TopTenREVIEWS presents the film career and movie reviews of William Holden.

William Holden
Birthdate: May 17, 1918
Death date: March 3, 1932

William Holden

ACTOR RANKINGS:

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CAREER SPAN

Decade
Movie Score
# Movies
1930s
1.2406
3
total ranking of 1.2406
1940s
2.8654
19
total ranking of 2.8654
1950s
3.1194
23
total ranking of 3.1194
1960s
2.7337
10
total ranking of 2.7337
1970s
2.4732
9
total ranking of 2.4732
1980s
1.4284
3
total ranking of 1.4284
Ratings and rankings are based on all available critic reviews & awards.
Overall Actor Score: William Holden is ranked overall as 3.0358 of of 4 stars3.0358

William Holden Movie Rankings

1
William Holden starring in Bridge on the River Kwai
William Holden scores a combined 3.8309 out of 4 stars for Bridge on the River Kwai3.8309
In a WWII Japanese POW camp Col. Nicholson and his men are given the task to repair the bridge over the Kwai river to aid the Japanese war effort. Nicholson doesn't know an escaped prisoner has lead the allied forces back to the bridge to blow it up. ...more about Bridge on the River Kwai
2
William Holden starring in Sunset Blvd.
William Holden scores a combined 3.6474 out of 4 stars for Sunset Blvd.3.6474
Struggling screenwriter, Joe Gillis, accidentally stumbles upon the mansion of washed up and eccentric actress Norma Desmond while hiding from his creditors. When Desmond discovers him, she immediately hires him to pen her cinematic comeback. ...more about Sunset Blvd.
Actor Awards
  • Academy Awards, USA - Best Actor in a Leading Role
3
William Holden starring in Wild Bunch
William Holden scores a combined 3.5099 out of 4 stars for Wild Bunch3.5099
A band of aging outlaws plan for one last bank heist, but when their plan goes wrong the group is forced to flee to Mexico before the law can catch up with them. ...more about Wild Bunch
4
Stalag 17 (1953)
William Holden scores a combined 3.1646 out of 4 stars for Stalag 173.1646
Set in a German POW Camp for enlisted American airmen, a spy is discovered to be living in one of the prison barracks after an escape attempt fails resulting in the deaths of two inmates. ...more about Stalag 17
Actor Awards
  • Academy Awards, USA - Best Actor in a Leading Role
5
Network (1976)
William Holden scores a combined 3.1557 out of 4 stars for Network3.1557
In 1975 terrorist violence is the stuff of network nightly news programming and the corporate structure of the UBS television network is changing. ...more about Network
Actor Awards
  • Academy Awards, USA - Best Actor in a Leading Role
  • BAFTA Awards - Best Actor
6
Born Yesterday (1950)
William Holden scores a combined 2.9171 out of 4 stars for Born Yesterday2.9171
Uncouth, loud-mouth junkyard tycoon Harry Brock descends upon Washington D.C. to buy himself a congressman or two, bringing with him his mistress, ex-showgirl Billie Dawn. ...more about Born Yesterday
7
Towering Inferno, The (1974)
William Holden scores a combined 2.9056 out of 4 stars for Towering Inferno2.9056
Doug Roberts, Architect, returns from a long vacation to find work nearly completed on his skyscraper. ...more about Towering Inferno
8
Picnic (1955)
William Holden scores a combined 2.8683 out of 4 stars for Picnic2.8683
The morning of a small town Labor Day picnic, a drifter (Hal Carter) blows into town to visit an old fraternity buddy (Alan Benson) who also happens to be the son of the richest man in town. ...more about Picnic
Actor Awards
  • BAFTA Awards - Best Foreign Actor
9
Sabrina (1954)
William Holden scores a combined 2.8661 out of 4 stars for Sabrina2.8661
Linus and Davis Larrabee are the two sons of a very wealthy family. Linus is all work -- busily running the family corporate empire, he has no time for a wife and family. ...more about Sabrina
10
Bridges at Toko-Ri, The (1955)
William Holden scores a combined 2.8150 out of 4 stars for Bridges at Toko-Ri2.8150
Set during the Korean War, a Navy fighter pilot must come to terms with with his own ambivalence towards the war and the fear of having to bomb a set of highly defended bridges. The ending of this grim war drama is all tension. ...more about Bridges at Toko-Ri
11
Executive Suite (1954)
William Holden scores a combined 2.8052 out of 4 stars for Executive Suite2.8052
Avery Bullard, President of the Tredway Corporation has died. But he never named a clear successor, so the Board members must choose a replacement. ...more about Executive Suite
  • Not Available on DVD
12
Texas (1941)
William Holden scores a combined 2.7990 out of 4 stars for Texas2.7990
Two Virginians are heading for a new life in Texas when they witness a stagecoach being held up. They decide to rob the robbers and make off with the loot. To escape a posse, they split up and don't see each other again for a long time. ...more about Texas
13
Country Girl, The (1954)
William Holden scores a combined 2.7922 out of 4 stars for Country Girl2.7922
Washed up singer/actor Frank Elgin has a chance to make a come-back when director Bernie Dodd offers him the leading role in his new musical. ...more about Country Girl
14
Damien: Omen II (1978)
William Holden scores a combined 2.7607 out of 4 stars for Damien: Omen II2.7607
Seven years later, 13-year-old Damien is just discovering who he really is, and what he is destined to do. Now living with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousin in a wealthy suburb of Chicago, Damien is anxious to inherit everything. ...more about Damien: Omen II
15
Our Town (1940)
William Holden scores a combined 2.7359 out of 4 stars for Our Town2.7359
Change comes slowly to a small New Hampshire town in the early 20th century. People grow up, get married, live, and die. Milk and the newspaper get delivered every morning, and nobody locks their front doors. ...more about Our Town
16
Horse Soldiers, The (1959)
William Holden scores a combined 2.6652 out of 4 stars for Horse Soldiers2.6652
A Union Cavalry outfit is sent behind confederate lines in strength to destroy a rail/supply centre. Along with them is sent a doctor who causes instant antipathy between him and the commander. ...more about Horse Soldiers
17
Dark Past, The (1948)
William Holden scores a combined 2.6613 out of 4 stars for Dark Past2.6613
  • Not Available on DVD
18
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing (1955)
William Holden scores a combined 2.6258 out of 4 stars for Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing2.6258
Newsman Mark Elliott is an American war correspondent in Hong Kong, separated from his wife. During the closing days of the Chinese Civil War, he meets and pursues a beautiful Eurasian doctor, the widow of a Nationalist general. ...more about Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
19
S.O.B. (1981)
William Holden scores a combined 2.6025 out of 4 stars for S.O.B.2.6025
A film-within-a-film: a fading movie producer has a plan for a successful movie: get a actress famous for her wholesome image to appear in the nude on the screen.... much like this film itself. ...more about S.O.B.
20
Man from Colorado, The (1948)
William Holden scores a combined 2.5859 out of 4 stars for Man from Colorado2.5859
Two friends return home after their discharge from the army after the Civil War. ...more about Man from Colorado
21
Paris - When It Sizzles (1964)
William Holden scores a combined 2.5543 out of 4 stars for Paris - When It Sizzles2.5543
Hollywood producer Alexander Meyerheimer has hired drunken writer Richard Benson to write his latest movie. Benson has been holed up in a Paris apartment supposedly working on the script for months, but instead has spent the time living it up. ...more about Paris - When It Sizzles
22
Casino Royale (1967)
William Holden scores a combined 2.4474 out of 4 stars for Casino Royale2.4474
Sir James Bond, a spy from the old school (a good spy is a pure spy) is called back to service by the death of "M" and the imminent collapse of civilization. ...more about Casino Royale
23
Apartment for Peggy (1948)
William Holden scores a combined 2.3104 out of 4 stars for Apartment for Peggy2.3104
Professor Henry Barnes decides he's lived long enough and contemplates suicide. ...more about Apartment for Peggy
  • Not Available on DVD
24
Golden Boy (1939)
William Holden scores a combined 2.2784 out of 4 stars for Golden Boy2.2784
Joe Bonaparte's father wants him to pursue his musical talent; but Joe wants to be a boxer. Persuading near-bankrupt manager Tom Moody to give him a chance, Joe quickly rises in his new profession. ...more about Golden Boy
  • Not Available on DVD
25
Breezy (1973)
William Holden scores a combined 2.2443 out of 4 stars for Breezy2.2443
Breezy is a teen-aged hippy with a big heart. After taking a a ride with a man who only wants her for sex, Breezy manages to escape. She runs to hide on a secluded property where stands the home of a middle-aged divorced man, Frank Harmon. ...more about Breezy
26
Moon Is Blue, The (1953)
William Holden scores a combined 2.2177 out of 4 stars for Moon Is Blue2.2177
  • Not Available on DVD
27
Young and Willing (1943)
William Holden scores a combined 2.2099 out of 4 stars for Young and Willing2.2099
For those, if any, who have wondered why so many Paramount contractees appeared in United Artists' films during the war years, this is another one of the Paramount productions that was sold to United Artists in the early-40's when U.A. ...more about Young and Willing
  • Not Available on DVD
28
Devil's Brigade, The (1968)
William Holden scores a combined 2.1820 out of 4 stars for Devil's Brigade2.1820
During World War II a special fighting unit is formed combining a crack Canadian outfit and a conglomeration of US Army misfits previously serving time in military jails. ...more about Devil's Brigade
29
Alvarez Kelly (1966)
William Holden scores a combined 2.1473 out of 4 stars for Alvarez Kelly2.1473
Suave Mexican cattleman Alvarez Kelly has little interest in the Civil War except to make some money. But after a long drive to deliver cattle to the Unionists he finds himself kidnapped by Confederate Colonel Tom Rossiter. ...more about Alvarez Kelly
30
Counterfeit Traitor, The (1962)
William Holden scores a combined 2.0765 out of 4 stars for Counterfeit Traitor2.0765
Eric Erickson, a Swedish oil trader, agrees to spy for the allies against the Nazis. His friends all turn away from him as the image of the collaborator colors all of his business and personal dealings. ...more about Counterfeit Traitor
31
Fedora (1978)
William Holden scores a combined 2.0583 out of 4 stars for Fedora2.0583
Fedora, an aging and reclusive film star, dies in Paris, struck by a train. At her funeral, a film producer thinks back over the past two weeks and the part he might have played in her death. ...more about Fedora
  • Not Available on DVD
32
Key, The (1958)
William Holden scores a combined 1.9757 out of 4 stars for Key1.9757
In wartime England, circa 1941, poorly-armed tugs are sent into "U-Boat Alley" to rescue damaged Allied ships. An American named David Ross arrives to captain one of these tugs. ...more about Key
  • Not Available on DVD
33
Escape from Fort Bravo (1953)
William Holden scores a combined 1.9011 out of 4 stars for Escape from Fort Bravo1.9011
A ruthless Union captain is renowned throughout his prison fort as the toughest soldier in the business, capable of capturing every escaped convict under his supervision. ...more about Escape from Fort Bravo
  • Not Available on DVD
34
When Time Ran Out... (1980)
William Holden scores a combined 1.8354 out of 4 stars for When Time Ran Out...1.8354
Tourists are surprised by a volcanic eruption in a lonesome hotel in the Caribic. The hotel owner ignores all warnings and advises his guests to wait for a rescue team. Only a small group follows expert Hank to reach higher regions. ...more about When Time Ran Out...
  • Not Available on DVD
35
Wild Rovers (1971)
William Holden scores a combined 1.8181 out of 4 stars for Wild Rovers1.8181
Ross Bodine and Frank Post are cowhands on Walt Buckman's R-Bar-R ranch. Bodine is older and broods a bit about how he will get along when he's too old to cowboy. Post is young and rambunctious and ambitious for a better life than wrangling cows. ...more about Wild Rovers
  • Not Available on DVD
36
Invisible Stripes (1939)
William Holden scores a combined 1.7990 out of 4 stars for Invisible Stripes1.7990
Cliff and Chuck leave prison together. Cliff tries the straight life but falls back into crime with Chuck and his gang. When he makes enough to enable his brother Tim to buy a garage and marry his sweetheart, Cliff quits crime again. ...more about Invisible Stripes
  • Not Available on DVD
37
Union Station (1950)
William Holden scores a combined 1.6378 out of 4 stars for Union Station1.6378
Secretary Joyce Willecombe grows suspicious of two men boarding her train and is referred to 'Tough Willy' Calhoun, head of the Union Station police. ...more about Union Station
  • Not Available on DVD
38
Ashanti (1979)
William Holden scores a combined 1.5989 out of 4 stars for Ashanti1.5989
Dr. Anansa Linderby is kidnapped in a medical mission in Africa by a slave trader. From this moment, her husband will do anything to recover her and to punish the bad guys, but that will be not an easy task... ...more about Ashanti
39
Open Season (1974)
William Holden scores a combined 1.5852 out of 4 stars for Open Season1.5852
Three Vietnam vets have become so conditioned to violence that they have developed psychotic tendencies. They kidnap people, brutalize them, then turn them loose and hunt them like animals. ...more about Open Season
  • Not Available on DVD
40
Turning Point, The (1952)
William Holden scores a combined 1.5419 out of 4 stars for Turning Point1.5419
Special prosecutor John Conroy hopes to combat organized crime in his city, and appoints his cop father Matt as chief investigator. ...more about Turning Point
  • Not Available on DVD
41
Earthling, The (1980)
William Holden scores a combined 1.1231 out of 4 stars for Earthling1.1231
Patrick Foley has been on the move all his live. Tired of drifting, he wants to spend his last days in an isolated Australian valley where he grew up. ...more about Earthling
  • Not Available on DVD
42
7th Dawn, The (1964)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
43
Arizona (1940)
No Reviews Available
Phoebe Titus is a tough, swaggering pioneer woman, but her ways become decidedly more feminine when she falls for California bound Peter Muncie. ...more about Arizona
  • Not Available on DVD
44
Blaze of Noon (1947)
No Reviews Available
In the 1920s, the four McDonald brothers leave the uncertain life of carnival stunt fliers for steady jobs with the U.S. Air Mail. ...more about Blaze of Noon
  • Not Available on DVD
45
Boots Malone (1952)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
46
Dear Ruth (1947)
No Reviews Available
A normal day in the Wilkins family: reticent beauty Ruth, crusty judge father, petition-happy political activist teen Miriam. Who should show up but Ruth's soldier pen pal Bill Seacroft...whom she doesn't know about. ...more about Dear Ruth
  • Not Available on DVD
47
Dear Wife (1949)
No Reviews Available
Teenaged Miriam starts a political campaign to nominate Bill Seacroft, her brother-in-law, for state senator in opposition to the local political machine. Unknown to Miriam, said machine nominates her father, Judge Wilkins. ...more about Dear Wife
  • Not Available on DVD
48
Father Is a Bachelor (1950)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
49
Fleet's In, The (1942)
No Reviews Available
Shy sailor Casey Kirby suddenly becomes known as a sea wolf when his picture is taken with a famous actress. His buddies then make a bet with some other sailors that Casey can defrost an icy night club singer known as the Countess. ...more about Fleet's In
  • Not Available on DVD
50
Force of Arms (1951)
No Reviews Available
Winter, 1943. The German army has halted the American advance in the mountains of Italy; back-and-forth combat decimates Joe Peterson's platoon. ...more about Force of Arms
  • Not Available on DVD
51
Forever Female (1953)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
52
I Wanted Wings (1941)
No Reviews Available
Story follows the training and personal lives of three recruits in the Army Air Corps --- a wealthy playboy, a college jock and an auto mechanic. Love interest is supplied by a female photographer and a sultry blonde. ...more about I Wanted Wings
  • Not Available on DVD
53
Lion, The (1962)
No Reviews Available
Young Tina lives with her mother and stepfather on a wildlife reserve in Kenya. While her stepfather believes this is a wonderful environment for her to grow up in, her mother becomes increasingly concerned by her behaviour. ...more about Lion
  • Not Available on DVD
54
Meet the Stewarts (1942)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
55
Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949)
No Reviews Available
A bookie uses a phony real estate business as a front for his betting parlor. To further keep up the sham, he hires dim-witted Ellen Grant as his secretary figuring she won't suspect any criminal goings-on. ...more about Miss Grant Takes Richmond
  • Not Available on DVD
56
Proud and Profane, The (1956)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
57
Rachel and the Stranger (1948)
No Reviews Available
David Harvey is a widower with a young son, Davey, and they live on an isolated Ohio farm during the pioneer days. He wants his son to be raised in the manner his wife would have wanted, that is, with proper schooling, Bible study and proper manners. ...more about Rachel and the Stranger
  • Not Available on DVD
58
Remarkable Andrew, The (1942)
No Reviews Available
When Andrew Long, hyper-efficient small town accountant, finds a $1240 discrepancy in the city budget, his superiors try to explain it away. When he insists on pursuing the matter, he's in danger of being blamed himself. ...more about Remarkable Andrew
  • Not Available on DVD
59
Revengers, The (1972)
No Reviews Available
The life of peaceful rancher John Benedict (William Holden) is torn apart when his family is massacred by a gang of marauding outlaws and his farm is destroyed. ...more about Revengers
  • Not Available on DVD
60
Satan Never Sleeps (1962)
No Reviews Available
A priest (William Holden) arrives at a mission-post in China accompanied by a young native girl who has joined him along the way. ...more about Satan Never Sleeps
61
Six Cylinder Love (1931)
No Reviews Available
Troubles begin for the Sterlings when they buy an expensive car. Friends press them for rides; Marilyn has an accident which Gilbert must get $5,000 from his boss to pay for. They finally sell the car to the janitor. ...more about Six Cylinder Love
  • Not Available on DVD
62
Streets of Laredo (1949)
No Reviews Available
Texas, 1878: cheerful outlaw-buddies Jim, Lorn and Wahoo rescue spunky orphan Rannie Carter from rustling racketeers, then are forced to separate. ...more about Streets of Laredo
63
Submarine Command (1951)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
64
Those Were the Days! (1940)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
65
Toward the Unknown (1956)
No Reviews Available
  • Not Available on DVD
66
Variety Girl (1947)
No Reviews Available
Dozens of star and character-actor cameos and a message about the Variety Club (show-business charity) are woven into a framework about two hopeful young ladies who come to Hollywood, exchange identities, and cause comic confusion (with slapstick ...more about Variety Girl
  • Not Available on DVD
67
World of Suzie Wong, The (1960)
No Reviews Available
Robert Lomax tired of working in an office, wants to try his hand as an artist. So he moves to Hong Kong to try his hand at painting. ...more about World of Suzie Wong