Don Cheadle is one of the most versatile American actors of his generation, known for moving comfortably between serious dramas, crime thrillers, comedies and major blockbuster franchises. His feature-film career began with a small role in the 1985 comedy Moving Violations, followed by appearances in Hamburger Hill and Colors that established him as a dependable character actor. He earned widespread critical recognition in the 1990s, particularly for Devil in a Blue Dress, Boogie Nights, Rosewood and Out of Sight. His performances in Traffic, Hotel Rwanda and Crash further strengthened his reputation, with Hotel Rwanda earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Cheadle later became internationally recognized as James Rhodes, or War Machine, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while continuing to take on independent projects such as Miles Ahead, which he also directed. This complete guide to Don Cheadle movies by year covers his released feature-film appearances chronologically, including notable cameos and documentary roles where appropriate.
1985 — Moving Violations
Moving Violations marked Don Cheadle’s feature-film debut. Directed by Neal Israel, the comedy follows a group of driving-school students and other characters caught up in a chaotic battle with an overzealous traffic officer. Cheadle appears as a Juicy Burgers worker in a small role, but the film is notable as the first theatrical movie credit of his long career.
1987 — Hamburger Hill
Directed by John Irvin, Hamburger Hill is a gritty war drama based on the 1969 Battle of Hamburger Hill during the Vietnam War. Cheadle plays Private Johnny Washburn, an American soldier serving alongside a unit fighting to capture the heavily defended hill. Although his role is relatively small, the film gave Cheadle an early opportunity to work within a serious dramatic ensemble.
1988 — Colors
Dennis Hopper directed Colors, a crime drama centered on police officers and gang violence in Los Angeles. Cheadle plays Rocket, a volatile young gang member whose presence contributes to the film’s tense depiction of street life and law enforcement. The movie became an important early step in Cheadle’s screen career and demonstrated his ability to make an impression in demanding dramatic material.
1992 — Roadside Prophets
Roadside Prophets is an independent road comedy directed by Abbe Wool. Cheadle has a supporting appearance as the manager of a Happy Days restaurant, joining a cast that includes John Doe and Adam Horovitz. The film is a lesser-known entry in his filmography, but it represents his return to feature films after several years of television work.
1993 — The Meteor Man
Robert Townsend’s The Meteor Man is a superhero comedy about an ordinary schoolteacher who develops extraordinary powers after encountering a mysterious meteorite. Cheadle plays Goldilocks, a member of a local street gang, in the film’s comic and action-oriented story. The movie gave him an early opportunity to combine dramatic acting with a lighter, more stylized performance.
1995 — Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead
Gary Fleder directed Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, a dark crime comedy about a former gangster who is pulled back into the criminal world. Cheadle plays Rooster, one of the colorful figures surrounding Andy Garcia’s Jimmy “The Saint” Tosnia. The film became a cult favorite and added another memorable supporting role to Cheadle’s increasingly strong 1990s résumé.
1995 — Devil in a Blue Dress
Carl Franklin’s neo-noir Devil in a Blue Dress became one of the defining early films of Cheadle’s career. He plays Mouse Alexander, the dangerous and unpredictable friend of Denzel Washington’s private detective Easy Rawlins. Cheadle’s intense performance drew major critical attention and helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most compelling supporting actors.
1997 — Rosewood
John Singleton directed Rosewood, a historical drama inspired by the 1923 racial violence that destroyed the predominantly Black town of Rosewood, Florida. Cheadle plays Sylvester Carrier, a determined resident who becomes caught in the escalating violence. The film is notable for its serious historical subject matter and for another powerful dramatic performance from Cheadle.
1997 — Volcano
Volcano, directed by Mick Jackson, is an action-disaster film about a volcanic eruption threatening Los Angeles. Cheadle plays Emmit Reese, a subway employee who becomes involved as authorities struggle to contain the catastrophe. The film placed him in a large-scale commercial production while allowing him to bring dramatic weight to a supporting character.
1997 — Boogie Nights
Paul Thomas Anderson’s acclaimed drama Boogie Nights follows the rise and fall of a group working in California’s adult-film industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Cheadle plays Buck Swope, a performer who dreams of leaving the industry and opening his own stereo store. His understated, sympathetic performance became one of the film’s memorable character turns and helped further raise his profile.
1998 — Out of Sight
Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight is a stylish crime romance adapted from Elmore Leonard’s novel. Cheadle plays Maurice “Snoopy” Miller, a calculating criminal who becomes involved with George Clooney’s bank robber Jack Foley. The film’s sharp ensemble, sophisticated direction and strong chemistry between Clooney and Jennifer Lopez made it one of the best-regarded crime movies of the period.
1998 — Bulworth
Bulworth, written, directed and starring Warren Beatty, is a political satire about a senator who suddenly abandons his carefully scripted public persona. Cheadle plays L.D., an ambitious gang leader who becomes entangled with Beatty’s character during the senator’s increasingly chaotic campaign. The role allowed Cheadle to display both comic timing and menace in a sharply satirical film.
2000 — Traffic
Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic is an interconnected crime drama examining the illegal drug trade from several perspectives. Cheadle plays DEA agent Montel Gordon, one of the investigators working to understand and combat the sprawling narcotics network. The acclaimed film won four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, and marked another major collaboration between Cheadle and Soderbergh.
2000 — Mission to Mars
Brian De Palma directed Mission to Mars, a science-fiction adventure following astronauts sent to investigate a mysterious incident on Mars. Cheadle stars as Luke Graham, a member of the mission whose decisions become central to the story. The film gave him a leading role in an ambitious space adventure alongside Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins and Connie Nielsen.
2000 — The Family Man
The Family Man is a romantic fantasy drama directed by Brett Ratner and starring Nicolas Cage as a successful businessman offered a glimpse of an alternative life. Cheadle plays Cash, a mysterious supernatural figure who sets the film’s central transformation in motion. The movie combines romance, comedy and fantasy while giving Cheadle a memorable supporting role.
2001 — Ocean’s Eleven
Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven reinvented the classic Rat Pack heist movie for a modern audience. Cheadle plays Basher Tarr, the team’s explosives and technical specialist, alongside George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Andy García. The film was a major commercial success and launched an ensemble franchise in which Cheadle would become a recurring central member.
2001 — Rush Hour 2
Cheadle makes an uncredited cameo as Kenny in Brett Ratner’s action comedy Rush Hour 2. The film stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker as mismatched police partners caught in an international criminal investigation. Although Cheadle is not part of the main cast, the appearance is a recognizable small film credit in his early-2000s period.
2001 — Things Behind the Sun
Allison Anders’ Things Behind the Sun is an independent drama dealing with trauma, music and the lasting effects of sexual abuse. Cheadle plays Chuck, a supporting character connected to the film’s music-centered storyline. The smaller production is an example of his willingness during this period to balance major studio projects with independent dramatic films.
2001 — Manic
Manic is an intense independent drama directed by Jordan Melamed about troubled teenagers in a juvenile detention facility. Cheadle plays Dr. David Monroe, a counselor attempting to help the young residents confront their anger and personal problems. The film is notable for its raw style and ensemble cast, which also includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel.
2001 — Swordfish
Dominic Sena directed Swordfish, an action thriller starring John Travolta, Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry. Cheadle plays FBI agent J.T. Roberts, an investigator pursuing a dangerous criminal scheme involving computer hacking and a massive bank robbery. The movie was one of Cheadle’s more overtly commercial action roles before his later transition into the Marvel franchise.
2003 — The United States of Leland
The United States of Leland is a psychological drama written and directed by Matthew Ryan Hoge. Cheadle plays Pearl Madison, a teacher and aspiring writer who becomes involved in understanding a troubled teenager accused of murder. The film explores guilt, alienation and the search for meaning through an ensemble cast that includes Ryan Gosling and Kevin Spacey.
2003 — Abby Singer
Abby Singer is a low-budget independent dark comedy directed by Ryan Williams. Cheadle appears as himself in an uncredited cameo, alongside a remarkable collection of celebrity appearances that includes Brad Pitt, Jodie Foster and Jake Gyllenhaal. The film had festival screenings in 2003 and later received a revised home-video release.
2004 — Hotel Rwanda
Terry George’s Hotel Rwanda became one of the most important dramatic films of Cheadle’s career. He stars as Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager who attempts to protect hundreds of people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Cheadle’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and helped make the film internationally recognized for its portrayal of the humanitarian crisis.
2004 — Ocean’s Twelve
Cheadle returned as Basher Tarr in Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Twelve, the sequel to Ocean’s Eleven. The story sends Danny Ocean’s crew to Europe after a powerful criminal demands repayment for a stolen fortune. Cheadle again works alongside Clooney, Pitt, Damon and the rest of the ensemble, with Basher contributing his technical expertise to the team’s increasingly elaborate schemes.
2004 — The Assassination of Richard Nixon
Niels Mueller directed The Assassination of Richard Nixon, a political drama inspired by the real-life 1974 plot by Samuel Byck to assassinate President Richard Nixon. Cheadle plays Bonny Simmons, a friend and business associate of Sean Penn’s troubled protagonist, Sam Bicke. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes and is notable for its restrained examination of political frustration and personal desperation.
2004 — After the Sunset
After the Sunset is a crime comedy directed by Brett Ratner and starring Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson. Cheadle plays FBI agent Henri Mooré, who remains determined to prove that Brosnan’s former thief has not truly retired. The film blends tropical locations, romance and a cat-and-mouse crime plot with Cheadle in a lighter commercial role.
2005 — Crash
Paul Haggis’ Crash is an ensemble drama examining racial tension, prejudice and social divisions in Los Angeles. Cheadle plays Detective Graham Waters, a police officer whose professional and personal life become intertwined with several other characters. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and also featured Cheadle as a producer, making it one of the most significant projects of his career.
2006 — The Dog Problem
The Dog Problem is a comedy written and directed by Scott Caan about a troubled writer who gets a dog after receiving advice from his psychiatrist. Cheadle appears as Dr. Nourmand in an uncredited role, the psychiatrist whose advice helps set the story in motion. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 and later received its DVD release in 2007.
2006 — King Leopold’s Ghost
King Leopold’s Ghost is a documentary based on the history of King Leopold II’s exploitation of the Congo. Cheadle serves as the narrator, providing the voice for a nonfiction account of colonialism, violence and the international response to atrocities in the Congo Free State. His involvement is therefore a narration credit rather than a conventional acting performance.
2007 — Reign Over Me
Mike Binder directed Reign Over Me, a drama about grief, friendship and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Cheadle stars as Alan Johnson, a dentist who reconnects with his former college roommate, played by Adam Sandler, and tries to help him rebuild his life. The film gave Cheadle another substantial dramatic role outside the large studio franchises that increasingly defined his career.
2007 — Talk to Me
Talk to Me is a biographical drama about Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph “Petey” Greene. Cheadle stars as Greene, portraying the broadcaster’s rise from prison inmate to influential radio and television personality. He also served as an executive producer, making the film an important example of his work both in front of and behind the camera.
2007 — Ocean’s Thirteen
Cheadle reprised Basher Tarr for Ocean’s Thirteen, the third main installment in Soderbergh’s heist trilogy. Danny Ocean and his team reunite to take down a ruthless casino owner played by Al Pacino. Basher again serves as the group’s technical specialist, and the film brought the core ensemble back together for another elaborate Las Vegas operation.
2007 — Darfur Now
Documentary appearance: Darfur Now is a documentary directed by Ted Braun examining the humanitarian crisis in Sudan’s Darfur region. Cheadle appears as himself and was also one of the film’s producers, bringing his public advocacy and personal involvement to the project. The documentary premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before receiving a theatrical release in 2007.
2008 — Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene
Documentary narration: This documentary explores the life and career of Washington, D.C. broadcaster and activist Ralph “Petey” Greene. Cheadle narrates the film after portraying Greene in Talk to Me, giving the project a direct connection to his earlier dramatic performance. Directed by Loren Mendell, the documentary uses archival material and interviews to examine Greene’s influence.
2008 — Traitor
Jeffrey Nachmanoff’s Traitor is a political action thriller centered on terrorism, espionage and international law enforcement. Cheadle stars as Samir Horn, a skilled explosives expert whose true loyalties become increasingly difficult to determine. He also produced the film, making it another project in which he combined his acting and producing roles.
2009 — Hotel for Dogs
Hotel for Dogs is a family comedy directed by Thor Freudenthal about two siblings who secretly turn an abandoned building into a shelter for stray dogs. Cheadle plays Bernie, a social worker whose involvement becomes important to the children and their elaborate plan. The family-oriented film showed another lighter side of his screen work after several intense dramas and thrillers.
2009 — Brooklyn’s Finest
Antoine Fuqua’s Brooklyn’s Finest is a crime drama following three New York police officers whose lives intersect through corruption, violence and difficult moral choices. Cheadle plays Detective Clarence “Tango” Butler, an undercover officer facing pressure from both criminals and his own department. His performance is central to one of the film’s three interconnected storylines, alongside Richard Gere and Ethan Hawke.
2010 — A Man’s Story
Documentary appearance: A Man’s Story is a documentary about British fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, directed by Varon Bonicos. Cheadle appears as himself alongside figures from the worlds of fashion, entertainment and business. The film is a nonfiction departure from his usual dramatic roles and offers another example of his appearances outside conventional narrative cinema.
2010 — Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 marked a major turning point in Cheadle’s movie career when he took over the role of James “Rhodey” Rhodes from Terrence Howard. Directed by Jon Favreau, the Marvel superhero sequel follows Tony Stark as new threats emerge around his Iron Man technology. Cheadle’s Rhodey eventually becomes War Machine, establishing a character he would play throughout multiple Marvel films.
2011 — The Guard
John Michael McDonagh’s The Guard is an Irish crime comedy starring Brendan Gleeson as an unconventional local police officer. Cheadle plays FBI agent Wendell Everett, an American investigator forced to work with Gleeson’s eccentric Garda officer while pursuing a drug-smuggling operation. The film combines dark humor with crime-thriller elements and gave Cheadle an opportunity to play a more restrained comic character.
2011 — I Ain’t Scared of You: A Tribute to Bernie Mac
Documentary appearance: This documentary pays tribute to comedian Bernie Mac through interviews, archival material and performance footage. Cheadle appears as himself alongside performers and colleagues including Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Anderson. His appearance is a documentary contribution rather than a fictional acting role.
2012 — Flight
Robert Zemeckis directed Flight, a dramatic thriller starring Denzel Washington as an airline pilot whose actions during an emergency investigation come under intense scrutiny. Cheadle plays Hugh Lang, a lawyer who becomes involved in the legal consequences surrounding the pilot’s case. The film was praised for its performances and complex treatment of addiction, responsibility and public accountability.
2013 — Iron Man 3
Cheadle returned as James Rhodes in Shane Black’s Iron Man 3. In the film, Rhodes operates as the armored hero Iron Patriot while Tony Stark faces the Mandarin and a dangerous new threat. The movie expanded Cheadle’s Marvel role and continued the character’s transition from military officer to superhero ally.
2015 — Avengers: Age of Ultron
Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ultron brought Cheadle back as James Rhodes/War Machine in a much larger Marvel ensemble. Rhodes joins the Avengers as they confront Ultron, an artificial intelligence determined to eliminate humanity. The film further established War Machine as an important member of the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2015 — Miles Ahead
Miles Ahead is a biographical drama about legendary jazz musician Miles Davis, with Cheadle playing Davis himself. The project is particularly significant because Cheadle directed, co-wrote, produced and starred in the film, making it his feature directorial debut. Ewan McGregor co-stars in the unconventional portrait, which focuses on Davis during a turbulent period rather than following a straightforward cradle-to-career biography.
2016 — Captain America: Civil War
Anthony and Joe Russo directed Captain America: Civil War, which places Cheadle’s War Machine at the center of a conflict among Marvel’s superheroes. James Rhodes supports Tony Stark’s position on government oversight, putting him on the opposite side of Steve Rogers and his allies. The film became one of the MCU’s most important crossover stories and further expanded Cheadle’s role in the franchise.
2016 — Kevin Hart: What Now?
Concert-comedy appearance: Kevin Hart: What Now? combines stand-up comedy with a fictionalized action-comedy storyline. Cheadle appears as himself in the film, which stars Kevin Hart and includes a large number of celebrity appearances. His contribution is a cameo-style appearance rather than a conventional dramatic role.
2018 — Avengers: Infinity War
In Avengers: Infinity War, Cheadle once again plays James Rhodes/War Machine as the Avengers confront Thanos and his quest for the Infinity Stones. The massive ensemble includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and many other Marvel stars. Cheadle’s character participates in the Avengers’ desperate attempt to stop Thanos before the villain can reshape the universe.
2019 — Captain Marvel
Cheadle makes an uncredited appearance as James Rhodes in Captain Marvel. Set primarily in the 1990s, the Marvel origin story follows Carol Danvers as she discovers her identity and extraordinary abilities. Cheadle’s brief appearance connects the film to the wider MCU and helps bridge the story toward the events surrounding the Avengers.
2019 — Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame reunited Cheadle with the Marvel ensemble for the conclusion to the Infinity Saga’s central conflict. War Machine joins the surviving heroes as they attempt to undo the devastation caused by Thanos. The film became a major cultural and box-office event and remains one of Cheadle’s most commercially significant movies.
2020 — Don’t Look Deeper
Non-feature screen project: Don’t Look Deeper is a science-fiction drama centered on a California teenager who begins questioning whether she is actually human. Cheadle appears as Martin alongside Helena Howard and Emily Mortimer. It was released as a short-form episodic production rather than a conventional theatrical feature, so it is best identified separately from Cheadle’s feature-film credits.
2021 — With/In: Volume 1
Anthology film, “Intersection” segment: With/In: Volume 1 is an anthology drama created during the COVID-19 pandemic, with separate stories exploring confinement and isolation. Cheadle appears in the “Intersection” segment alongside Julianne Moore and Talia Balsam. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2021 and is a non-standard anthology credit rather than a traditional single-story feature.
2021 — No Sudden Move
Steven Soderbergh directed No Sudden Move, a 1950s-set crime thriller taking place in Detroit. Cheadle stars as Curt Goynes, a recently released criminal whose seemingly simple job becomes complicated by betrayal and competing criminal interests. The film reunited Cheadle and Soderbergh after their earlier collaborations, including Out of Sight, Traffic and the Ocean’s films.
2021 — Space Jam: A New Legacy
Space Jam: A New Legacy combines live action and animation, following basketball star LeBron James as he enters the Warner Bros. animated universe. Cheadle plays Al-G Rhythm, an artificial intelligence and the film’s primary antagonist who traps James and his son inside a digital world. The role is one of Cheadle’s most overtly comic and effects-heavy performances.
2022 — White Noise
Noah Baumbach’s White Noise is an eccentric dark comedy-drama adapted from Don DeLillo’s novel. Cheadle plays Murray Siskind, a professor and friend of Adam Driver’s character, Jack Gladney, as the story moves through an environmental disaster and a surreal examination of modern life. The film combines satire, family drama and apocalyptic elements in a distinctly unconventional style.
2024 — Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics
Documentary narration: Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics examines Jesse Owens’ historic performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics against the backdrop of Nazi Germany’s racist ideology. Cheadle serves as the narrator and executive producer, providing the voice for a documentary featuring archival footage, interviews and historical material. It was officially released in 2024 and represents another prominent nonfiction contribution to his screen career.
2024 — Unstoppable
Unstoppable is a sports drama inspired by the life of wrestler Anthony Robles, who competed successfully despite being born without a right leg. Cheadle plays Coach Sean Charles, one of the figures who helps guide Robles during his wrestling career. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024 before receiving a limited theatrical release, making it Cheadle’s first major narrative feature in several years.
2025 — Number One on the Call Sheet
Documentary appearance: Number One on the Call Sheet is an Apple documentary examining the experiences and achievements of Black actors in Hollywood. Cheadle appears among the featured actors and industry figures discussing career breakthroughs, challenges and representation. Released on March 28, 2025, the documentary is a nonfiction appearance rather than a fictional acting role.
2026 — I Love Boosters
Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters is a surreal crime comedy about a crew of professional shoplifters who target a powerful fashion figure. Cheadle plays Dr. Jack in an ensemble featuring Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter and Demi Moore. The film premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival and received its U.S. theatrical release on May 22, 2026, making it the latest released feature in Cheadle’s movie career as of August 2026.
Conclusion
Don Cheadle’s movie career spans more than four decades and includes everything from small early appearances to acclaimed dramas, independent cinema, documentaries, comedies and blockbuster franchises. Films such as Devil in a Blue Dress, Boogie Nights, Traffic, Hotel Rwanda and Crash established his reputation as a serious dramatic actor, while his portrayal of War Machine made him a familiar face to global audiences. His work on Miles Ahead also demonstrated his talents as a director, writer and producer, while projects such as No Sudden Move, White Noise, Unstoppable and I Love Boosters show that he has continued to explore varied genres. Looking across Don Cheadle movies by year, the defining feature of his filmography is its range and his consistent willingness to move between mainstream entertainment and challenging character-driven projects.
