Top 10 Walter Matthau Movies

Walter Matthau was a talented comedic actor who starred in movies spanning 50 years. His most memorable ones were with Jack Lemon. The duo is unforgettable and had the charm and charisma well into their 60s and 70s. Here is a list of the top 10 Walter Matthau movies of all time.

1. Dennis the Menace (1993):

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 9.7/10

Description: Mr. Wilson’s (played by Walter Matthau) retired life is repeatedly interrupted by a kid named Dennis, who is living next door. Dennis really knows which buttons to push on Mr. Wilson. It’s even funnier to watch the two clash as the former plays jokes on the latter.

2. The Odd Couple (1968):

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 9/10

Description: A neat freak and a slob, who both are divorced, decide to live together. Nothing goes well for the two as Oscar is driven to insanity by Felix’s neat freak attitude. Both Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau were nominated for Golden Globe Awards for this film.

3. Fortune Cookie (1966):

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Rating: 8.6/10

Description: Walter Matthau is good at playing con artists, and this film is no exception. He gets his brother-in-law to fake a serious injury. This was the first film for Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon and was a hit. Matthau won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in this film.

4. The Front Page (1974):

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Rating: 8.5/10

Description: Walter Matthau plays a reporter who grows tired of his job and decides to get married. The editor (played by Lemon) has his own agenda and tries to force Matthau to stay. The duo is natural in this movie once again. They never seem to disappoint their fans. The film was thus nominated for best motion picture at the Golden Globes.

5. Grumpy Old Men (1993):

Genre: Romance/Comedy

Rating: 8.3/10

Description: Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau still have the groove in this film; yes, well into their 60s and 70s. The movie was a success and earned $70 million domestically. The rivalry is still there and there is woman (played by Anne-Margaret) that both go after in this film.

6. The Odd Couple II (1998):

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 8/10

Description: The duo Jack Lemon and Walter Matthau join forces in this sequel 30 years later. After 17 years, Oscar Madison and Felix Hunger reunite for their children’s wedding. Oscar’s son is getting married to Felix’s daughter. Things do not go as planned, and mishaps hit the duo more than I can count fingers on my hands and toes.

7. The Sunshine Boys:

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 7.4/10

Description: This film chronicles the real life occurrences of George Burns (who stars in this film). Walter was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in this film. The whole movie is about a vaudeville duo who hate each other despite reuniting for a TV show.

8. Out to Sea (1997):

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 7.3/10

Description: Walter Matthau plays a compulsive gambler who sways his widowed brother in law into going on an expensive cruise. They are not guests on the cruise, but rather are dance hosts who must sleep in the bottom quarters of the ship. Nothing goes smoothly for this duo who pair up for another comedy.

9. Hanging up:

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Rating: 7.2/10

Description: This is the last movie Mattthau makes before he passes away. The film was not as interesting, but still tidied his career with a bang. The movie says goodbye to a legend as the on screen daughters deal with their ailing and dying father. Although it was not as popular, Matthau fans were able to say goodbye to their loved actor before he died.

10. IQ (1994):

Genre: Romantic/Drama

Rating: 7/10

Description: This is a really relaxing movie in which Walter Matthau plays Albert Einstein. Einstein tries to set his niece up with a man he thinks would be perfect for her. It is a very relaxing, fictionalized movie that people should watch and enjoy.