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Best David Frankel Movies
11th Nov 2025
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David Frankel has quietly but consistently built a reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile and insightful directors. From poignant dramas to charming comedies and inspiring true stories, his films are characterized by their strong character development, emotional depth, and often, critically acclaimed performances. He possesses a unique ability to find the human heart in any narrative, whether exploring the cutthroat world of fashion or the true grit of a beloved family pet, leaving audiences with stories that resonate long after the credits roll. With a filmography spanning a variety of genres and subjects, picking a single "best" David Frankel movie is no easy task. Each of his directorial efforts brings something unique to the table, showcasing his range and consistent commitment to quality storytelling. Now, it's your turn to weigh in: dive into his impressive body of work and cast your vote for the films that have most captivated and moved you. Help us crown the definitive "Best David Frankel Movies" as decided by the fans!
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#7.
The Big Year (2011)
7/10
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In *The Big Year*, three fanatical bird-watchers spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of species in North America. This unofficial but fiercely contested race pits a retiring CEO (Steve Martin), a down-on-his-luck programmer (Jack Black), and the reigning, ruthless champion (Owen Wilson) against one another. Their quest is supercharged when an El Niño weather event sends an extraordinary variety of rare breeds flying up into the U.S., turning the competition into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As they crisscross the continent, sacrificing fortunes and relationships, they quickly discover that their shared obsession forges an unlikely bond, and that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition. This film is a quintessential David Frankel movie, perfectly illustrating his talent for finding heartfelt, human stories within high-pressure, niche environments. Much like he did with the world of high fashion in *The Devil Wears Prada* or dog ownership in *Marley & Me*, Frankel uses the quirky subculture of competitive birding to explore universal themes of passion, sacrifice, and the search for personal fulfillment. He masterfully balances the film’s gentle comedy, drawn from the brilliant chemistry of its three leads, with a surprisingly poignant look at what truly defines a well-lived life. It is this signature blend of wit, warmth, and character-driven emotion that makes *The Big Year* a standout in his filmography and a prime example of his directorial touch.
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Marley & Me (2008)
*Marley & Me* (2008) is a heartwarming and often hilarious cinematic journey that chronicles the lives of a newly married couple, John and Jenny Grogan, portrayed by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. As they embark on the process of starting a family, they find themselves learning many of life's most important lessons from their perpetually trouble-loving and utterly irrepressible yellow Labrador Retriever, Marley. Packed with plenty of laughs to lighten the load of everyday life, the film skillfully explores the often-tumultuous highs and lows of marriage, maturity, and even confronting one's own mortality, all beautifully observed through the unique and heartwarming lens of family life with a dog. David Frankel's skilled direction is precisely what elevates *Marley & Me* to a spot on any "Best David Frankel Movies" list. Frankel, known for his ability to blend heartfelt emotion with astute comedic timing (as seen in films like *The Devil Wears Prada*), masterfully navigates the film's poignant narrative arc. He expertly balances Marley's riotous antics and the couple's everyday comedic struggles with the profound emotional depth of their journey, ensuring that the film's eventual exploration of loss feels earned and deeply moving rather than manipulative. This sensitive handling of both humor and heartbreak, grounded by strong performances from its lead actors, showcases Frankel's directorial strength in crafting universally resonant stories that leave a lasting emotional impression, making *Marley & Me* a quintessential example of his best work.
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The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
"The Devil Wears Prada" is a captivating film that centers on a familiar yet universally relatable struggle: professional ambition versus personal integrity. As the provided description aptly states, it's about a young journalist who moves to New York to work in the fashion industry. Her boss, however, is extremely demanding and cruel and won’t let her succeed if she doesn’t fit into the high-class, elegant look of their magazine when all she really wants is to be a good journalist. This core conflict drives Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway), an aspiring writer who quickly discovers that her coveted assistant role at the prestigious Runway magazine under the legendary editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) is less about reporting and more about conforming. The film masterfully delves into the cutthroat world of high fashion, portraying its alluring glamour alongside its often-brutal demands, forcing Andy to confront her values and redefine success on her own terms. This iconic 2006 film undeniably earns its place on a list of "Best David Frankel Movies" due to his masterful direction, which expertly balances sharp comedy with genuine dramatic weight. Frankel's keen eye for character and pacing allows for the development of both the aspirational dream and the crushing reality of Andy's experience, making the audience simultaneously root for and question her choices. His direction is pivotal in extracting career-defining performances, most notably Meryl Streep's legendary, Oscar-nominated portrayal of Miranda Priestly, which became a cultural touchstone. Frankel’s ability to create a visually lush world while grounding its exaggerated characters in believable emotional arcs resulted in a film that was not only a massive critical and commercial success but also a lasting cultural phenomenon, solidifying its status as one of his most significant and beloved works.
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Jerry and Marge Go Large (2022)
*Jerry and Marge Go Large* is a quintessential David Frankel film, perfectly capturing the heartwarming, character-driven storytelling that defines his best work. Based on a remarkable true story, the movie follows a retired couple, played with immense charm by Bryan Cranston and Annette Bening, who discover a mathematical loophole in a state lottery and use their winnings to revitalize their small Michigan town. Frankel excels at finding the profound in the seemingly ordinary, and here he is in his element, focusing less on the mechanics of the scheme and more on the renewed sense of purpose and community it brings. He draws out gentle, lived-in performances from his veteran leads, creating a world that feels both aspirational and deeply relatable, echoing the warmth and humanism he brought to films like *Marley & Me* and *Hope Springs*. While some of Frankel's films, like *The Devil Wears Prada*, are celebrated for their sharp wit and high-stakes energy, *Jerry and Marge Go Large* deserves its place among his best for its masterful control of a quieter, more uplifting tone. The film is an exercise in cinematic kindness, celebrating ingenuity, collaboration, and the simple joy of helping one’s neighbors. Frankel's direction is confident and understated, trusting the inherent goodness of the story without resorting to melodrama or excessive conflict. It showcases his mature ability to craft a thoroughly engaging and emotionally satisfying narrative built on decency and quiet rebellion, proving that his directorial touch is just as powerful when celebrating the goodness in people as it is when satirizing their ambitions.
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Collateral Beauty (2016)
In *Collateral Beauty*, a successful advertising executive is retreating from life after a profound tragedy. In his grief, he questions the universe by writing letters to the abstract concepts of Love, Time, and Death. Receiving unexpected and deeply personal answers in the form of three mysterious strangers, he begins to see how these forces interlock and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. The film's high-concept premise serves as a modern-day fable, exploring the intricate and often painful ways people connect and heal in the wake of unimaginable sorrow. The film is a quintessential David Frankel project, securing its place on a list of his best work by showcasing his signature blend of heartfelt drama and a star-studded ensemble cast. Much like his celebrated films *The Devil Wears Prada* and *Marley & Me*, Frankel expertly manages a powerhouse group of actors—including Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, and Edward Norton—and grounds a potentially unbelievable story in genuine human emotion. While tackling the heavy subject of grief, Frankel infuses the narrative with a polished, accessible, and ultimately hopeful touch. It is this unique ability to explore profound, universal themes of love and loss with both sensitivity and commercial appeal that defines his directorial style and makes *Collateral Beauty* a significant and representative entry in his filmography.
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One Chance (2013)
This film follows the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night. Set in a small Welsh town, the film chronicles Paul's lifelong dream of singing opera, a passion that is constantly thwarted by crippling self-doubt, financial hardship, and a series of comically unfortunate accidents. Supported by his loving girlfriend Julz, Paul embarks on a journey that takes him from local pubs to a prestigious opera school in Venice and, ultimately, to the stage of *Britain's Got Talent* for a single, life-altering audition that could finally validate his talent to the world and, more importantly, to himself. *One Chance* is a quintessential David Frankel film and a standout in his filmography, earning its place among his best work. Much like his acclaimed hits *The Devil Wears Prada* and *Marley & Me*, Frankel demonstrates his mastery of blending heartfelt emotion with sharp, accessible comedy. He excels at crafting uplifting underdog stories, and Paul Potts’ journey is a perfect vehicle for his directorial style. Frankel expertly guides star James Corden to a performance that is both genuinely funny and deeply touching, ensuring the film never becomes overly sentimental. It's this masterful balance of humor, heart, and inspirational triumph—a signature of Frankel’s directing—that makes *One Chance* not just an enjoyable movie, but a perfect showcase of what he does best.
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Hope Springs (2012)
In *Hope Springs*, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones deliver beautifully nuanced performances as Kay and Arnold Soames. After thirty years of marriage, the middle-aged couple attends an intense, week-long counseling session to work on their relationship. Having fallen into a passionless routine and sleeping in separate bedrooms, a desperate Kay books the retreat in a coastal Maine town, forcing her deeply skeptical and curmudgeonly husband to confront the distance that has grown between them under the guidance of a renowned therapist, Dr. Feld (Steve Carell). The film is a quintessential David Frankel picture, showcasing his remarkable talent for extracting heartfelt, vulnerable performances from A-list actors and balancing comedy with sincere drama. Reuniting with Streep after their massive success on *The Devil Wears Prada*, Frankel again demonstrates his trust in his actors, allowing the film to rest on the palpable, often awkward, chemistry between Streep and Jones. He expertly navigates the story’s delicate tone, finding humor in the couple's uncomfortable therapy exercises without ever mocking their pain. This ability to handle a mature, sensitive subject with such honesty, warmth, and wit makes *Hope Springs* not only a standout adult drama but also a prime example of Frankel's skill in crafting intelligent, character-driven stories that resonate deeply with an audience.
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The Big Year (2011)
In *The Big Year*, three fanatical bird-watchers spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of species in North America. This unofficial but fiercely contested race pits a retiring CEO (Steve Martin), a down-on-his-luck programmer (Jack Black), and the reigning, ruthless champion (Owen Wilson) against one another. Their quest is supercharged when an El Niño weather event sends an extraordinary variety of rare breeds flying up into the U.S., turning the competition into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As they crisscross the continent, sacrificing fortunes and relationships, they quickly discover that their shared obsession forges an unlikely bond, and that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition. This film is a quintessential David Frankel movie, perfectly illustrating his talent for finding heartfelt, human stories within high-pressure, niche environments. Much like he did with the world of high fashion in *The Devil Wears Prada* or dog ownership in *Marley & Me*, Frankel uses the quirky subculture of competitive birding to explore universal themes of passion, sacrifice, and the search for personal fulfillment. He masterfully balances the film’s gentle comedy, drawn from the brilliant chemistry of its three leads, with a surprisingly poignant look at what truly defines a well-lived life. It is this signature blend of wit, warmth, and character-driven emotion that makes *The Big Year* a standout in his filmography and a prime example of his directorial touch.
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Miami Rhapsody (1995)
In this charming romantic comedy, Gwyn Marcus (Sarah Jessica Parker) has always looked to her parents' long-lasting marriage as the ultimate relationship goal. Now that her boyfriend Matt has proposed, she seems on track to follow in their footsteps, but a sudden wave of doubt makes her hesitate. Her fear of commitment is amplified when she uncovers a shocking secret: her seemingly perfect family is a tangled web of extramarital affairs. As Gwyn navigates the romantic chaos of her parents and siblings, she is forced to question everything she believed about love, fidelity, and the institution of marriage, all while trying to find her own balance between career, family, and a future she's no longer so sure about. As David Frankel's feature film debut, *Miami Rhapsody* is an essential entry on any list of his best movies because it serves as the clear blueprint for the sophisticated, witty, and character-driven style he would later perfect. The film showcases his early command of sharp dialogue and his ability to explore the anxieties of a relatable female protagonist, themes that would become his signature in a massive hit like *The Devil Wears Prada*. His collaboration with Sarah Jessica Parker is particularly significant, predating their iconic work on *Sex and the City* and establishing their shared talent for dissecting the complexities of modern romance. While other films in his career achieved greater box-office success, *Miami Rhapsody* is a foundational work that displays all the intelligence and charm that would define Frankel as a director.
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The Dreyfus Affair
It appears there may be some confusion, as David Frankel, the director known for films like *The Devil Wears Prada* and *Marley & Me*, has not directed a movie about "The Dreyfus Affair." The most recent prominent film on this subject is Roman Polanski's 2019 film "An Officer and a Spy." However, if David Frankel were to direct such a film, here is a description of why it might be considered one of his best: In a fascinating departure from his contemporary dramedies, David Frankel’s hypothetical take on "The Dreyfus Affair" would stand as a masterwork of historical tension and intimate character study. Frankel would leverage his renowned skill for dissecting complex social and professional environments, shifting from the magazine offices of New York to the treacherous corridors of late 19th-century Parisian military power. The film would undoubtedly focus not just on the grand political injustice but on the human cost, exploring the quiet resilience of Alfred Dreyfus and the determined campaign of his supporters through sharp, incisive dialogue. He would expose the affair as a venomous web of office politics, antisemitism, and media manipulation, making the historical scandal feel immediate and profoundly personal. This film would earn its place on a "Best of" list by showcasing Frankel’s incredible range and his core strength as a director of actors. By drawing a powerhouse performance from his lead, he would translate the weight of a nation’s prejudice onto one man's shoulders, much like he explored immense professional pressure in *The Devil Wears Prada*. Rather than a sprawling historical epic, Frankel’s "The Dreyfus Affair" would be celebrated as an impeccably paced thriller about integrity versus institution. It would prove his unique ability to find the resonant, emotional, and deeply human story at the heart of any circumstance, solidifying his status as a master storyteller, regardless of the genre.
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The Devil Wears Prada 2
Of course. Here is a two-paragraph description for the hypothetical "The Devil Wears Prada 2" for a list of "Best David Frankel Movies." *** Returning to the cutthroat world of high fashion more than a decade later, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* finds Andy Sachs at the helm of her own successful online magazine, a respected and formidable force in the industry. However, when a corporate merger forces her new media empire into a direct and hostile partnership with a struggling *Runway*, she is thrown back into the orbit of Miranda Priestly. Under David Frankel’s masterful direction, the film brilliantly flips the original's power dynamic, transforming the mentor-mentee relationship into a tense chess match between two titans. Frankel recaptures the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of the original, with its whip-smart dialogue and dazzling aesthetics, but enriches it with the weight of experience, exploring what happens when the student truly becomes the master. This sequel solidifies its place on the list of Frankel’s best work by showcasing his unparalleled ability to blend slick, aspirational entertainment with genuine emotional depth. While the fashion is more breathtaking and the one-liners are sharper than ever, the film’s true power lies in the quiet, reflective moments between its iconic characters as they grapple with legacy, relevance, and the personal cost of sustained success. Frankel directs the veteran cast to deliver nuanced, mature performances that honor their characters' growth, proving that a sequel can be both a satisfying continuation and a poignant, standalone character study. It is this perfect synthesis of commercial glamour and intimate humanism that makes the film a definitive David Frankel success.
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