James L. Brooks: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 15
- as director
- 2
- on screen
- 1976–2025
- box office
- $7.43M
- award wins
- 2
- average score
- 60
James L. Brooks's Career in Numbers
James L. Brooks's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres James L. Brooks works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Audience Research (1976) to Ella McCay (2025), and the 1970s were the busiest decade.
James L. Brooks Movies by Decade
- 1970s 1
- 1980s 1
- 1990s 1
- 2020s 1
The 1970s were James L. Brooks's busiest decade, with 1 films.
James L. Brooks Movies by Genre
- Comedy 2
- Drama 1
Comedy is the genre James L. Brooks has worked in most, with 2 films, ahead of drama (1).
James L. Brooks Career Milestones
- First film
- Audience Research 1976
- Biggest box office hit
- Ella McCay $4.57M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Ella McCay Movie Echo Score 50
- Newest film
- Ella McCay 2025
James L. Brooks Filmography: Every Movie
Every film James L. Brooks is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 2 as director and 2 as actor. Rated films average a score of 60. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by James L. Brooks
2
James L. Brooks Movies as an Actor
2
James L. Brooks in Documentaries & Specials
11- 2023
Albert Brooks: Defending My Life as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 74 - 2023
Being Mary Tyler Moore as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 55 - 2022
Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel as Self · Documentary - 2019
Alan Pakula: Going for Truth as Self · Documentary - 2018
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling as Self · Documentary - 2016
Mike Nichols: An American Master as Self · Documentary - 2011
Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood as Self · Documentary - 2011
James L. Brooks: A Singular Voice as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2008
The Making of ‘Bottle Rocket’ as Self · Documentary - 2007
Dreams on Spec as Self · Documentary - 2000
The Simpsons: America’s First Family as Self · Documentary
James L. Brooks: Awards & Nominations
2 wins from 11 nominations across 3 award bodies, from 1984 to 1998. That includes an Oscar: Best Director for Terms of Endearment. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
-
Oscars 1 win from 3 nominations -
DGA Awards 1 win from 3 nominations -
Golden Globes 5 nominations
- 70th Academy Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) As Good as It Gets
- 50th Directors Guild of America Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Outstanding Directing – Feature Film As Good as It Gets
- 55th Golden Globe Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Director As Good as It Gets
- The 60th Academy Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) Broadcast News
- 40th Directors Guild of America Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Outstanding Directing – Feature Film Broadcast News
- 45th Golden Globe Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Director Broadcast News
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Screenplay Broadcast News
- The 56th Academy Awards
- James L. Brooks: Win Best Director Terms of Endearment
- 36th Directors Guild of America Awards
- James L. Brooks: Win Outstanding Directing – Feature Film Terms of Endearment
- 41st Golden Globe Awards
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Director Terms of Endearment
- James L. Brooks: Nominated Best Screenplay Terms of Endearment
Who James L. Brooks Makes Movies With
The actors and directors James L. Brooks shares the most films with. Albert Brooks comes first, with 5 films together, followed by Julie Kavner (4).
James L. Brooks: Questions & Answers
How many movies James L. Brooks has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has James L. Brooks been in?
James L. Brooks is credited on 15 films, from 1976 to 2025. 2 of them as an actor and 2 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 L. Brooks's highest-grossing movie?
Ella McCay (2025) is James L. Brooks's biggest box office hit, with $4.57M worldwide, ahead of Modern Romance (1981) ($2.86M). Across every film with box office figures, James L. Brooks's movies have made $7.43M.
James L. Brooks's biggest hits What is the best James L. Brooks movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, James L. Brooks's best-rated film is Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023) with a score of 74, followed by Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023) (55).
Best James L. Brooks movies, ranked Has James L. Brooks won an Oscar?
James L. Brooks has won an Oscar: Best Director for Terms of Endearment at the 1984 ceremony. Across every ceremony in the awards database, James L. Brooks has 2 wins from 11 nominations.
What is James L. Brooks's newest movie?
The most recent film on James L. Brooks's filmography is Ella McCay (2025), which James L. Brooks directed.
Who does James L. Brooks work with most often?
James L. Brooks shares the most films with Albert Brooks (5 films), Julie Kavner (4 films) and Rob Reiner (2 films).
The Best James L. Brooks Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 15 credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
