Nicolas Cage has had an extremely unique and eccentric career so far, starring in plenty of modern classics and over-the-top action flicks.
Nicolas Cage has gathered a pretty unconventional reputation over the years - he's starred in plenty of iconic films that will go down as modern classics, alongside a couple of screwball comedies that bring out the most bizarre side of his unique acting style.
With the release of his latest film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, now seems like a perfectly fitting time to take a look back at Cage's one-of-a-kind filmography up to this point. There's no actor doing quite what Nic Cage is doing, which is almost certainly one of the biggest compliments that an actor can be paid. What are his best movies ever, according to voters on Ranker?
10 Lord of War (2005)
Lord of War is one of Cage's most thrilling and dramatic films to date, detailing the story of Yuri Orlov and his attempts to escape the pursuits of a vengeful Interpol Agent. Cage gives one of his best performances ever as the hunted protagonist, displaying a wide range of emotions and anxieties in the role.
It's Cage's dynamics with supporting actors Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke that really make Lord of War so thrilling to watch - every single actor is on top form, and the relationships that are formed as a result are truly gripping and compelling.
9 National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)
Although not quite as beloved as the original, National Treasure 2 still has lots of twists and turns to keep the audience invested from start to finish. Cage reprises his role as protagonist Benjamin Gates, and the story is arguably even more complex and intriguing than the original.
Although the National Treasure story seemed to end with Book of Secrets, it was announced in 2020 that the saga would continue with a limited series on Disney+. There are plenty of wild fan theories and rumors about the National Treasure series, but very little is actually known about the plot at this point.
8 The Family Man (2000)
The Family Man is one of those classic Nic Cage comedies that might not be loved by critics, but audiences will always enjoy. The film follows Cage's character Jack Campbell, who magically wakes up one day with a wife and children, despite rejecting family life many years ago.
Everybody knows that Cage can reliably give a funny and entertaining performance, but his sense of humor really shines through in The Family Man. He elevates every single line into something hilarious, and it's impossible not to enjoy watching his character acting confused and lost for two hugely entertaining hours.
7 Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
In Leaving Las Vegas, Nicolas Cage plays Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic screenwriter who slumps into depression and drives to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. It's there where he meets local prostitute Sera and spontaneously decides to move in with her.
Leaving Las Vegas is one of Cage's darker comedy films, despite the somewhat wholesome romance at the film's core. It pulls a lot of comedy from the fact that Sanderson is such a self-deprecating character who sees no value in his life, which Cage plays expertly.
6 Raising Arizona (1987)
The Coen Brothers have become hugely famous over the years for their wide selection of comedies and dramas, and Raising Arizona was one of their first films. It follows the story of Nicolas Cage's character 'Hi' McDunnough, who kidnaps a young baby and decides to raise him as his own.
Alongside the many laughs that Raising Arizona provides, the film also has an extremely sweet and tender message at its core that really shines through in its final act. Cage manages to somehow make his character extremely likable and compelling, which allows for a really impressive emotional payoff when the film ends. It's for this reason that so many fans cite Raising Arizona as one of the best Coen brothers' movies.
5 Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)
Arguably one of Cage's most famous action flicks of all time, Gone in 60 Seconds is an incredibly intense shot of adrenaline that doesn't even give the audience a second to breathe throughout its wild and bizarre story. It's 120 minutes of pure, unadulterated action.
The story follows Cage's character Memphis Raines, who is forced to re-enter a life of crime in order to save his brother's life after learning that he's under threat from a notorious gangster. But the plot isn't what makes Gone in 60 Seconds so iconic, but rather the over-the-top performances and hugely chaotic action sequences.
4 National Treasure (2004)
Following protagonist Benjamin Gates' search for the missing treasure of the Knight's Templar, National Treasure is the rare kind of film that values entertainment above all else. Despite a fairly long runtime, the film has a consistently engaging plot that moves along at a breakneck pace.
It's part action movie, part heist adventure, and part romantic comedy - yet somehow these aspects never clash with each other. The film knows exactly what it is, and never tries to take itself too seriously or to be anything else. National Treasure is one of the defining action-adventure movies of the 2000s, and its inspiration can still be seen today.
3 The Rock (1996)
From notorious action director Michael Bay, The Rock follows Nicolas Cage's and Sean Connery's characters as they team up against a dishonest Brigadier who intends on launching rockets upon the city of San Francisco. It's an extremely intense and exciting film, elevated even further by Cage and Connery's lead performances.
Bay is famous for his over-the-top stories and exciting action sequences, and that's all present in The Rock. It's one of his most entertaining films to date, and it's hard to believe that any other action film will ever be able to recreate its uniquely intense energy.
2 Face/Off (1997)
As far as crime thrillers go, Face/Off is probably one of the most bizarre yet compelling movies out there. It features two incredible performances from Nic Cage and John Travolta, who portray each others' characters when they undergo constructive surgery to switch appearances.
Directed by John Woo, Face/Off has so many iconic action sequences and set pieces that are easily some of the most entertaining ever put to screen. From airplane chases to jetski races, Face/Off has plenty of memorable moments that make it an extremely engaging and hilariously absurd action flick.
1 Con Air (1997)
Con Air sees Nicolas Cage's character Cameron Poe convicted of a crime that he didn't commit, but immediately before he's due to be released, his plane is hijacked by other criminals. It's then up to Poe to wrestle control of the plane and fly himself (and the others) to safety.
When anyone mentions Nicolas Cage, chances are that Con Air is one of the first movies that comes to mind. It's certainly one of his most famous roles, and it's one that perfectly displays just how versatile and entertaining he can be, particularly in these kinds of excessive action flicks.
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