Bradley Cooper attends Netflix’s ‘Maestro’ LA special screening at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix.
Bradley Cooper has not only emerged as one of the finest actors of his generation, but he is also one of the most accomplished filmmakers working today.
Best known for ‘The Hangover‘ trilogy and voicing Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Cooper has also given extraordinary performances in movies like ‘Silver Linings Playbook,’ ‘American Sniper,‘ ‘American Hustle,’ ‘Nightmare Alley,’ and ‘Licorice Pizza.’
But it was his incredible work in front of and behind the camera on ‘A Star is Born‘ that solidified Cooper as one of the top directors working today.
His new directing effort, ‘Maestro,’ where he plays Leonard Bernstein, opened in theaters on November 22nd and will be available to stream on Netflix beginning December 20th.
In honor of ‘Maestro,’ Moviefone is counting down the 30 best movies of Bradley Cooper’s career, including his latest.
Let’s begin!
Bradley Cooper as Rory Jansen in ‘The Words.’ Photo: CBS Films.
The Words follows young writer Rory Jansen (Cooper) who finally achieves long sought after literary success after publishing the next great American novel. There’s only one catch – he didn’t write it. As the past comes back to haunt him and his literary star continues to rise, Jansen is forced to confront the steep price that must be paid for stealing another man’s work, and for placing ambition and success above life’s most fundamental three words.
“There’s more than one way to take a life.”
66
1 hr 36 minJan 27th, 2012
After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.
More than a dozen Angelenos navigate Valentine’s Day from early morning until midnight. Three couples awake together, but each relationship will sputter. A grade-school boy wants flowers for his first true love. Two high school seniors plan first-time sex at noon. A TV sports reporter gets the assignment to find romance in LA. A star quarterback contemplates his future. Two strangers meet on a plane. Grandparents, together for years, face a crisis. An ‘I Hate Valentine’s Day’ dinner beckons the lonely and the lied to.
“A Love Story. More or Less.”
59
2 hr 5 minFeb 11th, 2010
Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), a man in his eighties, is broke, alone, and facing foreclosure of his business when he is offered a job that simply requires him to drive. Easy enough, but, unbeknownst to Earl, he’s just signed on as a drug courier for a Mexican cartel. He does so well that his cargo increases exponentially, and Earl hit the radar of hard-charging DEA agent Colin Bates (Cooper).
“Nobody Runs Forever”
68
1 hr 56 minDec 10th, 2018
Remember that really cute girl/guy who said they’d call – and didn’t? Maybe they lost your number. Maybe they’re in the hospital. Maybe they’re awed by your looks, brains or success. Or maybe… They’re just not that into you.
“Are you the exception… or the rule?”
65
2 hr 9 minFeb 6th, 2009
25. ‘Burnt‘ (2015)
Bradley Cooper as Adam Jone in ‘Burnt.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.
Adam Jones (Cooper) is a Chef who destroyed his career with drugs and diva behavior. He cleans up and returns to London, determined to redeem himself by spearheading a top restaurant that can gain three Michelin stars.
“Never underestimate a man with everything to lose.”
65
1 hr 40 minOct 30th, 2015
24. ‘Joy‘ (2015)
A story based on the life of a struggling Long Island single mom (Jennifer Lawrence) who became one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs.
65
2 hr 4 minDec 13th, 2015
Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz (Miles Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill), who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America’s allies in Afghanistan.
“An American dream”
69
1 hr 54 minAug 19th, 2016
When former getaway driver Charlie Bronson (Dax Shepard) jeopardises his Witness Protection Plan identity in order to help his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) get to Los Angeles, the feds and Charlie’s former gang chase them on the road.
“A Comedy That Never Takes Its Foot Off The Gas”
57
1 hr 40 minAug 22nd, 2012
The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) true parentage.
(L to R) Ed Helms as Stu, Bradley Cooper as Phil, and Zach Galifianakis as Alan in ‘The Hangover Part III.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.
“It all ends.”
62
1 hr 40 minMay 23rd, 2013
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
“An entire universe. Once and for all.”
83
2 hr 29 minApr 23rd, 2018
The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It’s the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there’s still a summer’s worth of unfinished business to resolve. At the center of the action is camp director Beth (Janeane Garofalo), who struggles to keep order while she falls in love with the local astrophysics professor. He is busy trying to save the camp from a deadly piece of NASA’s Skylab which is hurtling toward earth. All that, plus: a dangerous waterfall rescue, love triangles, misfits, cool kids, and talking vegetable cans. The questions will all be resolved, of course, at the big talent show at the end of the day.
“High Times. Hard Bodies. Soft Rock.”
63
1 hr 37 minJan 23rd, 2001
Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) has stumbled across a way to shake free of post-divorce blues and a dead-end job: embrace life and say yes to everything.
“One Word Can Change Everything.”
66
1 hr 44 minDec 19th, 2008
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
“Avenge the fallen.”
83
3 hr 1 minApr 22nd, 2019
Bradley Cooper as Templeton “Face” Peck in ‘The A-Team.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
A group of Iraq War veterans goes on the run from U.S. military forces while they try to clear their names after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Along the way, Col. Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson), Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Cooper) help out various people they encounter.
“There Is No Plan B”
64
1 hr 57 minJun 11th, 2010
A charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.
John (Owen Wilson) and his buddy, Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) are emotional criminals who know how to use a woman’s hopes and dreams for their own carnal gain. Their modus operandi: crashing weddings. Normally, they meet guests who want to toast the romantic day with a random hook-up. But when John meets Claire, he discovers what true love – and heartache – feels like.
“Life’s a Party. Crash It.”
65
1 hr 59 minJul 15th, 2005
Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
A paranoia-fueled action thriller about an unsuccessful writer (Cooper) whose life is transformed by a top-secret “smart drug” that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this darkly comic and provocative film.
Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle in ‘American Sniper.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle (Cooper) takes his sole mission—protect his comrades—to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history. His pinpoint accuracy not only saves countless lives but also makes him a prime target of insurgents. Despite grave danger and his struggle to be a good husband and father to his family back in the States, Kyle serves four tours of duty in Iraq. However, when he finally returns home, he finds that he cannot leave the war behind.
(L to R) Zach Galifianakis as Alan, Bradley Cooper as Phil, and Ed Helms as Stu in ‘The Hangover.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
When three friends (Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifanakis) finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can’t seem to locate their best friend, Doug (Justin Bartha) – who’s supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time.
“Some guys just can’t handle Vegas.”
73
1 hr 40 minJun 5th, 2009
Bradley Cooper as Avery in ‘The Place Beyond the Pines.’ Photo: Focus Features.
A motorcycle stunt rider (Ryan Gosling) considers committing a crime in order to provide for his wife (Eva Mendes) and child, an act that puts him on a collision course with a cop-turned-politician (Cooper).
(L to R) Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim in ‘Licorice Pizza.’ Photo: United Artists Releasing.
The story of Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffman) and Alana Kane (Alana Haim) growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973.
Bradley Cooper as Stanton “Stan” Carlisle in ‘Nightmare Alley.’ Photo: Searchlight Pictures.
An ambitious carnival man (Cooper) with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychologist (Cate Blanchett) who is even more dangerous than he is.
2014’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace).
(L to R) Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper in ‘American Hustle.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
A conman (Christian Bale) and his seductive partner (Amy Adams) are forced to work for a wild FBI agent (Cooper), who pushes them into a world of Jersey power-brokers and the Mafia.
“Everyone Hustles To Survive”
68
2 hr 18 minDec 12th, 2013
(L to R) Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in ‘Silver Linings Playbook.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.
After spending eight months in a mental institution, a former teacher (Cooper) moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife.
Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein (Director/Writer/Producer) in ‘Maestro.’ Photo: Jason McDonald/Netflix © 2023.
This fearless love story chronicles the complicated lifelong relationship between music legend Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan).
(L to R) Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in ‘A Star Is Born.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Cooper) discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer — until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.
Discussion about this post