Few actors in Hollywood have a range as vast and unpredictable as Joaquin Phoenix. He’s the kind of performer who fully immerses himself in his characters, whether it’s embodying the unhinged intensity of Arthur Fleck in Joker, the quiet melancholy of Theodore in Her, or the raw physicality of Freddie Quell in The Master. Very few actors could convincingly play both Johnny Cash in Walk the Line and a disillusioned war veteran in You Were Never Really Here, yet Phoenix continues to push his limits with every role.
It hasn’t been a flawless run—his latest, Joker: Folie à Deux, was a critical disaster and failed to make the box office splash many expected. And after suddenly pulling out of Todd Haynes’ latest production, he’s found himself at a crossroads. But even when a film doesn’t fully work, Phoenix’s performances remain compelling, proving time and time again why he’s one of the most respected actors in the industry.
From auteur-driven projects to psychological character studies to the occasional foray into blockbuster filmmaking, Phoenix has built a filmography that carries a level of prestige few actors can match. With that in mind, here are the 10 best Joaquin Phoenix movies, ranked—not just by the quality of the film itself, but by how much his performance elevates it.
10. Napoleon (2023)
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon is an overtly ambitious cinematic endeavor, a sprawling historical drama that delves into the life and conquests of the iconic French military leader. Clocking in at well over two hours, the movie impresses with its visual grandeur, meticulous attention to detail, and breathtaking battle sequences reminiscent of many of Scott’s previous epics – most notably Gladiator or The Last Duel. The veteran director, now 86 years old, continues to demonstrate his mastery of the genre, particularly in capturing the ferocity and brilliance of Napoleon’s military campaigns.
Read our review of Napoleon (2023).
9. C’mon C’mon (2021)
With C’mon C’mon, Mike Mills continues his deeply personal exploration of familial relationships, following Beginners (about his father) and 20th Century Women (about his mother). This time, he turns inward, reflecting on his role as a father and the complexities of raising a child in an uncertain world. The result is a delicate, introspective film that is both heartfelt and deeply human, even if it doesn’t always hit the emotional highs of Mills’ previous work.
Read our review of C’mon C’mon (2021).
8. Beau is Afraid (2023)
Ari Aster puts his career and positive public perception on the line to create his most singular and divisive piece of filmmaking yet. Although easily his least accessible and structured movie, Beau is Afraid still manages to work due to Aster‘s distinct eye for jaw-dropping images and scenes and Joaquin Phoenix‘s committed performance.
Read our review of Beau is Afraid (2023).
7. Gladiator (2000)
6. Two Lovers (2008)
5. Inherent Vice (2014)
4. Her (2013)
3. Signs (2002)
M. Night Shyamalan made many great genre movies to launch his career in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but none are as quirky, silly, and downright wholesome as Signs, which brings a family together under extraordinary circumstances. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix lead a small cast of great performers reckoning with alien lifeforms reaching Earth.
Read our review of Signs (2002).
2. The Master (2012)
1. We Own the Night (2007)
