Morgan Freeman used the proverb, “Long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past” to characterize his acting career. He was referring to the fact that it took him a long time to succeed in the acting industry, but he believed that his hard effort would ensure his career would last longer. He is correct, as Morgan Freeman’s career has spanned more than 30 years in the entertainment industry.

In addition to acting, Freeman has also directed a drama, Bopha! (1993). Along with his business partner, Lori McCreary, he established the film production firm Revelations Entertainment. He is a Cecil B. DeMille Award and Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award recipient, and he has also received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor. He has received three Obie Awards, one of the highest accolades for theater quality, for his performances in stage shows.

With this list of Morgan Freeman movies we take a look at the prolific actor’s work.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Rating: 9.3/10 (IMDB), 91% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Based on a short story by Stephen King, “The Shawshank Redemption” is a story of friendship between two prisoners; one wrongfully imprisoned and the other wise from his many years of incarceration. As the innocent navigates the daily struggles of prison life, he hatches an escape plan known only to himself.

Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler

2. Unforgiven (1992)

Rating: 8.2/10 (IMDB), 96% (Rotten Tomatoes)

In a standout role, Freeman plays Ned Logan, a retired outlaw seeking redemption, in this iconic Western directed by Clint Eastwood. “Unforgiven” delves into themes of violence, morality, and the cost of vengeance.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Richard Harris

3. Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Rating: 7.3/10 (IMDB), 85% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Freeman portrays a chauffeur who is hired to transport a senior citizen who is unable to drive on her own. As the years pass, the two become closer and are eventually referred to as “best friends” by Miss Daisy in the movie’s iconic last scene.

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd, Patti LuPone

4. Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Rating: 7.6/10 (IMDB), 95% (Rotten Tomatoes)

A private investigator and his girlfriend embark on the challenge of looking for an abducted girl in Boston. While conducting his inquiry, he has to cope with the girl’s aunt, a displeased lawman (Morgan Freeman), and a drug dealer.

Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris

5. SE7EN (1995)

Rating: 8.6/10 (IMDB), 83% (Rotten Tomatoes)

In this iconic movie, Freeman takes on the role of a senior police officer in pursuit of a serial killer who commits crimes following the biblical notion of the seven deadly sins. With themes of biblical vengeance, a very young Brad Pitt and an equally young Gwyneth Paltrow, Freeman still manages to capture every single second of screen time he has.

Starring: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey

6. Lean on Me (1989)

Rating: 7.4/10 (IMDB), 68% (Rotten Tomatoes)

In this true story, a New Jersey superintendent named Dr. Frank Napier stands by helplessly while East Side High falls to the state’s lowest ranking. Dr. Napier, who has nowhere else to turn, hires unconventional ex-teacher Joe Clark to lead the failing school. Joe Clark, who died in 2020, is played to perfection with bat in hand by Freeman.

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Robert Guillaume, Beverly Todd, Lynne Thigpen

7. Bruce Almighty (2003)

Rating: 6.8/10 (IMDB), 48% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Since his TV career has been on hold, Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) loses it when he isn’t chosen for a desired anchorman position. He then accuses God of mistreating him. Soon, Bruce receives a call from God (Morgan Freeman), who gives him all his abilities if he feels he can perform the task better. Bruce agrees and then goes on a rampage, exploiting his newfound powers for his own egotistical, individual benefits. Freeman developed his “voice of God” style to perfection for this iconic role.

Starring: Jim Carrey, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Baker Hall

8. The Bucket List (2007)

Rating: 7.4/10 (IMDB), 41% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Freeman teams up with Nicholson in this touching drama as two terminally ill men who forge an unlikely friendship while fulfilling their ultimate wish list, proving that it’s never too late to find purpose and joy.

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman, Sean Hayes, Rob Morrow

9. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDB), 90% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Freeman’s portrayal of Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris, a former boxer turned trainer, lends heart and wisdom to this emotionally charged drama that explores the bond between a determined female boxer (Swank) and her mentor (Eastwood). Morgan won the Best Supporting Oscar Award for his role.

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie

10. Invictus (2009)

Rating: 7.3/10 (IMDB), 76% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Freeman embodies the iconic Nelson Mandela, capturing his leadership and charisma in a tale of post-apartheid South Africa’s journey to unity through the unifying power of rugby. A powerful movie with an even more powerful protagonist, Freeman captures Mandela’s spirit perfectly by showing how the larger-than-life man could, in fact, never be captured.

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng

11. Wanted (2008)

Rating: 6.7/10 (IMDB), 71% (Rotten Tomatoes)

An office worker named Wesley Gibson (McAvoy) feels nothing is happening in his life. Following the assassination of his estranged father, he meets Fox (Jolie), who enlists him in the Fraternity, a covert organization of assassins that receives its instructions directly from Fate. Wesley learns to access hidden abilities from Fox and Sloan (Freeman), the Fraternity’s president.

Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Terence Stamp

12. Nurse Betty (2000)

Rating: 6.3/10 (IMDB), 83% (Rotten Tomatoes)

What happens if someone determines that everything in life is only a condition of the mind? If you’re Betty, a Kansas small-town waitress and soap opera enthusiast, you won’t accept that your ideal partner doesn’t exist and prevents you from being with him. Life itself is not a justification for not living. Following a horrific incident, Betty experiences a fugue state that enables and even encourages her to continue functioning—like another universe. Morgan plays one of two hitmen who begin to follow Betty.

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Renée Zellweger, Chris Rock, Greg Kinnear

13. High Crimes (2002)

Rating: 6.4/10 (IMDB), 30% (Rotten Tomatoes)

A happily married, accomplished lawyer is horrified to find that her spouse is charged with committing a horrible war crime and has a hidden background as a criminal. She seeks the help of a former military lawyer (Morgan Freeman) who abides by his own set of rules.

Starring: Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Jim Caviezel, Amanda Peet

14. RED (2010)

Rating: 7/10 (IMDB), 72% (Rotten Tomatoes)

Frank (Willis) is a retired but extremely dangerous (RED) CIA operative who happens to be forming a relationship over the phone with Sarah (Parker). When an assassination attempt is foiled, Frank decides to get the old band back together. One of his former operative compatriots? Freeman, who loves chewing up the scenery whenever he gets a chance. RED was so successful it spawned a sequel.

Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker

15. Last Vegas (2013)

Rating: 6.6/10 (IMDB), 46% (Rotten Tomatoes)

The aging buddies Sam (Kline), Archie (Freeman), Paddy (De Niro), and Billy (Douglas) had been great mates since they were young. All four pals travel to Las Vegas to celebrate Billy’s long-awaited engagement with his much younger fiancée and reminisce about their younger days. However, the four quickly realize that the years have transformed Sin City and put their bond to new, unexpected tests.

Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline

Morgan Freeman

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