Clint Eastwood's Best 15 Movies of All Time, Ranked

The name Clint Eastwood is synonymous with legendary performances. For decades, the American actor and filmmaker has dazzled audiences with timeless tales of courage, adventure, and justice—many of his movies becoming box-office hits in the process.

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There's no denying the major influence Eastwood has had in Hollywood. The number of classics he's starred in and directed is unparalleled, and trying to properly catalog them all into a well-organized list of best-to-worst is a nearly impossible feat. But we tried.

Going strictly by the scores from IMDb and popular film-rating site Rotten Tomatoes, the following are Eastwood's 15 greatest films of all time.

#15: High Plains Drifter (1973)

Rotten Tomato: 94%

IMDb: 7.4

In this classic 1973 Western, Eastwood stars as a mysterious gunslinger who drifts into a small town terrorized by bandits. He then proceeds to bring the townspeople together to fight back against the outlaws, transforming them into a formidable force of justice in the process.

Where to watch: Tubi, Rent on Prime Video

#14: In the Line of Fire (1993)

Rotten Tomato: 96%

IMDb: 7.2

While it may not have received as much critical acclaim as some of his other films, this 1993 crime drama is a favorite amongst Eastwood fans. He stars as a Secret Service agent haunted by his failure to protect John F. Kennedy, who must now face off against a diabolical assassin played by John Malkovich.

Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

#13: A Perfect World (1993)

Rotten Tomato: 79%

IMDb: 7.5

Eastwood directs—and stars in, of course—this 1993 crime drama starring Kevin Costner and Laura Dern. It follows an escaped convict who kidnaps a young boy, believing he can use him as a bargaining chip to avoid capture. But as they journey through Texas, an unlikely bond forms between them.

Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

#12: Where Eagles Dare (1968)

Rotten Tomato: 83%

IMDb: 7.6

Another beloved war movie in Eastwood's collection, this 1968 classic stars him as an agent who stages a daring rescue to save an imprisoned American general. But when he and his partner arrive at where the Nazis are holding the general, they discover there's much more to the mission than originally thought.

Where to watch: TCM, Rent on Prime Video

#11: Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Rotten Tomato: 78%

IMDb: 7.6

A slight deviation from his action-packed thrillers, this 1970 war comedy stars Eastwood alongside Don Rickles and Telly Savalas. It follows a group of American soldiers who undertake a daring mission behind enemy lines to steal a rumored cache of Nazi gold.

Where to watch: TCM, Spectrum, Rent on Prime Video

#10: Gran Torino (2008)

Rotten Tomato: 81%

IMDb: 8.1

In this 2008 movie, Eastwood plays a cantankerous Korean War veteran living in a predominantly Hmong neighborhood. After a neighborhood boy attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino, Eastwood's character gradually befriends him and helps him navigate the dangers of gang violence.

Where to watch: Philo, Rent on Prime Video

#9: Escape From Alcatraz (1979)

Rotten Tomato: 97%

IMDb: 7.6

Eastwood stars as a highly intelligent prisoner in this 1979 film about an attempted escape from the notorious ultra-secure prison on Alcatraz Island. He and two other inmates hatch an elaborate escape plan, but can they make it out alive?

Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

#8: Dirty Harry (1971)

Rotten Tomato: 89%

IMDb: 7.7

This 1971 action-thriller stars Eastwood as a police inspector who sets out to capture a serial killer terrorizing San Francisco. The movie is loosely based on the real-life Zodiac killer, and Eastwood's performance as the titular character earned him a whole new level of fame.

Where to watch: Max, Rent on Prime Video

#7: The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Rotten Tomato: 90%

IMDb: 7.6

Starring alongside Meryl Streep, this 1995 romantic drama is about a National Geographic photographer who falls for a lonely Italian-American war bride turned housewife. The movie is based on the Robert James Waller novel of the same name and was directed by Eastwood himself.

Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

#6: Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Rotten Tomato: 90%

IMDb: 8.1

Eastwood won three more Oscars for this 2004 boxing drama: Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Actor, and Best Director. It follows a young woman (played by Hilary Swank) who dreams of becoming a professional boxer and her trainer (Eastwood himself), who reluctantly agrees to train her.

Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video

#5: The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)

Rotten Tomato: 91%

IMDb: 7.8

Eastwood directs and stars in this 1976 western about a Missouri farmer who becomes an outlaw after Confederate raiders murder his wife and son. On the run from the Union, this epic journey of revenge and redemption is a must-see for Eastwood fans.

Where to watch: Max, SlingTV, Rent on Prime Video

#4: For a Few Dollars More (1965)

Rotten Tomato: 92%

IMDb: 8.2

The second installment in the trilogy sees Eastwood's character joining forces with another bounty hunter (Lee Van Cleef) to track down a criminal mastermind and escaped Mexican outlaw who has a lucrative bounty on his head. While the two men start off as rivals, they eventually form an uneasy alliance to take down their target.

Where to watch: AMC+, Spectrum, SlingTV, Philo, Rent on Prime Video

#3: A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

Rotten Tomato: 96%

IMDb: 7.9

The first in Leone's "Dollars Trilogy," this 1964 classic tells the story of a weary stranger who arrives in a small town on the border and stirs up trouble between two rival smuggler families. Both want to take control of the town (and the people in it), and Eastwood's character sees an opportunity to make some cash by pitting the families against each other.

Where to watch: AMC+, Spectrum, SlingTV, Philo, Rent on Prime Video

#2: Unforgiven (1992)

Rotten Tomato: 96%

IMDb: 8.2

Eastwood won two Oscars for this 1992 western—Best Picture and Best Director—and it's easy to see why. It tells the story of a retired outlaw and notorious murderer, played by Eastwood himself, who reluctantly agrees to take on one more job: killing two cowboys who brutally attacked a prostitute.

Where to watch: Max, SlingTV, Philo, Rent on Prime Video

#1: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Rotten Tomato Ranking: 97%

IMDb: 8.8

Eastwood plays "the good" portion in Sergio Leone's classic spaghetti Western as one of three gunslingers after a stolen Confederate gold fortune. This 1966 movie is the crown jewel of his acting career, and its iconic imagery—such as Eastwood's poncho-clad silhouette—will remain in film history for decades to come.

Where to watch: SlingTV, Rent on Prime Video

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If you ever want to embark on a Clint Eastwood movie marathon, you'll have your work cut out for you. This short list is just a sliver of the impressive body of work he's produced both in front and behind the camera. But with his signature mix of grit and humor, you can bet any one (or more) of these movies will be sure to entertain. 

READ MORE: Scott Eastwood Joins All-Star Cast in 'Wind River' Sequel