Woody Harrelson is one Hollywood star who makes the headlines, as much for his movies, as for his activism. The actor has dedicated his time and resources to causes related to environmental protection and peace. In the midst of his activism, Harrelson has also gone on to establish an illustrious career which has seen him feature in several highly-acclaimed movies and TV series. Want to know more about his best and worst projects, read on to find out all you need to know.
Woody Harrelson Movies and TV Shows Rated From Best To Worst
1. No Country for Old Men
Production Budget – $25 million
Box Office –$ 171.6 million
No Country for Old Men is a 2007 drama/mystery about a Vietnam vet named Moss who discovers $2 million at the scene of a drug deal-gone-wrong. Moss escapes with the money with both the law and men of the underworld hot on his trail.
The film featured Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee Jones while Harrelson played the role of a bounty hunter named Carson. The movie was a commercial and critical success as it won the 2008 Oscar for best picture. No Country for Old Men has a score of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 91% on Metacritic.
2. Zombieland
Production Budget – $23 million
Box Office – $102.3 million
If zombie films are your cup of tea, then this Woody Harrelson movie is for you. Zombieland is a 2009 post-apocalyptic horror/comedy film directed by Reuben Fleischer. The movie revolves around four survivors of a zombie apocalypse as they attempt to find a safe haven whilst avoiding the undead.
The film featured stars such as Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and of course, Harrelson. It was a critical and commercial success and is one of the highest-grossing zombie films of all times. Zombieland has a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 73% on Metacritic.
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Production Budget – $12–15 million
Box Office – $159.2 million
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a 2017 dark comedy about a mother named Mildred who is bent on getting justice for her murdered daughter. Sensing complacency from the police, Mildred launches three billboards outside her hometown in order to goad them into action, infuriating the townsfolk and the local police chief, Bill Willoughby, along the way.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri featured Frances McDormand as Mildred while Woody Harrelson portrayed the role of Bill. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best-supporting actor. The film meanwhile has a score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88% on Metacritic.
4. The Messenger
Production Budget – $6.5 million
Box Office – $1.5 million
The Messenger is a 2009 war drama about an injured soldier, Sergeant Hill Montgomery, who is posted to the Army’s Casualty Notification Service. Hill initially flounders at this task but soon adapts under the tutelage of his superior, Captain Stone (portrayed by Harrelson).
The Messenger is the Woody Harrelson movie which is widely accepted as his best performance yet. The film would go on to fetch him several accolades including an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for best actor. It further holds a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77% on Metacritic.
5. The People vs Larry Flint
Box Office – $20.3 million
Production Budget – $35 million
If there is one Woody Harrelson movie that should make your must-see list, then it is The People vs. Larry Flint, a 1996 biopic/drama film based on the life of Larry Flint, the publisher of a pornographic magazine known as Hustler. Flint embarked on an epic legal battle with several institutions, including the church, in order to protect the right of free speech.
Woody Harrelson portrayed the lead role of Flynt and his performance earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor. The People vs. Larry Flint has a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 79% on Metacritic.
6. White Men Can’t Jump
Production Budget – $31 million
Box Office – $90.8 million
White Men Can’t Jump is a 1992 sports drama film about Billy Hoyle, a white basketball player who banks on black players underestimating his skills on the courts. Billy later joins forces with a black player named Sidney Deane, and they become partners in the con game.
White Men Can’t Jump featured Harrelson as Billy while Wesley Snipes played the role of Sidney. The film was a critical and commercial success. It further holds a rating of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65% on Metacritic.
7. Cheers
Cheers is an NBC sitcom that ran from 1982 to 1993. The series revolved around the employees and patrons of a fictional Boston bar known as Cheers. The bar itself was founded by a former baseball player named Sam.
Cheers featured the likes of Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer while Harrelson portrayed the role of Woody. His performance on the TV series earned him an Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.
8. Money Train
Production Budget – $68 million
Box Office – $77.2 million
Money Train is a 1995 buddy cop/thriller about two foster brothers, Charlie and John, who are both NYC transit cops. Charlie is a compulsive gambler while John is the more responsible of the two. Charlie later plots to rob the money train and John must decide whether to join in the heist or stop him.
Money Train featured Woody Harrelson as Charlie while Wesley Snipes played the role of John in the movie that received mixed reviews though the lead stars were commended for their chemistry. The film has a score of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and 28% on Metacritic.
9. She Hate Me
Production Budget – $8 million
Box Office – $1.5 million
She Hate Me is a 2004 indie comedy/drama directed by Spike Lee. The movie revolves around a young executive named Jack who is unjustly fired from work. Jack later sets up a lucrative gig as a sperm donor of sorts, impregnating lesbian women for a fee.
She Hate Me featured the likes of Anthony Mackie and Kerry Washington while Harrelson played the role of Jack’s boss, Leland. The movie received mostly negative reviews and generated several controversies. It further has a score of 19% on Rotten Tomatoes.
10. Play It To The Bone
Production Budget – $24 million
Box Office – $8.4 million
Play It To The Bone is one Woody Harrelson movie that failed to impress neither the critics nor moviegoers. The 1999 sports comedy/drama revolved around two professional boxers and best friends, Vince and Caesar, who haven’t competed in years. They later travel to Las Vegas to fight each other for a chance to compete for the middleweight title.
The film featured Harrelson as Vince while Antonio Banderas portrayed Caesar. As stated above, the film failed to impress either the critics or moviegoers. It has a score of 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and 32% on Metacritic.
