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James Brown, actor
Actor

James Brown: Movies & Box Office

films
80
as director
1
on screen
1942–2025
box office
$134M
average score
72
Born
May 3, 1933
Birthplace
Barnwell, South Carolina, U.S.
Full name
James Joseph Brown
Citizenship
American
Occupations
Singer, dancer, musician, record producer, bandleader
Years active
1954–2006
Spouses
Velma Warren, Deidre Jenkins, Adrienne Rodriguez
Children
9
Career at a glance

James Brown's Career in Numbers

James Brown's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres James Brown works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Wake Island (1942) to You Can Tutu (2017), and the 1950s were the busiest decade.

James Brown Movies by Decade

  1. 1940s 11
  2. 1950s 16
  3. 1960s 6
  4. 1970s 5
  5. 1980s 3
  6. 1990s 1
  7. 2000s 5
  8. 2010s 4

The 1950s were James Brown's busiest decade, with 16 films.

James Brown Movies by Genre

  • Drama 11
  • Western 11
  • Action 6
  • Music 5
  • Crime 5
  • War 3
  • Family 2
  • Documentary 2
  • Thriller 2
  • Comedy 2

Drama is the genre James Brown has worked in most, with 11 films, ahead of western (11).

James Brown Career Milestones

First film
Wake Island 1942
Biggest box office hit
The Blues Brothers $115M worldwide
Newest film
You Can Tutu 2017
80 credits

James Brown Filmography: Every Movie

Every film James Brown is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 1 as director and 50 as actor. Rated films average a score of 72. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Movies Directed by James Brown

1
  1. 2017 You Can Tutu (2017) movie poster You Can Tutu Family

James Brown Movies as an Actor

50
  1. 2014 The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove (2014) movie poster The Story of Funk: One Nation Under a Groove Documentary
  2. 2013 Exit to Hell (2013) movie poster Exit to Hell as Red Stone resident · Thriller
  3. 2010 After Armageddon (2010) movie poster After Armageddon as Gang Member · Documentary
  4. 2009 Soul Power (2009) movie poster Soul Power Music
  5. 2007 Glastonbury (2007) movie poster Glastonbury Music
  6. 2006 James Brown - Live In Montreux Jazz Festival 1981 (2006) movie poster James Brown - Live In Montreux Jazz Festival 1981 Music
  7. 2002 Beat the Devil (2002) movie poster Beat the Devil as Mr. James Brown · Action
  8. 2001 About a Girl (2001) movie poster About a Girl as Fishing Boy 1 · Drama
  9. 1998 Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) movie poster Blues Brothers 2000 as Cleophus James · Comedy
  10. 1985 Living in America (1985) movie poster Living in America as James Brown · Music
  11. 1981 Miracle on Ice (1981) movie poster Miracle on Ice as Reporter #1 · Family
  12. 1980 The Blues Brothers (1980) movie poster The Blues Brothers as Cleophus James · Action
  13. 1979 The Swap (1979) movie poster The Swap as Lt. Benson · Crime
  14. 1979 The Rebels (1979) movie poster The Rebels as Masters · Tv movie
  15. 1975 Adiós Amigo (1975) movie poster Adiós Amigo as Sheriff · Western
  16. 1975 Whiffs (1975) movie poster Whiffs as State Trooper · Crime
  17. 1970 The Phynx (1970) movie poster The Phynx as James Brown · Comedy
  18. 1968 Targets (1968) movie poster Targets as Robert Thompson Sr. · Drama
  19. 1965 Town Tamer (1965) movie poster Town Tamer as Davis · Action
  20. 1965 Black Spurs (1965) movie poster Black Spurs as Sheriff · Western
  21. 1963 The Ceremony (1963) movie poster The Ceremony as Gendarme · Crime
  22. 1961 Gun Fight (1961) movie poster Gun Fight as Wayne Santley · Western
  23. 1961 Five Guns to Tombstone (1961) movie poster Five Guns to Tombstone as Billy Wade · Western
  24. 1959 Inside the Mafia (1959) movie poster Inside the Mafia as Capt. Doug Blair · Crime
  25. 1954 A Star Is Born (1954) movie poster A Star Is Born Drama
  26. 1953 Crazylegs (1953) movie poster Crazylegs as Bill · Drama
  27. 1953 Thunder Over the Plains (1953) movie poster Thunder Over the Plains as Conrad · Western
  28. 1953 The Charge at Feather River (1953) movie poster The Charge at Feather River as Pvt. Connors · Western
  29. 1953 Woman They Almost Lynched (1953) movie poster Woman They Almost Lynched as Frank James · Western
  30. 1953 The Man Behind The Gun (1953) movie poster The Man Behind The Gun as Lt. Catliff (uncredited) · Western
  31. 1952 Springfield Rifle (1952) movie poster Springfield Rifle as Pvt. Ferguson (uncredited) · Western
  32. 1952 The Pride of St. Louis (1952) movie poster The Pride of St. Louis as Moose · Drama
  33. 1951 The Wild Blue Yonder (1951) movie poster The Wild Blue Yonder as Sgt. Pop Davis · War
  34. 1951 Missing Women (1951) movie poster Missing Women as Sgt. Mike Pernell · Thriller
  35. 1950 The Fireball (1950) movie poster The Fireball as Allen · Drama
  36. 1950 Between Midnight and Dawn (1950) movie poster Between Midnight and Dawn as Officer Haynes (uncredited) · Crime
  37. 1950 Sands of Iwo Jima (1950) movie poster Sands of Iwo Jima Action
  38. 1950 Chain Lightning (1950) movie poster Chain Lightning as Maj. Hinkle · Action
  39. 1950 Montana (1950) movie poster Montana as Tex Coyne · Romance
  40. 1949 Brimstone (1949) movie poster Brimstone as Bud Courteen · Western
  41. 1949 Yes Sir, That’s My Baby (1949) movie poster Yes Sir, That’s My Baby as Tony Cresnovitch · Music
  42. 1949 Anna Lucasta (1949) movie poster Anna Lucasta as Buster · Drama
  43. 1949 The Younger Brothers (1949) movie poster The Younger Brothers as Bob Younger · Western
  44. 1945 Objective, Burma! (1945) movie poster Objective, Burma! Action
  45. 1944 Reward Unlimited (1944) movie poster Reward Unlimited as Paul · Drama
  46. 1944 Going My Way (1944) movie poster Going My Way Drama
  47. 1943 Corvette K-225 (1943) movie poster Corvette K-225 as Lt. Paul Cartwright · War
  48. 1943 Young and Willing (1943) movie poster Young and Willing as Tony Dennison · Drama
  49. 1943 Air Force (1943) movie poster Air Force as Pilot Tex Rader · War
  50. 1942 Wake Island (1942) movie poster Wake Island as Wounded Marine (uncredited) · Drama

James Brown in Documentaries & Specials

29
  1. 2025 The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2025) movie poster The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault as Self · Documentary
  2. 2024 Loaded: Lads, Mags & Mayhem (2024) movie poster Loaded: Lads, Mags & Mayhem as Self · Documentary
  3. 2024 James Brown: Say It Loud (2024) movie poster James Brown: Say It Loud as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  4. 2023 Sunday Best (2023) movie poster Sunday Best as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 81
  5. 2021 The Making of ‘Rocky vs. Drago’ (2021) movie poster The Making of ‘Rocky vs. Drago’ as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  6. 2021 Who Killed the KLF? (2021) movie poster Who Killed the KLF? as Self · Music Movie Echo Score: 52
  7. 2021 The Legend of the Underground (2021) movie poster The Legend of the Underground as Self · Documentary
  8. 2020 King Rocker (2020) movie poster King Rocker as Self · Music
  9. 2019 The Apollo (2019) movie poster The Apollo as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 83
  10. 2018 Nice Girls Don’t Stay for Breakfast (2018) movie poster Nice Girls Don’t Stay for Breakfast as Self - Singer (archive footage) · History
  11. 2018 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond (2018) movie poster 1968: A Year of War, Turmoil and Beyond as Self (archive footage) · Tv movie
  12. 2015 The 90s: Ten Years That Changed the World (2015) movie poster The 90s: Ten Years That Changed the World as Self · Documentary
  13. 2014 Mr. Dynamite - The Rise of James Brown (2014) movie poster Mr. Dynamite - The Rise of James Brown as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  14. 2014 Finding the Funk (2014) movie poster Finding the Funk as Self · Music
  15. 2012 Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ (2012) movie poster Yo! The Story of ‘Yo! MTV Raps’ as Self (archive footage) · Music
  16. 2011 The Real Rocky (2011) movie poster The Real Rocky as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  17. 2008 James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 (2008) movie poster James Brown Live At The Boston Garden - April 5, 1968 as Self · Music
  18. 2008 James Brown Live At The Apollo ’68 (2008) movie poster James Brown Live At The Apollo ’68 as Self · Music
  19. 2008 Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene (2008) movie poster Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene as self - sportscaster · Documentary
  20. 2005 Live 8 (2005) movie poster Live 8 as Self · Documentary
  21. 2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004) movie poster TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  22. 2003 James Brown: Soul Survivor (2003) movie poster James Brown: Soul Survivor as Self · Music
  23. 2003 Live Forever (2003) movie poster Live Forever as Self · Documentary
  24. 2002 It’s Black Entertainment (2002) movie poster It’s Black Entertainment as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  25. 1999 Withnail and Us (1999) movie poster Withnail and Us as Self · Documentary
  26. 1995 The History of Rock ’n’ Roll (1995) movie poster The History of Rock ’n’ Roll as Self · Music
  27. 1965 The Golden Ring (1965) movie poster The Golden Ring as Himself - The Recording Team · Documentary
  28. 1965 Ski Party (1965) movie poster Ski Party as Self · Music
  29. 1964 The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) movie poster The T.A.M.I. Show as Self · Music
Biography

Who Is James Brown?

James Brown was born in Barnwell, South Carolina, U.S. in 1933. Credited on films since 1942, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, and musician. A central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is often referred to by various nicknames such as "Mr. Dynamite", "the Hardest-Working Man in Show Business", "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk", "Godfather of Soul", "King of Soul", and "Soul Brother No. 1". Brown's music career, which spanned over 50 years, was marked by his relentless dedication and contributions to several music genres, most notably Soul, R&B and funk. Known for his dynamic live performances, his influence on the music industry is immeasurable.

Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia in the mid-1950s and quickly rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Famous Flames, a rhythm and blues vocal group. He was noted for his vocals and dance moves, which greatly contributed to his rise to stardom. During the late 1960s, Brown moved from blues and gospel-based forms to a new music style, funk, emphasizing interlocking rhythms. By the early 1970s, he had established the funk sound with records such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" and "The Payback". Brown continued to perform and record until his death from pneumonia in 2006.

Works with

Who James Brown Makes Movies With

The actors and directors James Brown shares the most films with. Smokey Robinson comes first, with 5 films together, followed by Forrest Tucker (4).

FAQ

James Brown: Questions & Answers

How many movies James Brown has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has James Brown been in?

James Brown is credited on 80 films, from 1942 to 2025. 50 of them as an actor and 1 as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is James Brown's highest-grossing movie?

The Blues Brothers (1980) is James Brown's biggest box office hit, with $115M worldwide, ahead of Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) ($14.1M). Across every film with box office figures, James Brown's movies have made $134M.

James Brown's biggest hits

What is the best James Brown movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, James Brown's best-rated film is The Apollo (2019) with a score of 83, followed by Sunday Best (2023) (81).

Best James Brown movies, ranked

What is James Brown's newest movie?

The most recent film on James Brown's filmography is The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2025), in the role of Self.

Who does James Brown work with most often?

James Brown shares the most films with Smokey Robinson (5 films), Forrest Tucker (4 films) and Aretha Franklin (4 films).

The Best James Brown Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 80 credits.

See the ranking

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