Praised, criticized, revered, and ridiculed - one thing remains constant: Oscar winner Nicolas Cage delivers every ounce of himself to every role. His fearless artistic choices have sometimes catapulted him into internet meme stardom, yet his raw, electrifying talent remains undeniable.
Cage's filmography spans charming romantic comedies, devastating dramas, and of course, legendary 90s action blockbusters. His career is so remarkably vast that we've expanded this "Best Of" list to *15 entries* rather than the traditional top 10. Collaborating with cinematic giants like David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Michael Bay, Ridley Scott, and his uncle Francis Ford Coppola, Cage has created some of film's most unforgettable characters. (For more Cage greatness, don't miss our "40 Best Nicolas Cage Moments" – curated by a superfan who's seen every Cage film!)
Over four decades, Cage has conquered virtually every genre imaginable – from thwarting bioterrorism in San Francisco to embarking on a self-destructive Vegas bender, and even sending up his own persona in a surreal career retrospective. These are our selections for Nicolas Cage's finest performances to date.