In honor of Billy Crystal hosting the Oscars on February 26, here is a list of his top 10 best movies.
10. City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold
In this 1994 sequel to City Slickers, Mitch Robbins (Crystal) and his friends discover a treasure map shortly after their first adventure. They find out that it belonged to their late tour guide, Curly. They then set out in search of the treasure.
9. My Giant
This 1998 comedy drama was co-written by Crystal who plays Sam "Sammy" Kamin. Kamin is a Hollywood agent who comes across Max, a giant living in Romania. He then tries to get him to do movies. This movie was inspired by professional wrestler, Andre the Giant.
8. Throw Momma from the Train
This 1987 Oscar nominated dark comedy film stars Crystal (Larry) and Danny DeVito (Owen). Owen asks Larry to kill his mom, and in return, Owen will kill Larry’s ex-wife.
7. Running Scared
Crystal plays cop Danny Costanzo in this 1986 action/comedy. He and fellow cop Ray Hughes (Gregory Hines) decide that they are going to retire from the force. Before they call it quits, they are nearly killed on the job and get caught up in making one last arrest.
6. America’s Sweethearts
Crystal plays Lee Phillips in this 2001 romantic comedy. Phillips is a movie publicist who is having a problem with movie stars, Gwen Harrison (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (John Cusack). The pair was formerly known as “America’s Sweethearts” until Gwen’s affair, which causes Eddie to have a nervous breakdown. The film grossed $138 million worldwide.
5. City Slickers
This 1991 film follows Mitch Robbins who is going through a midlife crisis. Along with his friends, he decides to go on a cattle driving vacation. Billy Crystal won an American Comedy Award and an MTV Movie Award for his comedic performance. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture. Jack Palance won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
4. Analyze That
The 2002 sequel to Analyze This. Mobster Paul Vitti is released into the care of Dr. Ben Sobol, played by Billy Crystal, causing chaos. There had been no plan to create a sequel, but the positive reaction from the first film caused discussions and eventually, a second film.
3. Analyze This
This 1999 comedy is about a psychiatrist (Crystal) whose patient is an insecure mob boss. The film grossed $177 million and was nominated for two Golden Globes, one being Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical.
2. When Harry Met Sally…
When Harry Met Sally… was released in 1989 and was nominated for an Oscar. Billy Crystal won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture and was also nominated for a Golden Globe. The movie is a romantic comedy that follows the story of close friends Harry and Sally, who fear that moving forward in their relationship would ruin their friendship.
1. Forget Paris
This 1995 film is directed, produced, co-written by and starring Billy Crystal. Crystal plays Mickey Gordon, a basketball referee who travels to France to bury his father. Ellen Andrews played by Debra Winger, is an independent woman who works for the airline Mickey flies on. The pair end up falling in love and wind up hitting some rough patches.