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)
17
4
East of Eden
TV-PG
17
4

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)
8
2
Forgotten Children
8
2
Role:
Bradford
Starring:
Cloris Leachman, Nancy Malone, Barbara Bolton, Lee Lindsey
Directed By:
William Corrigan
3. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
22
6
Rebel Without a Cause
TV-PG
22
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)
7
3
Deadline - U.S.A.
7
3
Starring:
Humphrey Bogart, Ethel Barrymore, Ed Begley, Kim Hunter, Warren Stevens, Humphrey Bogart
Directed By:
Richard Brooks
6. The James Dean Story (1957)
5
3
The James Dean Story
5
3

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
15
3
Kraft Television Theatre
15
3
Starring:
Anthony Perkins, Ossie Davis, George C. Scott, George Reeves, Jack Klugman, John Forsythe, Joanne Woodward
Directed By:
The United States Steel Hour
14
3
The United States Steel Hour
14
3
Starring:
Gene Hackman, Telly Savalas, Andy Griffith, Lee Marvin, Betty White, William Shatner, Carol Burnett
Directed By:
Alex Segal, Paul Bogart, Tom Donovan, Daniel Petrie, Bruce Minnix
Armstrong Circle Theatre
12
3
Armstrong Circle Theatre
12
3
Starring:
Ed Asner, Charles Grodin, Lee Remick, Sydney Pollack, Steven McQueen, Diane Ladd, Audra Lindley
Directed By:
William Corrigan, Paul Bogart, Ted Post, Garry Simpson, James Sheldon
The Philco Television Playhouse
12
3
The Philco Television Playhouse
12
3
Starring:
Eva Gabor, Anne Meara, Anthony Quinn, Paul Muni, Sidney Poitier, Werner Klemperer, Jack Lemmon
Directed By:
Delbert Mann, Fred Coe, Gordon Duff, Vincent J. Donehue, Arthur Penn
Crossroads
11
3
Crossroads
11
3
Starring:
Barbara Eden, James Whitmore, Lloyd Bridges, Michael Landon, Edd Byrnes, Elinor Donahue, Vincent Price
Directed By:
Paul Landres, Jus Addiss, Erle C. Kenton, Ralph Murphy, Nathan Juran
Danger
11
3
Danger
11
3
Starring:
Steve Allen, Walter Matthau, Jackie Cooper, Jack Palance, Lee Grant, Eli Wallach, Ben Gazzara
Directed By:
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
18
5
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
18
5
Starring:
Mickey Rooney, Charlton Heston, David Niven, Tony Curtis, Bette Davis, Janet Leigh, Mary Tyler Moore
Directed By:
Lux Video Theatre
12
4
Lux Video Theatre
12
4
Starring:
Buster Keaton, Jayne Mansfield, Bing Crosby, Alfred Hitchcock, Alexis Smith, Dorothy McGuire, Amanda Blake
Directed By:
Richard Goode, Fielder Cook, Buzz Kulik, Earl Eby, Norman Morgan
The Big Story
10
2
The Big Story
10
2
Starring:
Martin Landau, Anthony Perkins, Walter Matthau, Diane Ladd, Jerry Stiller, Jack Klugman, Steven McQueen
Directed By:
Lawrence Doheny, Robert Gordon, David Lowell Rich, Stuart Rosenberg, Leonard Valenta
Studio One
17
5
Studio One
17
5
Starring:
Warren Beatty, Abe Vigoda, Jerry Stiller, Anne Bancroft, Charles Bronson, Elaine Stritch, Jackie Gleason
Directed By:
Treasury Men in Action
9
3
Treasury Men in Action
9
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
9
2
The Kate Smith Hour
9
2
Starring:
John Carradine, Kate Smith
Directed By:
Greg Garrison
Campbell Playhouse
8
3
Campbell Playhouse
8
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
18
7
Tales of Tomorrow
18
7
Starring:
Raymond Burr, James Doohan, Paul Newman, Leslie Nielsen, Eva Gabor, Joanne Woodward, Jackie Cooper
Directed By:
Charles S. Dubin, Franklin J. Schaffner, Don Medford, Leonard Valenta
Family Theatre
9
3
Family Theatre
9
3
Starring:
Loretta Young, Don Ameche, Ethel Barrymore, Raymond Burr, Nelson Leigh, Regis Toomey, Loretta Young
Directed By:
Arthur Pierson
General Electric Theater
18
8
General Electric Theater
18
8
Starring:
Harry Belafonte, Ernest Borgnine, Eva Marie Saint, Irene Dunne, James Mason, Lou Costello, Jane Wyman
Directed By:
The Stu Erwin Show
10
4
The Stu Erwin Show
10
4
Starring:
Stuart Erwin, June Collyer, Ann E. Todd
Directed By:
Charles Barton, Howard Bretherton, James Tinling, Frank R. Strayer
CBS Television Workshop
8
3
CBS Television Workshop
8
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)
12
4
Has Anybody Seen My Gal
12
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)
12
5
Fixed Bayonets!
12
5
Role:
Doggie (uncredited)
Starring:
Skip Homeier, Richard Basehart, Gene Evans, Michael O'Shea
Directed By:
Samuel Fuller
Trouble Along the Way (1953)
12
5
Trouble Along the Way
12
5
Role:
Football Spectator (uncredited)
Starring:
Donna Reed, John Wayne, Sherry Jackson, Charles Coburn, Tom Tully, Donna Reed
Directed By:
Sailor Beware (1952)
9
5
Sailor Beware
9
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