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- Brad Pitt had a nice year in 2022. Earlier in the year, he starred in the action-comedy Bullet Train, which ended up as one of his biggest box-office hits. Then, around the holidays, he starred in an award-contending movie with Babylon. In the latter movie, Pitt is part of an ensemble cast as a popular silent film star attempting to navigate life during the transition of Hollywood from the silent era to the talkies. With a fun light action movie and a serious award contender, Pitt continues to prove that he is one of Hollywood's top talents, even if his box office totals might not match some of his contemporaries.
Actor Brad Pitt is more than just an A-lister. This Oscar winner has starred in more critically acclaimed films than most. Pitt has proven his versatile talent throughout the years in everything from his own starring efforts to movies where he helped steal the show in a supporting role.
At the same time, Pitt has also done some impressive work behind the scenes as a producer. In fact, some even think there are enough movies that prove that Pitt is a better producer than a director. As far as the films he’s starred in though, they became classics, fan favorites, and made quite a splash at the box office.
UPDATE: 2023/01/17 09:20 EST BY SHAWN S. LEALOS
Brad Pitt had a nice year in 2022. Earlier in the year, he starred in the action-comedy Bullet Train, which ended up as one of his biggest box-office hits. Then, around the holidays, he starred in an award-contending movie with Babylon. In the latter movie, Pitt is part of an ensemble cast as a popular silent film star attempting to navigate life during the transition of Hollywood from the silent era to the talkies. With a fun light action movie and a serious award contender, Pitt continues to prove that he is one of Hollywood's top talents, even if his box office totals might not match some of his contemporaries.
Burn After Reading (2008) - $163.7 Million
Stream now on HBO Max
The Coen Brothers have never been big box office sensations, with only True Grit breaking the $200 million mark at the box office. What might surprise some fans is that Burn After Reading is the second-highest-grossing movie of the brothers' career, even higher than No Country for Old Men. One thing that Burn After Reading had going for it was Brad Pitt stealing the show.
Pitt played completely against type in this movie. Instead of the smoldering leading man, he played a gym employee who had no idea how ridiculous he looked. In the movie, he teamed up with a co-worker to attempt to extort money from a former CIA analyst when they find a disc that they believe has classified government information on it. Things did not end well for Pitt's hapless Chad Feldheimer.
12 Monkeys (1995) - $168.8 Million
Rent now on Prime Video & Apple TV
In 1995, former Monty Python member Terry Gilliam directed what might be his masterpiece. The movie was 12 Monkeys and was a time travel story with a man traveling back in time to find out what caused a world-ending event. Bruce Willis was the time traveler and Brad Pitt played the man he thought might be responsible.
This was one of Pitt's first attempts to move out of his comfort zone, giving up his good-looking leading man persona for an unhinged man who played up his overbearing nature. Pitt went from a man in a psychiatric hospital spouting conspiracy theories to a man on the outside, the son of a wealthy scientist, who hatched a plan to change the world.
12 Years a Slave (2013) - $187.7 Million
Stream now on HBO Max
Brad Pitt won an Oscar as the producer of the Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave, but he also has a small role in the harrowing drama. It tells the true story of Solomon Northrup, a free man who was abducted and sold into slavery for many years. Pitt has a brief role as a Canadian carpenter Solomon meets during his years of captivity.
Though it is somewhat surprising that a movie so difficult to watch drew in such a large audience, the rave reviews and important true story made it a movie that could not be missed. Based on critics Rotten Tomatoes scores, it is Brad Pitt's best movie.
The Lost City (2022) - $190.8 Million
Stream now on Prime Video & Paramount+
It is fun to see Brad Pitt show up in cameo roles as he often does and The Lost City was his latest scene-stealing small part. The adventure-comedy stars Sandra Bullock as an adventure author who is kidnaped, leading to her book cover model (Channing Tatum) heading to the jungle to save her.
The star power of the two leads was too much for audiences to ignore, and the movie offered a throwback adventure with plenty of laughs. The trailers for the movie also made sure to highlight Pitt's appearance as a special forces operative who gets involved with the rescue mission.
Fury (2014) - $210.3 Million
Stream now on Starz
The intense war movie Fury is set near the end of World War II as a young replacement officer (Logan Lerman) joins a small tank company led by a commander known as Wardaddy (Pitt). The movie depicts the young man's struggles with facing the horrors of war while being taught by his cold and ruthless leader.
Fans seem to love seeing Pitt in these gruff military roles as it was another big hit for the actor. It likely helped that he and Lerman were joined by the likes of Jon Bernthal and Michael Pena to make a very exciting ensemble.
Interview With The Vampire (1994) - $223.6 Million
Stream now on Pluto TV
Pitt stepping into the vampire world for Interview with the Vampire. He plays a plantation owner in the 1700s who is transformed into a vampire by a creature of the night named Lestat. The two men form a bond as Pitt's Louis struggles with his new eternal life.
Just like today, Pitt and Cruise were two of the biggest stars in Hollywood at the time, and seeing them paired on screen together was very exciting for fans. The fact that the movie also adapts the popular novel by Anne Rice likely added to its box office success.
Bullet Train (2022) - $238.7 Million
Stream now on Netflix
Brad Pitt is aging gracefully, and in 2022, he took on a role as a hitman in the action-adventure comedy Bullet Train. In the movie, his contact sends him on a train to recover a briefcase. However, things go wrong when he isn't the only person hired to retrieve this briefcase, and everyone wants everyone else dead.
The movie had a nice box office run, as a colorful action movie with a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor throughout. It was also loaded with familiar faces, and Pitt was able to play off his great supporting cast to turn in another fun, entertaining action movie as the leading man.
Ocean’s Thirteen (2007) $311.3 Million
Stream now on DirecTV
Released in 2007, this was the last Ocean’s film that starred Brad Pitt’s Rusty Ryan alongside George Clooney’s Danny Ocean. In this installment, Danny Ocean and his crew plot revenge against Al Pacino’s Willy Bank after he double-crossed Danny’s mentor, Reuben Tishkoff.
Even if the film had done relatively well at the box office worldwide, Pitt made it clear that he was already done with the franchise. In fact, Pitt’s life goals include not having to make Ocean’s 14. When the franchise returned to the big screen, it introduced an all-female Ocean’s 8 crew.
Inglorious Basterds (2009) - $321.4 Million
Stream now on DirecTV
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds is set during the first year of the German occupation in France. In the movie, Brad Pitt plays Lt. Aldo Raine, the leader of a band of Jewish soldiers who take particularly brutal retribution on the Nazis.
Though Aldo is not one of Pitt's most intelligent characters, he is one of the most entertaining. Despite the R-rating and long runtime, audiences were thrilled with Tarantino's madcap war movie. It ended up becoming one of Tarantino's highest-grossing movies and was nominated for several Oscars.
Megamind (2010) - $321.8 Million
Stream now on Netflix & Peacock
Though Brad Pitt has avoided any large roles in the comic book movie genre, he did play a superhero in the animated comedy Megamind. The movie stars Will Ferrell as the titular supervillain who begins to question his life when his heroic nemesis Metro Man (Pitt) is seemingly destroyed.
While the movie did not hit the same heights of popularity as The Incredibles, the combination of superheroes and family-friendly animation proved to be a big hit. It was also fun seeing Pitt in a rare animated role as the hero with some amusing secrets.
Se7en (1995) - $327.3 Million
Stream now on HBO Max
The crime thriller Se7en from David Fincher stars Brad Pitt as a newly transferred detective who worked with a retiring detective, played by Morgan Freeman, to catch a sadistic serial killer portrayed by Kevin Spacey. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Brad Pitt’s wife, Tracy, who meets a shocking end in the movie's brilliant final scene.
We never get to see exactly what’s in the box that Spacey’s character left on the side of the road. But based on Mill’s reaction, we know what it was. In this remarkably dark movie, Brad Pitt delivered one of his best performances.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) - $335.8 Million
Stream now on Fubo & Showtime
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button stars Pitt as the titular character who happens to be aging in reverse. Also directed by Fincher, the film also stars Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, along with Taraji P. Henson, and Tilda Swinton. The movie tracks Benjamin's life through different eras where his unusual condition gives him a different perspective on life.
The film ended up winning three Oscars. Pitt also took an Oscar nomination for best actor. The strong critical reaction and unique love story did well to get audiences curious about the movie, making it yet another successful collaboration between Pitt and Fincher.
Ocean’s Twelve (2004) - $362.7 Million
Stream now on DirecTV
In this follow-up to the original Ocean’s film, Danny Ocean and the gang face a tough situation after spending most of their money from their previous five-casino heist. The problem is they got ratted out to Andy Garcia’s Terry Benedict and now, he wants his money back with interest.
And so, they decide to come together again to pull off several heists in Europe. As you could expect, the entire gang is back for this sequel. However, critics were less than impressed this time around.
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019) - $377.6 Million
Stream now on Starz
Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood sees Brad Pitt star alongside fellow A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio. The men are also joined by Margot Robbie. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film centers around struggling actor Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his stuntman and longtime best friend Cliff Booth (Pitt).
Aside from becoming one of Pitt’s highest-grossing films, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood was also Tarantino's second highest-grossing movie of all time. Perhaps, more importantly for Pitt, it’s also the film that got him an Oscar win.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - $450.7 Million
Stream now on DirecTV
This 2001 heist film is the rare movie remake that's better than the original. Based on a 1960 film of the same name, Clooney appeared more than ready to take on Frank Sinatra’s old role. Aside from Clooney and Pitt, the film also boasts of a cast that includes Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, and Oscar winner Julia Roberts.
It is not surprising that such a huge group of A-list stars would bring in some strong box office numbers. It is also one of Brad Pitt's most likable roles of his career.
Mr. And Mrs. Smith (2005) - $487.2 Million
Rent now on Apple TV & Prime Video
This 2005 film marks the first time that Pitt had ever worked with Angelina Jolie. In Mr. and Mrs. Smith, they play a husband and wife who experience a troubling time in their marriage after years of trying to conceal their true identities from one another.
The behind-the-scenes gossip related to the movie likely helped it become a fascination for fans and boosted its box office numbers. Aside from that, the two megastar leads, the high-concept premise, and the mix of action and comedy made for an enticing popcorn movie.
Troy (2004) - $497.4 Million
Stream now on Netflix & HBO Max
In this 2004 cinematic version of Homer’s Iliad, Pitt plays the warrior Achilles who is forced to carry out the orders of King Agamemnon. Troy features epic sequences including a fantastic fight scene between Pitt’s character and Eric Bana’s Hector.
Audiences tend to enjoy big-budget epic movies set in the ancient past and Troy delivered thrills and action. It is rare to see Pitt in such a straightforward action-hero role, but he helped make the adventure more interesting along with the talented cast.
World War Z (2013) - $540.4 Million
Stream now on Prime Video & Paramount+
This 2013 film was years in the making for Brad Pitt. In 2006, Pitt’s production company, Plan B, optioned the novel by Max Brooks entitled World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. From there, the production ran into some problems.
However, the final result ended up being a rare blockbuster for Pitt. Audiences seemed drawn to the big-budget take on a zombie story with the A-list actor in the lead. Despite its success, a sequel failed to ever materialize despite some exciting ideas.