Jack Ryan movies ranked worst to best: Which films did Tom Clancy's agent justice?

Jack Ryan has had five big-screen outings but what was truly the best for Tom Clancy's hero? 

It's only natural that a hugely popular literary character gets a movie adaptation. So it's a bit surprising that Jack Ryan has only had five movies. Given that the late Tom Clancy wrote 16 novels featuring the character before his passing and that the series has continued with other authors, it seems logical that Ryan would have inspired a franchise of films on par with James Bond. 

A key issue is that Clancy was rather vocal about his feelings about Hollywood "mangling" some of his books in the film versions. The fact that several of his books were pretty long and difficult to adapt was tricky, and Hollywood was not able to do them justice. The current Prime Video series seems to be better, giving more time to develop Ryan in some original adventures. 

With just five films, it's easy to judge the Ryan series and the rankings can vary depending on how fans like a certain actor in the role. Here's how Jack Ryan's movies could rank for many fans, and one hopes the character can return to the big screen one day. 

5. The Sum of All Fears

Coming months after 9/11, this movie famously changed much of the original book to the point Clancy dismissed it on the DVD commentary. That included how the original novel has a pack of Arab terrorists setting off a nuke in Denver to push the U.S. and Russia into war. In the film, it's changed to a pack of Neo-Nazis who somehow think war will help them in Europe. That confusing plot sets a rough tone for the film.

The actual nuke attack is jarring, but the aftermath is rather muddled, as it should be tense, with Ryan racing to stop World War III. He's got a good supporting cast of Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell and Liev Schreiber makes a good John Clark. But Ben Affleck himself is off as Ryan, not selling the man's smarts and lacking the charm needed for the role. It seems to drag in the wrong places and the conclusion is too abrupt. It's little wonder Clancy himself isn't exactly a fan of this entry. 

4. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

The final Jack Ryan movie (for now) is this 2014 effort that attempts to reboot the franchise with a story not based on any Clancy novel. Chris Pine plays Ryan as a soldier turned CIA analyst who realizes a Russian businessman (Kenneth Branagh, who also directs) is secretly manipulating the markets to become richer. That leads to trying to stop a terrorist attack in New York.

It's a bit more of a low-key adventure, with the dynamic of Kiera Knightley as Jack's girlfriend, who becomes part of the mission herself, which enhances the character. Kevin Costner is good as his CIA boss and does give it a nice energy. It feels more like a classic Ryan adventure despite the obvious tributes to Mission: Impossible, Jason Bourne and other action franchises and while it didn't revive the series, it's still not a bad watch, but it's hard not to see it wasting the potential on a 21st century Ryan with a new edge.

3. Patriot Games

Harrison Ford took on the role of Ryan in this 1992 thriller which starts off as a tightly wound story faithful to the novel before going a bit over the top in the third act. What makes it work is that it's not some huge "save the world" stakes story. Rather, while in London, Ryan stops an assassination attempt on a British diplomat by IRA terrorists, killing one. The man's brother (Sean Bean) is thus out for revenge. 

That means Ryan isn't involved in a grand adventure but trying to keep his family safe, including a terrifying highway shooting attack. That may seem oddly low-key compared to other Ryan stories, yet Ford anchors it with his usual solid performance while Bean relishes being the bad guy. We feel more for Ryan here, grounding him as a character and the story is tightly-wound. There's also a young Samuel L. Jackson as Ryan's friend Robby, so while Patriot Games may not reach the action heights of other Ryan films, Ford's performance alone makes it a fantastic watch. 

2. Clear and Present Danger

This 1994 entry was Ford's final turn in the role, which is a shame as he was great in it. The plot is unique as the President orders a secret strike operation against Columbian drug dealers that leads to a backlash against the U.S. Taking on a top job at the CIA, Ryan soon uncovers the conspiracy with some great showdowns against Henry Czerny's slimy CIA rep. Joaquim de Almeida is also a highlight as a cartel enforcer.

The best part of the film is William Dafoe, an inspired casting for black ops soldier John Clark. Seeing him and Ford as first adversaries and then allies in the jungle is terrific, with some thrilling action pieces. It culminates in the iconic scene of Ryan dressing down the President in the Oval Office. It's too bad this was Ford's last turn in the role, as seeing him continue with Ryan's adventures would have been better for the franchise. As it is, this shows the film series peaked just as it was reaching a slow end. 

1. The Hunt For Red October

It makes sense Clancy's first hit novel was also the first hit movie and still the best. The plot is written perfectly as a Soviet sub commander plans to defect to the U.S. Obviously, the Russians don't want that and try to put out the story that the guy is planning to attack the U.S. so the American Navy takes care of him. It's Ryan (here, played by Alec Baldwin) who knows the truth and is fighting to get others to listen. He's good in the role, setting the bar in both action and Ryan as a deep thinker.

The true masterstroke was the casting of Sean Connery as the Russian captain. It's one of Connery's best roles, the man is so charming and calm-spoken, almost seeming to enjoy this game with both enemy navies and he and Baldwin have a great chemistry. A supporting cast including Sam Neill and others sparks it up further. John McTiernan's direction is superb, especially in the stunning finale and makes this not just the best Ryan movie but one of the best action thrillers of the '90s. 

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