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 Spader Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
92
33
Avengers: Age of Ultron
PG-13
92
33

After the Avengers retrieve Loki's scepter from a Hydra facility, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner use it to complete Stark's Ultron global defense program. However, Ultron turns against humans realizing their wrongdoings, and attacks the Avengers, eliminating Stark's A.I. J.A.R.V.I.S. The Avengers must stop a global extinction with mysterious superhuman twins, Pietro and Wanda Maximoff.

Directed By:
2. Lincoln (2012)
36
12
Lincoln
PG-13
36
12

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln takes you back in time to watch the making of a historic moment as the US President gets the House of Representatives to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution which abolished slavery.

Role:
W.N. Bilbo
Directed By:
3. Wall Street (1987)
25
9
Wall Street
R
25
9

Young and ambitious Wall Street stockbroker Bud Fox idolizes successful but greedy corporate raider Gordon Gekko and trades inside information to get under his wing. Just as Fox begins to earn huge amounts of money by participating in shady deals, Gekko targets the employees' retirement fund of the airlines where Fox's father worked for 24 years.

Directed By:
4. Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
19
5
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
R
19
5

Sex, Lies and Videotape is an American drama film which tells the story of a wife who is sexually repressed, as her husband is having an affair with her own sister. However, things take a turn after the arrival of a visitor. 

Role:
Graham Dalton
Starring:
Andie MacDowell, Laura San Giacomo, Peter Gallagher, Ron Vawter
Directed By:
5. Cocaine: One Man's Seduction (1983)
9
3
Cocaine: One Man's Seduction
9
3
Role:
Buddy Gant
Starring:
Jeffrey Tambor, Karen Grassle, Dennis Weaver, David Ackroyd, Pamela Bellwood
Directed By:
Paul Wendkos
7. Stargate (1994)
29
11
Stargate
PG-13
29
11

Egyptologist Daniel Jackson decodes ancient hieroglyph to activate the previously recovered alien device Stargate and opens a wormhole to a distant planet. Jackson and a team led by Colonel Jack O'Neil find it inhabited by an Ancient Egyptian tribe, but are captured by their despotic ruler Ra, who confiscates the nuclear bomb O'Neil had secretly brought along.

Role:
Dr. Daniel Jackson
Starring:
Kurt Russell, Viveca Lindfors, Alexis Cruz, Jaye Davidson
Directed By:
Roland Emmerich
9. Diner (1983)
7
4
Diner
7
4
Starring:
Paul Reiser, Mike Binder, Alison La Placa, Michael Madsen,
Directed By:
Barry Levinson
10. Secretary (2002)
18
10
Secretary
R
18
10

An emotionally unstable girl from a dysfunctional family is institutionalized for her propensity to harm herself. After her release from the hospital, she secures the job of a typist with a grim and ruthless attorney. Although he is irritated with her in the beginning they soon embark on a BDSM relationship, which results in a personal awakening in her. Very soon, she falls in love with her boss. 

Role:
Mr. Grey
Starring:
Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lesley Ann Warren, Patrick Bauchau, Jeremy Davies, Stephen McHattie
Directed By:
Steven Shainberg
11. A Killer in the Family (1983)
7
3
A Killer in the Family
7
3
Role:
Donny Tison
Starring:
Robert Mitchum, Eric Stoltz, Lance Kerwin, Salome Jens
Directed By:
Richard T. Heffron
12. Pretty in Pink (1986)
19
7
Pretty in Pink
PG-13
19
7

Sweet and intelligent teenager Andie is not very popular in her school. Duckie, who is smitten with her, and Iona, are her closest friends though she has a secret crush on wealthy heartthrob Blane. When Blane starts showing interest in her, Andie is sure that she has found true love. However, while her friends disapprove, Blane’s friend circle looks down on her.

 

Role:
Steff
Starring:
Molly Ringwald, Andrew McCarthy, Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer, Annie Potts
Directed By:
Howard Deutch
13. The Homesman (2014)
9
6
The Homesman
R
9
6

In 1854, strong and independent spinster Mary Bee Cuddy takes on the responsibility of transporting three mentally unstable women in a covered wagon to a church in Iowa, but soon realizes how formidable the task can be. When she saves the life of a claim jumper George Briggs, she asks him to help her transport the women through the perilous harsh Nebraskan territory. 

Starring:
Hailee Steinfeld, Hilary Swank, John Lithgow, Meryl Streep, David Dencik, Tommy Lee Jones, Grace Gummer
Directed By:
14. The Pentagon Papers (2003)
7
3
The Pentagon Papers
R
7
3
Role:
Daniel Ellsberg
Starring:
Alan Arkin, Paul Giamatti, Claire Forlani, Kenneth Welsh
Directed By:
Rod Holcomb
15. 2 Days in the Valley (1996)
10
4
2 Days in the Valley
R
10
4

This dark comedy film depicts forty eight hours in the lives of few people who are drawn together by a murder of an Olympic athlete’s husband.  

Starring:
Charlize Theron, Michael Jai White, Danny Aiello, Louise Fletcher, Eric Stoltz, Jeff Daniels, Cress Williams
Directed By:
John Herzfeld
16. White Palace (1990)
10
5
White Palace
R
10
5

Max Baron is a Jewish advertising executive in his 20s, whose wife passed away. He is still unable to get over her death. He soon gets attracted to an older waitress named Nora, who enjoys the wilder side of life. However, their class and age difference becomes a problem since Max can’t keep their relationship a secret forever.

Role:
Max Baron
Starring:
Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Piven, Jason Alexander, Kathy Bates, Eileen Brennan
Directed By:
Luis Mandoki
17. Crash (1996)
12
6
Crash
NC-17
12
6

Crash is a 1996 psychological thriller film which tells the story of a TV director who gets into a serious car accident. He then discovers an underground sub-culture of car-crash victims, for whom a car collision is a sexual turn-on, and it gives them a jotting life force which they come to crave. 

Role:
James Ballard
Starring:
Holly Hunter, David Cronenberg, Rosanna Arquette, Elias Koteas, Deborah Kara Unger
Directed By:
18. Less Than Zero (1987)
10
5
Less Than Zero
R
10
5

Clay comes home after his first semester of college due to his ex-girlfriend’s request but he soon encounters some disturbing developments. He comes to know that his former lover has developed an addiction to cocaine.

Role:
Rip
Starring:
Brad Pitt, Robert Downey Jr., Andrew McCarthy, Jami Gertz, Robert Downey Jr.
Directed By:
Marek Kanievska
19. True Colors (1991)
7
4
True Colors
R
7
4

Peter and Tim, both law students, are good friends. Despite their friendship, both friends have different ideals and ethics. Peter wants to enter the world of politics, while Tim wants to go for a career with the Department of Justice, a fact that doesn't sit well with Diana, his girlfriend, who is the daughter of a Senator. She eventually ends the relationship, before Tim could even propose. The friendship between the two men is tested when Peter confesses to Tim that he is having a relationship with Diana, and he plans to marry her. 

Role:
Tim Gerrity
Starring:
Richard Widmark, Dina Merrill, John Cusack, Mandy Patinkin, Imogen Stubbs
Directed By:
Herbert Ross
20. The Stickup (2002)
8
3
The Stickup
R
8
3
Role:
John Parker
Starring:
David Keith, Leslie Stefanson, Robert Miano, John Livingston
Directed By:
Rowdy Herrington
21. Wolf (1994)
12
6
Wolf
R
12
6

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:
Stewart Swinton
Starring:
Michelle Pfeiffer, Jack Nicholson, Christopher Plummer, Madhur Jaffrey, David Schwimmer, Elaine May, Allison Janney
Directed By:
22. Baby Boom (1987)
10
5
Baby Boom
PG
10
5

JC Wiatt is a young urban woman living in Manhattan, who is quite committed to her demanding and high-profile job.  Her life takes a turn when she discovers that a long-lost cousin has passed away, and has left her a baby girl as inheritance.

Starring:
Diane Keaton, Sam Shepard, Harold Ramis, Kristina Kennedy
Directed By:
Charles Shyer
23. Bad Influence (1990)
8
6
Bad Influence
R
8
6

Bad Influence is a psychological thriller film which tells the story of Michael, who is a successful but shy executive who meets a mysterious stranger named Alex. Alex makes his way into his life and turns it upside down, and things are about to get ugly as Michael is not aware of the fact that Alex is a dangerous sociopath.     

Role:
Michael Boll
Starring:
Rob Lowe, Marcia Cross, David Duchovny, Lisa Zane
Directed By:
Curtis Hanson
24. Dream Lover (1993)
9
4
Dream Lover
R
9
4
Role:
Ray Reardon
Starring:
Bess Armstrong, Larry Miller, Mädchen Amick, Fredric Lehne
Directed By:
Nicholas Kazan
25. Tuff Turf (1985)
8
4
Tuff Turf
R
8
4
Role:
Morgan Hiller
Starring:
Kim Richards, Robert Downey Jr., Claudette Nevins, Paul Mones
Directed By:
Fritz Kiersch
26. The New Kids (1985)
6
4
The New Kids
R
6
4
Role:
Dutra
Starring:
Lori Loughlin, Eric Stoltz, John Philbin, Shannon Presby, David H. MacDonald
Directed By:
Sean S. Cunningham
27. The Rachel Papers (1989)
6
4
The Rachel Papers
R
6
4
Role:
Deforest
Starring:
Jonathan Pryce, Jared Harris, Eric Stoltz, Ione Skye, Bill Paterson, Dexter Fletcher, Jonathan Pryce
Directed By:
Damian Harris
28. Mannequin (1987)
8
5
Mannequin
PG
8
5

Jonathan is an unemployed artist, who finds a job at a store as an assistant window dresser. He soon comes across a beautiful mannequin which he had designed himself previously. Things take an interesting turn, when she comes to life, and they fall for each other.

Role:
Richards
Starring:
Kim Cattrall, Estelle Getty, Andrew McCarthy, G.W. Bailey, Estelle Getty
Directed By:
Michael Gottlieb
29. Critical Care (1997)
6
4
Critical Care
R
6
4
Role:
Dr. Werner Ernst
Starring:
Helen Mirren, Albert Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Kyra Sedgwick, Albert Brooks
Directed By:
Sidney Lumet
30. Team-Mates (1978)
5
4
Team-Mates
R
5
4
Starring:
Estelle Getty, Karen Corrado, Max Goff, Christopher Seppe
Directed By:
Steven Jacobson
31. Jack's Back (1988)
8
4
Jack's Back
R
8
4
Role:
John / Rick Wesford
Starring:
Robert Picardo, Cynthia Gibb, Jim Haynie, Rod Loomis
Directed By:
Rowdy Herrington
32. I Witness (2003)
5
4
I Witness
R
5
4
Role:
Douglas Draper
Starring:
Portia de Rossi, Jeff Daniels, Clifton Collins Jr., Wade Williams
Directed By:
Rowdy Herrington
33. Family Secrets (1984)
5
4
Family Secrets
5
4
Role:
Lowell Everall
Starring:
Melissa Gilbert, Stefanie Powers, Maureen Stapleton, Irene Tedrow
Directed By:
Jack Hofsiss
34. Speaking of Sex (2001)
5
4
Speaking of Sex
R
5
4
Role:
Dr. Roger Klink
Starring:
Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Lara Flynn Boyle, Bill Murray, Melora Walters, Jay Mohr, Nathaniel Arcand
Directed By:
John McNaughton
35. The Watcher (2000)
11
6
The Watcher
R
11
6

This psychological thriller film tells the story of Joel, an FBI agent, who decides to quit the FBI after failing to track down David, a dangerous serial killer. However, David doesn’t want their cat-and-mouse game to end, and therefore continues to send him hints about his next victim. Although Joel reports this to the police, he refuses to help them in their search.

Role:
Campbell
Starring:
Keanu Reeves, Marisa Tomei, Ernie Hudson, Chris Ellis
Directed By:
Joe Charbanic
36. Alien Hunter (2003)
4
4
Alien Hunter
R
4
4
Role:
Julian Rome
Starring:
Leslie Stefanson, John Lynch, Janine Eser, Nikolai Binev
Directed By:
Ron Krauss
37. Keys to Tulsa (1997)
5
5
Keys to Tulsa
R
5
5
Role:
Ronnie Stover
Starring:
Cameron Diaz, James Coburn, Mary Tyler Moore, Eric Stoltz, Michael Rooker
Directed By:
Leslie Greif
38. Shadow of Fear (2004)
5
4
Shadow of Fear
PG-13
5
4
Role:
William Ashbury
Starring:
Aidan Quinn, Lacey Chabert, Robin Tunney, Peter Coyote, Matthew Davis
Directed By:
Rich Cowan
39. Endless Love (1981)
5
4
Endless Love
R
5
4

Endless Love is a romantic drama film which tells the story of David and Jade, two high-school sweethearts in love with one another. However, Jade’s father forbids them from seeing each other, when Jade’s grades start to drop. Out of anger and frustration, David starts a fire on their front porch, which spreads too far. He is convicted of second-degree arson, and sentenced to probation for five years.

Starring:
Brooke Shields, Robert Altman, Tom Cruise, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray
Directed By:
40. Supernova (2000)
7
5
Supernova
PG-13
7
5

This science fiction horror film tells the story of a medical and recovery spaceship in outer space which receives a distress call from light years away. However, going there might lead them to a black hole that may destroy both the ships.

Role:
Nick Vanzant
Starring:
Lou Diamond Phillips, Angela Bassett, Peter Facinelli, Robert Forster
Directed By:
Walter Hill
41. Shorts (2009)
4
4
Shorts
PG
4
4

Shorts is a fantasy comedy film which tells the story of a young boy, whose life changes after he stumbles upon a magic rock with the ability to grant wishes. However, soon, the news of the rock begins to spread out, and others set out to get their hands on it as well.

Starring:
William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, Kat Dennings, Jimmy Bennett, Devon Gearhart
Directed By:
Robert Rodriguez
42. Curtain Call (1998)
5
4
Curtain Call
PG-13
5
4
Role:
Stevenson Lowe
Starring:
Maggie Smith, Michael Caine, Sam Shepard, Polly Walker, Buck Henry
Directed By:
Peter Yates
43. Storyville (1992)
6
4
Storyville
R
6
4
Role:
Cray Fowler
Starring:
Jason Robards, Joanne Whalley, Charlotte Lewis, Michael Warren
Directed By:
Mark Frost
44. Driftwood (1997)
4
4
Driftwood
R
4
4
Role:
The Man
Starring:
Anna Massey, Anne Brochet, Barry McGovern, Aiden Grennell
Directed By:
Ronan O'Leary
45. Starcrossed (1985)
4
4
Starcrossed
4
4
Role:
Joey Callaghan
Starring:
Clark Johnson, Jacqueline Brookes, Belinda Bauer, Peter Kowanko
Directed By:
Jeffrey Bloom

TV Shows

Seinfeld
22
3
Seinfeld
TV-PG
22
3
Starring:
Patton Oswalt, Molly Shannon, Jerry Stiller, Christine Taylor, Kristin Davis, Jane Leeves, Bob Odenkirk
Directed By:
Boston Legal
16
2
Boston Legal
TV-14
16
2
Role:
Alan Shore
Starring:
Bernadette Peters, Carl Reiner, Heather Locklear, Page Kennedy, Ann Cusack, Katey Sagal, Thomas F. Wilson
Directed By:
Awards:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Frasier
13
2
Frasier
TV-PG
13
2
Starring:
Malcolm McDowell, Jennifer Beals, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelsey Grammer, Victor Garber, Mel Brooks, Tony Goldwyn
Directed By:
The Blacklist
30
4
The Blacklist
TV-14
30
4
Role:
Raymond 'Red' Reddington
Starring:
Aida Turturro, Isabella Rossellini, Mary-Louise Parker, Dianne Wiest, Famke Janssen, Peter Fonda, Peter Stormare
Directed By:
The Practice
11
2
The Practice
11
2
Starring:
Christopher Reeve, Ed Asner, Ron Leibman, Marlee Matlin, Laz Alonso, Ed Begley Jr., Chelsea Handler
Directed By:
Dennis Smith, Jeannot Szwarc, Christina Musrey, Arvin Brown, Dwight H. Little
Awards:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
The Family Tree
6
2
The Family Tree
6
2
Role:
Jake Nichols
Starring:
Anne Archer, Melora Hardin, Frank Converse, Martin Hewitt
Directed By:
Sidney Hayers
Greasy Lake (1988)
5
3
Greasy Lake
5
3
Role:
Digby
Starring:
Tom Waits, Eric Stoltz, Tegan West, Cisco Pike
Directed By:
Damian Harris
Slow Burn (2000)
3
3
Slow Burn
R
3
3
Starring:
Minnie Driver, Josh Brolin, Stuart Wilson, Caprice Benedetti
Directed By:
Christian Ford

James Spader Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards
Boston Legal Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2007
Boston Legal Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2005
The Practice Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2004