James Earl Jones is a legendary actor, well-known for his roles as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney's The Lion King. His other successful but perhaps less-known roles include the Narrator in 3rd Rock From The Sun and Gabriel Bird in Pros And Cons. Throughout it all, Jones has been a trailblazer.
Even after recently turning 91, Jones continues to act, raise money for numerous charities, and be a role model for many. With every role he plays, Jones shows immense ion and commitment, but some of his movies are rated better than others.
The Sandlot (1993) - 7.8
When it comes to baseball movies, James Earl Jones is best known as Babe Ruth. His appearance as Terence Mann in one of the The Sandlot is the higher-rated baseball movie starring the actor.
In the movie, Jones plays a lonely man named Mr. Mertle. After Smalls loses his stepdad's signed Babe Ruth baseball, the boys try all sorts of methods to retrieve the ball from Mr. Mertle's big dog, The Beast. In the end, they get the ball and meet the nice Mr. Mertle, who is a baseball memorabilia collector with a different signed Babe Ruth baseball that he gifts to Smalls.
Rouge One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - 7.8
When it comes to portraying the iconic voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones extends beyond the original trilogy to "A Galaxy Far Far Away." In Star Wars Story, Jones plays a minor role as the voice of Vader. Two actors played Vader's physical form in the movie, Spencer Wilding and Daniel Naprous.
The film follows the story of rebel Jyn Erso. Before dying, Erso and the rebels the plans for the Death Star to the rebel ship, which Vader tracks down and boards at the beginning of Episode 4. In the final scene, viewers see Vader easily taking out numerous rebel soldiers, but not before the plans are sent to a transport ship with Princess Leia on board.
Matewan (1987) - 7.9
Unlike most of the films on this list, Matewan is an intense and serious film. The film puts a fictional spin on an actual coal miner's strike, The Battle of Matewan, and is set in 1920s West Virginia.
Jones plays a coal mine worker, Few Clothes, that is trying to make ends meet, but is racially discriminated against, along with the Italian workers, by a large population of white workers. A battle between two sides for and against a union emerges and results in violence and death. Jones's voice and ion for justice and equality shine through in both his character and the film.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983) - 8.3
In the final film of the original trilogy, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi, Jones's Vader makes one final attempt to defeat the rebel forces and lure his son Luke to the dark side. Even though Dave Prowse physically played Darth Vader, it was Jones who brought the character to life.
Luke and Vader have an intense final battle that involves a lot of back-and-forth action and dialogue. As all hope seems lost for Luke, Vader tells him, "You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master!" This crucial line is delivered perfectly as Vader is referencing his old master, Obi-Wan, catching evil Emperor Palpatine, a master Sith lord, by total surprise.
Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964) - 8.4
Legendary director Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb is as wild as the title. In the movie, a deranged U.S. general orders the bombing of the Soviet Union, which leads to a full-on nuclear war that a number of other generals and political figures try to stop.
Jones plays a key role as Lt. Lothar Zogg, an American bomber pilot. Jones plays one of the best characters among a roster of other incredibly talented actors that includes Peter Sellers and Sterling Hayden, all while being only 33 years old and one of the youngest in the movie.
The Lion King (1994) - 8.5
In June of 1994, Disney released the classic animated film, Mufasa, one of Disney's best characters, and voiced by James Earl Jones, the tale follows his son's ascension from cub to the next rule who will save the pride from his uncle's evil rule.
Jones's Mufasa lasts about one-quarter of the film before his tragic death, but he guides his son, Simba, to be a right and just king. The film is carried by fantastic voice acting by Jones, Jeremy Irons, and Matthew Broderick, along with a beautifully crafted script that includes Mufasa's memorable, "Everything the light touches is our kingdom" speech.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) - 8.6
Before Harrison Ford in his breakout role as Han Solo. James Earl Jones, however, was somewhat known from his early television roles.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope was originally just titled Star Wars until 1981 when the second film came out. When audiences first watch the trilogy, they see a ruthless masked figure dressed in black wielding mass power. While the physical acting capabilities of David Prowse are also to be celebrated, Vader's intimidation comes largely from his deep and heavy voice.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - 8.7
Jones' most popular and best performance as Darth Vader comes in Mark Hamill, otherwise now known outside Star Wars for his role as The Joker in Batman: The Animated Series.
In the first lightsaber battle between Luke and Darth, Darth slices off Luke's right hand, and tells him, "Luke, I am your father." This is considered one of the most iconic quotes in film history, as James Earl Jones uses his low voice to drop the biggest surprise in the franchise's history.
Black Theatre: The Making Of A Movement (1978) - 8.9
James Earl Jones shows his range beyond acting with his appearance in Black Theatre: The Making Of A Movement. This documentary focuses on the birth and expansion of Black theatre and acting.
It focuses on the connection between Black theatre and the Civil Rights Movement that began in 1954. The array of talent featured in the documentary begins with Jones but extends to film writer Amiri Baraka and writer of the critically acclaimed play A Raisin In The Sun, Lorraine Hansberry, with real archival footage from the movement.
Ramayana: The Legend Of Prince Rama (1992) - 9.1
Of all the films in Jones' top 10, a hidden gem is what tops it. The anime movie, Ramayana: The Legend Of Prince Rama, sits atop the throne. In this action-adventure film based on the Indian epic, The Ramayana, Jones serves as its narrator.
The story follows a prince named Rama, who is banished for 14 years by his father, voiced by Breaking Bad actor, Bryan Cranston. Rama faces great adventure and problems during his exile. Production of the film began in India before being completed in Japan, and the original dialogue was not in English. The movie is a classic anime that mashes the styles of Indian, Japanese, and American culture from its animation to its English dubbing, which includes the smooth voice of James Earl Jones as the narrator.
