We lost one of the greats this week: After Robert Redford’s publicist announced his death on September 16, at age 89, The Guardian ran a tribute headlined “the incandescently handsome star who changed Hollywood forever.” But it was reported that the actor, director, activist, and Sundance Film Festival founder was always a bit ill at ease about his looks — and he preferred to portray the flawed or fallen hero — prompting director Sydney Pollack (1934–2008) to observe that Redford proved “an interesting metaphor for America, a golden boy with a darkness in him.” The library collection includes DVDs of lots of Redford movies including classics like All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Sting. You can also stream several movies Redford acted in or directed right now on Kanopy.
Movies are listed in chronological order. Selecting the title will open Kanopy, an online platform where you can watch any of 30,000+ of the world’s best films on demand. For help getting started on Kanopy, view this guide.
Movies Featuring Redford
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Barefoot in the Park (1967 | G)
Set in a tiny New York City walk-up, this breezy romantic comedy follows newlyweds Corie (Jane Fonda) and Paul Bratter (Robert Redford) as they navigate the highs and lows of married life just days after their honeymoon. Based on Neil Simon’s hit Broadway play, the film captures the charm and chaos of opposites-attract love, with Corie’s free spirit clashing hilariously with Paul’s buttoned-up sensibility. As houseguests, faulty heating, and rooftop neighbors add to the frenzy, their perfect romance teeters on the edge. -
Downhill Racer (1969 | PG)
In this coldly riveting sports drama, ambitious American skier David Chappellet (Robert Redford) is recruited to a struggling Olympic team and quickly rises through the ranks with his raw talent and ruthless drive. As he hurtles down icy slopes across Europe, Chappellet’s hunger for individual glory puts him at odds with his coach (Gene Hackman) and teammates. Based on the novel The Downhill Racers by Oakley Hall, this adaptation captures both the thrill and emptiness of winning at all costs. -
The Great Gatsby (1974 | PG)
The ’20s never roared louder than in this sumptuously romantic retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age classic. Robert Redford stars as Jay Gatsby, who had once loved beautiful, spoiled Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow), then lost her to a rich boy. But now Gatsby is mysteriously wealthy…and ready to risk everything to woo Daisy back. A winner of two Academy Awards, The Great Gatsby features a stellar cast and an elegant script adapted by Francis Ford Coppola. -
A Bridge Too Far (1977 | PG)
In September 1944, flush with success after the Normandy Invasion, the Allies confidently launched Operation Market Garden, a wild scheme intended to put an early end to the second World War by invading Germany and smashing the Reich’s war plants. However, a combination of battlefield politics, faulty intelligence, bad luck and worse weather led to disaster beyond the Allies’ darkest fears. The all-star cast includes Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Hackman and Robert Redford. -
All Is Lost (2013 | PG-13)
Set adrift in the Indian Ocean, this harrowing survival drama centers entirely on one man (Academy Award® winner Robert Redford), whose sailboat is catastrophically damaged by a rogue shipping container. With no other actors, Redford delivers a tour-de-force performance—raw, physical, and deeply affecting—as he battles brutal storms, navigational failure, and the creeping inevitability of isolation. As the ocean grows more merciless and hope begins to erode, his silent struggle becomes a haunting portrait of human endurance. -
A Walk in the Woods (2015 | R)
In this comedic adventure based on the bestselling memoir by Bill Bryson, aging travel writer Bryson (Robert Redford) attempts to hike the Appalachian Trail and reluctantly reunites with his eccentric, long-estranged friend Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) for the journey. Ill-prepared and hilariously mismatched, the two men face unforgiving terrain, unpredictable wildlife, and their own aging bodies as they stumble through one of America’s great natural frontiers. With every misstep, their trek becomes a wry reflection on friendship, failure, and second chances.
Movies Directed by Redford
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The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000 | PG-13)
From director Robert Redford comes a film that celebrates the power and potential of the human spirit. Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron star in this highly-acclaimed tale of a local hero with a promising future whose hopes are shattered on the battlefields of war. The disillusioned young man turns his back on the world—until a fateful visit from a mysterious stranger turns his life around. Visually stunning and emotionally compelling, this is genuine movie-making magic sure to entertain and inspire audiences. -
The Conspirator (2010 | PG-13)
From director Robert Redford comes the riveting true story behind the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln – including the lone woman who was accused of plotting his murder. Starring Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, and Kevin Kline.
