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:
Jack Klugman, Joanne Woodward, John Forsythe, Audra Lindley, Elaine Stritch, Inger Stevens, Ed Asner
Directed By:
The United States Steel Hour
15
3
The United States Steel Hour
15
3
Starring:
Andy Griffith, Telly Savalas, Lee Marvin, Betty White, William Shatner, Carol Burnett, Gene Hackman
Directed By:
Alex Segal, Paul Bogart, Tom Donovan, Daniel Petrie, Bruce Minnix
Armstrong Circle Theatre
13
3
Armstrong Circle Theatre
13
3
Starring:
Lee Remick, Sydney Pollack, Martin Landau, Diane Ladd, Steven McQueen, Anthony Perkins, Charles Durning
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:
Sidney Poitier, Anthony Quinn, Paul Muni, Adam West, Jack Lemmon, Cliff Robertson, George Reeves
Directed By:
Delbert Mann, Fred Coe, Gordon Duff, Vincent J. Donehue, Arthur Penn
Crossroads
12
3
Crossroads
12
3
Starring:
Barbara Eden, Lloyd Bridges, Michael Landon, Edd Byrnes, Elinor Donahue, Vincent Price, Denver Pyle
Directed By:
Paul Landres, Jus Addiss, Erle C. Kenton, Ralph Murphy, Nathan Juran
Danger
11
3
Danger
11
3
Starring:
Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, Jack Palance, Eli Wallach, Lee Grant, Ben Gazzara, Broderick Crawford
Directed By:
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
19
5
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
19
5
Starring:
David Niven, Charlton Heston, Bette Davis, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Charles Bronson, Mary Tyler Moore
Directed By:
Lux Video Theatre
13
4
Lux Video Theatre
13
4
Starring:
Buster Keaton, Jayne Mansfield, Alfred Hitchcock, Bing Crosby, Amanda Blake, William Holden, James Whitmore
Directed By:
Richard Goode, Fielder Cook, Buzz Kulik, Earl Eby, Norman Morgan
The Big Story
11
2
The Big Story
11
2
Starring:
Jason Robards, Walter Matthau, Jerry Stiller, Diane Ladd, Jack Klugman, Leslie Nielsen, Steven McQueen
Directed By:
Lawrence Doheny, Robert Gordon, David Lowell Rich, Stuart Rosenberg, Leonard Valenta
Studio One
18
6
Studio One
18
6
Starring:
Abe Vigoda, Jerry Stiller, Warren Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Peter Graves, Tina Louise, Patricia Neal
Directed By:
Treasury Men in Action
10
3
Treasury Men in Action
10
3
Starring:
Carolyn Jones, Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Jack Klugman, Claude Akins, 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:
Art Carney, Barbara Bel Geddes, Carl Reiner, Lillian Gish, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, 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, Joanne Woodward, Jackie Cooper, Cloris Leachman
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, Ethel Barrymore, Raymond Burr, Nelson Leigh, Regis Toomey, Loretta Young
Directed By:
Arthur Pierson
General Electric Theater
19
8
General Electric Theater
19
8
Starring:
Merle Oberon, Charles Laughton, Jane Wyman, Jeanne Crain, Gene Tierney, Ray Milland, Angie Dickinson
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, Leslie Nielsen, Sidney Poitier, Grace Kelly, 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