Top 40 Best Mel Gibson Movies Of All Time

 

This American-born Australian barely needs an introduction. Aside from his illustrious career as an actor, Mel Gibson has also courted his share of controversy over the years. Here, we’re only going to talk about all the amazing movies he’s done.

 

Also a capable producer and talented director, there is more to Mel Gibson than meets the eye. Which Mel Gibson movie is your favourite? And do any of these titles make you feel nostalgic?

 

Without delay, let’s dive into the movies that made Mel Gibson a household name.

 

 

 

1. Braveheart (1995)

 

 

Giving a career-highlight performance, and in one of the best movies ever made to boot, Mel Gibson transforms into the historical William Wallace, a Scottish rebel and warrior who led his people against King Edward I (of Britain).

 

This outstanding role exemplifies courage, honour, and belief in one’s cause. This production soon became one of the most unforgettable Mel Gibson movies of all time. Gibson gives a powerful performance alongside notable artists like Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Sandy Nelson, James Robinson, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Lawlor, James Cosmo, Brian Cox, and Alan Tall.

 

William Wallace became a real-life inspiration when he performed a pivotal role in Scotland’s historic fight against tyranny. As a person, he believed in the need to demand freedom at all costs.

 

 

 

2. Lethal Weapon (1987)

 

 

This is the first of four hit movies in the Lethal Weapon franchise. The story comes alive largely thanks to performances from Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. They portray detectives Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, respectively, giving the genre and fans a memorable on-screen combo.

 

Skilled artists like Gary Busey, Jackie Swanson, Traci Wolfe, Tom Atkins, Darlene Love, and Mitchell Ryan play other key roles in the script. Humour, crime, action, and thrills galore define this outstanding story about two newly paired-up cops.

 

Their attitudes are so different that it’s almost a miracle they even manage to stop a group of drug smugglers from fulfilling a dangerous agenda.

 

 

 

3. The Professor and the Madman (2019)

 

 

Great performances abound in this movie, especially from Mel Gibson. His portrayal of James Murray makes the plot feel riveting and intriguing. Sean Penn’s William Chester Minor adds to the keynote performances in this script.

 

Further enriching the plot are outstanding artists like Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, Jennifer Ehle, Stephen Dillane, Ioan Gruffudd, and Steve Coogan. The story is set in the mid-19th century and select individuals are hard at work compiling words to incorporate within the first-ever (historically speaking) edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

 

More than 10,000 entries source exclusively from one patient who happens to be interred at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. This is the selfsame James Murray, played by Gibson.

 

 

 

4. Chicken Run (2000)

 

 

Touted to be one of the best stop-motion animation features ever created, this story contains a world of meaning, emotion, and subtext. A bunch of chickens living on a farm soon realize that their owners are planning to make pies out of them to ensure profits.

 

A prison-escape-style plot unfolds, and it comes filled with humour, thrills, and twists. Mel Gibson voices the deuteragonist, Rocky Rhodes the rooster. He soon becomes one of the most pivotal characters in the story.

 

Other outstanding voice talents in this production include Julia Sawalha, Phil Daniels, Jane Horrocks, Miranda Richardson, and Imelda Staunton. Tony Haygarth, Timothy Spall, Debi Derryberry, and Benjamin Whitrow.

 

 

5. Edge of Darkness (2010)

 

 

This engaging action movie features a homicide detective named Thomas Craven, played by Mel Gibson. He is tasked with investigating the murder of his own daughter, who happened to be an activist on the verge of exposing a corporation.

 

Before long, Craven uncovers a dark government conspiracy that warrants secret assassinations and deadly cover-ups. Also part of this movie are praiseworthy artists like Danny Huston, Ray Winstone, Bojana Novakovic, David Aaron Baker, Denis O’Hare, Shawn Roberts, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Paul Sparks, and Frank Grillo.

 

 

6. Payback (1999)

 

 

Left for dead following a successful heist, street-smart ex-marine Porter (played by Mel Gibson) faces betrayals from some of the closest people in his life. When he recovers, he makes his way back to the Asian crime gang that stole his share of the loot.

 

To get to the gangsters, however, Porter has to manoeuvre prostitutes, corrupt cops, drug addicts, sadomasochists, and killers galore. Memorable artists like Maria Bello, Bill Duke, Lucy Liu, John Glover, Kris Kristofferson, Deborah Kara Unger, David Paymer, and Gregg Henry help make this action-crime drama shine.

 

 

7. Maverick (1994)

 

 

Mel Gibson’s Bret Maverick needs money to enter a major poker tournament. Hilarious mishaps and bizarre challenges unfold as he tries to gamble his way to riches. Adding to his problems is a woman thief who has more game than most of the men at the table.

 

Outstanding artists like Jodie Foster, James Garner, Dan Hedaya, Alfred Molina, and Graham Greene contribute a good deal of amusement and thrills to this movie.

 

 

8. Signs (2002)

 

 

A former reverend who lost his faith following an accident that claimed his wife’s life, Graham Hess (played by Mel Gibson) takes his two children and moves to the country where he maintains a family farm.

 

Before long, strange signs unravel that lead the family to believe they are being observed by aliens. Superb talents like Joaquin Phoenix, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, and M. Night Shyamalan (who directed the movie) lends credence to this spine-chilling story.

 

 

9. Boss Level (2020)

 

 

Part comedy and part action-adventure, this story sees Mel Gibson playing an interesting fictional character named Colonel Clive Ventor who owns a skyscraper fortress in which resides a mysterious weapon.

 

This weapon can help Frank Grillo’s Roy Pulver manoeuvre a time-loop crisis and solve a murder. Outstanding talents like Michelle Yeoh, Ken Jeong, Naomi Watts, Selina Lo, Will Sasso, and Annabelle Wallis enrich the story.

 

Stars like Jodie Foster, the late Anton Yelchin, Cherry Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jon Stewart helped make the movie memorable.

 

 

10. The Beaver (2011)

 

 

In an attempt to cope with his troubles with depression and suicide, family man and executive Walter Black (played by Mel Gibson) adopts a beaver hand puppet and uses it to inspire himself.

 

As the family picks up portions of his conversations with the doll, they realize there is more they could do for Walter to help him survive this dark phase of his life.

 

 

11. Dangerous (2021)

 

 

Starring opposite the legendary Clint Eastwood’s son Scott Eastwood, Mel Gibson gives an engaging performance as Dr. Alderwood in this action-thriller. Superb artists like Kevin Durand, Famke Janssen, Ryan Robbins, Chad Rook, Brendan Fletcher, Brenda Bazinet, Al Miro, and Tyrese Gibson play key roles.

 

Sociopaths, ex-cons, eccentric psychiatrists, armed mercenaries, and the desire for vengeance blend to create tension and a thrill-packed plot.

 

 

12. Hot Seat (2022)

 

 

A former hacker is given little choice but to break into a high-level bank and execute an online heist. Meanwhile, another man is tasked with entering the booby-trapped building to stop the mastermind behind the digital robbery and save the life of the hacker in the process.

 

Notable artists like Sam Asghari, Eddie Steeples, Michael Welch, Shannen Doherty, Jonathan Stoddard, Keith Jardine, Lydia Hull, and Kevin Dillon contribute to the storyline.

 

 

13. On the Line (2022)

 

 

Playing threatened show host Elvis Cooney is Mel Gibson. In addition to his own life, an unidentified caller also threatens his family’s well-being. Tasked with playing a game of survival, Cooney strives to simultaneously learn the criminal’s real identity so he can put an end to the madness.

 

Talented artists like William Moseley, Kevin Dillon, Yoli Fuller, Carole Weyers, Alia Seror-O’Neill, Enrique Arce, Nadia Farès, John Robinson, Yann Bean, Avant Strangel, Agathe Bokja, Robbie Nock, Paul Spera play key roles in this Mel Gibson movie.

 

 

14. Force of Nature (2020)

 

 

A group of thieves with a major robbery in mind encounter resistance from an NYC police officer. Also working against their chances of success is a hurricane situation, which prompts authorities to start evacuating the building.

 

Mel Gibson’s Ray holds his own alongside other talented artists like David Zayas, Emile Hirsch, Blas Sien Diaz, Stephanie Cayo, Tyler Jon Olson, William Catlett, and Kate Bosworth.

 

 

15. Conspiracy Theory (1997)

 

 

Starring opposite the outstanding Julia Roberts and Patrick Stewart, Gibson’s Jerry Fletcher gives a noteworthy performance as a man conflicted. Uncovering conspiracy theories and government secrets are part of Fletcher’s life.

 

His only real problem is that he’s falling in love with a woman who is working for the very government he despises. When Jerry eventually discovers the truth, dangerous people are after him with the sole intention of ending his life.

 

Amazing artists like Terry Alexander, Michael Potts, Brian J. Williams, Leonard Jackson, Saxon Trainor, Cylk Cozart, and Steve Kahan enrich the plot.

 

 

16. Agent Game (2022)

 

 

When a CIA agent finds himself the target of a vital rendition operation, he soon learns that he is the scapegoat for a murder he didn’t commit. An interrogation subject gets killed and several parties are after him to exact justice.

 

Mel Gibson plays a character named Olsen to good effect. Other artists in this production include Jason Isaacs, Barkhad Abdi, Katie Cassidy, Annie Ilonzeh, Rhys Coiro, Adan Canto, and Dermot Mulroney.

 

 

17. Dragged Across Concrete (2018)

 

 

Two over-dedicated cops end up getting suspended following a major misunderstanding. Both police partners enter the criminal underworld hoping to clear their names. The two cops Brett Ridge man and Anthony Lurasetti are wonderfully performed by Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn respectively.

 

Noteworthy talents who also feature in this movie are Tory Kittles, Laurie Holden, Fred Melamed, Jennifer Carpenter, Michael Jai White, Matthew MacCaull, and Thomas Kretschmann.

 

 

18. The Man Without a Face (1993)

 

 

Charles Norstadt, played by Nick Stahl, is a troubled student whom fate reconnects after ten years with his former teacher Justin McLeod, played by Mel Gibson. An automobile accident disfigures McLeod’s face.

 

The man also receives involuntary manslaughter charges for the incident, which killed a boy. Added pedophile charges worsen the situation for McLeod and make his life a living hell. His isolation is soon disrupted when Chuck comes to visit, thus sparking new accusations and difficulties for Justin McLeod.

 

A story about friendship, trust, memories, freedom, and justice, this movie portrays Gibson in one of his better roles. Also in the story are artists like Fay Masterson, Gaby Hoffmann, Richard Masur, Michael DeLuise, and Margaret Whitton.

 

 

19. Last Looks (2021)

 

 

An ex-cop with a bad name wants nothing better than to be left alone. So he heads into the woods to get away from it all. However, a private eye tasked with investigating a murder tracks him down.

 

He wants the ex-cop’s support in solving the crime. Playing the disgraced cop Charlie Waldo is Charlie Hunnam. The private eye is his own ex Jayne White, played by Lucy Fry.

 

In a key role is Mel Gibson’s Alastair Pinch. Excellent artists like Morena Baccarin, Clancy Brown, Rupert Friend, Robin Givens, Dominic Monaghan, Paul Ben-Victor, Josh McDermitt, Michael Otis, and Angela Oh further enrich the script.

 

 

20. Get the Gringo (2012)

 

 

Mel Gibson’s character Driver plays a career criminal in this action flick where he is nabbed by Mexican authorities and flung in a deadly prison where he has to survive at whatever cost.

 

Other superb talents who share screen space with Gibson are Kevin Balmore, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Peter Stormare, Dolores Heredia, Dean Norris, Tenoch Huerta, Jesús Ochoa, Roberto Sosa, Fernando Becerril, Scott Cohen, Bob Gunton.

 

 

21. The Expendables 3 (2014)

 

 

Sylvester Stallone’s Barney Ross is back in action in this thrilling high-octane action movie which also stars outstanding artists like Mel Gibson (who plays Stonebanks, the squad’s co-founder), Harrison Ford, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Glen Powell, Kelsey Grammer, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, Jason Statham, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

Twists and turns abound in this story about betrayal, old blood versus new blood, and high crime.

 

 

22. Ransom (1996)

 

 

Playing a multimillionaire named Tom Mullen, Mel Gibson gives another action-packed performance in this crime-drama that also features skilled artists like Rene Russo, Gary Sinise, Delroy Lindo, Liev Schreiber, Lili Taylor, and Donnie Wahlberg.

 

Tom Mullen is at his wit’s end after his son is kidnapped and a ransom is demanded. He soon learns he can’t rely on the FBI. The tables turn when Mullen decides to set the ransom money as a bounty to encourage anyone skilled enough to get his son back.

 

 

23. Blood Father (2016)

 

 

An estranged daughter who’s lost her way in the world and an ex-con for a father finally meet. Mel Gibson’s character Link finds himself having to save his daughter from drug dealers who are after her for the money she owes them.

 

This crime-thriller also stars notable talents like Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna, Michael Parks, Daniel Moncada, Dale Dickey, Ryan Dorsey, Miguel Sandoval, and William H. Macy.

 

 

24. Tequila Sunrise (1988)

 

 

A crime drama with notable twists, this story finds a great fit in Mel Gibson as Dale McKussic. It also features superb artists like Kurt Russell, Raul Julia, and Michelle Pfeiffer.

 

An ex-dealer from L.A. tries to choose a decent life, but his previous connection with the seedy underworld of drugs sets the DEA on his tail, not to forget various drug cartels and federal agents residing in Mexico. Romance and suspense are also woven into this gripping Mel Gibson movie.

 

 

25. Fatman (2020)

 

 

Not exactly one of Mel Gibson’s best roles, this one sees him playing a rather rowdy version of Santa Claus who is ready to do whatever it takes to save his ‘business’.

 

One of the naughty kids isn’t too happy when he receives coal in his stockings. To spite tradition, he hires a hitman to get rid of Santa. Good talents like Walton Goggins, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Chance Hurstfield, Robert Bockstael, and Eric Woolfe are also part of this strangely interesting Mel Gibson action movie.

 

 

26. Hamlet (1990)

 

 

Based on the classic Shakespearean revenge drama, this movie features Mel Gibson as the titular Hamlet. Being the Prince of Denmark is a heavy burden indeed, more so after Hamlet discovers that his uncle Claudius murdered his father to take over the throne.

 

Artists like Glenn Close, Alan Bates, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, Stephen Dillane, and Helena Bonham Carter also play key roles in this retelling of one of the most enduring plays to come from the mind of Shakespeare.

 

 

27. Gallipoli (1981)

 

 

Joining the fight in World War I are two Australian sprinters who are dispatched to serve in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey. Mel Gibson’s Frank Dunne and Mark Lee’s Archy Hamilton are forced to reckon with harsh truths in this drama portraying what the ANZACs contributed to WWI when they went up against Turkish forces.

 

Noteworthy talents like Charles Lathalu Yunipingu, Bill Kerr, Harold Hopkins, Heath Harris, and Gerda Nicolson play important roles.

 

 

28. The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)

 

 

Indonesia experiences profound political turmoil during Sukarno’s presidential rule. His first job as a foreign correspondent throws Mel Gibson’s Guy Hamilton smack in the middle of the chaos. Along with his photographer and colleague Billy Kwan, played by Linda Hunt, he has to find a way to stay safe while becoming the sole voice of truth to the outside world.

 

His affair with Sigourney Weaver’s Jill Bryant adds to the tension in this amazing movie. Other notable performers include Bembol Roco, Michael Murphy, Paul Sonkkila, Bill Kerr, Domingo Landicho, and Kuh Ledesma.

 

 

29. The Bounty (1984)

 

 

A mutiny is called for when a harsh ship captain unduly pushes his sailors to breaking point in this high-seas adventure drama. Playing Fletcher Christian is Mel Gibson, who stars along with Anthony Hopkins, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Liam Neeson in this superb but underrated movie.

 

Other artists include Phil Davis, Bernard Hill, Edward Fox, and Laurence Olivier. Cruelty foments rebellion on a ship that is soon divided. British forces press down on the mutinying loyalists whose sole aim becomes to find refuge in East Timor.

 

But first, they have to make good their escape on a lifeboat.

 

 

30. Air America (1990)

 

 

A comedic war story with heart, this movie stars Mel Gibson as Gene along with the amazing Robert Downey Jr. as Billy. Sharing the screen with them are talented artists like Nancy Travis, Ned Eisenberg, David Marshall Grant, Lane Smith, and Ken Jenkins.

 

The CIA operates a private airbase in Laos. Called ‘Air America’, the agency supports numerous local causes during the Vietnam War. Crazy pilots, corruption in the ranks, and all sorts of comedic inanities are bottled in this clichéd but fun production.

 

 

31. Bird on a Wire (1990)

 

 

Running into her ex-boyfriend proves to be more revealing than Marianne Graves would’ve thought possible. This fun action-comedy sees Mel Gibson starring as Rick Jarmin alongside the amazing Goldie Hawn.

 

As a relocated FBI informant, Rick has his reasons for coming to town. But he never counts on Marianne getting involved in the mission. Other amazing artists in this production include David Carradine, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bill Duke, Clyde Kusatsu, Harry Caesar, Jeff Corey, Joan Severance, and Lossen Chambers.

 

 

32. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

 

 

Taking a page out of the super-popular Mad Max stories, this Mel Gibson role is classic in several regards. Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, Gibson’s Mad Max rebels against power and corruption in a hopeless world.

 

Starring as Aunty Entity, the de facto queen of a small town, is the inimitable Tina Turner. Other great artists who feature in this project are Frank Thring, Bruce Spence, Angelo Rossitto, George Spartels, Adam Cockburn, and Robert Grubb.

 

 

33. Bandit (2022)

 

 

A crime drama packed with thrills, Mel Gibson’s Tommy plays a memorable role in this production alongside talented artists like Olivia d’Abo and Michael H. Cole, Dylan Flashner, Swen Temmel, Keith Arthur Bolden, Nestor Carbonell, Elisha Cuthbert, and Josh Duhamel.

 

Based on the true story of the ‘Flying Bandit’, the script portrays heart-racing heist sequences. A record fifty-nine banks and jewellery stores in Canada fall victim to the man’s criminal goals.

 

This movie was adapted from Ed Arnold and Robert Knuckle’s book “The Flying Bandit: Bringing Down Canada’s Most Daring Armed Robber”.

 

 

34. Pocahontas (1995)

 

 

Mel Gibson is practically a Disney Prince. He voiced one of the most iconic male characters from the House of Mouse, namely John Smith, in this original Disney animation. The outstanding vocal talents of Linda Hunt, Christian Bale, Billy Connolly, James Apaumut Fall, John Kassir, Danny Mann, Russell Means, Frank Welker, Jim Cummings, David Ogden Stiers, Judy Kuhn, and Irene Bedard help bring this heartwarming adventure to life.

 

 

35. We Were Soldiers (2002)

 

 

An action-packed historical drama, this movie sees Gibson donning the uniform and boots of Lt. Col. Hal Moore. He experiences firsthand the battle that dragged the USA into the Vietnam War.

 

Great talents like Madeleine Stowe, Greg KinnearBarry Pepper, Keri Russell, Marc Blucas, Chris Klein, Ryan Hurst, Robert Bagnell, Jon Hamm, and Sam Elliott add to the worth of this Mel Gibson war movie.

 

 

36. Forever Young (1992)

 

 

An ahead-of-its-time script, this movie features Mel Gibson playing a pilot named Capt. Daniel McCormick who was cryogenically frozen in 1939 and awoken in the year 1992. Dramatic speed-aging themes complement an inspiring human message at the heart of this Sci-Fi story.

 

Other superb stars who are in this production include Elijah Wood, George Wendt, Joe Morton, Isabel Glasser, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

 

 

37. Father Stu (2022)

 

 

This biographical drama features a boxer turned priest who uses his life lessons to help other people. A journey of transformation and redemption, this story – which is based on an actual person – sees Mel Gibson admirably playing Bill Long, the lead character’s father.

 

Amazing artists who enliven this story are Mark Wahlberg, Jacki Weaver, Teresa Ruiz, Alain Uy, Cody Fern, Aaron Moten, Patricia Belcher, and Malcolm McDowell.

 

 

38. The Patriot (2000)

 

 

One of Gibson’s most acclaimed roles is in this remarkable movie that sees a humble farmer named Benjamin Martin leading the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution. Sadistic enemies, tragedy, honour, and patriotism are all featured in this unforgettable Mel Gibson movie.

 

Sharing the screen with him are talented performers like the late-great Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Rene Auberjonois, Tom Wilkinson, Donal Logue, Leon Rippy, Jay Arlen Jones, Adam Baldwin, Lisa Brenner, Tchéky Karyo, and Gregory Smith.

 

 

39. Panama (2022)

 

 

Based on true events and set in 1989 Panama, this story sees an ex-Marine being sent undercover by his former commander Stark, played by Mel Gibson. A high-value deal is at stake and it is up to Cole Hauser’s Becker to come through.

 

Despite assassins, local civil wars, and femmes fatales, Stark supports Becker any way he can. He aims to see the Marine return home in one piece after a job well done. Other notable artists who are part of this production include Mauricio Hénao, Kiara Liz, Charlie Weber, Kate Katzman, Jackie Cruz, Néstor Rodulfo, and Victor Turpin.

 

 

40. What Women Want (2000)

 

 

Playing an arrogant and chauvinistic advertising executive, Mel Gibson’s Nick Marshall meets with an accident. He wakes up one day to discover he can hear what women are thinking. While at first he doesn’t take the power seriously, Nick soon learns that women are more deserving of respect than he believed up to that point.

 

This enthralling fantasy rom-com also stars amazing artists like Helen Hunt, Marisa Tomei, Alan Alda, Lauren Holly, Judy Greer, Sarah Paulson, Diana Maria Riva, Loretta Devine, Eric Balfour, Ashley Johnson, and Mark Feuerstein.