Ranking The Films Of The Coen Brothers

September 11th, 2008 by Wendy

Tagged as: Coen Brothers, No Country for Old Men

Two momentous Coen brothers events this week – The Big Lebowski celebrates 10 years with a new limited-edition DVD release… and the latest Coen bros film, Burn After Reading, hits theaters September 12. Check out our ranking of the Coen brother’s films – do you agree with our rundown?

12. The Ladykillers (2004)

Tom Hanks – Professor G.H. Dorr
Irma P. Hall – Marva Munson
Marlon Wayans – Gawain MacSam
J.K. Simmons – Garth Pancake
Tzi Ma – The General
Ryan Hurst – Lump Hudson

While we think this is an often overlooked Coen brothers flick, we’re betting this doesn’t make many people’s Coen top 5 list. Tom Hanks’ creepy Colonel Sanders vibe and the ragtag criminals (played by Marlon Wayans, J.K. Simmons, Tzi Ma and Ryan Hurst) provide some funny moments, but it’s not the Coen Bros’ finest. The Ladykillers tunnel their way to a casino vault, but the dark endings for each character prove that crime doesn’t pay.

11. Intolerable Cruelty (2003)

George Clooney – Miles
Catherine Zeta-Jones – Marylin
Geoffrey Rush – Donovan Donaly
Edward Herrmann – Rex Rexroth
Billy Bob Thornton – Howard D. Doyle

We have to put this one low on the list of Coen greats because, well, it was so completely mainstream that it didn’t even feel like Coen territory. Stars George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones sure make this one pretty, but it doesn’t have the hear t and soul of some of the brothers’ other quirky flicks.

10. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

Tim Robbins – Norville Barnes
Jennifer Jason Leigh – Amy Archer
Paul Newman – Sidney J. Mussburger
Charles Durning – Waring Hudsucker

The Hudsucker Proxy features a great cast – the amazing Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Robbins (and, hello?) Paul Newman – but the story and characters didn’t quite connect with all movie goers. If you found this tale of a stock scam and hula hoops a little out there, you weren’t alone. A look and feel that captures the 50s, Hudsucker was worth a look, but likely doesn’t grace many Coen fans’ collections.

9. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

Billy Bob Thornton – Ed Crane
Frances McDormand – Doris Crane
Michael Badalucco – Frank
James Gandolfini- Big Dave Brewster

This Coen flick, starring Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand, seemed to turn audiences off with its artsy black and white delivery. Those who gave it the time of day, however, found a thoughtful and well-done Coen creation, beautifully acted by Thornton and McDormand and a fun time for fans of film noir. It looks amazing, but a lot of people passed it up – give this tale of blackmail gone wrong a second chance.

8. Barton Fink (1991)

John Turturro – Barton Fink
John Goodman – Charlie Meadows
Judy Davis- Audrey Taylor
Michael Lerner- Jack Lipnick

A dark comedy in the Cohen brothers’ tradition, Barton Fink stars John Turturro as the title character, a successful Broadway playwright faced with writer’s block when he moves to 1941 Hollywood for his big break as a screenplay writer. While Barton Fink won a number of Cannes awards (and Michael Lerner received an Oscar nomination), audiences were largely bored because of the slow-pace of the film. Hang in there and you’ll find a smart, funny tale of Hollywood and hell – oftentimes they’re one and the same.

7. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

George Clooney – Everett
John Turturro – Pete
Tim Blake Nelson – Delmar
John Goodman – Big Dan Teague
Holly Hunter – Penny

Clooney, Turturro and Nelson escape from a 1930s Mississippi chain gang. It’s odd – it’s different – heck, it’s the Coen brothers, whaddya want? It’s definitely not a film for the masses – and people either love or hate O Brother, Where Art Though. O Brother offers up a lot of fun and interesting little bits throughout, but collectively, it doesn’t completely satisfy. Love those Soggy Bottom Boys though.

6. Blood Simple (1984)

John Getz – Ray
Frances McDormand – Abby
Dan Hedaya – Julian Marty
M. Emmet Walsh- Loren Visser

Blood Simple was our first introduction to the Coen brothers – and they didn’t disappoint. This thriller set the stage for many amazing Coen collaborations to come and featured Frances McDormand (who married Joel Coen the year Blood Simple came out) as a cheating wife – her rich husband hires shifty private detective M. Emmet Walsh to kill his cheatin’ wife and her lover – but oh how deliciously the double -crossing goes down.

5. Raising Arizona (1987)

Nicolas Cage – H.I. McDunnough
Holly Hunter – Edwina ‘Ed’ McDunnough
Trey Wilson – Nathan Arizona
John Goodman – Gale Snoats
William Forsythe – Evelle Snoats

This is Nicolas Cage at his finest and a Coen classic, to be sure. Raising Arizona is the hilarious tale of n’er-do-well ex-con H.I. and straight shooting ex-cop wife Ed (Holly Hunter) – their infertility issues lead them to kidnap one of the Arizona Quints (Ed asserts: “They got more than they can handle.”). Supporting players in Arizona include John Goodman and William Forsythe as escaped cons, Randall “Tex” Cobb as bounty hunter and Frances McDormand and Sam McMurray as friendly (albeit weird) neighbors. Raising Arizona is nothing short of a comedy gem.

4. Miller’s Crossing (1990)

Gabriel Byrne – Tom Reagan
Albert Finney – Liam ‘Leo’ O’Bannon
Marcia Gay Harden – Verna Bernbaum
John Turturro – Bernie Bernbaum
Jon Polito – Johnny Caspar

Powerhouse actors Gabriel Byrne, Albert Finney and John Turturro (not to mention Marcia Gay Harden in her film debut) make Miller’s Crossing a force to be reckoned with. Complex and glorious, in the Coen brothers way, Miller’s Crossing is a smarter, savvier gangster flick than most. This violent and bloody 1930’s mobster movie sets the bar very, very high.

3. No Country For Old Men (2007)

Tommy Lee Jones – Sheriff Ed Tom Bell
Javier Bardem – Anton Chigurh
Josh Brolin – Llewelyn Moss
Woody Harrelson- Carson Wells

This Oscar winning movie (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor Javier Bardem) had critics foaming at the mouth. The amazing cast, remarkable script and oh-so-creepy undertones kept movie-goers riveted. No Country is a suspense movie of the highest caliber. While the abrupt ending had more than a few folks scratching their heads, overall, Coen brilliance shines in No Country.

2. The Big Lebowski (1998)

Jeff Bridges – Jeffrey Lebowski – The Dude
John Goodman – Walter Sobchak
Julianne Moore – Maude Lebowski
Steve Buscemi – Theodore Donald ‘Donny’ Kerabatsos
Sam Elliott – The Stranger

Lebowski has a huge fan following – in fact, there’s a Lebowski festival devoted entirely to this Coen brothers’ tour de force. But when Lebowski hit theaters, it didn’t fill the seats. Over time, Lebowski has built momentum to become a hallmark of the Coen’s. It’s a case of mistaken identity for the Dude in a twisted tale ripe with juicy dialog. And hell, who doesn’t love The Dude? (For more Dude-lovin, visit our picks for The 20 Best Stoner Movies)

1. Fargo

Frances McDormand – Police Chief Marge Gunderson
William H. Macy – Jerome ‘Jerry’ Lundegaard
Steve Buscemi – Carl Showalter
Peter Stormare – Gaear Grimsrud

You just can’t get much better than Fargo in the Coen brothers film collection. As good as many of their films are, Fargo is the Coen masterpiece. The horrifying, hilarious and all around flawless storytelling and character development are perfectly married with brilliant turns by William H. Macy and Frances McDormand (who won an Oscar for her role as Marge Gunderson). While most Coen flicks are works of art, we crown Fargo the best of the best.

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38 Comments, add yours

38 Responses to “Ranking The Films Of The Coen Brothers”

On September 12th 2008, Ben wrote:

Good list but Intolerable Cruelty should be much higher and No Country (while the best looking Coen film to date) should be a bit lower.
On September 13th 2008, Jason wrote:

Soggy Bottom Boy, man. come on.
On September 13th 2008, Jason wrote:

Boys*
On September 13th 2008, Jiffy Summers wrote:

LOL, you picked some good ones dude. Well done.

Jiff
http://www.anonymize.us.tc
On September 13th 2008, Ranking the Coen Brothers Movies - Los Angeles Kings Hockey Fan Forum wrote:

[...] Ranking The Films Of The Coen Brothers | Movie Crunch Tough, tough, tough. Here are my top 5: 1. Miller’s Crossing – a perfect film, with a great story [...]
On September 13th 2008, jack wrote:

great list, but the big lebowski should be number 1 dude
On September 13th 2008, jacos wrote:

That’s how I would have it, although I would switch Lebowski and Fargo.

Lebowski one of my all time favorites.
On September 13th 2008, Terrence Thurber wrote:

ur kidding? fargo over lebowski? … right. Big L > *

pretty good list though
On September 13th 2008, Tyson wrote:

Actually, Hudsucker Proxy is my favorite Coen Bros. film. It’s absolutely brilliant. From the writing, the atmosphere to the acting. One of my favorite movies of all time, and them at their peak not that they’ve fallen too far, they’ve just evolved.
On September 13th 2008, X wrote:

The Big Lebowsky will probably always be the most hilarious movie in the world
On September 13th 2008, Smoothape wrote:

Have to agree with this list so far…Fargo is No.1 and will most likely remain in that spot. It is my top 10 movies of all time. I have to say that Ladykillers should never have been made. It was terrible. Please rent the 1955 original starring Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers. Guinness as Prof. Marcus is spot on creepy, then you will agree with me.

Looking forward to burn after reading. Why did you only include 12 movies, are you missing a few??
On September 13th 2008, melies wrote:

sogggy bottom not fogggy!!!
On September 13th 2008, Ben wrote:

Nice list, although it is the Soggy Bottom Boys in O Brother, not Foggy.
On September 13th 2008, Mick Russom wrote:

Lebowski is #1 by a long shot. Period End.
On September 13th 2008, Mr.Dandy wrote:

I might kick The Man Who Wasn’t There up one notch, other than that I think you are right on the money. Fargo is definitely my top. Nice list!
On September 13th 2008, Glenn Abel wrote:

Blood Simple No. 1

all in the top 10 are great, of course …
On September 13th 2008, Coen Bro3 wrote:

I love every one of these movies, and only now did I realize that they are all Coen Bros. movies.
I just worked out that I am a Coen fan. ha
On September 13th 2008, big dan wrote:

i don’t know who the Foggy Bottom Boys are, but the Soggy Bottom Boys were in O’ Brother Where Art Thou.
On September 14th 2008, DD wrote:

I think ‘O Brother’ needs to be higher than ‘Raising Arizona’ – it’s a genius of a film.
On September 14th 2008, Bill wrote:

Agree with everything except that slots 1 and 2 should be swapped.

The dude abides.
On September 16th 2008, Will wrote:

I only liked a few movies of the Cohen’s. The Big Lebowski I absolutely loved (it should be #1), but I found movies like No Country excruciatingly slow with not a satisfying ending. Fargo was a solid movie, while O Brother was downright hilarious.
On September 16th 2008, Andrew T wrote:

Hudsucker number 10?! Come on! At least…top 7.
On September 19th 2008, design wrote:

The Hudsucker Proxy should have gotten #4 and say what you want, but No Country for Old Men was boring. Also, I’m inclined to think the Big Lebowski should be #1, but I respect Fargo enough to say it’s a judgment call.
On October 14th 2008, REL wrote:

I’m about as big a Coen Brothers fan as they come but I have to say that No Country for Old Men was pretty damn boring, almost as bad as Lost in Translation (and that’s saying a lot)!!! Intolerable Cruelty and the Hudsucker Proxy should be higher while The man who wasn’t there should be lower.
Oh, and Lebowski is def #1!!!
On November 4th 2008, Bored in class. wrote:

I disagree with this film, quite a lot. I’m a huge Coen brothers fan. I guess I’m going against the grain when I say that I really enjoy the slower films they make. With that being said my favorite Coen Brothers film is, Barton Fink. It is absolutely amazing, and definitely isn’t for everyone. My second favorite is Miller’s Crossing, then Raising Arizona followed by Fargo, then No Country For Old Men, then Big Lebowski, then Blood Simple and I haven’t given the other films much thought. Its pretty Cliché to see Fargo and Lebowski at #1, though they are good films, they have made much better if you look harder and look with an open mind. Oh and the abrupt endings are almost a trademark to Coen films
On November 19th 2008, Mj2112 wrote:

Good list. Have to say though that Blood Simple is one of my favorite Coen Bros. films. I would definitely rank it higher than No Country. Maybe tied with Big L for second.
On December 9th 2008, Sander wrote:

Good choice, Fargo is indeed all time best !

All of them are wonderful tbh, my favorite Coen’s actor remains Turturro !
On December 10th 2008, Big Dan A wrote:

Miller’s Crossing is the best Ganster movie EVER and best Coen’s movie.

followed by No Country, the Big L and Raising AZ,

Blood Simple and Fargo were excellent but also had scenes (foot in shredder – Fargo) and (buried alive- Simple) that disturb me to this day so…..

Hudsucker proxy , Barton Fink and O Brother were very good.
I didn’t see The Man who wasn’t there so I don’t know. Intolerable Cruelity (Boring) and Ladykillers (very boring) should not have been made.
On December 10th 2008, Ranking The Films Of The Coen Brothers : Movie Coupons - Entertainment News wrote:

[...] View the rest of the list here… [...]
On December 10th 2008, Moysianfitz wrote:

I am a long time fan of the Coen Bros. films, where “Lebowski,” “Miller’s Crossing” and “Fargo” easily became three of my top favorites of their releases.

I am also a huge fan of the often panned “Hudsucker Proxy,” which is often denegrated to one of the Coen “also-rans.” The film is fabulously cast with Paul Newman, Tim Robbins, and Jennifer Jason Leigh playing well-crafted roles that seemed to be crafted specifically for them. Take some time to replay (many times) the film segment that begins about one hour into the movie and runs a bit over 8 minutes. It begins with Norville’s introduction of the “Dingus” to the Hudsucker Board, and concludes with the the Hula Hoop ultimately selling for more than twice its introductory price. Movie-making doesn’t get any better than this!
On December 13th 2008, Benchwarmer wrote:

Certainly don’t agree entirely with the list, but “The Ladykillers” certainly should be last and yes “Fargo” is one of my all-time favourite films and the best film the Coens have ever made!
On December 29th 2008, dale wrote:

big lebowski #1 raising arizona #2 Iliked Fargo #2 cause i was born there but the laughs came with a head ache to to much a thinking movie
On January 1st 2009, All in For 2008 (Year-End Blowout #6) « The Flehmen Response wrote:

[...] If you’re a Coen Brothers fan, take a gander at this site that’s RANKING THE FILMS OF THE COEN BROTHERS. [...]
On January 18th 2009, Sneaky Pete wrote:

I admire all you people who can so readily rank these films. I would have to watch them all again – and would gladly engage in that indulgence – to attempt to pick my favorites. I have no argument, however, with Fargo as number one. If I’m channel surfing and find it on – I’m there for the duration. For those of you who don’t like No Country’s ending, I had to ponder it for a few minutes to decide the film was “about” Tommy Lee Jone’s character, and not “about” the plot. And as far as disturbing images in Coen Brothers movies, I think that’s one of the amazing things about them. To me, Javier Bardem’s handcuffed strangling of that deputy is one of the most powerful segments of cinema I’ve ever witnessed. Those boot scuffs on the floor – holy shit! … only the Coen brothers.
On February 12th 2009, Doug Abbott wrote:

Great list of great movies. I think the brothers should buy “Sometimes a Great Notion” from Ken Kesey or Paul Newman’s estate and make the movie. Newman made a version that was miscast and missed the whole vibe that Kesey created. The scene where the owner of the laudromat/movie theatre is putting letters in the marquee and decides that the trouble with life is there aren’t enough “e’s” is priceless Coen-type material. Newman never got the humor that made Kesey great. The Coen’s are the only ones who could do the book justice.
On April 29th 2009, geoff wrote:

oh brother #1 for me…it’s a re-telling of homer’s odyssey, has great humour and since seeing the film i learned the history of the rock candy mountain song which the soggy bottom boys sang
On May 1st 2009, hal crandall wrote:

o’brother and arizona should both be much higher. and i felt that no countrys ending was left on the cutting room floor.
On May 28th 2009, The 21 Greatest Comedies of the 80s | Movie Crunch wrote:

[...] some dispute over whether this Coen brothers film should land on any best lists – some people flat-out hate it or rate it low on the rundown of Coen flicks. On our 80s list [...]