The Life-Changing Movies That Turned Brad Pitt Into a Superstar

Brad Pitt’s rise in Hollywood is a story of patience, risk, and a few career-defining moments. Before he was a household name, he was working as an extra in movies like Less Than Zero and No Way Out, learning his craft with guidance from acting coach Roy London.

His big break came with Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise, where he played the drifter J.D. Pitt has often said that working with Scott and co-star Geena Davis changed everything for him. “That role didn’t just show I could be on screen, it made the industry see me as someone to watch,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

After that, Pitt quickly landed bigger roles in True Romance and Interview with the Vampire, but it was his collaboration with David Fincher that truly shaped his career. Pitt has called the meeting with Fincher a turning point, explaining that working on the dark, precise set of Seven finally gave him the artistic satisfaction he had been searching for.

Their partnership continued with Fight Club, where Pitt brought Tyler Durden’s rebellious energy to life, creating one of the most iconic characters of the 90s. “Working with Fincher taught me how to push boundaries and trust the director’s vision,” Pitt shared in an interview with Collider.

Fast forward to this year, Pitt is back working with Fincher in an exciting new project. Netflix unveiled the first trailer for The Adventures of Cliff Booth during Super Bowl LX. The standalone episode, written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Fincher, brings back Pitt as the 1970s “studio fixer” he played in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

He stars alongside Elizabeth Debicki, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Timothy Olyphant. The film is set for a Summer release and is already being called one of the year’s biggest cinematic events.

In addition to that, Pitt has been busy filming The Riders in Ireland, an A24 adaptation of Tim Winton’s novel directed by Edward Berger. He plays Fred Scully, a man whose life spirals out of control after his wife disappears during a move to the countryside. The film also stars Julianne Nicholson and Camille Cottin, with scenes shot across Dublin and Wicklow.

This comes after a massive 2025, when Pitt’s racing drama F1 became the highest-grossing motorsports movie of all time. Even while managing his production company, Plan B, he continues to take on roles that challenge his “pretty boy” image.

Do you think Brad Pitt’s return as Cliff Booth under David Fincher will be the highlight of his 2026, or are you more excited to see his dramatic role in The Riders? Share your thoughts in the comments.