Josh Brolin has carved out one of the most versatile careers in modern Hollywood, moving seamlessly between big-budget blockbusters and intimate, character-driven dramas. From gritty westerns to mind-bending sci-fi, he’s built a filmography that appeals to both mainstream audiences and devoted cinephiles. It’s no surprise, then, that his work has become a frequent point of discussion among movie fans.
Brolin’s work has often been discussed and debated on Letterboxd, the social platform where cinephiles rate and discuss their favorites. What makes Brolin’s career so fascinating is the sheer variety of roles he’s taken on. He can disappear into the psyche of a villain just as easily as he can embody a hero, bringing gravitas to every performance. Letterboxd users tend to gravitate toward actors with strong identities and memorable screen presences, and Brolin consistently delivers both.
10
‘True Grit’ (2010)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 3.8/5
True Grit is a Western that follows 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a determined girl seeking justice for her father’s murder. To track down the killer, Tom Chaney (Brolin), she hires Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a rough, hard-drinking U.S. Marshal known for his fearlessness and questionable methods. As they venture into dangerous territory and take risks to find Chaney, they are also joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon).
True Grit‘s status as such a beloved movie comes from more than the performance of a single actor involved in the project. However, it makes sense that Letterboxd users would note that this is one of Brolin’s best movies since he does so well playing a morally reprehensible character whose actions drive the story. In a movie filled with unforgettable performances from screen legends, Brolin manages to stand out.
9
‘Only the Brave’ (2017)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
Only the Brave tells the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite team of wildfire fighters from Prescott, Arizona. Led by superintendent Eric Marsh (Brolin), the crew works tirelessly to earn their certification and protect their community, forging a deep brotherhood through grueling training and dangerous missions. The film follows both the group’s rising cohesion and the personal struggles of its members, especially new recruit Brendan McDonough (Miles Teller), who wants to turn his life around.
As Eric Marsh, Brolin delivers a commanding, deeply human performance. He shows stoic leadership mixed with vulnerability, humor, and moral weight. Many viewers consider it one of his finest roles, and Letterboxd ratings often reflect standout performances, even in ensemble casts. Many Letterboxd reviewers also the movie for steering clear of the typical “hero-worship” pitfalls of biographical dramas. Its nuance and respect for the Granite Mountain Hotshots help distinguish it from more formulaic Hollywood biopics.
8
‘Dune’ (2021)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
Dune is a space epic that introduces Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young heir whose family is thrust into a deadly political struggle when they’re assigned stewardship of the desert planet Arrakis, the universe’s sole source of the valuable material known as spice. As betrayal strikes and war erupts, Paul begins to grapple with prophetic visions that hint at a destiny intertwined with the planet’s native Fremen people. Brolin plays Gurney Halleck, Paul’s loyal weapons master and mentor.
Dune is a beloved, technically stunning, widely praised modern epic and Brolin is an essential part of it. Gurney is one of the story’s emotional anchors and a clear fan favorite. He’s equal parts stern trainer, loyal protector, and soldier-poet. Big-budget blockbusters often perform well on Letterboxd if they’re taken seriously. Dune hits the rare sweet spot of being both hugely popular and critically revered, giving it staying power in Brolin’s top-rated list.
7
‘American Gangster’ (2007)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
American Gangster follows the rise and fall of Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a Harlem drug kingpin in the early 1970s who builds a heroin empire by cutting out middlemen and smuggling high-quality product directly from Southeast Asia. As Lucas amasses power, wealth, and influence, his disciplined, business-like approach contrasts sharply with the chaos of the criminal world around him. Brolin plays Nick Trupo, a corrupt police officer.
American Gangster is a polished, well-acted, director-driven crime epic which is a genre Letterboxd users love. As Detective Trupo, Brolin brings a uniquely slimy, dangerous energy to the story. This is exactly the kind of performance cinephiles remember and appreciate in hindsight, and that contributes positively to how viewers see the movie overall. For Brolin, American Gangster is also significant since it’s part of his mid-2000s resurgence when he appeared in critically praised, conversation-driving movies.
6
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 3.9/5
Avengers: Endgame is the epic conclusion to over a decade of Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling, following the aftermath of Thanos’s (Brolin) snap, which wiped out half of all life in the universe. The surviving Avengers have to grapple with grief, guilt, and the challenge of undoing the devastation. Through a daring plan involving time travel to collect the Infinity Stones before Thanos can, they attempt to restore everyone lost.
Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of over a decade of interconnected Marvel projects, creating huge anticipation and emotional investment. This alone makes it understandable that Letterboxd users would rate this movie so high. Even though he’s largely a CGI character, Brolin’s performance as Thanos gives the villain depth, gravitas, and a terrifying presence. Users praise him for delivering one of the most compelling MCU antagonists, which elevates the movie’s overall reception.
5
‘Sicario’ (2015)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.0/5
Sicario follows FBI agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) as she is recruited into a covert government task force aimed at dismantling a powerful Mexican drug cartel. Under the guidance of the morally ambiguous operative Alejandro (Benicio del Toro), Kate is drawn into a shadowy world where the lines between justice and vengeance blur. As the mission pushes her deeper into violence and ethical compromise, she confronts the brutal realities of the drug war along the U.S.–Mexico border. Brolin plays Matt Graver, a CIA officer.
As Matt Graver, Brolin embodies a pragmatic, morally flexible CIA operative. His performance is subtle but commanding, providing a counterpoint to Emily Blunt’s more idealistic character. Letterboxd users highlight the fact that his presence is a key element of the movie’s impact. Sicario is a perfect example of a movie that Letterboxd users typically reward for laying the foundation for thought-provoking conversations about difficult subjects.
4
‘Avengers Infinity War’ (2018)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.0/5
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s heroes as they face the formidable threat of Thanos (Brolin), who seeks to collect all six Infinity Stones to impose his vision of balance on the universe. The Avengers, along with the Guardians of the Galaxy and other allies, struggle to stop him, but are repeatedly outmaneuvered by Thanos’s cunning and power. The movie spans multiple locations and storylines, and the heroes are tested physically, morally, and emotionally.
As the first part of the Infinity Saga finale, Avengers: Infinity War benefits from the audience’s investment in prior MCU films. Its narrative and emotional resonance within the larger universe give it staying power and repeat viewings, boosting Letterboxd scores. Brolin makes a massive impact as one of the most threatening villains these heroes have ever faced. Fans on Letterboxd cite Brolin’s performance as a highlight, which means it makes sense that many consider this movie one of his best.
3
‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2025)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.0/5
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery centers on legendary detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who is called in to investigate a baffling murder at a small‑town church in upstate New York. The victim is Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Brolin), a charismatic and divisive religious leader whose fiery sermons and influence over his congregation mask a darker undercurrent of manipulation and secrets. The central mystery is a “locked‑room” style crime, which makes the case seemingly impossible to solve.
Unlike some of his smaller supporting roles, Brolin is directly tied to the main plot of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. His portrayal of Wicks as part charming, part morally ambiguous, anchors the mystery, making his performance especially visible and impactful to viewers. Fans of the Knives Out series value intricate mysteries and clever misdirection, and this latest chapter delivers spectacularly. The chaotic characters and layered plot create the kind of suspense and payoff that often lead to strong user ratings.
2
‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.3/5
No Country for Old Men follows Llewelyn Moss (Brolin), a hunter who stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and takes a case full of cash, setting off a violent chain reaction. He is pursued by Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), a relentless hitman who uses a captive bolt pistol as his signature weapon, and whose philosophy of fate and chance instills terror in everyone he encounters. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) is tasked with investigating the case.
No Country for Old Men combines Brolin’s compelling performance, a masterful Joel and Ethan Coen production, iconic supporting roles, and a gripping, morally complex story. As Llewelyn Moss, Brolin makes an impact as the everyman whose fateful decision to take the drug money triggers a violent chase. His performance balances resourcefulness, vulnerability, and determination, making him an unforgettable protagonist.
1
‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)
Average Letterboxd Rating: 4.4/5
Dune: Part Two picks up after the fall of House Atreides. Paul Atreides flees into the deserts of Arrakis and, alongside his mother and the native Fremen, begins his rise toward power. As tension escalates, Paul must reconcile his growing prophetic destiny with his personal obligations. Brolin reprises his role as Gurney, who reunites with Paul and helps lead the military strategy that becomes central to the rebellion against their enemies.
Dune: Part Two stands out because it delivers a blend of immersive world‑building, internal conflict, ethical questions, and mythic stakes all while being a satisfying continuation of the first movie. Although the movie centers on other main characters, Brolin’s return as Gurney Halleck helps connect him to this acclaimed, large‑scale project. Dune: Part Two is both a massive blockbuster and a philosophical meditation on humanity’s future, which is why it makes sense that this is Brolin’s highest-rated movie.