Cage has had a few decent movies in recent months, including two that can be seen on our list below. He took on an ultimate role in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, based loosely on his life and career. The movie has been well-received by critics and is further evidence of what the actor can do when given a good script and good direction. ..
In 1982, Cage made his cinematic debut with the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Since then, he has appeared in over 115 movies. Some of these have been brilliant and some of them have been decidedly dodgy. But now that Cage’s career is on the up again, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of the movies we think deserve a special mention. Be assured that 2006’s “The Wicker Man” will not be making an appearance here!
Raising Arizona (1987)
The Coen Brothers’ latest film, “No Country for Old Men,” is a dark and gripping tale of crime and punishment. The film stars Javier Bardem as the ruthless killer Anton Chigurh, and Josh Brolin as the lawman hunting him down. ..
Despite committing this crime, Cage’s character is surprisingly sympathetic and the movie as a whole is a crazy thrill ride that is perfectly suited to his talents. ..
The actor’s improvisational skills were on full display here and he acted crazier than his Woody Woodpecker haircut! ..
This may have played against the Coen’s autocratic directorial style but the finished movie still manages to display the quirks that the actor and the directors are well-known for. It’s a comedy classic and is at the top of Shaun Of The Dead director Edgar Wright’s favourite movies.
Moonstruck (1987)
Nicolas Cage in a romantic movie? This could be something we don’t see very often, but he was clearly exploring his range during this part of his career.
Cher won an Oscar for her role as Loretta, the no-nonsense Brooklyn bookkeeper who falls for Ronny, Cage’s character in the film. ..
The actor’s performance in the film should not be ignored as he managed to break the heart of romantics everywhere as the Italian goofball who stole the love of the woman who was betrothed to his brother.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
This downbeat drama about an alcoholic Hollywood screenwriter is a must-watch viewing because of its Oscar-winning performance by Cage.
As he slowly drinks himself to death, we see a character that is quite unlike anyone he has played before, as there is very little bravado or quirky eccentricity here as Cage begins to self-destruct. He gives a subdued and often haunting performance that was fully deserving of the accolades he was given.
Cage is not the only person who deserves mention here. Playing alongside him is Elisabeth Shue as the woman who could hold the keys to his redemption. ..
The prostitute with a tragic backstory and the interplay between her and Cage are what make this movie so special.
Con Air (1997)
Nicolas Cage starred in a gloriously silly thriller the year before, and this new film is no different. It’s an action movie with a twist - the twist being that Cage’s character is actually a ghost. ..
Cameron Poe is a reformed ex-con who is desperate to get home to be with his wife and kid but finds himself stuck on a transport plane with a group of unhinged criminals. The criminals are crazed and dangerous, and Cameron has to use all his cunning and strength to survive.
When the flight takes control and he’s only a few miles from his home, his chances of getting there are drastically reduced. This is the catalyst for some balls-to-the-wall action that is hilariously silly and a whole lot of fun.
In “The Fighter”, John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, and Ving Rhames take on some of the villainous roles. However, the most memorable character in this movie is Cage. He moves from one action sequence to the next as he takes on all of the villains.
After the success of “Face/Off” and “Cage,” Cage has not starred in many action movies since. However, now may be the time for him to star in his own John Wick-type action movie franchise. ..
Face/Off (1997)
This action movie is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The stunts and action are top notch, and the story is compelling. If you’re a fan of action movies, then this one is definitely worth checking out.
John Woo’s thrillers are often popular with action fans, and Nicolas Cage stars in both of his roles in this high octane thriller. ..
John Travolta’s FBI agent Sean Archer swaps faces with Cage’s psychopath Caster Troy in this exciting action-packed movie. They team up to take on a series of dangerous criminals, including a group of terrorists. In the shoot-outs and car chases, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as they try to outsmart the police.
This is a breakneck action movie that also features some great acting. Both Cage and Travolta deliver career-best work here, as do Woo’s expert direction. This movie deserves classic status.
Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
Cage’s latest film, “Las Vegas,” may be dark and depressing, but it’s not far behind his earlier films in terms of its emotional content. This story is about a man who is struggling to cope with the pain of his past and the pain of his present.
Paramedic Frank (Nicolas Cage) is haunted by the girl he failed to save, who embarks on a three-day stint travelling around Hell’s Kitchen in an ambulance in search of redemption. ..
Frank and his partners are dealing with overdoses, drunks, heart attacks, and more. We go along for the ride and experience the struggles they go through. ..
It’s a depressing ride to be sure, but one worth taking for Martin Scorseses’ stunning direction and for Cage’s honest and fascinating performance that should have won him an Oscar.
Kick-Ass (2010)
Kick-Ass is an amateur superhero who gets his ass kicked more times than he would like. He strikes back against crime in order to make the world a better place. ..
However, even in a supporting role, Cage can stand out, and he does so with aplomb as the Batman-like figure who is less like Christian Bale’s version of the character and more like Adam West’s. ..
This is a superhero movie about a man who is forced to fight for the greater good, and it’s one of the best things about it. The performance by Michael B. Jordan as Cage is both tragic and funny, and it’s just a shame that he was killed off before the closing credits rolled.
Joe (2013)
Cage was in search of a role that would showcase his acting skills, and after starring in several below-average films at the start of the 2010s, he was finally given the opportunity to do just that with Drive Angry. The film was a success and helped Cage become one of the most popular actors in Hollywood.
Joe Ransom, an ex-con who takes a troubled youngster under his wing, found the role that could play to his talents and gave his most layered performance in years. ..
David Gordon Green’s new movie, “Michael Myers,” gave Cage some of the best reviews he had ever received.
The change in Cage’s demeanor was apparent in his latest role as a grieving father in the film “The Notebook.” Gone was the manic energy he had displayed in such movies as Vampire’s Kiss and Ghost Rider and in was a quiet tenderness that Cage had rarely displayed on screen before. He was only given one award for his performance but he deserved a lot more accolades for his role in this poetic and emotionally powerful movie. ..
Color Out of Space (2019)
However, in the past few months, Cage has made some very good movies. His latest is an intense and harrowing drama called The Humanity Bureau, which tells the story of a group of people who are taken from their homes in Africa and put into a concentration camp by the Nazis. The film is incredibly powerful and harrowing, and it has already won Cage several awards.
Despite all of his struggles, Cage made an effort to produce quality films. One of these was Mandy, which saw the actor go ‘full Cage’ as he embarked on his mission of justice. Another was Color Out of Space, which gave him another opportunity to showcase the off-kilter side of his eccentric acting persona.
When a meteorite falls to Earth, some of its inhabitants start exhibiting strange behavior. The film follows the family as they try to figure out what’s going on and how to fix it. ..
Richard Stanley’s return to directing with The Island of Dr Moreau is a much-needed breath of fresh air. With a new, more personal take on the story, Stanley has created an exciting and unique film that should be seen by all who love horror.
Pig (2021)
In a world where pigs are becoming increasingly rare, a man named John has been trying to get his hands on one for years. When he finally gets his chance, he takes it with both hands and enjoys the taste of bacon and pork in equal measure. But when he brings the pig home, he finds that his family has moved away and left him with just one pig. John begins to feel lonely and lost in this new world, until he meets a woman named Sarah who tells him about a place where pigs are still being raised. John decides to go there and find his pig again, but this time with the help of Sarah.
Cage gives a subdued performance as the truffle hunter whose porcine companion gets kidnapped, bringing to mind the kind of character he played in Joe. ..
This movie is not for those who are looking for a thrilling action movie with lots of suspense. If you’re looking for something that will make you feel disappointed, this is not the movie for you.
Cage’s performance in this film is one of the best in his career. He mines the depths of his character to great effect, and brings the audience to tears with his powerful performances.
- “The Godfather”
- “The Shawshank Redemption”
- “The Godfather, Part II”
- “Pulp Fiction”
- “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
- “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
- “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
- “Ender’s Game” 9. “Bad Boys II” 10. “Death Proof.”
Do you think our list of the best movies is accurate? Let us know in the comments below!
