This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Mahershala Ali Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Green Book (2018)
26
5
Green Book
PG-13
26
5

A globally illustrious African-American pianist, Dr. Don Shirley is in need of protection and a driver when he embarks on a concert tour in 1962 that is to take place in Deep South. An Italian-American tough-talking bouncer, Tony Lip, is recruited for the task. Both the men soon develop an unanticipated bond irrespective of their differences in an era of segregation of danger and racism.

Starring:
Awards:
BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
28
9
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
PG-13
28
9

The movie is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald short story written in 1922. It narrates the story of Benjamin Button who is born old and wrinkled. His chances of survival is minimal but not only does he survive, but also, strangely, starts ageing backwards. Then there is Daisy, his love interest, who gets older as he gets younger.

Directed By:
3. Hidden Figures (2016)
17
4
Hidden Figures
PG
17
4

Inspired by Margot Lee Shetterly's 2016 non-fiction book, the movie is about three black female NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan. They struggle with gender and race discrimination to emerge as crucial brains behind one of NASA’s most significant missions—the launch of astronaut John Glenn into earth's orbit and his subsequent safe passage back.

Starring:
Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons, Kirsten Dunst, Octavia Spencer, Janelle MonƔe
Directed By:
Theodore Melfi
4. Moonlight (2016)
17
6
Moonlight
R
17
6

9-year-old shy African-American boy Chiron living with his drug addicted mother is ironically cared for by his mother's drug dealer and his girlfriend. As a 16-year- old, he is still bullied and is struggling with his sexual identity. Finally, he grows up to become a drug dealer himself and comes to terms with his sexuality.

Role:
Juan
Starring:
Naomie Harris, Shariff Earp, Duan Sanderson, Alex R. Hibbert, Janelle MonƔe
Directed By:
Barry Jenkins
Awards:
Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
5. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
14
6
The Place Beyond the Pines
R
14
6

Luke Glanton, a motorcycle-riding stuntman starts robbing banks to take care of his former lover Romina who has given birth to their son Jason. Unfortunately, he is killed by police officer Avery Cross in a failed robbery. Years later Avery’s son and Jason end up on a collision path when Jason discovers their shared legacy.  

Directed By:
Derek Cianfrance
6. Alita: Battle Angel (2018)
14
6
Alita: Battle Angel
PG-13
14
6

In a future world, a compassionate doctor discovers a disembodied female cyborg with an intact human brain and attaches a new cyborg body to it. Named Alita, after the doctor’s deceased daughter, she awakens with no memory about her past. The film focuses on how she learns to navigate not only her new life, but also the treacherous city streets.   

Role:
Vector
Directed By:
Robert Rodriguez
7. Free State of Jones (2016)
9
3
Free State of Jones
R
9
3

Free State of Jones is a war drama film, which tells the story of a medic who took part in the American Civil War. However, after being disillusioned by the Confederate government, he returns to his hometown and leads a militia of fellow deserters and women in an uprising against the government.    

Role:
Moses
Starring:
Directed By:
Gary Ross
8. Swan Song (2021)
8
3
Swan Song
A
8
3

This romantic drama science fiction film tells the story of a loving husband and father who is devastated when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness. He finds an option of sparing his family from grief by having him replaced by a clone without them even knowing about it.

Role:
Cameron
9. Crossing Over (2009)
7
4
Crossing Over
R
7
4

Crossing Over is a crime drama film which revolves around the stories of several illegal immigrants in the Los Angeles area and how the authorities deal with the situation.

Starring:
Directed By:
Wayne Kramer
10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)
18
9
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
PG-13
18
9

Based on Suzanne Collins’s final novel – Mockingjay – in the trilogy The Hunger Games, the movie follows Katniss Everdeen as she reaches District 13 and unwillingly agrees to become a symbol of rebellion under the command of President Coin to save Peeta and the nation.

Directed By:
Francis Lawrence
11. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (2015)
15
7
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
PG-13
15
7

In this final movie of The Hunger Games franchise, Katniss Everdeen escapes the clutches of President Coin to join the ‘Star Squad’. The squad infiltrates the Capitol and brings down President Snow and the Capitol. Unfortunately, Coin’s betrayal ends up killing Prim and Katniss executes Coin who plans to bring the Hunger Games back.

Starring:
Elizabeth Banks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Julianne Moore, Paula Malcomson, Natalie Dormer, Gwendoline Christie
Directed By:
Francis Lawrence
12. Predators (2010)
12
6
Predators
R
12
6

A group of lethal killers find themselves waking up in an alien planet where they are being hunted by a group of Super Predators nicknamed Tracker, Berserker, and Falconer. They also encounter Noland, who has survived on the planet for ten seasons. The group must survive the predators and find a way to escape the planet. 

Starring:
Adrien Brody, Danny Trejo, Laurence Fishburne, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, Oleg Taktarov
Directed By:
NimrĆ³d Antal
13. Kicks (2016)
6
3
Kicks
R
6
3
Role:
Marlon
Starring:
Christopher Jordan Wallace, Jahking Guillory, Christopher Meyer, Kofi Siriboe
Directed By:
Justin Tipping
14. Roxanne Roxanne (2017)
5
4
Roxanne Roxanne
5
4
Starring:
Nia Long, Curtiss Cook, Jermaine Crawford, Adam Horovitz
Directed By:
Michael Larnell
15. Supremacy (2014)
4
4
Supremacy
R
4
4

Shortly after his parole, a white supremacist kills a policeman as well as takes an African American family hostage, along with his girlfriend. This however upsets their supremacist leader, who oversees his criminal empire from behind bars.

Starring:
Danny Glover, Julie Benz, Evan Ross, Lela Rochon
Directed By:
Deon Taylor
16. Gubagude Ko (2016)
6
3
Gubagude Ko
TV-14
6
3
Role:
Ochoro
Starring:
Sadeeq Ali, Susan Basemera, Isaac Masanga, Anthony Ndawula
Directed By:
Philiane Phang
17. Umi's Heart (2008)
6
3
Umi's Heart
6
3
Role:
Ezra (as Mahershalalhashbaz Ali)
Starring:
Barmak Badaei, AndrƩ Rishi
Directed By:
Joslyn Rose Lyons
18. The Realest Real (2016)
6
3
The Realest Real
6
3
Role:
The Minister
Starring:
Rowan Blanchard, Kim Gordon, Laura Harrier, Heidi Gaudet
Directed By:
Carrie Brownstein
19. The Wronged Man (2010)
6
3
The Wronged Man
6
3
Role:
Calvin Willis (as Mahershalalhashbaz Ali)
Starring:
Chandler Riggs, Julia Ormond, Omar J. Dorsey, Lisa Arrindell
Directed By:
Tom McLoughlin
20. All Signs of Death (2010)
6
3
All Signs of Death
6
3
Role:
Gabe (as Mahershalalhashbaz Ali)
Starring:
Ben Whishaw, Clayne Crawford, Max Martini, Mercedes Mason
Directed By:
Alan Ball
21. Go for Sisters (2013)
6
3
Go for Sisters
6
3
Role:
Dez
Starring:
Edward James Olmos, LisaGay Hamilton, Martha Higareda, Yolonda Ross
Directed By:
John Sayles
22. Making Revolution (2003)
6
3
Making Revolution
6
3
Role:
Mac Laslow (as Mahershala Karim-Ali)
Starring:
Alexander Bilu, Drew Cortese, Jeremy Dubin, Jen Nails
Directed By:
Daniel Klein

Narrator/Dubbing

Predators Motion Comics: Moment of Extraction (2010)
8
5
Predators Motion Comics: Moment of Extraction
8
5
Role:
Mombasa (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Alice Braga, Louis Ozawa Changchien

Animation Movies

Invincible
10
1
Invincible
TV-MA
10
1
Role:
Titan
Starring:
Lauren Cohan, Steven Yeun, Gillian Jacobs, Sandra Oh, Jon Hamm
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
16
3
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
PG
16
3

Set in Spider-Verse, a group of multiple universes, the story focuses on Miles Morales, a New York teen. Bitten by a radioactive spider, he now gains spider-like abilities similar to Spider-Man. Shortly after that he discovers a "Super-Collider" built by supervillain Kingpin and must now join with other Spider men and women from other dimensions to save his city. 

Role:
Uncle Aaron (voice)
Starring:
Hailee Steinfeld, Zoƫ Kravitz, Oscar Isaac, Nicolas Cage, Lily Tomlin, Chris Pine, Jake Johnson
Directed By:
Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti

TV Shows

True Detective
42
5
True Detective
TV-MA
42
5
Starring:
Rachel McAdams, Alexandra Daddario, Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Abigail Spencer, Taylor Kitsch, Sarah Gadon
Directed By:
Cary Fukunaga, John Crowley, Justin Lin
Treme
9
2
Treme
TV-MA
9
2
Starring:
John Goodman, Danai Gurira, Isabella Rossellini, Anthony Anderson, Al Roker, Kim Dickens, Khandi Alexander
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
13
3
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV-14
13
3
Starring:
Amanda Seyfried, Viola Davis, Natasha Lyonne, Carol Burnett, Lou Diamond Phillips, Robin Williams, Julie Bowen
Directed By:
Lie to Me
14
3
Lie to Me
TV-14
14
3
Starring:
Tim Roth, Noel Fisher, Patrick J. Adams, Tricia Helfer, John Amos, Felicia Day, Jonathan Banks
Directed By:
Lights Out
8
2
Lights Out
TV-MA
8
2
Starring:
Anna Chlumsky, Stacy Keach, Eamonn Walker, Elias Koteas
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
11
3
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV-14
11
3
Starring:
Chad Michael Murray, Dakota Fanning, Katey Sagal, Charlie Sheen, Pauley Perrette, Eric Roberts, Ian Somerhalder
Directed By:
NYPD Blue
8
2
NYPD Blue
TV-14
8
2
Starring:
Wood Harris, Daniel Baldwin, Mike Vitar, Page Kennedy, Robert Carradine, Kevin Dillon, Elizabeth Berkley
Directed By:
Luke Cage
13
5
Luke Cage
TV-MA
13
5
Starring:
Rosario Dawson, Finn Jones, Alfre Woodard, Mike Colter, Theo Rossi, Simone Missick
Directed By:
The 4400
9
3
The 4400
TV-14
9
3
Starring:
Brian Dennehy, Madison Pettis, Summer Glau, Tippi Hedren, Michael Moriarty
Alphas
8
3
Alphas
TV-14
8
3
Starring:
Sean Astin, Lauren Holly, Summer Glau, David Strathairn, Tatiana Maslany
Comrade Detective
6
3
Comrade Detective
TV-MA
6
3
Starring:
Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bobby Cannavale, Kim Basinger, Nick Offerman, Fred Armisen
Haunted
6
2
Haunted
6
2
Starring:
Bianca Lawson, Pauley Perrette, Matthew Fox, Russell Hornsby, Lynn Collins, Michael Irby
Directed By:
Michael Rymer, Rick Wallace, Bill Norton
The Handler
6
2
The Handler
6
2
Starring:
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Joe Pantoliano, Rita Moreno, Stana Katic, Francesco Quinn, Lou Diamond Phillips, Anna Belknap
Directed By:
Stephen Surjik, Jean de Segonzac, Mick Jackson, Jeremy Kagan
Crossing Jordan
6
3
Crossing Jordan
6
3
Starring:
Paul Winfield, Joel Grey, Lesley Ann Warren, Ariel Winter, Emily Deschanel, Miguel Ferrer, Boris Kodjoe
Directed By:
Allan Arkush, Roxann Dawson, Michael Gershman, Donna Deitch, Ian Toynton
Alcatraz
8
3
Alcatraz
TV-14
8
3
Starring:
Robbie Amell, Rami Malek, Sam Neill, Jorge Garcia, Leon Rippy, Sarah Jones
Directed By:
Jack Bender, Paul A. Edwards
Predators Motion Comics: Moment of Extraction (2010)
8
5
Predators Motion Comics: Moment of Extraction
8
5
Role:
Mombasa (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Laurence Fishburne, Danny Trejo, Alice Braga, Louis Ozawa Changchien
Threat Matrix
4
3
Threat Matrix
4
3
Role:
Jelani Harper (15 episodes, 2003-2004)
Starring:
Aaron Paul, Courtney Ford, Patrick Bauchau, Tamlyn Tomita, Melora Walters, Kelly Rutherford, Will Lyman
Directed By:
Tim Matheson, Fred Gerber, Perry Lang, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Shaw

Mahershala Ali Awards

Academy Awards
Moonlight Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2017
Green Book Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2019
Golden Globe Awards
Green Book Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture 2019
Primetime Emmy Awards
We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest Outstanding Children's Program 2020
BAFTA Awards
Green Book Best Supporting Actor 2019