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 James Dean Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. East of Eden (1955)
20
5
East of Eden
TV-PG
20
5

East of Eden is a drama film, which tells the story of two brothers who compete for the approval of their strict father, as well as for the affection of the woman whom they both are attracted to. 

Role:
Cal Trask
Starring:
Julie Harris, Burl Ives, Raymond Massey, Richard Davalos
Directed By:
Awards:
Golden Globe Award for
2. Forgotten Children (1952)
9
2
Forgotten Children
9
2
Role:
Bradford
Starring:
Cloris Leachman, Nancy Malone, Barbara Bolton, Lee Lindsey
Directed By:
William Corrigan
3. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
23
6
Rebel Without a Cause
TV-PG
23
6

This 1955 American drama revolves around a troubled but sensitive teenager named Jim, who rejected his elder’s values, and also wanted to have a purpose in life. The film is known as a groundbreaking attempt to portray the moral decay of the American youth of the time, as well as to explore the conflicts between generations. 

Role:
Jim Stark
Starring:
Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, Dennis Hopper, Jim Backus, Ann Doran
Directed By:
Nicholas Ray
5. Deadline - U.S.A. (1952)
9
3
Deadline - U.S.A.
9
3
Starring:
Humphrey Bogart, Ethel Barrymore, Ed Begley, Kim Hunter, Warren Stevens, Humphrey Bogart
Directed By:
Richard Brooks
6. The James Dean Story (1957)
6
4
The James Dean Story
6
4

This documentary film narrates the life of late American actor James Dean. It looks at his life through the use of still photos as well as narration. The documentary also involves several interviews taken with many of the people involved in his life. 

Role:
Himself
Starring:
Martin Gabel, Lew Bracker, Marvin Carter, Patsy D'Amore
Directed By:

TV Shows

Kraft Television Theatre
16
3
Kraft Television Theatre
16
3
Starring:
Eva Gabor, Anthony Perkins, Maggie Smith, Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, George Peppard, Art Carney
Directed By:
The United States Steel Hour
15
3
The United States Steel Hour
15
3
Starring:
Carol Burnett, Betty White, Gene Hackman, William Shatner, Telly Savalas, Andy Griffith, Dina Merrill
Directed By:
Alex Segal, Paul Bogart, Tom Donovan, Daniel Petrie, Bruce Minnix
Armstrong Circle Theatre
13
3
Armstrong Circle Theatre
13
3
Starring:
Gena Rowlands, Lee Remick, Martin Sheen, Diane Ladd, Jack Klugman, Sydney Pollack, Julie London
Directed By:
William Corrigan, Paul Bogart, Ted Post, Garry Simpson, James Sheldon
The Philco Television Playhouse
13
3
The Philco Television Playhouse
13
3
Starring:
James Whitmore, Audra Lindley, Cliff Robertson, Jessica Tandy, Eva Marie Saint, George Reeves, John Forsythe
Directed By:
Delbert Mann, Fred Coe, Gordon Duff, Vincent J. Donehue, Arthur Penn
Crossroads
12
3
Crossroads
12
3
Starring:
Barbara Eden, Michael Landon, Lloyd Bridges, Elinor Donahue, Edd Byrnes, Vincent Price, Denver Pyle
Directed By:
Paul Landres, Jus Addiss, Erle C. Kenton, Ralph Murphy, Nathan Juran
Danger
11
3
Danger
11
3
Starring:
Broderick Crawford, Jackie Cooper, Lee Grant, Steve Allen, Ben Gazzara, Anthony Quinn, Inger Stevens
Directed By:
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
19
5
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
19
5
Starring:
Burt Reynolds, Bette Davis, Charlton Heston, Mary Tyler Moore, Lee Marvin, Tony Curtis, Vincent Price
Directed By:
Lux Video Theatre
13
4
Lux Video Theatre
13
4
Starring:
Alfred Hitchcock, Buster Keaton, Bing Crosby, Jayne Mansfield, Arlene Francis, Edward G. Robinson, Frances Bavier
Directed By:
Richard Goode, Fielder Cook, Buzz Kulik, Earl Eby, Norman Morgan
The Big Story
11
2
The Big Story
11
2
Starring:
Walter Matthau, Martin Landau, Steven McQueen, Jerry Stiller, Lee Marvin, Leslie Nielsen, Jack Klugman
Directed By:
Lawrence Doheny, Robert Gordon, David Lowell Rich, Stuart Rosenberg, Leonard Valenta
Studio One
18
6
Studio One
18
6
Starring:
Charles Bronson, Abe Vigoda, Anne Bancroft, Warren Beatty, Jerry Stiller, Marion Ross, Hume Cronyn
Directed By:
Treasury Men in Action
10
3
Treasury Men in Action
10
3
Starring:
Carolyn Jones, Claude Akins, Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Jack Klugman, Ben Gazzara, Walter Greaza
Directed By:
Gerald Mayer, Daniel Petrie, Leigh Jason, William Beaudine, Robert Sloane
The Kate Smith Hour
10
2
The Kate Smith Hour
10
2
Starring:
John Carradine, Kate Smith
Directed By:
Greg Garrison
Campbell Playhouse
9
3
Campbell Playhouse
9
3
Role:
Hank Bradon / ...
Starring:
Jack Lemmon, Carl Reiner, Lillian Gish, Barbara Bel Geddes, Walter Matthau, Art Carney, Parker Fennelly
Directed By:
Garry Simpson, Alex Segal, Don Appell, Marc Daniels
Tales of Tomorrow
19
7
Tales of Tomorrow
19
7
Starring:
Raymond Burr, James Doohan, Paul Newman, Leslie Nielsen, Cloris Leachman, Joanne Woodward, Rod Steiger
Directed By:
Charles S. Dubin, Franklin J. Schaffner, Don Medford, Leonard Valenta
Family Theatre
10
3
Family Theatre
10
3
Starring:
Loretta Young, Don Ameche, Raymond Burr, Ethel Barrymore, Nelson Leigh, Regis Toomey, Loretta Young
Directed By:
Arthur Pierson
General Electric Theater
19
8
General Electric Theater
19
8
Starring:
Ron Howard, Angela Lansbury, Ryan O'Neal, Ernest Borgnine, Bob Crane, James Coburn, Joan Fontaine
Directed By:
The Stu Erwin Show
11
4
The Stu Erwin Show
11
4
Starring:
Stuart Erwin, June Collyer, Ann E. Todd
Directed By:
Charles Barton, Howard Bretherton, James Tinling, Frank R. Strayer
CBS Television Workshop
9
3
CBS Television Workshop
9
3
Starring:
Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Grace Kelly, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Baines, John Baragrey, Harry Bellaver
Directed By:
Sidney Lumet, Curt Conway, Richard Franchot

Special Appearance/Cameo

Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952)
13
4
Has Anybody Seen My Gal
13
4

Samuel Fulton, an aging millionaire without an heir, decides to leave his fortune to the family of the late Millicent Blaisdell, who had once dumped him for his lack of money, thereby inspiring him to pursue wealth. However, he also wants to test the family beforehand, in order to ensure that the money would not be misused.

Role:
Youth at Soda Fountain (uncredited)
Starring:
Rock Hudson, Charles Coburn, Piper Laurie, William Reynolds
Directed By:
Douglas Sirk
Fixed Bayonets! (1951)
13
5
Fixed Bayonets!
13
5
Role:
Doggie (uncredited)
Starring:
Skip Homeier, Richard Basehart, Gene Evans, Michael O'Shea
Directed By:
Samuel Fuller
Trouble Along the Way (1953)
13
5
Trouble Along the Way
13
5
Role:
Football Spectator (uncredited)
Starring:
Donna Reed, John Wayne, Sherry Jackson, Charles Coburn, Tom Tully, Donna Reed
Directed By:
Sailor Beware (1952)
10
5
Sailor Beware
10
5

Melvin Jones, who is allergic to cosmetics, applies for the Navy to travel in the ocean as prescribed by a doctor and befriends Al Crowthers, who has a bad knee. After they are accepted, his friends make a bet prompting Melvin to kiss the star Corinne Calvet, enraging his new girlfriend Hilda and Al, who is courting Corinne.

Role:
Boxing Opponent's Second (uncredited)
Starring:
Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Corinne Calvet, Leif Erickson
Directed By:
Hal Walker

James Dean Awards

Golden Globe Awards
Winner World Film Favorite - Male 1957