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 David Mamet Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. The Verdict (1982)
39
3
The Verdict
R
39
3

In order to restore his career and self-respect, a lawyer takes up a medical malpractice case to trial, rather than settling it outside of court. However, he has to go against a powerful attorney Edward Concannon.

Starring:
Paul Newman, James Mason, Bruce Willis, Lindsay Crouse, Jack Warden
Directed By:
Sidney Lumet
2. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
33
2
Glengarry Glen Ross
R
33
2

Ricky Roma, Shelley Levene, Dave Moss, and George Aaronow are four real-estate salesmen who work for Premiere Properties, Chicago. When during a sales meeting it is revealed that the bottom two salesmen of the month will be fired, rivalry turns into jealousy and treachery amongst the four. 

Directed By:
James Foley
3. The Untouchables (1987)
22
4
The Untouchables
R
22
4

The Prohibition era Chicago is replete with corruption and the gangland kingpin Al Capone has the city under his control. When Federal Agent Eliot Ness is assigned to put an end to Capone’s illegal activities, he forms a team of uncorrupted men and soon finds a way to bring the gangster down.

Starring:
Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia
Directed By:
4. House of Games (1987)
25
4
House of Games
R
25
4

House of Games is a crime thriller film which tells the story of Margaret Ford, a psychiatrist who wants to help one of her patients who is a compulsive gambler. She starts accompanying him to his poker games, hoping she will be able to help him.

Starring:
William H. Macy, James Thomas Patrick Walsh, Joe Mantegna, J.T. Walsh, Lilia Skala, Lindsay Crouse
Directed By:
David Mamet
5. The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
22
2
The Spanish Prisoner
PG
22
2

Joe Ross is a corporate engineer who has recently invented a potentially lucrative financial process. While vacationing in an island, he soon meets a mysterious and wealthy stranger named Jimmy Dell, who offers to help him protect his business process invention. However, everything changes when Ross finds himself falsely accused of murder.  

Starring:
Ben Gazzara, Steve Martin, Campbell Scott, Rebecca Pidgeon, Ricky Jay
Directed By:
David Mamet
6. Wag the Dog (1997)
22
3
Wag the Dog
R
22
3

A sex scandal that is about to expose the president at an inopportune time of pre-election period jeopardizes the president’s chances of being re-elected. Political consultant, Conrad Brean, and Hollywood producer, Stanley Motss, are appointed to contrive a war in Albania to divert the media attention away from the scandal and towards the fake war that projects the president as a hero. 

Directed By:
Barry Levinson
7. Ronin (1998)
17
3
Ronin
R
17
3

Irish woman Deirdre puts together a 'Ronin' team, comprised of outcast specialists working as mercenaries, to steal a large briefcase from a man before he sells it to the Russians. However, after the mission is successfully completed, one team member steals the case to sell it for his own profit, starting a wild goose chase among his teammates.

Starring:
Jean Reno, Sean Bean, Michael Lonsdale, Robert De Niro, Jonathan Pryce, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård
Directed By:
John Frankenheimer
9. The Winslow Boy (1999)
11
2
The Winslow Boy
G
11
2

After being accused of theft, a fourteen year old boy is expelled from Naval College. His family however decides to risk their wealth as well as their domestic peace, to fight a lengthy legal battle to defend their honor and prove his innocence.   

Starring:
Nigel Hawthorne, Gemma Jones, Rebecca Pidgeon, Matthew Pidgeon, Lana Bilzerian
Directed By:
David Mamet
10. The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981)
16
3
The Postman Always Rings Twice
R
16
3

This crime thriller film tells the story of Frank Chambers, who begins working at a rural California diner located in the hills outside Los Angeles. The diner is operated by a young, beautiful woman named Cora, and her older husband Nick, who is an immigrant from Greece. Frank and Cora soon start having an affair, and since Flora doesn’t love her husband, and wishes to own the diner, they start planning to murder him.  

Starring:
Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Lerner, John P. Ryan, John Colicos
Directed By:
Bob Rafelson
11. Homicide (1991)
15
2
Homicide
R
15
2

A Jewish detective is trying to catch a murderer, whom even the FBI was unable to track down. However, he is soon assigned to a different case, where he has to investigate the murder of a Jewish lady. Her family believes that her murder was an anti-Semitic hate crime. Although he is initially not convinced, he soon begins to discover a larger conspiracy.

Starring:
Ving Rhames, William H. Macy, Joe Mantegna, Vincent Guastaferro, J.J. Johnston
Directed By:
David Mamet
12. The Edge (1997)
17
3
The Edge
R
17
3

Intelligent billionaire, Charles Morse, fashion-photographer, Robert Green, and assistant Stephen, fly in search of location for photo-shoot of Charles’ young model wife. As their plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness, they struggle to survive the elements, especially a stalking Kodiak bear. When Charles discovers that Robert is having an affair with his wife, he realizes that Robert could pose the real threat.

Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, Elle Macpherson, Alec Baldwin, Harold Perrineau, Bart the Bear
Directed By:
Lee Tamahori
13. State and Main (2000)
16
3
State and Main
R
16
3

This comedy drama film revolves around a film production crew who are forced to relocate into a small town named Watford. This really makes things tough for them. Things get even more complicated due to the unprofessional behavior of the lead actors.

Starring:
Charles Durning, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Stiles, John Krasinski, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin
Directed By:
David Mamet
14. Things Change (1988)
10
2
Things Change
PG
10
2
Starring:
Don Ameche, William H. Macy, James Thomas Patrick Walsh, Joe Mantegna, Clark Gregg, J.T. Walsh
Directed By:
David Mamet
15. Spartan (2004)
15
2
Spartan
R
15
2

Spartan is an action thriller film, which tells the story of a Secret Service Agent, who is assigned to rescue the daughter of the President, after she is kidnapped by a human trafficking ring. However, he soon finds himself in the middle of a large conspiracy.

Starring:
Val Edward Kilmer, Aaron Stanford, Kristen Bell, William H. Macy, Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, Tia Texada
Directed By:
David Mamet
16. Redbelt (2008)
12
3
Redbelt
R
12
3

Mike Terry is a skilled martial arts instructor who refuses to participate in tournaments. However, due to his financial condition getting worse, he eventually decides to take part in such a competition.   

Starring:
Jake Johnson, Jennifer Grey, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Emily Mortimer, Jose Pablo Cantillo
Directed By:
David Mamet
17. Heist (2001)
16
3
Heist
R
16
3

Joe Moore who is a professional jewel thief, gives up his lifestyle after his identity is captured by a security surveillance tape. However, a time comes when he and his partner are bankrupt, and therefore they decide to go on one last heist.

Starring:
Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Pidgeon, Delroy Lindo
Directed By:
David Mamet
18. Hannibal (2001)
11
5
Hannibal
R
11
5

The iconic horror thriller is a sequel to The Silence of the Lambs. The movie sees child molester Mason Verger, also cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal’s only surviving victim, forming an elaborate plan to seek revenge by using Clarice Starling. Hannibal has a weakness for her. He almost succeeds but is ultimately killed. 

Starring:
Ray Liotta, Gary Oldman, Giancarlo Giannini, Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Frankie Faison
Directed By:
19. Oleanna (1994)
12
4
Oleanna
12
4
Starring:
William H. Macy, Debra Eisenstadt, Diego Pineda, Scott Zigler
Directed By:
David Mamet
20. Hoffa (1992)
11
5
Hoffa
R
11
5

A fictionalized version of the infamous Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa’s life. He starts as a Teamster union organizer and rises to become the president of the 'International Brotherhood of Teamsters.' Forming an alliance between the union and mafia, he illegally uses Teamster funds for mob. Following frequent battles with industry management and the Attorney General, he serves prison sentence, but after his release, disappears mysteriously in 1975.

Starring:
Armand Assante, Jon Favreau, Tim Burton, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito, James Thomas Patrick Walsh, John C. Reilly
Directed By:
21. Black Widow (1987)
11
2
Black Widow
R
11
2

Black Widow is a crime drama thriller film which tells the story of a woman named Catherine who marries wealthy men for their money, and murders them. Meanwhile, a federal agent named Alexandra is on her trail for a long time, but she is not able to prove anything due to lack of evidence, and as the latter is a master of disguise.  

Starring:
Debra Winger, Dennis Hopper, Diane Ladd, Sami Frey
Directed By:
Bob Rafelson
22. About Last Night... (1986)
11
2
About Last Night...
R
11
2

Danny and Debbie meet and find themselves attracted to each other. They begin dating but their disapproving and bitter friends cause problems in their relationship by giving terrible advice.

Starring:
Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Megan Mullally, Jim Belushi, James Belushi, Elizabeth Perkins, George DiCenzo
Directed By:
Edward Zwick
23. Edmond (2005)
10
4
Edmond
R
10
4

Edmond is an American thriller film which tells the story of a middle-aged New York City businessman, who visits a fortune teller who tells him ‘You are not where you belong’. A little startled, he decides to make changes to his life, and he first leaves his wife. He visits a bar, hoping to fulfill his sexual desires, but things don’t go as expected.

Starring:
Denise Richards, Bai Ling, William H. Macy, Julia Stiles, Joe Mantegna, Rebecca Pidgeon
Directed By:
Stuart Gordon
24. We're No Angels (1989)
9
2
We're No Angels
PG-13
9
2

Jim and Ned are two convicts who manage to escape from prison along with a killer. They decide to head north towards the Canadian border, but they are soon mistaken for priests. They play along and take up residency at a monastery, but things get complicated when Ned falls for Molly, a local girl.  

Starring:
Sean Penn, Robert De Niro, Demi Moore, Hoyt Axton, Bruno Kirby
Directed By:
Neil Jordan
25. About Last Night (2014)
9
3
About Last Night
TV-14
9
3

This romantic comedy film tells the story of Danny and Debbie, who pretend to be a couple for a night. The following day, they think of testing how well their relationship works in the real world.

Starring:
Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Christopher McDonald, Joy Bryant, Michael Ealy
Directed By:
Steve Pink
26. American Buffalo (1996)
9
2
American Buffalo
R
9
2
Starring:
Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, Sean Nelson
Directed By:
Michael Corrente
27. The Coin (2013)
11
2
The Coin
11
2
Starring:
Christopher Lloyd, Kathryn Morris, Will Kemp, Jesse Cruzado Burge, Adam McArthur
Directed By:
Fabien Martorell
28. Catastrophe (2000)
9
2
Catastrophe
9
2
Starring:
John Gielgud, Harold Pinter, Rebecca Pidgeon
Directed By:
David Mamet
29. Lakeboat (2000)
10
2
Lakeboat
R
10
2
Starring:
Peter Falk, Charles Durning, Denis Leary, Joe Mantegna, Robert Forster
Directed By:
Joe Mantegna
30. Our Valley (2010)
7
1
Our Valley
7
1
Starring:
Clara Mamet
Directed By:
David Mamet
31. Two Painters (2010)
6
1
Two Painters
6
1
Starring:
Rebecca Pidgeon, Arianna Huffington, John Pirruccello
Directed By:
David Mamet
32. The Marquee (2010)
6
1
The Marquee
6
1
Starring:
Clara Mamet
Directed By:
David Mamet

TV Movie(s)

1. Phil Spector (2013)
9
3
Phil Spector
TV-MA
9
3
Starring:
Jeffrey Tambor, Helen Mirren, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Al Pacino, Rebecca Pidgeon
Directed By:
David Mamet
2. A Life in the Theater (1979)
13
2
A Life in the Theater
13
2
Starring:
Peter Evans, Ellis Rabb
Directed By:
Kirk Browning, Gerald Gutierrez
3. Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants (1996)
12
2
Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants
12
2
Starring:
Ricky Jay
Directed By:
David Mamet
4. The Water Engine (1992)
9
2
The Water Engine
9
2
Starring:
Martin Sheen, Charles Durning, William H. Macy, Joe Mantegna
Directed By:
Steven Schachter
5. A Life in the Theater (1993)
8
2
A Life in the Theater
8
2
Starring:
Matthew Broderick, Jack Lemmon
Directed By:
Gregory Mosher
6. Lip Service (1988)
8
2
Lip Service
8
2
Starring:
William H. Macy, Clark Gregg, Fran Brill, Paul Dooley, Griffin Dunne
Directed By:
William H. Macy
7. Lansky (1999)
8
3
Lansky
R
8
3
Starring:
Eric Roberts, Richard Dreyfuss, Yosef Carmon, Mosko Alkalai, Fima Noveck
Directed By:
John McNaughton

Animation(s)

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995)
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
TV-PG
Starring:
David Cross, Steven Alexander Wright, Dave Attell, Richard Lewis, Kevin Nealon, Joy Behar, Marc Maron

TV Shows and Videos

The Shield (2002)
The Shield
TV-MA
Starring:
Katey Sagal, Stana Katic, Forest Whitaker, Glenn Close, Jason Earles, Anthony Anderson, Carl Weathers
Directed By:
Guy Ferland, Scott Brazil, Clark Johnson, Dean White, Stephen Kay
Hill Street Blues (1981)
Hill Street Blues
TV-14
Starring:
Miguel Ferrer, Timothy Francis Robbins, Scatman Crothers, James Cromwell, John Ratzenberger, Edward James Olmos, David Caruso
Directed By:
Gregory Hoblit, Christian I. Nyby II, David Anspaugh, Rick Wallace, Thomas Carter
The Unit (2006)
The Unit
TV-PG
Starring:
Don Rickles, David Harbour, Laz Alonso, Ann Cusack, Corey Stoll, Summer Glau, Jon Hamm
Directed By:
Terrence O'Hara, Oz Scott, Michael Zinberg, James Whitmore Jr., Krishna Rao
Inside the Actor's Workshop (2010)
Inside the Actor's Workshop
Starring:
Danny DeVito, Clara Mamet, Martin Jarvis, Cormac Bluestone, Erin Anne Williams
Directed By:
David Mamet
Performance (1992)
Performance
Starring:
Miranda Richardson, Corin Redgrave, Les Dawson, Pam Ferris, Ian Holm, Alfred Molina, Bob Hoskins
Directed By:
Simon Curtis, David Thacker, Harold Pinter
The Play on One (1988)
The Play on One
Starring:
Colin Firth, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Roth, David Tennant, Alex Kingston, Harvey Keitel, Miriam Margolyes
Directed By:
David Attwood, Sandy Johnson, Roy Battersby
Lost Masterpieces of Pornography (2010)
Lost Masterpieces of Pornography
Starring:
Kristen Bell, Ed O'Neill, Ricky Jay, Bob Jennings, Meaghan Librizzi
Directed By:
David Mamet