The Best James Cagney Movies, Ranked
100 credits from 1928 to 2023, ranked by the Movie Echo Score — a blend of critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The biggest box office hit is Ragtime (1981) with $14.9M worldwide. Below: the best films by genre and by decade, the most awarded and the newest releases.
Biggest James Cagney Box Office Hits
James Cagney's films have made $14.9M worldwide in total. Ragtime (1981) is the biggest hit at $14.9M, ahead of White Heat (1949) ($5.53K). Lifetime grosses, with each film's domestic share.
The Best James Cagney Movie in Every Genre
The best-rated film in each genre James Cagney has worked in, the genres with the most films first. Drama leads with 21 films, and Ragtime (1981) is the pick of them.
The Best James Cagney Movie of Each Decade
One pick per decade of James Cagney's career, newest decade first: the best-rated film of each ten years, from 1930s to 1980s.
The Latest James Cagney Movies
The most recent films James Cagney is credited on, newest first — starting with That’s Dancing! (1985). Open any of them for the cast, ratings, box office and where to watch.
-
That’s Dancing! 1985 · From 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' (archive footage) -
Terrible Joe Moran 1984 · Joe Moran -
Showbiz Goes to War 1982 · (archive footage) -
Ragtime 1981 · Drama -
One, Two, Three 1961 · Comedy -
The Gallant Hours 1960 · Admiral William 'Bull' Halsey -
Never Steal Anything Small 1959 · Jake MacIllaney -
Man of a Thousand Faces 1957 · Biography -
These Wilder Years 1956 · Steve Bradford -
Tribute to a Bad Man 1956 · Jeremy Rodack -
Mister Roberts 1955 · Drama -
Love Me or Leave Me 1955 · Martin Snyder
The Best James Cagney Movies: Questions & Answers
The best-rated, highest-grossing, most awarded and newest James Cagney films, answered from the rankings on this page.
What is the highest-grossing James Cagney movie?
Ragtime (1981) made the most at the box office, with $14.9M worldwide, followed by White Heat (1949) with $5.53K. Together, James Cagney's films with box office figures have made $14.9M.
Which James Cagney movie won the most awards?
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) is the most decorated James Cagney film, with 3 wins from 8 nominations across the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the other ceremonies in the awards database.
What is the best James Cagney drama movie?
Ragtime (1981) is the best-rated of James Cagney's drama films. In other genres: Footlight Parade (comedy), White Heat (action) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (biography).
What is the newest James Cagney movie?
The newest film on James Cagney's filmography is AFI Life Achievement Award: 50th Anniversary Special (2023), with James Cagney as Self (archive footage).
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
New Movies & Top Genres
New releases, popular films and the best of every genre