Gene Hackman has passed away at age 95 (Image: Getty)
Gene Hackman, a towering figure in American cinema, passed away on February 26, 2025, at the age of 95.
Over a career spanning four decades, Hackman built an incredible legacy, delivering unforgettable performances that earned him two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globes.
Known for his versatility, he played everything from ruthless villains to complex antiheroes, and even showcased his comedic chops in unexpected roles. Though he retired from acting in 2004, his influence on cinema remains undeniable.
As a tribute to his career, here are Gene Hackman’s ten best films, ranked from 10 to 1 .
10. Crimson Tide (1995)
IMDb Score: 7.4
A masterclass in tension and power struggles, Crimson Tide features Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey, a no-nonsense U.S. Navy commander on a nuclear submarine. When a crisis erupts, Ramsey clashes with his second-in-command, Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter, played by Denzel Washington. The film is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the dangers of military protocol and human error in high-stakes scenarios.
As Ramsey, Hackman exudes authority and intensity, against Washington’s more measured and logical character. Their battle of wits drives the film’s suspense.
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9. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
IMDb Score: 7.4
This epic war film, based on true events, tells the story of Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied attempt to end World War II quickly by capturing key bridges in the Netherlands. Hackman portrays Polish General Stanisław Sosabowski, a leader who questions the mission’s feasibility.
Despite being part of a massive ensemble cast that includes , Michael Caine, and Robert Redford, Hackman’s portrayal of Sosabowski is sharp, adding depth to a character who sees the cracks in an overly ambitious military operation.
8. Superman (1978)
IMDb Score: 7.4
In a career filled with serious dramatic roles, Hackman took a different route in Superman, playing the iconic villain Lex Luthor. As Superman’s arch-nemesis, Hackman brings charm, wit, and a sense of humor to the role, making Luthor more than just a stereotypical bad guy. Hackman reprised the role in Superman II (1980), further cementing his legacy as one of the best superhero movie villains of all time.
7. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
IMDb Score: 7.6
At the tail end of his career, Hackman took on one of his most endearing and complex roles: Royal Tenenbaum, the estranged and eccentric patriarch of Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. The film tells the story of a dysfunctional family of former child prodigies dealing with their past and their father’s sudden return.
Hackman’s Royal is described with complex adjectives – manipulative, selfish, and often insufferable – but his performance makes the character surprisingly likable to some. His performance earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor, proving that even when he was closer to retiring, he was still at the top of his game.
Superman, portrayed by Christopher Reeve, left, and Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, on the right (Image: AP)
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6. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
IMDb Score: 7.7
Bonnie and Clyde was the film that put Hackman on the map. Playing Buck Barrow, the brother of Clyde Barrow (Warren Beatty), Hackman delivered a breakout performance that earned him his first Oscar nomination.
The film revolutionized with its bold storytelling and graphic violence, but Hackman’s performance stood out as one of its strongest elements. He is credited with bringing a mix of charm and vulnerability to Buck, making him one of the most sympathetic characters in the film.
5. The French Connection (1971)
IMDb Score: 7.7
One of Hackman’s most iconic roles, The French Connection features him as Detective Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, a tough, relentless cop determined to bust a French heroin smuggling operation in New York City. The role won Hackman his first Academy Award for Best Actor.
Doyle is not a conventional hero – he’s described as brash, flawed, and obsessed – but Hackman’s portrayal makes him captivating from start to finish.
4. The Conversation (1974)
IMDb Score: 7.7
Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation is a tense psychological thriller about surveillance expert Harry Caul, played by Hackman, who becomes entangled in a potential murder plot. Unlike many of his more aggressive roles, Hackman plays Caul as a reserved and isolated man, slowly unraveling under paranoia and guilt.
Gene Hackman film Mississippi Burning (Image: -)
3. Mississippi Burning (1988)
IMDb Score: 7.8
In Mississippi Burning, Hackman plays FBI Agent Rupert Anderson, who, alongside his partner (Willem Dafoe), investigates the murder of civil rights activists in the racially charged American South of the 1960s. In his performance, Hackman was praised for balancing charm and toughness, showing a character who knows how to navigate difficult situations while still standing firm in his beliefs. His work earned him another Oscar nomination.
2. Young Frankenstein (1974)
IMDb Score: 8.0
A rare comedic turn for Hackman, Young Frankenstein sees him playing Harold, the blind hermit who unknowingly torments Frankenstein’s Monster in one of the film’s funniest scenes. Despite having just a small role, Hackman’s comedic timing is impeccable, and the contrast between his usual roles and this lighthearted production makes this appearance even more special.
1. Unforgiven (1992)
IMDb Score: 8.2
Topping the list is Unforgiven, ’s Oscar-winning Western that redefined the genre. Hackman plays Sheriff Little Bill Daggett, a brutal enforcer of the law who rules his town with an iron fist.
Unlike many Western villains, Little Bill isn’t just evil – he’s a complex, layered character who believes he’s doing the right thing. Hackman’s performance earned him his second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actor.