From starring in the Oscar-winning movie Gravity to receiving a Golden Globe for his memorable performance in The Descendants, George Clooney’s resume is long and polished. The actor got his big break in the hit 1990s television series E.R. and has gone on to star in dozens of films and TV shows. He’s a living legend, but did you know he’s also dabbled behind the scenes as well?
As it turns out, Clooney has done plenty of work behind the camera. The famous actor has directed historical dramas and sci-fi flicks. In fact, some of his award-winning acting performances are from movies he has directed.
If you’re an all-time Clooney fan (which, like, who isn’t) and want to watch some of his directorial work, you’re in luck. From the 2014 movie Monuments Men to the historical drama Goodnight, and Good Luck, here are a few films that Clooney has directed.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
Clooney’s directorial debut was Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, a movie about a game show host who doubles as a CIA hitman. The film, which premiered in 2002, stars Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, and Clooney.
Goodnight, and Good Luck (2005)
A few years later, Clooney went behind the camera again to direct Goodnight, and Good Luck, a historical drama about American television news. The film’s star-studded cast—Jeff Daniels, Patricia Clarkson, and Alex Borstein—and Clooney’s directorial vision made this 2005 movie a box-office success with many critics lauding Clooney for his acting and direction. The movie was nominated for several awards including six Oscars and four Golden Globes.
Leatherheads (2008)
In 2008, Clooney joined forces with Renée Zellweger and John Krasinski for Leatherheads, a sports comedy about a pro football team in the 1920s. He directed the picture and starred in it, playing the role of Dodge Connelly, the failing football team’s captain. The movie received mixed reviews and only generated $41 million at the box office, even though it spent a budget of $58 million.
The Ides of March (2011)
Clooney didn’t just direct The Ides of March, an Oscar-nominated political thriller; he was its writer, producer, and star, too. It debuted at the 68th Venice International Film Festival and boasts a renowned cast including Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Marisa Tomei.
The Monuments Men (2014)
Set during World War II, The Monuments Men tells the story of an unlikely group of individuals who work together to try and take back famous artworks looted by the Nazis. The film stars Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and John Goodman.
Suburbicon (2017)
In 2017, Clooney released Suburbicon, again featuring Matt Damon alongside Julianne Moore and Oscar Isaac. Interestingly enough, Clooney was initially supposed to act in the movie but later decided to skip the performance and focus on the camera work instead.
The Midnight Sky (2020)
The 2020 film Midnight Sky was adapted from author Lily Brooks-Dalton’s novel Good Morning, Midnight. The nearly two-hour Clooney-directed sci-fi drama starred Clooney, Felicity Jones, and Caoilinn Springall and was nominated for an Oscar.
The Tender Bar (2021)
One of Clooney’s most recent directing gigs was the 2021 Amazon original movie, The Tender Bar. Based on J.R. Moehringer’s best-selling memoir centered around growing up in Long Island, New York, in the 1970s, the film stars Ben Affleck as Uncle Charlie, a bartender with an affinity for literature, Ty Sheridan as J.R., and Christopher Lloyd (remember him from Back to the Future?) as J.R.’s grandfather.
Brittany is a freelance writer based in her hometown of New York City. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to food and wellness. When she's not writing, she can often be found at her local library, playing with her cats, or exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
