It is a difficult task to find a more universally beloved actor then one of Bill Murray's status. Cementing a name for himself in comedy history for his sarcastic and dry delivery, he's been delighting viewers for decades with not only his acting ability but his unique brand of deadpan humor.

First reaching mainstream status as one of the original cast members on Saturday Night Live, Murray's talents were quickly recognized by not only home audiences but by those in the film industry as well. Landing his first starring role in the 1979 comedy Meatballs, the comedian/actor finally had a vehicle through which to enter the world of film. Since then, Murray has landed numerous iconic roles in many high-grossing movies and has had continued success and adoration to this day. Even with occasional bad press and allegations, Murray can't seem to be canceled, and remains a pop culture institution.

Taking a look back on Bill Murray's film history would show one a collection of not only memorable and influential comedies but an assortment of drama sprinkled in as well. Murray's talent at being able to handle the leading role carried over from traditional comedy to other genres, demonstrating his own personal range as a performer.

Being no stranger to animated projects, he has also supplied voice-over work for numerous films, several being helmed by director and frequent collaborator Wes Anderson, though Murray's recognizably cynical edge always shines best when he uses his whole body in front of the camera. From an incredible career, these are Bill Murray's best films. Also note we are looking at major roles, so movies where he cameos in like The Darjeeling Limited or Zombieland, do not count even though they are worth watching.

Update October 28, 2023: Bill Murray's career is not slowing down anytime soon, as he just recently appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and will reprise his role as Peter Venkman in the Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel set for release in 2024, so this article has been updated with more information about Murrary's best films and where you can stream each one.

10 Stripes (1981)

Stripes
Stripes
R
Comedy
Action
War
Release Date
June 25, 1981
Director
Ivan Reitman

Released in 1981 as one of Murray's earliest works, Stripes tells the story of a man named John Winger, who, after a string of bad luck and dead-end jobs, decides on a whim to join the Army with his close friend Russell Ziskey (played by long-time co-star and director Harold Ramis). Throughout the film, Winger establishes himself as the voice for a small group of outcasts within the troop.

The gang engage in antics, getting themselves into trouble but enjoying the fun along the way. That is, until Winger unintentionally crosses into enemy territory in a military assault vehicle and finds himself having to defuse what could become an international conflict. This role cemented Murray into a character archetype that he would carry over into many films to come, portraying not only his trademark dry wit, but a genuine and good-natured heart as well.

Stream on Paramount+

9 St. Vincent (2014)

St. Vincent
St. Vincent
PG-13
Comedy
Release Date
October 9, 2014
Director
Theodore Melfi

This film that is seemingly straight out of the Clint Eastwood playbook is almost like Gran Torino if it was a comedy. A disgruntled old war veteran meets a misunderstood kid in Theodore Melfi’s 2014 comedy-drama, St. Vincent. In this uplifting picture, Bill Murray appears as the misanthropic Vincent MacKenna, an alcoholic who served in the conflict in Vietnam whose only real socializing is with a foreign sex worker (a funny Naomi Watts).

Vincent reluctantly agrees to babysit for his new nextdoor neighbor and single mother, Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), whose child Oliver is very much in need of a paternal guardian. Together, the pair strike up an unlikely rapport, with Vincent’s no-nonsense approach equipping him to help Oliver deal with everything from bullies to teaching him about the goings-on down at the racetrack.

Stream on Prime Video & Netflix

8 The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

The Royal Tenenbaums
The Royal Tenenbaums
R
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Release Date
October 5, 2001
Director
Wes Anderson

As one of the best reunion movies of all time, Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums is a surprisingly low entry on this list. Not because of a lack of cinematic credentials, but simply due to Bill Murray’s bit-part supporting role as Raleigh St. Claire, husband to Margot Tenenbaum (Gwyneth Paltrow). The family comedy-drama concerns Chas, Richie, Margot, and their estranged father, Royal, who after revealing his false cancer diagnosis, attempts to reunite his fractious family.

Rent/Buy on Prime Video

7 What About Bob? (1991)

What About Bob?
What About Bob?
PG
Comedy
Release Date
May 17, 1991
Director
Frank Oz
Cast
Bill Murray , Richard Dreyfuss , Julie Hagerty , Charlie Korsmo , Kathryn Erbe , Tom Aldredge

The 1991 dark comedy What About Bob? sees Murray as the neurotic and needy patient of one Dr. Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss. Bob Wiley finds himself completely dependent on the aid of his psychotherapist, the egotistical Dr. Marvin, and follows him on his family vacation. Bob makes himself at home, being invited to stay by the Marvin family, who are charmed by his bizarre yet well-meaning nature. This is met by the chagrin of Dr. Marvin, whose agitation at not having his ideal family vacation steadily grows.

As Bob acquaints himself within the family more and more, the doctor's attempts to get rid of him become frantic, and gradually maniacal. The movie was a large box-office success, with audiences particularly enjoying Bill Murray's performance as a cripplingly anxious loner with OCD spectrum disorder, though it was his ability to capture the innocent nature of the character that helped it go on to become on of his most iconic roles, and a must-see for comedy fans.

Rent/Buy on Prime Video

6 Broken Flowers (2005)

Broken Flowers
Broken Flowers
R
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Mystery
Romance
Release Date
August 5, 2005
Director
Jim Jarmusch
Cast
Bill Murray , Julie Delpy , Heather Simms , Brea Frazier , Jarry Fall , Korka Fall

After appearing as himself in the great Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 black-and-white dramatic comedy, Coffee and Cigarettes, Bill Murray would join forces with the Mystery Train director again, this time for 2005’s Broken Flowers. Premiering at Cannes Film Festival, the indie movie received critical acclaim and subsequently won the Cannes Grand Prix Award.

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Murray presents the titular protagonist, Don Johnston, as a reclusive and indolent bachelor, who upon receiving a letter from a former lover, discovers he has a son who is in the process of looking for him. This High Fidelity-esque narrative follows Don as he embarks on a journey of self and parental discovery, visiting four exes in the process.

Rent/Buy on Prime Video

5 Rushmore (1998)

rushmore
Rushmore
R
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Release Date
December 11, 1998
Director
Wes Anderson

Rushmore signaled one of the finest continued collaborative efforts of modern film, Bill Murray and director Wes Anderson; the pair have now teamed up on every one of Anderson’s pictures since 1996. Murray is the hilariously domineering, multi-millionaire industrialist Herman J. Blume in this delightful coming-of-age classic.

Bullish, brash, and brazen, Blume nonetheless has a certain caring sincerity and paternal nature to his character that makes him an alluring screen presence as he goes head-to-head with 15-year-old Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) for the romantic attention of widower Ms. Cross.

Rent/Buy on Apple TV+ & Prime Video

4 Lost in Translation (2003)

Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation
R
Drama
Release Date
September 18, 2003
Director
Sofia Coppola
Cast
Scarlett Johansson , Bill Murray , Akiko Takeshita , Kazuyoshi Minamimagoe , Kazuko Shibata , Take

Making the leap from traditional comedy into the world of romantic dramedy, Lost in Translation stars Bill Murray as the washed-up movie star Bob Harris, on a trip to Tokyo to promote a brand of whiskey. Bob is experiencing a midlife existential crisis and is in the midst of reconsidering his life choices, one being his marriage. Events unfold as Harris encounters a young college graduate named Charlotte, played by Scarlett Johansson, staying at the same hotel and accompanying her photographer husband. Charlotte is experiencing the same feelings of uncertainty, as well as culture shock, and the two end up bonding after introducing themselves at the hotel bar.

A genuine friendship forms, as they both find an escape in one another through their mutual understanding and lack of satisfaction with their lives. The 2003 film was heavily praised for its non-traditional approach to romance and friendship and its aesthetically gorgeous portrayal of a chance encounter between two strangers in a foreign land.

Stream on Netflix

3 Ghostbusters (1984)

ghostbusters
ghostbusters
PG
Comedy
Action
Fantasy
Sci-Fi
Release Date
June 8, 1984
Director
Ivan Reitman

Arguably the most iconic of all Bill Murray's film roles, the monster hit Ghostbusters was a powerhouse upon release, spawning sequels, countless merchandise, several cartoon spin-offs, and even a hit single. The summer blockbuster of 1984 depicts Murray as Dr. Peter Venkman as he's just being let go from his Columbia University job as a parapsychologist, along with his cohorts Dr. Ray Stantz, (Dan Akyroyd), and Dr. Egon Spengler, (Harold Ramis).

The trio, who were dismissed after their first official run-in with a ghost, decides on the heels of that experience to get into business for themselves as the paranormal investigators/exterminators 'The Ghostbusters.' Murray's Peter Venkman faces all opposition with a sarcastic smile and a quick one-liner, being the comedic highlight of the film for generations of viewers to enjoy. He even reprised his role in the well-received recent reboot.

Stream on Peacock

2 The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
R
Adventure
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Release Date
December 10, 2004
Director
Wes Anderson

“Don’t point that gun at him! He’s an unpaid intern!” Bill Murray’s Steve Zissou exclaims to a group of pirates while sporting his unmistakable blue all-in-one oceanographer uniform and trademark red hat in Wes Anderson’s ultra-stylized, quintessentially quirky picture, The Life Aquatic. It's possibly one of the best comedies of all time, despite what the haters say.

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The 2004 comedy adventure was the fourth feature of the Wes Anderson dynasty and the first of a flourishing writing partnership with fellow filmmaker Noah Baumbach. Bill Murray appears as the titular character, Steve Zissou, a loved, and deeply admired explorer and oceanographer who goes on a mission of retribution, discovery, and personal growth as he seeks to track down the sea beast that killed his best friend while getting to know his might-be son.

Stream on Hoopla

1 Groundhog Day (1993)

Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
PG
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Fantasy
Romance
Release Date
February 11, 1993
Director
Harold Ramis
Cast
Bill Murray , Andie MacDowell , Chris Elliott , Stephen Tobolowsky , Brian Doyle-Murray , Marita Geraghty

Discontented weather forecaster Phil Connors finds himself in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, assigned to cover the year's annual Groundhog Day festivities. Connors carries with him an absolute hatred for the assignment, as well as for the people of the small town, who are ecstatic for the day's arrival. After giving an unenthusiastic news report on the event and incorrectly predicting a snowstorm's arrival, Phil is trapped in the small town alongside his producer Rita Hanson, played by Andie MacDowell.

Phil awakens the next day to realize that he is once again experiencing the events of February 2nd, and everything is occurring as it did the day before. A torturous time loop begins as Connors is forced to relive the same day, over and over again, in this 1993 fantasy comedy. Bill Murray gets an opportunity to display his full range as an actor with the role, not only demonstrating his sharp comedic edge, but his genuine nature as a dramatic lead.

The journey he takes audiences on with his character feels entirely organic, and to this day is cited as one of the best performances by the legendary actor. Murray carries Groundhog Day through its spiritual, philosophical, and psychological development and, like his character, became a better person because of it (or at least just a better actor). A possible and long-awaited TV show is in the works.

Stream on Netflix