Gene Hackman recently passed away at the age of 95, under a tragic set of circumstances. He was known as one of the great actors of his time. Hackman kicked off his Hollywood career in 1961, with an uncredited role in a film called Mad Dog Coll. He had his first real breakthrough when he appeared in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, a landmark film that changed the scope of cinema. The role earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Hackman would later go on to win two Academy Awards in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. Hackman has appeared in numerous iconic films over the years, including Superman, The French Connection, The Replacements, and Get Shorty, many of which are currently streaming on Prime Video. In honor of Gene Hackman's work and legacy, here are 10 of his films that you can stream on Amazon Prime Video.
10 'March or Die' (1977) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 March or Die PG Drama Adventure War Release Date September 8, 1977 Runtime 107 minutes Director Dick Richards Writers David Zelag Goodman Producers Georges-Patrick Salvy-Guide, Jerry Bruckheimer Cast See All Gene Hackman Major William Sherman Foster Terence Hill Marco Segrain Catherine Deneuve Simone Picard Max von Sydow François Marneau
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March or Die is a British war film. Set during the 1920s, it follows an American who's haunted by memories of the recently ended World War I. He and his unit are assigned to protect an archaeological dig site in Morroco from angry Arab tribes.
Hackman stars as the war-weary American. During filming, he was thrown off a horse and injured, which suspended production and drove up the film's small budget, leading to it losing money at the box office.
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Posts 9 'Welcome to Mooseport' (2004) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Welcome to Mooseport PG-13 Comedy Romance Release Date February 24, 2004 Runtime 110 minutes Director Donald Petrie Writers Tom Schulman, Doug Richardson Cast See All Gene Hackman Monroe Cole Ray Romano Handy Harrison Marcia Gay Harden Grace Sutherland Maura Tierney Sally Mannis
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In Welcome to Mooseport, a local unexpectedly finds himself running for mayor of Mooseport, Maine against a former US president. Comedian Ray Romano stars as the local candidate in this comedy and political satire. He was originally supposed to star alongside Dustin Hoffman, but Hoffman dropped out of the project.
Gene Hackman was brought in to replace Hoffman as the former US president. Welcome to Mooseport was a critical and commercial bomb, though it did earn a surprising 3 stars from film critic Roger Ebert. Welcome to Mooseport was Gene Hackman's final film.
8 'Behind Enemy Lines' (2001) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Behind Enemy Lines PG-13 Action Drama Thriller War Release Date November 30, 2001 Runtime 106 minutes Director John Moore Writers David Veloz, Zak Penn Sequel(s) Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia, Seal Team Eight: Behind Enemy Lines Cast See All Owen Wilson Gene Hackman Gabriel Macht Charles Malik Whitfield
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Gene Hackman had a thing for starring in war movies. Several of them are currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, like this one: Behind Enemy Lines. It stars Owen Wilson as a disillusioned pilot on the run from the local military in war-torn Bosnia, while Gene Hackman plays the commanding officer trying to save him.
Although it scored negatively with critics for its jumbled action and incompetent characters, Behind Enemy Lines performed well at the box office.
7 'Cisco Pike' (1972) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Cisco Pike R Crime Drama Release Date January 14, 1972 Runtime 95 minutes Director Bill L. Norton Producers Gerald Ayres Cast See All Karen Black Sue Kris Kristofferson Cisco Pike Gene Hackman Officer Leo Holland Harry Dean Stanton Jesse Dupre
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Cisco Pike follows a down-on-his-luck musician, who turns to selling marijuana after falling on hard times. Kris Kristofferson, in his debut as a leading man, plays the musician, while Gene Hackman portrays the corrupt police officer who blackmails him.
Cisco Pike was also the directorial debut of Bill L. Norton, who would direct many iconic TV shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Twilight Zone, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. The film has become a cult classic in the years since its release.
6 'Crimson Tide' (1995) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Crimson Tide R Thriller Action Drama Release Date May 12, 1995 Runtime 116 Minutes Director Tony Scott Writers Michael Schiffer Cast See All Denzel Washington Gene Hackman Matt Craven George Dzundza
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Crimson Tide is an action film that's set on a nuclear missile submarine. Based on real events that took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis, it follows a young First Officer who ignites a mutiny to prevent his trigger-happy Captain from launching nuclear missiles prematurely.
Crimson Tide features a stellar cast that includes Denzel Washington as the officer and Gene Hackman as the trigger-happy captain, as well as Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini, Steve Zahn, and Ryan Phillipe. Crimson Tide was well-reviewed for its score by Hans Zimmer, its high-energy thrills, and its mesmerizing dialogue, courtesy of an uncredited Quentin Tarantino.
5 'Enemy of the State' (1998) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Enemy Of The State R Action Drama Thriller Release Date November 20, 1998 Runtime 132 Minutes Director Tony Scott Writers David Marconi Cast See All Will Smith Gene Hackman Jon Voight Regina King
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Enemy of the State is an action thriller starring one of the 1990s' most bankable movie stars, Will Smith, alongside other big names like Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Jack Black, Jason Lee, and Scott Caan. Here, Smith plays a lawyer who's targeted by a corrupt politician and NSA agents when he accidentally receives key evidence regarding a politically motivated crime.
Directed by Tony Scott, Enemy of the State is another critical and commercial success on Hackman's resume. The film was lauded for its action and the dynamic between Smith and Hackman.
4 'Get Shorty' (1995) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Get Shorty R Comedy Crime Thriller Release Date October 20, 1995 Runtime 105 minutes Director Barry Sonnenfeld Writers Elmore Leonard, Scott Frank Cast See All John Travolta Gene Hackman Rene Russo Danny DeVito
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Get Shorty is one of Hackman's most famous movies. Even if you've never seen it, you're probably familiar with the movie's iconic poster -- four stars in black sunglasses, staring coolly down at you. Get Shorty is a gangster comedy based on Elmore Leonard's 1990 novel. It follows a gangster from Miami to Hollywood to collect a debt, where he inadvertently gets involved in the movie business.
It features an A-list cast that includes John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, James Gandolfini, and Danny DeVito. Get Shorty was a commercial and critical success for its stellar cast, its unique spin on the gangster genre, and for supplying both thrills and laughs. Its success launched a franchise that includes the 2005 sequel, Be Cool, and a potentially canceled TV series from 2017.
3 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 The Poseidon Adventure PG Action Adventure 4 /5 Release Date December 13, 1972 Runtime 117 minutes Director Ronald Neame Writers Paul Gallico, Stirling Silliphant, Wendell Mayes Cast See All Gene Hackman Ernest Borgnine
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The Poseidon Adventure is a disaster film based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Paul Gallico. It follows a group of passengers who struggle to survive after a wave capsizes their cruise ship at sea.
The Poseidon Adventure features an ensemble cast of five Oscar winners, including Gene Hackman, who plays passenger Reverend Frank Scott. The film was a critical and commercial success. It garnered 8 Academy Award nominations, winning Best Song and Best Visual Effects.
2 'Hoosiers' (1986) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Hoosiers PG Drama Family Sport 4 /5 Release Date November 14, 1986 Runtime 114 minutes Director David Anspaugh Writers Angelo Pizzo Cast See All Gene Hackman Barbara Hershey
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Hoosiers is another iconic Gene Hackman movie. Set during the 1950s, it's a classic sports drama inspired by real events. It's about a small-town high school basketball team that becomes a top contender for the state championship. Gene Hackman stars as the team's questionable coach, a role that he's played well over the years.
Hackman's co-star, Dennis Hopper, received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in this film. Although it uses the all-too-familiar underdog story, Hoosiers garnered critical acclaim for its performances and uplifting story.
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Posts 2 1 'The French Connection' (1971) Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 The French Connection R Thriller 5 /5 Release Date October 7, 1971 Runtime 104 Minutes Director William Friedkin Cast See All Gene Hackman Popeye Doyle Fernando Rey Alain Charnier
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The French Connection is arguably Gene Hackman's best and most famous film. Based on Robin Moore's 1969 nonfiction book of the same name, this gritty neo-noir thriller follows a pair of NYPD detectives who pursue a wealthy French heroin smuggler. It's known for featuring one of the greatest car chase sequences in cinematic history.
The French Connection cleaned up at the Academy Awards. Of its 8 nominations, it won 5 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for William Friedkin, Best Film Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Hackman also won Best Actor for his performance.