Al Pacinohas enjoyed a five-plus decade career in Hollywood,starring in more than 60 films, while directing two. The actor has played some of the most iconic characters in some of the most memorable movies in cinema history. With a wide array of scores linked to his movies on Rotten Tomatoes. Ranging from the deepest depths of 3% all the way to the highest score possible, 100%. Pacino’s movies have an interesting path on the review website. These are Al Pacino’s best movies as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10Donnie Brasco (1997) - 88%
Donnie Brascofeatures two actors operating in top form. Both Al Pacino and Johnny Depp give all-time performances in this crime drama that is praised by critics for its portrait of organized crime. Along with top-notch directing from Mike Newell, the movie would go on to be nominated for an Academy Award in 1997,a truly great year for cinema.
9Serpico (1973) - 92%
Serpicotells the real-life story of former New York City Police detective Frank Serpico and his struggle to help combat corruption within the NYPD. Directed by Sydney Lumet andone of the filmmaker’s best movies. Al Pacino gives a standout performance that earned him a Best Actor nomination at the 46th Academy Awards.
8Insomnia (2002) - 92%
Insomniais a film praised primarily for the performances given by Al Pacino and Robin Williams. Along with stellar direction from Christopher Nolan, the movie weaves a highly entertaining and intricate psychological thriller in thisimperfect examination of lies.
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7The Irishman (2019) - 95%
Martin Scorsese’s sprawling epic and one ofNetflix’s best original movies,The Irishmanreunites longtime friends and costars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro along with Joe Pesci. Based on the 2004 novel I Heard You Paint Houses, the movie tells the story of Frank Sheeran and his involvement with infamous teamster Jimmy Hoffa. Receiving heaps of universal praise from critics, the movie would be nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
6Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) - 95%
Praised heavily for its brilliant script and home run acting performances,Glengarry Glen Rosswould earn Pacino another Oscar nomination. Staying true to the original source material, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, the movie earns every bit of praise it receives from critics and audiences alike.
5The Insider (1999) - 96%
Often times, corporate thriller movies are made or broken by the strength of the performances in the film, as well as the directors involved. Source materials often come from scandalous and convoluted events, and it is up to the filmmakers and actors to make that material digestible. Both director Michael Mann and stars Al Pacino and Russel Crowe do just that inThe Insider.Even earning praise from filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who listed the movie as one of the top 20 films released since 1992.
4The Godfather Part II (1974) - 96%
Following in the footsteps of its iconic predecessor, more on that later,The Godfather Part IIsucceeds in every aspect a sequel should strive to and may evensurpass the original. Furthering the story while increasing the stakes through solid performances by Al Pacino and newcomer to the franchise Robert DeNiro. While receiving mixed reviews upon its initial release, the movie has been re-evaluated in the years since and is widely considered to be one of the best pieces of cinema ever made.
Related:These Are the Best Movies About Capitalism
3Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - 96%
Filled with a heavy dose of black humor and drama,Dog Day Afternoonisthe true storyof bank robber John Wojtowicz, played as Sonny Wojtowicz by Pacino in the movie. Pacino would receive another Oscar nomination for his role in the movie, one of the most heavily praised aspects of the film. Once again, the pairing of Pacino and director Sidney Lumet would create another iconic piece of cinema history.
2The Godfather (1972) - 97%
How couldThe Godfathernot be Pacino’s highest-ranked movie on Rotten Tomatoes, you may ask? I second that emotion. Considered by many to be a perfect movie, start to finish, The Godfather would set the gold standard for all crime dramas and cinema as a whole moving forward. Earning nine nominations and winning three Academy Awards at the 45th annual ceremony, the movie firmly cemented itself into cinema history.
1Salomé (2013) - 100%
Sure to be a controversial top entry on this list,Saloméranks at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes on only five official critic reviews, but sits at the highest spot, nevertheless. The movie is edited from an earlier docudrama film Wilde Salomé, in which Pacino leads an in-depth analysis of the Oscar Wilde playSalomé. It is this analysis as well as performances from Pacino himself alongside Jessica Chastain that earns this movie the 100% it has.
