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James Franco

James Franco

Actor, director, producer and writer, also cinematographer · Born April 19, 1978 (48) · Palo Alto, California, USA

2 Golden Globes · Oscar nominee · Primetime Emmy nominee · 8 other major award bodies

James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor and filmmaker. For his role in 127 Hours (2010), he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Franco is known for appearing in films such as Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy (2002–2007), Milk (2008), Eat, Pray, Love (2010), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). He frequently collaborates with fellow actor Seth Rogen, including in Pineapple Express (2008), This Is the End (2013), Sausage Party (2016), and The Disaster Artist (2017), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Franco's first prominent acting role was on television. He starred as Daniel Desario on the short-lived ensemble comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000), which developed a cult following. He portrayed the title character in the television biographical film James Dean (2001), for which he won a Golden Globe Award and received nominations for a Screen Actors Guild Award and Primetime Emmy Award. Franco also had a recurring role on the daytime soap opera General Hospital (2009–2012) and starred in the limited series 11.22.63 (2016). He starred in the David Simon-created HBO drama The Deuce (2017–2019).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 19, 1978 (48)
From
Palo Alto, California, USA
Works as
Actor, director, producer and writer, also cinematographer
Titles
106 on MovieCove · 186 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What are James Franco's films like?

Across their 92 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama25 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Biography14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Animation movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
29%
Bonds
19%
Morality
14%
Survival
14%
Society
12%
Power
8%
Ideas
5%
Identity23 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds16 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love15 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose12 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition12 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation9 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 88 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 24 · Serious 29 · Dark 35

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 45 · Stylized 26 · Heightened 17

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 16 · Charged 44 · Intense 28

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 35 · Shifting 45 · Whiplash 8

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 61 · Some laughs 18 · Funny 9

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 44 · Even-paced 37 · Relentless 7

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 32 · Engaged 46 · Full focus 10

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 23 · Affecting 31 · Heavy 34

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 43 · Open-ended 25 · Ambiguous 20

Roles they play

67 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 22 of 67 analyzed roles.

Hero
22 of 67
Shadow
16 of 67
Shapeshifter
7 of 67
Mentor
6 of 67
Ally
5 of 67
Herald
5 of 67
Trickster
4 of 67
Threshold guardian
2 of 67
Show the 67 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
53
Melancholic
54
Contemplative
35
Absurd
12
Dread
13
Other
85

How their films linger

Thought-provoking30 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet27 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 10 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet43
  • Tragic13
  • Ambiguous22
  • Cyclical2
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Franco's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 77 of their 106 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (42).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Franco's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

186 credits, 106 with a MovieCove page; 42 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • John Rambo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    Actor

  • Squali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Robert Price

  • Hey Joe(2024)

    as Dean Barry

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure(2024)

    as Ezio Burntwood

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Sleepaway Slasher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Executive Producer

  • Birth of a Poet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Writer

  • Arctic Dogs(2019)

    as Lemmy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Pretenders(2018)

    Director · as Maxwell

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Zeroville(2019)

    Director · as Vikar

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Don't Come Back from the Moon(2017)

    Producer · as Roman Smalley

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Ballad of Buster Scruggs(2018)

    as Cowboy (segment "Near Algodones")

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Kin(2018)

    as Taylor Balik

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Future World(2018)

    Director · Producer · as Warlord

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Mississippi Requiem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Homer Barron

  • Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · as Self

  • The Show(2017)

    as Male Host

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Deuce(2017)

    Show 25 episodes · Director · Executive Producer · as Vincent Martino / Frankie Martino

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Vault(2017)

    as Ed Mass

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Dumpster Diving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as El Diablo

  • Blood Heist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Farmer Simon

  • The Mad Whale(2017)

    Producer · as Edward Fry

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Alien: Covenant(2017)

    as Jacob Branson (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Tenn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director

  • The Disaster Artist(2017)

    Director · Producer · as Tommy / 'Johnny'

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Actors Anonymous(2017)

    Writer · as Jake Lamont

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Metamorphosis: Junior Year (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Executive Producer

  • The Institute(2017)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Dr. Cairn

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • High School Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Executive Producer · as Rick Winters

  • Obey Giant(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Rio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Executive Producer

  • Why Him?(2016)

    Executive Producer · as Laird Mayhew

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Labyrinth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Executive Producer · as Narrator (voice)

  • Blood Surf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Executive Producer · as Metalhead Troy

  • King Cobra(2016)

    Producer · as Joe Kerekes

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • In Dubious Battle(2016)

    Director · Producer · as Mac McLeod

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Goat(2016)

    Producer · as Mitch

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Sausage Party(2016)

    as Druggie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?(2016)

    Executive Producer · Story · as Director

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Caged Pillows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as David D-R+

  • Burn Country(2016)

    Producer · as Lindsay

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Adderall Diaries(2015)

    Producer · as Stephen Elliott

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Memoria(2015)

    Producer · as Mr. Wyckoff

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • 11.22.63(2016)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Producer · as Jake Epping

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Angie Tribeca (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sgt. Eddie Pepper

  • Yosemite(2015)

    Book · Executive Producer · as Phil

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Richard Peter Johnson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as James Franco

  • A Walk in Winter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer · as Conrad

  • The Sound and the Fury(2014)

    Director · as Benjy Compson

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Queen of the Desert(2015)

    as Henry Cadogan

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Little Prince(2015)

    as The Fox (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Black Dog, Red Dog(2015)

    Director · Writer · as Leo

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Miss Famous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer

  • Wild Horses(2015)

    as Ben Briggs

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Killing Animals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Novel · as Mr. Hurston

  • True Story(2015)

    as Christian Longo

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Every Thing Will Be Fine(2015)

    as Tomas Eldan

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards(2015)

    Producer · as Conrad

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • I Am Michael(2015)

    Producer · as Michael Glatze

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Don Quixote(2015)

    Executive Producer · as Pasamonte

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Interview(2014)

    Executive Producer · as Dave Skylark

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Future Relic 02 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as The Searcher

  • National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as George

  • Making A Scene With James Franco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • Guests (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Executive Producer

  • Dave Skylark's Very Special VMA Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as David Skylark

  • Good People(2014)

    as Tom Reed

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Dawn of the Planet of the Apes(2014)

    as Will Rodman

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Third Person(2013)

    as Rick

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Obituaries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Felix Mitchum

  • Palo Alto(2013)

    Book · Presenter · as Mr. B

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Child of God(2013)

    Director · Screenplay · as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Deadbeat(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Johnny

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Veronica Mars(2014)

    as James Franco (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · as James Franco

  • DREAM (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Producer

  • Homefront(2013)

    as Morgan 'Gator' Bodine

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Playtime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as The Art Dealer

  • Sal(2011)

    Director · Story · as Milton Katselas

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • As I Lay Dying(2013)

    Director · Screenplay · as Darl Bundren

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Interior. Leather Bar.(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · as James

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Here Comes the Night Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Man on Phone

  • Venice 70: Future Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · as Self (segment James Franco)

  • Lovelace(2013)

    as Hugh Hefner

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • La Passione (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • This Is the End(2013)

    as James Franco

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • My Journey in Oz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Producer · as Self

  • The Director (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Producer

  • The Frame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Will Rodman

  • Oz the Great and Powerful(2013)

    as Oz

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Spring Breakers(2012)

    as Alien

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Kink(2013)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Color of Time(2012)

    Producer · as C.K. Williams (age 40)

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Mindy Project(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Leotard

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • The Letter(2012)

    as Tyrone

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Iceman(2012)

    as Marty Freeman

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Maladies(2012)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Broken Tower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · as Hart Crane

  • Hart Crane: An Exegesis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · as Self

  • My Own Private River(2012)

    Director · Editor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • About Cherry(2012)

    as Francis

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Francophrenia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Jeffrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Executive Producer

  • Rise of the Planet of the Apes(2011)

    as Will Rodman

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Caput (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Your Highness(2011)

    as Fabious

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Blood Meridian Test Reel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Two Films, One Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Saturday Night Live: The Best of '09/'10 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • The Green Hornet(2011)

    as Danny Crystal Cleer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • 127 Hours(2010)

    as Aron Ralston

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • 42 One Dream Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Howl(2010)

    as Allen Ginsberg

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Catblock (The Ultimate Co%kblock) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as James Franco (Image Only)

  • Love & Distrust(2010)

    as Travis (segment "Grasshopper")

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Eat Pray Love(2010)

    as David

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Masculinity & Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • The Clerk's Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Saturday Night(2010)

    Director · as Self

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • William Vincent(2010)

    as William Vincent

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Date Night(2010)

    as Taste

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Herbert White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • Goat Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas(2009)

    as (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Feast of Stephen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Writer

  • The Room Before and After - Part 1: James Franco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Milk(2008)

    as Scott Smith

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Good Time Max(2007)

    Director · Writer · as Max

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Nights in Rodanthe(2008)

    as Mark Flanner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Pineapple Express(2008)

    as Saul Silver

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Camille(2008)

    as Silias

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Hills with James Franco and Mila Kunis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Justin Bobby

  • In the Valley of Elah(2007)

    as Sergeant Carnelli

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • An American Crime(2007)

    as Andy

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Interview(2007)

    as Boyfriend on Phone (voice)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Knocked Up(2007)

    as Sol (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man 3(2007)

    as New Goblin / Harry Osborn

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Finishing the Game(2007)

    as Dean Silo

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Holiday(2006)

    as James Franco (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Dead Girl(2006)

    as Derek

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • 30 Rock(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as James Franco

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Grasshopper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Travis

  • Flyboys(2006)

    as Blaine Rawlings

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Wicker Man(2006)

    as Bar Guy #1

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Tristan + Isolde(2006)

    as Tristan

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Annapolis(2006)

    as Jake Huard

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Great Raid(2005)

    as Captain Prince

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Ape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer · as Harry Walker

  • Fool's Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Writer · as Brent

  • Spider-Man 2(2004)

    as Harry Osborn

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Company(2003)

    as Josh

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Blind Spot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Danny

  • Sonny(2002)

    as Sonny

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • City by the Sea(2002)

    as Joey

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Mother Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Skateboarder guy

  • You Always Stalk the Ones You Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • The Car Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Deuces Wild(2002)

    as Tino

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man(2002)

    as Harry Osborn

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • James Dean(2001)

    as James Dean

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Some Body(2001)

    as Apartment Guy #3

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Mean People Suck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Casey

  • At Any Cost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Mike

  • Whatever It Takes(2000)

    as Chris Campbell

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • If Tomorrow Comes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Devin

  • Freaks and Geeks(1999)

    Show 18 episodes · as Daniel Desario

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Never Been Kissed(1999)

    as Jason

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • To Serve and Protect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Matt Carr

  • To Serve and Protect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Matt Carr

  • Profiler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Stevie

  • Pacific Blue(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer #2

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bunny-Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Austin Boyd

  • Castro's Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Fidel Castro

  • Foster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Donald 'Don' Foster

  • Golden State Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Kill the Czar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Kyle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

  • Love Meets in the Sunshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Jacob

  • Naya: Legend of the Golden Dolphin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Finn (voice)

  • Rant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Screenplay

  • Runaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Something's In There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Long Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · as Dallas Hardin

  • The Razor's Edge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Dante

  • Toad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 186 titles, 171 of them dated from 1992 to 2025; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

$887M worldwide

Highest rated

Freaks and Geeks (1999)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Spider-Man (2002)

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19922025

Peak 2014 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 59 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 3 more milestones

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting159 of 186: 119 only acting, 40 with another role · typical Midcredits score42ndDirecting39 of 186: 10 only directing, 29 with another role · typical Midcredits score23rdWriting21 of 186: 1 only writing, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score21stProducing35 of 186: 8 only producing, 27 with another role · typical Midcredits score27thCinematography1 of 186: 0 only cinematography, 1 with another roleEditing2 of 186: 0 only editing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 186: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

186 titles, 48 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 21 of them.

By decade

1990s8 · acting2000s43 · 42 acting · 4 crew2010s115 · 93 acting · 58 crew2020s5 · 3 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 37% of 79 roles
99040914

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

2 Golden Globes and 8 other major awards from 31 major nominations, 2002–2018.

WinNomination
  1. 2018
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
    • +2 other major bodies · 1 win and 2 nominations
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Actor in a Comedy
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actor
      • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Male Lead
  2. 2016
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Short Form Variety Series
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Venice award, won
  3. 2015
    • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
  4. 2014
    • Venice award, won
  5. 2013
    • Cannes award, nominated
    • Venice award, nominated
    • Berlinale award, nominated · Best Documentary/Essay Film
  6. 2011
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Special Class Programs
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Leading Actor
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
    • +3 other major bodies · 1 win and 3 nominations
      • Venice award, nominated · Best Film
      • Venice award, nominated
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actor
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Male Lead
  7. 2010
    • Berlinale award, won · Best Short Film
  8. 2009
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 wins and 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Acting Ensemble
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Supporting Male
Show 1 earlier year
  1. 2002
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Actor in a Picture Made for Television

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do James Franco's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 98; across their 88 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 88

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 88

Reach · how many have seen their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 88

Midcredits score across 106 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th32
  • Below 25th31

Shape of the crowd

45 of their 106 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned3
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed45

Most divisive · actor, writer

Actors Anonymous (2017)

97th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Freaks and Geeks (1999)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 83 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Franco's work okay for kids?

Across up to 53 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore39 titles17–87 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity53 titles20–75 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity40 titles26–91 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs36 titles13–81 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense34 titles13–76 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Franco work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Franco's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Vince Jolivette shares the most, 36.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles