“Dirty Harry or Man with No Name? Ranking Clint Eastwood’s 25 Best Movies”

Clint Eastwood is a name synonymous with American cinema. With a career spanning over six decades, Eastwood has distinguished himself as an actor, director, producer, and even composer. From his iconic Western roles to his critically acclaimed directorial efforts, he has done it all. But with such a vast filmography, it’s challenging to determine the best of the best.

In celebration of his impressive career, film enthusiasts from Collider have ranked the top 25 Eastwood movies. Starting from the good and ending with the best, we examine the top films that showcase Eastwood’s talent and contribution to memorable cinema.

Solid Start: Numbers 25 to 21

The ranking starts with Play Misty for Me, a thriller about a disc jockey’s interaction with an obsessive fan. While it is not one of Eastwood’s most excellent films, it showcases his aptitude for directing and features Jessica Walter in a memorable performance.

Two Mules for Sister Sara, a Western about a mercenary and a nun on an explosive adventure together, sees Eastwood’s soft and humorous side, pairing well with Shirley MacLaine’s performance.

Eastwood’s rare venture into the science-fiction genre, Space Cowboys, follows four men who are brought back into a dangerous mission in space. The film boasts subtle humor and a star-studded cast, including Tommy Lee Jones and Donald Sutherland.

Kelly’s Heroes is an irreverent war movie set during World War II that emphasizes humor, making it a favorite among Eastwood’s comedies.

Lastly, The Beguiled takes place during the American Civil War, where Eastwood’s character is nursed back to health by a group of seven Southern women. Tension builds when his presence raises conflict among the women seeking his affection.

Middle Ground: Numbers 20 to 16

Where Eagles Dare, a daring rescue mission to retrieve an American general held captive inside a heavily-guarded castle in Germany, stands out among Eastwood’s more serious war movies without much by way of comedy.

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a comedic crime-action movie that pairs Eastwood with Jeff Bridges as a mismatched pair who need to work together to pull off an ambitious bank robbery, showcases Eastwood’s grit, pacing, and moral ambiguity.

Pale Rider, a dark and compelling Western with Eastwood playing a mysterious figure employed by a group of people in need, centers on a preacher and powerfully depicts a more realistic and downbeat depiction of the Wild West.

In the Line of Fire features Eastwood playing a Secret Service agent and slipping into his role