The Best Esther Rolle Movies, Ranked
17 credits from 1964 to 1998, ranked by the Movie Echo Score — a blend of critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The biggest box office hit is How to Make an American Quilt (1995) with $41.2M worldwide. Below: the best films by genre and by decade, the most awarded and the newest releases.
Biggest Esther Rolle Box Office Hits
Esther Rolle's films have made $51.4M worldwide in total. How to Make an American Quilt (1995) is the biggest hit at $41.2M, ahead of Down in the Delta (1998) ($5.67M). Lifetime grosses, with each film's domestic share.
The Best Esther Rolle Movie in Every Genre
The best-rated film in each genre Esther Rolle has worked in, the genres with the most films first. Drama leads with 8 films, and How to Make an American Quilt (1995) is the pick of them.
The Best Esther Rolle Movie of Each Decade
One pick per decade of Esther Rolle's career, newest decade first: the best-rated film of each ten years, from 1960s to 1990s.
The Latest Esther Rolle Movies
The most recent films Esther Rolle is credited on, newest first — starting with Down in the Delta (1998). Open any of them for the cast, ratings, box office and where to watch.
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Down in the Delta 1998 · Drama -
How to Make an American Quilt 1995 · Aunt Pauline -
Scarlett 1994 · Drama -
To Dance with the White Dog 1993 · Neelie -
Message from Nam 1993 · Queenie / Elizabeth McQueen -
The Kid Who Loved Christmas 1990 · Esther Clayton -
The Mighty Quinn 1989 · Action -
A Raisin in the Sun 1989 · Lena 'Mama' Younger -
P.K. and the Kid 1987 · Mim -
See China and Die 1981 · Momma Sykes -
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 1979 · Momma -
Summer of My German Soldier 1978 · Ruth
The Best Esther Rolle Movies: Questions & Answers
The best-rated, highest-grossing, most awarded and newest Esther Rolle films, answered from the rankings on this page.
What is the highest-grossing Esther Rolle movie?
How to Make an American Quilt (1995) made the most at the box office, with $41.2M worldwide, followed by Down in the Delta (1998) with $5.67M. Together, Esther Rolle's films with box office figures have made $51.4M.
What is the best Esther Rolle drama movie?
How to Make an American Quilt (1995) is the best-rated of Esther Rolle's drama films. In other genres: Nothing But a Man (romance) and The Mighty Quinn (action).
What is the newest Esther Rolle movie?
The newest film on Esther Rolle's filmography is Down in the Delta (1998).
More Movie Rankings & Collections
Best-of lists by year, decade and genre, all-time box office records and the films on the trending list.
Best-Rated Movie Rankings
Best-rated, biggest and most-awarded
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New releases, popular films and the best of every genre