5 best Jason Clarke movies and TV shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist

Everest (Image Source: Prime Video)
Everest (Image Source: Prime Video)

Jason Clarke is not an actor that you would see doing the same type of characters. To give you an idea, if he is a conflicted cop, a haunted husband, or a decaying power leader, in all those cases, you could find that a raw and unpredictable side of his character appears.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.


5 best Jason Clarke movies and TV shows

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023)

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Image Source: Prime Video)
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Image Source: Prime Video)

Let’s start with one of his most recent and gripping performances. In The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Jason Clarke takes center stage as Lieutenant Commander Queeg in this modern reimagining of the 1954 courtroom drama.

What’s striking here isn’t just the performance, it’s the restraint. Clarke doesn’t play Queeg as a typical villain or hero. He plays him like a man unraveling, and that’s what keeps you hooked. His power quietly rises until it reaches the point where it bursts and this whole tension is driven by him alone.

For anyone who loves dialogue-driven storytelling, this is a masterclass. It also reminds us that Jason Clarke shines most when the pressure’s high and the spotlight’s tight.


Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Moving from courtroom chaos to classified missions, Zero Dark Thirty remains one of the most defining Jason Clarke movies in his career. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film dives deep into the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden and Clarke stands out even in a cast full of powerhouses.

His portrayal of CIA operative Dan is chilling yet human. Basically, you watch the story of a man who is convinced of doing what is right, but gradually he starts doubting his own boundaries. The situation is very uncomfortable, it is alive, and it is precisely the kind of storytelling with layers that Jason Clarke is identified with.

In case you saw him in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and liked him, then you will be amazed by how much more complicated his character is here. He is the one who is in control, but at the same time, on the verge of breaking down morally, and it is extremely difficult to take your eyes off of him.


Brotherhood (2006–2008)

Brotherhood (Image Source: Prime Video)
Brotherhood (Image Source: Prime Video)

Before Hollywood caught on to him, he was already leading one of Showtime’s most underrated crime dramas. Brotherhood puts him in the shoes of Tommy Caffee, a straight-laced politician trying to stay clean while his brother runs the local mob.

It’s not just another “cops and criminals” setup. It’s layered, political, and surprisingly emotional. Clarke grounds it with a steady, quietly powerful performance. You can tell he’s playing a man who’s constantly calculating, trying to do right in a world that doesn’t make that easy.

If you’re going through Jason Clarke movies and TV shows to see where his signature intensity started, this is the one to watch. It’s raw, gritty, and you can already see flashes of the range that would define his later career.


Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (2022–2023)

If such a performance by Jason Clarke is what you desire, then you must see this HBO series. Winning‍‌‍‍‌ Time is a saga that traces the Lakers' ascent in the 1980s and the NBA's stellar era, which eventually made basketball a worldwide phenomenon.

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (Image Source: Prime Video)
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (Image Source: Prime Video)

Among the show's features is Clarke's performance as West Jerry, a heat-meltdown executive from a former player line, whose fiery temper and strictness are sharply depicted in some of the most memorable minutes of the series.

This is one of those Jason Clarke TV shows that shows his instinct for bringing flawed real-life figures to life. Even when you disagree with his character, you understand him. And that’s Clarke’s superpower.


Everest (2015)

Last,‍‌‍‍‌ but definitely not least, Everest- a very cold survival drama based on true events. He is the main character, Rob Hall, a seasoned mountaineer leading through a life-threatening storm on Mount Everest, and he brings a lot of firepower to the supporting cast in this film.

It’s a departure from the norm in that Clarke doesn’t portray a dark or morally conflicted character. Instead, he is the film's core. His serene command and emotional toughness are what keep the narrative going, particularly in the final scenes. One can say that it is probably the most authentic human portrayal in his career.

In case you want something really heavy yet very touching, then this would be the ideal film to end your list of Jason Clarke movies and TV shows.


What Jason Clarke has is not only his great range, but also the fact that he seems to have really lived through the characters. He can make a political drama, a survival thriller, or a biopic, and still be different from his previous work. Every performance is infused with a certain realism that convinces you, even if the story is grand.

Meaning, whether you decide to watch Brotherhood first or Everest straight away, this list is a great call back to the reason Jason Clarke is a ‍‌‍‍‌must-see.

Edited by Sugnik Mondal