Do you remember Rocket from the MCU and Phil from Hangover, who made the movie series better by just being in it? The two characters are more synonymous than you would think them to be. They are both played by the same actor; Bradley Cooper. Throughout his career, Bradley Cooper has left an impressive impact on the audience as a man fitting for both serious and comedic roles, giving people several peak performances to experience.
From He’s Just Not That Into You to Silver Linings Playbook, Cooper has left his mark in the industry. His work will always be amongst the most watched and most enjoyed entertainment for decades to come. He has even worked a produced some work and is an excellent filmmaker. Even as I write this, I know several people are looking forward to reading about the best of their favorite actor’s filmography.
Without any further ado, if you are a devoted Bradley Cooper fan who is looking forward to an organized list of his best movies or are someone just starting with watching his work, here are 36 Bradley Cooper Movies you need to check out if you have not already done so.
1. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Personally speaking, Bradley Cooper’s performance in the 2012 movie “Silver Linings Playbook” is worthy of being termed the best to date. In this David O Russel movie, Cooper plays the role of Pat Solitano Jr., who is a man just released from a psychiatric hospital. There he dealt with his bipolar disorder.
Cooper does justice to this complex and affected character and weaves him into the essentially romantically comedic plot. The role of Pat earned cooper a Golden Globe and got him nominations at the Oscars and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
2. The Midnight Meat Train (2008)
Bradley Cooper appears as a delusional photographer, Leon, in this dark movie from 2008. Leon photographs a case of sexual assault on the subway before he intervened in the situation.
Upon hearing that the woman who was the victim of the assault went missing the next day, he tried to do something by slowly uncovering the clues that lead him to a serial killer on the subway. Richard Propes from the Independent Critic called this film a work that surprises and “pleasant” as well, if someone may dare to call it that.
3. My Little Eye (2002)
My Little Eye is a British movie about five strangers that agree to take part in a contest that requires them to live in a house together for six months without any contact with the outside world. All things ongoing in the house are broadcasted for the world to see.
If they make it to the end, they will win $1 million. However, things turn strange when a strange man named Travis (Bradley Cooper) shows up and claims to be a hiker who is lost in the woods. He causes problems in the house by inducing chaos among the residents.
4. 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
10 Cloverfield Lane serves as the sequel to the 2008 movie Cloverfield, which was shown in a found-footage format. While the prequel was a monster horror in the genre, this one proves to be even more psychologically thrilling.
The movie is about a young woman trapped in a bunker with two men she does not know. They tell her that the world outside has been made hostile due to a dangerous event. Bradley Cooper does the role of a voice-over entity named Ben and his voice is a distraction from the three characters that the movie is primarily fixated upon.
5. Licorice Pizza (2021)
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza from 2021 is a coming-of-age movie that showcases how Bradley Cooper fits into roles with incredible energy. He plays the role of the popular producer and hairstylist Jon Peters.
He often comes into play to torment the young protagonist of this movie (Cooper Hoffman). Peters’ character is Bradley Cooper’s funniest performance to date and also looks like someone who mainlined two pots of coffee in one go.
6. War Dogs (2016)
War Dogs from 2016 is about two friends, Efraim and David. They start picking up US military contracts that gain them more money with time. Eventually, they also become powerful in the weapons community.
Things turn worse when Efraim starts devising plans to defraud the US government. The movie is of high comedic value, revolving around these two high Miami-based friends who suddenly start being a part of the weapons community. Bradley Cooper plays the role of the legendary arms dealer named Henry Girard.
7. A Star Is Born (2018)
Bradley Cooper debuted as a director and also delivered excellent performance along the way with the 2018 release “A Star is Born”. All the more reason for the movie’s success was Lady Gaga and one of Cooper’s greatest performances.
Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) is an alcoholic country singer. His life and career grow out of his control when his girlfriend Ally (Lady Gaga) finds great stardom. He perfectly plays the man hit by tragedy and losing at life. Cooper earned BAFTA, Golden Globes, Oscars, and several other nominations for his work as an actor, writer, director, and producer for the movie.
8. Hit and Run (2012)
Charlie (Dax Shepard) used to be a getaway driver but now lives in Witness Protection because he unsuccessfully testified against his former crew which was led by Alex (Bradley Cooper). Charlie finds both Alex and law enforcement chasing after him when he leaves his house to help his girlfriend.
9. Yes Man (2008)
Carl (Jim Carrey) decides to attend an inspirational seminar when his friends repeatedly call him out for his highly negative behavior. As a result, he decides to only say “yes” to everything anyone asks him. While he sees that life is becoming easier when he says yes often, he also learns the importance of saying “no” with time.
Bradley Cooper plays the role of Peter, who is Carl’s best friend. The movie is a decent and light comedy that you can enjoy when in the mood for something non-taxing and easy.
10. Joy (2015)
Bradley Cooper appears next to Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro once again in the 2015 movie “Joy”. He also collaborates again with the writer and director David O Russel. Joy is a comedic biography of Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), a mop entrepreneur. She soon becomes successful when she can hawk her product on a TV shopping channel named “QVC”.
Niel (Bradley Cooper) is an executive at QVC who believes that Joy, who is a simple housewife with no TV experience, deserves a chance at becoming a TV sensation, which she did, eventually. Other actors in the casting are Edgar Ramirez and Dianne Ladd.
11. New York, I Love You (2008)
New York, I Love You is a compilation of 11 short films, each of them with different creators. Each short film shows a love story that is based in New York City. Bradley Cooper’s appearance is in the sixth short story where he co-stars with Drea de Matteo.
This was written by Xan Cassavetes and Stephen Winter, and directed by Allen Hughes. This compilation is a good enough watch, especially during Christmas time.
12. Burnt (2015)
Adam (Bradley Cooper) used to be a prominent chef in a high-end Parisian restaurant. He is fired due to his erratic demeanor due to drug use. He then goes to New Orleans so he can get sober. He then moves to a career to rebuild his career as a chef.
The movie’s screenplay and the script did not sit all that right with the critics, but according to them, it is Cooper’s performance that saves the day.
13. He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
He’s Just Not That Into You puts along a great and talented cast, including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, and Ginnifer Goodwin. The romantic comedy revolves around a married man called Ben Gunders (Bradley Cooper). He has been facing problems in his marriage with his wife, Janine (Jennifer Aniston).
He soon finds himself drawn toward an aspiring singer called Anna (Scarlett Johansson). The two soon begin to have an affair. When the truth about her husband’s disloyalty comes out to Janine, she is still fixated on saving their marriage. As a result of this, Ben lies about breaking ties with Anna while still having an affair with her.
On top of that, he also lies about leaving his habit of smoking, which is intolerable for Janine. Bradley Cooper, although in the character of a lying and morally ambiguous man, does his part well.
14. The Words (2012)
The Words from 2012 revolves around the reading event of a novel that is written by Clayton Hammond (played by Dennis Quaid). The protagonist in Hammond’s book is a man named Rory (Bradley Cooper).
Rory is an author struggling with writing a book. He accidentally comes across a manuscript for a book that is not his own. He secretly publishes this book as if it is his work. The plot is an ambitious attempt by the creators.
15. Failure to Launch (2006)
Tripp (Matthew McConaughey) is a 35-year-old man who refuses to move outside of his parent’s house. His parents then devise a plan to get him out of the house by hiring a specialist, Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker), a woman who gets immature men to get to their places in life.
Bradley Cooper plays the role of Demo, who is one of Tripp’s immature friends. The two people, Tripp and Paula eventually find themselves falling in love with each other.
16. Wedding Crashers (2005)
Bradley Cooper’s role as Sack in the movie “Wedding Crashers” in 2005 was what created a breakthrough for him in the industry. Two guys John (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) attend random weddings regularly to pick up beautiful women there.
John comes across a gorgeous woman who is also the maid-of-honor for the bride, Claire (Rachel McAdams). Sadly, Claire has a stupid boyfriend, Sack, who will do anything to keep John away from “his girl”. Sack is the type of character you wish to punch in the face due to his jerk-like nature, and that is what he was written to be. In this way, Cooper plays this character perfectly well.
17. Case 39 (2009)
Case 39 is about a troubled foster child named Lillith. The social worker Emily Jenkins happens to bond with this child. Lillith’s foster parents tried to burn her alive.
With time, Emily, to her great surprise, deduces that Lillith may be a demon who can make people hallucinate about their worst and most dire fears. She also made the psychiatrist Doug (Bradley Cooper) hallucinate bees, something he is scared of. Eventually, Doug meets a tragic end.
18. The Mule (2018)
The Mule is a crime drama that surpassed expectations. The movie is based on the New York Times article about Leo Sharp written by Sam Dolnick. It is about a 90-year-old World War II veteran who happens to become a drug mule for a Mexican Cartel. This film goes hard on being a crime drama, being an absolute favorite with those who are seriously invested in this genre. Bradley Cooper appears as the DEA Agent Colin Bates in the movie.
19. American Sniper (2014)
The Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, and Luke Grimes starrer movie “American Sniper” from 2014 is a successful work by director Clint Eastwood. The movie narrates the experiences with war that a marksman named Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper) has had. He was a prosperous sniper in the Iraq War.
However, being away at war and what happened there had taken a great toll on both him and his family life. He took great pride in his shooting prowess but he also left behind a family. Cooper got two Academy Award nominations under the Best Actor and Best Picture categories for his work in the film.
20. Aloha (2015)
Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper) is a military contractor who comes to Hawaii in place of a billionaire who wants to turn local land into a space center.
Here, he is met by his ex-girlfriend and her new husband. He also meets another woman named Allison who is in the Air Force. The 2015 movie was not all that special but still did well at the box office. It is still a decent watch.
21. The A-TEAM (2010)
The A-Team is a remake of a television show from the 1980s. Bradley Cooper is given the role of First Lieutenant Templeton “Face” Peck. Face is part of a Special Forces operative that has escaped from prison upon being confined for a crime they were falsely accused of committing.
To clear their names of the false accusations, they start accepting undercover assignments. Finally, things blow up, and it becomes a silly mess. Bradley Cooper appears beside Liam Neeson, Quinton Jackson, and several others. Face seems to be a character having fun throughout it all, merrily proceeding along with the plot.
22. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014)
Bradley Cooper made his debut as a voice actor in the 2014 Marvel movie named “Guardians of the Galaxy”. He voiced the famous Rocket from the team of the Guardians who travel across the Galaxy to identify threats and get rid of them. The movie also had a sequel and packed a great cast ensemble, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and Vin Diesel.
Rocket is a badass character that gives off average Brooklyn cab driver vibes. This talented raccoon also does not take kindly to being mistaken for another creature and may prove to be a volatile little being sometimes. Even so, he is very fond of his companion, Groot.
23. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Bradley Cooper reprises his role as the voice actor for the CGI raccoon that MCU fans are so very fond of. Cooper’s role as Rocket is also one of the best works in his career so far!
Cooper has put great enthusiasm into voicing this talking raccoon, Rocket. It is one of the primary reasons why he is fitting as the voice actor. This sequel to the 2014 movie shows more of Rocket’s emotional past and story. Rocket’s ending scene with a tear falling down his eyes is one of the most stirring and emotional scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
24. Avengers Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War was a phenomenon like never before. It was super successful, just like its sequel was. The movie brought together a great number of stories and narratives from all the characters that collectively form the plot of MCU. The way it shifts between narratives and how it all comes together was a wonderful miracle to witness.
Rocket gives company to Thor along with Groot towards Nidavellir where they are to forge a weapon strong enough for Thor to wield and defeat Thanos. After achieving their goal, the three of them assemble at Wakanda along with the others for a final battle.
25. Avengers Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame is one of the biggest and most important movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It also had the highest box-office opening. The movie is a result of years of events unfolding within the MCU.
Rocket at this point has been separated from his friends. They are all either gone with half of the population of the universe or are missing. He becomes a member of the Avengers that are trying to undo Thanos’ deeds by traveling back in time. While there are still jokes regarding his appearance, Rocket still has a very respectable role and again accompanies Thor in retrieving the Reality Stone before Thanos could get his hands on it.
26. American Hustle (2013)
Bradley Cooper appears alongside well-known names like Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner, and Jennifer Lawrence. Cooper appears in a perm hairstyle as the character of Richie DiMaso. The movie is based on the ABSCAM scandal from the 1980s and is a black comedy that came out in 2013.
DiMaso is an undercover FBI agent who takes in two grifters (Amy Adams and Christian Bale) in his complex plan to topple the corrupt mayor of Camden, NJ (Jeremy Renner). Cooper’s portrayal of Richie gained him his first Screen Actors Film Award as well as his second Golden Globes nomination.
27. Limitless (2011)
In Limitless, Bradley Cooper takes on the role of a writer named Eddie Morra. This science fiction-based thriller shows how Eddie suffers from writer’s block for a considerable amount of time. As a way to remedy this, he chooses to take a nootropic drug called “NZT-48”. This drug is said to enhance cognitive function, allowing the person to use up more of their brain power.
Eddie gains great power due to the drug, recovers from his writer’s block, and finishes his book sooner than he thought he would. He soon realizes that his newfound power regarding his brain can even corner the stock market. This gives him a better lifestyle and greater wealth than before. It is no time then that Eddie learns that it is important to be careful of what you wish for.
28. Valentine’s Day (2010)
Valentine’s Day from 2010 is a Garry Marshall about two strangers who happen to bond with each other on a plane ride. Holden (Bradley Cooper) and Captain Katherine Hazeltine (Julia Roberts) happen to sit next to each other on the plane and get to know more about each other. Holden is going to meet his boyfriend, while Katherine is returning home for some time to meet her son since she is in the military and visits home quite less.
29. The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)
The Place Beyond the Pines put together a prosperous cast that made it thoroughly watchable. It included Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, and Mahershala Ali in a crime-based and thrilling experience. The Derek Cianfrance movie features pit rookie cop Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) and his hunt for the robber Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling).
When the cop and thief come face to face, their confrontation is met with greater tragedy in the process. Later on in the movie, we see their respective sons taking forward their fathers’ clash in the next generation.
30. Serena (2015)
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence appear together once more in this historical drama. George (Cooper) and Serena (Lawrence) are a married couple living in North Carolina in the Depression era. They are jealous, scheming, and resentful, all of which soon catches up to them in a tragic manner. The movie is based on a book from 2008 of the same name.
31. Nightmare Alley (2021)
Bradley Cooper bags a role darker than he has ever played by working with the acclaimed film director Guillermo del Toro. He has the role of a conman that possesses an utterly corrupt soul that is beyond saving. The character is a great turn for Cooper as a star of previously comedic films. The movie has a final, chilling scene that ranks amongst the best solo scenes that Cooper has to his name. the film keeps you pondering over an important question of if man may be the most fatal beasts of all time.
32. All About Steve (2009)
Mary (Sandra Bullock) is a lonely crossword puzzle writer who soon turns into a stalker when she starts following around Steve (Bradley Cooper) who is a cameraman for a local news station. The two went on a date she found perfect, but he did not think so. She then follows him around the country after it. Along the way, Mary also makes some friends and turns into a confident person.
33. Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
Wet Hot American Summer made Bradley Cooper better known in the film industry. It gave him more work on the comedic side after the performance he put up. David Wain’s cult comedy revolves around a collective of counselors in a summer camp in Maine in 1981. Drama counselors Ben (Bradley Cooper) and Susie (Amy Poehler) are given the task of producing the end-of-the-season talent show for the camp.
In the process, Ben is also romantically perceived by a co-counselor McKinley (Michael Ian Black). The film had a sequel in 2017, but due to prior engagements, Bradley Cooper could not be part of the movie.
34. The Hangover (2009)
The Hangover from 2009 is a super hit starring Bradley Cooper alongside Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, and Ken Jeong. The movie is one of the most widely enjoyed both out of Cooper’s career and over the last decade. The Hangover turned Cooper into a superstar along with being a blockbuster itself. He made a prominent transition from being a handsome side character to being the center of the limelight.
Bradley Cooper appears as Phil Wenneck. He leads a group of his friends who are called “The Wolfpack”. They go on a trip to Las Vegas for their friend Doug’s wedding. When they pass out from a night of drinking, they wake up to find a baby in their closet, a chicken in the living room, and a tiger in the bathroom. The film’s overall success turned it into a movie series, giving it two sequels.
35. The Hangover Part II (2011)
The second installment in the Hangover movie series is set two years after the events of the first film unfolded. The wolf pack comes together again in Thailand for Stu’s (Ed Helms) wedding there.
Much like what happened last time, havoc is wreaked when the three men wake up the next day with no apparent recollection of the events from last night. A crew member also goes missing, and they must now try to put together pieces in the puzzle that last night.
36. The Hangover Part III (2013)
After another two years of the events of the second Hangover movie, the gang finds itself heading back to Las Vegas after their friend Doug has been kidnapped. It happens because of their carelessness in the first film and their relationship with a criminal called Chow (Ken Jeong).
The trio, Alan, Stu, and Phil, team up to solve the mystery behind their friend’s disappearance. The third installment is the lowest-rated but still a decent enough film for fans of the franchise.
