Josh Brolin is an American actor whose film career has stretched across more than four decades, beginning with his memorable performance as Brand Walsh in The Goonies in 1985. After establishing himself as a young actor in the 1980s, Brolin spent much of the 1990s and early 2000s working across dramas, thrillers, independent films, and genre projects. His career reached a major turning point in 2007 with acclaimed performances in No Country for Old Men, In the Valley of Elah, and American Gangster. He later earned an Academy Award nomination for playing Dan White in Milk and took on major roles in films such as True Grit, Sicario, and Dune. Brolin also became internationally recognized as the voice and performance-capture actor behind Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and as Cable in Deadpool 2. His more recent work has included the Dune films, Brothers, Weapons, The Running Man, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, and Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars.
1985 — The Goonies
Josh Brolin made his feature-film debut in The Goonies, directed by Richard Donner and based on a story by Steven Spielberg. He played Brandon “Brand” Walsh, the older brother of Sean Astin’s Mikey, who becomes involved in the children’s hunt for the legendary treasure of One-Eyed Willy. The adventure comedy also stars Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton and Ke Huy Quan. The film became a beloved cult classic and was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry in 2017.
1986 — Thrashin’
In 1986, Brolin appeared in Thrashin’, a teen sports drama directed by David Winters. He played Corey Webster, a young skateboarder who travels to Los Angeles to compete while becoming involved in a rivalry between opposing skating groups. The film combines skateboarding action with romance and youth-culture drama. Although it did not achieve the lasting popularity of The Goonies, it remains an interesting early entry in Brolin’s film career.
1994 — The Road Killers
After several years focused largely on television work, Brolin returned to feature films with The Road Killers in 1994. He played Tom, a supporting character in the road thriller directed by Deran Sarafian. The film follows a group of travelers whose journey becomes increasingly dangerous after a confrontation on the highway. It marked Brolin’s return to cinema before a more active run of movie roles in the mid-1990s.
1996 — Bed of Roses
Bed of Roses is a 1996 romantic drama directed by Michael Goldenberg. Brolin played Danny, appearing opposite Mary Stuart Masterson in a story centered on an emotionally guarded woman whose life changes after receiving flowers from a mysterious admirer. The film combines romance with character-driven drama and gave Brolin a softer role compared with some of his later crime and thriller performances. It was one of two feature films Brolin appeared in during 1996.
1996 — Flirting with Disaster
Brolin also appeared in Flirting with Disaster, a dark comedy directed by David O. Russell. He played Tony Kent in the ensemble cast, which included Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, Téa Leoni and Mary Tyler Moore. The story follows an adopted man desperately searching for his biological parents while becoming caught up in a series of increasingly chaotic situations. The film became an important early example of Russell’s offbeat comedy style.
1997 — Mimic
Guillermo del Toro directed the science-fiction horror film Mimic, released in 1997. Brolin played Josh, a character caught up in a terrifying battle against genetically engineered insects that have evolved into dangerous human predators. The film starred Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam and combined creature horror with science-fiction elements. Mimic was an important genre production in Brolin’s developing filmography.
1997 — My Brother’s War
My Brother’s War, also known as Flashpoint, was a 1997 drama directed by and starring James Brolin, Josh Brolin’s father. Josh Brolin played Pete in the film, which examines the conflict between two brothers involved with the Provisional Irish Republican Army during the Northern Ireland peace process. The film was shot in Ireland and features James Brolin in one of the central roles. Its family connection makes it a distinctive entry in Josh Brolin’s early film career.
1998 — Nightwatch
Although Nightwatch is commonly identified as a 1997 film, its U.S. theatrical release came in 1998. Directed by Ole Bornedal and written by Bornedal and Steven Soderbergh, the horror thriller stars Ewan McGregor, Patricia Arquette, Nick Nolte and Brolin. Brolin played James Gallman, a reckless friend of McGregor’s character, a law student working the night shift at a morgue. The movie is a remake of Bornedal’s 1994 Danish thriller and stands out as one of Brolin’s darker early roles.
1999 — The Mod Squad
Brolin took on a leading role in The Mod Squad, a 1999 crime film directed by Scott Silver. He played Billy Waites, one of three troubled young people recruited into an undercover police operation. The movie also starred Claire Danes and Giovanni Ribisi and was based on the 1960s television series of the same name. Although the film received a mixed response, it represented one of Brolin’s more prominent studio roles of the period.
1999 — Best Laid Plans
Best Laid Plans is a crime drama directed by Mike Barker and released in 1999. Brolin played Bryce, appearing alongside Alessandro Nivola, Reese Witherspoon and Josh Brolin’s frequent collaborator Alessandro Nivola in a story involving deception, crime and an elaborate scheme. The film focuses on a man attempting to escape a dangerous situation after becoming involved in a complicated plan. It is one of Brolin’s lesser-known late-1990s feature appearances.
1999 — All the Rage
Brolin also appeared in All the Rage, released in 1999 and directed by James D. Stern. He played Tennel in this dark comedy-drama, which explores violence, relationships and social tensions through an interconnected group of characters. The ensemble includes Joan Allen, Jeff Daniels, Gary Sinise and Anna Paquin. The film is notable as another independent production from Brolin’s period of diverse supporting roles.
2000 — Hollow Man
Paul Verhoeven directed the science-fiction thriller Hollow Man, released in 2000. Brolin played Matthew Kensington, a scientist involved with Sebastian Caine, played by Kevin Bacon, after an experiment gives Caine the ability to become invisible. The film mixes scientific experimentation, psychological suspense and horror and also stars Elisabeth Shue. It became one of Brolin’s most visible studio movies of the early 2000s.
2000 — Slow Burn
Slow Burn is a crime thriller in which Brolin played Duster. Released in 2000, the film was directed by Christian Ford and focuses on a man whose criminal past and present collide through a complicated series of events. Unlike the larger studio production Hollow Man, Slow Burn was a smaller direct-to-video feature. It remains part of the less-publicized side of Brolin’s early-2000s filmography.
2002 — Coastlines
Victor Nuñez directed Coastlines, a Florida-set drama featuring Brolin as Sheriff Dave Lockhart. The story follows a recently released prisoner who returns home and becomes entangled in old debts, relationships and criminal conflicts. Brolin’s character is the local sheriff and husband of Ann, played by Sarah Wynter. Although the film premiered at Sundance in 2002 and later received a wider release in 2006, its original release is generally dated to 2002.
2003 — Milwaukee, Minnesota
In Milwaukee, Minnesota, Brolin played Gary, a man living in a small Minnesota community. The independent drama was directed by Allan Mindel and focuses on loneliness, family relationships and the unusual people surrounding a young man with developmental challenges. Brolin’s role is part of the film’s ensemble rather than a conventional action-oriented performance. The movie is one of the quieter independent projects in his career.
2004 — Melinda and Melinda
Woody Allen directed Melinda and Melinda, a 2004 comedy-drama built around two contrasting versions of the same basic story. Brolin played Greg Earlinger in an ensemble featuring Radha Mitchell, Will Ferrell, Chloë Sevigny and Amanda Peet. The film shifts between comedic and dramatic interpretations of relationships, infidelity and personal uncertainty. It gave Brolin the opportunity to work within Woody Allen’s character-driven storytelling style.
2005 — Into the Blue
Brolin appeared as Bates in the 2005 action-adventure film Into the Blue. Directed by John Stockwell, the movie stars Paul Walker and Jessica Alba as divers who discover a potentially valuable wreck while exploring the waters around the Bahamas. Brolin’s character becomes connected to the film’s criminal and treasure-hunting storyline. The underwater adventure was a more mainstream commercial project during his transition toward bigger roles.
2006 — The Dead Girl
The Dead Girl is a 2006 drama thriller written and directed by Karen Moncrieff. Brolin played Tarlow, a man connected to the story surrounding the murder of a young woman, played by Brittany Murphy. The ensemble also includes Toni Collette, Rose Byrne, Marcia Gay Harden, James Franco and Kerry Washington. The film uses several interconnected stories to examine the people affected by the woman’s death and received recognition during the awards season.
2007 — Grindhouse
Brolin had a memorable role in Grindhouse, the 2007 double-feature collaboration between Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. He appeared in Rodriguez’s Planet Terror segment as Dr. William Block, a doctor caught in the middle of a gruesome zombie outbreak. The film deliberately imitates the exploitation and grindhouse movies of the 1970s and 1980s. Brolin’s performance as the increasingly unstable doctor became one of the most distinctive genre roles of his career.
2007 — To Each His Own Cinema
Brolin made a brief appearance in the international anthology film To Each His Own Cinema, released in 2007. His contribution came in the segment “World Cinema,” directed by David Cronenberg, where he appeared as a cowboy. Because this is an anthology feature rather than a conventional starring vehicle, Brolin’s role is best described as a segment appearance. The project brought together short films from numerous internationally recognized directors to celebrate cinema.
2007 — In the Valley of Elah
Paul Haggis directed In the Valley of Elah, a 2007 mystery drama starring Tommy Lee Jones, Charlize Theron and Susan Sarandon. Brolin played Chief Buchwald, a police officer who becomes involved in the investigation into the disappearance and death of an American soldier. The film examines the psychological effects of war and the difficulties faced by military families. It was one of several acclaimed projects that helped establish Brolin as a serious dramatic actor.
2007 — No Country for Old Men
Brolin delivered one of his defining performances in the Coen brothers’ No Country for Old Men. He played Llewelyn Moss, a welder and hunter who discovers a case containing millions of dollars and becomes the target of the relentless assassin Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem. The neo-Western crime thriller also stars Tommy Lee Jones and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Brolin’s performance was central to his career resurgence and remains among his most acclaimed movie roles.
2007 — American Gangster
Ridley Scott’s American Gangster gave Brolin the role of Detective Trupo, a corrupt New York police officer. The crime drama stars Denzel Washington as drug kingpin Frank Lucas and Russell Crowe as detective Richie Roberts. Brolin’s character represents the corruption within the police department as Roberts investigates Lucas’s criminal empire. The film became another major 2007 release that expanded Brolin’s reputation as a versatile supporting actor.
2008 — W.
Oliver Stone directed W., a political biographical drama about former U.S. President George W. Bush. Brolin portrayed Bush, delivering a performance that attracted considerable attention for its interpretation of the president’s personality and public life. The cast also included Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, Ellen Burstyn and Richard Dreyfuss. The role demonstrated Brolin’s ability to carry a complex real-life character in a politically charged film.
2008 — Milk
Brolin earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Dan White in Milk. Directed by Gus Van Sant, the biographical drama stars Sean Penn as gay-rights activist Harvey Milk and follows his political career in 1970s San Francisco. Brolin portrays White, the conservative politician whose actions have a devastating effect on Milk and San Francisco politics. The film was widely acclaimed and remains one of the most important dramatic highlights of Brolin’s career.
2009 — Women in Trouble
Women in Trouble is a 2009 ensemble comedy-drama directed by Sebastian Gutierrez. Brolin played Nick Chapel in a story that follows several women whose lives unexpectedly intersect over the course of one day in Los Angeles. The cast includes Carla Gugino, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Adrianne Palicki. The film represented a smaller-scale project between Brolin’s acclaimed dramatic performances and his increasingly prominent studio work.
2010 — Jonah Hex
Brolin took the title role in Jonah Hex, a 2010 supernatural Western based on the DC Comics character. Directed by Jimmy Hayward, the film follows the scarred bounty hunter Jonah Hex as he pursues the villainous Quentin Turnbull, played by John Malkovich. Megan Fox, Michael Fassbender and Will Arnett also appear in the cast. Although the film received a poor critical response, it gave Brolin a rare opportunity to lead a comic-book adaptation before his later Marvel success.
2010 — Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Oliver Stone reunited with Brolin for Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, the sequel to the 1987 financial drama. Brolin played Bretton James, a powerful and ambitious Wall Street executive who becomes a major rival to Shia LaBeouf’s character. Michael Douglas returned as Gordon Gekko, with Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon also appearing. The film explored the financial crisis of the late 2000s through a combination of corporate drama and personal conflict.
2010 — You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Brolin appeared in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy-drama You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger. He played Roy, a frustrated novelist whose personal and professional life becomes increasingly complicated. The ensemble includes Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts, Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto and Gemma Jones. The film examines aging, marriage, desire and self-deception through several interconnected relationships.
2010 — True Grit
The Coen brothers directed True Grit, a 2010 Western based on Charles Portis’s novel. Brolin played Tom Chaney, the fugitive responsible for the death that sets the young Mattie Ross, played by Hailee Steinfeld, on her quest for justice. Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon also star in the acclaimed Western. The film received ten Academy Award nominations and became one of Brolin’s most notable collaborations with the Coen brothers.
2010 — The Tillman Story — Documentary
Brolin served as narrator for The Tillman Story, a 2010 documentary about former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman. The film examines Tillman’s decision to enlist, his death in Afghanistan and the controversy surrounding the military’s handling of his death. Directed by Amir Bar-Lev, the documentary uses interviews and archival material to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case. This is a documentary narration credit, rather than a conventional acting role.
2012 — Men in Black 3
Brolin joined the Men in Black franchise in 2012’s Men in Black 3. He played a younger version of Agent K, the character originally portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones, opposite Will Smith’s Agent J. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, the science-fiction comedy sends Agent J back in time to prevent a deadly event and change the future. Brolin’s performance was particularly noted for capturing Jones’s mannerisms and vocal characteristics.
2013 — Gangster Squad
Gangster Squad is a 2013 crime film directed by Ruben Fleischer. Brolin played Sergeant John O’Mara, a Los Angeles police officer who assembles a secret team to fight gangster Mickey Cohen, portrayed by Sean Penn. The ensemble includes Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi and Nick Nolte. The film combines historical crime drama with the visual style of classic gangster movies.
2013 — Oldboy
Brolin starred as Joe Doucett in Spike Lee’s 2013 remake of Oldboy. The psychological action thriller follows a man who is mysteriously imprisoned for years before being released and attempting to discover who destroyed his life and why. The cast also features Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley and Samuel L. Jackson. Brolin’s physically demanding performance helped anchor the film’s violent and emotionally intense storyline.
2013 — Labor Day
Directed by Jason Reitman, Labor Day is a 2013 romantic drama based on Joyce Maynard’s novel. Brolin played Frank Chambers, an escaped convict who takes refuge with a single mother, played by Kate Winslet, and her son. The film combines romance, suspense and family drama while gradually revealing Frank’s past. Brolin’s restrained performance is central to the movie’s emotional tension.
2014 — A Million Ways to Die in the West — Cameo
Brolin made an uncredited cameo in Seth MacFarlane’s Western comedy A Million Ways to Die in the West. He is credited as a spectator, making this a brief cameo rather than a conventional supporting role. The movie stars MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried and Neil Patrick Harris. Brolin’s appearance is one of several celebrity cameos scattered throughout the comedy.
2014 — Guardians of the Galaxy — Cameo
Brolin became part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy. His contribution involved voice and performance work for the powerful cosmic villain, who is presented as a major force behind the film’s conflict. Directed by James Gunn, the film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper. Brolin’s Thanos would eventually become one of the central villains of the MCU.
2014 — Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Brolin returned as Dwight McCarthy in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the sequel to the 2005 neo-noir comic-book adaptation. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, the film uses the same stylized black-and-white visual approach as the original. Brolin’s Dwight becomes involved with Ava Lord, played by Eva Green, leading him into a dangerous web of betrayal and violence. The movie also features Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
2014 — Inherent Vice
Paul Thomas Anderson directed Inherent Vice, a 2014 neo-noir comedy-drama adapted from Thomas Pynchon’s novel. Brolin played Lieutenant Detective Christian F. “Bigfoot” Bjornsen, a rigid police detective whose relationship with Joaquin Phoenix’s private investigator Doc Sportello drives much of the film’s eccentric humor. The ensemble also includes Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston and Benicio del Toro. Brolin’s exaggerated, tightly controlled performance became one of the film’s most memorable elements.
2015 — Avengers: Age of Ultron — Cameo
Brolin appeared uncredited as Thanos in the post-credits scene of Avengers: Age of Ultron. The brief appearance shows Thanos taking possession of the Infinity Gauntlet and sets up his larger role in the MCU. It was a small cameo rather than a full acting appearance, but it was an important piece of the franchise’s long-running story.
2015 — Sicario
Denis Villeneuve directed Sicario, a tense crime thriller in which Brolin played CIA operative Matt Graver. He worked alongside Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro in a story about the escalating war against drug cartels along the U.S.-Mexico border. Brolin’s Graver is calm, pragmatic and willing to operate outside conventional rules. The film became a major critical success and established Graver as one of Brolin’s recurring action roles.
2015 — Everest
Brolin portrayed real-life mountaineer Beck Weathers in Everest, directed by Baltasar Kormákur. The survival drama dramatizes the disastrous 1996 Mount Everest expedition in which several climbers died. Brolin’s character becomes one of the expedition members fighting to survive extreme weather and altitude. The film features an international cast including Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington.
2016 — Hail, Caesar!
Brolin reunited with the Coen brothers for Hail, Caesar!, a 2016 Hollywood comedy. He played Eddie Mannix, a studio fixer responsible for managing scandals and crises at a fictional movie studio during Hollywood’s golden age. George Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton and Channing Tatum also star. The role allowed Brolin to combine dramatic authority with the understated comic timing that had become increasingly prominent in his career.
2016 — Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross — Documentary
Brolin served as narrator and executive producer of the documentary Unchained: The Untold Story of Freestyle Motocross. The film chronicles the development of freestyle motocross and the athletes who transformed the sport into a global spectacle. It features interviews and archival footage involving major figures from the motocross world. This was a documentary narration and production credit, not a traditional acting role.
2016 — Never Surrender: The Ed Ramsey Story — Documentary
Brolin also narrated Never Surrender: The Ed Ramsey Story, a documentary examining the life and military experiences of Ed Ramsey. The film uses historical material and interviews to tell Ramsey’s story. Brolin’s contribution was as a narrator rather than an on-screen dramatic performer. It represents another example of his work beyond conventional feature acting.
2017 — Only the Brave
Brolin played firefighter Eric Marsh in Only the Brave, a 2017 biographical drama directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film follows the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite group of firefighters who battle wildfires in Arizona. Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Taylor Kitsch and Andie MacDowell also appear in the ensemble. The film is particularly notable for its respectful portrayal of the firefighters and the real-life tragedy that inspired it.
2018 — The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter
In the comedy The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter, Brolin played Buck Ferguson, a famous hunter attempting to reconnect with his young son. Directed by Jody Hill, the film co-stars Danny McBride and Montana Jordan. The story uses a hunting documentary format to explore the awkward relationship between father and son. It offered Brolin another chance to move away from the intense dramatic and action roles that dominated much of his recent career.
2018 — Avengers: Infinity War
Brolin’s Thanos became the central villain of Avengers: Infinity War. Through voice and performance capture, he portrayed the Mad Titan as he travels across the universe collecting the Infinity Stones. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film brought together characters from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thanos’s victory at the end of the movie became one of the most consequential moments in modern blockbuster cinema.
2018 — Deadpool 2
Brolin played Cable, a time-traveling soldier from the future, in Deadpool 2. Directed by David Leitch, the superhero action comedy stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Zazie Beetz as Domino. Cable initially arrives to kill a young mutant but gradually becomes an unlikely ally of Deadpool. The role demonstrated Brolin’s ability to balance physical action with dry comedy and franchise filmmaking.
2018 — Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Brolin reprised his role as Matt Graver in Sicario: Day of the Soldado. Directed by Stefano Sollima, the sequel expands the conflict between Graver, Alejandro and Mexican cartels while taking a darker approach to the consequences of covert operations. Benicio del Toro returns as Alejandro, while Isabela Merced plays a teenager caught in the escalating conflict. Brolin’s performance again presents Graver as a morally complicated government operative.
2018 — Once Upon a Deadpool — Archive Appearance
Once Upon a Deadpool was a family-friendly reworking of Deadpool 2 released in 2018. Brolin appears as Cable through archive footage, since the film primarily re-edits material from the earlier movie rather than creating a new Cable performance. The release added new framing scenes featuring Ryan Reynolds and Fred Savage. It is therefore best treated as a non-standard re-release appearance rather than a separate original acting role.
2019 — Avengers: Endgame
Brolin returned as Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, the direct continuation of Infinity War. The film explores the surviving Avengers’ attempt to reverse the devastation caused by Thanos and ultimately brings the Infinity Saga to its conclusion. Brolin’s performance again combined motion capture with voice acting to create the central antagonist. Endgame became one of the most successful films in movie history and marked a major milestone in Brolin’s career.
2021 — Flag Day
In Flag Day, directed by Sean Penn, Brolin played Uncle Beck. The 2021 drama is based on Jennifer Vogel’s memoir about growing up with a father who lived a complicated life involving deception and crime. Penn stars alongside Dylan Penn, while Brolin contributes to the film’s ensemble of family members and acquaintances. The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival before its wider release.
2021 — Dune
Brolin played Gurney Halleck in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, the first part of a major adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction novel. Gurney is a skilled warrior and loyal member of House Atreides who serves Duke Leto and helps train Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet. The enormous science-fiction production also stars Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. Brolin’s return to the franchise in the sequel further strengthened his collaboration with Villeneuve.
2022 — Thor: Love and Thunder — Archive Footage
Brolin is associated with Thor: Love and Thunder through archive footage of Thanos. The 2022 Marvel film, directed by Taika Waititi, incorporates the footage as part of the larger MCU history rather than featuring a newly filmed Brolin performance. Brolin is therefore not a conventional cast member in the movie’s main story. His appearance is best classified as an archive-footage credit.
2024 — Dune: Part Two
Brolin returned as Gurney Halleck in Dune: Part Two, again directed by Denis Villeneuve. The sequel follows Paul Atreides as he joins the Fremen and seeks revenge against those responsible for destroying House Atreides. Gurney becomes an important member of Paul’s growing forces as the story moves toward its massive final confrontation. The film was widely praised for its scale, visual effects and performances and continued Brolin’s role in Villeneuve’s science-fiction saga.
2024 — Brothers
Brolin starred opposite Peter Dinklage in the action comedy Brothers, directed by Max Barbakow. He played Moke Munger, a reformed criminal whose life becomes chaotic when he reunites with his twin brother for a criminal scheme and cross-country journey. Brendan Fraser, Glenn Close and Marisa Tomei also appear in the cast. The film received a limited theatrical release in October 2024 before arriving on Prime Video.
2025 — Weapons
Brolin starred as Archer Graff in Zach Cregger’s horror mystery Weapons. The film centers on the mysterious disappearance of a group of schoolchildren from a small American town, with the story unfolding through several interconnected perspectives. Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich and Benedict Wong also appear in the ensemble. Released on August 8, 2025, Weapons gave Brolin a prominent role in a contemporary horror film.
2025 — The Running Man
Brolin played Dan Killian, the ruthless producer behind a deadly televised competition, in Edgar Wright’s The Running Man. Glen Powell stars as Ben Richards, a desperate working-class man forced into the dangerous contest in a near-future society. The science-fiction action film is based on Stephen King’s novel and also features Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Michael Cera and William H. Macy. It was released theatrically in November 2025.
2025 — Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Brolin appeared as Monsignor Jefferson Wicks in Rian Johnson’s third Benoit Blanc mystery, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc, while Josh O’Connor plays a young priest who becomes involved with Brolin’s influential churchman. The murder mystery unfolds around a suspicious death inside a small-town church. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, received a limited theatrical release on November 26 and began streaming on Netflix on December 12, 2025.
2026 — The Dog Stars
Brolin’s latest released feature film is The Dog Stars, directed by Ridley Scott and released theatrically in August 2026. He plays Bangley, a hardened former military survivalist living with pilot Hig, played by Jacob Elordi, in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a pandemic. The thriller also stars Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney. Released in theaters on August 28, 2026, the film represents a new collaboration between Brolin and Scott nearly two decades after American Gangster.
Conclusion
Josh Brolin’s movie career has developed through several distinct phases, from the youthful adventure of The Goonies to the acclaimed dramatic work of No Country for Old Men, Milk and True Grit. He successfully moved into major franchise filmmaking through Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Cable in Deadpool 2, while continuing to take challenging roles in films such as Sicario, Dune and Only the Brave. His later projects, including Dune: Part Two, Brothers, Weapons, The Running Man, Wake Up Dead Man and The Dog Stars, demonstrate that he continues to move comfortably between action, drama, comedy, horror and science fiction. Looking across Josh Brolin movies by year, his filmography stands out for its variety, longevity and willingness to take on both major studio productions and smaller character-driven projects.
