Ron Howard is one of the most well-known directors to ever put a story on screen, but not all of his films are as successful as others. Ron Howard is known for playing with multiple genres. He’s delved into fantasy, romantic comedy, drama, thriller, western, and even directed a Star Wars movie. He’s won multiple Oscars throughout his career and is often able to bring the best possible performances out of his actors. Unfortunately, there are a few films in his repertoire which aren’t exactly worthy of the talents of the cast. Many of his films are hit or miss, but many are also unqualified successes.
Ron Howard started his film career as an actor when he was just a child. He played roles in The Journey in 1959, The Music Man in 1962, and Opie on The Andy Griffith Show. He may also be known for his three daughters and one son who are also all actors and/or filmmakers. The most prominent of his children in the film industry is Bryce Dallas Howard, the operations manager of the Jurassic World park. Recently, Howard is known only as a director, but he did act in his directorial debut, Grand Theft Auto in 1977, and all four of his children have followed in his steps.
Ron Howard’s films are all fairly well-known (even the ones that aren’t always well-liked). While some of his films are more forgettable than others, some of them stand out as the greatest films, not only of his career but also in their respective genres. His greatest films have cemented him as one of Hollywood’s best directors, and not even the handful of stinkers he has released could outweigh his best films. Here is a complete ranking of every single Ron Howard movie.
27. The Dilema (2011)
The star-studded cast includes Vince Vaughan, Kevin James, Jennifer Connelly, Channing Tatum, and Winona Ryder in one of her lesser-known roles. However, it should come as no surprise that 2011's The Dilemma comes in dead last on this list. The Dilemma is universally accepted as Ron Howard's worst film. Part of the reason the movie is so widely disliked is that it doesn't actually feel like a Ron Howard film. The actors do the best they can with the script they were given, but the end result was a largely forgettable romantic comedy.
26. Inferno (2016)
Inferno is one of Ron Howard's numerous Dan Brown adaptations. While none of the films Howard has made based on Dan Brown's novels particularly stand out in relation to the other movies he's made, Inferno is the lowest on the list of all the Robert Langdon movies. It has a very strange opening and its attempts at being a stand-out thriller didn't work out. Ultimately, the film came off more like a weak attempt at creating an action movie, except that it wasn't fast-paced enough to work out like an action movie or a thriller.
25. In the Heart of the Sea (2015)
In the Heart of the Sea was a partial adaptation of Herman Melville's well-known and beloved novel, Moby-Dick, based on the Nathaniel Philbrick book by the same name. The movie is fairly long, but it's not paced well enough to remain interesting. It was not the fantastic epic audiences were expecting. What they got instead was a film that drags on that not even Chris Hemsworth and co-star Cillian Murphy could salvage.
24. Grand Theft Auto (1977)
Grand Theft Auto was the feature debut of Ron Howard who also acted in the movie. The film isn't particularly bad, but it isn't particularly good either, especially compared to some of the entries higher up on this list. The movie is an enjoyable watch about a young couple stealing a Rolls-Royce from the parents of one of the love birds. While it's fun to look back on Ron Howard's journey as a filmmaker, it's another film that isn't particularly memorable and doesn't quite stack up.
23. The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Some viewers will be surprised that The Da Vinci Code isn't higher on the list, while others will be surprised that it isn't lower. It's one of Ron Howard's more memorable films, and its fast-paced sequences and unique premise make for an interesting viewing experience. This is the first of Howard's three Dan Brown interpretations. While the interesting premise and thrilling moments will stick with audiences, and perhaps bring them back to watch The Da Vinci Code again, the film can't seem to decide whether it is a thriller, an action movie, or a borderline horror flick. The excessive exposition slows the film down and makes the exciting moments seem fewer and further between than they should. The movie spends too much time explaining, usually using Tom Hank's character, and not enough time showing.
22. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
While How the Grinch Stole Christmas is an Oscar-winning Christmas classic, it can't compete with the 21 films ranked above it. Audiences seem to be split between viewing this film with fond Christmas memories and forgetting most of the plot that isn't already spelled out in the Dr. Suess book. Most of the jokes land, but Jim Carrey's physical humor in the Grinch isn't for everyone. Although How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a perfectly passable middle-of-the-road family comedy, it’s usually not on the list of everyone’s favorite Christmas films.
21. Gung Ho (1986)
Gung Ho isn't a bad movie, but it definitely hasn't aged well. The premise centers around an American auto manufacturing plant that is purchased by a Japanese company. Comedy ensues as the show delves into the cultural differences between the manufacturing company and its new owners. The comedy seems to lose its appeal every year as the tired premise of an 80s film based around using Asian actors as laughable caricatures has become less and less forgivable.
20. The Missing (2003)
Tommy Lee Jones and Thor: Ragnarok’s Cate Blanchett star in this Western that tries a little too hard in the wrong places. Audiences all seem to agree that this film is far below Blanchett and Jones' talents who couldn't fix this film's sloppy pacing and bland premise which didn't seem to have anything to offer to the Western genre. It's also right on the line of being offensive, which is strange because it also tries too hard not to be.
19. Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Hillbilly Elegy received a couple of Oscar nods, and Glenn Close received her eighth Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The film was also nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. It was Glenn Close's hair and makeup as the character that contributed to her wonderful portrayal of Mamaw Vance, but the film isn't higher up on the list because some audiences actually found the acting to be too over the top, which drew them out of the film's reality.
18. Angels & Demons (2009)
Angels & Demons is the second film Howard made adapting one of Brown's novels. Like The Da Vinci Code, is about Robert Langdon. Unfortunately, Angels & Demons also suffers from too much exposition. The pacing is much better than it is in The Da Vince Code, and the story of a battle between the Catholic Church and the Illuminati is an interesting one full of shocking and intense moments. However, the exposition dump, usually coming from Tom Hanks’ character, means that this movie isn't as great as it could have been. The desire to overexplain the lore of the book ends up hurting a movie that should lean more into show, not tell.
17. Ransom (1996)
Ransom is a remake of the 1956 film Ransom!. The story deals with a kidnapping and the characters are challenged by a corrupt police force as well as family drama. Ransom isn't very similar to Howard's other films, but it is still skillfully made. Even if it's not everyone’s favorite of Ron Howard’s movies, they are still likely to enjoy this film from start to finish. Mel Gibson, perhaps best-known for Mad Max, Rene Russo, and Delroy Lindo help make the movie stand out. It's also a must-watch for anyone with a fondness for 90s thrillers.
16. Far and Away (1992)
Far and Away is a romantic adventure that stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The film also adds comedy into the drama, and the visuals alone make the film worth a watch. Cruise and Kidman play Irish immigrants, and while they’ve received many critiques over whether or not their accents are realistic, the visuals and score backing the film make up for a lot of its smaller flaws.
15. Night Shift (1982)
Night Shift is one of Howard's several films in which he works with Michael Keaton, of Batman fame. The film is about two morticians who work together, and it's the first time audiences see Michael Keaton in a Howard film. The movie is a fun comedy in which Keaton decides to start a side business by using the morgue as a prostitution ring during the night. One of Howard's earlier films, the comedy isn't quite as refined as some of his newer entries, but it's still a mostly enjoyable, comedic film.
14. The Paper (1994)
Michael Keaton stars in The Paper, a 1994 dramatic comedy about the murder of a businessman in New York City. The film centers around a group of journalists, following the people who attempt to cover up the murder. It also examines police corruption but isn't quite as memorable as the entries higher up on this list because it doesn't break the genre or stand out as particularly different from other stories that follow journalists.
13. EDtv (1999)
EDtv is a movie about reality TV that once again shows off Howard's chops when it comes to creating dramatic comedies. The film was created before the modern version of reality TV people have come to know and stars The Wolf of Wall Street's Matthew McConaughey as Ed, who is picked to star in a documentary show going over every aspect of his life. In the same vein as The Truman Show, EDtv is a unique film that takes an interesting perspective and will stick with audiences better than the movies that came earlier on the list.
12. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)
While Solo: A Star Wars Story is not a bad movie, it's also a Star Wars film, meaning it dealt with a high amount of backlash from Star Wars fans who often find it difficult to like any of the films in the franchise outside of the original trilogy. Howard had previously worked with Lucasfilm, so it does make sense that some viewers expected more from this movie. However, it is a worthy entry as a space Western that viewers will remember and likely enjoy enough to watch again.
11. Backdraft (1991)
Backdraft is a drama about firefighters that seems simple on the surface but ends up creating a thrilling action experience in the wave that existed before the big blockbuster action films of the past two decades. The drama of a film based around two brothers hunting down a serial arsonist also makes for an enjoyable watch, and the emotions of the film make it one of Howard's better entries. It also inspired a ride at Universal Studios which was later replaced by a Transformers ride, which similarly mimics the way the action genre as a whole also shifted toward more Michael Bay Transformers-style movies.
10. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week isn't always included on lists of Howard's films as it is a made-for-television documentary. However, Howard's enjoyment and fondness of The Beatles shows through, making this film one of his more enjoyable outings. The film focuses on The Beatle's touring years between 1962 and 1966 and uses both archival and concert footage, so it is accessible to audiences even if they aren't as familiar with The Beatles as Howard.
9. Parenthood (1989)
Parenthood is often seen in the top 10 of Howard's films, and many viewers would even rank it in their top five. The film takes on risky source material, but it once again shows Howard's ability to blend drama with comedy in the face of such plot points as puberty, depression, teen pregnancy, and gambling addiction. It's a film that most viewers will enjoy, and anyone who appreciates films with Steve Martin should probably take a look at this movie if they haven't already.
8. Cocoon (1985)
One of Ron Howard's more fantastical movies, Cocoon is certainly a memorable watch. A group of senior citizens finds a cocoon left by aliens inside their pool. The actors all offer stand-out performances, and it should be no surprise for anyone who has seen it that it's one of Howard's best films. It's delightful and charming and can still be enjoyed nearly 4 decades later.
7. Splash (1984)
Splash is often considered one of the best romantic comedies of the entire 80s decade. It stands out even in the face of an era that largely centered on romantic comedies. It's yet another Tom Hanks movie that tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a mermaid, who happens to be the girl he saved five years before. While certain aspects haven't aged as well as others, viewers would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't count this among their favorite Ron Howard movies.
6. Willow (1988)
1980s Hollywood appreciated a good fantasy film, and Ron Howard connoisseurs appreciate Willow. The story starts out simply, with an evil queen (Jean Marsh) attempting to take over, but a prophecy says that a baby girl will overpower her. What ensues is the journey of a magician named Willow (Warwick Davis) and swordsman (Val Kilmer) and the party they form to defeat the queen. The story was written by George Lucas, and one of the only complaints many viewers have is just how long the film is. It’s an emotional, heartwarming, and thrilling film that represents one of the 80s best fantasies. Despite having a very simple premise that sounds like it could’ve fallen out of any fantasy movie, Willow does something unique, which is why it’s in the top 10 of all of Howard’s films.
5. Rush (2013)
One of the biggest peeves audiences have with Rush is that it is seemingly meant to focus on Chris Hemsworth’s character only for him to be overshadowed by Daniel Bruhl. However, this is a significantly better film than In the Heart of the Sea, the other Howard film that stars Hemsworth who is best known for playing Thor, and the movie is genuinely thrilling. The focus on 1970s Formula One racing keeps audiences entertained, and Howard is able to artfully craft a sports film that doesn’t feel like it’s just a sports film. While Hemsworth didn’t stand out as much as Bruhl, he still turns out an excellent performance in this well-paced epic.
4. Cinderella Man (2005)
Cinderella Man is another sports-centric movie, featuring a collaboration between Ron Howard and Russell Crowe, who also stars in the next film on this list. It’s a period drama that some would argue garnered a better performance from Russell Crowe than A Beautiful Mind. It’s not the greatest boxing movie ever made, but it is one of Ron Howard’s greatest films. Cinderella Man is also fairly unique, telling the story of a boxer played by Russel Crowe who rose to the top only to fail then rise to the top once again. The fairytale reference is a very apt comparison to a film that is far from fantasy but full of fantastic performances.
3. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Mind has the highest score on IMDb out of any of Ron Howard’s other films and for good reason. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars and won Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Some people have a particular disdain for A Beautiful Mind, not because they think it isn’t a good movie, but because they think it got more credit than it deserved even for an excellent film. Either way, it can’t be denied that A Beautiful Mind is a great entry with fantastic performances from Oscar-winner Russel Crowe and Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly and excellent writing. The score is also a stand-out in this film focusing on John Nash who won the Nobel Prize in Economics, and the story addresses both his utter genius as well as his struggles with schizophrenia. This unique biopic may not be Howard’s best film, but it definitely earned its spot in the top three.
2. Frost/Nixon (2008)
Frost/Nixon tends to sit at number two in most lists of Howard’s films, and for good reason. While it’s not as good as the number one pick, it’s still one of his greatest achievements and manages to evoke sympathy for Nixon, who is played by Frank Langella, which is impressive enough on its own. The film is also good enough to keep audiences’ eyes firmly fixed on the screen. The verbal sparring match between Frost, portrayed by Michael Sheen and Richard Nixon has been compared to the same thrill of watching a boxing match and is considered one of the greatest biopics, not just one of the greatest Ron Howard movies.
1. Apollo 13 (1995)
Despite stiff competition, if you ask most people what is the best Ron Howard film, many will answer Apollo 13. The movie cemented Ron Howard’s career as a fantastic filmmaker through the story of the 1970 Nasa mission. The story is thrilling, dramatic, and gives audiences a hero to root for. It’s another example of a collaboration between Ron Howard and the talented Tom Hanks, who plays the main protagonist. The high stakes of the film mean that it is impossible to look away from and impossible to forget, and the performances turned out by the actors only add to the film’s greatness, which is why it is the best Ron Howard movie ever made.