While some people will try and convince you that ranking the best Al Pacino movies of all time is entirely subjective, weโre here to tell you theyโre wrong.
For one, we know what movies shouldnโt be included: like Gigli (2003), Jack and Jill (2011), American Traitor (2021), Martin Scorseseโs laborious misfire that was The Irishman (2020), and certainly not Ridley Scottโs House of Gucci (2021). To this day, I still maintain the latter was the worst film of its year.
For another, given how prolific Pacinoโs career has been across over half a century, thereโs something of a general consensus that most moviegoers can agree upon.
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Ranked: The Best Al Pacino Movies Of All Time
Scent of a Woman finds a place at #10 not just because of Al Pacinoโs Academy Award-winning performance, but because itโs one of the few film performances where he ventures outside of his usual wheelhouse (crime, action, straight-up villainy, etc).
His pained monologue about being โin the darkโ will go down in history as one of the most memorable ever committed to celluloid. An immortal expression.
In short, a brilliant show of versatility.
I anticipate that this may raise some eyebrows, especially in comparison to some other entries on this list.
But the on-screen chemistry between Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves โ the latter of whom reportedly sacrificed over US$1 million of his salary so the production could afford to secure the former โ was the stuff of cinema magic. Not to mention: virtually every line of dialogue uttered by Pacino is a thing of immense pleasure.
Plus heโs playing the literal devil. What more could you want?
Despite the assertions of many, this was Al Pacino at his rawest. Not The Godfather. Not Serpico. Not even Scarface.
There was something about the way he captured the desperation of real-life bank robber John Wojtowicz (โSonny Wortzikโ in the film) that sets Dog Day Afternoon apart from the rest of his filmography.
This also marked the third time Pacino collaborated with The Godfather co-star John Cazale (AKA Fredo Corleone).
One of Christopher Nolanโs most underrated films, Insomnia is a taut psychological thriller that highlighted both Al Pacino and the late Robin Williamsโ capacity for claustrophobically introspective acting.
Itโs a crying shame these two never shared the screen more.
No serious list of the best Al Pacino movies would be complete without a nod to Serpico. Nor could anyone else have pulled this role off.
Bloody, over-the-top, extremely quotable, but above all else: iconic.
Some roles seem to overshadow others. And regardless of how you might personally feel about Scarface, thereโs no denying it was one of Al Pacinoโs greatest career moments.
This one was for the culture.
Iโve never understood why blokes who work in sales gravitate towards Scarface when Glengarry Glen Ross is a profoundly more relevant shout.
I guess itโs easier to keep a salesmanโs attention with fantasies of cocaine, guns, and Michelle Pfeiffer than it is with โ oh I donโt know โ people actually trying to survive the bleak and despairing world of sales?
In any case, this star-studded production โ which included Alec Baldwin, Jack Lemmon, and, uhโฆ *cough* Kevin Spacey *cough* โ isnโt just essential Al Pacino viewing. Itโs essential cinema viewing. And a masterful adaptation of David Mametโs Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.
They just donโt make โem like they used to.
Zero explanation required. Itโs one of the greatest actors of all time breaking out in one of the greatest films of all time. Cinema redefined.
Although, an explanation might be required as to why The Godfather is: a) #3 on a best Al Pacino movies list and not #1; and b) why the first Godfather ranks below Part II. (Weโve provided the latter further down in this article.)
Side note: imagine making The Godfather with just two feature-length performances under your belt. Legendary stuff.
Al Pacino as Lt. Vincent Hanna in Michael Mannโs Heat is the archetypal Al Pacino character. Itโs a role that perfectly encapsulates the broader strokes of his career success.
Everyone seems to have this idea that itโs because he plays bad guys with a redeeming sliver of good in them when itโs actually the reverse: a good guy with an unshakeable, almost overwhelming, element of darkness theyโre constantly grappling with. Thatโs where Pacino shines. Heat is definitive proof.
His characters understand the so-called line; understands his existence is one side of the same coin; and fully acknowledges this while championing consequentialism (ends-justify-the-means/morality-is-relative).
Apply it to any of his characters and youโll start to see the arcs more clearly. Perhaps even appreciate the movies themselves a little more.
To be sure, the first Godfather was a monumental achievement in cinematic history which many have since attempted to recreate (though none have realistically ever come close).
The inaugural adaptation of Mario Puzoโs novel put Al Pacino on the map, and is an undeniably phenomenal performance. But The Godfather, Part II is where the actor had the opportunity to really add nuance to that subdued darkness Iโve been yammering on about.
Itโs not the dipping of a toe from conventional morality that audiences find fascinating. Itโs this: the violent descent. The immolation of oneโs soul. The portrayal of irretrievable loss. Witnessing just how far a man may fall from grace, all for the supposed benefit of his family.
The transformation of Al Pacinoโs Michael Corleone is one thatโs poetic. One thatโs on par with the Greek tragedies of yore. Hence why The Godfather, Part II will forever hold the crown.
And nothing you say could ever convince me otherwise.
Honourable Mentions
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Actors: Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, James Woods, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J, Ann-Margret, Lauren Holly, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Brown, Aaron Eckhart, Bill Bellamy, Matthew Modine, John C. McGinley
Synopsis:
Four years ago, Tony DโAmatoโs (Al Pacino) Miami Sharks were at the top. Now, his team is struggling with three consecutive losses, sliding attendance, and aging heroes, particularly 39-year-old quarterback Jack โCapโ Rooney (Dennis Quaid). Off the field, DโAmato is struggling with a failed marriage and estranged children, and is on a collision course with Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz), the young president/co-owner of the Sharks organization.
Donnie Brasco (1997)
Directed by: Mike Newell
Actors: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, Anne Heche, Zeljko, Gerry Becker, Robert Miano, Brian Tarantina, Rocco Sisto, Zach Grenier, Walt MacPherson, Ronnie Farer
Synopsis:
Joseph Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who has infiltrated one of the major New York Mafia families and is living under the name Donnie Brasco. He develops a relationship with mob hitman Benjamin โLeftyโ Ruggiero (Al Pacino) in order to get deeper undercover, but ends up developing a real friendship with the Mafioso. As their relationship develops, Pistone must decide whether or not to complete his job, knowing that it will lead to the murder of his new friend.
Carlitoโs Way (1993)
Directed by: Brian De Palma
Actors: Al Pacino, Sean Penn, Penelope Ann Miller, John Leguizamo, Luis Guzman, Angel Salazar, Al Israel, Ingrid Rogers, James Rebhorn, John Finn, Michael P. Moran, Joseph Siravo, Frank Minucci, Rocco Sisto
Synopsis:
A free man after years in prison, Carlito Brigante (Al Pacino) intends to give up his criminal ways, but itโs not long before the ex-con is sucked back into the New York City underworld. Reconnecting with his dancer girlfriend, Gail (Penelope Ann Miller), Carlito gets entangled in the shady dealings of his friend Dave Kleinfeld (Sean Penn), who also serves as his lawyer. When Carlito and Kleinfeld run afoul of shifty gangster Benny Blanco (John Leguizamo), it sets them on a dangerous path.
The Insider (1999)
Directed by: Michael Mann
Actors: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, Diane Venora, Philip Baker Hall, Lindsay Crouse, Debi Mazar, Renee Olstead, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Stephen Tobolowsky, Colm Freore, Bruce McGill
Synopsis:
After seeking the expertise of former โBig Tobaccoโ executive Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), seasoned TV producer Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) suspects a story lies behind Wigandโs reluctance to speak. As Bergman persuades Wigand to share his knowledge of industry secrets, the two must contend with the courts and the corporations that stand between them and exposing the truth. All the while, Wigand must struggle to maintain his family life amidst lawsuits and death threats.
The Recruit (2003)
Directed by: Roger Donaldson
Actors: Colin Farrell, Al Pacino, Bridget Moynahan, Gabriel Macht, Kenneth Mitchell, Karl Pruner, Mike Realba, Elisa Moolecherry, Merwin Mondesir, Sam Kalilieh, Chris Owens, Richard Fitzpatrick, Chris Owens
Synopsis:
In an era when the countryโs first line of defense โ human intelligence โ is more important than ever, comes an explosive thriller that gives an insiderโs view into the CIAโs secret training ground: The Farm. James Clayton (Colin Farrell) might not have the attitude of a typical recruit, but he is one of the smartest graduating seniors in the country โ and heโs just the person that Walter Burke (Al Pacino) wants in the Agency.
Thereโs more where that came from. Find out why The Godfather, Part II is the perfect sequel which no other sequel shall ever come close to beating.
If you agree/disagree with our picks for the best Al Pacino movies of all time, sound off in the comments with what we may have missed.
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Best Al Pacino Movies โ Frequently Asked Questions
What film made Al Pacino famous?
The Godfather (1972) directed by Francis Ford Coppola put Al Pacino on the map. In his third-ever feature-length film, Al Pacino achieved legend status as Michael Corleone, crime family successor to Marlon Brandoโs Don Vito Corleone.
Al Pacino was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 45th Academy Awards, alongside co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall; later earning a nod for Best Actor in the wake of The Godfather Part II (1975).
What was Al Pacino's best role?
Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy is considered to be Al Pacinoโs greatest role. Although Lt. Vincent Hanna in Heat (1995), Tony Montana in Scarface (1983), Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), and Frank Slade in Scent of a Woman (1992) all come awfully close.
How much did Al Pacino make for 'Scarface'?
Al Pacino was reportedly paid around US$500,000, possibly with a percentage of the filmโs gross box office revenue.
Adjusted for 1980s inflation, this equates to around US$10-20 million in present day.
Who is better: Al Pacino or Robert De Niro?
Dumb question. Dumb comparison. Both are iconic in their own right, and leading actors of their generation. You should feel stupid for asking such a question.
