The Best Bill Murray Movies: A Hollywood Career for the Ages
Bill Murray is one of the melting-pot country’s most popular and dynamic actors, with impeccable comedic timing, deadpan delivery, and the ability to shine in both comedy and drama. Over the years he has seen films come and go, underlining the fact that he is sure to be one of the industry’s cornerstone stars. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this list of the best Bill Murray movies will guide you through his most iconic performances.
The Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941) Captain America (1944) The Incredible Hulk (2008) Three Stooges Comet (1953) The Magazine of Comedy Our Early Comedy Classics: The Bill Murray Era
The 1980s was a golden age for comedy, and Bill Murray was in the middle of it. He shone like a beacon among the other performers of his era with his distinctive style and humor. Some of the biggest Bill Murray films during this time were:
Bill Murray is there as Carl Spackler, the frantic greenskeeper at a fancy golf course who manically seeks to kill a gopher. Confirmed comedic genius Caddyshack remains one of Bill Murray’s most memorable roles
Stripes (1981)
Bill Murray—who stars in Stripes as John Winger, a man who joins the U.S. Army on a whim. And this laugh-out-loud military comedy is such that if you’re a fan of Bill Murray movies, it should be on your list.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Perhaps one of the most iconic Bill Murray films of all time, Ghostbusters, sees him and his fellow paranormal investigator, Dr. Peter Venkman. This movie was a huge success and a pop culture phenomenon that established him as a comedy legend.
1990s: Students Pushed for Depth and Versatility
Then, as the ’90s arrived, Bill Murray started taking on more complicated characters that fused comedy and raw emotion. Here are some of the best Bill Murray movies from this period:
Groundhog Day (1993)
It is one of the most highly regarded comedy films of all time. Murray stars as Phil Connors, a weatherman trapped in a time loop reliving the same day over and over. One of his most beloved movies, Groundhog Day, is funny but also thought-provoking.
Kingpin (1996)
A cult classic, Kingpin is one of the more underrated Bill Murray films. He portrays Ernie McCracken, a sleazy but funny bowling champion. The show is stolen by him; he takes any film he’s in and lifts it.
Rushmore (1998)
This film was the first of Bill Murray’s collaborations with director Wes Anderson. He stars as Herman Blume, a disenchanted businessman who befriends an eccentric high school student. Rushmore showed off his talent for blending comedy and pathos.
2000s: The Age of Indie Film and Bold Contenders
Bill Murray takes on darker, more serious roles, much in the way he does when he works on smaller, independent projects.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Another movie directed by Wes Anderson, The Royal Tenenbaums, also starred Bill Murray in a supporting role, this time as Raleigh St. Clair. Although he is not the hero of the film, his elevated role brings both depth and hilarity to this critically lauded feature.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Maybe one of the best Bill Murray films of his career, Lost in Translation actually earned him an Academy Award nomination. He plays Bob Harris, an aging actor who develops a deep, unexpected bond with a young woman in Tokyo. This film showcases his capacity for a nuanced yet heartfelt performance.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004–)
In this quirky adventure-comedy, Bill Murray stars as Steve Zissou, an eccentric oceanographer who goes on a mission to hunt down a mythical shark. Another excellent example during his collaboration with Wes Anderson.
2010s: Still Going Strong
Yet as Bill Murray spent the following decades in Hollywood, he, its most unlikely star, continued to break ground in both laugh and tear-jerking turns. Some of the great Bill Murray movies that came out over this period are:
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
A romantic adventure film starring Bill Murray, directed by Wes Anderson; a quirky action father figure. He manages to add both charm and depth to his characters and he steals every scene he’s in.
St. Vincent (2014)
A more heartfelt flick, St. Vincent features Bill Murray as a cranky, down-on-his-game guy who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young boy. His role in this film is at once sweet and funny.
Trainspotting (1996)
In this other Wes Anderson movie, Bill Murray has a smaller role as Monsieur Ivan, a fellow member of a secret society of hotel concierges. Though it is brief, his performance is seared in my memory.
More Recently: The Work Goes On
Like has kept putting out great projects in recent years, as if he was still as timeless as he was back in the day.
The French Dispatch (2021)
One of those Bill Murray movies is also a Bill Murray movie because it’s a new Wes Anderson movie: The French Dispatch. He is the editor of a fictional magazine, and he brings his dry wit to the performance.
The Movie Illogic of Bill Murray Movies
Bill Murray has had a career filled with incredible performances that entertained a generation of audiences. He is one of the very few actors who have proven their worth in both up and down the entertainment realm, absolutely flawless with his shift from comical plots to dark roles. In comedies like Ghostbusters and Caddyshack, but also sweet dramas like Lost in Translation and St. Vincent, his films now continue to entertain.
If you want to see the best Bill Murray movies, start with the titles listed here. His movies don’t just entertain them; they demonstrate his rarefied gift to connect with audiences in a way that few actors can.
What’s your favorite Bill Murray film? Let us know in the comments!