15 Most Star-Studded Ensemble Casts In Hollywood History (2024)

Some of the greatest, most popular movies of all time also included a few of the most impressive ensemble casts of all time. Casting is a hugely important part of the filmmaking process, especially in an age where it's so much of what audiences care about. As such, it's not unsurprising that the best directors will often try to assemble a cast of as many big-name stars as possible to draw attention to the movie.

While sometimes these stars are up-and-coming and taking part in a movie alongside already established A-listers, or it's a massive ensemble crew of Hollywood's biggest actors, the quality of a cast can make or break a movie. In recent years, "event" cinema has become a trend, theaters centering films whose casts are bursting at the seams with fame.

19 The Deer Hunter

(1978)

The Deer Hunter

The Deer Hunter is a 1978 war drama film by director Michael Cimino that centers on three men in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania during the Vietnam War. The film explores the effects of the war on small-town workers, with the trio of Russian-American friends bonding over one last hunting trip. Holding onto the hope of bringing home militaristic glory back to their friends and families, their reality quickly comes crashing down when they experience the war in Vietnam firsthand.

Director

Michael Cimino

Release Date

February 23, 1979

Cast

Robert De Niro , John Cazale , john savage , Meryl Streep , Christopher Walken , George Dzundza

Runtime

184 Minutes

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Winning five Academy Awards, Michael Cimino’s second-ever feature The Deer Hunter has a strong reputation, and although its cast isn’t huge, it stars three actors in particular whose fame boosts The Deer Hunter’s reputation further. With Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep playing the leads alongside John Savage and The Godfather’s John Cazale, this is not a cast to be underestimated.

Each actor gave a seriously strong performance in this movie, De Niro earning $1 million for the role in an attempt to bolster the film’s popularity, given an unfamiliar director. This tactic worked, and the result is one of the greatest films of the 20th century – with an even greater cast.

17 The Longest Day

(1962)

The Longest Day

The Longest Day is a 1962 war film that chronicles the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, from both the Allied and German perspectives. The ensemble cast includes John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Burton, among others. Directed by multiple filmmakers, the film focuses on the planning and execution of the operation, offering a detailed and multi-faceted view of one of World War II's pivotal moments.

Director

Ken Annakin , Andrew Marton , Bernhard Wicki , Darryl F. Zanuck

Release Date

October 4, 1962

Cast

Eddie Albert , Paul Anka , Arletty , Jean-Louis Barrault , Richard Beymer , Hans Christian Blech

Runtime

178 minutes

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War movies were all the rage in the mid-20th century, and The Longest Day is one of the more famous epics of the genre. Telling the story of the D-Day landings across Britain, France, and Germany, and running for nearly three hours, it’s a highly impressive piece of filmmaking that deserves its stellar cast.

Among the main roles are John Wayne, Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Richard Todd, and the list goes on. Tension elevates rapidly throughout the film’s runtime, this cast pulls through and everyone gives an amazing performance – unsurprising when they’re all masters of their craft.

15 Apocalypse Now

(1979)

Apocalypse Now

5.0

In Francis Ford Coppola's classic Vietnam War film, loosely based on Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, an army Captain is tasked with assassinating a rogue Colonel who has created a cult-like compound in the Cambodian jungle and is currently waging his own war outside the army's purview. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando star as Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz respectively, with an ensemble cast that includes Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, and Dennis Hopper.

Director

Francis Ford Coppola

Release Date

August 15, 1979

Distributor(s)

United Artists

Cast

Marlon Brando , Martin Sheen , Robert Duvall , Frederic Forrest , Sam Bottoms , Laurence Fishburne

Runtime

147 minutes

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Francis Ford Coppola knows how to make movie stars, and Apocalypse Now is filled to the brim with some of the greatest actors ever to have lived. Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, and Martin Sheen are the central characters, with appearances from Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, and many others.

Ford’s character, Col. G. Lucas, is a reference to the fact that George Lucas was originally intended to direct Apocalypse Now – it’s fitting that a lifelong collaborator of his took on that mantle. Exploring the horrors of the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now is rightly lauded as one of the greatest films ever made, and the cast of top-tier stars only takes it to another level.

13 The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)

(2017)

The Meyerowitz Stories

TV-MA

The Meyerowitz Stories (2017) is a Netflix release directed by Noah Baumbach, chronicling the complex relationships within an estranged family. Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Elizabeth Marvel portray siblings dealing with their domineering father, played by Dustin Hoffman. The narrative explores the family's dynamics through various life events and interactions, resulting in a portrait of intergenerational conflict and reconciliation.

Director

Noah Baumbach

Release Date

October 13, 2017

Cast

Grace Van Patten , Dustin Hoffman , Ben Stiller , Emma Thompson , Adam Sandler

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A small-scale family film, The Meyerowitz Stories is one of Noah Baumbach’s oft-overlooked gems. Focusing on the Meyerowitz family, the movie stars Adam Sandler as Danny, Ben Stiller as Matthew, Dustin Hoffman as their father Harold, and Emma Thompson as Harold’s wife. The interplay between these four is a joy to behold, and they excel in their roles.

While the main characters are such big names that they make the film feel loaded with hundreds of stars, the cameo appearances from Adam Driver and Sigourney Weaver help to make this impression last throughout the film. With funny moments and scenes of real drama, it’s a gift to be able to watch such talented stars show off their full range.

11 Knives Out

(2019)

Knives Out

4.5

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When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, there are suspects aplenty. Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.

Director

Rian Johnson

Release Date

November 27, 2019

Cast

Chris Evans , LaKeith Stanfield , Katherine Langford , Daniel Craig , Toni Collette , Jamie Lee Curtis , Ana De Armas , Michael Shannon , Christopher Plummer , Don Johnson , Riki Lindhome

Runtime

130 minutes

Rian Johnson’s re-imaging of the detective genre in 2019 proved to be a huge success – and the list of stars he managed to cast is proof of this. Boasting a leading performance from Daniel Craig, plus ensemble roles for Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Don Johnson, Frank Oz, Christopher Plummer, and many more, familiar faces pop up everywhere.

What’s almost more incredible is the fact that the 2022 sequel, Glass Onion, had an equally impressive supporting cast, featuring Edward Norton, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, and even more icons on the screen. Johnson's final stroke of genius was collecting cameos for this second installment, from Hugh Grant to Ethan Hawke – and even Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim show up. The Knives Out franchise is arguably an instant classic already.

10 The Thin Red Line

(1998)

The Thin Red Line

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The Thin Red Line is a war film directed by Terrence Malick, based on James Jones' autobiographical novel. Released in 1998, it focuses on the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II, exploring the psychological toll of combat on soldiers. The ensemble cast includes Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, and Nick Nolte, among others, and delves into themes of survival, fear, and the impact of war on human nature.

Director

Terrence Malick

Release Date

December 23, 1998

Cast

Jim Caviezel , Sean Penn , Nick Nolte , Kirk Acevedo , Penelope Allen

Runtime

171 Minutes

Epic war movies are the places to be for star-studded casts, and Terrence Malick’s classic is no exception. Starring Sean Penn as Edward Welsh, with Adrien Brody, George Clooney, Woody Harrelson, Tim Blake Nelson, John C. Reilly, John Savage, and John Travolta as other US soldiers, this 171-minute powerhouse of a feature earned itself a healthy award season.

The best part about this movie is that the cast doesn’t distract or detract from the quality of the storytelling at its central premise. The stars are all so perfect in their roles, and the film is so good at drawing the viewer into its world, that it wouldn’t be difficult not to notice who’s in it, even if they are some of the most recognizable actors of its era.

9 The Wolf of Wall Street

(2013)

The Wolf of Wall Street

5.0

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Directed by Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street tells the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), based on his memoir of the same name. It chronicles the rise of Belfort and the subsequent corruption of his firm as he engages in a wide assortment of criminal acts while amassing a staggering fortune. Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Kyle Chandler also star alongside DiCaprio.

Director

Martin Scorsese

Release Date

December 25, 2013

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Margot Robbie , Kyle Chandler , Matthew McConaughey , Rob Reiner , Jon Bernthal , Jon Favreau

Runtime

180 Minutes

The Wolf of Wall Street boasts a high-profile cast, as would be expected from a Martin Scorsese feature. With frequent Scorsese collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio at its center as Jordan Belfort, the movie also stars Jonah Hill as Donnie Azoff, while Robbie plays Naomi Lapaglia. It also confirmed Margot Robbie as a rising star, the first of many successful roles she would have.

Supporting them are Matthew McConaughey, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, Joanna Lumley, and a range of others. For someone who could trade off his own name (and probably save a lot of money on the cast if he did so), Scorsese’s choices for his actors always seem to hit the mark perfectly, and the slurry of award nominations and wins for the movie aren’t surprising when the cast is this strong.

8 Ocean’s 13

(2007)

Ocean’s Thirteen

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Release Date

June 8, 2007

Cast

George Clooney , Brad Pitt , Matt Damon , Andy Garcia , Don Cheadle , Bernie Mac , Ellen Barkin , Al Pacino , Casey Affleck , Scott Caan , Eddie Jemison , Qin Shaobo , Carl Reiner , Elliott Gould

Runtime

122 Minutes

Steven Soderberg’s 2001 remake of the 1960 classic Ocean’s 11 set a new bar for ensemble movies featuring high-profile stars, and its sequels only took that to new heights. The third installment in the franchise had the benefit of twelve stars confirmed as returning from the previous entry. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Elliott Gould, Casey Affleck, and Don Cheadle all return from the previous two films.

In addition, Eddie Izzard and Al Pacino show up. While Julia Roberts and Catherine Zeta-Jones don’t make reappearances in this movie, the cast is still collectively one of the strongest ever to have appeared on screen – although, it’s possible to say this about the two preceding films as well.

7 The Suicide Squad

(2021)

The Suicide Squad

4.0

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James Gunn'sThe Suicide Squadacts as a soft reboot for David Ayer's 2016Suicide Squad.Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is again recruiting a group of superheroes for a dangerous mission, this time pairing Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) with Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), Savant (Michael Rooker), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Blackguard (Pete Davidson), and Javelin (Flula Borg).

Director

James Gunn

Release Date

August 5, 2021

Cast

Margot Robbie , Viola Davis , Idris Elba , John Cena , Joel Kinnaman , Michael Rooker

Runtime

132 minutes

James Gunn’s talents as a director of the superhero genre have been shown off time and time again – and his ability to encourage A-listers to appear in his films is also a staple of his (see Chris Pratt et al. in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise). However, his greatest cast list to date is that for The Suicide Squad. Having inherited Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn from previous DC projects, he sought after other actors who would match her fame.

These included Idris Elba as Bloodsport, John Cena as Peacemaker, Sylvester Stallone as King Shark, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller (who is soon getting her very own series for Gunn’s relaunched DC Universe), as well as roles for Peter Capaldi, Joel Kinnaman, Michael Rooker, Taika Waititi, and Pete Davidson. Fingers crossed Gunn brings this star power to future DC projects as well.

6 Barbie

(2023)

Barbie

4.5

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Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie's Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.

Director

Greta Gerwig

Release Date

July 21, 2023

Cast

Margot Robbie , Ryan Gosling , Simu Liu , Ariana Greenblatt , Helen Mirren , Nicola Coughlan , John Cena , Will Ferrell , Ritu Arya , Michael Cera , America Ferrera , Alexandra Shipp , Kate McKinnon

Runtime

114 Minutes

Margot Robbie has achieved total synonymity with the Barbie brand – no surprise, given that the Greta Gerwig-directed production was the film, and general cultural mood, of the summer of 2023. Starring Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the main Barbie and Ken, there was a huge range of other strong names featuring prominently in this movie.

Will Ferrell’s performance as the CEO of Mattel was brilliant, as was Rhea Perlman’s take on Ruth Handler, and with America Ferrara’s Gloria, that’s already a hefty list of stars. Add in Helen Mirren as the narrator, plus Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa, John Cena, Dua Lipa, Emma Mackie, Kate McKinnon, and Nicola Coughlan as a few of the range of other Barbies and Kens (and no one could forget Michael Cera’s turn as Allan), this was a cast list of pure talent.

5 The Expendables 3

(2014)

The Expendables 3

2.5

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In The Expendables 3, Sylvester Stallone's Barney Ross once again assembles his team of mercenaries to fight their co-founder, Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). This time, Jason Statham's Lee Christmas, Dolph Lundgren's Gunner Jensen, and Terry Crews' Hale Caesar recruit new members such as Doctor Death (Wesley Snipes), Galgo (Antonio Banderas), Luna (Ronda Rousey), Yin Yang (Jet Li), and two old friends, Drummer (Harrison Ford) and Bonaparte (Kelsey Grammer).

Director

Patrick Hughes

Release Date

August 15, 2014

Cast

Jason Statham , Wesley Snipes , Sylvester Stallone , Mel Gibson , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Jet Li , Harrison Ford , Antonio Banderas

Runtime

131 Minutes

With Sylvester Stallone helming the writing duties on the first three entries into the Expendables franchise and having directed the first installment, it's no surprise that the series evolved to include one of the most action-hero-heavy ensembles in history by the third film.

Joining Stallone were Jason Statham, Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Terry Crews, Glen Powell, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, and even Arnold Schwarzenegger. By the time this film rolled around, the basic Expendables premise was starting to feel tiresome, but the immense cast boosts the film to a level the script doesn’t quite reach.

4 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

(2013)

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

2.5

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the sequel to Adam McKay's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. In the sequel, Ron, again played by Will Ferrell, joins New York's 24-hour news channel. Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Paul Rudd also return as Ron's team, along with Christina Applegate as his wife.

Director

Adam McKay

Release Date

December 18, 2013

Cast

Will Ferrell , David Koechner , Steve Carell , Paul Rudd , Christina Applegate , Luke Wilson , Vince Vaughn , Fred Willard

Runtime

119 Minutes

The joy of a movie written and produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay (who also directed it) is that they can ask pretty much any actor to make an appearance in their film and it’s almost a guaranteed yes. Their strategy for star power for the sequel to their 2004 comedy was to fit in a huge number of cameos.

While Ferrell, Steve Carell, David Koechner, Christian Applegate, and Paul Rudd all reprise the same Channel Four news team members from the first installment, this movie also features appearances from James Marsden, Harrison Ford, Sacha Baron Cohen, Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, Vince Vaughn, Kanye West, and Drake. Yes, really.

3 Alice in Wonderland

(2010)

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

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Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton. It stars Mia Wasikowska as Alice, who returns to the magical world of Wonderland to confront the tyrannical Red Queen, played by Helena Bonham Carter. The film features Johnny Depp as the eccentric Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway as the benevolent White Queen. This reimagining of Lewis Carroll's classic tale combines live-action and CGI elements.

Director

Tim Burton

Release Date

March 5, 2010

Cast

Johnny Depp , Anne Hathaway , Helena Bonham Carter , Crispin Glover , Matt Lucas , Mia Wasikowska , Alan Rickman , Stephen Fry , Michael Sheen , Timothy Spall

Runtime

108 Minutes

Tim Burton’s projects instantly call to mind actors he works with over and over – Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, and Michael Keaton, to name a few. For British cinema fans, however, it’s his live-action-but-mostly-CGI adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic which has the most familiar faces (although, often in this film, they’re familiar voices).

With Depp starring as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, other stars include Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, Matt Lucas (the Tweedles), Michael Sheen (the White Rabbit), Alan Rickman (Absolem), Stephen Fry (the Chesire Cat), Timothy Spall, Michael Gough, Christopher Lee, Imelda Staunton – and even the Carry On franchise’s Barbara Windsor!

2 Movie 43

(2013)

Movie 43

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The 2013 anthology comedy Movie 43 collects 14 comedy shorts starring A-list actors such as Hugh Jackman, Emma Stone, Kristen Bell, Uma Thurman, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, and Richard Gere. All segments, connected by an overarching plot revolving around a frustrated screenwriter coming up with ideas for a film, are also directed by various directors, including Bob Odenkirk, Elizabeth Banks, and James Gunn.

Director

James Gunn

Release Date

January 25, 2013

Cast

Hugh Jackman , Emma Stone , Chloe Grace Moretz , Jeremy Allen White

Runtime

90minutes

Movie 43 is an oddity in the cinema landscape. Rather than a traditional film, it’s a notoriously middling collection of short films, each made by a different production team. As a result, as well as boasting some big names behind the camera, the film has an extensive list of stars. The easiest way to make up for the quality of the film is by reading a list of its cast.

The immensely voluminous cast includes Seth MacFarlane, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Jeremy Allen White, Naomi Watts, Chris Pratt, Keiran Culkin, Emma Stone, Jason Sudeikis, Uma Thurman, Kristen Bell, Chloë Grace Moretz, Halle Berry, Elizabeth Banks, and Bob Odenkirk (who also wrote and directed one of the segments). Wow.

1 Avengers: Endgame

(2019)

Avengers: Endgame

4.5

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The penultimate chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame, marks the finale of the first three phases of the MCU and acts as part two of Avengers: Infinity War. With Earth's Mightiest Heroes failing to stop Thanos from wiping out half of all existence, the heroes discover one final chance to make things right. Journeying back through space and time, the surviving Avengers attempt to stop Thanos before all is lost.

Director

Joe Russo , Anthony Russo

Release Date

April 26, 2019

Cast

Chris Hemsworth , Anthony Mackie , Paul Rudd , Robert Downey Jr. , Scarlett Johansson , Mark Ruffalo , Evangeline Lilly , Sebastian Stan , Josh Brolin , Elizabeth Olsen , Tom Holland , Don Cheadle , Samuel L. Jackson , Bradley Cooper , Karen Gillan , Brie Larson , Paul Bettany , Chris Evans , Jeremy Renner , Chadwick Boseman

Runtime

182 Minutes

The Marvel franchise has always been a factory for stars – if a relatively new actor appears in a Marvel movie, they’re almost guaranteed to go stratospheric – so it’s unsurprising that their biggest cross-over event in history should gain so many A-list actors. Each star felt perfect for their character, and the film could have been marketed on the quantity of names alone.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’s Captain America are staples of the franchise, and their final (or so fans thought) appearances in this film were heartfelt. However, mix in Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Brolin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Dave Bautista, Tilda Swinton, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Pratt, Michael Douglas, and so many others, and it starts to become overwhelming.

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