Donald Sutherland's Best Movies, Ranked

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Updated April 12, 2024 67.9K views 33 items
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Donald Sutherland's illustrious career has seen him grace the big screen in an array of iconic roles, providing unforgettable performances in some of the most memorable films of the past few decades. With a diverse range of characters under his belt, it's undeniable that he has left an indelible mark on the film industry. As audiences admire and appreciate his work, it's worth taking the time to explore some of the best Donald Sutherland movies that have showcased his talent, acting prowess, and scene-stealing abilities.

The exceptional films that make up the best Donald Sutherland movies showcase his undeniable talent, as well as his ability to portray a kaleidoscope of characters with depth and authenticity. From thrilling dramas to gritty war films, these movies serve as prime examples of how Sutherland's remarkable performances have elevated each film, making them stand out in the annals of cinema history.

Of the many movies with Donald Sutherland, several have become iconic, due in no small part to his powerful performances. In Eye of the Needle, Sutherland's portrayal of a German spy during World War II offered a chilling glimpse into the ruthless world of espionage. Similarly, The Dirty Dozen found him bringing an element of dark humor and menace to his turn as a convict-turned-soldier, while the groundbreaking MASH saw him delivering a comedic yet morally complex performance as the irreverent Hawkeye Pierce. These remarkable films are just a handful of examples among the extensive Donald Sutherland filmography that exemplify his skill and influence within the industry.

Sutherland's exceptional body of work continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day. Examining the best Donald Sutherland movies offers invaluable insight into not only his impressive talent but also the evolution of cinema itself. From his early classics to his more recent ventures, Sutherland's undeniable charisma and dedication to his craft have solidified him as a true legend in the world of film.

  • Eye of the Needle
    1

    Eye of the Needle

    Film (1981)
    113 votes
    A ruthless German spy who goes by the name of Henry Faber (Donald Sutherland) is on his way back home from England after gathering information about the D-Day invasion for Hitler. Henry, who is actually the "Needle," a name that refers to his favorite method of killing, becomes stranded on Storm Island with Lucy (Kate Nelligan) and her husband, David (Christopher Cazenove). Lucy's strained relationship with her disabled husband leaves her vulnerable to Henry's charms.
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  • The Dirty Dozen
    2

    The Dirty Dozen

    Film (1967)
    105 votes
    In the heart of World War II, Major Reisman (Lee Marvin) is tasked with an impossible mission in The Dirty Dozen. His orders: to mould twelve hardened criminals into a cohesive fighting unit. The eclectic crew, notable for characters like arrogant Robert Jefferson (Jim Brown) and psychopathic Archer Maggott (Telly Savalas), must infiltrate an enemy chateau to assassinate high-ranking Nazi officials. A gripping blend of war film and suspense thriller, this 1967 classic earned four Academy Award nominations. As the tension mounts, it's clear - success isn't guaranteed, and survival hangs by a thread.
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  • MASH
    3

    MASH

    Film (1970)
    98 votes
    Based on the novel by Richard Hooker, "M*A*S*H" follows a group of Mobile Army Surgical Hospital officers at they perform surgery and pass the time just miles from the front lines of the Korean Conflict. Led by Captains Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland) and Trapper John McIntyre (Elliott Gould), they add to the chaos and hilarity of the situation.
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  • Kelly's Heroes
    4

    Kelly's Heroes

    Film (1970)
    136 votes
    In the midst of World War II, an array of colorful American soldiers gets inside information from a drunk German officer about millions of dollars worth of gold hidden on enemy soil. Kelly (Clint Eastwood), a private with the platoon, devises a plan to sneak past the German officers to steal the loot for his crew. They recruit more men and set their plan into action. Despite several casualties, the men are determined to press forward, even if it means striking a deal with the opposing army.
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  • Invasion of the Body Snatchers
    5
    In the chilling classic, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dr. Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) finds his small town gripped by a mysterious epidemic. People are convinced their loved ones have been replaced by emotionless impostors. Not quite human, these duplicates sprout from plant-like pods - a stark symbol of Cold War-era paranoia. As this unsettling phenomenon spreads, Bennell and his friend Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter) struggle to stay awake, knowing sleep means assimilation. A quintessential science fiction horror film, it's known for its suspenseful narrative and eerie depiction of an alien invasion subtly infiltrating everyday life.
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  • Ordinary People
    6

    Ordinary People

    Film (1980)
    72 votes
    Ordinary People, a profound drama, follows the life of the Jarrett family after a catastrophic incident. Conrad (Timothy Hutton), struggles with guilt and grief post his elder brother's tragic demise. His parents, Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) and Calvin (Donald Sutherland), deal with their own sorrow while navigating their fractured relationship with Conrad. Directed by Robert Redford, Ordinary People is a poignant exploration of familial relationships and personal healing. The film won four Academy Awards in 1981, including Best Picture and Best Director, marking it as an enduring classic in cinema history.
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  • Klute
    7

    Klute

    Film (1971)
    62 votes
    This acclaimed thriller stars Jane Fonda as Bree Daniel, a New York City call girl who becomes enmeshed in an investigation into the disappearance of a business executive. Detective John Klute (Donald Sutherland) is hired to follow Daniel, and eventually begins a romance with her, but it appears that he hasn't been the only person on her trail. When it becomes clear that Daniel is being targeted, it's up to her and Klute to figure out who is after her before it's too late.
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  • The Eagle Has Landed
    8

    The Eagle Has Landed

    Film (1976)
    69 votes
    During World War II, Nazi officer Max Radl (Robert Duvall) devises a plan to kidnap or kill the British prime minister. Approved by German Cmdr. Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasence), the scheme moves forward with Col. Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine) leading the mission, aided by Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland), an Irishman with a deep hatred of England. As the plan unfolds, it seems to be going well -- until certain events threaten the group's shot at success.
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  • Citizen X
    9

    Citizen X

    Film (1995)
    35 votes
    In the 1980s, serial killer Andrei Chikatilo (Jeffrey DeMunn) embarks on an eight-year killing spree, murdering 52 people. Lt. Viktor Burakov (Stephen Rea) wants to put a stop to the killings, but the Soviet bureaucracy obstructs him at every turn, insisting a Communist Party member could not be the killer. Burakov is determined to catch Chikatilo, aided only by his cynical superior (Donald Sutherland) and a frightened but determined psychiatrist (Max von Sydow) in this true story.
  • Murder by Decree
    10

    Murder by Decree

    Film (1979)
    40 votes
    After learning of mass murderer Jack the Ripper's gruesome reign of terror, private detective Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) decides to investigate. The police are no help, withholding information about the case from Holmes. But the detective refuses to be deterred, seeking the crucial assistance of psychic Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), who sets him on the right path. Holmes, along with his trusted sidekick, Dr. Watson (James Mason), descends into a shadowy underworld of crime.
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  • Bear Island
    11

    Bear Island

    Film (1980)
    39 votes
    An American (Donald Sutherland) and a Norwegian (Vanessa Redgrave) fall prey to an ex-Nazi (Richard Widmark) seeking gold from a U-boat in the Arctic.
  • Johnny Got His Gun
    12

    Johnny Got His Gun

    Film (1971)
    20 votes
    War has plunged Army soldier Joe Bonham (Timothy Bottoms) into an unending nightmare. Hit by an artillery shell in World War I, Joe has suffered injuries that have all but erased his humanity: he's lost his sight, speech, hearing and sense of smell. But he still has the ability to think and remember, which, in the end, may be more a curse than a blessing. Trapped in his body, Joe realizes there's only one way out of his misery: death. Can he get a sympathetic nurse to help him?
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  • 1900
    13

    1900

    Film (1976)
    25 votes
    This expansive period drama follows two childhood friends in northern Italy during the early 20th century. Alfredo Berlinghieri (Robert De Niro) and Olmo Dalcò (Gérard Depardieu) grow up as close companions despite their class differences. However, they drift apart as adults, Alfredo embracing his landowning heritage and Olmo championing workers' rights. As the years go by, they see the rise of fascism in their country, and eventually their values find them directly in conflict.
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  • The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
    14
    The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 unfolds as Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) becomes the face of a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol. After surviving back-to-back Hunger Games, she's thrust into the role of the Mockingjay, an emblem of hope for the oppressed districts. Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), her fellow tribute and complicated ally, remains captive under President Snow's (Donald Sutherland) ruthless regime. The film is a high-stakes dystopian drama, filled with political intrigue and action. It marks a shift from survival games to full-blown warfare, setting the stage for an epic showdown in its sequel.
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  • Outbreak
    15

    Outbreak

    Film (1995)
    47 votes
    In the gripping film Outbreak, a deadly and highly contagious virus is unleashed in a small California town. The virus, brought to American soil by an African monkey, swiftly turns the peaceful town into a hotbed of contagion. Sam Daniels (Dustin Hoffman), a maverick virologist, races against time to isolate this new pathogen before it spreads beyond control. Assisting him are his ex-wife, Robby Keough (Rene Russo), and his loyal colleague, Casey Schuler (Kevin Spacey). The trio must navigate governmental obstruction, personal tensions, and their own fears in this tense medical thriller. Their mission: halt the outbreak and prevent a potential global catastrophe.
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  • Ordeal by Innocence
    16
    Ordeal by Innocence is a 1985 mystery film directed by Desmond Davis. It stars Donald Sutherland and Faye Dunaway. It is based on the Agatha Christie novel Ordeal by Innocence.
  • Uprising
    17

    Uprising

    Film
    23 votes
    Uprising is a 2001 war/drama television movie about the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. The film was directed by Jon Avnet and written by Avnet and Paul Brickman. It was filmed in multiple locations, including Bratislava, Slovakia and Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria. The film's soundtrack was the last film score composed by Maurice Jarre, and prominently features the work of Max Bruch, including his Violin Concerto No. 1 during the opening sequence.
  • National Lampoon's Animal House
    18
    In the raucous comedy National Lampoon's Animal House, party-crazed fraternity Delta Tau Chi, led by Bluto Blutarsky (John Belushi), is in a constant state of war with the college administration, personified by Dean Wormer (John Vernon). The film, set in 1962, navigates through wild parties, pranks and chaos. As the Dean plots to expel the fraternity, the misfits plan their revenge. A mix of slapstick humor and social satire, this John Landis directed movie remains a classic in its genre. It won People's Choice Award for Favorite Non-Musical Motion Picture.
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  • The Day of the Locust
    19

    The Day of the Locust

    Film (1975)
    35 votes
    In 1930s Los Angeles, Hollywood shines like a beacon to all the helpless people scattered across the city. In one crumbling apartment block, a blond bombshell (Karen Black) aspires to be an actress, an artist (William Atherton) looks for legitimacy, and a child actor performs a gross homage to Mae West. Cockfights and poverty prevail out of the glow of show business. Introverted accountant Homer Simpson (Donald Sutherland) watches as society collapses under greed and ambition.
  • Human Trafficking
    20

    Human Trafficking

    TV Program
    22 votes
    Human Trafficking is a television miniseries about an American Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent going undercover to stop an organization from trafficking people, and shows the struggles of three trafficked women. It premiered in the United States on Lifetime Television on October 24 and 25, 2005 and was broadcast in Canada on Citytv on January 2 and 3, 2006. It stars Mira Sorvino, Donald Sutherland, Rémy Girard, and Robert Carlyle.
  • A Time to Kill
    21

    A Time to Kill

    Film (1996)
    40 votes
    In the heart of Mississippi, A Time to Kill unfolds, a legal drama with a backdrop of racial tension. Young attorney Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) takes on a daunting case defending Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson), a black man accused of taking law into his own hands after an unspeakable crime against his daughter. With Ellen Roark (Sandra Bullock) offering her help, they navigate the deeply divided town. The movie, directed by Joel Schumacher, is an adaptation of John Grisham's first novel and won Samuel L. Jackson the Best Actor award at the NAACP Image Awards.
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  • Backdraft
    22

    Backdraft

    Film
    45 votes
    In the scorching heat of Backdraft, two brothers, Stephen (Kurt Russell) and Brian McCaffrey (William Baldwin), navigate the high-stakes world of Chicago firefighting. Raised in the firehouse shadows of their late father, a heroic firefighter who died in action, they now serve in the same department. Stephen is a seasoned veteran while Brian is a rookie with something to prove. When a series of lethal fires hint at arson, shadowy investigator Donald Rimgale (Robert De Niro) steps in. The line between loyalty and truth blurs as they grapple with dangerous flames and unravel the mystery. The film won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing, underscoring its compelling narrative with powerful audio-visual mastery.
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  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    23

    Buffy the Vampire Slayer

    Film (1992)
    34 votes
    In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy Summers (Kristy Swanson) is your typical cheerleader-turned-vampire hunter. Guided by her mentor Merrick (Donald Sutherland), she fights against Lothos (Rutger Hauer), a powerful and ancient vampire. Alongside her, Pike (Luke Perry), a seemingly average guy, turns out to be an unexpected ally. This genre-bending film, directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui, combines horror, comedy, and action in unexpected ways. It's a tale of empowerment and survival in a world where high school and vampires coexist ominously. Despite its supernatural elements, it remains grounded with relatable characters and common dilemmas.
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  • Salem's Lot
    24

    Salem's Lot

    TV Program
    31 votes
    Vampires take over a Maine town.
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  • The Act of the Heart
    25

    The Act of the Heart

    Film (1970)
    19 votes
    Zealously devout Christian Martha (Geneviève Bujold) arrives in Montreal to assist widowed mother Johane (Monique Leyrac) with the care of her ailing young son, Russell (William Mitchell). Martha lives with a monastic simplicity, spending her free time singing with a church choir, despite being surrounded by wealthy people. Life becomes more interesting when she develops a crush on handsome priest Ferrier (Donald Sutherland) -- but a spiritual crisis pushes her to make a dangerous confession.
  • A Dry White Season
    26

    A Dry White Season

    Film (1989)
    29 votes
    Teacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) mostly ignores the problems of apartheid in South Africa until he discovers that the son of a gardener (Winston Ntshona) at his school has been killed by corrupt policeman Stolz (Jürgen Prochnow). Du Toit persuades human rights attorney Ian McKenzie (Marlon Brando) to try the long-shot case against Stolz. During the trial, Du Toit's transformation into an advocate for justice is so absolute that it distances him from his family.
  • JFK
    27

    JFK

    Film (1991)
    49 votes
    In Oliver Stone's political thriller, JFK, the spotlight shines on New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner). He is drawn into a complex web of conspiracy theories surrounding the 1963 assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The film, a fascinating blend of fact and speculation, features a star-studded cast including names like Tommy Lee Jones as Clay Shaw and Gary Oldman in the role of Lee Harvey Oswald. Snagging eight Academy Award nominations, it stands as an intriguing exploration of this notorious historical event.
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  • Fanatic
    28

    Fanatic

    Film (1965)
    17 votes
    Patricia Carroll (Stefanie Powers) is an American woman who travels to London to marry her boyfriend, Alan Glentower (Maurice Kaufmann). While there, Patricia stops by to visit Mrs. Trefoile (Tallulah Bankhead), the mother of her deceased ex-fiancé, intending to pay her respects. Upon arriving, however, Patricia discovers that Mrs. Trefoile's grief for her son has transformed her into a sociopath. When Mrs. Trefoile begins holding Patricia prisoner, she must find a way to escape.
  • Little Murders
    29

    Little Murders

    Film (1971)
    14 votes
    Patsy (Marcia Rodd) and Alfred (Elliott Gould) meet when she rescues him from a beating on the crime-ridden streets of New York City. Patsy is immediately taken aback by Alfred's apathetic approach to life, which is in stark contrast to her ardent optimism. She pursues and ultimately marries him in the hopes of changing him. However, after a devastating and random act of violence, Alfred and his in-laws descend further into the insanity and violence surrounding them.
  • Land of the Blind
    30

    Land of the Blind

    Film (2006)
    15 votes
    Joe (Ralph Fiennes), a security guard in a totalitarian society, watches over jailed writer-turned-terrorist Thorne (Donald Sutherland). Devious and intelligent, the latter convinces Joe that their leader, Maximilian II (Tom Hollander), will bring the country to ruin. Joe frees Thorne and helps him overthrow Maximilian but later learns to regret his actions.