways (2004) ($110M). Lifetime grosses, with each film's domestic share.
- 1
The Descendants 2011 · Drama $177M $82.6M dom. - 2
Sideways 2004 · Drama $110M $71.5M dom. - 3
About Schmidt 2002 · Drama $106M $65M dom. - 4
Downsizing 2017 · Sci-Fi $55M $24.4M dom. - 5
The Holdovers 2023 · Comedy $48.8M $20.4M dom. - 6
Nebraska 2013 · Adventure $27.7M $17.7M dom. - 7
Paris, je t'aime 2007 · Drama $17.5M $4.9M dom. - 8
Election 1999 · Drama $14.9M $14.9M dom. - 9
Citizen Ruth 1996 · Drama $285K $285K dom.
The Best Alexander Payne Movie in Every Genre
The best-rated film in each genre Alexander Payne has worked in, the genres with the most films first. Drama leads with 6 films, and The Descendants (2011) is the pick of them.
The Best Alexander Payne Movie of Each Decade
One pick per decade of Alexander Payne's career, newest decade first: the best-rated film of each ten years, from 1990s to 2020s.
Most Awarded Alexander Payne Movies
Alexander Payne's films with wins at the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the other ceremonies in the awards database, the most decorated first. Sideways (2004) leads with 15 wins from 32 nominations.
The Latest Alexander Payne Movies
The most recent films Alexander Payne is credited on, newest first — starting with The Holdovers (2023). Open any of them for the cast, ratings, box office and where to watch.
- The Holdovers 2023 · Director
- Downsizing 2017 · Director
- Nebraska 2013 · Director
- The Descendants 2011 · Director
- Paris, je t'aime 2007 · Director
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14e Arrondissement 2006 · Director - Sideways 2004 · Director
- About Schmidt 2002 · Director
- Election 1999 · Director
- Citizen Ruth 1996 · Director
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Inside Out 1991 · Director -
The Passion of Martin 1991 · Director
The Best Alexander Payne Movies: Questions & Answers
The best-rated, highest-grossing, most awarded and newest Alexander Payne films, answered from the rankings on this page.
What is the best Alexander Payne movie?
The Holdovers (2023) is the best-rated Alexander Payne film, with a Movie Echo Score of 88, ahead of Downsizing (2017) (53). The Movie Echo Score blends critic reviews, audience ratings and how well a film has lasted.
The Holdovers: cast, ratings & box office What is the highest-grossing Alexander Payne movie?
The Descendants (2011) made the most at the box office, with $177M worldwide, followed by Sideways (2004) with $110M. Together, Alexander Payne's films with box office figures have made $557M.
Which Alexander Payne movie won the most awards?
Sideways (2004) is the most decorated Alexander Payne film, with 15 wins from 32 nominations across the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the other ceremonies in the awards database.
What is the best Alexander Payne drama movie?
The Descendants (2011) is the best-rated of Alexander Payne's drama films. In other genres: The Holdovers (comedy), Downsizing (sci-fi) and Nebraska (adventure).
What is the newest Alexander Payne movie?
The newest film on Alexander Payne's filmography is The Holdovers (2023), directed by Alexander Payne.
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