The best Brad Pitt roles

Tom Cruise got top billing, and a young Kirsten Dunst was nominated for a Golden Globe in her breakout role in the 1994 movie based on Anne Rice's 1976 novel. However, Pitt more than held his own. His character Louis became a vampire because of Cruise's Lestat, and then he set his sights on 10-year-old Claudia (Dunst). The movie was popular with the MTV crowd, thus igniting a spark in Pitt's Hollywood presence, which was about to get even more significant. 

Directed by Robert Redford, A River Runs Through It (1992) was widely acclaimed — notably for its rather up-and-coming cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In one of his first prominent roles, Pitt was also praised. The relationship between the brothers Maclean, the intellectual and well-mannered Norman (Craig Sheffer), and the rugged, hard-drinking, but inquisitive Paul. It would be a matter of only a couple of years before Pitt earned full-fledged, leading-man status in Hollywood.

This is the first time we'll highlight the working relationship between Pitt and Quentin Tarantino, who wrote this 1993 dark, romantic film. Pitt's lazy, slacker Floyd is one of the more underrated aspects of the cult favorite. Few can make laying on the couch, getting high, and watching MTV all day look so entertaining. It's also impressive just how much knowledge he can acquire for actually doing nothing. Just don't ask him for directions.

Loosely based on the Iliad, Troy made nearly $500 million internationally but received lukewarm reviews upon its 2004 release. However, Pitt's take on Achilles was lauded for being able to rise above a plot that seemed too condensed and not in line with Homer's historical work or the Trojan War. It also proved that Pitt could take on larger-than-life historical figures while showing off his versatility in successfully blending action and drama. 

It's safe to say that Pitt has never found his footing in movies with a lot of action. Fury likely falls under that category, but Pitt's grizzled and hardened tank commander heightens the drama in this underrated 2014 war film. It can be said that Pitt's young co-stars, Logan Lerman and Shia LaBeouf, overshadow their superstar leading man, but Pitt delivers a strong performance that might get lost in the shuffle of his better-known roles.

From 2019, this is one of Pitt's most recent roles. Brilliantly filmed and easy to watch, Ad Astra is a smart science-fiction film filled with plenty of emotion. Pitt is at the forefront as a well-respected astronaut who heads into space to potentially save the world. He also attempts to contact his astronaut father, who was presumed dead but is still lost in space. This film's entertainment and drama are high, so buckle up and enjoy.

The characters are perhaps the best thing about Guy Ritchie's 2000 black crime comedy. Like Pitt's "One Punch" O'Neil. He is a bare-knuckle brawler with a quirky accent and a penchant for raising mayhem who finds himself in a quandary. Ritchie's ensemble cast includes Dennis Farina, Jason Statham, and Benicio del Toro, but Pitt is the true star. In fact, plenty of Pitt fans believe this just might be the most entertaining character he has ever played. 

The Tree of Life is one of the many Pitt projects that earned a Best Picture Academy Award nomination. The complexity of the movie's story about the meaning of life, mixing Mr. O'Brien's trials and tribulations over the years, and the creation of Earth, was praised by critics but perhaps lost by audiences. Regardless, Pitt's Mr. O'Brien is genuine to a fault and easy to feel for, thus adding to an already sensational film legacy for the actor.

The same year Pitt worked with the aforementioned Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire, he found himself starring with another film giant: Anthony Hopkins. While the complex and heartening dialogue drives this 1994 epic Western about three brothers and their father living in the rugged and harsh Montana of the early 20th century, Pitt stood out. Not only for his authentic performance but the fact he might have been the best-looking actor in Hollywood at the time.

The Big Short (2015) was nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, and Pitt was undoubtedly a big reason for that accolade. His Ben Rickert, a prominent trader, brings a subtle comic element to this biopic about the financial crisis from 2007-08. Rickert notably works from an English pub, which he claims "smells like sheep," while also being heckled by some patrons. Whether playing the leading man or an entertaining sidekick, Pitt consistently churns out memorable film moments. 

Another historical figure for Pitt to tackle, and one he pulled off quite well. The movie focuses on the relationship between James and Ford in a well-dramatized fashion. The latter was played by Casey Affleck, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the role. The movie received high critical praise upon its 2007 release and became more popular with movie fans as time passed. Affleck earned a nomination, but Pitt's performance was highly regarded and entertaining.

This severely underrated 1996 legal crime drama had an all-star cast that included Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Minnie Driver, and Kevin Bacon. Pitt delivered a standout performance as a young New York City prosecutor who sets up a scheme to lose a case that gets a couple of childhood friends out of a murder conviction. He also exacts revenge on some abusive adult authority figures from their past. Pitt exudes confidence and tortured existence in one of his more unheralded roles.

This role from 1991 is often referred to as the role that put Pitt on the Hollywood map. And not just because he has a pretty face and doesn't wear a shirt. His performance as the drifter and escaped parolee J.D. is essentially responsible for changing the course of the titular fearless duo's journey. J.D. ends up having a one-night stand with Thelma (Geena Davis) and steals all of Louise's money. He ultimately gets nabbed by the authorities, but the damage had already been done.

Alejandro González Iñárritu's psychological drama was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and won the Golden Globe in the same category. Babel (2006) is told in linear, chronological order and involves four interwoven storylines. Pitt's Richard Jones and his wife Susan (Cate Blanchett) are vacationing in Morocco when they are caught up in a life-and-death emergency. Meanwhile, back in the United States, the couple's children and babysitter also find themselves in a life-altering predicament. Pitt earned a Golden Globe nomination for an emotionally compassionate and paternal performance.

Not only did Pitt lend his stellar acting ability to this Oscar winner for Best Picture in 2014, but he also co-produced the groundbreaking biopic based on Solomon Northup's slave memoir from the 1850s. Pitt portrays Samuel Bass, the hard-working abolitionist who help free Northup. Pitt brings Bass' champion for freedom out in full force and is a breath of fresh air to a powerful film that can be tough to watch — and hear — at times.

Pitt and the Coen brothers. We know things are going to turn out well. It's a fun romp of a black comedy, where Pitt's goofy Chad Feldheimer, a water-bottle-swilling personal trainer, and Hardbodies' gym co-worker Linda (Frances McDormand) find a disc containing the memoir of a recently fired CIA analyst. Thinking they can resort to blackmail or sell the disc for a profit, the fun and danger begin. It's a quirky role for Pitt, but he seems to have a lot of fun delivering.

Pitt has been quite the regular in films directed by David Fincher over the years. The first of the lot came in this 1995 psychological crime thriller that was disturbingly suspenseful and filled with plenty of twists — especially the ending. Mills is a young, hardworking detective. However, he can be impatient and emotional ("What's in the box?"), especially when it comes to solving the case of a demented serial killer who fancies the seven deadly sins as his MO. 

During the 1980s, Pitt found himself in several character roles on television. However, his best performance on the small screen arguably came in the '90s. During the eighth Friends season, Pitt played Ross and Monica's high school buddy Will. Formerly overweight and harboring hatred for Rachel — this was also when Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were married — he attends Thanksgiving dinner with the gang. Now thin and attractive, Will is poised to let Rachel know his disdain while proclaiming, "My two greatest enemies, Ross: Rachel Green and complex carbohydrates." Pitt earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for the guest appearance.

There are many great performances from the Ocean's franchise, but the free-spirited, not-a-care-in-the-world Rusty might stand out above the rest. He's the most confident member of the gang, the voice of reason, and perhaps the smartest con in the group. Without Rusty, who has a penchant for bad outfits and loves to eat, though never puts on weight, the Ocean's clan likely isn't nearly successful at pulling off some of the biggest con jobs and heists the fictional crime world has ever seen. 

Pitt earned his first Academy Award nomination and claimed the first of his two Golden Globe Awards for his stellar supporting performance in this Terry Gilliam-directed, Bruce Willis-led vehicle sci-fi film from 1995. Pitt's performance as Goines is disturbingly entertaining. Goines is the opinionated activist and mental patient Willis' Cole meets when he returns to the 1990s to find the origin of the virus nearly wiped out the planet. Though some of Pitt's fans were turned off by the look of his performance, it only solidified his Hollywood versatility.

While a host of actors played the part of the age-reversing Benjamin Button in this acclaimed David Fincher hit, Pitt's portrayal remains the most celebrated. The character is unique in itself, navigating life after being born with the physical and mental aspects of an elderly man and doing everything in reverse. The adventures and relationships Benjamin experiences make this an emotionally impactful film that earned Pitt a Best Actor Academy Award nomination.

The first of back-to-back prominent Pitt roles while again working with Quentin Tarantino — in a director's role — that we'll highlight. It's also the performance that garnered Pitt his first Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor). Cliff, in many eyes, outperformed co-star Leonardo DiCaprio as fading actor Rick Dalton, who earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Cliff, Dalton's stunt double and good friend, is Pitt at his best: Someone who plays himself off as a cool customer and seems to dig his life no matter what comes along, good or bad, crazy or calm, and regardless of what madness is going on around him.

In terms of personal accolades, Pitt didn't earn any hardware for this fantastic role in another Quentin Tarantino gem. Aldo Raine is ruthless and unforgiving and only wants one thing: to kill Nazis without any prejudice. And he's so much fun to root for because of the subject matter in this wartime picture. He's a pretty smart hillbilly and a born leader. He's loyal to his men and the cause and almost uncomfortably obsessed with taking down the Germans. He's another one of Tarantino's complex yet enjoyable characters. 

Tyler Durden may boast the life or persona that some guys would want. He's carefree and confident. He has a chiseled chest, washboard abs, and no real feelings of respect, responsibility, or remorse. Within one's mind, Durden is a guilty pleasure. The ultimate male, and someone who makes for quite the memorable film character. Pitt's talent as an actor capable of succeeding in just about any role he plays proved to be the difference when it came to this iconic role in another popular David Fincher movie.

Baseball fans can go round and round all day about the accuracy of the Moneyball (2011) movie, and anybody is free to question this choice of Pitt's Billy Beane topping our list. Both points considered, this is arguably Pitt's most genuine character. Baseball fans or not, viewers could easily appreciate and root for Pitt's Beane. As the determined, flawed, and businesslike Oakland Athletics general manager, audiences get to watch a perfectly balanced character. Pitt was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar, and rightfully so.