Highest rated as cast or director
Freaks and Geeks
1999 · 1 Season
Spider-Man 2
2004
127 Hours
2010
Milk
2008
The Deuce
2017 · 3 Seasons
11.22.63
2016 · 1 Season
James Franco's 18 titles from the 2000s have a median Balasaur Score of 61, led by Spider-Man 2 (80) and Milk (80), against 53 for those from the 2010s.
Biography
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).
Acted in 140
2020s
- 2027
John Rambo
Movie
- 2026
Foster
Donald 'Don' Foster
- 2025
Squali
Robert Price
- 2024
Hey Joe
Dean Barry
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
Mississippi Requiem
Homer Barron
- 2017
Blood Heist
Farmer Simon
The Mad Whale
Edward Fry
Actors Anonymous
Jake Lamont
High School Lover
Rick Winters
- 2016
Blood Surf
Metalhead Troy
Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?
Director
- 2015
Richard Peter Johnson
James Franco
A Walk in Winter
Conrad
The Sound and the Fury
Benjy Compson
Black Dog, Red Dog
Leo
Killing Animals
Mr. Hurston
- 2014
Future Relic 02
The Searcher
National Theatre Live: Of Mice and Men
George
Making A Scene With James Franco
TV
Dave Skylark's Very Special VMA Special
David Skylark
Obituaries
Felix Mitchum
I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel
James Franco
- 2013
Playtime
The Art Dealer
Sal
Milton Katselas
Interior. Leather Bar.
James
Here Comes the Night Time
Man on Phone
- 2012
The Color of Time
C.K. Williams (age 40)
Maladies
James
The Broken Tower
Hart Crane
- 2011
Caput
Movie
Two Films, One Legacy
Movie
Saturday Night Live: The Best of '09/'10
Movie
- 2010
Howl
Allen Ginsberg
Love and Distrust
Travis (segment "Grasshopper")
2000s
- 2009
SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas
(archive footage)
The Room Before and After - Part 1: James Franco
Movie
- 2008
- 2007
The Hills with James Franco and Mila Kunis
Justin Bobby
Interview
Boyfriend on Phone (voice)
Finishing the Game: The Search for a New Bruce Lee
Dean Silo
- 2006
- 2005
The Ape
Harry Walker
Fool's Gold
Brent
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
Mother Ghost
Skateboarder guy
The Car Kid
Movie
- 2001
- 2000
At Any Cost
Mike
If Tomorrow Comes
Devin
1990s
- 1999
To Serve and Protect
Matt Carr
To Serve and Protect
Matt Carr · 2 episodes
- 1996
- 1993
No release date
Naya: Legend of the Golden Dolphin
Finn (voice)
Bunny-Man
Austin Boyd
The Razor's Edge
Dante
Toad
Movie
Directed 33
2020s
- 2020
Birth of a Poet
Director
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster
Director
- 2017
Tenn
Director
- 2016
- 2015
The Sound and the Fury
Director
Black Dog, Red Dog
Director
- 2014
I Think You're Totally Wrong: A Quarrel
Director
- 2013
DREAM
Director
Sal
Director
Interior. Leather Bar.
Director
My Journey in Oz
Director
- 2012
The Broken Tower
Director
Hart Crane: An Exegesis
Director
My Own Private River
Director
Francophrenia
Director
- 2011
Blood Meridian Test Reel
Director
- 2010
42 One Dream Rush
Director
Saturday Night
Director
Herbert White
Director
2000s
- 2009
The Feast of Stephen
Director
- 2008
- 2005
The Ape
Director
Fool's Gold
Director
Produced 33
2020s
- 2020
Sleepaway Slasher
Executive Producer
2010s
- 2018
Mississippi Requiem
Executive Producer
- 2017
High School Lover
Executive Producer
- 2016
The Labyrinth
Executive Producer
Blood Surf
Executive Producer
Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?
Executive Producer
- 2015
A Walk in Winter
Executive Producer
- 2014
Guests
Executive Producer
- 2013
DREAM
Producer
Interior. Leather Bar.
Producer
My Journey in Oz
Producer
The Director
Producer
- 2012
The Color of Time
Producer
The Broken Tower
Producer
Jeffrey
Executive Producer
2000s
- 2005
The Ape
Executive Producer
Wrote 17
2020s
- 2020
Birth of a Poet
Writer
2010s
- 2018
Mississippi Requiem
Writer
- 2017
Actors Anonymous
Writer
- 2016
Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?
Story
- 2015
Black Dog, Red Dog
Writer
Killing Animals
Novel
- 2014
- 2013
Sal
Story
- 2012
The Broken Tower
Screenplay
- 2010
Herbert White
Writer
2000s
- 2009
The Feast of Stephen
Writer
- 2008
- 2005
The Ape
Writer
Fool's Gold
Writer
Edited 2
2010s
- 2012
The Broken Tower
Editor
My Own Private River
Editor
Other crew 1
2010s
- 2014
Camera 1
2010s
- 2013
Interior. Leather Bar.
Director of Photography
Appearances48
2020s
- 2025
2010s
- 2018
Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary
Self
Cultureshock
Self · 1 episode
Oh, Hi Mark: Making a Disaster
Self
- 2017
Drugs, Skate & Violence: Filmmaker Harmony Korine
Self - Archive Footage
- 2016
The Labyrinth
Narrator (voice)
The 4%: Film's Gender Problem
Self
- 2015
- 2014
Behind the Scenes of Palo Alto
Self
- 2013
What Is Cinema?
Self
Comedy Central Roast of James Franco
Self
A Fuller Life
Self - Reader (segment "Copy Boy")
My Journey in Oz
Self
- 2012
Marina Abramović: The Artist Is Present
Self
Hart Crane: An Exegesis
Self
- 2011
Eames: The Architect and the Painter
Self - Narrator (voice)
Hamish and Andy's Gap Year
Self · 1 episode
127 Hours: An extraordinary view
Self - interviewed guest
- 2010
With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story
Self
Saturday Night
Self
2000s
- 2009
Erased James Franco
Self
- 2008
- 2007
Re-Imagining the Goblin
Self
Fighting, Flying and Driving: The Stunts of 'Spider-Man 3'
Self
Tangled Web: The Love Triangles of 'Spider-Man 3'
Self
'Spider-Man 3' on Location: New York, from Rooftops to Backstreets
Self
On the Set: Spider-Man 3
Self
- 2005
- 2003
- 2002
Behind the Ultimate Spin: The Making of Spider-Man
Self
1990s
- 1999
- 1996
- 1993
- 1992
1980s
- 1988
No release date
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe: A Life on Screen
Self (archive footage)
Thanked in the credits1
2020s
- 2026
