LaKeith Stanfeld's 10 Best Movies, Ranked (2024)

LaKeith Stanfield is one of Hollywood's most exciting young talents, and he's already starred in several films worth watching. Stanfield has been an active actor since 2008, with his feature film debut in 2013's Short Term 12. He continued to take minor roles in prominent 2010s movies like Selma, Straight Outta Compton, and more before receiving wider recognition later in the decade for Get Out and the FX television series Atlanta. He's since become an exciting star, known for versatility in playing leading and supporting roles.

LaKeith Stanfield has stood out as one of the best actors to debut in the 21st century, offering a unique screen presence that can improve any movie he's in. Since his rise to stardom, he's been in comedies, historical dramas, a Western, and more. Jeymes Samuel has been Stanfield's only notable directorial collaborator so far, with the star appearing in The Harder They Fall and leading the cast of The Book of Clarence. The latter was released in theaters in January 2024, adding another success to LaKeith Stanfield's budding career.

10 Haunted Mansion (2023)

Directed by Justin Simien

Haunted Mansion

PG-13

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Director

Justin Simien

Release Date

July 28, 2023

Cast

Rosario Dawson , Jamie Lee Curtis , Winona Ryder , Owen Wilson , Jared Leto , Danny DeVito , Dan Levy , LaKeith Stanfield , Tiffany Haddish

Runtime

123 Minutes

One of Disney's most significant commercial failures in recent years, the Haunted Mansion reboot assembled a talented acting ensemble but, ultimately, didn't work out as planned. While Haunted Mansion may have a 37% Rotten Tomatoes score, the movie isn't as bad as the critical perception would make it seem. In fact, Haunted Mansion has a far better 84% Audience Score. It's a fun, silly summer blockbuster for younger audiences, and LaKeith Stanfield is entertaining in the leading part.

9 The Girl in the Spider's Web (2018)

Directed by Fede Álvarez

The Girl in the Spider's Web

R

Drama

Crime

Thriller

Where to Watch

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Director

Fede Alvarez

Release Date

November 9, 2018

Runtime

117minutes

See Also

LaKeith Stanfield's 10 Best Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

LaKeith Stanfield only plays a supporting role in The Girl in the Spider's Web, but he and Claire Foy are notable standouts in the film. The 2018 release is a loose sequel to David Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, with the intriguing directorial vision of Federico Álvarez. Again, the movie wasn't well-received, with atrocious scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic and a subpar box-office run. It's still a valid entry to Stanfield's filmography, seeing him in one of his more serious, dramatic roles.

8 The Photograph (2020)

Directed by Stella Meghie

The Photograph

PG-13

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Director

Stella Meghie

Release Date

February 14, 2020

Cast

Courtney B. Vance , Chanté Adams , Rob Morgan , Issa Rae , Lil Rel Howery , Wakeema Hollis , Kelvin Harrison Jr. , Teyonah Parris , Jasmine Cephas Jones , LaKeith Stanfield , Y’Lan Noel , Chelsea Peretti

Runtime

106 minutes

The 2020 film The Photograph is one of the least-seen movies LaKeith Stanfield has starred in, and it's a must-watch for fans of the actor. In a filmography packed with outstanding supporting roles, The Photograph allows Stanfield to flourish as the lead, with star power and charisma shining when paired with co-star Issa Rae. The two have immaculate chemistry, making the underseen gem one of his most engaging projects. The reviews don't do The Photograph justice, as it received mixed scores on IMDb and Metacritic.

7 The Book of Clarence (2023)

Directed by Jeymes Samuel

LaKeith Stanfield's most recent project is one of his most entertaining, further proving that he can be exceptional as the top-billed actor in a film. The actor pairs with filmmaker Jeymes Samuel for their second project, innovating a mix of action/adventure, comedy, and historical costume drama. The film's premise alone is captivating, and it's executed with an eccentric style that pushes the historical, biblical genre forward. The Book of Clarence didn't receive excellent reviews or perform too well at the box office, but it may find new life on streaming after facing fierce competition during its theatrical run.

6 The Harder They Fall (2021)

Directed by Jeymes Samuel

The Harder They Fall

R

Where to Watch

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Not available

Not available

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Director

Jeymes Samuel

Release Date

November 3, 2021

Cast

Jonathan Majors , Idris Elba , Delroy Lindo , Danielle Deadwyler , Regina King , Edi Gathegi , r.j. cyler , Damon Wayans Jr. , Zazie Beetz , Deon Cole , LaKeith Stanfield

Runtime

139 Minutes

LaKeith Stanfield and Jeymes Samuel's first project proved to be a fascinating innovation to the Western genre, mixing exciting Western revenge action with an almost entirely Black cast. LaKeith Stanfield plays a supporting role behind Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz and more. The Netflix original had a towering 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and an even better 93% Audience Score. It's genuinely a great modern Western that proves the genre isn't dead and that there are exciting new ways to spin the classic revenge tales of the Wild West.

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5 Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Directed by Boots Riley

Sorry to Bother You

R

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Not available

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Director

Boots Riley

Release Date

July 13, 2018

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Runtime

112 Minutes

Out of LaKeith Stanfield's starring performances, 2018's Sorry to Bother You is still the actor's best leading movie. He's paired with other exciting stars like Tessa Thompson and Steven Yeun, who are also fantastic in the whacky sci-fi comedy mix. The film is one of Stanfield's most unique, exploring absurd heightened reality and social commentary, similar to Atlanta. Sorry to Bother You is filled with wild moments, and though it isn't the actor's best-reviewed or most commercially triumphant movie, it deserves credit for its originality and individual cinematic experience.

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4 Knives Out (2019)

Directed by Rian Johnson

Knives Out

PG-13

Drama

Crime

Mystery

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Director

Rian Johnson

Release Date

November 27, 2019

Runtime

130 minutes

Among the ensemble of Knives Out, LaKeith Stanfield isn't given the most engaging material to work with, yet he still stands out and brings the most out of his character. In what quickly became recognized as one of the best murder mystery movies, Stanfield shines in a cast consisting of world-renowned talents like Michael Shannon, Christopher Plummer, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with one of Stanfield's best Rotten Tomatoes scores at 97% and his highest IMDb score at 7.9/10.

3 Uncut Gems (2019)

Directed by Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie

Uncut Gems

R

Where to Watch

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Director

Josh Safdie , Benny Safdie

Release Date

December 13, 2019

Studio(s)

A24

Runtime

134 minutes

In another supporting role, LaKeith Stanfield shines behind Adam Sandler, around whom most of the film is centered. The Safdie Brothers have proven to be excellent at stress-inducing thriller films, and Uncut Gems is one of the most intense movies in recent years. Notably, LaKeith Stanfield plays a more laid-back character in some of the calmer scenes, allowing his mellow charisma to stand out further. Uncut Gems was critically acclaimed, though it was snubbed by major awards shows, and likely deserved more recognition for its incredible performances and directing.

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2 Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Directed by Shaka King

Judas and the Black Messiah

R

Where to Watch

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Director

Shaka King

Release Date

February 12, 2021

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Algee Smith , LaKeith Stanfield , Lil Rel Howery , Dominique Thorne , Jesse Plemons , Jermaine Fowler , Ashton Sanders , Dominique Fishback , Terayle Hill , Martin Sheen , Daniel Kaluuya

Runtime

126minutes

LaKeith Stanfield has only been nominated for one Academy Award so far, with a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Shaka King's Judas and the Black Messiah. The phenomenal biographical drama was also nominated for several other Oscars, including Best Picture. In terms of award prestige and critical acclaim, the 2021 film is Stanfield's most successful project, and he's undoubtedly magnificent in it. However, Judas and the Black Messiah isn't as fresh and innovative of a movie as Get Out.

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1 Get Out (2017)

Directed by Jordan Peele

Get Out

R

Where to Watch

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Director

Jordan Peele

Release Date

February 24, 2017

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Runtime

1 hour, 44 minutes

In LaKeith Stanfield's career, Jordan Peele's Get Out is the clear standout. Though his role is minor, LaKeith Stanfield is unforgettable as Andre, standing out among the fantastic ensemble. Praise has been sung repeatedly for Get Out since its release in 2017, as it's truly one of the few directorial debuts that immediately changed the film industry. Jordan Peele's innovative writing and visual styles and his success in mixing social themes with psychological horror have instantly influenced numerous other subsequent movies.

Get Out is a must-watch piece of 21st-century cinema, and any role in the film is worth celebrating. LaKeith Stanfield was beginning to attract attention from Atlanta season 1 at the time, but the supporting role in Get Out led to a series of roles in high-caliber films as the young actor proved his ability to bring magic out of any character. In one of the best movies of the 2010s, LaKeith Stanfield proved he was an extraordinarily talented actor who'd be embellishing films with his talent for years to come.

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