Steve McQueen’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Steve McQueen was a legendary figure both on and off the screen, and his best movies demonstrate how action and thrill rides were as much a part of his professional life as they were his personal. McQueen’s story is one marred by tragedy, as he passed away at only 50 years old, but in that time, he made an unforgettable mark on the world. His films were adventurous, exciting, and imbued with true human empathy, as McQueen was himself. It’s unlikely that McQueen and his contributions to cinema will ever go overlooked.

Today, McQueen’s filmography and fame could be compared with Tom Cruise’s best movies, excepting the fact that McQueen was rarely involved in any franchise work. He was an in-demand star, did his own stunts, produced and elevated many action movies, and was known for being particular about his roles and the people he worked with. McQueen was aware that he was a box office draw, and this led to him demanding high salaries and having his pick of projects. Known for putting himself in high-risk situations, McQueen raced motorcycles and cars in his free time, expanding his “bad boy” persona.

10
The Blob (1958)

As Steven Andrews

A hallmark of the classic Hollywood monster movie genre, The Blob combines science fiction, horror, and thriller elements that come together to make a film that holds up surprisingly well. It was McQueen’s first starring role as Steve Andrews, a teenager who witnesses the power of the Blob and tries to mobilize his small town to fight against it. It’s Steven who realizes how to stop the Blob, and the beginnings of McQueen’s chops as a leading man are apparent throughout the film. It’s an early example of how strong a performer he is.

Though The Blob was a B movie, it was an unexpected hit and set McQueen on his trajectory toward fame. While elements of the film are campy, and the effects aren’t amazing by today’s standards, it has a strong internal logic, and it was popular enough that a 1988 remake was greenlit. Its larger themes of mass hysteria, misinformation, and small-town politics aren’t too overt but provide enough depth that the film doesn’t feel unjustified in its happy ending.

9
Le Mans (1971)

As Michael Delaney

One of the best movies about auto racing, Le Mans capitalized on McQueen’s love for car racing and his dedication to stunt work. Directed by Lee H. Katzin, the film follows McQueen’s character, Michael Delaney, a racer for Porsche at the titular Le Mans race the film is based on. Delaney is haunted by the death of a competitor from the previous year, and the film doesn’t attempt to conceal how dangerous a sport racing is. Much of the conflict has to do with the frequent accidents and how life-threatening they can be.

Le Mans is best known for its dedication to realistically portraying racing and the experience of being a driver during the Le Mans race. The film even incorporated footage from the real-life race throughout the narrative. It’s clear how close the story is to McQueen’s heart and how in line it is with his personal interests throughout the story. Le Mans is a notorious race because it’s a grueling endurance test that lasts 24 hours. Though the film was not a particular success, it’s a standout of McQueen’s career because of how well it showcases his talents and tastes.

8
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

As The Cincinnati Kid

Set during the 1930s Depression, The Cincinnati Kid is an interesting twist on the period, involving a high-stakes poker game between McQueen’s character, The Kid, and his rival, The Man, played by Edward G. Robinson. Norman Jewison directed the movie and would go on to take on more dramatic and high-profile work in the wake of the film’s success, including the movie adaptation of the stage musical Fiddler On The Roof. The Kid isn’t a typical protagonist as he’s an early example of the anti-hero archetype, one that McQueen would come to be known for embodying.

McQueen easily slips into the role of The Kid. He’s an over-confident man with something to prove, and the narrative doesn’t always work out in his favor. What The Cincinnati Kid does best is give the audience multiple characters to root for and leave them wondering if The Kid deserves to win or not. The film makes distinct visual choices that elevate it above the typical drama and delve into the economic complexity of that period of American history.

7
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

As Thomas Crown

Taking on another cool, confident, and overly ambitious bad boy character, McQueen plays Thomas Crown in the terminal heist thriller The Thomas Crown Affair. With similarities to contemporaries of the genre like the original Ocean’s Eleven and other classic heist films, The Thomas Crown Affair distinguishes itself because of the amazing chemistry and work of the two leads, McQueen and Faye Dunaway. McQueen partnered with Norman Jewison again, with Jewison producing and directing, and the developing report between the actor and director is obvious.

The biggest critique mounted against The Thomas Crown Affair was that it chose style over substance. It allowed the look of the film and the notoriety of the stars to carry the story instead of crafting a compelling plot. However, for a heist film that’s supposed to be a fun, wild ride for the audience, that isn’t necessarily bad. The Thomas Crown Affair is enjoyable to the very end and isn’t overly concerned with making a grand statement, only with making an entertaining movie.

6
Papillon (1973)

As Henri ‘Papillon’ Charrière

McQueen is joined by Dustin Hoffman in Papillon, a film that provides insight into the plight of men in a French prison and their treatment. It’s based on the autobiography and life of Henri Charrière, the man on whom McQueen’s character is based, with a screenplay penned by two of the greatest writers of the 20th century, Dalton Trumbo and Lorenzo Semple Jr. In the film, Charrière and Hoffman’s character, Louis Dega, form an unlikely bond and are a source of solace during times of incredible brutality and suffering.

It can be a challenge to get through the entire two-and-a-half-hour runtime of Papillon, as there are moments when the characters and the audience come close to losing hope completely. Papillon is not meant for casual viewing, but this makes it all the more interesting as a part of McQueen’s career. The movie requires serious dramatic acting on McQueen’s part, but he delivers at every turn, particularly in the most unbelievable examples of what humans can endure.

5
The Towering Inferno (1974)

As Chief O’Halloran

Despite its success and accolades, there was quite a bit of drama behind the scenes during the filming of The Towering Inferno. Paul Newman and Steven McQueen feuded over the movie as both actors wanted top billing and couldn’t reach a compromise for a long time. Regardless, The Towering Inferno was made and increased the notoriety of both actors. It’s a standout of the disaster movie genre and includes fantastic practical effects that are startling to viewers even by today’s standards. The film might rely too heavily on spectacle, but it is thrilling and compelling.

In an incredible turn for the disaster and action genres, The Towering Inferno was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and much of this success can be attributed to the fantastic cast the movie assembled. Not only did Newman and McQueen grace the screen, but also the likes of Fred Astaire, Faye Dunaway, and William Holden. Like any great McQueen picture, stunts and action are not overlooked, but that doesn’t make the story any less important.

4
The Sand Pebbles (1966)

As Jake Holman

The Sand Pebbles is a fantastic war epic, and in his turn playing a ship’s engineer, Jake Holman, McQueen was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. Although he didn’t win, McQueen deserved the recognition for the sheer amount of physical work he put into the role. Within the story, the relationship between the American men on board the ship and the Chinese laborers they hire is put under a microscope and engages with American imperialism and colonialism. At the time of its release, the film was seen as a direct comment on the war in Vietnam.

The film is certainly an epic, as its runtime of just over three hours is a whale of a narrative, but the movie earns it with solid pacing and a compelling story. While McQueen didn’t win any awards, his costar, Richard Attenborough, won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, though he is now best known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park. The Sand Pebbles could have made a stronger point with its political themes, but overall, it was a triumph for its time.

3
Bullitt (1968)

As Frank Bullitt

McQueen is the king of chase scenes for many reasons, and though Bullitt doesn’t feature his most iconic chase, it does have an epic car scene for the ages. He plays Detective Frank Bullitt, a police officer in San Francisco, a city that lends its beautiful skyline and intricate streets to the film’s atmosphere. Shot on location in San Francisco, the dedication to the city, and realistic portrayal of the environment, especially during the chase scene, is evident. The film is a neo-noir thriller and portrays Bullitt as a morally ambiguous but heroic officer, featuring a complex performance from McQueen.

Due to the nature of the action-fueled thriller, Bullitt won the Academy Award for Best Editing and was nominated for Best Sound. The car chase, in particular, is an extremely influential part of the film, and many similar chase scenes filmed today have Bullitt to thank for reinventing the trope. Lending his typical stoicism and edge to his part, McQueen is a worthy actor to lead the film, and it could not have been as boundary-pushing without him behind the wheel.

2
The Magnificent Seven (1960)

As Vin

In Steve McQueen’s best Western movie, The Magnificent Seven, the actor once again displayed his trademark stubbornness and desire to be a star. The film is a remake of the seminal samurai movie, 1954’s The Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa. Though The Magnificent Seven doesn’t quite hit the mark of The Seven Samurai, it still did amazing work translating the story to the format of the American Western. The mythic nature of the West and the fable of the cowboy would naturally hold increased influence over American audiences and become a hit.

The American remake even went on to incur another adaptation in 2016. McQueen’s character, Vin, is part of the larger ensemble of the movie and isn’t the leader of the band of outlaws he’s part of. This role is an outlier for McQueen, as he often preferred to be the star or nothing at all. However, McQueen has great chemistry with the rest of the cast and is a strong foil to Yul Brynner, who plays the leader. Though The Magnificent Seven was underappreciated when it was first released, it’s come to be known as a classic today.

1
The Great Escape (1963)

As Hilts ‘The Cooler King’

Directed by John Sturges, The Great Escape is considered one of the best action movies of all time. Highlights of the move include the infamous motorcycle scene. The film is based on Paul Brickhill’s novel about British soldiers imprisoned in a German POW camp. The Great Escape is McQueen’s best leading role and the role he is most associated with, propelling him into further stardom. This notoriety stems from the fact that he did so many of his own stunts, including the motorcycle ride. This stunt is one of the greatest chase scenes in film history.

For a film that holds so many “greatest” and “best” titles, it didn’t receive many accolades when it hit theaters in 1963. McQueen was recognized for his role and won Best Actor at the Moscow International Film Festival, but the film didn’t reach the highest levels of critical acclaim, as action movies are rarely lauded as great works of art until many years after their release. Despite this, The Great Escape will never be forgotten because of the timeless themes of wartime struggle and sacrifice.