15 Best Richard Gere Movies Of All Time

With a career spanning more than four decades, American actor Richard Gere has cemented his legacy as one of the finest actors in Hollywood. Once he dropped out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst to pursue a career in acting, he never looked back. Here are the fifteen best Richard Gere movies of all time:

 

15. The Hoax (2006)

Howard Hughes was one of the most eccentric figures of his generation. He was a successful businessman, pilot, engineer, philanthropist, investor, and director. The dude even had a biopic starring none other than Leonardo DiCaprio.

So it only makes sense that people became excited when his autobiography was released. However, it turned out to be a sham. Based on the real-life hoax, the movie stars Richard Gere portraying novelist Clifford Irving who wrote and sold an autobiography of Hughes despite never contacting him.

 

14. Breathless (1983)

Jesse Lujack found himself in deep trouble when he stole a Porsche and recklessly drove it around the city. When a policeman tries to stop him, he impulsively shoots him with a gun that is in the car’s glove box.

As he flees to Los Angeles, Jesse believes that his problems are long behind him but is proven wrong when he is labeled as the “cop killer” after his pictures begin circulating on television and in newspapers.

 

13. American Gigolo (1980)

Julian Kaye is a male escort who must clear his name after being framed for the murder of one of his clients. The neo-noir crime drama flick was a huge stepping stone for Richard Gere as it established him as a leading star in Hollywood.

However, the actor almost missed out on his big break. John Travolta was initially offered a controversial role but soon backed out. On an interesting note, Gere has played four roles in his illustrious career that had been offered and rejected by Travolta.

 

12. Sommersby (1993)

Six years have passed since the American Civil War and John Sommersby has not returned to his farm yet. He made the courageous decision to enlist himself in the war at the expense of his wife Laurel and son Rob being alone at home.

Believing that her husband is dead, Laurel plans to marry her neighbor Orin Meacham who has been helping her with the farmwork. Before the festivities can begin, Sommersby makes a shocking return but Laurel suspects that he is an imposter.

 

11. Internal Affairs (1990)

Dennis Peck’s days of being a crooked cop in the LAPD are numbered. Extortion, corruption, illicit dealings with criminals, and murder barely scratch the surface of his abuse of power.

Once Raymond Avilla of LAPD’s Internal Affairs Division begins to investigate a drug bust conducted by Peck, the latter soon realizes that he must cover up his trail to escape potential arrest.

 

10. I’m Not There (2007)

Bob Dylan is one of the most influential musicians of all time and when his biopic I’m Not There was announced, everyone was curious about who the leading actor will be. In an unexpected turn of events, seven different actors were hired to portray different aspects of the singer’s life.

From Christian Bale to Heath Ledger, among the six cast members to portray Dylan was none other than Richard Gere. Even Dylan himself liked the biopic and praised the performances of all the six actors who played him.

 

9. Yanks (1979)

At the height of his career, Richard Gere was the go-to guy for dramatic and romantic roles. In Yanks, He stars as Technical Sergeant Matt Dyson. Set during World War II, American soldiers are stationed in Northern England.

As the soldiers explore foreign soil, they soon develop an attraction for English women. Sergeant Dyson is no exception. When he encounters Jean Moreton outside a cinema, the two soon begin a relationship with each other.

 

8. The Cotton Club (1984)

Directed by five-time Academy Award winner Francis Ford Coppola, The Cotton Club revolves around musician Michael “Dixie” Dwyer who seeks help from the mob to advance his career.

Though he becomes a big shot in Hollywood and his acting career finally takes off, his connection with the mob comes back to haunt him. Apart from Richard Gere, the movie features a star-studded cast of Nicolas Cage, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Bob Hoskins, etc.

 

7. Arbitrage (2012)

Hedge fund billionaire Robert Miller once ruled an enormous business empire but after years of fraud, he fears seeing it collapse. As soon as he decides to sell it for a huge profit, problems keep piling up.

Miller’s daughter and CFO of his company Brooke could face prison time due to financial irregularities. Additionally, his marriage could fall apart due to his affair with a younger woman. With luck nowhere in sight, Miller must step up to take care of his family and business.

 

6. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

College graduate Zachary Mayo has begun his training at the Aviation Officer Candidate School. He soon finds love when he crosses paths with local factory worker, Paula Pokrifki.

That does not make his rigorous training any less easy as Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley constantly tests his physical and mental fitness. An Officer and a Gentleman was a huge box office success and became the third-highest-grossing movie of 1982, after E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Tootsie.

 

5. Pretty Woman (1990)

After being dumped by his girlfriend, successful businessman Edward Lewis hires prostitute Vivian Ward to escort him to several business and social functions. He even pays a hefty fee of $3000 to stay with him for six days.

Though the deal goes smoothly, Edward can no longer hide the fact that he has fallen in love with Vivian. Despite a stubby budget of just $14 million, Pretty Woman was a smash hit at the box office and earned $463.4 million.

 

4. Chicago (2002)

A tale of suspense, murder, and spotlight, Chicago stars Richard Gere as a smooth-talking lawyer named Billy Flynn who gathers public support for his clients by turning them into celebrities.

With housewife Roxie Hart and showgirl Velma Kelly as his current clients, Flynn must prove them not guilty of murder. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Picture whereas Richard Gere won the Golden Globe for Best Actor.

 

3. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)

They don’t call dogs “man’s best friend” for nothing. When music professor Parker Wilson finds a puppy, he takes it intending to return it to its rightful owner. Unsuccessful in finding the owner, Wilson decides to keep the puppy as his pet.

As the puppy develops a fondness for his new owner, the two develop a solid bond that stands the test of time and loyalty. Apart from Richard Gere fans, the movie is also a must-watch for dog lovers.

 

2. Primal Fear (1996)

19-year-old altar boy Aaron Stampler is accused of brutally murdering Catholic Archbishop Rushman. Believing that the boy is innocent, defense attorney Martin Vail takes up his case.

Though Aaron seems passive and shy, his alter-ego is not. His persona as a violent sociopath named “Roy” shocks Martin but the latter still fights the case with persistent determination. Though Richard Gere is the star of Primal Fear, the movie is also well-known as the acting debut of Edward Norton who starred as Aaron/Roy.

 

1. Days of Heaven (1978)

Set in 1916, manual laborer Bill works in a Chicago steel mill and kills his boss. Following the murder, he runs away to Texas with his girlfriend Abby and his young sister Linda. The couple is soon hired as seasonal workers by a rich farmer who has only one year to live due to an illness.

Seeing it as an opportunity to have a better lifestyle, Bill encourages Abby to marry the farmer to inherit his wealth. However, the plan goes awry when the farmer’s health improves. Nominated for four Academy Awards and winning one for Best Cinematography, Days of Heaven truly is the best Richard Gere movie.

 

Honorable Mentions

We cannot resist mentioning some of these great performances of Richard as well:

• Final Analysis (1992)
• Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

Did we miss any of the best Richard Gere movies of all time? Please let us know in the comments box below!