John Cassavetes's films, ranked
The top 3 according to 41 votes from people: A Woman Under the Influence (1974) · Husbands (1970) · Love Streams (1984). (Updated Dec 6, 2023.)
The father of American independent film, from Shadows to Love Streams: Cassavetes's twelve features ordered from Gold Derby and MovieWeb, with A Woman Under the Influence on top.
Top 12
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1
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Gena Rowlands as a mother coming apart; Oscar nominations for her and for Cassavetes.
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2
Husbands (1970)
Ben Gazzara, Peter Falk and Cassavetes after a friend's funeral.
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3
Love Streams (1984)
Cassavetes and Rowlands as siblings; Golden Bear in Berlin.
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4
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)
Ben Gazzara as a strip-club owner in debt to the mob.
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5
Opening Night (1977)
Gena Rowlands as a stage star haunted before a premiere.
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6
Faces (1968)
A marriage falling apart over one night; three Oscar nominations.
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7
Shadows (1959)
His improvised debut, a landmark of independent film.
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8
Big Trouble (1986)
Alan Arkin and Peter Falk in an insurance-scam comedy; his last film.
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9
A Child Is Waiting (1963)
Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland at a school for children with disabilities.
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10
Too Late Blues (1961)
Bobby Darin as a jazz musician; his first studio film.
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11
Minnie and Moskowitz (1971)
His take on romantic comedy, with Gena Rowlands and Seymour Cassel.
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12
Gloria (1980)
Gena Rowlands protects a boy from the mob; Golden Lion in Venice.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (2)
A Woman Under the Influence is exhausting in the best way. Gena Rowlands is unreal in it.
Opening Night is my favourite, I think it's even better than Woman Under the Influence.