In ascending order, here is our ranking of the five big-screen Tom Clancy pictures.
Jack Ryan movies ranked worst to best
5. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)
This studio reboot is the only film on this list that isn’t based on a Clancy novel; it’s an original story based on characters he created, and it rewrites Ryan’s origin story. Here, he’s studying at the London School of Economics during the 9/11 terror attacks, which motivate him to become a U.S. Marine. Then he’s ultimately recruited by a CIA spymaster (Kevin Costner). Shadow Recruit is a watchable spy picture, if almost wholly derivative of other entries in the genre, and it’s an attempt to make this character hipper, for a younger audience, that feels forced. Chris Pine makes an appealing–and incredibly handsome–Jack Ryan, but the role isn’t nearly as meaty and complicated here as in other Ryanverse installments. This film is dedicated to Clancy, who died three months before its release. It was intended to start a new franchise, but was met with lukewarm reviews and box office returns. The best part: Kenneth Branagh directed the film, and he gives the standout performance as a psychotic, drug-addicted Russian villain.
4. Patriot Games (1992)
The first of two collaborations between Harrison Ford and Phillip Noyce in the Ryanverse, Patriot Games sees CIA agent Ryan (Ford) in a highly personal fight with a terrorist (Sean Bean). It’s a fairly grounded, gritty affair at first, but in the third reel it goes off the rails into improbable, over-the-top action territory. Clancy himself was displeased with the “unrealistic” climax and other changes to his book, and ultimately had his name removed from the film. Still, it was a box office success, grossing over $178 million worldwide. The best part: Ford is flat-out perfect in the role of Ryan. His sensitive, sympathetic interpretation of the character Roger Ebert called “Man of action with a cerebral side” is the best to date.
3. The Sum of All Fears (2002)
It was long rumored that Ford would reprise the role of Jack Ryan a third time, but in mid-2000 it was announced that he stepped down because he was unhappy with the scripts he’d received. The role was offered to Ben Affleck, and The Sum of All Fears co-stars Morgan Freeman as CIA Director William Cabot.The story has horrifying subject matter: a nuclear bomb going off in an American city. And ultimately the film is tonally uneven, with a romantic happy ending that feels inappropriate. That said, The Sum of All Fears was released just nine months after the 9/11 attacks, and many claimed it was too distressing and disturbing at the time. The best part: The climax of the film shows a nuclear device vaporizing much of Baltimore. The CGI effects hold up fairly well, but the lead-up is a genuine feat of nail-biting suspense. It’s carefully paced, seriously sweaty-palmed stuff.
2. Clear and Present Danger (1994)
The sequel to Patriot Games is a more taut, absorbing (if a bit overlong) film than its immediate predecessor. The “danger” in the title refers to the South American drug trade, and this is Jack Ryan vs. cartels and crooked American conspirators. Willem Dafoe shines as John Clark, Clancy’s second most famous character, described by the author himself as Ryan’s “dark side.” He’s a dangerous but valuable ally, quicker than Ryan to pull a trigger. This marks the final appearance of James Earl Jones as Vice Admiral James Greer. He was the only actor to appear in each of the first three Clancy pictures, starting with The Hunt for Red October. The best part: Again, it’s Ford.
1. The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The first Clancy adaptation to hit the big screen is still the best. Alec Baldwin originated the role of Ryan, and Sean Connery plays a rogue Soviet submarine captain who abandons orders and defects to the United States. It’s up to Jack Ryan to bridge communications on the high seas to prevent an all-out nuclear war. A patient, highly technical thriller that’s never less than gripping, The Hunt for Red October is easily the picture that best represents Clancy’s strengths and appeal as a creator. The Hunt for Red October won an Oscar for Best Sound Editing, and was nominated in two other categories. The best part: John McTiernan is now widely celebrated as one of the best action filmmakers of all time, and he directed the hell out of this movie. His two previous films, Predator and Die Hard, were big box office hits, though generally met with measured critical praise. Red October was seen as something of a step up into more prestigious, sophisticated fare. These days, those two earlier action flicks are generally held in even higher esteem. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Tom Clancy book? What’s your favorite spy movie ever? Sound off in the comments! Big fan of John Krasinski? We bet you didn’t know these 5 facts about the actor.
