After fifteen years, Tobey Maguire swung back into action as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home. It was the actor's first run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he's no stranger to the big screen, evidenced by his lengthy and impressive filmography. So, for fans who can't get enough of Maguire, here are eight of his non-Spider-Man movies to watch.
Pleasantville Featured Maguire Alongside Reese Witherspoon
Pleasantville follows siblings David (Maguire) and Jennifer (Reese Witherspoon) navigating high school in the late 90s. While Jennifer is living out her teenage life, David spends most of his days at home watching a '50s sitcom called Pleasantville. One day, as the two siblings fight over the TV remote, they're suddenly dropped into the black-and-white world of the show, and their presence consequently creates chaos, changing the town's reality.
While the time periods displayed naturally give the film a lighthearted, charming tone, Pleasantville also deals with some heavy themes, such as repression, prejudice, personal liberation and societal change. Maguire and Witherspoon as brother and sister are enjoyable to watch, and by adding in the likes of Jeff Daniels, William H. Macy, Paul Walker and Don Knotts, the film is a must-see.
Brothers Spotlights a Gripping Performance by Maguire
Captain Sam Cahill's (Maguire) loved ones think he's dead. Sam was declared killed in action by the Army, leaving behind his ex-convict brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) and high school sweetheart wife (Natalie Portman). To his family's astonishment, the captain returns home, having actually been a prisoner of war. But their troubles are not over -- drama unfolds as Sam learns his brother and wife slept together when they believed him to be dead. Not only that, but he's dealing with an insurmountable amount of trauma, now compounded by heartbreak and betrayal. Maguire delivers a gripping performance, as do Portman and Gyllenhaal. Brothers received mixed reviews from critics but was nevertheless nominated for a couple of Oscars and a Critics Choice Award.
The Cider House Rules Sees Maguire in a Thought-Provoking Role
In The Cider House Rules, Maguire plays Homer Wells, a young man who grew up in a boys' orphanage during the World War II era. Having never been permanently adopted by a family, Homer now works with the man who directed the orphanage, Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine), who becomes his mentor and teacher. After he clashes with the doctor on the issue of abortion, the apprentice leaves the orphanage to seek a job on a cider farm. The story is dramatic and thought-provoking, with Maguire executing his role as Homer in a way that's sure to please fans of the actor. He stars with other familiar talents, including Charlize Theron, Jane Alexander, Delroy Lindo and the MCU's own Paul Rudd. Winner of two Academy Awards and nominated for five more, The Cider House Rules is a Maguire movie that should be at the top of everyone's list.
Wonder Boys' Star-Studded Cast Includes a Young Maguire
Released in 2000, Wonder Boys follows college English professor Grady Tripp during a pivotal time in his life. He's having an affair with the university's chancellor, his third wife has just left him and he's suffering from a severe case of writer's block. Just when Grady's life seems unable to get more complicated, he takes in one of his students, the talented and enigmatic James Leer, whose shenanigans lead to more trouble for the professor.
Maguire plays James and does so quite well, embodying the character's quiet intelligence that masks his brash, trouble-making decisions. He stars alongside several other incredible actors, including Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Katie Holmes, Alan Tudyk and even a fellow Marvel superhero, Robert Downey Jr. Though Wonder Boys was a disaster at the box office, it was received well by critics. It was nominated for three Oscars and four Golden Globes, winning one of each, along with many other notable nominations and accolades.
Seabiscuit Gives Maguire Room to Shine
Based on the biographical novel of a racehorse named Seabiscuit, this 2003 film featured Maguire as the lead character, a young jockey named John Pollard. John teams up with millionaire Charles S. Howard (Jeff Bridges) and horse trainer Tom Smith (Chris Cooper) to race against Triple Crown-winning racehorses. Seabiscuit is an uplifting underdog story that hosts a talented cast, earned itself seven Academy Award nominations and was reviewed favorably by critics.
This Boy's Life Marks Maguire's First Credited Appearance in a Feature-Film
Led by the incomparable Leonardo DiCaprio (and more talent, such as Robert De Niro, Chris Cooper and Carla Gugino), This Boy's Life follows Tobias Wolff, a young boy coming of age in a household led by his single mother and abusive stepfather. The riveting drama is one of DiCaprio's breakout performances, as well as Maguire's first credited appearance in a full-length film, and is, therefore, a must-see for fans of the actor.
The Great Gatsby Uses Maguire Excellently in the Book to Film Adaption
Another film starring both DiCaprio and Maguire, The Great Gatsby is a 2013 film adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same name. The movie follows Jay Gatsby, a World War I veteran-turned-millionaire, as he parties his way through the roaring 1920s. Maguire plays Nick Carraway, Gatsby's friend and the character whom the film is narrated by, as he recounts the story to his therapist while in a psychiatric hospital. The Great Gatsby is a visually stunning film, studded with additional stars, such as Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Elizabeth Banks and Isla Fisher. While it earned unsavory critic reviews, it was still nominated for a slew of awards and won two Oscars.
The Ice Storm Sees Maguire in a Dysfuntional Coming-of-Age Tale
Set over Thanksgiving weekend, The Ice Storm follows a couple of suburban families, the Carvers and the Hoods. The year is 1973, and the nation is undergoing a sexual awakening and cultural shift during the Nixon presidency, and these two neighboring families are no exception.
Maguire stars as Paul Hood, the son of the Hood family, coming of age with his sister during this era of societal change. The Ice Storm is a humorous depiction of '70s American suburbia, with captivating performances from an award-winning cast, including Sigourney Weaver, Christina Ricci and Elijah Wood. It yielded great reviews from critics and won several awards, including a BAFTA and a Cannes Film Festival award.