The Timeless Magic of The Best Movie Casts Ever Assembled

The Avengers (2012)

Although it's fairly easy to get tired of superhero movies nowadays, the scale of The Avengers series was able to power excitement in the genre for over a decade before that started to happen. And a major part of that success came from signature characters who were there from the beginning.

Robert Downey Jr. obviously cut a humorous and charmingly conceited figure as Tony Stark, while Chris Hemsworth's power and affability rescued Thor from the character's initial shaky ground. Add Mark Ruffalo to contrast the gentle Bruce Banner with his raging Hulk, Chris Evans to embody the wholesome, principled Captain America, and Tom Hiddleston to make Loki a diabolical delight, and the results practically write themselves.

The Magnificent Seven (1960)

Throughout the golden age of Westerns, actors who emerged as stars of that genre typically approached their roles with rugged grit, stoic poker faces, and steely-eyed intensity. And while some of those who secured starring roles in The Magnificent Seven weren't necessarily famous for Westerns, they certainly understood the assignment.

After all, the power and vibrant presence that Yul Brynner brought to other films like The Ten Commandments and The King & I served him well here, as did Steve McQueen's sense of adventure and hard-fighting toughness. With established veterans of the genre like Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, and James Coburn bolstering their performances, it's not hard to see how the 1960 classic became such a legendary film.

The Godfather (1972)

Although Al Pacino's modern performances aren't often known for their subtlety, it was exactly that quality that made the then-untested stage actor perfect for portraying a man whose gentle and honorable tendencies slowly get corrupted as he becomes a ruthless mafioso. But of course, Marlon Brando's groundbreaking turn as Vito Corleone was instantly legendary and deftly depicted the moral complexities of a man in his position.

These performances are the most typically celebrated when The Godfather is discussed. However, James Caan's brash portrayal of Sonny, the pathos John Cazale conveyed as Fredo, and the alienation that Talia Shire and Diane Keaton expressed in their performances all contributed to the film's reputation as one of the greatest of all time. And Robert De Niro and Lee Strasberg's presence in The Godfather Part II would only further enshrine the legacy of the series.

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Glengarry Glen Ross's vulgar yet endlessly sharp script is worthy of the play's reputation as gritty, true-to-life art, but the film adaptation can also double as a masterclass for actors. Al Pacino's boisterous charm suits the cocky Ricky Roma perfectly, and Jack Lemmon's desperate, slimy exuberance as the pathetic Shelley Levine balances the character masterfully between earning the viewer's sympathy and contempt.

But these are only a couple of standout performances in a movie that's positively loaded with them. Ed Harris's simmering rage leaves viewers on a tightrope, Alan Arkin's meek befuddlement draws his character close to their hearts, and Kevin Spacey's malicious presence as John Williamson brings to mind every boss they've ever hated. And although he's only in one scene, Alex Baldwin makes his time on screen count in the movie's most famous monologue.

Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, and its stunning cast arguably contributed even more to its legend than its script. Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Rick's hard-edged cynicism giving over to warmth made this one of his most iconic performances, and Ingrid Bergman's starry-eyed idealism and romantic instincts made the audience fall in love with her character as much as Rick does all over again.

But while Claude Raines also delivers a memorable performance that gives an otherwise tense story some comic relief, the circumstances of Casablanca's filming even made the extras perfectly cast. As NPR reported, those tearfully singing during the famous "La Marseillaise" scene were genuine refugees from France who fled the very war being portrayed on screen.

Everything, Everywhere, All At Once (2022)

Given its mind-bending inter-dimensional ambitions, deep explorations of generational trauma, and demanding fight choreography, it's likely that Everything Everywhere All At Once was a tough film to cast. However, Michelle Yeoh's decades of experience in both the Chinese and American film industries and the intense physicality of her breakout performances made it almost impossible to picture anyone else playing Evelyn Wang.

But not only did Stephanie Hsu more than deserve her Oscar nomination for playing Evelyn's long-suffering daughter, but the film practically swept the Academy Awards thanks in part to the supporting performances of Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee-Curtis.

Inglorious Basterds (2009)

While the marketing for Inglorious Basterds made the titular fighting force seem like the stars of the show, it was evident to those who saw the movie who stole the show. And with Brad Pitt's fascinatingly strange turn as Lt. Aldo Raine, Eli Roth's rare restraint as Sgt. Donny Donovitz, Michael Fassbender's charismatic turn as Lt. Archie Hicox, and Melanie Laurent's powerful performance as Shosanna, it was quite a show to steal.

However, Christoph Waltz's utterly incredible turn as the diabolical and monstrous yet weirdly affable Hans Landa would have stymied a lesser actor. Indeed, SlashFilm confirmed that without an actor of Waltz's caliber who could thread that needle while also fluently speaking English, French, German, and Italian, Quentin Tarantino wouldn't have ever made the movie at all.

No Country For Old Men (2007)

Although it's both understandable and right that Javier Bardem's menacing restraint in playing the psychopathic force of nature Anton Chigurh would dominate discussions praising No Country For Old Men, the movie can boast an incredible cast in general. And not all of them have large parts.

Although Tommy Lee Jones compellingly depicts Sheriff Ed Tom Bell as a man being left behind by the world, and Josh Brolin makes the quiet cockiness of Llewelyn Moss easy to root for, Kelly MacDonald also impresses as Moss's gentle but brave wife, Carla Jean. Even the shopkeeper at whom Chigurh first flips his coin gives a haunting, understated performance.

Watchmen (2009)

Although Zack Snyder's flawed film adaptation of the beloved graphic novel Watchmen has rightly inspired some heated debate, there's one thing that even the most protective of comic fans can likely agree on. There is no way they could have found a better cast.

Not only did it seem like each actor was carefully chosen to look like their characters, but their commitment to embodying the personalities that jumped off the page demonstrated impressive faithfulness to the source material. Indeed, if it weren't already clear who Rorschach and The Comedian were before Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan played them, it would be reasonable to assume the parts were written for those actors.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

As is often the case for movies starring Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood leans heavily on his uncanny talents and incredible commitment to researching historical roles. But while his intensity, devious charisma, and period-appropriate accent are shining examples of what can be accomplished through method acting, he's not the only one who makes this movie shine.

The subtle deceit in Kevin J. O'Connor's depiction of Henry and the impressively credible performances of the child actors deserve their own honorable mentions, but Paul Dano is able to match Day-Lewis at every turn as Eli Sunday. The hatred their characters have for each other is expressed in appropriately subtle ways at first but captivates the audience as their tensions come to a boiling point.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

When The Sixth Sense first came out, the most immediately buzzworthy aspect of the film (besides M. Night Shyamalan's penchant for twist endings) was Haley Joel Osment's haunting performance. He showed incredible and prodigious depth as a child actor and threaded an incredible needle as a boy who's justifiably disturbed by what he sees but uncannily mature and empathetic to the lost souls involved.

But while all of Osment's praise is well-earned, the nuances of Bruce Willis's portrayal of Malcolm Crowe and Toni Collette's emotionally raw turn as the boy's mother are just as compelling. Collette's facial expressions alone during her son's final revelation to her are the stuff of legends.

American Psycho (2000)

Although almost none of the characters in American Psycho are particularly likeable, that's a serious credit to their actors. After all, Bret Easton Ellis's original novel is supposed to starkly show how selfish, materialistic, and shallow the people in Patrick Bateman's social circle are and the movie nails this crucial aspect.

But while the subtly disdainful portrayals of the other affluent people in Patrick's life are worthy contributions to the movie — Reese Witherspoon and Jared Leto show much of their early promise here and Willem Dafoe is compelling as always — Christian Bale still steals the show. Smug, awkward, monstrous and darkly funny all at once, it's no surprise that Patrick Bateman is now one of his signature roles.

Fargo (1996)

Fargo is already a masterpiece of filmmaking in how deftly it blends complicated character motivations, uproarious comedy, deeply human tragedy, and the intrigue that comes from a detective story. Yet, the Coen Brothers were also able to assemble a cast that could incorporate all of these elements into their performances.

Frances McDormand and William H. Macy are clear standouts for the respective kind-hearted brilliance of Marge Gunderson and the despicable yet pitiable character of Jerry Lundegaard. But Steve Bescemi and Peter Stormare are also equally hilarious and intimidating as Carl Showalter and Gaer Grimsrud. And that's not even touching on John Carroll Lynch's warm, natural performance as Marge's husband Norm and Harve Presnel's entertaining turn as Jerry's overbearing but sharp father-in-law Wade.

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Cool Hand Luke is the gritty story of one Florida prison inmate's unbreakable spirit in a seemingly unwinnable fight against society, but the real crime is that Paul Newman's incredible performance didn't secure him Oscar gold. His magnetic charisma not only makes it easy to see why his cellmates started to root for him, but one tragic scene's college of emotions proved Newman was a master of his craft.

Of course, that's not to say the rest of the cast was slouching either. The normally meek Strother Martin practically transformed into the bitter, menacing warden, while George Kennedy was as tough as he was likeable as Luke's eventual best friend, Dragline. Honestly, anyone who can say the nonsense term "mother head" as convincingly as he does deserves his accolades.

Inception (2010)

Although it's true that Leonardo DiCaprio and Marion Cotillard stand out impressively in their roles as Inception's most narratively important characters, the movie would essentially serve as a who's who for the decade to come. Nonetheless, DiCaprio's famous talent for emoting served him well here, and Cotillard was able to make her very presence malevolent and mysterious.

Michael Caine was a no-brainer as the wise, warm mentor figure and Ken Watanabe charmed as the crafty Saito. However, Inception made it clear that Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and the actor who would one day be known as Elliot Page were about to make some serious marks on the 2010s.

The Deer Hunter (1978)

Fearlessly written and directed by Michael Cimino, the shocking and unflinching content of The Deer Hunter needed a seriously talented cast to make its story feel like a hard story that needed to be told rather than a work of pure exploitation. And he couldn't have asked for a better one.

Although some high-profile roles had already made Robert De Niro's trademark stoic subtlety a valuable asset to his character, the unforgettable blend of endearing charm and gripping intensity that would make Christopher Walken a legend was relatively untested by 1978. But while their performances are beloved in retrospect, respect is also owed to the effortlessly emotive John Cazale, who completed his perfect Hollywood resume with this classic.

Alien (1979)

Horror movies of the past tend to be a little hit-miss when it comes to the quality of the cast's acting, but that problem is nowhere to be seen in the classic, ground-breaking Alien. Sigourney Weaver's sheer power in portraying Ellen Ripley made enough of an impact to launch a whole film series, but this was also more of an ensemble cast than some future entries in the series would feature.

Ian Holm hid well in plain sight as the duplicitous Ash, while Yaphet Kotto cuts a cool and practical figure as their ship's chief engineer. But of course, any discussion about Alien wouldn't be complete without John Hurt's gripping performance in the now iconic "chest-burster" scene. If people can name one part of this horror/sci-fi classic, it's usually that one.

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

Although it's hard not to wonder what The Wizard Of Oz would have looked like with Buddy Epsen in the cast — as was originally planned — there really isn't a weak link to the cast that eventually made it to the screen. Judy Garland may have been four years older than the 12-year-old girl she was playing, but between her famous voice and the pathos her performance still commands decades after her passing, nobody could have done it better.

But as fantastic as she was, Margaret Hamilton was similarly iconic as the Wicked Witch of the West, Frank Morgan was a delightful charlatan as the titular wizard, and Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr all made their respective marks as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. Of course, these actors also made sense as similar yet distinct characters before Dorothy fell into her famous dream.

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Anyone looking to get a sense of the biggest names in comedy in the late '50s and early '60s need only watch It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World because almost all of them are in attendance here. Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Phil Silvers, and Ethel Merman all have memorable roles, and Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney, and Buddy Hackett were also requisite inclusions at the time.

Indeed, this movie was so loaded with famous actors that it was hard to keep track of them all, as The Jack Benny Show's Eddie Anderson and Columbo's Peter Falk both played cab drivers. But while the Three Stooges famously got one of the movie's biggest laughs by not saying a word, the biggest show-stealer out of this heavyweight cast is the incomparable Dick Shawn, who played the manic and unpredictable Sylvester Marcus.

How The West Was Won (1962)

If someone were to ask a director in the early '60s for their dream cast, the names they mention would closely resemble the cast of How The West Was Won. While Western luminaries like John Wayne, Walter Brennan, and Eli Wallach are welcome sights for any fan of the genre, the movie's full cast list is positively star-studded.

Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck, and Henry Fonda were all massive stars at the time, but the electrifying presence of Robert Preston, the beloved Debbie Reynolds, and the utterly legendary Agnes Moorehead are just a few examples of the talent that How The West Was Won can boast.

12 Angry Men (1957)

While many of the names that made the cast of 12 Angry Men so special may be less familiar to modern audiences, this was an all-star cast in many ways back in 1957. Of course, Henry Fonda was the biggest star among them and sunk his teeth the most into the meaty role of the holdout juror who convinces all the others.

But the rest of that famous jury included Martin Balsam a few years before he famously fell down the stairs in Psycho, Jack Klugman a decade before he co-starred in The Odd Couple, and Eg Begley, to name but a few. They made the legal drama that challenged audiences to examine their own biases all the more legendary.

Blue Velvet (1986)

Although David Lynch has made all sorts of solid casting choices throughout his career, Blue Velvet may have the very best of them. Some — like Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan — would make such glowing impressions on Lynch that they would be all over his filmography.

However, others who entered his world on a more brief basis also knocked their respective parts out of the park. Isabella Rossellini came through with a performance that was at once sensuous and haunting, while Dennis Hopper utterly terrified as the hedonistic portrait of criminal wrath, Frank Booth.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Although Jack Nicholson was already a big star when One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest came out, and Scatman Crothers was already an established figure in both the music and film industries, the rest of the cast showed how much vision director Miloš Forman had. Not only would many in his mental institution classic go on to have respectable careers, but two of them were future stars in their own right.

Although Will Sampson was perfectly cast as Chief Bromden, and well-known character actors like Brad Dourif and Vincent Schiavelli would get career boosts from this movie, the biggest future stars here had fairly minor parts. Danny DeVito can be seen flashing his winning smile next to Nicholson here, and Christopher Lloyd can also count One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest among his early opportunities. And, of course, Louise Fletcher was pitch-perfect as the cruel Nurse Ratched.

Goodfellas (1990)

Although it's sadly true that some of them have since passed on, it was hard to swing a stick on the set of Goodfellas without hitting a beloved actor. Robert De Niro had already established himself as a master of his craft by the time he took the role, but Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta found some of the defining roles of their careers in this 1990 mobster classic.

Paul Sorvino and Lorraine Bracco also put in impressive performances as Paulie Cicero and Karen Hill, but even some side characters showed their early charisma here. Future Sopranos alumni like Tony Sirico and Tony Lip made blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearances, but Frank Vincent and Michael Imperioli were featured in memorable scenes before they became Phil Leotardo and Christopher Moltisanti. Even a young Samuel L. Jackson makes a brief but memorable appearance.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Not only was Mad Max: Fury Road a far better movie than a sequel made 30 years after the last entry had any right to be, but that's especially true when Max himself arguably isn't the most central or memorable character in the film. Although Tom Hardy's gruff and intensely physical performance was impressive, Charlize Theron and Hugh Keays-Byrne stole the show as Furiosa and Immortan Joe, respectively.

The supporting cast that included Zoë Kravitz, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Riley Keough was also easy to root for, as was Nicholas Hoult in perhaps his most challenging role yet. Not only did he have to portray pure mania as Nux, but he had to dig deep into that character for a way to make him redeemable.

Snatch (2000)

Guy Ritchie's crime films are known for featuring an extensive cast of characters whose stories intertwine, but Snatch arguably features the best cast out of all of them. Not only does Jason Statham mine humor and drama out of his level-headed character Turkish, and Brad Pitt transforms beyond recognition to play Mickey, but Alan Ford turns in a surprisingly intimidating performance as Brick Top, one of the most menacing villains in film history.

However, that's only scratching the surface. Benicio Del Toro throws so much charisma into his short role as Franky Four Fingers, Vinnie Jones and Rade Serbedzija deliver credible performances as the hardcore gangsters Bullet-Tooth Tony and Boris the Blade, and Stephen Graham shines as Tommy, the heart of the movie. Dennis Farina also warrants a mention for his hilarious performance as Avi.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Although The Big Lebowski's status as a cult classic is a credit to the comedic genius of the Coen Brothers, the fantastic cast they assembled also contributed greatly to the magic of this movie. Jeff Bridges is obviously a natural fit for The Dude, and John Goodman's hilarious intensity as Walter Sobchak and Steve Buscemi's confused sweetness as Donny make the three an iconic trio.

But between Phillip Seymour Hoffman's endearing turn as Brandt, Julianne Moore's air of sophisticated mystery as Maude, and John Turturro's daring portrayal of Jesus Quintana, there's so much beyond the main trio who fans adore just as much. Peter Stormare and David Huddleston shined as The Dude's biggest enemies, and even Tara Reid walked the fine tightrope of playing Bunny Lebowski with aplomb.

Animal House (1978)

Although Animal House is a screwball comedy in many ways, there was some serious talent behind that fun. Tim Matheson understood the assignment of playing the suave and sleazy rush chairman of Delta House, Eric "Otter" Stratton, John Belushi enshrined his comedic legend forever as the chaotic Bluto, and Bruce McGill came off as an ultimate party animal in his performance as the mysterious D-Day.

But the lower-key characters are all brilliantly played as well. Karen Allen made audiences fall in love with Katy, Peter Riegert was always a reliable laugh as Boon, and John Vernon and Mark Metcalf made fantastic antagonists as Dean Wormer and Doug Neidermeyer. Donald Sutherland also brought his endless charisma to Professor Dave Jennings, while Kevin Bacon showed early promise as Chip Diller.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Although Tom Hanks and Matt Damon both had their parts in making this chilling war film the modern classic that it is, a movie this large is also best described as having an ensemble cast. And there were some gems in company that Hanks's Captain Miller traveled with.

Adam Goldberg stood out as one of the consistent comic relief characters in Saving Private Ryan, while Barry Peppers was particularly memorable as the gifted Christian sniper Private Jackson. Paul Giamatti also continued his record of never half-doing a performance, and even Vin Diesel showed early pathos in a heartbreaking scene as Private Carpazo.

Fight Club (1999)

Fight Club's road to becoming a cult classic was partially paved by Chuck Palahniuk's sharp writing and David Fincher's ambitious directing choices. But Edward Norton and Brad Pitt were also perfectly cast for the kind of edgy, cerebral fare that both of them have shown a clear fondness for by now.

Helena Bonham Carter also tapped into exactly the right demeanor to show why her character Marla was both so repulsive and so captivating for Norton's narrator. Fight Club was also a surprising vehicle for Meat Loaf's acting chop, as the most high-profile film role he previously had in Rocky Horror Picture Show was lighter on dialogue.

Ocean's Eleven (2001)

Although Ocean's Eleven was a pretty straightforward popcorn movie, the filmmakers assembled quite the stacked cast to take part in its big heist. Veteran actors like Carl Reiner and Elliot Gould matched wits with the day's dominant stars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon.

And not only did their team also include Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck and Don Cheadle among its ranks, but Julia Roberts was also there to fill a role that only becomes clear near the end. All the while, Andy Garcia played a greaty antagonist who could throw the right kind of intimidating weight behind his threats.

The Departed (2006)

timeless magic movie casts assembled