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James Franco, actor & director
Actor & Director

James Franco: Movies, Awards & Box Office

films
85
as director
5
on screen
2001–2024
box office
$2.46B
award wins
4
average score
54
Born
April 19, 1978 (age 48)
Birthplace
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Full name
James Edward Franco
Citizenship
American
Occupations
Actor, Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
Years active
1997-present
Known for

The Best James Franco Movies

The highest-rated films James Franco is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) scores highest, at 80. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

James Franco's Career in Numbers

James Franco's films in numbers — as an actor and a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres James Franco works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from James Dean (2001) to Hey Joe (2024), and the 2010s were the busiest decade.

James Franco Movies by Decade

  1. 2000s 19
  2. 2010s 53
  3. 2020s 1

The 2010s were James Franco's busiest decade, with 53 films.

James Franco Movies by Genre

  • Drama 29
  • Action 13
  • Biography 4
  • Comedy 4
  • Adventure 3
  • Sci-Fi 3
  • Thriller 3
  • Documentary 3
  • Romance 2
  • Fantasy 1

Drama is the genre James Franco has worked in most, with 29 films, ahead of action (13).

James Franco Career Milestones

First film
James Dean 2001
Biggest box office hit
Spider-Man 3 $892M worldwide
Best-rated film
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Movie Echo Score 80
Newest film
Hey Joe 2024
85 credits

James Franco Filmography: Every Movie

Every film James Franco is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 5 as director and 68 as actor. Rated films average a score of 54. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Movies Directed by James Franco

5
  1. 2013 Bukowski (2013) movie poster Bukowski Drama
  2. 2011 My Own Private River (2011) movie poster My Own Private River Documentary
  3. 2011 Blood Meridian Test Reel (2011) movie poster Blood Meridian Test Reel Western
  4. 2010 Herbert White (2010) movie poster Herbert White Drama
  5. 2009 The Feast of Stephen (2009) movie poster The Feast of Stephen Drama

James Franco Movies as an Actor

68
  1. 2024 Hey Joe (2024) movie poster Hey Joe as Dean Barry · Drama
  2. 2019 Arctic Dogs (2019) movie poster Arctic Dogs as Lemmy · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 47
  3. 2019 The Pretenders (2019) movie poster The Pretenders as Maxwell · Drama Movie Echo Score: 36
  4. 2019 Zeroville (2019) movie poster Zeroville as Vikar · Drama Movie Echo Score: 33
  5. 2019 Don't Come Back from the Moon (2019) movie poster Don't Come Back from the Moon as Roman Smalley · Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 68
  6. 2018 Pretenders (2018) movie poster Pretenders as Maxwell · Drama
  7. 2018 The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) movie poster The Ballad of Buster Scruggs as Cowboy (segment "Near Algodones") · Drama Movie Echo Score: 80
  8. 2018 Kin (2018) movie poster Kin as Taylor Balik · Action Movie Echo Score: 60
  9. 2018 Future World (2018) movie poster Future World as Warlord · Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 30
  10. 2017 The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards (2017) movie poster The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards as Conrad · Drama
  11. 2017 The Show (2017) movie poster The Show Drama Movie Echo Score: 75
  12. 2017 The Vault (2017) movie poster The Vault as Ed Maas · Thriller Movie Echo Score: 60
  13. 2017 The Mad Whale (2017) movie poster The Mad Whale as Edward Fry · Thriller
  14. 2017 Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Last Supper (2017) movie poster Alien: Covenant - Prologue: Last Supper as Branson · Sci-Fi
  15. 2017 In Dubious Battle (2017) movie poster In Dubious Battle Drama
  16. 2017 High School Lover (2017) movie poster High School Lover as Rick Winters · Drama
  17. 2016 The Labyrinth (2016) movie poster The Labyrinth as Narrator (voice) · Fantasy
  18. 2016 Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? (2016) movie poster Mother, May I Sleep with Danger? as Director · Horror
  19. 2016 The Caged Pillows (2016) movie poster The Caged Pillows as David D-R+ · Animation
  20. 2016 Yosemite (2016) movie poster Yosemite Drama
  21. 2016 11.22.63 (2016) movie poster 11.22.63 as Jake Epping · Drama
  22. 2015 A Walk in Winter (2015) movie poster A Walk in Winter as Conrad · Thriller
  23. 2015 True Story (2015) movie poster True Story Drama
  24. 2015 Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha (2015) movie poster Don Quixote: The Ingenious Gentleman of La Mancha as Pasamonte · Drama
  25. 2014 The Interview (2014) movie poster The Interview Action
  26. 2014 The Color of Time (2014) movie poster The Color of Time Biography
  27. 2014 National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men (2014) movie poster National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men as George · Drama
  28. 2014 Good People (2014) movie poster Good People Action
  29. 2014 Third Person (2014) movie poster Third Person Drama
  30. 2014 Obituaries (2014) movie poster Obituaries as Felix Mitchum · Documentary
  31. 2014 Palo Alto (2014) movie poster Palo Alto Drama
  32. 2014 Interior. Leather Bar. (2014) movie poster Interior. Leather Bar. Drama
  33. 2013 Homefront (2013) movie poster Homefront Action
  34. 2013 Seth Rogen & James Franco Bound 3 (2013) movie poster Seth Rogen & James Franco Bound 3
  35. 2013 Playtime (2013) movie poster Playtime as The Art Dealer · Drama
  36. 2013 Venice 70: Future Reloaded (2013) movie poster Venice 70: Future Reloaded Documentary
  37. 2013 Lovelace (2013) movie poster Lovelace Biography
  38. 2013 This Is the End (2013) movie poster This Is the End Action
  39. 2013 The Iceman (2013) movie poster The Iceman Biography
  40. 2013 Spring Breakers (2013) movie poster Spring Breakers Drama
  41. 2013 Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) movie poster Oz the Great and Powerful Action
  42. 2012 About Cherry (2012) movie poster About Cherry Drama
  43. 2011 Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) movie poster Rise of the Planet of the Apes Action
  44. 2011 The Broken Tower (2011) movie poster The Broken Tower Biography
  45. 2011 Caput (2011) movie poster Caput Comedy
  46. 2011 Your Highness (2011) movie poster Your Highness Adventure
  47. 2010 127 Hours (2010) movie poster 127 Hours Adventure
  48. 2010 Love and Distrust (2010) movie poster Love and Distrust as Travis (segment "Grasshopper") · Romance
  49. 2010 Masculinity & Me (2010) movie poster Masculinity & Me
  50. 2010 Shadows & Lies (2010) movie poster Shadows & Lies as William Vincent · Action
  51. 2009 The Room Before and After - Part 1: James Franco (2009) movie poster The Room Before and After - Part 1: James Franco
  52. 2008 Good Time Max (2008) movie poster Good Time Max as Max · Drama
  53. 2008 Pineapple Express (2008) movie poster Pineapple Express Action
  54. 2008 Camille (2008) movie poster Camille as Silias · Romance
  55. 2007 The Hills with James Franco and Mila Kunis (2007) movie poster The Hills with James Franco and Mila Kunis as Justin Bobby · Comedy
  56. 2007 Spider-Man 3 (2007) movie poster Spider-Man 3 Action
  57. 2006 Grasshopper (2006) movie poster Grasshopper as Travis · Drama
  58. 2006 Flyboys (2006) movie poster Flyboys Action
  59. 2006 Annapolis (2006) movie poster Annapolis Drama
  60. 2006 Tristan and Isolde (2006) movie poster Tristan and Isolde Action
  61. 2005 The Great Raid (2005) movie poster The Great Raid Action
  62. 2005 The Ape (2005) movie poster The Ape as Harry Walker · Comedy
  63. 2003 The Company (2003) movie poster The Company Drama
  64. 2002 Sonny (2002) movie poster Sonny Drama
  65. 2002 City by the Sea (2002) movie poster City by the Sea Drama
  66. 2002 Mother Ghost (2002) movie poster Mother Ghost as Skateboarder guy · Comedy
  67. 2002 The Car Kid (2002) movie poster The Car Kid
  68. 2001 James Dean (2001) movie poster James Dean as James Dean · Tv movie

James Franco in Documentaries & Specials

12
  1. 2022 Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home (2022) movie poster Spider-Man: All Roads Lead to No Way Home as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  2. 2018 Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary (2018) movie poster Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary as Self · Documentary
  3. 2018 Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster (2018) movie poster Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster as Self · Documentary
  4. 2017 Drugs, Skate & Violence: Filmmaker Harmony Korine (2017) movie poster Drugs, Skate & Violence: Filmmaker Harmony Korine as Self - Archive Footage · Documentary
  5. 2016 The 4%: Film’s Gender Problem (2016) movie poster The 4%: Film’s Gender Problem as Self · Documentary
  6. 2015 Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special (2015) movie poster Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special as Self · Tv movie
  7. 2014 Behind the Scenes of Palo Alto (2014) movie poster Behind the Scenes of Palo Alto as Self · Documentary
  8. 2013 What Is Cinema? (2013) movie poster What Is Cinema? as Self · Documentary
  9. 2013 Comedy Central Roast of James Franco (2013) movie poster Comedy Central Roast of James Franco as Self · Comedy
  10. 2010 With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story (2010) movie poster With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story as Self · Documentary
  11. 2010 Saturday Night (2010) movie poster Saturday Night as Self · Documentary
  12. 2002 Behind the Ultimate Spin: The Making of ‘Spider-Man’ (2002) movie poster Behind the Ultimate Spin: The Making of ‘Spider-Man’ as Self · Documentary
4 wins · 15 nominations

James Franco: Awards & Nominations

4 wins from 15 nominations across 7 award bodies, from 2009 to 2018. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.

All movie awards
  • Spirit Awards logo Spirit Awards 2 wins from 3 nominations
  • Critics' Choice logo Critics' Choice 1 win from 4 nominations
  • Golden Globes logo Golden Globes 1 win from 3 nominations
  • Actor Awards (SAG) logo Actor Awards (SAG) 2 nominations
  • TIFF logo TIFF 1 nomination
  • Oscars logo Oscars 1 nomination
  • BAFTA logo BAFTA 1 nomination
Biography

Who Is James Franco?

James Franco was born in Palo Alto, California, U.S. in 1978 and is 48 years old. Credited on films since 2001, as both an actor and a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

James Edward Franco, born on April 19, 1978, in Palo Alto, California, is an American actor and filmmaker. He has starred in numerous films including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), Milk (2008), Eat Pray Love (2010), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). Franco has also collaborated with fellow actor Seth Rogen on multiple projects which include Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), Sausage Party (2016), and The Disaster Artist (2017), which earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor. His performance in 127 Hours (2010) also earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 83rd Academy Awards. Aside from acting, Franco is also known for his work as a film director, producer and screenwriter. In his personal life, Franco faced accusations of sexual misconduct in 2018, which led to lawsuits and a $2.2 million settlement in 2021.

Works with

Who James Franco Makes Movies With

The actors and directors James Franco shares the most films with. Seth Rogen comes first, with 9 films together, followed by Sam Raimi (4).

FAQ

James Franco: Questions & Answers

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

How many movies has James Franco been in?

James Franco is credited on 85 films, from 2001 to 2024. 68 of them as an actor and 5 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 Franco's highest-grossing movie?

Spider-Man 3 (2007) is James Franco's biggest box office hit, with $892M worldwide, ahead of Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) ($493M). Across every film with box office figures, James Franco's movies have made $2.46B.

James Franco's biggest hits

What is the best James Franco movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, James Franco's best-rated film is The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) with a score of 80, followed by The Show (2017) (75).

Best James Franco movies, ranked

Has James Franco won an Oscar?

James Franco has been nominated for an Oscar but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, James Franco has 4 wins from 15 nominations.

How old is James Franco?

James Franco is 48 years old, born on April 19, 1978 in Palo Alto, California, U.S..

What is James Franco's newest movie?

The most recent film on James Franco's filmography is Hey Joe (2024), in the role of Dean Barry.

Who does James Franco work with most often?

James Franco shares the most films with Seth Rogen (9 films), Sam Raimi (4 films) and Kirsten Dunst (4 films).

The Best James Franco Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 85 credits.

See the ranking

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