While he does have his low points, Nicolas Cage is one of the best actors in the game when it comes to his filmography. There’s a very high chance you’ve seen at least one of his movies, probably even one we cover below. We’ve compiled a list of the 30 best Nicolas Cage movies ever in no particular ranking.
The Wicker Man
This is easily the most meme-y Nicolas Cage film in existence, and that is saying something considering Face/Off exists. Cage stars as Edward Malus, a policeman summoned to a creepy island by his ex with news that their daughter is missing. While memes might have spoiled the ending, we won’t remind you. Just know that this island is incredibly odd and there’s something about bees.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is most certainly the role with the coolest Nicolas Cage character name: Balthazar Blake, a wizard who trained under Merlin. When a young boy is revealed to be the next Merlin but also traps Balthazar under a 10-year curse, things aren’t great for New York when that curse is lifted. Nicolas Cage embodies the grumpy old wizard like it was the role he was born to play, resulting in one of his best movies in his repertoire.
Drive Angry
Drive Angry has an interesting place in Nicolas Cage’s filmography as it kind of signaled the start of the crazy film era. The film stars Nicolas Cage as John Milton (a nice Paradise Lost reference) who escapes hell for the chance to save his granddaughter from cultists out to sacrifice her to Satan. While this movie is great, it definitely walked so Mandy could run.
Kick-Ass
Hands down one of the best Nicolas Cage movies, Kick-Ass is about a high-schooler who decides one day that he wants to be a superhero. This movie proves real life is definitely not like comic books. Kick-Ass sits in the lone spot on this list of not technically being a full Nicolas Cage film. Even with that, his role in the film as Damon Macready/Big Daddy is incredibly important to the story. Plus, getting to see Nicolas Cage play a badass Batman-type character is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Rage
Nicolas Cage stars as Paul Maguire, an ex-mobster who was finally able to go straight years before after a chance meeting with a Russian mob courier. In the present, Paul leaves his daughter alone and with a couple of her friends. At dinner, he is informed his daughter is missing and the information her friends give is that she was kidnapped. Paul, who is sure this is his past coming back to haunt him, must dive back into the underworld for revenge.