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 Richard Pryor Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Richard Pryor: Live in Concert (1979)
14
3
Richard Pryor: Live in Concert
14
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Jennifer Lee Pryor, Patti LaBelle
Directed By:
Jeff Margolis
2. Lily (1973)
10
3
Lily
10
3
Role:
Juke
Starring:
Lily Tomlin, Alan Alda, Judith Kahan, Felix Silla
Directed By:
Rick Wallace
Awards:
Primetime Emmy Award for Best Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music
3. Lost Highway (1997)
62
20
Lost Highway
R
62
20

Fred Madison, a Jazz musician, who is suspicious of his wife Renee’s loyalty, receives video tapes of their house, and one showing Renee’s murder. Accused of her murder, he is sentenced to death. In the prison, he mysteriously transforms into mechanic Peter Dayton, who is then released. Peter meets a gangster’s girlfriend, Alice, who is Renee’s mirror-image, which deepens the mystery further. 

Directed By:
4. The Muppet Movie (1979)
22
7
The Muppet Movie
G
22
7

The Muppet Movie is a musical road comedy film, which tells the story of Kermit the Frog, who is told by a talent agent, to try his luck in Hollywood. He soon sets out on a journey to Los Angeles, California, but on the way, he is pursued by an entrepreneur who wants him to be a new spokesperson for his restaurant.

Directed By:
James Frawley
5. Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip (1982)
12
4
Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip
R
12
4
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Gene Cross, Julie Hampton, Jesse Jackson
Directed By:
Joe Layton
6. Blue Collar (1978)
12
4
Blue Collar
R
12
4

Zeke, Jerry and Smokey are three drinking buddies, who work at a car plant. One day, they come up with an idea to rob the local union bureau safe. Although they find only six hundred dollars, they also find some material which they decide to use to blackmail the union.

Role:
Zeke
Starring:
Harvey Keitel, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Bellaver, Yaphet Kotto
Directed By:
Paul Schrader
7. Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales (1969)
9
3
Uncle Tom's Fairy Tales
9
3
Starring:
Franklyn Ajaye
Directed By:
Penelope Spheeris
8. The Richard Pryor Special? (1977)
8
3
The Richard Pryor Special?
8
3

Comedian Richard Pryor wanders around the NBC Studio, and he meets various eccentric characters. They include a loony religious woman, a street peddler, a pushy fan from a tour group, etc.

Role:
Himself / The Reverend James L. White / Idi Amin Dada / Shoeshine Man / Willie
Starring:
Maya Angelou, LaWanda Page, Shirley Hemphill, William Guest
Directed By:
John Moffitt
9. Richard Pryor... Here and Now (1983)
9
3
Richard Pryor... Here and Now
R
9
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Paul Mooney
Directed By:
Richard Pryor
10. Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
10
4
Lady Sings the Blues
R
10
4
Role:
Piano Man
Starring:
Diana Ross, Scatman Crothers, Billy Dee Williams, James T. Callahan, Paul Hampton
Directed By:
Sidney J. Furie
11. Silver Streak (1976)
16
6
Silver Streak
PG
16
6

During a cross-country train ride, a book editor George Caldwell meets an enigmatic woman named Hilly Burns, and falls for her. However, his vacation is interrupted when he witnesses a murder for which he is then accused. Things get worse when the actual murderers kidnap Hilly and attempt to throw him off the train.

Role:
Grover
Starring:
Jill Clayburgh, Ray Walston, Scatman Crothers, Fred Willard, Gene Wilder, Patrick McGoohan, Ned Beatty
Directed By:
Arthur Hiller
12. See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)
28
12
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
R
28
12

Karue, a blind man, and Dave, a deaf man, are the prime witnesses in the murder of a girl. They try to figure out who the killer is, with their collective senses, but the investigating detective suspects them of the murder. 

Role:
Wally
Starring:
Kevin Spacey, Gene Wilder, Alan North, Joan Severance
Directed By:
Arthur Hiller
13. The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
10
3
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
PG
10
3
Role:
Charlie Snow, All-Star (RF)
Starring:
James Earl Jones, Billy Dee Williams, Rico Dawson, Sam 'Birmingham' Brison
Directed By:
John Badham
14. Stir Crazy (1980)
17
8
Stir Crazy
R
17
8

Two friends are wrongfully accused and convicted, after which they are sent to prison. They realize that they have no other choice but to make a foolproof escape plan. They soon realize that the annual rodeo competition may provide them with a perfect opportunity to escape.  

Role:
Harry Monroe
Starring:
Jonathan Banks, Craig T. Nelson, Gene Wilder, Georg Stanford Brown, JoBeth Williams
Directed By:
15. Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
8
4
Uptown Saturday Night
PG
8
4

In order to raise funds for their charity, Clyde and Billy rig a boxing match. However, this puts them against a group of gangsters who lost their money.

Role:
Sharp Eye Washington
Starring:
Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Flip Wilson, Bill Cosby
Directed By:
16. Brewster's Millions (1985)
22
10
Brewster's Millions
PG
22
10

Montgomery Brewster, a minor league baseball player, learns that a wealthy uncle he didn’t know existed has left him $300 million….but with a condition. Brewster must spend $30 million in 30 days; however, he cannot donate to charity, waste or destroy any money or possess any assets. Also, he can’t tell anyone about it. So, Brewster has an enormous task to tackle

Role:
Montgomery Brewster
Starring:
John Candy, Alan Autry, Rick Moranis, Hume Cronyn, Jerry Orbach, Stephen Collins, Pat Hingle
Directed By:
Walter Hill
17. The Mack (1973)
10
5
The Mack
R
10
5
Role:
Slim
Starring:
Don Gordon, Max Julien, Carol Speed, Roger E. Mosley
Directed By:
Michael Campus
18. Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin' (1971)
6
4
Richard Pryor: Live and Smokin'
R
6
4

The stand-up comedy special is one of the earliest recordings of Richard Pryor who took to stage on April 29, 1971, to deliver one of his unique performances. He focuses on everything ranging from racial tensions, family dynamics and even showcases bits like Wino Preacher and Willie the Junkie. 

Role:
Himself
Directed By:
Michael Blum
19. Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)
7
4
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
R
7
4
Role:
Jo Jo Dancer / Alter Ego
Starring:
Debbie Allen, Fay Hauser, Michael Ironside, Art Evans
Directed By:
Richard Pryor
20. Greased Lightning (1977)
7
4
Greased Lightning
PG
7
4
Role:
Wendell Scott
Starring:
Pam Grier, Cleavon Little, Vincent Gardenia, Beau Bridges
Directed By:
Michael Schultz
21. California Suite (1978)
8
5
California Suite
PG
8
5
Starring:
Maggie Smith, Alan Alda, Walter Matthau, Elaine May, Michael Caine, Jane Fonda, James Coburn
Directed By:
Herbert Ross
22. Which Way Is Up? (1977)
8
4
Which Way Is Up?
R
8
4
Role:
Leroy Jones / Rufus Jones / Reverend Lenox Thomas
Starring:
Morgan Woodward, Margaret Avery, Lonette McKee, Marilyn Coleman
Directed By:
Michael Schultz
23. Car Wash (1976)
9
5
Car Wash
PG
9
5

The epicenter of this cult comedy is a group of friends. They work at Sully Boyar's Car Wash. This team meets a number of people everyday - from a wacky cab driver, to an eloquent preacher, to an ex-convict and others. Set up in a manic energy, the eccentric customers talk about everything under the sun, from politically incorrect jokes to disco and funk. Some of the team members find romance while the others feel glad that they got through another shift.

Starring:
George Carlin, Danny DeVito, Antonio Fargas, Darrow Igus, Otis Day
Directed By:
Michael Schultz
24. Moving (1988)
7
5
Moving
R
7
5
Role:
Arlo Pear
Starring:
Rodney Dangerfield, Randy Quaid, Dana Carvey, Stacey Dash, Beverly Todd
Directed By:
Alan Metter
25. Hit! (1973)
7
4
Hit!
R
7
4
Role:
Mike Willmer
Starring:
Billy Dee Williams, Paul Hampton, Gwen Welles, Warren J. Kemmerling
Directed By:
Sidney J. Furie
26. Harlem Nights (1989)
15
8
Harlem Nights
R
15
8

Harlem Nights is a crime comedy film which takes us to the 1930s. It tells the story of a New York City gambling house owner and his associates who face strong competition as well as problems from gangsters and corrupt policemen.

Role:
Sugar Ray
Starring:
Eddie Murphy, Della Reese, Charlie Murphy, Danny Aiello, Michael Lerner, Redd Foxx
Directed By:
27. Bustin' Loose (1981)
9
4
Bustin' Loose
R
9
4
Role:
Joe Braxton
Starring:
Cicely Tyson, Vincent Price, Angel Ramirez Jr., Jimmy Hughes
Directed By:
Michael Schultz, Oz Scott
28. Wild in the Streets (1968)
6
4
Wild in the Streets
6
4
Starring:
Hal Holbrook, Shelley Winters, William Gary Busey, Paul Frees, Diane Varsi
Directed By:
Barry Shear
29. The Toy (1982)
9
6
The Toy
PG
9
6

Jack Brown, an unemployed journalist finds himself literally purchased as a toy for Eric, a rich, spoiled brat of the department store where Jack is the night janitor. In order to spend a week with the troubled kid, Jack is paid handsomely. However, Jack soon learns the root of Eric's bad behaviour and gradually teaches the boy what it is to have a friend.  

Role:
Jack Brown
Starring:
Jackie Gleason, Ned Beatty, Teresa Ganzel, Scott Schwartz
Directed By:
Richard Donner
30. Some Kind of Hero (1982)
6
4
Some Kind of Hero
TV-14
6
4
Role:
Eddie Keller
Starring:
Margot Kidder, Ronny Cox, Ray Sharkey, Lynne Moody
Directed By:
Michael Pressman
31. The Busy Body (1967)
4
4
The Busy Body
4
4

Chicago gang-boss Charley Barker sends his minion, clumsy George Norton, to dig up mob-courier Archie Brody’s body that got buried in a suit lined with $1million of syndicate’s money. When he first digs it up, the casket is empty, while after a few days, he finds a stranger’s corpse. Now a prime suspect, George must find the body or retrieve the money.

Starring:
Sid Caesar, Anne Baxter, Robert Ryan, Jan Murray
Directed By:
William Castle
32. In God We Trust (or Gimme That Prime Time Religion) (1980)
5
4
In God We Trust (or Gimme That Prime Time Religion)
PG
5
4

Innocent Brother Ambrose arrives in Hollywood to raise funds to save their monastery, where he meets many, including Dr. Sebastian Melmoth, who robs him. Mary, a prostitute, helps him and tutors him about the ways of the world. Ambrose joins televangelist Armageddon T. Thunderbird’s ‘Church of Divine Profit,’ only to realize that it’s a money-making trick. Can he succeed in raising funds?

Role:
G.O.D.
Starring:
Marty Feldman, Andy Kaufman, Louise Lasser, Peter Boyle
Directed By:
33. The Wiz (1978)
10
7
The Wiz
G
10
7

The Wiz is a fantasy adventure film which revolves around a shy 24 year old schoolteacher named Dorothy, who is magically transported to the urban fantasy Land of Oz. She soon befriends a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion, and they embark on a quest together to look for a way to send her back home.

Starring:
Lena Horne, Nipsey Russell, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Ted Ross, Mabel King
Directed By:
Sidney Lumet
34. Some Call It Loving (1973)
4
4
Some Call It Loving
R
4
4
Role:
Jeff
Starring:
Carol White, Zalman King, Tisa Farrow, Veronica Anderson
Directed By:
James B. Harris
35. You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat (1971)
4
4
You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
R
4
4
Role:
Wino
Starring:
Allen Garfield, Robert Downey Sr., Zalman King, Suzette Green
Directed By:
Peter Locke
36. Critical Condition (1987)
6
4
Critical Condition
R
6
4
Role:
Kevin Lenahan / Dr. Eddie Slattery
Starring:
Wesley Snipes, Joe Mantegna, Rubén Blades, Rachel Ticotin
Directed By:
37. Mad Dog Time (1996)
5
4
Mad Dog Time
R
5
4
Starring:
Angie Everhart, Kyle MacLachlan, Gabriel Byrne, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Dreyfuss, Rob Reiner, Burt Reynolds
Directed By:
Larry Bishop
38. Another You (1991)
5
5
Another You
R
5
5
Role:
Eddie Dash
Starring:
Vanessa Lynn Williams, Kevin Pollak, Gene Wilder, Vanessa Williams, Stephen Lang, Mercedes Ruehl
Directed By:
Maurice Phillips
39. Carter's Army (1970)
4
4
Carter's Army
4
4
Starring:
Rosey Grier, Billy Dee Williams, Stephen Boyd, Susan Oliver, Robert Hooks
Directed By:
George McCowan
40. Superman III (1983)
21
21
Superman III
PG
21
21

Business magnate Ross Webster takes help of computer genius Gus Gorman to take hold of weather satellite control, but doesn’t want Superman to interfere. So he orders Gorman to destroy Superman. Gorman prepares a synthetic Kryptonite, but replaces a missing element with tar. This flaw in Kryptonite brings out a total change in Superman’s personality. Will he be the same savior Superman?

Role:
Gus Gorman
Starring:
Jackie Cooper, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Frank Oz, Marc McClure
Directed By:
Richard Lester
41. Wholly Moses! (1980)
4
4
Wholly Moses!
PG
4
4
Starring:
Dudley Moore, John Ritter, Dom DeLuise, James Coco, Laraine Newman, Jack Gilford
Directed By:
Gary Weis
42. The Phynx (1970)
3
4
The Phynx
GP
3
4

In order to rescue a group of American celebrities, members of a rock band are sent to Albania, in Europe.

Starring:
Johnny Weissmuller, Edgar Bergen, Lou Antonio, Michael A. Miller
Directed By:
Lee H. Katzin
43. Adiós Amigo (1976)
2
4
Adiós Amigo
PG
2
4
Role:
Sam Spade
Starring:
James Brown, Mike Henry, Fred Williamson, Robert Phillips
Directed By:
Fred Williamson
44. On Location: The Comedy Store's 11th Anniversary Show (1983)
7
3
On Location: The Comedy Store's 11th Anniversary Show
7
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Jim Carrey, Sandra Bernhard, Don Novello, Paul Rodriguez
Directed By:
Marty Callner

Director

Richard Pryor... Here and Now (1983)
12
5
Richard Pryor... Here and Now
R
12
5
Starring:
Paul Mooney
Directed By:
Richard Pryor
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling (1986)
9
5
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
R
9
5
Starring:
Debbie Allen, Fay Hauser, Michael Ironside, Art Evans
Directed By:
Richard Pryor

Narrator/Dubbing

The Three Muscatels (1991)
7
8
The Three Muscatels
7
8
Role:
Narrator / Wino / Bartender
Starring:
Joe Torry, Flynn Belaine, Cal Wilson, Reynaldo Rey
Directed By:
Romell Foster-Owens

TV Shows

The Wild Wild West
18
6
The Wild Wild West
18
6
Starring:
Sorrell Booke, Nancy Dow, Ed Asner, Don Rickles, Martin Landau, Keenan Wynn, Harry Dean Stanton
Directed By:
Michael Caffey, Charles R. Rondeau, Irving J. Moore, Bernard McEveety, Alan Crosland Jr.
Sanford and Son
25
6
Sanford and Son
TV-PG
25
6
Starring:
John Amos, Dick Van Patten, Mary Wickes, Della Reese, Scatman Crothers, Lena Horne, Don Rickles
Directed By:
Bob LaHendro, Stan Lathan, Alan Rafkin, James Sheldon, Peter Baldwin
ABC Stage 67
8
2
ABC Stage 67
8
2
Starring:
Ingrid Bergman, Olivia de Havilland, Dustin Hoffman, Dina Merrill, Connie Stevens, Cliff Robertson, John Gielgud
Directed By:
Ted Kotcheff, Stanley Prager
The Norm Show
11
3
The Norm Show
TV-PG
11
3
Starring:
Garry Marshall, Norm MacDonald, Drew Carey, Laurie Metcalf, Dennis Miller, Craig Ferguson, Phil McGraw
Directed By:
Steve Zuckerman, Shelley Jensen, Gerry Cohen, Sam Simon, Thomas J. Thompson
The Young Lawyers
7
2
The Young Lawyers
7
2
Starring:
Meredith Baxter, Martin Sheen, Paul Winfield, Eli Wallach, Majel Barrett, Keenan Wynn, Richard Dreyfuss
The Richard Pryor Show
8
2
The Richard Pryor Show
8
2
Role:
Himself / ... (4 episodes, 1977)
Starring:
Robin Williams, Sandra Bernhard, Edie McClurg, Allegra Allison
Directed By:
John Moffitt
Pryor's Place
6
3
Pryor's Place
6
3
Role:
Himself (10 episodes, 1984)
Starring:
Kim Fields, Scatman Crothers, Lily Tomlin, John Ritter, Robin Williams, Marla Gibbs, Lily Tomlin
The Mod Squad
9
4
The Mod Squad
9
4
Starring:
David Cassidy, Robert Duvall, Tom Bosley, Peggy Lipton, Marion Ross, Lola Falana, Robert Reed
Directed By:
Gene Nelson, Robert Michael Lewis, Earl Bellamy, George McCowan, Jerry Jameson
Chicago Hope
12
6
Chicago Hope
12
6
Starring:
Alanna Ubach, Jon Favreau, Lucas Black, Jeremy Piven, Carrie Snodgress, Hilary Duff, Lauren Holly
Directed By:
Malcolm & Eddie
8
4
Malcolm & Eddie
8
4
Starring:
Anthony Anderson, Tom Arnold, Shemar Moore, Corbin Bleu, Mr. T, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Eddie Griffin
Directed By:
The Partridge Family
12
6
The Partridge Family
12
6
Starring:
Bert Convy, George Chakiris, Farrah Fawcett, Danny Bonaduce, John Banner, Season Hubley, Mary Ann Mobley
Directed By:
Bruce Bilson, E.W. Swackhamer, Jerry London, Russ Mayberry, Claudio Guzmán

Richard Pryor Awards

Primetime Emmy Awards
Lily Best Writing in Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music 1974
Grammy Awards
Winner Best Comedy Recording 1982
Winner Best Comedy Recording 1977
Winner Best Comedy Recording 1976
Winner Best Comedy Recording 1975
Winner Best Comedy Recording 1983
Winner Lifetime Achievement Award 2006
Winner Best Album Notes 2002