Tom Selleck is not only the mustachioed face of Magnum P.I. or the reliable face on Blue Bloods—he’s also a rather unassuming movie star with a career that’s brushed against nearly every genre. Whether you think of him as the affable father, grizzled cowboy, or unwilling action hero, Selleck’s movies retain the sort of effortless charm and understated confidence that is always in fashion.
Here are 10 of Tom Selleck’s greatest films, ranked by a combination of box office, critical acceptance, and that certain Selleck appeal.
1. 3 Men and a Baby (1987)
No surprise here. 3 Men and a Baby was Selleck’s highest-grossing film, raking in more than $160 million domestically and close to $490 million globally (adjusted). Alongside Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg, Selleck stars as a free-spirited bachelor whose life is turned around by the unanticipated arrival of a baby. The film’s blend of humor and heart made it a cultural phenomenon, and showed Selleck to be a serious comedic talent.
2. Midway (1976)
Well before he was a household name, Selleck found himself in a supporting role in this World War II classic, co-starring with Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and Toshiro Mifune. Although not headlined, he added weight to a picture that remains one of the better war dramas of its era.
3. Coma (1978)
This taut medical suspense film provided Selleck an opportunity to display his dramatic chops. Written and directed by Michael Crichton and featuring Geneviève Bujold and Michael Douglas, Coma explores the creepy realm of hospital cover-ups. It was a sleeper, and Selleck’s supporting turn suggested the dramatic ability he’d eventually cultivate in earnest.
4. In & Out (1997)
Tom Selleck acts against type here, and he gets it right. In this smart, witty comedy of identity and self-acceptance, he plays a closeted TV news anchor opposite Kevin Kline. The movie was a critical success and even earned an Oscar nomination. Selleck’s subtle performance demonstrated his skill at playing both comedy and truth and opened up new possibilities for his on-screen image.
5. Meet the Robinsons (2007)
Even animated, Selleck’s voice commands attention. In this charming and humorous Disney movie, he voices the futuristic father figure of a time-traveling family. It’s a lesser role, but one that has resonance—his work injects both gravitas and heart into an underappreciated gem in Disney’s library.
6. 3 Men and a Little Lady (1990)
The sequel to 3 Men and a Baby didn’t reach quite the same level of cultural apogee, but it was still a respectable box office hit. Again teaming with Guttenberg and Danson, Selleck again holds down the mayhem with warmth and charisma, showing that the chemistry between the trio was still magic.
7. High Road to China (1983)
If you prefer your action films with a dash of period charm, this one’s for you. Selleck stars as a rough-riding, hard-drinking pilot contracted to retrieve a missing man in 1920s Asia. Billed as the “Indiana Jones of the skies,” the film didn’t set box office records but has become a cult hit—and a vehicle for Selleck’s action-hero appeal.
8. Quigley Down Under (1990)
One of Selleck’s more off-beat efforts, this Western drops him in the Australian outback, facing off with Alan Rickman in one of his finest turns as a heavy. Quigley Down Under may have gone unnoticed at the time of its release, but it is now a cult favorite among Western fans and anyone who enjoys a good underdog tale.
9. An Innocent Man (1989)
This tough drama casts Selleck as a wrongly convicted man who must survive in a harsh system while struggling to exonerate himself. It’s a darker part than fans often think of for him, and he takes the challenge on with a down-to-earth, emotionally exposed turn that doesn’t get enough attention.
10. Lassiter (1984)
In pre-WWII London, Lassiter pairs Selleck as a suave jewel thief torn between British intelligence and Nazi agents. It’s a chic caper filled with intrigue and sophistication—and Selleck is terrific as the lead, combining danger and charm alike.
Tom Selleck’s movie career gets eclipsed by his legendary work on television, but his films demonstrate that he’s a movie star beyond his TV stints. From screwball romps and vintage thrillers to Westerns and war dramas, Selleck has amassed a film legacy quietly worth investigating. If you’re revisiting a favorite or going in for the first time, these 10 movies provide the ideal introduction to the many personas of Tom Selleck.