Greg Kinnear Movies Ranked From Worst to Best
From Indie Darlings to Oscar Nominated Dramas
Discover the most essential film performances by Greg Kinnear, featuring his award-winning roles and fan-favorite cinematic moments.
About Greg Kinnear
In the mid-nineties, Greg Kinnear managed a pivot that few television personalities ever stick. He moved from the snarky, neon-lit confines of E! Entertainment to the silver screen without the desperate odor of a man trying too hard to be taken seriously. He arrived with a relaxed, Midwestern charm that felt both familiar and slightly dangerous, immediately holding his own against legends. It was his turn as the sensitive, embattled artist Simon Nye in As Good as It Gets that proved he was more than a handsome face with a dry wit. That performance earned him an Oscar nomination and established the Kinnear blueprint: a man capable of projecting profound vulnerability behind a veneer of suburban normalcy.
He has spent his career perfecting the art of the relatable striver. Whether he is playing the optimistic yet failing father in Little Miss Sunshine or the over-eager coach in Invincible, he taps into a specific American anxiety about success and failure. He does not play heroes so much as he plays men who are exhausted by the effort of trying to be heroic. This quality makes him the ultimate audience surrogate. When he appears as the lath-and-plaster intellectual in You've Got Mail or the slick, modern update of David Larrabee in Sabrina, there is always a twinkle of self-awareness. He knows he is charming, but he also lets you see the cracks in the foundation.
That willingness to explore the darker corners of the psyche peaked with Auto Focus. In a career-best performance as Bob Crane, he dismantled his own likable persona to show the hollow, addictive core of a man lost in his own fame. It was a brave, jarring move that cemented his reputation as a character actor hiding in a leading man's body. He can pivot from the high-stakes military tension of We Were Soldiers to the surreal, offbeat warmth of Brigsby Bear without ever feeling like he is stretching. He fits into any ensemble like a piece of high-quality furniture, providing the sturdy support that lets his co-stars shine while secretly being the most interesting thing in the frame.
Audiences keep coming back to him because he represents a bridge between the old-school Hollywood gentleman and the modern, messier world. In films like The Matador or Ghost Town, he handles comedy with a surgical, deadpan precision that feels effortless. Even in more grounded, justice-focused roles like Brian Banks or the political drama Confirmation, he brings a quiet decency that feels earned rather than performed. He is the guy you want as your neighbor, even if you suspect he might be hiding a mild existential crisis behind his lawnmower. He has survived decades in an industry that eats its young by being consistently, reliably human. By the time he showed up as the empathetic patriarch in Stuck in Love or a jittery captive in Unknown, he had already become a permanent fixture of our collective cinematic subconscious. He is the master of the middle ground, making the ordinary feel essential.
Salvation Boulevard
2011Set in the world of mega-churches in which a former Deadhead-turned-born-again-Christian finds himself on the run from fundamentalist members of his mega-church who will do anything to protect their larger-than-life pastor.
Mystery Men
1999When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superheroes -- Mr. Furious, the Shoveler and the Blue Raja -- assemble a new super team to save him.
Nurse Betty
2000What happens when a person decides that life is merely a state of mind? If you're Betty, a small-town waitress and soap opera fan from Fair Oaks, Kansas, you refuse to believe that you can't be with the love of your life just because he doesn't really exist. After all, life is no excuse for not living. Traumatized by a savage event, Betty enters into a fugue state that allows -- even encourages -- her to keep functioning... in a kind of alternate reality.
Little Men
2016Jake is a quiet, sensitive middle schooler with dreams of being an artist. He meets the affably brash Tony at his grandfather's funeral, and the unlikely pair soon hit it off. The budding friendship is put at risk, however, when a rent dispute between Jake's father, Brian, and Tony's mother, Leonor, threatens to become contentious.
You Gotta Believe
2024After dedicating the season to a teammate’s ailing father, a group of underestimated Ft. Worth youth baseball players takes its Cinderella run all the way to the 2002 Little League World Series—culminating in a record-breaking showdown that became an instant ESPN classic.
Misbehaviour
2020A group of women involved in the Women's Liberation Movement hatched a plan to invade the stage and disrupt the live broadcast at the 1970 Miss World competition in London, resulting in overnight fame for the newly-formed organization. When the show resumed, the results caused an uproar and turned the Western ideal of beauty on its head.
The Last Song
2010A drama centered on a rebellious girl who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father. Through their mutual love of music, the estranged duo learn to reconnect.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
2013With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.
Heaven Is for Real
2014After their young son, Colton, undergoes emergency surgery, small-town parents Todd and Sonja Burpo are overjoyed at the child's miraculous recovery. However, the Burpos are unprepared for what happens next... Colton says that during his surgery he went to heaven and back, and tells his parents things that he couldn't possibly know. Can Todd find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world?
Thin Ice
2012A dishonest insurance salesman's life quickly disintegrates during a Wisconsin winter when he teams up with a psychopath to steal a rare violin at the home of a reclusive farmer.
Confirmation
2016Judge Clarence Thomas' nomination to the United States' Supreme Court is called into question when former colleague, Anita Hill, testifies that he had sexually harassed her.
Brian Banks
2019An All-American football player's dreams to play in the NFL are halted when he is falsely accused of rape and sent to prison.
Unknown
2006Five men wake up in a locked-down warehouse with no memory of who they are. They are forced to figure out who is good and who is bad to stay alive.
Ghost Town
2008Bertram Pincus, a cranky, people-hating Manhattan dentist, develops the unwelcome ability to see dead people. Really annoying dead people. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy, a smooth-talking ghost, who pesters him into a romantic scheme involving his widow Gwen. They are soon entangled in a hilarious predicament between the now and the hereafter!
You've Got Mail
1998Book superstore magnate Joe Fox and independent book shop owner Kathleen Kelly fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet—both blissfully unaware that he's trying to put her out of business.
Stuck in Love
2013An acclaimed writer, his ex-wife, and their teenaged children come to terms with the complexities of love in all its forms over the course of one tumultuous year.
Kinnear brings a weary, lived-in intellectualism to his portrayal of a divorced novelist struggling to move on. He navigates the messy intersection of romantic obsession and parental responsibility with a nuanced touch that elevates the film’s domestic drama.
Sabrina
1995After her return from school in Paris, a playboy finally takes notice of his family's chauffeur's daughter Sabrina, who's long had a crush on him, but he questions his more serious brother's motives when he warns against getting involved with her.
Stepping into a role originally played by William Holden, Kinnear manages to modernize the quintessential playboy archetype with a breezy, effortless charisma. This early career milestone established him as a legitimate romantic lead who could thrive under the lens of a legendary director like Sydney Pollack.
The Matador
2005The life of Danny Wright, a salesman forever on the road, veers into dangerous and surreal territory when he wanders into a Mexican bar and meets a mysterious stranger, Julian, who's very likely a hit man. Their meeting sets off a chain of events that will change their lives forever, as Wright is suddenly thrust into a far-from-mundane existence that he takes to surprisingly well … once he gets acclimated to it.
As the quintessential 'straight man' paired with Pierce Brosnan’s chaotic hitman, Kinnear excels at portraying suburban bewilderment. He turns a reactive role into a comedic powerhouse by finding the absurd logic in his character’s increasingly dangerous predicament.
We Were Soldiers
2002The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.
Kinnear provides a soulful presence amidst the chaos of combat as helicopter pilot 'Snake' Crandall. His performance highlights his ability to convey stoic heroism and tactical focus without relying on typical action-movie bravado.
Invincible
2006Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.
Tasked with portraying the legendary Dick Vermeil, Kinnear captures the psychological intensity and meticulous nature of a high-pressure coach. He avoids the traps of sports movie caricature by focusing on the quiet anxiety of a man whose legacy is on the line.
Brigsby Bear
2017Brigsby Bear Adventures is a children's TV show produced for an audience of one: James. When the show abruptly ends, James's life changes forever, and he sets out to finish the story himself.
Within this eccentric indie gem, Kinnear finds the grounded humanity in a complex paternal figure caught between guilt and genuine affection. His understated work provides a crucial anchor for the film's surreal premise and heightens the story's emotional stakes.
Robots
2005Rodney Copperbottom is a young robot inventor who dreams of making the world a better place, until the evil Ratchet takes over Bigweld Industries. Now, Rodney's dreams – and those of his friends – are in danger of becoming obsolete.
Providing the voice for the corporate villain Ratchett, Kinnear demonstrates his underrated comedic range through a purely vocal performance. He leans into a sleek, metallic arrogance that serves as a masterclass in how to play a sophisticated animated antagonist.
Auto Focus
2002A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.
In this chilling descent into celebrity obsession, Kinnear sheds every ounce of his clean-cut persona to inhabit the superficiality and eventual rot of Bob Crane. It remains his most daring transformation, showcasing a fearless willingness to explore the hollow core of a media icon.
A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
Playing a vulnerable artist recovering from a brutal assault, Kinnear offers the necessary emotional counterweight to Jack Nicholson's abrasive energy. This breakout turn proved he could handle profound sensitivity and earned him the industry’s respect through a career-defining Oscar nomination.
A family loaded with quirky, colorful characters piles into an old van and road trips to California for little Olive to compete in a beauty pageant.
Kinnear perfectly weaponizes his innate likability to portray a failing motivational speaker whose optimism is a thin veil for desperation. This role solidified his transition from a charm-heavy lead to a vital character actor capable of anchoring a top-tier ensemble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts
- Greg Kinnear often gravitates towards roles that explore complex human emotions and relationships, as seen in films like 'As Good as It Gets' and 'Little Miss Sunshine.' His characters frequently navigate personal growth, familial bonds, and redemption, making his performances deeply relatable and heartfelt.
- Greg Kinnear successfully transitioned from television to film by choosing diverse roles that showcased his range, such as the dramatic 'Auto Focus' and the comedic 'The Matador.' His natural charm and ability to embody nuanced characters impressed both audiences and critics alike, establishing him as a respected film actor.
- Greg Kinnear's versatility shines in movies like 'Robots,' where he lends his voice to animation, 'We Were Soldiers,' highlighting historical war drama, and 'Brigsby Bear,' a blend of comedy and drama. This eclectic mix demonstrates his talent in adapting to varied storytelling styles and genres.
- Greg Kinnear's portrayal of Simon Nye in 'As Good as It Gets' was a breakthrough that earned him critical acclaim and showcased his ability to convey sensitivity and depth. This role solidified his reputation as a serious actor capable of delivering emotionally resonant performances.
- Yes, Greg Kinnear's role in 'As Good as It Gets' earned him an Academy Award nomination, reflecting the critical recognition of his talent. Additionally, films like 'Little Miss Sunshine' have been celebrated in award circuits, further highlighting his involvement in esteemed projects.
- Greg Kinnear's Midwestern charm lends an approachable and authentic quality to his characters, making them feel genuine and relatable. This trait enhances roles in films like 'Invincible' and 'Stuck in Love,' where his warmth helps anchor the emotional narrative.
- In 'Little Miss Sunshine,' Greg Kinnear brings a mix of dry humor and heartfelt sincerity that perfectly fits the film's quirky yet touching tone. Unlike some of his more dramatic roles, this performance highlights his skill in balancing comedy and pathos within an ensemble cast.
