Frances McDormand has been delivering unforgettable performance for decades now. Her presence on screen is immediately compelling and she possesses a rare versatility that allows her to easily transition between different genres and various types of characters.
McDormand can be as funny and charming as she can be intimidating and powerful. She always feels authentic no matter who kind of film she is in and she is often one of the most memorable aspects of whatever film she is in. Given her talent, it’s not surprising she has been involved in so many beloved films. Here are Frances McDormand’s best movies, according to IMDb.
The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001) - 7.5
As we’ll see throughout this list, McDormand, who is married to Joel Coen, has appeared in many of the Coen Brothers’ films over the years. The Man Who Wasn’t There is an interesting drama set in the 1940s and stars Billy Bob Thorton as a barber of very few words.
The barber sets in motion a plan to blackmail a local wealthy man who is having an affair with his wife (McDormand). Of course, the plan goes horribly wrong. The film is filled with the kind of dry wit and colorful characters that are expected in the Coens’ movies. It is a bizarre yet compelling period piece.
Blood Simple (1984) - 7.6
McDormand’s career took off with her first collaboration with the Coens in their very first film. Blood Simple is a dark and intense noir film about a seedy bar owner who hires an even seedier private detective to kill his wife and her lover. McDormand plays the wife.
The film is a brilliant debut for the filmmakers who craft an engrossing and violent crime story that also hinted at their own unique approach to such genres. McDormand gives a stunning breakout performance and she really gets to shine in the violent climax.
Short Cuts (1993) - 7.7
McDormand got the chance to work with the acclaimed filmmaker Robert Altman in one of his best works. Short Cuts is a funny and interesting film that tells a variety of different stories about people living in Los Angeles and dealing with their various relationships.
McDormand is joined by an all-star ensemble including Tim Robbins, Lily Tomlin, and Robert Downey Jr. Altman proves to be a master of this kind of ensemble film as he manages to deliver a satisfying and interesting story out of all these smaller pieces.
Primal Fear (1996) - 7.7
Primal Fear is an intense courtroom drama filled with mystery and memorable twists. Richard Gere stars as an immoral defense lawyer who takes a case defended a young man accused of murder (Edward Norton). As the case goes on, the lawyer begins to realize there may be more than meets the eye. McDormand plays a psychiatrist who examines the accused murderer.
The film is a gripping drama from beginning to end. Norton gives an amazing performance as the complex defendant and the film continues to reveal more as it builds to a shocking and unforgettable ending.
Mississippi Burning (1988) - 7.8
Mississippi Burning is a fictionalized look at a very real dark period of American history. Set in the 1960s, Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe star as two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of Civil Rights workers in a Mississippi community. McDormand plays the wife of a racist deputy in the town.
The film is a gripping look at how high racism can reach in a community like this. Hackman and Dafoe are powerful as two very different lawmen willing to bend the rules in order to see justice done for a horrific crime.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - 7.8
McDormand joined the magical world of Wes Anderson for this charming coming-of-age story. Moonrise Kingdom is set in a remote island community that is thrown into chaos as a young boy and girl decide to run away together. McDormand plays the young girl’s mother.
The film is filled with the kind of visual splendor and unique humor that makes Anderson’s films so enjoyable. McDormand finds herself joined by an amazing cast including Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, and Edward Norton.
Isle Of Dogs (2018) - 7.9
McDormand reteamed with Anderson again for his second stop-motion animated feature. Isle of Dogs is set in a Japanese town where the corrupt government has exile on its dogs to a trash island. One pack of dogs attempts to help a young boy reunite with his beloved pet.
Like his previous stop-motion adventures, the animation style proves to work wonderfully with Anderson’s own filmmaking style. It is a beautiful looking film filled with laughs and some genuinely touching moments.
Almost Famous (2000) - 7.9
Almost Famous is a semi-autobiographical film from writer-director Cameron Crowe. The film stars Patrick Fugit as an aspiring music journalist in the 1970s who joins an up-and-coming rock group as they go on tour. McDormand plays the boy’s overprotective yet loving mother.
The film is a wonderful and entertaining love letter to the music scene at the time as well as a sweet coming of age story. It features a fantastic cast with standouts from Kate Hudson as the groupie who steals the young boys’ heart and Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a passionate rock journalist.
Fargo (1996) - 8.1
Fargo - the movie that inspired FX’s hit TV show - is yet another collaboration between McDormand and the Coens. This is also probably their most famous film together. McDormand stars as a pregnant sheriff in a small Minnesota community who begins investigating murders that are intertwined with a complex kidnapping case.
McDormand shines, in the role that won her first Oscar, as the extremely polite yet completely determined officer of the law. The mix of Midwestern hospitality and gruesome violence makes for a funny, shocking and completely captivating crime film that cemented the Coens as master of the genre.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) - 8.2
McDormand won her second Oscar for a much less polite yet equally determined character in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDormand plays a woman whose daughter was brutally murdered, and the case has gone unsolved. Frustrated with the lack of action, she rents three local billboards to attack the local police department.
The film comes from Martin McDonagh who delivers a funny, intense and thought-provoking story with complex characters. McDormand gives a powerhouse performance that mixes grief, anger, and understanding.
