This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Joaquin Phoenix Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Walk the Line (2005)
67
9
Walk the Line
PG-13
67
9

Based on two autobiographies by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, the film Walk the Line follows Cash's early life, his enduring romance with June Carter, and his rise to fame in the country music scene. The film received positive reviews and was nominated for five Oscars at the 78th Academy Awards. 

Role:
John R. Cash
Starring:
Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts
Directed By:
James Mangold
Awards:
Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical, Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
2. Gladiator (2000)
102
11
Gladiator
R
102
11

After aging Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius names his favorite general Maximus to be his successor, his son Commodus seizes the throne by murdering him and the family of Maximus, who is imprisoned and sold into slavery in Africa. But, Maximus returns to Rome as a popular gladiator and hatches a plot to overthrow the dictator.

Role:
Commodus
Directed By:
3. Joker (2019)
104
16
Joker
R
104
16

Based on the famous DC comics supervillain, this Oscar-winning psychological thriller crime drama film revolves around Arthur Fleck, who works as a party clown, but aspires to be a stand-up comedian. Although he is going through mental trauma, and living an impoverished life with his mother, he is mistreated by society. Eventually, he decides to accept a life of crime and chaos, and takes on a new persona.  

Role:
Arthur Fleck
Starring:
Robert De Niro, Marc Maron, Zazie Beetz, Jolie Chan
Directed By:
Todd Phillips
Awards:
BAFTA Award for Best Leading Actor, Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
4. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
23
5
Hotel Rwanda
PG-13
23
5

At the time of Rwandan genocide in 1994, Paul Rusesabagina worked as a manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines. When the political situation grew bad, he not only struggled to keep his family safe, but also gave shelter to thousands of Tutsi refugees in the hotel thereby saving their lives.

Starring:
Jean Reno, Don Cheadle, Nick Nolte, Tony Kgoroge, Xolani Mali, Desmond Dube
Directed By:
Terry George
5. Her (2013)
31
7
Her
R
31
7

Theodore Twombly is a highly sensitive loner whose professional qualification is writing soulful personal letters for others. Depressed over his impending divorce, he decides to install the latest artificially intelligent operating system Samantha, which has a bright voice and a consciousness. He begins to doubt himself as he gradually develops a romantic relationship with his AI assistant.

Role:
Theodore
Directed By:
6. C'mon C'mon (2021)
20
6
C'mon C'mon
R
20
6
Role:
Johnny
7. Quills (2000)
11
3
Quills
R
11
3

The period drama fictionalizes the last years of 18th century’s infamous French writer Marquis de Sade who was imprisoned at Charenton Insane Asylum for titillating writing. Banished from writing, he takes help of laundress Madeline who smuggles his stories to printer. As his sexually explicit books continue getting published, a severely conformist doctor, known for tormenting punishments, is appointed to treat Marquis. 

Role:
Coulmier
Starring:
Kate Winslet, Stephen Moyer, Michael Caine, Geoffrey Rush, Billie Whitelaw
Directed By:
Philip Kaufman
8. Reservation Road (2007)
13
4
Reservation Road
R
13
4

After losing his son in an accident on Reservation Road, Ethan Learner hires a lawyer named Dwight Arno, to find out who is responsible for the death of his son. However, he is unaware of the fact that Dwight himself  is the man who accidentally killed his son.

Role:
Ethan Learner
Directed By:
Terry George
9. The Master (2012)
15
6
The Master
R
15
6

Having witnessed the horrors of WWII, Freddie Quell struggles to return to normal life and drifts from one job to another due to his alcoholism and violent nature. He is easily influenced by Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of the philosophical movement, The Cause, but his rise within the cult makes the other members worried.

Role:
Freddie Quell
Starring:
Directed By:
11. Two Lovers (2008)
10
3
Two Lovers
R
10
3

After a broken engagement, Leonard moves in with his parents. He soon becomes involved with an honest and a sensible young woman named Sandra, whom his parents set up for him. Although the two seem to be a perfect match, Leonard soon finds himself being attracted to another manipulative woman Michelle, who is also a drug-addict. 

Role:
Leonard Kraditor
Starring:
Gwyneth Paltrow, Isabella Rossellini, Anne Joyce, Elliot Villar, Craig Walker
Directed By:
James Gray
12. Return to Paradise (1998)
8
3
Return to Paradise
R
8
3

Lewis, Sheriff and Tony are three close friends who are on a vacation in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually decide to leave for New York, to pursue new careers, but Lewis decides to stay to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that Lewis has been arrested for drug possession, as a result of their past actions, and is now scheduled for execution.  

Role:
Lewis McBride
Starring:
Vince Vaughn, Vera Farmiga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Anne Heche
Directed By:
Joseph Ruben
13. Signs (2002)
19
7
Signs
PG-13
19
7

Six months after losing his wife in an accident and leaving the church consequently, Graham Hess finds crop circles in his corn field. As crop circles begin appearing around the world, Graham and his family – brother and two children – try to understand the meaning of the Signs and eventually believe that there are aliens around.

Role:
Merrill Hess
Starring:
Mel Gibson, Abigail Breslin, M. Night Shyamalan, Cherry Jones, Rory Culkin
Directed By:
14. We Own the Night (2007)
10
4
We Own the Night
R
10
4

Bobby Green is the manager of nightclub, El Caribe, which is frequented by drug lord Vadim Nezhinski. Bobby has distanced himself from his brother, NYPD Captain Joseph, and father, Deputy Chief Burt. But after an assassination attempt on his brother and his father being fatally shot, Bobby joins the NYPD to bring Vadim down.

Role:
Bobby Green
Starring:
Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Robert Duvall, Danny Hoch
Directed By:
James Gray
15. To Die For (1995)
8
4
To Die For
R
8
4

To Die For is a black comedy crime film, which tells the story of Suzanne, a beautiful but naive girl, who is willing to do anything to achieve her career dreams of becoming a television newscaster. She is even willing to destroy anything or anyone that stands in her way, regardless of the cost or means.   

Role:
Jimmy Emmett
Starring:
Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, David Cronenberg, Casey Affleck, Wayne Knight, Illeana Douglas
Directed By:
Gus Van Sant
16. Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
8
3
Buffalo Soldiers
R
8
3

This black comedy war film takes us to the time of the Second World War. It revolves around the lives of few US soldiers stationed in West Germany just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. A criminal subculture operates among the men as they steal, fight, drink as well as sell drugs.

Role:
Ray Elwood
Starring:
Elizabeth McGovern, Idris Elba, Anna Paquin, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris
Directed By:
Gregor Jordan
17. The Village (2004)
13
6
The Village
PG-13
13
6

Covington in the 19th-century rural Pennsylvania has a small population that lives peacefully within the boundaries of the village. Beyond the boundaries, there are fearful creatures inhabiting the wood that do not forgive any intrusion. When a determined man, Lucius Hunt decides to step out into the woods, the creatures are upset. But then, someone else must also step out into the woods.

Role:
Lucius Hunt
Starring:
Sigourney Weaver, Adrien Brody, Brendan Gleeson, Judy Greer, Jesse Eisenberg, Bryce Dallas Howard, M. Night Shyamalan
Directed By:
18. Inherent Vice (2014)
10
4
Inherent Vice
R
10
4

Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello is a good-hearted but inept stoner who works as a private investigator. His former lover, Shasta suddenly shows up and asks him to prevent her rich lover, Wolfmann, from being committed to insane asylum by Wolfmann’s wife. Doc soon finds himself tangled in the psychedelic world of drugs and corrupt LAPD. 

Role:
Larry "Doc" Sportello
Starring:
Sasha Pieterse, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Michael K. Williams, Jena Malone, Maya Rudolph, Eric Roberts
Directed By:
19. Irrational Man (2015)
7
5
Irrational Man
R
7
5

A philosophy professor, who suffers from existential crisis, finds a purpose in his life when one day he overhears a woman complaining that she may lose her children because of a corrupt judge and decides to murder him, reasoning that he will never be caught because he is not connected to the case. But justice has its own way of catching up. 

Role:
Abe Lucas
Starring:
Emma Stone, Parker Posey, Joe Stapleton, Nancy Carroll, Allison Gallerani
Directed By:
20. The Immigrant (2013)
7
3
The Immigrant
R
7
3

The Immigrant is a romantic drama film which tells the story of an innocent immigrant woman who is tricked into a life of prostitution until a magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being quarantined at Ellis Island.  

Role:
Bruno Weiss
Starring:
Marion Cotillard, Dagmara Dominczyk, Jeremy Renner, Jicky Schnee
Directed By:
James Gray
21. Clay Pigeons (1998)
8
3
Clay Pigeons
R
8
3

Clay is a young man who is having an affair with the wife of his friend Earl. However, when Earl kills himself due to this, Clay finds himself guilty of his death. Although Amanda, Earl’s wife wants to continue the affair as if nothing has happened, Clay tries to resist. Problems arise when a serial killer kills her, and the FBI considers Clay as a suspect.

Role:
Clay Bidwell
Starring:
Vince Vaughn, Janeane Garofalo, Gregory Sporleder, Georgina Cates, Vince Vieluf
Directed By:
David Dobkin
22. 8MM (1999)
12
5
8MM
R
12
5

Private investigator, Tom Welles, gets hired to determine the authenticity of an 8MM snuff film showing a murder, which a tycoon’s widow, Mrs. Christian, found in her late husband’s safe. The investigation takes him to Hollywood where a porno store employee, Max California, helps him infiltrate Hollywood’s dangerous underworld of illegal porno movies, which may well prove hazardous for Welles. 

Role:
Max California
Starring:
Nicolas Cage, Norman Reedus, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Anthony Heald
Directed By:
23. Ladder 49 (2004)
9
4
Ladder 49
PG-13
9
4

A firefighter, working for the Baltimore Fire Station, gets injured and trapped inside a burning building. As he drifts in and out of consciousness, he has flashbacks of his life. Meanwhile, fellow firefighters who are led by the Chief make their attempts to rescue him. 

Role:
Jack Morrison
Starring:
John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut
Directed By:
Jay Russell
24. U Turn (1997)
8
6
U Turn
R
8
6

Bobby is heading to Vegas to pay off his gambling debts before the Russian mafia kills him. However, he is forced to stop in a town in Arizona, when his car breaks down. He gets caught in various problems after he meets Grace, a local resident. 

Starring:
Sean Penn, Jennifer Lopez, Laurie Metcalf, Liv Tyler, Jon Voight, Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton
Directed By:
25. The Yards (2000)
7
3
The Yards
7
3

Leo is finally out of prison after serving a sentence for car theft. He plans to leave his life of crime behind, but things don’t go as planned, because of his corrupt uncle, who leads him down a dangerous path.

Role:
Willie Gutierrez
Starring:
Charlize Theron, Faye Dunaway, Mark Wahlberg, James Caan, Ellen Burstyn
Directed By:
James Gray
26. Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
7
3
Inventing the Abbotts
R
7
3

Two brothers, Doug Holt and Jacey, who come from a humble background, vie for the love of beautiful and wealthy Abbott sisters. But it is not as easy as it seems.

Role:
Doug Holt
Starring:
Julie Benz, Billy Crudup, Michael Keaton, Liv Tyler, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Baker
Directed By:
Pat O'Connor
27. Six Pack (1983)
5
3
Six Pack
5
3
Starring:
Don Johnson, Markie Post, Jennifer Runyon, Billy Warlock
Directed By:
Rod Amateau
28. I'm Still Here (2010)
7
3
I'm Still Here
R
7
3

Well-known actor Joaquin Phoenix decides to retire from the world of acting and focus on a new career as a hip-hop musician. Later he approaches Sean Combs, American rapper and record producer, hoping he will produce the record.

Role:
Joaquin Phoenix
Starring:
Hugh Grant, Jay Leno, Nathan Lane, Billy Crystal, Danny Glover, Kelly Ripa, Edward James Olmos
Directed By:
29. Mary Magdalene (2018)
6
3
Mary Magdalene
6
3

This drama film revolves around a woman named Mary from the town of Magdala, who begins to follow Jesus of Nazareth. Despite opposition from her parents, she leaves her home, and accepts baptism from Jesus. However, she soon finds herself in conflict with Saint Peter.   

Role:
Jesus
Starring:
Tahar Rahim, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rooney Mara, Ariane Labed
Directed By:
Garth Davis
30. SpaceCamp (1986)
6
4
SpaceCamp
PG
6
4

Andie Bergstrom is an astronaut who is eagerly awaiting her first trip to outer space. She decides to run a summer camp for teenagers with her husband who is employed with NASA. Things get complicated when few of the kids are accidentally shot into space, during an engine test.

Role:
Max
Starring:
Kelly Preston, Tom Skerritt, Lea Thompson, Kate Capshaw, Larry B. Scott
Directed By:
Harry Winer
31. Russkies (1987)
5
3
Russkies
PG
5
3
Role:
Danny
Starring:
Whip Hubley, Peter Billingsley, Susan Walters, Stefan DeSalle
Directed By:
Rick Rosenthal
32. It's All About Love (2003)
5
4
It's All About Love
R
5
4

This romantic drama science fiction film takes us to a dystopian future where Earth has cooled down to such an extent that it is snowing in the middle of summer. Meanwhile, the worldwide economy is on the edge of collapse. In the middle of this, John and his wife are getting a divorce. However, before signing the divorce papers, they realize that their love is worth fighting for, despite everything happening around them.

Role:
John
Starring:
Douglas Henshall, Claire Danes, Sean Penn, Alun Armstrong
Directed By:
Thomas Vinterberg
33. You Were Never Really Here (2017)
17
5
You Were Never Really Here
17
5
Role:
Joe
Starring:
Alessandro Nivola, John Doman, Alex Manette, Ekaterina Samsonov
Directed By:
Lynne Ramsay
34. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
11
3
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
R
11
3
Role:
John Callahan
Starring:
Jonah Hill, Udo Kier, Jack Black, Rooney Mara
Directed By:
Gus Van Sant
35. Kids Don't Tell (1985)
7
3
Kids Don't Tell
7
3
Starring:
Leo Rossi, Michael Ontkean, Ari Meyers, JoBeth Williams
Directed By:
Sam O'Steen
36. Walking the Dog (1991)
6
4
Walking the Dog
6
4
Starring:
Veronica Cartwright, Swoosie Kurtz, Victor Garber, Nora Dunn
Directed By:
Bonnie Palef
37. Anything for Love (1985)
5
3
Anything for Love
5
3
Role:
Timmy Bailey
Starring:
Lauren Tewes, Vicki Lawrence, Marsha Warfield, Christa Denton
Directed By:
Jim Drake
38. Secret Witness (1988)
6
3
Secret Witness
6
3
Role:
Drew Blackburn
Starring:
Barry Corbin, Kellie Martin, Betty A. Bridges, Paddi Edwards
Directed By:
Eric Laneuville

Animation Movies

Brother Bear (2003)
10
5
Brother Bear
G
10
5

When an encounter with a Kodiak bear results in the death of his brother Sitka, young Native American Kenai kills the bear in revenge. But he is transformed into a bear himself. Hunted in his bear form by his other brother Denahi, Kenai’s only hope is to reclaim his human form with the help of an orphan bear cub, Koda.  

Role:
Kenai (voice)
Starring:
Pauley Perrette, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rick Moranis, Jeremy Suarez, Jason Raize
Directed By:
Aaron Blaise, Robert Walker

TV Shows

Hill Street Blues
21
4
Hill Street Blues
TV-14
21
4
Starring:
Ally Sheedy, Timothy Francis Robbins, Scatman Crothers, James Cromwell, John Ratzenberger, Jeffrey Tambor, David Caruso
Directed By:
Gregory Hoblit, Christian I. Nyby II, David Anspaugh, Rick Wallace, Thomas Carter
Back Beyond (2013)
11
2
Back Beyond
11
2
Role:
Freddie Quell
Starring:
Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Dern, Rami Malek
Directed By:
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
12
3
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
12
3
Starring:
Eli Wallach, Lois Maxwell, Rory Calhoun, Marion Ross, Season Hubley, Erik Estrada, Shaun Cassidy
Directed By:
ABC Afterschool Specials
9
3
ABC Afterschool Specials
9
3
Starring:
Barbara Feldon, Rhea Perlman, Kirk Cameron, Matthew Modine, Scott Baio, Tracy Pollan, Jane Kaczmarek
Murder, She Wrote
33
14
Murder, She Wrote
33
14
Starring:
Audra Lindley, Abe Vigoda, Adam West, Bill Maher, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, George Clooney, Janet Leigh
Directed By:
Anthony Pullen Shaw, Walter Grauman, Vincent McEveety, Seymour Robbie, Jerry Jameson
The Fall Guy
16
6
The Fall Guy
16
6
Starring:
John Carradine, Sybil Danning, Paul Winfield, Keenan Wynn, Stewart Granger, Eddie Albert, Eric Stoltz
Directed By:
Daniel Haller, Hollingsworth Morse, Bruce Bilson, Michael O'Herlihy, Russ Mayberry
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
7
3
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
7
3
Starring:
River Phoenix, Levon Helm, Alan Autry, Eric Stoltz, Richard Dean Anderson, Peter Horton, Roger Wilson
Directed By:
Vincent McEveety, Bernard L. Kowalski, Harvey S. Laidman, Barry Crane, James Sheldon
Mr. Smith
6
3
Mr. Smith
6
3
Starring:
Don Ameche, Stuart Margolin, Leonard Frey, Ed. Weinberger, Tim Dunigan
Directed By:
Stan Daniels, Ed. Weinberger, Gerald Hirschfeld
4Real
5
3
4Real
5
3
Starring:
Casey Affleck, Sol Guy
Directed By:
Shoshana Guy, Josh Thome
Superboy
7
4
Superboy
7
4
Starring:
Wayne Brady, Gilbert Gottfried, George Lazenby, Britt Ekland, George Chakiris, Leif Garrett, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Directed By:
Still the Beaver
6
3
Still the Beaver
6
3
Starring:
Christina Applegate, Shannen Doherty, Ed Begley Jr., Nicole Eggert, Jerry Mathers, Ray Walston, Alice Ghostley
Directed By:
Brian Levant, Roger Duchowny, Bob Claver, Nick Abdo, Frank Saperstein
Morningstar/Eveningstar
4
3
Morningstar/Eveningstar
4
3
Starring:
Fred Savage, Teresa Wright, Scatman Crothers, Jeff Corey, Elizabeth Wilson, Kate Reid
Directed By:
Linda Day, Nick Havinga, Nicholas Sgarro, Jenny Jameson

Joaquin Phoenix Awards

Academy Awards
Joker Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 2020
Golden Globe Awards
Walk the Line Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical 2006
Joker Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama 2020
People's Choice Awards
Winner Favorite Leading Man 2008
BAFTA Awards
Joker Best Leading Actor 2020
Grammy Awards
Walk the Line Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media 2007