Last updated on: October 30, 2025
You likely know Mark Harmon as Gibbs from NCIS—the fellow with the steely eye, regulations for everything, and that unflappable calm that managed to make you feel secure even when mayhem erupted.
But here’s a fun fact: well before he became everyone’s beloved TV detective, Harmon’s film career was surprisingly varied.
He wasn’t just the serious agent type. He played charming bachelors, reluctant teachers, even found himself in quirky cult classics. If you’ve only ever seen him solving crimes, you’re missing out on a whole other side of him.
So let’s do a bit of time traveling. Picture yourself sitting on your couch with a large bowl of popcorn, going through Harmon’s greatest films, one after the other. I’ll take you through the top 7 movies of Mark Harmon—each with its own flavor, storyline, and reason why it remains relevant today. You might find yourself adding a few old gems to your movie night queue by the end.
Why Mark Harmon Is More Than Just Gibbs
Mark Harmon wasn’t always destined for acting. Believe it or not, he started out on the football field as a college quarterback. Yep, the same guy who would later sit behind the famous NCIS desk was once throwing touchdown passes.
The thing I adore most about Harmon’s career is the way it supports the notion that people can reinvent themselves. He was an athlete, then a promising TV actor in the ’70s, then a full-fledged movie star during the ’80s and ’90s. He didn’t even remain in one line of work either. Comedy, romance, drama, action—he did it all.
If you’ve only got him from NCIS, you might imagine him as stern, no-nonsense, perhaps even a bit intimidating. But his films show another Harmon—comedic, charming, and even a bit vulnerable at times. Seeing them is like encountering a younger version of someone you already think you know. And honestly? That’s half the fun.
Top 7 Mark Harmon Movies
1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
Whereas NCIS is a consistent, realistic crime drama, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is the complete opposite. It’s anarchy. Pure, drug-addled anarchy.
Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro are the stars of the show here, but who shows up? Mark Harmon.
It’s a lesser role, but it speaks volumes about Harmon that he would opt to be involved in a movie such as this. Most clean-cut actors who play it “safe” wouldn’t take on a trippy Hunter S. Thompson adaptation from Terry Gilliam. Harmon did. And it paid off.
When I saw it a second time, I kept thinking: Wait—is that Gibbs in Vegas, surrounded by neon craziness and surreal images? Yep, it was. And it’s crazy to catch him in that environment. If you want to see the unexpected side of Harmon, this one is worth taking a ride.
2. Freaky Friday (2003)
Now let’s swing to the opposite end of the spectrum: Disney comedy. Remember when Lindsay Lohan was the teen queen of early 2000s movies? Freaky Friday was one of her best.
Jamie Lee Curtis steals the show here, of course, but Harmon plays Ryan, Tess’s (Curtis’s) fiancé.
Ryan’s not the focus of the film, but he matters. Curtis and Lohan are sorting out the body-swap mess while Harmon gets to be the patient, loving man who has to deal with all the craziness.
I regard Ryan as the “calm in the storm.” Without him, the film would seem too over-the-top. But Harmon, in his easy warmth, has everything ring true. It’s not his greatest role, but it’s a pleasant reminder of how well he can play supporting, unflappable characters.
3. Wyatt Earp (1994)
Ah, the Western. Sweeping skies, dirt roads, and the familiar pattern of confrontation between lawmen and outlaws. Wyatt Earp stars Kevin Costner, but Harmon appears as Sheriff Johnny Behan.
Behan was an actual historical character, entwined in the mythic events surrounding the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Harmon doesn’t go overboard—he doesn’t have to. He portrays Behan with understated realism.
What impresses me here is how well Harmon blended into the Western genre. The movie may not have been the box office smash people wanted, but it’s ambitious, well-crafted, and Harmon keeps up with a loaded cast. If you enjoy historical dramas, this is Harmon demonstrating he can wear the badge with as much gravitas as he would later on NCIS.
4. Summer School (1987)
If you’re going to see only one Mark Harmon film, let it be Summer School. It’s not just funny and lighthearted, it’s also straight-up ’80s.
Harmon stars as Freddy Shoop, a gym instructor who is drafted to teach a summer session of slacker students. He doesn’t want to do it, the kids don’t want to do it—so you can bet the fun is brewing.
What makes it good is the way that Shoop develops. He begins as this carefree, somewhat irresponsible fellow who just wants to have a good summer. But as things progress, he reaches out to his kids and really begins to care.
This film makes you think of every “cool teacher” that we all had at one point or another—the one who pushed a little bit of the rules, but ultimately taught you something valuable about life. Harmon plays that role perfectly, and it’s one of the reasons why Summer School remains well-remembered today.
5. Stealing Home (1988)
This one resonates differently. Stealing Home is not an action-comedy. It’s not a funny movie. It’s sentimental. Emotional.
Harmon stars as Billy Wyatt, a retired baseball player who comes home after the passing of a childhood friend.
Seeing it is like flipping through an old album of photographs—you laugh at the memories, but you also sense that twinge of nostalgia. Harmon brings a low-key vulnerability to Billy, which makes the character feel relatable.
My favorite thing about it is that it feels so human. We’ve all had moments of “what if” in life, thinking back on decisions we made or individuals we lost. Harmon does a stunning job of capturing that. It’s one of his more underrated performances, and if you’re in the mood for a nice, emotional drama, this is your film to watch.
6. The Presidio (1988)
Okay, imagine this: Sean Connery and Mark Harmon in the same film. Do I need to go further?
The Presidio is half crime thriller, half military drama, and it’s precisely the sort of movie you find yourself glued to on a Friday evening.
Harmon takes the role of detective Jay Austin, who is compelled to team up with his former commanding officer (Connery) to crack a murder that took place on a military base.
Tension between the two is what makes the movie work. Connery brings his accustomed gravity, but Harmon does not recede into the background—instead, he matches Connery’s intensity with his own.
It’s gritty, suspenseful, and a wee bit of a time capsule for late-’80s action dramas. If you’d like to see Harmon go up against a Hollywood legend, The Presidio is the way to go.
7. Worth Winning (1989)
Let’s save the best for last. Worth Winning is just plain rom-com fun, and Harmon stars as Taylor Worth, a bachelor and television weatherman who makes a bet: get three women to say yes to his marriage proposals.
It’s full of lighthearted misperceptions and snappy repartee like you’d find in an ’80s romantic comedy. But what keeps it going is Harmon’s charm. He offsets arrogance with sincerity so perfectly that you can’t help but root for him even when he’s being a bit of a cad.
If Summer School introduced us to Harmon as the comedic, down-to-earth teacher, Worth Winning introduced us to him as the charming romantic lead. It’s lightweight, it’s enjoyable, and it illustrates that he could sustain a love story with as much ease as a crime drama.
Honorable Mentions
Naturally, not every movie was possible. Harmon did have some early work in films such as Comes a Horseman (1978), which starred Jane Fonda and James Caan alongside him. He also appeared in suspense thrillers such as Natural Causes (1994).
These are probably lesser known, but complete a career that was much more diverse than folks tend to credit him.
Mark Harmon’s Legacy in Film vs. TV
Here’s the thing: Mark Harmon will forever be first associated with Gibbs. That’s just the size of NCIS.
But if you go back and look at his work in film, you’ll see the foundation of what made Gibbs so iconic:
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The charm of Summer School
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The vulnerability of Stealing Home
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The toughness of The Presidio
It was all there, but in different packages.
His film legacy is a treasure chest you don’t always see or hear about. But when you open it, you discover these gems that reveal his range and ability. Seeing his films now is experiencing him in another way.
FAQs About Mark Harmon Movies
What is the most well-known movie of Mark Harmon? Definitely Summer School. It’s the one that folks still mention when discussing his movie career.
Was Mark Harmon primarily a television actor? Yes. Though he had a lot of films, his TV work—particularly NCIS—is what catapulted him to international stardom.
What’s his greatest comedy? Summer School, certainly, although Worth Winning is a close second.
What’s his greatest drama? Stealing Home. It’s emotive, heartfelt, and arguably his most underrated performance.
Final Thoughts
So, the moral of the story is: Mark Harmon is more than Gibbs.
His film career is filled with characters that have you laughing, thinking, and sometimes even weeping. From the humor of Summer School to the emotional wallop of Stealing Home and the intensity of The Presidio, his films speak to an actor who could do anything.
If you’ve only known him as the rule-bound leader of NCIS, give his movies a shot. You’ll discover a different side of him—one that’s funny, charming, and deeply human.
And maybe that’s the real beauty of Mark Harmon’s career. He didn’t just play roles. He left behind pieces of himself in every story, whether it was on the big screen or the small one.
