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- As fans eagerly wait to see Harrison Ford reprise his role for the final time as the iconic archaeologist in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (June 30), it's the perfect time to delve back into the actors' highest-rated films.
Harrison Ford is largely known for playing iconic franchise characters, Han Solo and Indiana Jones as well as starring in hit films such as Witness, The Fugitive, and Blade Runner. Ford continues to captivate audiences with his most recent role as Jacob Dutton in the newest Yellowstone spin-off series,1923 alongside Oscar-winner, Helen Mirren.
With a career spanning six decades, Ford has established himself as a cultural icon and leading man who shows no intention of retiring anytime soon. From Return of the Jedi to Apocalypse Now, it's easy to determine (and watch) Harrison Ford's top 10 movies, thanks to users' votes on IMDb.
Updated on June 27, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
As fans eagerly wait to see Harrison Ford reprise his role for the final time as the iconic archaeologist in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (June 30), it's the perfect time to delve back into the actors' highest-rated films.
12 '42' (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
In 1945, Branch Rickey, manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, decides to break the rules of baseball and signs a Black baseball player named Jackie Robinson (masterfully played by Chadwick Boseman) to the team. Robinson accepts, but their brave actions come at a cost, as the public and other players try to break them with acts of racism and intolerance.
42 is a powerful biopic written and directed by Brian Helgeland who is best known for writing L.A. Confidential and Mystic River. Ford is unrecognizable as Rickey and proves his range as an actor in this movie as he perfectly conveys the manager's rough charm and wit. The film also co-stars T.R. Knight, André Holland, Alan Tudyk, and Christopher Meloni.
11 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked to find a magical stone and help rescue the children of a village who have been enslaved by a religious cult. With his tiny but mighty sidekick, Short Round, and a nightclub singer, Willie, the archeologist finds the cult discovering the stone's ancient evil that threatens anyone who possesses it.
To avoid featuring Nazis as the villains again, George Lucas decided to make Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom a prequel, having it take place 20 years earlier (according to Screen Rant). The movie is darker than Raiders of the Lost Ark and according to Lucas and director Steven Spielberg, the film's tone is attributed to their moods at the time while both were going through tough breakups.
10 'The Fugitive' (1993)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Dr. Richard Kimble's a reputable surgeon who is arrested and wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife. After receiving the death penalty, Kimble manages to escape the state's custody and sets out to find the real killer and clear his name before being caught by a U.S. marshal (Tommy Lee Jones) who is hot on his trail.
The Fugitive earned several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, but Jones received the only win for Best Supporting Actor. The film is a fast-paced game of cat and mouse with an intense performance by Ford who surprisingly was not casting's first choice. Stars including Michael Douglas, Kevin Costner, and Nick Nolte were also considered for the role of Dr. Kimble (according to Yardbaker).
9 'Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens' (2015)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens takes place several decades after the events of the original trilogy and introduces fans to a whole new generation of characters. Of course, Ford makes a stunning appearance as an older and wiser Han Solo, who gets caught up in the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order and has to sort out an internal conflict.
Ford's role in the somewhat divisive blockbuster is a fantastic nostalgic treat, as he certainly brings the same cleverness and roguish charm that he has become known for in the franchise. Ford's portrayal of the iconic character obviously has a timeless appeal, as anyone who is a fan has a hard time letting go.
8 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Rick Deckard graces the big screen once again in the visually stunning sequel to the classic 1982 movie. Set 30 years after the events of the first film, Blade Runner 2049 focuses on Officer K (Ryan Gosling), a new Blade Runner who begins to notice that something's not right after he discovers a dark and potentially dangerous secret. He soon decides to search for the elusive Deckard, who can help him unravel the conspiracy.
Embodying an effortlessly complex and enigmatic character, Ford's portrayal of Deckard is one that leaves a lasting impact. Viewers can clearly see the weight of his past experiences and all the years he has lived through – it's a nuanced and unforgettable performance that adds emotional depth and risk to the already absorbing movie.
7 'Blade Runner' (1982)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Set in Los Angeles in 2019, Rick Deckard is a former Blade Runner who comes out of retirement to track down a group of humanoids. The humanoids, known as replicants have come to Earth in search of their creator who they hope can extend their short life spans before being shut down by Deckard.
Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a renowned science-fiction neo-noir movie that ended up being one of Ford's least favorite films. In a Vanity Fair interview, Ford revealed that he and Scott butted heads quite often during production, particularly over the film's voiceover narration. The director and actor eventually worked things out and in recent years, Ford's changed his mind about the popular cult classic.
6 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
After returning to San Francisco, Indiana Jones learns that his father (Sean Connery) has been kidnaped while searching for the Holy Grail in Italy. Jones arrives in Venice and with the help of his father's notebook, he follows the trail of clues but is unaware of German Nazis who are also searching for the mythical treasure.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a thrilling adventure with comic relief and similar to the original film's light tone. Connery and Ford have a hilarious but heartfelt relationship that's similar to other father-and-son dynamics in several of Steven Spielberg's films including E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial and Hook.
5 'Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi' (1983)
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Luke Skywalker returns to save his friends from Jabba the Hutt and continue the Rebel Alliance's fight against Darth Vader and the Empire. While Luke and his comrades prepare for battle, iconic Star Wars couple Han Solo and Princess Leia travel to Endor where they plan to take out the Death Star's energy shield and defeat the Empire once and for all.
Ford's contract only included two movies and after the success of Indiana Jones and Blade Runner, director, George Lucas, didn't think he would agree to do Return of the Jedi. After some convincing by Raiders of the Lost Ark producer, Howard Kazanjian, Ford signed on. The movie was nominated for four Oscars including Best Original Score by John Williams and won the Special Achievement Academy Award.
4 'Apocalypse Now' (1979)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
During the Vietnam War, U.S. Colonel Walter Kurtz has descended into madness and declares war on enemy troops without permission from his superior officers. After Kurtz's accused of mass murder, Captain Willard and a group of young soldiers are assigned to travel to Cambodia and assassinate the once-promising colonel.
Apocalypse Now is an epic anti-war film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and was Ford's first major film after A New Hope. Ford plays Colonel G. Lucas, alongside top-of-the-line stars including Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Dennis Hooper, and Laurence Fishburne. Apocalypse Now also earned several Oscar nominations including Best Director and Best Picture.
3 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
In 1936, archeology professor, Indiana Jones is recruited by the United States Army to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis find it first. Along the way, Indy faces his worst fears; snakes and ex-girlfriends, but the adventurous archeologist manages to escape each danger and defeat the Nazi troops.
According to Screen Rant, before Ford was cast as Indy, the role almost went to Tom Selleck but due to his commitment to Magnum P.I., he couldn't commit to all three films. Ford was offered the part after the film's director, Steven Spielberg, saw his performance in The Empire Strikes Back and believed the young actor was perfect for the role.
2 'Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope' (1977)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
After discovering a secret message in a droid, Luke Skywalker sets out to rescue Princess Leia who has been taken prisoner by Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire. Luke along with Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and the captain of the Millennial Falcon (and one of Star Wars' best pilots), Han Solo, set out to rescue the princess and help the Rebel Alliance defeat the Empire.
When it came to casting for A New Hope, a The Blast article reveals that George Lucas wanted new talent, and since Ford had previously worked with him on American Graffiti, the young actor was out of the running. Ford was instead asked to assist with reading lines during auditions and explain the context behind the scenes that eventually won Lucas over. The young actor earned the part over stars such as Kurt Russell, Al Pacino, and Christopher Walken.
1 'Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
It's been three years since the Death Star was destroyed. Luke and his friends are hiding with the Rebel Alliance on Hoth, but they are soon discovered and attacked by Imperial Forces. Leia and Han manage to escape in the Millennial Falcon while Luke flies to Dagobah where he continues his Jedi training with Yoda.
Unlike Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, Ford didn't have a multiple film contract, but the actor wanted to return to reprise his role in The Empire Strikes Back. George Lucas wanted to play it safe and purposely had the movie end with Han being frozen in carbonite in case Ford didn't return for another film (according to Screen Rant). The director's precaution inadvertently created one of the most iconic scenes in the Star Wars films.