Nicolas Cage is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining movie stars on the planet. Whether he's receiving acclaim for a nuanced dramatic showing or drawing the ire of critics for his unhinged on-screen antics, there's no denying that Cage is impossible to ignore.
Since the 1980s, Cage has been stealing the show with his heavyweight charisma and wide-eyed, energetic style. With The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent earning rave reviews as it makes its festival run and thrusting Cage back into the limelight as a result, it's the perfect time to dive into the underappreciated classics that the actor has lent his talents to over the years.
10 Red Rock West Is A '90s Noir Classic
It may be surprising to learn that a neo-noir thriller starring Nicolas Cage, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Dennis Hopper is often overlooked these days. Coming out in 1993, John Dahl's Red Rock West became an art-house hit, and many die-hard Cage fans put this movie as one of the actor's best of the decade.
Red Rock West is gritty, thrilling, and packed with unsavory characters that are simply fascinating to watch. The '90s were a sensational era for Cage's career, and it got off to a terrific start with this fusion of Western, film noir, and black comedy.
9 Army Of One Is One Of Nicolas Cage's Wackiest Movies
Nicolas Cage has become famous in recent years for his increasingly bizarre film choices. When it comes to his wild and wonderful roles, his most enjoyable may just be Gary Brooks Faulkner in 2016's Army Of One.
As a construction worker on a mission from God that involves him hunting down Osama Bin Laden despite having no combat experience, Cage is as hilarious and as endearing as ever. He's backed up by The Office's Rainn Wilson and Russell Brand.
8 Cage's Role In Birdy Remains One Of His Most Challenging
Despite Birdy being Nicolas Cage's sixth feature film, the young actor tackled his most demanding role to date with fierce dedication. Cage had two of his front teeth pulled and shed fifteen pounds for the role of Alfonso, a mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran.
Birdy takes a deep dive into friendship and the horrors of war that come after the fact. It makes for a disturbing watch, but the bond between the two leads offers plenty of heartwarming moments to counter the tragedy. Cage stars alongside Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Stranger Things).
7 The Weather Man Saw Cage Tackle The Mid-Life Crisis Brilliantly
Nicolas Cage is understandably famous for his high energy in films, which is often unmatched. The Weather Man ditches the typical Cage craziness and instead features one of the actor's most underrated against-type performances. In The Weather Man, Cage plays the titular reporter, a down on his luck guy who receives little respect despite his status as a D-list celebrity.
The Weather Man is a gloomy yet humorous look at the dreaded mid-life crisis. Cage's performance alone warrants the comedy-drama worth watching, but Michael Caine also brings his unmistakable talents to the film as Cage's character's father.
6 Moonstruck Is A Classic '80s Love Story Featuring Cher And Cage
A movie that is largely forgotten thanks to time rather than a lack of memorability, Moonstruck is held by its fans as one of the funniest feel-good films of the '80s. Norman Jewison's classic centers around Cher's Loretta as she falls in love with her fiance's hot-headed, hunky younger brother (Cage).
Cage had only been on the scene around 5 years when Moonstruck was released. The likes of Raising Arizona and Rumble Fish had introduced audiences to his immense talent, yet Moonstruck made it clear that Francis Ford Copolla's nephew had everything he needed to be a major player in Hollywood.
5 Deadfall Is One Of Those So-Bad-It's-Good Nic Cage Movies
While Deadfall may not pass the test when it comes to being a great movie, Nicolas Cage's performance within it is so wild, outlandish, and unforgettable that it renders the film a hugely enjoyable watch. Some movies are so bad that they arguably achieve greatness. Deadfall is one of these pictures.
Cage is somewhat infamous for his part in bad movies but back in the '90s, his reputation was far stronger than it is today. Deadfall likely came close to shattering this thanks to it being panned by critics.
4 Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans Has Cage At His Wildest And Most Watchable
The first mistake that Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans made was that it shamelessly took hold of the Bad Lieutenant title while disregarding the Harvey Keitel-starring classic. Werner Herzog's Port Of Call New Orleans is neither a remake nor sequel to 1992's Bad Lieutenant.
It was even made against the wishes of the original film's director, Abel Ferrara. These facts likely explain why many overlooked Port Of Call New Orleans. It's a shame, as Cage's performance as the out-of-control cop made for one of his most intriguing of the era.
3 Joe Featured A Sensational Return To Form For Nic Cage
After Nicolas Cage's career faded from box office behemoths into the straight-to-DVD territory, many cynics expected little in the way of hit movies from the former Hollywood A-lister. In 2013, Cage surprised those critics with a powerhouse performance in David Gordon Green's independent crime drama, Joe.
The titular Joe, played expertly by Cage, is a deeply flawed and troubled man who is attempting to help the young Gary Jones (Tye Sheridan) and protect him from his abusive father. Joe is a dark, slow-burning drama that stands as one of Cage's best-received movies of the 2010s.
2 The Family Man Is A Forgotten '90s Holiday Hit
A romantic fantasy film with a stacked cast including Tea Leoni and Don Cheadle, The Family Man focuses on a wealthy Wall Street bachelor who wakes up one day to find his fancy lifestyle replaced with a loving wife and two children.
The Family Man emphasizes its message of everyone needing love a little too hard for some. However, an award-winning performance from Leoni and Cage and strong, emotional writing make The Family Man a fantastic choice when it comes to feel-good holiday hits.
1 Pig Is Nicolas Cage's Best Movie In Years
Not only is 2021's Pig the best Nicolas Cage movie of recent times, but it may also be the best of his illustrious career. As a truffle chef on the hunt for his recently-kidnapped beloved pet pig, Cage gives a brilliantly restrained performance that has earned him rave reviews since Pig's release.
The concept alone may sound like a pig-focused take on the John Wick formula, but Pig is far from a fast-paced action thriller. Instead, Michael Sarnoski's film is a deeply immersive, strange, and ultimately touching drama.