Movies About Male Friendship

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. During his time at the prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and finds himself protégé to the prison fixer, Brooks Hatlen (James Whitmore). With the help of his friends, Andy is able to overcome a corrupt and abusive prison system to gain his freedom. The film received critical acclaim and went on to become a classic and one of the highest grossing films of all time.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson, based on the novel of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien. The story follows the continued quest of Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) as they make their way to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. The Fellowship of the Ring, including Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), join forces with the armies of Gondor and Rohan to fight a massive battle against Sauron's forces at the gates of Mordor. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam struggle with the Ring's corrupting influence, and Aragorn must face his destiny as the rightful King of Gondor. In the end, the Ring is destroyed and Sauron defeated, bringing peace to Middle-earth. With its thrilling action sequences, breathtaking visuals, and stirring performances, The Return of the King was a crowning achievement in the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy that captivated audiences around the world.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Yukiko Shimazaki
Rated Not Rated

Seven Samurai is an acclaimed 1954 Japanese samurai drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It tells the story of a village of farmers that hire seven masterless samurai to protect them from bandits. The seven samurai are led by a veteran named Kambei Shimada, and the film follows their story as they train the farmers and fight off the bandits in a climactic battle. Throughout the film, we are presented with a variety of themes, such as the importance of honor and loyalty, the power of teamwork, and the struggle against overwhelming odds. The film is widely regarded as a masterpiece, and it is often credited with redefining the genre of jidaigeki and inspiring countless Western films.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 American western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Set in the Old West and Antebellum South, it is a highly stylized, revisionist take on the Spaghetti Western genre, and stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a freed slave who teams up with a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), to rescue his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from a Mississippi plantation owned by the malevolent Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Schultz and Django develop an unexpected friendship as they journey to rescue Broomhilda, and Django must learn to become a gunslinger to protect himself on their mission. Along the way they encounter treacherous obstacles, including the Ku Klux Klan and a relentless pursuit from the ruthless plantation owner, Big Daddy (Don Johnson). Tarantino's use of violence, humor and historical revisionism has been praised and the film received five Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Tarantino.

From Sergio Leone, starring Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Treat Williams
Rated R

Once Upon a Time in America is a 1984 epic crime drama directed by Sergio Leone and starring Robert De Niro and James Woods. Set in the early-20th century, the film follows Noodles and Max, two childhood friends who grow up to become powerful mobsters in New York City. The film spans four decades, depicting how the boys’ destinies are intertwined with the violent rise and fall of their crime syndicate. Along the way, they encounter a cast of memorable characters, including a mysterious woman from their past, a rival gangster, and a corrupt cop. As they fight to survive in the underworld, they must ultimately come to terms with their past and the choices they have made in life.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a crime drama film written and directed by Michael Mann. It stars Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as two men on opposite sides of the law: De Niro plays a professional thief who is trying to make one big score to retire and Pacino plays a veteran detective determined to stop him. The film follows both of them as they become increasingly obsessed with each other, leading to a climactic confrontation on the streets of Los Angeles. The film also features an ensemble cast of Jamie Foxx, Val Kilmer and Tom Sizemore. Heat is an exploration of what it means to be a professional thief and a cop, and how their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. It is a thrilling and stylish exploration of the criminal underworld and an intense game of cat and mouse.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi
Rated R

The Big Lebowski is a crime comedy film from 1998, directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film tells the story of Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, a middle-aged slacker who gets himself entangled in a strange and complicated plot involving a millionaire with the same name and a kidnapping scheme. The Dude's life is thrown into chaos as he is pulled into a web of deception, double-crosses, and a case of mistaken identity. With the help of his friends Walter Sobchak and Donny Kerabatsos, The Dude must figure out who is behind the plot, and how it all fits together. Along the way, the trio encounter a range of colorful characters including a nihilist, a pornographer, and a mysterious cult of bowling fanatics.

From Rob Reiner, starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell
Rated R

Stand By Me is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Rob Reiner and based on a novella by Stephen King. The film follows four young boys, Gordie (Wil Wheaton), Chris (River Phoenix), Teddy (Corey Feldman), and Vern (Jerry O’Connell), as they set out on a journey to find the body of a missing boy. The boys are forced to overcome the obstacles of peer pressure, bullying, and the harsh realities of growing up. Along the way, they learn important life lessons, build lifelong friendships, and gain a newfound appreciation for life. The film is both a heartfelt coming-of-age story and a nostalgic exploration of friendship, as it captures the universal themes of growing up and letting go.

From Michael Cimino, starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Cazale, John Savage
Rated R

The Deer Hunter is a 1978 American epic war drama film directed by Michael Cimino. The film follows a group of three Russian American steelworker friends and their service in the Vietnam War. The trio, Michael (Robert De Niro), Steven (John Savage) and Nick (Christopher Walken), go off to fight in Vietnam and experience the physical and emotional toll of war. Michael's courageous actions in the war earn him the Medal of Honor, but the group's friendship is tested by the traumas of war. As the three fight for survival, they must come to terms with the brutality of war and their own mortality. The Deer Hunter paints an atmospheric portrait of the horror of war, and its effects on the human spirit.

From Danny Boyle, starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, Kevin McKidd
Rated R

Trainspotting is a 1996 British black comedy-drama film directed by Danny Boyle and starring Ewan McGregor. It is an adaptation of Irvine Welsh's novel of the same name. The film follows a group of friends living in Edinburgh, Scotland as they struggle with drug addiction and poverty. The story follows the main character, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), and his spiral into drug addiction and criminal activity. He eventually decides to quit the drug scene and goes on a journey of self-discovery, trying to find his purpose in life. Along the way, he encounters a number of colorful characters, including his old friends Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Begbie (Robert Carlyle), who are still actively involved in drugs and crime. The film is a darkly humorous look at the lives of a group of young people struggling to make it in a world where dreams don't always come true.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 crime drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, and Andy Garcia. The film follows the efforts of Treasury Agent Elliot Ness (Costner) as he attempts to bring down infamous Chicago gangster Al Capone (De Niro). With a team of hand-picked men, Ness sets out to bring down Capone and his empire of corruption and crime. Along the way, Ness discovers that the only way to defeat Capone is to beat him at his own game. The gripping story is based on the true story of Ness' crusade to take on Capone, and the film earned four Academy Award nominations.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons
Rated R