Favorite Morgan Freeman movies ranked

By Jillian Schenfeld 1:53pm PDT, Apr 5, 2017

Morgan Freeman might as well be the godfather of showbiz. From blockbusters to indie films, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor has inimitable range and depth. To mark the April 7, 2017, release of his latest film — the comedy remake "Going in Style," directed by Zach Braff and co-starring Alan Arkin and Michael Caine — Wonderwall.com is taking a look at Morgan's best movies and characters of all time. From his work as Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding in "The Shawshank Redemption" to Hoke Coburn in "Driving Miss Daisy," we're ranking our favorites.

No. 15: "Outbreak"

Morgan Freeman stars as U.S. Army surgeon William Ford in the 1995 medical disaster film "Outbreak," which tells the dramatic story of a contagious outbreak of a fictional Ebola-like virus called Motaba. "Outbreak" received mixed reviews, with Roger Ebert giving it 3.5 stars out of 4 and Rotten Tomatoes scoring it at 59 percent fresh. According to the late, great movie critic, Morgan (unsurprisingly) did a great job. Ebert noted in his review, "the roles are well-written and acted, and Morgan Freeman, as a general caught in the middle, brings something quite real: a general trapped between obeying instructions and his own better instincts."

No. 14: "Lucky Number Slevin"

Morgan Freeman plays "The Boss" in the star-stacked 2016 film noir drama "Lucky Number Slevin" alongside Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Ben Kingsley and Stanley Tucci. It received mixed reviews, with Nick de Semlyen at Empire writing, "Like its title, 'Lucky Number Slevin' isn't as clear as it thinks. It has its moments."

No. 13: "Lean on Me"

In the 1989 drama "Lean on Me," Morgan Freeman plays Joe Clark, a passionate but stubborn school principal determined to save an inner-city middle school from falling apart. The film received a 69 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Morgan's performance won him an outstanding lead actor prize at the 1991 NAACP Image Awards.

No. 12: "Amistad"

"Amistad" is a 1997 American historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg that's based on the true story of a 1839 mutiny aboard the slave ship La Amistad. Morgan Freeman stars as fictional abolitionist Theodore Joadson — a performance that won him an NAACP Image Award for outstanding supporting actor. The film received 3 out of 4 stars from Roger Ebert and a 63 percent rating from Metacritic.

No. 11: "Street Smart"

Although this film is not as well-known when it comes to Morgan Freeman's career, "Street Smart" was definitely a launching pad for the actor. Morgan and the late Christopher Reeve co-starred in the 1987 thriller about a magazine reporter, played by Christopher, who fabricates a story on prostitution to save his job and puts himself in danger with a pimp named Fast Black, played by Morgan.

No. 10: "Nurse Betty"

In the comedy "Nurse Betty," Morgan Freeman stars as an aging hitman named Charlie. The film follows Morgan, alongside Chris Rock and Renee Zellweger, through a wild journey involving a widow's post-traumatic obsession with a soap star.

No. 9: "Gone Baby Gone"

In "Gone Baby Gone" — Ben Affleck's 2007 directorial debut, an adaptation of a Dennis Lehane novel — Morgan Freeman plays Captain Jack Doyle, a Boston Police Department investigator. The plot centers on two private investigators hunting for an abducted 4-year-old girl. The film received 4.5 stars out of 5 from the late film critic Roger Ebert and a 94 percent fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

No. 8: "Seven"

Morgan Freeman stars as Detective William "Big Bill" Somerset in the David Fincher thriller "Seven." The film follows Bill, a seasoned homicide specialist just one week from retirement as he teams up with young hotshot David Mills (played by Brad Pitt) to solve one last case. "Seven" spent four consecutive weeks in the top spot at the U.S. box office in 1995 and was well-received by critics too.

No. 7: The "Dark Knight" trilogy films

Morgan Freeman plays Lucius Fox, a Wayne Enterprises executive and researcher, in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises." When "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" came out in March 2016, Morgan commented to "ET," "You know, I'm happy for [Ben Affleck, who's now playing Batman], but I don't know how that's gonna work. Because 'The Dark Knight' was almost 'it.' Pretty much it. Did you see 'Batman Begins'? I don't think you can beat that."

No. 6: "Glory"

Morgan Freeman stars alongside Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington and Cary Elwes in 1989's "Glory." The drama tells the story of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first Civil War Union Army units made up entirely of African-American soldiers. Morgan plays John Rawlins, a former gravedigger who rises to the rank of sergeant major. Morgan has said about the iconic film, "I don't know what my favorite film of mine is… But I think the most important film I was in was 'Glory.'"

No. 5: "Invictus"

Who else could play Nelson Mandela with such finesse? Morgan Freeman reunited with director Clint Eastwood — more on their other films later — for 2009's "Invictus," an incredible story about the late politician and activist's efforts to unite apartheid-torn South Africa. Morgan was nominated for a best actor Oscar in 2010 but lost to Jeff Bridges for his performance in "Crazy Heart." "The danger of course is always caricature. The biggest challenge was to sound like him. Everything else is easy to do, walk like him. He has a few ticks and things I noticed that I picked up," Morgan told She Knows of portraying the real-life leader.

No. 4: "Million Dollar Baby"

Another hit Morgan Freeman/Clint Eastwood collaboration, 2004's "Million Dollar Baby," features the actors and Hilary Swank in a somber boxing drama. Morgan narrates in character while playing Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris, an ex-fighter who trained under Clint's character, Frankie. The critically acclaimed film took home a total of four Oscars including a best supporting actor prize for Morgan.

No. 3: "Unforgiven"

Morgan Freeman stars as Ned Logan in the Best Picture Academy Award-winning film "Unforgiven," directed by Clint Eastwood. The story follows a retired Old West gunslinger named Bill Munny who takes on one last job with the help of his retired partner, Ned. Morgan said in an interview with Chideo Charity Network that he grew up enamored of westerns and the first real chance he got to do one himself was when Clint called and offered him a role in "Unforgiven."

No. 2: "Driving Miss Daisy"

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, "Driving Miss Daisy" is the story of the 25-year relationship between wealthy Southerner Mrs. Daisy Werthan, played by Jessica Tandy, and her aging chauffeur, Hoke Coburn, played by Morgan Freeman. "Driving Miss Daisy" won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 1990. Morgan scored a nom for best actor but lost to Daniel Day-Lewis, who won for his work in "My Left Foot."

No. 1: "The Shawshank Redemption"

Arguably the best film Morgan Freeman is known for, "The Shawshank Redemption" is an iconic and beloved movie in American cinematic history. Adapted from the Stephen King novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption," the movie tells the story of the bond between two imprisoned men. Morgan delivered an excellent performance in the role of Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding opposite Tim Robbins' Andy Dufresne, earning himself Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for best actor in 1995.