Harrison Ford is a Hollywood legend, boasting a decades-long career that continues to captivate audiences on both the big and small screens. With a roster of work unparalleled by most, Ford remains a pioneer for excellence in the industry. Recently, the iconic actor made headlines with his endorsement prior to the US Presidential elections.
Ford showed his support for Vice President Kamala Harris whilst also detailing why one should steer clear of the Trump administration. With Ford in the spotlight, we’ve curated a list of his most iconic films. Explore his remarkable career and discover your next binge-watching obsession!
1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark is an action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, with Harrison Ford playing the role of the beloved archaeologist we all know today, Indiana Jones. Set in the 1930s, Jones embarks on a perilous quest to find the biblical Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis, who plan to use its supernatural powers for their own ends.
Ford’s portrayal of the adventurous, whip-wielding Jones became one of his most recognizable roles, cementing his status as a Hollywood action star. While Ford didn’t win any awards for this performance, the movie won four Academy Awards for its technical achievements. Ford was joined by Karen Allen as his love interest, Marion Ravenwood, and Paul Freeman as the villainous archaeologist René Belloq.
2. Star Wars (1977)
In Star Wars: A New Hope, Harrison Ford plays Han Solo, a cynical smuggler who becomes a hero in the fight against the oppressive Galactic Empire. Directed by George Lucas, the film follows the journey of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who seeks to destroy the Death Star. Ford’s roguish portrayal of Solo solidified him as a fan favorite.
While Ford did not win awards for this role, Star Wars became a cultural phenomenon and received multiple Academy Awards for technical categories. Ford co-starred with Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Peter Cushing as Grand Moff Tarkin.
3. Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner is a neo-noir science fiction movie directed by Ridley Scott. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard, a weary cop in a dystopian future tasked with “retiring” rogue replicants—bioengineered beings, indiscernible from humans. The movie, is based on Philip K. Dick’s popular novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which primarily explores themes of humanity and identity.
Ford’s portrayal of Deckard added a complex, introspective layer to his typical action-hero persona. Despite mixed reviews at the time of release, Blade Runner became a cult classic. Ford was joined by co-stars Rutger Hauer as the replicant leader Roy Batty, Sean Young as the enigmatic Rachael, and Edward James Olmos as Deckard’s colleague, Gaff.
4. Witness (1985)
In 1985, Harrison Ford took the lead in an American neo-noir crime thriller, Witness, directed by Peter Weir. Ford played the role of Detective Captain John Book. John Book and his partner are assigned to a case that involves a brutal murder, and the sole witness is a young Amish boy, Samuel (Lukas Haas), who needs to be protected. The budget for Witness was $12 million, and it eventually made $116.1 million at the box office.
Beyond its box office triumph, the movie earned numerous accolades, including several prestigious nominations. Ford’s standout performance garnered an Academy Award nomination, as well as recognition from BAFTA and the Golden Globe Awards. In this movie, Ford shared the screen with Kelly McGillis, Josef Sommer, Jan Rubeš, Alexander Godunov, Danny Glover, and Patti LuPone among others.
5. The Fugitive (1993)
Directed by Andrew Davis in the early 90s was the phenomenal action thriller movie, The Fugitive, written by Jeb Stuart and David Twohy. Harrison Ford played the role of Dr. Richard Kimble, a vascular surgeon, who was framed for the murder of his wife and managed to escape after a bus crash. After his escape, Kimble sets out to find the real killer while being hunted down.
Ford and co-star Tommy Lee Jones were nominated for several accolades following their performances in The Fugitive, and while Jones bagged more awards, Ford was the perfect choice to play Richard Kimble.
Conclusion
These movies are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Harrison Ford’s lengthy and impressive filmography. Albeit, it is the perfect place to begin your Ford-binge this week!