When you think of the best Hollywood actors of all time, who do you think of? Tom Cruise? Leonardo DiCaprio? Probably yes to both of those. But who else is likely to be top of your list? We’re thinking Brad Pitt, of course. He’s good looking, for sure, and yes, he has a physique to die for, but he’s also very good at acting. From his breakout film role in Thelma & Louise, to parts in iconic movies like Fight Club and Seven, he’s basically been in all the best films you can name.
At 55 (55? We know, right?), he’s taking on more producing roles these days, but he’s still knocking the acting gigs out of the park, too – just see this year’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood for proof that he’s still got it.
As far as we’re concerned, Brad Pitt can do no wrong. And that’s why we decided to round up his greatest movie roles of all time…
Seven (1995)
One of the greatest thrillers ever? We think so. A seasoned detective (Morgan Freeman) gets paired up with a rookie cop (Pitt) to solve a series of crimes. So far, so predictable. But the crimes they have to solve are some pretty ghastly murders based around the seven deadly sins, with the victims meeting some very grisly ends – Gluttony gets fed to death; Sloth gets ‘lazied’ to death; Lust does something unspeakable we won’t go into here… We also won’t talk about who plays the villain, but we will mention Gwyneth Paltrow and the box – if you’ve seen it, you’ll know why. The overall feel of the film is actually pretty grim – every single outdoor scene (until the showdown) is filmed in torrential rain – but it’s a movie that will stay with you forever. In a good way.
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Fight Club (1999)
Ask any man in his thirties which male celebrity physique he would most like to have for himself and the chances are he’ll say: ‘Brad Pitt in Fight Club.’ The film is not just about his body, though you do get to see it. A lot. Pitt and Edward Norton play a carefree soap-maker and an office worker with insomnia who form an underground fight club. It’s actually about a whole lot more than that, but we really can’t go into any detail. Not least because the first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club. Helena Bonham-Carter also stars.
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Interview with the Vampire (1994)
If you like your Brad Pitt with a side of very pale skin, long hair and a dead look behind the eyes, Interview with the Vampire is the film for you. Based on Ann Rice’s novel, it stars Pitt as Louis alongside Tom Cruise as Lestat and chronicles their time together as vampires from 1791 to the present day (well, 1994). You’ll also see Christian Slater and a very young Kirsten Dunst in one of her first ever film roles.
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Thelma & Louise (1991)
Although he’d been in films before, this was without doubt Brad Pitt’s breakout role. Which may or may not have had something to do with all the shirtless scenes. Yes, Thelma & Louise, the tale of two BFFs who go on a road trip, also introduced us to Mr Pitt’s toned, tanned torso. But he’s more than muscles, you know. He can act, too! Lots of other actors auditioned for the role of JD – Robert Downey Jr very nearly got the part – but the relatively unknown Brad had just the right amount of sass and great on-screen chemistry with Geena Davis, so he was cast. If you haven’t seen this iconic movie, stop whatever you’re doing and watch it immediately.
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Ocean’s 11 (2001)
What do you get when you cross Brad Pitt with George Clooney and Matt Damon? A heist romp that also stars Julia Roberts, Elliott Gould, Don Cheadle and Andy Garcia. A remake of the 1960 Rat Pack movie of the same name, this thoroughly enjoyable flick spawned two sequels (Ocean’s Twelve and Thirteen) and a female-led spin-off (Ocean’s 8). It’s perfect for hunkering down and enjoying on a wet and miserable weekend.
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Mr & Mrs Smith (2005)
OK, it’s safe to say not many people had anything good to say about this film. It’s a lighthearted caper about a married couple who live in a nice house and are having some relationship issues. The husband, Mr Smith (Pitt), is harbouring a secret: he’s a contract killer. His wife, Mrs Smith (Angelina Jolie), is concealing her own double life: she too is an assassin hired by a competing organisation! Japes ensue. While the film itself won’t necessarily blow you away, this was of course the movie that first saw Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie meet. Now, if anyone were to ask us, we’d say we’re Team Jen all the way, but you can’t watch this film and not enjoy the obvious chemistry and birth of 'Brangelina'.
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12 Years a Slave (2013)
Starring Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch as well as Brad Pitt, this biographical period drama was based on the slave memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup. The critically acclaimed film went on to win an array of awards – Ejiofor took home a Bafta for Best Actor and Nyong’o picked up an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Pitt was also a producer.
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Troy (2004)
You’ve probably seen lots of films tell the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan horse. But Troy is by far the best. The term ‘stellar cast’ gets used often, but here it’s genuinely valid: Brad Pitt! Orlando Bloom! Rose Byrne! Eric Bana! Brian Cox! Sean Bean/Julie Christie/Peter O’Toole/Vincent Regan… the list goes on. And on. Pitt stars as Achilles (he of the famous heel), with Diane Kruger playing the face that launched a thousand ships. It’s all a bit epic – we’re thinking the fight scenes in particular and also the actual thousand ships on the water. Don’t know much about history? This is the sort of film you can watch and then say, ‘Oh yeah, I know all about Homer’s Iliad.’ Plus, you know, Brad Pitt semi naked.
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
If you’re in the mood for a bit of a weepy, may we suggest The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin, who ages in reverse. As in, he’s born as an elderly man and gets younger as he gets older. Stay with us: this is a phenomenal film that’ll have you sobbing at the end. Cate Blanchett also stars and Pitt was nominated for an Oscar.
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Snatch (2000)
Whether or not you’re actually old enough to remember the late 90s/early 00s, it’s fair to say it was a good period for Guy Ritchie and films for #lads. Following on from 1998’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Ritchie went on to direct 2000’s Snatch. As with his debut, it’s another caper comedy featuring Jason Statham and Vinnie Jones, but this time, Brad Pitt also stars as an Irish traveller bare knuckle boxing champ. Even if that doesn’t sound like your thing, it’s worth watching for his accent alone.
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