'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' to 'By the Sea', Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie films that defined the ‘Brangelina’ era

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, the iconic duo once dubbed Brangelina, created Hollywood magic through a select handful of collaborations that mirrored their passionate, tumultuous real-life romance. Spanning action spectacles, intimate dramas, and behind-the-scenes producing, their joint projects captured sizzling chemistry, personal vulnerability, and creative synergy. From the sparks of 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' to the reflective tones of 'By the Sea', these films not only launched one of Tinseltown's biggest power couples but also chronicled the highs and foreshadowed the lows of their 12-year relationship, which ended in a highly publicized 2016 divorce.

Their story began professionally in 2003 on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, igniting tabloid frenzy and a love story for the ages. Over the years, they expanded beyond acting into producing, supporting each other's visions in poignant narratives. Fans still dissect these movies for clues to their fairy-tale-turned-drama saga, proving Brangelina's enduring pop culture grip.

The 2005 blockbuster 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' helmed by Doug Liman, marked their explosive on-screen debut. Pitt portrayed John Smith, a mild-mannered contractor moonlighting as an elite assassin. Jolie embodied Jane Smith, his wife with identical deadly secrets. When their agencies pit them against each other, deception unravels into steamy showdowns, from a grocery store gunfight to a house-shattering brawl. Memorable lines like "Happy endings are stories that haven't ended yet" became fan favorites, cementing their status as the ultimate spy couple.

In 2007 with 'A Mighty Heart', Jolie took center stage as Mariane Pearl, the pregnant widow of journalist Daniel Pearl, kidnapped and murdered by terrorists. Pitt served as producer through his Plan B Entertainment, championing the true-story adaptation directed by Michael Winterbottom. Jolie's nuanced portrayal of grief and resilience earned critical acclaim and Oscar buzz, showcasing her dramatic range in the post-action era. Though Pitt stayed off-screen, his involvement highlighted their growing teamwork in socially conscious cinema, shifting focus from romance to real-world impact.

Fast-forward to 2015's By the Sea, Jolie's passion project, where she wrote, directed, and starred alongside Pitt. Set against 1970s French Riviera backdrops, it follows Vanessa (Jolie), a former dancer numbed by loss, and Roland (Pitt), her screenwriter husband adrift in creative block. Voyeurism of a neighboring newlywed couple forces them to confront intimacy's fragility. Filmed during their actual Malta honeymoon, the film's languid pace and stark cinematography by Christian Berger evoked European arthouse influences. Mixed reviews called it indulgent, yet its raw exposure eerily presaged their separation a year later.

Jolie's 2014 directorial debut, 'Unbroken,' featured Pitt as executive producer via Plan B. The WWII epic chronicles Olympian Louis Zamperini's harrowing survival as a POW, enduring torture with an unbreakable spirit. Jack O'Connell stars, but Jolie's meticulous vision—rooted in Laura Hillenbrand's book—earned awards nods. Pitt's support amplified its reach, reflecting their commitment to inspirational tales amid personal milestones like their 2014 wedding.