21 films and TV series to discover the work of James Franco

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

For the release of the film "Keene", Lifehacker talks about the best and worst works of the famous actor and director.

Once upon a time, James Franco began his career with roles in TV series and biographical television films. But soon his talent was appreciated by many directors, and he began to receive more and more offers. And then Franco himself began to shoot films, however, he does not always succeed in doing this. We will tell you which works you must pay attention to in order to evaluate his talent, and which ones are better to bypass.

Acting work

1. Rise of the Planet of the Apes

• USA, 2011.
• Science fiction, action, adventure, drama.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The scientist is conducting trials of a new drug for Alzheimer's disease on primates. During the tests, it turns out that the medicine has a strange side effect - the intelligence of the monkeys increases several times. After that, the primates no longer want to be experimental animals and arrange a revolution.

2.17 hours

• USA, 2010.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Adventure lover and experienced once again goes to the mountains to test himself. But he finds himself in a death trap, where he has to hold out for 127 hours without food, water and any hope of salvation.

3. James Dean

• USA, 2001.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

A biographical drama about the life and death of one of the most stylish and vibrant actors of the first half of the 20th century. James Franco perfectly got used to the role of rebel and car lover James Dean.

One of the first roles of Franco showed that he can perfectly copy the images of real people. Subsequently, he starred in many more biographical films.

4. Spiderman

• USA, 2002.
• Superhero thriller, fantasy.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

An ordinary teenager Peter Parker is bitten by a mutated spider. From that moment on, he becomes a superhero and decides to defend his city. But he is opposed by a very dangerous villain - the Green Goblin.

It was after the role of Peter Parker's best friend, Harry Osborn, that James Franco gained universal popularity.

5. Spiderman 2

• USA, 2004.
• Superhero thriller, fantasy.
• Duration: 127 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

Peter Parker continues to defend his city and defeat super villains. But it becomes increasingly difficult for him to combine ordinary life with the exploits of Spider-Man. Suddenly, he discovers that his powers have begun to disappear. And just at this time, the distraught scientist Otto Octavius appears in the city.

In this film, the positive Harry Osborn was reincarnated as a new Green Goblin, obsessed with revenge on Spider-Man. And Franco perfectly managed to show a man who becomes a villain from grief.

6. Crazy whale

• USA, 2017.
• Thriller, drama.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

At the end of the 19th century, in a women's psychiatric hospital, they decide to stage a play based on the famous book by Herman Melville. In this case, all roles are taken exclusively by completely insane patients.

7. Pineapple Express: Sitting, smoking

• USA, 2008.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 111 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

Courier Dale Denton, 25, delivers subpoenas to people. And to relax, he regularly smokes weed. One day, Dale witnesses how the mafia leaders take out their competitors. The hero tries to hide, but accidentally drops a joint with weed of a new variety "Pineapple Express", and he leads directly to his dealer.

One of the most successful results of the collaboration and friendship between James Franco and the actor and director Seth Rogen. Together, this couple has repeatedly shot great funky films.

8. If tomorrow comes

• USA, 2000.
• Drama.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Dreamer Adam wants to make a wonderful life for his parents. He borrows money from a moneylender to buy a house for them, but he is unable to repay the debt on time. And now Adam and his best friend Devin are in great danger.

9. Tristan and Isolde

• USA, 2006.
• Melodrama.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

This film reinterprets the famous medieval legend. Tristan falls in love with Isolde, who is to marry Lord Mark - Tristan's uncle. The heroes have to choose between their feelings and duty, because the truce between their kingdoms depends on this marriage.

10. Scream

• USA, 2010.
• Drama.
• Duration: 85 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 8.

Another biographical drama. The film tells about the life and work of the famous beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg. The main plot line is devoted to the prosecution of the poet after the publication in 1956 of his scandalous poem "Howl".

11. Great raid

• USA, 2005.
• Action, drama, military.
• Duration: 132 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

In early 1945, Colonel Henry Mucci is tasked with rescuing 500 American troops imprisoned in a camp in the Philippines. Before he and his battalion find themselves in real danger, they will have to undergo training, which in its cruelty is not inferior to real military operations.

12. End of the World 2013: Apocalypse in Hollywood

• USA, 2013.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 6.

Jay Baruchel comes to visit his friend Seth Rogen. He calls him to a party hosted by James Franco. Many celebrities gather there, but Baruchel feels insecure because he does not know them personally. As a result, Rogen and a friend go to the store for cigarettes, but the real one begins around.

James Franco and Seth Rogen are working together again, and in this film all the famous actors play themselves. It turned out to be a funny "skit", where Franco was the host of the party.

Work in serials

James Franco's career began with television. To this day, he regularly appears in multi-part projects on small screens.

13. Freaks and geeks

• USA, 1999.
• Teenage drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

The series, also known to many as Bullies and Nerds, is about life in a fictional town in the 1980s. An excellent student falls in love with a charming freak, while typical geeks are trying to change their school life for the better.

14. 11.22.63

• USA, 2016.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A screen adaptation of a science fiction novel. The protagonist is teacher Jake Epping from the 21st century. He gets the opportunity to go back in time to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. But for this Jake will have to live there for a while.

15. Deuce

• USA, 2017.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The series is set in the 70s and 80s of the XX century. It tells about the development and flourishing of the sex industry and prostitution in New York.

Directing work

In his films, James Franco most often plays the main role himself. And sometimes he also invites the brothers to keep him company.

16. The unfortunate creator

• USA, 2017.
• Comedy, drama.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

The story of the creation of the film by one of the most mysterious directors Tommy Wiseau, which went down in history as "the worst film of all time." James Franco directed this picture and himself reincarnated as the main character, trying with all his might to play on the screen as badly as Weissau did.

The Room is oddly considered a cult movie. Dozens of actors, directors and other artists even periodically get together to watch this "masterpiece" again. But only James Franco had the talent to re-shoot many of the scenes from him and try to tell how this film came about.

17. Prankster Max

• USA, 2007.
• Drama.
• Duration: 79 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 2.

Brothers Adam and Max are very similar. But Adam tries to achieve everything with work and patience, but Max is used to relying on charm and luck. After he gets into another trouble, the brothers go on a business trip together, but Max is not able to control himself for too long.

18. And lost the fight

• USA, 2016.
• Drama.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 1.

In the thirties USA, workers begin to form trade unions and fight for decent wages and better working conditions. Jim Nolan lifts California's largest strike, joining 900 apple pickers. They are protesting against an association of local vegetable growers.

Major failures

James Franco is truly passionate about all of his projects. But sometimes it turns out that viewers and critics are not enthusiastic about his films.

19. The world of the future

• USA, 2018.
• Action, science fiction.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 3, 1.

In a post-apocalyptic world, the protagonist Prince travels to a desolate land to find a cure for his mother. He will have to go through the deserts, face evil bikers and find an android girl.

It seems that James Franco was haunted by the fame of "Mad Max", and he decided to shoot his version of the post-apocalypse with races in the desert. And either there was not enough budget, or the director got too carried away by riding a motorcycle, but the film as a result came out pale and indistinct.

20. Rosewood Institute

• USA, 2017.
• Thriller, horror, drama.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 4, 1.

To escape from the sad thoughts after the death of her parents, the main character goes on vacation to the popular Rosewood Institute. They say that it provides psychological assistance to women. But in fact, it turns out that cruel experiments are being performed on the patients there.

Franco's experience in directing horror films was also unsuccessful. According to most critics, the picture came out meaningless and filled with boring dialogues.

21. Surveillance

• USA, 2012.
• Thriller, drama.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 3, 7.

The theatrical playwright notices that something strange is happening in her head. She tries to figure out if someone is driving her crazy on purpose, or if it is related to creativity. But be that as it may, the heroine realizes that she is gradually losing her mind.

In this film, James Franco participated only as an actor. But neither his talent, nor Winona Ryder, who played the main role, could save the picture from failure.