Credit:- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
There’s something quietly fascinating about watching Morgan Freeman in the 2020s. He is no longer chasing prestige the way he did in Shawshank Redemption or Million Dollar Baby. Instead, his recent filmography feels more like a late-career experiment with genre-hopping thrillers, indie dramas, action films, and more.
Some of these projects land beautifully, while others less so. Yet, even in the weakest of entries, Freeman manages to bring gravitas that elevates the material. While this ranking isn’t just about impact, it’s more about how well his performance is and how well each film uses his presence.
So, here are the 10 best Morgan Freeman movies of the 2020s, ranked from least to best!
10 Vanquish (2021)
Morgan Freeman in the film | Credits: Lionsgate While the weakest entry in the list, it is the king of a low-budget action thriller that feels more assembled rather than directed. Directed by George Gallo, the film features Morgan Freeman as Damon, a retired cop pulling strings behind the scenes. Yet the film fails to use him.
Despite his presence, the movie leans heavily on generic action beats and lacks emotional stakes. Instead of the visual flair and aesthetic, the film might have landed well if it had paid more attention to narrative depth. Yet, it is a popcorn flick that would be pretty fun to watch if you can turn your brain off.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video / Apple TV.
9 Gunner (2024)
A still from Gunner | Credits: Highland Film GroupAn action thriller directed by Dimitri Logothetis, the film stars Morgan Freeman in a supporting role. This action-heavy film does not pay attention to Freeman much, but there isn’t enough for him to work with. He does not need to throw punches, but provides subtle gravitas to the film.
The film blends military action with emotional stakes, but it does not fully commit to either of them. Yet, the film might be a B-movie, but it is worth watching with its solid, old-school-esque storyline.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video / Apple TV.
8. The Ritual Killer (2023)
A still from the film | Credits: Red Box EntertainmentDirected by George Gallo and featuring Morgan Freeman alongside Cole Hauser. The film follows a detective investigating a killer tied to an ancient practice, as Freeman serves as a supporting character, hiding a deadly secret of his own.
While on paper the film should have worked— a crime thriller rooted in ritualistic killings— it never really lands. Occasionally, the film almost clicks, but it fails to connect with the audience. But it is interesting to see Freeman leaning into the creepy academic archetype, providing a grounded, intellectual anchor to the gruesome story despite his secret.
Where to watch: Available for streaming on Prime Video.
7 57 Seconds (2023)
A still from the film | Credits: The AvenueA time-loop thriller with a tech twist, it is directed by Rusty Cundieff and based on the short story Fallen Angel by EC Tubb. Starring Morgan Freeman, alongside Josh Hutcherson, he plays a tech mogul named Anton Burell, who is close to a medical breakthrough.
The film follows Hutcherson’s character discovering a device that allows users to travel 57 seconds into the past. It is a clever high-concept film that uses its limited sci-fi premise effectively to talk about corporate greed and the dangers of playing God, a role Freeman knows well.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video / Apple TV.
6 The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021)

Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate

Credits: Lionsgate

Credits: Lionsgate
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek, Morgan Freeman joins the cast in a supporting role. A chaotic action-comedy that throws everything at the wall, Freeman’s entry adds a surprising twist to the narrative.
While the film may not have landed well with some audience, it is undeniably entertaining, the kind of absurd, over-the-top comedy that you watch and enjoy without caring for rationale or logic. Freeman also seems to be having the time of his life here, poking fun at his own dignified image as the chemistry of the ensemble makes it a blast.
Where to watch: Available for streaming on HBO Max or for renting on Prime Video.
5. Paradise Highway (2022)
A still from the film | Credits: LionsgateA thriller directed by Anna Gutto, Morgan Freeman plays FBI operative Gerick in the film. A quieter, more grounded thriller, Paradise Highway follows a truck driver forced into human trafficking. Freeman’s agent, who is tracking the operation, brings a moral clarity to the film’s darker themes.
The film is heavy and socially conscious, and Freeman’s weary and sincere performance complements the narrative. Rather than just being an action-thriller, the film feels more like a character-driven one, focusing on the moral weight of the characters’ choices rather than just the chase. It might not be the best or flashiest, but it is certainly effective.
Where to watch: Available for streaming on Prime Video.
4 The Comeback Trail (2020)
Tommy Lee Jones and Morgan Freeman in the film | Credits: Cloudburst EntertainmentBased on the 1982 film of the same name by Harry Hurwitz, it is a love letter to 1970s Hollywood with a comedic bite. The film brings Freeman, among other Hollywood heavyweights like Robert De Niro and Tommy Lee Jones, in a chaotic, messy, and comedic setting.
Freeman plays Reggie Fontaine, a mobster entangled in a bizarre insurance scam involving a film production. While the film itself is uneven, Freeman’s presence adds a sense of classic Hollywood charm. A hidden gem, it works due to its ensemble cast and great setting.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video or for streaming on Fubo.
3 Now You See Me… Now You Don’t (2025)

Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate
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Credits: Lionsgate

Credits: Lionsgate

Credits: Lionsgate
The long-awaited third installment of the magic-heist franchise sees Morgan Freeman returning as Thaddeus Bradley. After the events of the second film, his role shifts from antagonist to a more complex, “man behind the curtain” figure.
For fans who have waited nearly a decade for this, it is entertaining to see Freeman return and integrate with the Four Horsemen. The film is slick, high-budget, and reminds us why Freeman is the king of the grand reveal.
Where to watch: Available for streaming on Starz or for renting on Apple TV.
2 A Good Person (2023)
Morgan Freeman and Florence Pugh in the film | Credits: MGM PicturesStarring Florence Pugh alongside Morgan Freeman and a talented cast, it is a drama film written, directed, and produced by Zach Braff. Pugh is an aspiring musician whose life spirals after a fatal accident. Freeman stars as Daniel, the father-in-law of the victim, who forms an unlikely, healing bond with Pugh’s character as they both struggle with addiction and grief.
It is a masterpiece and one of Freeman’s best dramatic performances of the decade. He brings a kind of quiet vulnerability to Daniel, which is heart-wrenching to watch, while Pugh brings in one of her strongest performances as well. But if you want to see Freeman at the peak of his emotional powers, this is the one.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video / Apple TV.
1. My Dead Friend Zoe (2025)
Morgan Freeman in the film | Credits: Briarcliff EntertainmentInspired by a true story, it is written by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and A.J. Bermudez and directed by Hausmann-Stokes. Perhaps one of Morgan Freeman’s most critically acclaimed recent films, it follows a female veteran who is haunted by the ghost of her best friend. Freeman plays Dr. Cole, a therapist who tries to help her navigate her trauma.
The film is not just a movie; it is a cultural moment. While the performances from the ensemble cast are spectacular, Freeman gives one of his best performances, attempting to guide a broken soul back to reality. A quiet and powerful film, it is one of the best films that fully utilizes Freeman’s emotional range.
Where to watch: Available for rent on Prime Video / Apple TV.
Well, judging from these films, Freeman’s recent career isn’t about chasing awards but about presence. He has moved between genres with ease, while the overall result might disappoint sometimes, he reminds us why he is one of the most respected actors of his generation when given the right material.
Why does Morgan Freeman shine in the 2020s roles?
Freeman’s late-career picks emphasize genre experiments over prestige Oscars, using his gravitas to elevate thrillers, comedies, and dramas—even weak scripts gain depth from his presence.
Did Morgan Freeman actually have to learn magic for the Now You See Me sequel?
While Freeman’s character, Thaddeus Bradley, is an “exposer” of magic rather than a street magician, Freeman spent time on set with world-class illusionists who serve as consultants for the franchise.
Which of these movies reunited Freeman with his most frequent 2020s director?
If you noticed a pattern with Vanquish and The Ritual Killer, you’re right! Both were directed by George Gallo. Gallo and Freeman have developed a prolific late-career partnership, having also worked together on the 2020 film The Comeback Trail.
Has Morgan Freeman actually retired from “playing God” in this decade?
While he hasn’t literally played the Creator in the 2020s (like he did in Bruce Almighty), critics have noted that his roles in 57 Seconds and Now You See Me… Now You Don’t serve as “secular versions” of that archetype.
Which film on this list made history for how it was financed?
Surprisingly, the #1 spot, My Dead Friend Zoe, is a cinematic trailblazer. It is the first-ever film to be financed using green energy tax credits (specifically via the Inflation Reduction Act).
What do you think about Freeman’s recent filmography? Which of his recent films did you like best? Let us know in the comments below.
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