10 Greatest Films of Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe was born in 1964 in Wellington, New Zealand. His parents were film caterers. He started his career as a musician. His first real acting job was in the stage version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. As is required of all Australian/Kiwi actors, he got a part on the daytime soap Neighbours. His first film was The Crossing, in 1990. He began to be taken seriously after his award winning role in Romper Stomper, in 1992. Three years later, he was appearing alongside Denzel Washington in Virtuosity.

In 2000, 2001, and 2002, he received Best Actor in a Leading Role nominations at the Academy Awards, for The Insider, Gladiator, and Beautiful Mind, respectively.

10. State of Play (2009) — Crowe plays a reporter that gets caught in a political scandal after the assistant of a Congressman (played by Ben Affleck) is murdered. Helen Mirren and Robin Wright add power to the cast.

“Yeah, well I hear our online site is doing great. I mean, not that I get to notice that sort of thing. I’ve been here what, uhh… fifteen years? I use a sixteen year old computer… she’s been here fifteen minutes and she can launch a Russian satellite with the gear she’s got.” — Cal McAffrey

9. American Gangster (2007) — Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe get in each other’s face in this gangster flick.

“They don’t want this to stop. It employs too many people. Cops, lawyers, judges, probation officers, prison guards… The day dope stops coming into this country, a hundred thousand people lose their jobs.” — Richie Roberts

8. Cinderella Man (2005) — The inspirational story of a boxer that got a second chance. This is the second pairing of director Ron Howard and Crowe (A Beautiful Mind was the first).

“My heart’s for my family, Joe, my brains and my balls are for business and this is business. You got me?” — Jimmy Johnston

7. The Nice Guys (2016) — This is a funny film. It’s a 1970s buddy-cop black comedy. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have good chemistry together and are both great in the film, but the real scene stealer is a 14-year-old Australian actress named Angourie Rice. She plays the daughter of Gosling’s character.

“March. Jack Healy. Don’t get upset. I’m not here to hurt you. I just wanna ask you a question.” — Jackson Healy

6. A Beautiful Mind (2001) — Crowe plays mathematician John Nash in this biopic that looks at the man’s struggle with mental illness.

“I’ve made the most important discovery of my life. It’s only in the mysterious equation of love that any logic or reasons can be found. I’m only here tonight because of you. You are the only reason I am… you are all my reasons.” — John Nash

5. The Insider (1999) — Director Michael Mann crafted this film out of the true story of a tobacco company employee that spoke out against the tobacco industries fraud upon the people.

“There are times when I wish I hadn’t done it. There are times when I feel com… compelled to do it. If you asked me, would I do it again, do I think it’s worth it? Yeah I think its worth it.” — Jeffrey Wigand

4. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) — This film adapts two of Patrick O’Brian’s novels that follow the careers and adventures of a sea captain and his surgeon. It’s a shame none of the other eighteen books were adapted as a sequel.

“Would you call me an aged man-o-war, doctor? The Surprise is not old; no one would call her old. She has a bluff bow, lovely lines. She’s a fine seabird: weatherly, stiff and fast… very fast, if she’s well handled. No, she’s not old; she’s in her prime.” — Captain Jack Aubrey

3. 3:10 to Yuma (2007) — One of the rare cases of a remake being better than the original. This a great mano-y-mano western that has Crowe and Christian Bale battling each other.

“Well, Tommy, it seems that there was a Pinkerton inside that coach that wasn’t quite dead yet. Now, I know Charlie told you, because we done got but a few rules in this outfit. And this is what happens when you put us all at risk.” — Ben Wade

2. L.A. Confidential (1997) — This adaptation of a James Ellroy novel is a great neo-noir. Set in the 1950s, it’s a tale of police corruption.

“I know it. That prick Exley shot the wrong guys. Whoever killed my partner, is still out there. I… If I could work cases like a real detective, I could prove it. But I’m not smart enough. I’m just the guy they bring in to scare the other guy shitless.” — Bud White

1. Gladiator (2000) — Are you not entertained!? I was. I love this film. Director Ridley Scott made this story of a soldier seeking revenge into an epic tale. Russell Crowe makes a lot of smart choices in this film by releasing his inner Gary Cooper.

“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” — Maximus

What would make your list?