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 Elaine May Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. The Graduate (1967)
39
10
The Graduate
TV-MA
39
10

The Graduate, which won an Academy Award for Best director, revolves around the life of fresh college graduate Benjamin Braddock who is seduced into having an affair by Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father’s partner. He is persuaded by his family to go out with Elaine, Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, but things get complicated when Benjamin falls in love with Elaine.  

Starring:
Directed By:
2. Mikey and Nicky (1976)
8
3
Mikey and Nicky
R
8
3
Starring:
Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Carol Grace, Ned Beatty
Directed By:
Elaine May
3. A New Leaf (1971)
9
3
A New Leaf
G
9
3
Role:
Henrietta Lowell
Starring:
Walter Matthau, Doris Roberts, George Rose, Jack Weston
Directed By:
Elaine May
4. Small Time Crooks (2000)
10
5
Small Time Crooks
PG
10
5

This heist comedy film, tells the story of a crooked married couple, who plan to rob a local bank. However, they also start selling cookies as their cover up business. Ironically their cookie business makes them even richer, and the duo is now unsure whether they should continue stealing.  

Starring:
Woody Allen, Elaine Stritch, Hugh Grant, Tracey Ullman, Tony Darrow, Michael Rapaport
Directed By:
5. Enter Laughing (1967)
6
3
Enter Laughing
6
3

Enter Laughing is a comedy film, which tells the story of an aspiring actor David, who joins a theater company. However, he lacks talent and continues to make effort to make his acting debut.  

Role:
Angela Marlowe
Starring:
Don Rickles, Rob Reiner, Shelley Winters, José Ferrer, Jack Gilford
Directed By:
8. Luv (1967)
4
3
Luv
4
3

Depressed with his life, Harry is about to take his own life by jumping off a bridge, when he is stopped by an old friend, Milt. Milt is having his own problems with his marriage, and decides to use Harry to take away his wife.  

Role:
Ellen Manville
Starring:
Directed By:
Clive Donner
9. In the Spirit (1990)
4
3
In the Spirit
R
4
3
Role:
Marianne Flan
Starring:
Melanie Griffith, Peter Falk, Olympia Dukakis, Jeannie Berlin
Directed By:
Sandra Seacat

TV Shows

American Masters
10
2
American Masters
10
2
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Willis, Kevin Spacey, Morgan Freeman, Steven Spielberg, Lee Grant, Eva Marie Saint
The DuPont Show of the Month
7
2
The DuPont Show of the Month
7
2
Starring:
Fredric March, Joss Ackland, Barbara Bel Geddes, Harpo Marx, Jackie Cooper, Dick Van Patten, John Gielgud
Directed By:
Robert Mulligan, Ralph Nelson, Alex Segal, Sidney Lumet, Daniel Petrie
Crisis in Six Scenes
18
9
Crisis in Six Scenes
TV-PG
18
9
Role:
Kay Munsinger (6 episodes, 2016)
Starring:
David Harbour, Joy Behar, Woody Allen, Max Casella
Directed By:

Narrator/Dubbing

Mikey and Nicky (1976)
8
3
Mikey and Nicky
R
8
3
Role:
Woman on TV (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Carol Grace, Ned Beatty
Directed By:
Elaine May
Wolf (1994)
12
7
Wolf
R
12
7

This romantic horror film tells us the story of Will Randall who becomes a werewolf, and finds himself full of vigor and youth. He fights to regain his job and to woo his former boss’s daughter Laura. 

Role:
Operator (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Jack Nicholson, David Schwimmer, Christopher Plummer, Madhur Jaffrey, Allison Janney
Directed By:

Director

Mikey and Nicky (1976)
11
4
Mikey and Nicky
R
11
4
Starring:
Peter Falk, John Cassavetes, Carol Grace, Ned Beatty
Directed By:
Elaine May
A New Leaf (1971)
11
4
A New Leaf
G
11
4
Starring:
Walter Matthau, Doris Roberts, George Rose, Jack Weston
Directed By:
Elaine May
The Heartbreak Kid (1972)
10
4
The Heartbreak Kid
PG
10
4
Starring:
Audra Lindley, Eddie Albert, Charles Grodin, Doris Roberts, Neil Simon, Cybill Shepherd
Directed By:
Elaine May
Ishtar (1987)
7
9
Ishtar
PG-13
7
9

Ishtar is an adventure comedy film which revolves around Chuck and Lyle, two singers who are both eager to become famous. They both receive an offer in a hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco, as lounge singers, and they decide to accept the gig. They soon arrive in a neighboring country named Ishtar, and they both unknowingly get involved in a plot to overthrow its powerful leader.

Starring:
Isabelle Adjani, Warren Beatty, Charles Grodin, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Weston
Directed By:
Elaine May

Special Appearance/Cameo

The Graduate (1967)
12
3
The Graduate
TV-MA
12
3

The Graduate, which won an Academy Award for Best director, revolves around the life of fresh college graduate Benjamin Braddock who is seduced into having an affair by Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father’s partner. He is persuaded by his family to go out with Elaine, Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, but things get complicated when Benjamin falls in love with Elaine.  

Role:
Girl with Note for Benjamin (uncredited)
Starring:
Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Richard Dreyfuss, Katharine Ross, Alice Ghostley, Murray Hamilton, William Daniels
Directed By:

Elaine May Awards

BAFTA Awards
Primary Colors Best Screenplay - Adapted 1999
Grammy Awards
Winner Best Comedy Performance 1962