The Best John Sayles Movies, Ranked
42 credits from 1980 to 2021, ranked by the Movie Echo Score — a blend of critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Texas Red (2021) comes out on top with a score of 84. The biggest box office hit is Straight Talk (1992) with $21.2M worldwide. Below: the best films by genre and by decade, the most awarded and the newest releases.
Biggest John Sayles Box Office Hits
John Sayles's films have made $81.4M worldwide in total. Straight Talk (1992) is the biggest hit at $21.2M, ahead of Lone Star (1996) ($12.4M). Lifetime grosses, with each film's domestic share.
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Straight Talk 1992 · Comedy $21.2M $21.2M dom. - 2
Lone Star 1996 · Drama $12.4M $12.4M dom. - 3
In the Electric Mist 2009 · Drama $8M - 4
The Secret of Roan Inish 1994 · Adventure $6.16M $6.16M dom. - 5
Eight Men Out 1988 · Drama $5.68M $5.68M dom. - 6
Gridlock’d 1997 · Drama $5.57M $5.57M dom. - 7
Passion Fish 1992 · Drama $4.81M $4.81M dom. - 8
The Brother from Another Planet 1984 · Sci-Fi $3.68M $3.68M dom. - 9
Sunshine State 2002 · Drama $3.37M $3.07M dom. - 10
Limbo 1999 · Adventure $2.16M $2.16M dom.
The Best John Sayles Movie in Every Genre
The best-rated film in each genre John Sayles has worked in, the genres with the most films first. Drama leads with 20 films, and Lone Star (1996) is the pick of them.
The Best John Sayles Movie of Each Decade
One pick per decade of John Sayles's career, newest decade first: the best-rated film of each ten years, from 1980s to 2020s.
The Latest John Sayles Movies
The most recent films John Sayles is credited on, newest first — starting with Texas Red (2021). Open any of them for the cast, ratings, box office and where to watch.
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Texas Red 2021 · Governor Johnson (voice) -
Go for Sisters 2013 · Director -
Amigo 2011 · Director - In the Electric Mist 2009 · Michael Goldman
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The Toe Tactic 2009 · Cramden -
Honeydripper 2007 · Director -
Silver City 2004 · Director -
Casa de los babys 2003 · Director - Sunshine State 2002 · Director
- Limbo 1999 · Director
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Men with Guns 1997 · Director - Gridlock’d 1997 · Cop #1
The Best John Sayles Movies: Questions & Answers
The best-rated, highest-grossing, most awarded and newest John Sayles films, answered from the rankings on this page.
What is the best John Sayles movie?
Texas Red (2021) is the best-rated John Sayles film, with a Movie Echo Score of 84. The Movie Echo Score blends critic reviews, audience ratings and how well a film has lasted.
Texas Red: cast, ratings & box office What is the highest-grossing John Sayles movie?
Straight Talk (1992) made the most at the box office, with $21.2M worldwide, followed by Lone Star (1996) with $12.4M. Together, John Sayles's films with box office figures have made $81.4M.
Which John Sayles movie won the most awards?
Lone Star (1996) is the most decorated John Sayles film, with 1 win from 7 nominations across the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA and the other ceremonies in the awards database.
What is the best John Sayles drama movie?
Lone Star (1996) is the best-rated of John Sayles's drama films. In other genres: The Secret of Roan Inish (adventure), Straight Talk (comedy) and Texas Red (history).
What is the newest John Sayles movie?
The newest film on John Sayles's filmography is Corona Film Club (2021), with John Sayles as Self.
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