Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With Tom Waits
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1. Roy Orbison: Black and White Night 30 (2017)
Not Rated | 133 min | Documentary, Music
Black and White Night 30 is a re-imagined, re-edited, remastered and expanded version of the original television special, available both as a CD/DVD set and as a CD/Blu-ray set on February ... See full summary »
Directors: Alex Orbison, T Bone Burnett | Stars: Roy Orbison, Alex Acuna, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett
Votes: 78
2. Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988 TV Special)
Not Rated | 64 min | Documentary, Music
Rock 'n' roll legend Roy Orbison and some friends, legends in their own right, get together and perform some of Orbison's songs.
Stars: Roy Orbison, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Elvis Costello
Votes: 1,185
3. Soundstage (1974–1985)
60 min | Music
Music concert series produced in Chicago.
Stars: Randy Newman, Dr. John, The Pointer Sisters, José Feliciano
Votes: 16
4. The Black Rider (1990 TV Movie)
129 min | Drama, Fantasy, Musical
Inspired by the German folktale "Der Freischütz". Wilhelm, a file clerk, falls in love with a huntsman's daughter. In order to marry, Wilhelm must prove his worth as a hunter and gain her father's approval.
Director: Robert Wilson | Stars: Jan Moritz Steffen, Heinz Vossbrink, Susanne Eisenkolb, Jörg Holm
Votes: 68
5. Freedom Highway: Songs that Shaped a Century (2001)
90 min | Documentary, Music
A journey through the great political songs of time using a combination of contemporary and archive footage and featuring performances and interviews with political singers and activists alike.
Director: Philip King | Stars: Paul Robeson, Bono, Billy Bragg, Karan Casey
Votes: 32
6. Lifers (2014)
10 min | Short, Drama
When you wash dishes for a living, your mind wanders. 'Lifers' follows Kevin on his journey through the inescapable nightmare of working full-time in a kitchen.
Director: Joel Salaysay | Stars: Charles Lysne, Brishkay Ahmed, Mathieu Lucien LeBlond, Sean Marshall Jr.
Votes: 5
7. The Simpsons (1989– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner
Votes: 435,358
8. Citizen (2016 TV Movie)
Crime, Drama, Fantasy
A hero's origin story, blending vigilantism and magical realism in Los Angeles, California.
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon | Stars: Amanda Plummer, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Tom Waits, Forrest Goodluck
Votes: 11
9. Fernwood Tonight (1977)
30 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Set in the fictional small town of Fernwood, OH, the show parodies real talk shows, complete with a stage band, as well as the sort of fare one might expect from a small-town locally produced television program.
Stars: Martin Mull, Fred Willard, Frank De Vol, Tommy Tedesco
Votes: 787
10.
CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984–1996)
Episode:
Home Sweet Homeless
(1988)
60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
After a series of bad luck, a single mother and her sons become homeless and are forced to live in their car.
Director: Kevin Hooks | Stars: Linda Kelsey, Rossie Harris, Kelley Dunn, Chance Michael Corbitt
Votes: 13
11. America 2-Night (1978)
30 min | Comedy
In the second-season version of "Fernwood 2Nite," the small-time talk show from Fernwood, Ohio has moved to Alta Coma, California, where it has taken on a more national flavor. This satire ... See full summary »
Stars: Martin Mull, Fred Willard, Bill Kirchenbauer, Frank De Vol
Votes: 346
12. Bathing & the Single Girl (2010)
R | 11 min | Short, Comedy, Romance
Single, in her thirties and experiencing an extended "romantic drought" this lady decides she needs to broaden her ideas of who might make a suitable boyfriend. Once offended by her ... See full summary »
Director: Christine Elise | Star: Christine Elise
Votes: 55
13.
Fernwood Tonight (1977)
Episode:
Tom Waits
(1977)
Comedy, Talk-Show
Tom Waits sings then is interviewed; Bud Prize talks about opportunities for those who move to Fernwood.
Director: Howard Storm | Stars: Martin Mull, Fred Willard, Frank De Vol, Kenneth Mars
Votes: 15
14.
Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015)
Episode:
George Clooney/Tom Waits
(2015)
TV-PG | 57 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
George Clooney (Tomorrowland (2015)). Also: Tom Waits performs.
Stars: Alan Kalter, David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, George Clooney
Votes: 11
15. The Daily Show (1996– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show
A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.
Stars: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Roy Wood Jr.
Votes: 48,167
16. Austin City Limits (1975– )
60 min | Documentary, Music
Established singer-songwriters and acclaimed newcomers perform country, blues, rock, folk, bluegrass, and related styles of music from Studio 6A of public television station KLRU (formerly KLRN) at the University of Texas at Austin.
Stars: Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Jason Isbell
Votes: 325
17. The Moon's Milk (2018)
14 min | Animation, Short, Family
At a time when the moon could be reached by ladder, Captain Millipede, his daughter, a deaf milk miner, a beautiful accordionist, and a wannabe pole dancer make their final expedition unaware of what they had, blind to what they'd lose.
Director: Ri Crawford | Star: Tom Waits
Votes: 35
18. Tom Waits: Hell Broke Luce (2012 Music Video)
4 min | Music
The surreal promotional video for Tom Waits' 2012 single "Hell Broke Luce."
Director: Matt Mahurin | Star: Tom Waits
Votes: 42
19. Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Conan O'Brien, a Harvard Lampoon alumnus, hosts this late-night comedy/talk-show, which is often silly and whimsical.
Stars: Conan O'Brien, The Max Weinberg 7, Andy Richter, Joel Godard
Votes: 18,929
20. Streetwise (1984)
91 min | Documentary, Drama
Gritty documentary that looks at the lives of teenagers living on the streets of Seattle.
Director: Martin Bell | Stars: Annie, Eddie, Antoine, Erica
Votes: 2,949 | Gross: $0.01M
21. Independent Lens (1999– )
TV-14 | Documentary
Independent Lens is an award-winning PBS documentary series that streams on the PBS App and airs on public television. Independent Lens documentaries focus on stories of underrepresented ... See full summary »
Stars: America Ferrera, Terrence Howard, Stanley Tucci, Mary-Louise Parker
Votes: 632
22. The Best Hotel on Skid Row (1990 TV Movie)
48 min | Documentary
America Undercover goes to the Madison Hotel in the skid-row section of downtown Los Angeles and talks to some of the desperate people living there. It talks to a prostitute and heroin ... See full summary »
Directors: Christine Choy, Renee Tajima-Pena, Geof Bartz | Star: Charles Bukowski
Votes: 57
23.
My Life as a Rolling Stone (2022– )
Episode:
Keith Richards
(2022)
60 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
For 60 years, Keith Richards has been the lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones, a defiant hedonist and rock hero. Here he, and other stellar musicians, talk about his colorful career
Director: Oliver Murray | Stars: Sienna Miller, Jon Bon Jovi, T Bone Burnett, Marshall Chess
Votes: 45
24. The Old Grey Whistle Test (1971–2018)
45 min | Music
Contemporary music show featuring live performances and interviews with an emphasis on album acts.
Stars: Bob Harris, Anne Nightingale, David Hepworth, Mark Ellen
Votes: 241
25. Rockpalast (1974– )
Music
Live broadcasts of rock/pop artists, sometimes direct transmission for entire late nights into the morning. Feattured artists in 1970s and early 1980s included Peter Gabriel, Mother's ... See full summary »
Stars: Clawfinger, Zak Tell, R.E.M., Rammstein
Votes: 62
26. A Brief History of John Baldessari (2012)
6 min | Documentary, Short
The epic life of a world-class artist.
Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman | Stars: John Baldessari, Tom Waits
Votes: 182
27. Tom Waits: A Day in Vienna (1978 TV Movie)
31 min | Documentary
Directors: Rudi Dolezal, Hannes Rossacher | Star: Tom Waits
Votes: 50
28.
VH1 Storytellers (1996– )
Episode:
Tom Waits
(1999)
Documentary, Music
Directors: Michael Chloe, Michael Simon | Stars: Smokey Hormel, Larry Taylor, Tom Waits, David Weier
Votes: 10
29.
Austin City Limits (1975– )
Episode:
Classic: Tom Waits
(2011)
Documentary, Music
Encore replay of a December 1978 show.
Director: Clark Santee | Stars: Greg Cohen, Herbert Hardesty, Arthur Richardson, John Thomassie
Votes: 9
30. Saturday Night Live (1975– )
TV-14 | 90 min | Comedy, Music
A famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.
Stars: The Saturday Night Live Band, Don Pardo, Darrell Hammond, Kenan Thompson
Votes: 52,642
31. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
PG-13 | 112 min | Biography, Drama
The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.
Director: Julian Schnabel | Stars: Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, Marie-Josée Croze, Anne Consigny
Votes: 110,396 | Gross: $5.99M
32. Fishing with John (1991)
Not Rated | 152 min | Documentary, Comedy, Sport
Musician John Lurie knows nothing about fishing, but that doesn't stop him from embarking on fishing in exotic locations with friends.
Stars: John Lurie, Willem Dafoe, Robb Webb, Dennis Hopper
Votes: 1,774
33. Big Time (1988)
PG | 87 min | Documentary, Music
Bringing his unique sense of humor to this bizarre and original piece of moviemaking, Tom Waits takes the audience through a musical journey with his jazzy, quirky, bluesy tunes presented as you would never, ever, ever expect.
Director: Chris Blum | Stars: Tom Waits, Michael L. Blair, Ralph Carney, Greg Cohen
Votes: 902 | Gross: $0.15M
34. In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story (1999 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
This feature documentary chronicles the incredible career of the late artist with classic performance footage, home movies, and photographs. Featuring interviews with Bruce Springsteen, k.d... See full summary »
Director: Mark Hall | Stars: Roy Orbison, Pete Anderson, Chet Atkins, Jeff Ayeroff
Votes: 83
35. One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur (2008)
98 min | Documentary, Music
Jack Kerouac escapes from post "On The Road" fame to his dream of an isolated retreat in a cabin at Big Sur, where he searches for inner peace. His road comes full circle with this ... See full summary »
Director: Curt Worden | Stars: David Amram, Erik Bauersfeld, Carolyn Cassady, Jami Cassady
Votes: 88
36. Breakfast with Bukowski (2011)
4 min | Animation, Short, Drama
'Breakfast With Bukowski' is a humorous telling of writer's block. 'Henry' leaves his flop-house apartment and goes to the horse track, in search of inspiration. There he wins a race, then ... See full summary »
Director: Greg Runnels | Star: Greg Runnels
Votes: 29
37. Don't Say a Word (2005)
9 min | Short, Drama
When Mahesh a newly arrived immigrant gets a job as a hotel cleaner, life begins to look brighter. The situation rapidly changes after he uncovers a heinous crime and realises that he is unable to do anything to help the victim.
Director: Marek Blaha | Stars: Stephen Anderton, Chum Ehelepola, Bill Haydon, Eric Oldfield
Votes: 7
38. Tom Waits: Hold On (1999 Music Video)
4 min | Music
Director: Matt Mahurin | Star: Tom Waits
Votes: 6
39. My Life as a Rolling Stone (2022– )
60 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Follows Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts. Take a look on some unseen footage and exclusive stories from the members of the band Rolling Stones.
Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Sienna Miller
Votes: 493
40. VH1 Storytellers (1996– )
60 min | Documentary, Music
Stars: David Weier, Stevie Nicks, Sheryl Crow, Dave Matthews
Votes: 161
41. Tom Waits: Downtown Train (1985 Music Video)
5 min | Music
"Downtown Train" is a song by Tom Waits released on his album Rain Dogs in 1985. The Jean-Baptiste Mondino directed video for the song features former World Middleweight Champion Jake ... See full summary »
Director: Jean-Baptiste Mondino | Stars: Tom Waits, Neith Hunter, Jake LaMotta
Votes: 44
42. Brian R (2009)
27 min | Documentary, Short, Biography
Director: Alex Lotz | Stars: Brian Reis, Erin Schwartz, Cara Bloom, Kamie Nahodil
Votes: 15
43. Bukowski: Born into This (2003)
R | 130 min | Documentary, Biography
Documentary on Charles Bukowski, author of 'Notes of a Dirty Old Man', 'Love Is a Dog from Hell', and the autobiographical novels, 'Women', 'Hollywood', and 'Post Office'.
Director: John Dullaghan | Stars: Charles Bukowski, Bono, John Bryan, Linda Lee Bukowski
Votes: 3,641 | Gross: $0.30M
44. The Tube (1982–1987)
90 min | Music
Seminal Channel 4 live music series, famed for having the biggest music acts of the day performing live.
Stars: Jools Holland, Paula Yates, Leslie Ash, Muriel Gray
Votes: 124
45. Tom Waits: I Don't Wanna Grow Up (1992 Music Video)
3 min | Music
The music video for Tom Waits' song 'I don't wanna grow up' follows a series of bizarre visuals including a man dressed as the devil riding around on a bike and a man singing under a table.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Star: Tom Waits
Votes: 152
46. So It Goes (1976–1977)
Music
A British TV music show presented by Tony Wilson on Granada Television between 1976 and 1977. It is most famous for showcasing the then burgeoning punk rock movement. It was named partially... See full summary »
Stars: Tony Wilson, Clive James, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Patti Smith
Votes: 11
47.
Independent Lens (1999– )
Episode:
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
(2005)
R | 109 min | Documentary
Corporate audio and videotapes tell the inside story of the scandal involving one company's manipulation of California's energy supply and its, and how its executives wrung a billion dollars out of the resulting crisis.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Kenneth Lay, Peter Coyote, John Beard, Barbara Boxer
Votes: 4,539 | Gross: $4.06M
48. Night on Earth (1991)
R | 129 min | Comedy, Drama
An anthology of 5 different cab drivers in 5 American and European cities and their remarkable fares on the same eventful night.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Stars: Winona Ryder, Gena Rowlands, Lisanne Falk, Alan Randolph Scott
Votes: 65,926 | Gross: $2.02M
49. Down by Law (1986)
R | 107 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Two men are framed and sent to jail, where they meet a murderer who helps them escape and leave the state.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Stars: Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Votes: 55,246 | Gross: $1.44M
50. Sent (2006)
28 min | Short, Drama, Fantasy
Love, Loneliness, and Lucidity come under the microscope in this existential fairy-tale. SENT is a voyeuristic character study of a socially handicapped postal worker named Edward. Escorted... See full summary »
Director: Alex Feldman | Stars: Landall Goolsby, Irwin Keyes, Elizabeth Tulloch, Mueen Jahan
Votes: 62