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- Edward Norton continues to prove how easily he can jump between leading roles and parts of large ensembles with his latest project, Glass Onion. With this reminder, it is no surprise that there are many more popular movies from the acclaimed actor that fans can enjoy. Edward Norton's best movies on IMDb show his range from broad comedy to intense drama, from vile villain to charming hero, and from iconic movies to lesser-known gems.
Edward Norton is hailed as one of the finest actors of his generation. After making his memorable debut in Primal Fear, he's become one of the most sought-after actors with several Oscar nominations to his name. He has worked with legendary filmmakers, from Spike Lee to Ridley Scott, as well as contemporary auteurs like Wes Anderson and Rian Johnson.
With such an impressive filmography, it is no surprise that the top-rated Edward Norton movies on IMDb consist of some beloved and acclaimed projects. It is a testament to his talents that Norton has been involved in some many great movies.
Updated on December 9, 2022 by Colin McCormick:
Edward Norton continues to prove how easily he can jump between leading roles and parts of large ensembles with his latest project, Glass Onion. With this reminder, it is no surprise that there are many more popular movies from the acclaimed actor that fans can enjoy. Edward Norton's best movies on IMDb show his range from broad comedy to intense drama, from vile villain to charming hero, and from iconic movies to lesser-known gems.
15 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005) - 7.2
- Available on Prime Video
Norton teamed with legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott in a surprising role for the historical epic Kingdom of Heaven. The movie stars Orlando Bloom as a blacksmith who travels to Jerusalem during the Crusades and finds himself leading the defense of the city. Norton, hidden behind a mask, plays the disease afflicted King Baldwin.
While many found that the movie fell short of Scott's other historical epic Gladiator, there was still plenty of impressive action to make it a thrilling ride. The director's cut is also seen as a vast improvement by many fans.
14 Frida (2002) 7.3
- Available on HBO Max and DIRECTV
Norton lent his star-power to a passion project from Salma Hayek. Frida stars Hayek as famed painter Frida Kahlo who channeled her pain from an injury as well as her tumultuous marriage into her painting that became world-renowned. Norton has a supporting role in the historical drama as Nelson Rockefeller.
Hayek certainly is the star of the show, giving a powerful and complex performance in the lead role that earned her the first Oscar nomination of her career. It is a passionate and compelling portrait of a great artist that captured the attention of many fans despite the small size of the movie.
13 Rounders (1998) - 7.3
- Available on Starz and DIRECTV
Norton teamed up with another acclaimed young actor from the 90s in the thrilling gambling movie Rounders. Matt Damon plays a young man who has given up his old unpredictable life as a gambler who is forced to return for a high-stakes poker game when his friend (Norton) finds himself owing money to dangerous people.
Norton is terrific as the friend who is not a bad guy but makes more trouble than he is worth. It is a fun and slick look at the underground poker world with a fantastic supporting cast including a scene-stealing role from John Malkovich as a Russian gambler.
12 The People Vs Larry Flynt (1997) - 7.3
- Available on Hulu and DIRECTV
In one of his first movie roles, Norton took the second lead role in Oscar-winner Milos Forman's high-profile biopic The People vs Larry Flynt. Woody Harrelson stars as the controversial Flynt, publisher of the magazine Hustler. Norton plays his put-upon lawyer Alan who defends him in Flynt's wild crusade for free speech.
The movie is a funny and outrageous look at the life of a man who was certainly a colorful character. Harrelson is exceptional in the lead role, bringing out the comedic side without ever making Flynt a cartoon. It is a wild tale worth seeking out.
11 The Painted Veil (2007) - 7.4/10
- Available on Hoopla
Norton flexes his British accent in the exotic period drama The Painted Veil, in which he portrays dedicated doctor Walter Fane, who is out to cure a Chinese hamlet of a cholera outbreak. Naomi Watts plays Walter's adulterous wife, Kitty Fane, who forces Walter to grapple with their marriage.
Though a smaller movie compared to other projects Norton has been a part of, The Painted Veil certainly impressed the small audience who did see it. The movie is the kind of sweeping romance epic that Hollywood doesn't often make, yet it is pulled off quite effectively here.
10 25th Hour (2003) - 7.6/10
- Available on Hoopla
Not only is 25th Hour one of Norton's best movies, but it is also one of the best movies of director Spike Lee. Norton plays Monty Brogan, a drug dealer who undergoes a major period of reflection during his last day of freedom before turning himself in for a prison sentence.
Norton delivers a powerful performance as a man filled with regret and fear. It is also an intimate and powerful look at New York City in the aftermath of the attacks of September 11, 2001. Lee makes this intimate story also feel bold and engrossing.
9 The Illusionist (2006) - 7.6/10
- Available on Peacock, Peacock Premium, AMC+, Roku, Hoopla, Vudu, Tubi, Rebox, DIRECTV, Crackle, and Pluto TV
Released less than two months before Christopher Nolan's rivaling magic show The Prestige, fans still feel quite strongly about Norton's sleeve-pulling trickery in The Illusionist. In the period film, Norton plays a high-profile magician named Eisenheim during the late 19th century who uses his magic to win the heart of a girl betrothed to the Crown Prince.
Though Nolan's magician mystery might have more fans, there are still many who call The Illusionist an underrated and clever movie. Norton makes for a charismatic lead in the entertaining adventure that keeps the audience guessing.
8 Primal Fear (1996) - 7.7/10
- Available on Prime Video, Paramount+, Epix and DIRECTV
In his debut movie, Norton proved he was already a talent to behold. In Primal Fear, Norton plays Aaron Stampler, a soft and sweet altar boy accused of killing a pastor. Richard Gere is the lawyer assigned to defend him.
The movie is a thrilling courtroom drama, but it is elevated by Norton's performance, as he keeps the audience on their toes with his layered and complex acting. But the movie has mostly earned its reputation for one of the best movie twists of all time.
7 Birdman (2014) - 7.7/10
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Following Primal Fear and American History X, Norton earned his third Oscar nomination for his performance in Birdman. Filmed to appear as one long continuous shot, the movie follows disgraced actor, Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), who is desperate to redeem himself by writing, directing, and starring in his new play. Norton pokes fun at his off-screen reputation as Mike, a difficult actor who is full of himself on the surface, but insecure deep down.
The one-shot style of the movie gives it an urgency and tension throughout that is very engrossing. Keaton is excellent in the lead role while the supporting cast helps to bring this funny, tragic, and thought-provoking story to life.
6 Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - 7.8/10
- Available on Peacock Premium
Norton's first collaboration with quirky auteur Wes Anderson started off a successful professional relationship. The nostalgic comedy focuses on young lovebirds, Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward), who elope from their difficult lives at home to be alone in the wilderness together, sending their small community into chaos. Norton plays Scout Master Ward, who is desperate to find Sam after he runs away on his watch.
Moonrise Kingdom is filled with funny characters as only Anderson can create with the likes of Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, and Bill Murray rounding out the cast. It is a sweet and memorable tale of young love with laughs and a lot of charm.
5 Isle Of Dogs (2018) - 7.8/10
- Available on Disney+
Norton stepped into Anderson's stop-motion animated world for the movie Isle of Dogs. When an outbreak of Dog Flu hits Japan, every mutt in the country is quarantined on "trash island." Norton plays Rex, a brave dog who, along with his group of canine friends, seeks to help a young boy reunite with his lost pet.
The movie is a quirky and fun adventure that fans have come to expect from Anderson's movies. It features another star-studded cast that also includes Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeff Goldblum. As to be expected with a story about a young boy and his dog, there are some truly touching moments in this enchanting tale.
4 Glass Onion (2022) - 8.0/10
- Available on Netflix on December 23
In the sequel to Knives Out, Glass Onion sees the return of intelligent detective Benoit Blanc, taking on another case involving a large collection of suspects. Norton plays the rich benefactor of an extravagant getaway that turns deadly, with Blanc as the only one who can get to the bottom of it all.
As much fun as the first movie was, many fans are already calling Glass Onion the better film. From the star-studded cast to the clever mystery to shockingly timely social commentary, Rian Johnson has delivered one of the best movies of the year, according to many.
3 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - 8.1/10
- Available on HBO Max
For his quirky comedic ensemble The Grand Budapest Hotel, writer/director Wes Anderson won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The movie centers on the fictional hotel situated somewhere in Europe, and the offbeat concierge, Gustav H (Ralph Fiennes). Norton plays a mustachioed lawman, Henckels, who is out to get to the bottom of a recent murder in the hotel.
The movie feels like a more epic and bigger story than Anderson's usual fare but still features his trademark feel, charm, and unique sense of humor. Fiennes gives a hilarious performance in the lead role and the deadly intrigue of the story is genuinely thrilling.
2 American History X (1998) - 8.5/10
- Available on Tubi
American History X is one of the most powerful and provocative films ever made. One of the reasons why is the searing tour-de-force turn by Edward Norton. He is absolutely terrifying as Derek Vineyard, a prominent neo-Nazi who undergoes a personality change while incarcerated for racially-driven murder. When he comes home from serving time in prison, Derek attempts to steer his younger brother off the same destructive path he was on.
The movie features a lot of worthwhile messages from redemption to tolerance to the damage hate can do to people. Norton is commanding in the dual role of the violent villain as well as the much wiser man willing to make a change,
1 Fight Club (1999) - 8.8/10
- Available to rent on Apple TV
For as memorable as the year 1999 was at the movies, few generational voices resounded as loudly as that in David Fincher's Fight Club. Norton plays an office drone tortured by insomnia whose life is taken in a strange direction by a stranger named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and the formation of an underground fighting organization.
Fincher's intense and dark direction mixed with the bizarre and mind-bending story made for a movie that has stuck in the minds of fans ever since. Norton is a brilliant lead for the story while Pitt is iconic in his wild role. It is the kind of movie experience that cannot be easily forgotten.