Ranking all Coen Brothers Movies: About | Video | Movie by Year | Other Lists |

Coen Brothers holding their Oscar awards.

Joel Coen, born on November 29, 1954, and Ethan Coen, born on September 21, 1957, together form the dynamic force recognized worldwide as the Coen Brothers. This prolific movie-making duo is renowned as American film directors, producers, screenwriters, and editors, and has left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. With an unparalleled ability to seamlessly traverse genres and styles, the Coen Brothers are celebrated for crafting films that artfully blend comedy and drama, placing eccentric characters in the spotlight amid intricately woven and often enigmatic storylines.

The Coen Brothers’ cinematic odyssey has been a captivating rollercoaster for both audiences and critics alike. Some of their films stand as towering achievements, earning widespread critical acclaim and a devoted fan following. Masterpieces like “Fargo,” “No Country for Old Men,” and “The Big Lebowski” have left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. However, even the most revered filmmakers encounter moments that don’t strike the same chord with critics. The Coen Brothers, too, have had films that divided opinions, prompting varied critiques like “Ladykillers.” Despite occasional dissent, their ability to create unique and thought-provoking cinema has solidified their place as one of the most influential and distinctive filmmaking teams in the industry.

* Understanding Tier Lists *

List of Coen Brothers Movies by Year

Blood Simple (1984)

Blood Simple Dan Hedaya Frances McDormand Photo By Getty Images

Starring: John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya

The Coen Brothers’ debut film, “Blood Simple,” is a neo-noir masterpiece weaving a tale of infidelity, betrayal, and murder in the Texas heat, showcasing their innate ability to craft tension and suspense.

TIER: A tier

Raising Arizona (1987)

Raising Arizon

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson

This zany comedy, starring Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter, catapults audiences into a whirlwind of slapstick humor and heartwarming absurdity as a couple navigates the challenges of parenthood through unconventional means.

TIER: B tier

Miller’s Crossing (1990)

Millers Crossing Gabriel Byrne John Turturro

Starring: Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney, John Turturro

Set against the backdrop of Prohibition, “Miller’s Crossing” is a gripping crime drama intricately exploring themes of loyalty and betrayal within the Irish mob, with Gabriel Byrne delivering a standout performance.

TIER: S tier

Barton Fink (1991)

Barton Fink John Goodman John Turturro Twentieth Century Fox

Starring: John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis

A surreal journey into the psyche of a struggling playwright, “Barton Fink” is a cinematic puzzle that delves into the blurred lines between creativity and madness, showcasing the Coen Brothers’ penchant for thought-provoking storytelling.

TIER: A tier

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

The Hudsucker Proxy Paul Newman Tim Robbins Pin 1994 Warner Brothers

Starring: Tim Robbins, Paul Newman, Jennifer Jason Leigh

In this satirical comedy, the Coen Brothers satirize corporate culture through the rise of a naive executive, played by Tim Robbins, delivering a visually stunning and thematically rich exploration of ambition.

TIER: C tier

Fargo (1996)

Fargo 1996 Frances McDormand

Starring: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi

A darkly humorous crime drama set in the snow-covered landscapes of Minnesota, “Fargo” stands as a cinematic triumph, blending suspense, humor, and memorable characters into a chilling narrative that earned Frances McDormand an Academy Award.

TIER: S Tier

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Julianne Moore Big Lebowski

Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore

A cult classic, “The Big Lebowski” introduces audiences to the laid-back, bowling-loving Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, played by Jeff Bridges, navigating a case of mistaken identity in this offbeat, comedic gem.

TIER: S tier

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

O Brother Where Art Thou 2000 George Clooney John Turturro And Tim Blake Nelson

Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson

Set in the Depression-era South, this musical comedy follows three escaped convicts on a quest for treasure and redemption, featuring a soundtrack that enriches the film’s whimsical charm.

TIER: B Tier

The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

Billy Bob Thornton And Jon Polito In The Man Who Wasnt There 2001

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Frances McDormand, Michael Badalucco

A neo-noir crime film, “The Man Who Wasn’t There” explores the consequences of a barber’s entanglement in a blackmail scheme, blending stunning black-and-white cinematography with a tale of moral ambiguity.

TIER: B tier

Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

George Clooney And Catherine Zeta Jones In Intolerable Cruelty 2003

Starring: George Clooney, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Geoffrey Rush

George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in this romantic comedy that satirizes the world of divorce and high-stakes romance, offering a witty take on love, greed, and the absurdity of relationships.

TIER: E tier

The Ladykillers (2004)

Tom Hanks Tzi Ma Ryan Hurst And J.K. Simmons In The Ladykillers 2004

Starring: Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayans, Irma P. Hall

While Tom Hanks delivers an inspired performance, this Coen Brothers offering stands as a relatively minor work, exploring caper elements with a comedic twist but falling short of their usual brilliance.

TIER: E Tier

No Country For Old Men (2007)

No Country For Old Men 2007 Javier Bardem

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin

Bolstered by powerful performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones, “No Country for Old Men” is a gripping adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel, showcasing the Coen Brothers’ ability to spin cinematic gold from dark and grim material.

TIER: S tier

Burn After Reading (2008)

Brad Pitt Frances McDormand And Richard Jenkins In Burn After Reading 2008

Starring: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt

With sharp wit and an outlandish plot, “Burn After Reading” is a clever comedy/thriller featuring memorable characters and the Coen Brothers’ trademark blend of humor and suspense.

TIER: A tier

A Serious Man (2009)

Richard Kind And Michael Stuhlbarg In A Serious Man 2009

Starring: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt

Blending dark humor with profoundly personal themes, “A Serious Man” stands as one of the Coen Brothers’ most mature films, exploring existential questions through the lens of a troubled physics professor.

TIER: A tier

True Grit (2010)

True Grit 2010 Jeff Bridges Matt Damon And Hailee Steinfeld

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld

Girded by strong performances from Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit” is a finely tuned Western that pays homage to Charles Portis’s novel, showcasing the Coen Brothers’ unaffected work.

TIER: B tier

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Inside Llewyn Davis 2013 Oscar Isaac Justin Timberlake And Adam Driver

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman

Smart, funny, and profoundly melancholy, “Inside Llewyn Davis” finds the Coen Brothers in fine form, exploring the folk music scene of the 1960s with a characteristically poignant touch.

TIER: S Tier

Hail Caesar (2016)

Hail Caesar 2016 Josh Brolin And Tilda Swinton

Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich

Packed with period detail and a stellar cast, “Hail, Caesar!” serves as a lightweight love letter to post-war Hollywood, capturing the Coen Brothers’ knack for balancing satire with genuine affection.

TIER: C tier

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)

The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs 2018 Tim Blake Nelson

Starring: Tim Blake Nelson, James Franco, Liam Neeson

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” avoids anthology pitfalls, offering a consistent collection tied together by the Coen Brothers’ signature blend of dark drama and black humor, creating a memorable cinematic experience.

TIER: A Tier

Each of the Coen Brothers movies is a unique tapestry of storytelling brilliance.

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