Although Joaquin Phoenix had starred in a number of films since his debut in the year 1986, his big break came with the historical epic film ‘Gladiator,’ which gave him tremendous recognition and praise as an actor. With a string of great movies under his belt, he quickly rose to prominence as one of the best actors working today.
In addition to that, he is an ardent activist and a humanitarian who works for a variety of organizations and causes.
Joaquin Phoenix has appeared in some of the most well-regarded recent films, even though not all of them are popular with viewers and critics. Therefore, we will talk about the “Top 10 Joaquin Phoenix Movies” in this article.
Therefore, if you are a fan of Joaquin Phoenix and want to learn about his best films, read this article all the way through to the end.
Top 10 Joaquin Phoenix Movies
The following is a list of the top 10 Joaquin Phoenix movies:
1. Two Lovers (2008)
Two Lovers is a romantic drama film that was released in 2008 in the United States. It was inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s short novel “White Nights,” which was originally written in 1848 and has previously been adapted into film seven times.
Phoenix portrays a young man who is struggling to make ends meet and is forced to pick between two women he has started dating. It is a tragic and stressful love story, and the cast does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life.
2. The Master (2012)
Paul Thomas Anderson is the writer and director of the psychological drama film The Master, which was released in the United States in 2012.
The plot centers on Freddie Quell (Phoenix), a World War II Navy veteran attempting to fit into post-war society who encounters Lancaster Dodd (Hoffman), the head of a movement known as the Cause.
Phoenix delivers a performance that is as captivating and terrifying as the troubled man, and he is supported by an excellent ensemble and a wonderful director in this film.
3. The Immigrant (2013)
The Immigrant is the fourth project that Phoenix and James Gray have worked on together, and it is still their most critically lauded joint effort.
Marion Cotillard stars as Ewa, an immigrant who arrives in New York City alone and has no else to go when she first arrives in the little-seen period drama.
She is persuaded to become a prostitute by a pimp (Phoenix), but after meeting a charming stage magician, she discovers hope (Jeremy Renner). Phoenix plays the fascinating villain with surprising grace.
4. Walk The Line (2005)
James Mangold is the director of the American biographical musical romantic drama film Walk the Line, which was released in 2005.
The movie chronicles Johnny Cash’s upbringing, his relationship with June Carter, his rise to fame in the country music industry, and his battle with heroin addiction.
Phoenix plays the lead role of Cash, and his outstanding portrayal of the character earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
5. The Sister Brothers (2018)
The Sisters Brothers, one of Phoenix’s most underrated movies, is the most recent entry on this list. The Sisters Brothers is a 2018 Western movie directed by Jacques Audiard based on a script he co-wrote with Thomas Bidegain and was adapted from Patrick deWitt’s novel of the same name.
In this Western, Phoenix and John C. Reilly play two brothers who have been recruited to find a scientist during the Gold Rush.
6. Hotel Rawanda (2004)
Hotel Rwanda is a drama film that was released in 2004 and directed by Terry George. The movie, which is based on the Rwandan genocide that took place in the spring of 1994, follows Rusesabagina’s attempts to rescue the lives of his family and more than 1,000 other refugees by giving them shelter in the Hôtel des Mille Collines, which was under siege.
In Hotel Rwanda, topics like governmental corruption, genocide, and the effects of violence are examined.
7. To Die For (1995)
To Die For is a film from Phoenix’s early career before he became a household figure in Hollywood. This intriguing black comedy, which Gus Van Zant directed, is based on a real-life story about a high school teacher (Nicole Kidman) who persuades one of her pupils (Phoenix) to murder her husband.
To Die For was met with universally favorable reviews from the media, with Nicole Kidman’s performance garnering particular acclaim.
8. Her (2013)
Spike Jonze is responsible for the writing, directing, and co-producing of the American science-fiction romantic drama film titled “Her.” Phoenix portrays a solitary and kind-hearted man who forms a romantic connection with his computer’s operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson).
With one of his most subdued performances to date, Phoenix delivers a surprisingly lovely and heartfelt performance in the film.
9. You Were Never Really Here (2017)
You Were Never Really Here has one of the most renowned performances by Phoenix, yet it is also one that has been mostly overlooked. He plays the role of a troubled man who works as a violent fixer in the show.
After escaping from captivity with a young girl, he becomes the target of deadly individuals. The movie offers a much darker and more vulnerable take on the noir genre, despite the fact that the premise could sound like the narrative of a Liam Neeson action movie.
10. Parenthood (1989)
Parenthood is one of Phoenix’s very first appearances in a feature film and one of the very few in which he plays a young boy. The comedy, which was directed by Ron Howard and starred a variety of families, examines the ups and downs of parenting.
Phoenix portrays a young boy who is going through the difficult process of puberty while also coping with the challenges of living with his single mother.
