Best James Caan Movies And Where To Stream Them: Netflix, HBO, Paramount & More

It’s a sad day for Hollywood as one of the best American actors in history, James Caan, passed away Wednesday night. He was 82.

Caan was famous for his iconic roles in “The Godfather,” “Misery” and “Elf.” He once dominated the film industry with his diverse and remarkable performances.

Fans may be deeply saddened by the news, but Caan's legacy will live on, especially since his films are available on major streaming platforms such as HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+, and many more.

Here’s a list of Caan’s best films you can binge-watch with your families or friends as you pay tribute to the late actor.

1. “Brian’s Song” (1971)

Caan has appeared in numerous films and television shows that became hits in the 70s. However, his titular role in “Brian’s Song,” an ABC movie of the week, left a big impact because of his remarkable performance in delivering heartbreaking scenes.

The story revolved around former Chicago Bears teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, who have been labeled as the “two first interracial roommates” since the National Football League (NFL) started. It showed how their relationship grew, despite their differences, until Piccolo’s death in 1970.

You can catch this movie by renting or purchasing it from Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.

2. “The Godfather” (1972)

“The Godfather” would remain Caan’s most memorable movie in history. This earned him a nomination for the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor and secured him a Golden Globe.

Following the film’s success, he was offered more leading roles in Hollywood. The movie showcased his undeniable talent in acting, especially his “bada bing!” moment and “in flagrante delicto” entrance. This is definitely a must-watch when paying homage to Caan’s legacy.

Head to Paramount+ or Video on Demand (VOD) to stream the movie.

3. “The Gambler” (1974)

“The Gambler” is one of Caan’s most successful films. It was also the first time he got cast as the lead role, Axel Free. He portrayed a successful English professor from New York City who was secretly a gambler lost in debt. Critics praised him for showing a duality in his role, making the movie much more exciting.

If you’re interested to see the best of Caan’s acting abilities, you may purchase the movie from AppleTV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, or YouTube.

4. “Rollerball” (1975)

If you want to see Caan in more diverse roles, then “Rollerball” is the movie you’re looking for that is still available on streaming platforms Philo and VOD. It falls under the futuristic and sci-fi genre. Set in the year 2018, the movie is not a typical sports film since it tackles the corruption in the corporate sports industry. Caan played the captain of the Houston team in the movie.

5. “Thief” (1981)

Caan’s portrayal of his character in “The Thief” was marked as his “finest performance.” Despite its action-packed scenes, he was able to add more depth and a melodramatic vibe to his character as he journeyed to live his dream suburban life and leave the criminal world. Michael Mann directed the movie, which is available on Tubi, Pluto TV, Kanopy, The Roku Channel, and VOD.

6. “Gardens of Stone” (1987)

“Gardens of Stone” is a movie adaptation of a novel by Nicholas Proffitt about a war veteran named Sergeant Clell Hazard (Caan), who aspired to be an instructor teaching young soldiers about the war before getting deployed into the disastrous battle in Vietnam. This movie will surely give viewers a glimpse of history and how their national heroes bravely fought for the country. “Gardens of Stone” is still streaming on Tubi and VOD.

7. “Misery” (1990)

Caan’s role in “Misery” might be his toughest one. Fans used to seeing him in action or dramata would be surprised by his transformation into Paul Sheldon for this psychological thriller starring Kathy Bates. Watch this box office hit on Showtime or VOD.

8. “Bottle Rocket” (1996)

Caan may not have played the lead in “Bottle Rocket,” but his comedic character, tough demeanor and wit definitely stood out in the film. Caan starred as Mr. Henry, a part-time criminal mastermind and part-time landscaper. You can catch this film on HBO MAX or VOD.

9. “Elf” (2003)

“Elf” deserves a spot on Caan’s must-watch list. He starred as Buddy’s (Will Ferrell) cranky father, who made fans laugh with his humor. The movie proved Caan’s ability to ace different genres. Stream this on HBO Max.