Jon Hamm’s Best Movies Ranked, From 'Bridesmaids' to 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Jon Hamm—the man, the myth and very handsome legend—became a household name on Mad Men. During his seven-season run as Don Draper, Hamm crafted one of TV’s most iconic characters of all time. His thrilling performance as the charismatic, but deeply troubled ad exec captivated viewers and also earned him both a Golden Globe and an Emmy.

But here’s the thing, Hamm’s appeal transcends just one iconic role. Since breaking out on television, he’s been working in film more and more, showing up in everything from prestige thrillers to broad comedies, sometimes as the lead and sometimes as the secret weapon needed to take a movie to the next level. 

Whatever role he takes on, Hamm is always fascinating to watch. While his classic good looks give him an old-Hollywood presence, he’s never been afraid to subvert expectations by poking fun at his own image. (If you haven’t seen him on Curb Your Enthusiasm, it’s must-watch TV.) The St. Louis native can play intimidating and vulnerable—or funny and frightening—in the same breath. He also has a knack for working with directors who know how to weaponize that duality—including Steven Soderbergh, Edgar Wrightand Clint Eastwood.

Read on as we revisit and rank 11 of Jon Hamm’s best movies.

11. ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ (2018)

Writer-director Drew Goddard brings together an eclectic cast for this film, which takes place at a mysterious hotel in the 1960s. Hamm plays Laramie Seymour Sullivan, a vacuum salesman who checks into the El Royale with secrets of his own. 

The movie works hard to keep audiences guessing as the narrative unfolds through interconnected storylines and time jumps. The multiple narrative threads don’t always come together in a satisfying way, but this is a fun, stylish thriller full of strong performances— including Hamm’s. 

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10. ‘Howl’ (2010)

This biographical film explores Allen Ginsberg’s 1957 poem—and the obscenity trial that followed its publication. Hamm plays Jake Ehrlich, the attorney who defended the poem’s publisher in court. Courtroom drama interweaves with animated sequences visualizing the poem and interview-style segments with James Franco as Ginsberg.

And not to get too film school on you, but Hamm’s portrayal of Ehrlich provides the film’s dramatic spine as his character argues for the poem’s literary merit against a prosecution determined to censor it.

9. ‘Confess, Fletch’ (2022)

In this mystery comedy, Hamm stars as the irreverent investigative reporter Fletch, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while searching for a stolen art collection. Based on Gregory Mcdonald’s beloved mystery novels, the reboot takes a more low-key approach than previous Chevy Chase films from the ’80s. 

Hamm clearly loves doing comedy when he has the chance. He’s having a blast playing Fletch, who both charms and annoys everyone around him with his disguises and deadpan humor.

Related: ‘Mad Men’ Is Back in 4K: How to Watch Don Draper’s Iconic Return

8. ‘Beirut’ (2018)

Set in 1982, Beirut is a political thriller that takes place during the Lebanon War. Hamm stars as Mason Skiles, a former U.S. diplomat who returns to the city a decade after a personal tragedy derailed his career. When a CIA operative is kidnapped, Mason is reluctantly pulled back into the dangerous world of international negotiations and intelligence work. 

Hamm makes us feel Mason’s weariness and wounded idealism as he plays a man haunted by his past and struggling with alcoholism—all while trying to navigate a nearly impossible diplomatic situation. The screenplay (written by Tony Gilroy) doesn’t give any easy answers. 

7. ‘The Report’ (2019)

Writer-director Scott Z. Burns’ procedural thriller stars Adam Driveras Daniel Jones, whose years-long investigation into the CIA’s Detention and Interrogation Program followed 9/11. 

Hamm makes a strong impression in his supporting role as Denis McDonough, President Obama’s chief of staff. His scenes with Driver crackle with tension as the idealistic investigator pushes for transparency, while McDonough represents the administration’s more cautious approach. 

6. ‘Richard Jewell’ (2019)

Clint Eastwood’s biographical drama tells the story of Richard Jewell (Paul Walter Hauser), the security guard who discovered a bomb at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was then wrongly suspected of planting it himself. Hamm plays FBI agent Tom Shaw, who leads the investigation into Jewell and becomes convinced of his guilt despite mounting evidence to the contrary.

Hamm plays Shaw as neither a villain, nor a hero—but as someone absolutely certain of his own rightness. The film demonstrates how confirmation bias and institutional pressure can lead good people to pursue unjust outcomes. 

5. ‘The Town’ (2010)

In Ben Affleck’s crime thriller set in Boston, Hamm stars as FBI Special Agent Adam Frawley, who’s determined to bring down a crew of bank robbers led by Affleck’s character, Doug MacRay. The Town pays homage to classic crime films, and the confrontations and cat-and-mouse dynamic between Hamm and Affleck are some of the film’s best moments. 

4. ‘No Sudden Move’ (2021)

Steven Soderbergh’s twisty crime story set in 1950s Detroit follows a group of small-time criminals (Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, Kieran Culkin) who are hired for what seems like a simple job, but quickly spirals into something far more dangerous and complex. 

Hamm plays Joe Finney, an executive whose involvement in the scheme runs deeper than it first appears. He starts as a seemingly innocent victim, but one by one, new layers of guilt and compromise reveal themselves. The film itself is smart, stylish and full of surprising turns and fun, memorable characters. 

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3. ‘Baby Driver’ (2017)

Edgar Wright’s kinetic action film follows Ansel Elgort as Baby, a young getaway driver. Hamm plays Buddy, an experienced criminal who works multiple heists with Baby and initially serves as something of a mentor to the young driver.

Hamm does some of his best work here, creating a character who seems laid-back and almost fatherly, but then reveals explosive violence and rage. His transformation in the film’s second half is genuinely frightening, and Wright uses Hamm’s natural charm to make that shift even more shocking. Hamm commits fully to the physical demands of the role, and the action sequences involving his character are off-the-wall exciting. Baby Driver is a blast, showing off all the visual fun and flair Wright is best known for. 

2. ‘Bridesmaids’ (2011)

In this brilliant Paul Feig comedy, Kristen Wiig plays Annie, a woman whose life is falling apart while she’s asked to be maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding. Hamm is brilliantly awful as Ted, Annie’s toxic friend-with-benefits. He’s a narcissistic cad who represents everything Annie needs to leave behind to reclaim her self-worth. He treats her terribly, yet she keeps going back for more. 

Ted’s character is basically a one-note jerk but Hamm makes him just charming enough that we understand why Annie can’t quit him even as we’re screaming at the screen for her to run. 

1. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)

This legacy sequel to the 1986 classic reminds us just how hugely-entertaining big budget studio filmmaking can be. Tom Cruisereturns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, who’s called back to train a new group of elite aviators for a dangerous mission. 

Hamm plays Vice Admiral Cyclone, a by-the-book officer standing in Maverick’s way. He clashes with Maverick’s unorthodox methods and Cyclone questions whether the legendary pilot is even the right person for the job. Hamm makes Cyclone a responsible officer who has legitimate concerns about the safety of the pilots under his command, not just an uptight stick in the mud. Top Gun: Maverick is filled with aerial action sequences that made it one of the year’s best movies—especially to watch in theaters. It’s not only of the best blockbusters of the last few years, but also Jon Hamm’s best movie.

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