Willem Dafoe is one of the most compelling actors to grace the film screen. He is an endlessly versatile performer who seems to change with each new role, creating memorable characters who demand your attention. He can be funny, frightening, charming and inspiring all within a single movie.
Dafoe is one of the rare actors who can jump between any genre and projects of varying sizes and has a talent for picking interesting stories. Not surprisingly, he has been a part of some highly acclaimed work. But which of his movies ranks highest with critics? Here are Willem Dafoe's best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
10 Spider-Man (90%)
The current trend of superhero movies dominating the box office owes a lot to Spider-Man. Though not the first superhero film, it helped prove that when talented filmmakers and actors embrace the fun of these larger-than-life stories, the result can be genuinely great.
Tobey Maguire stars as the wall-crawling hero while Dafoe provides an excellent villain as Norman Osborne aka Green Goblin. With Sam Raimi's stylish direction and the fun energy of the film, it ushered in a new cinematic phenomenon.
9 To Live And Die In L.A. (91%)
Dafoe can be a very effective hero when given the opportunity, but he has a special talent for playing the bad guys. To Live and Die in L.A. allows him to create a truly great villain in a bold crime film. William Peterson plays an unhinged cop who is stopping at nothing to take down a money counterfeiter (played by Dafoe).
The movie transports the gritty and violent New York City cop film stories into sunny L.A. which makes for an interesting dynamic. It is a pulse-pounding entry into the genre with a truly shocking climax.
8 The Lighthouse (91%)
The Lighthouse was released just this year and has become one of 2019's most acclaimed films. Dafoe stars alongside Robert Pattinson in this unique horror film about two lighthouse keepers who must contend with their clashing personalities, stormy weather, and possibly supernatural threats while stuck on an isolated island together.
Robert Egger's creepy black-and-white tale maintains an effective tone while introducing increasingly unusual elements. The two actors play wonderfully off each other with Dafoe, in particular, giving a commanding, unsettling and funny performance.
7 The Grand Budapest Hotel (91%)
Dafoe has become a regular collaborator with auteur filmmaker Wes Anderson ever since starring in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. Here he joins the all-star cast of The Grand Budapest Hotel, a quirky period drama about an eccentric hotel concierge named Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving a priceless painting. Dafoe plays a deadly thug hunting Gustave.
The movie is a beautiful example of Anderson's wonderful style. The cast, which includes Jeff Goldblum, Edward Norton, and Saoirse Ronan, are all great and the sharply crafted humor of the script is endlessly charming.
6 Fantastic Mr. Fox (92%)
Dafoe joined Anderson again for another unique adventure, this time with the filmmaker's first attempt at an animated film. This stop-motion story is based on the Roald Dahl children's book about a fox (voiced by George Clooney) who is drawn back into an outlaw life of stealing chickens which threatens his whole family and community. Dafoe voices a villainous rat with a grudge against Mr. Fox.
The stop-motion format proves to be the perfect animation style for Anderson's sensibilities. It helps to heighten the charming feel of the story as well as the dry wit while also looking quite beautiful.
5 Spider-Man 2 (93%)
While the first Spider-Man showed the character could be brought to life on the big screen successfully, Spider-Man 2 showed what kind of rich stories could be told in this genre. The sequel follows Peter Parker struggling with balancing being a hero with the other aspects of his life while facing off with a new villain, Doctor Octopus.
The sequel improved on the original in every way with the action being bigger, the performances being better and the storytelling being more interesting. It was an exciting, funny and captivating adventure.
4 Togo (94%)
Dafoe might not seem like the typical choice to lead a Disney movie, but this one seems to be worthy of his talents. Togo is a story inspired by true events about a dog sled team that made a perilous journey in 1925 to retrieve serum for an epidemic in an isolated community. Dafoe plays the man leading the dogs on the quest.
The movie was only recently released on Disney+ and already has a strong reception. The harrowing adventure has been called thrilling, inspiring and very emotional. Dafoe shows his versatility once more with a family-friendly film.
3 Finding Dory (94%)
Dafoe's distinct voice can be put to good use in voice-over work, as with this Pixar series. The animated sequel focuses on the forgetful fish Dory who goes on a journey to reunite with her parents who she lost years earlier.
The movie maintains that same heart we've come to expect from a Pixar movie as well as providing a fun adventure for all ages. The humor and new characters are all top-notch even if it doesn't quite match the original.
2 The Florida Project (96%)
The Florida Project is one of the smaller films on this list but certainly one worth seeking out if you haven't seen it. The movie is set in a cheap motel in Florida where a young mother attempts to raise her wild children while receiving help from the stern but kind motel manager.
The small story is beautifully told with mostly non-actors sharing the screen with Dafoe. This helps make for an authentic feel. Dafoe is also excellent in a role that earned him an Oscar nomination.
1 Finding Nemo (99%)
Dafoe's first swim with the folks at Pixar came with this hugely successful and hugely acclaimed aquatic adventure. Finding Nemo focuses on a nervous clownfish who obsesses over protecting his young son. When his son is caught by a human, his father sets out on a daring journey to bring him home. Dafoe has a great supporting role as a veteran fish tank resident who helps Nemo find his way back to the ocean.
The movie is a perfect film to be enjoyed by the whole family. The engrossing story is filled with laugh-out-loud moments, thrilling moments and heartbreaking moments. It all makes for a fantastic crowd-pleaser.
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