Selecting the top Nicolas Cage film can present a daunting task, considering his extensive and varied filmography. The renowned Hollywood actor has captivated a passionate cult following while amassing an impressive collection of accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe. However, Cage’s career has been marred by several peculiar roles and subpar films that have tarnished his reputation. Noteworthy among these disappointments are *Deadfall*, *Left Behind*, and *Pay the Ghost*, with critics labeling the first two as nearly unwatchable.
Despite this, it’s essential to acknowledge Cage’s ability to embody complex and compelling characters. A prime example is his intense portrayal of Red in *Mandy*, a revenge thriller directed by Panos Cosmatos, which showcases his range and talent. Beyond the underwhelming performances, numerous Cage films merit recognition and, in some cases, reevaluation regarding their character portrayals and overall significance. When it comes to identifying the best Nicolas Cage movie, the options are diverse and plentiful.
102 Deadfall (1993)
Nicolas Cage Plays Eddie King
With a shocking 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Christopher Coppola’s *Deadfall* is viewed as a feeble imitation of the noir genre, featuring an abysmal plot and characters. The film revolves around con artist Joe Donan (Michael Biehn) and his quest to locate a lookalike after his father’s death for a sting operation. Cage portrays Eddie King, a role he reprised in the critically panned 2017 film *Arsenal*, which shares similarly clichéd themes.
101 Left Behind (2014)
Nicolas Cage Plays Rayford Steele
Helmed by Vic Armstrong, *Left Behind* draws from the novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins, featuring Cage alongside notable actors such as Chad Michael Murray and Lea Thompson.This film has faced extensive criticism for its wooden performances, poor script, and cumbersome pacing. Consequently, *Left Behind* contributes to the list of films that severely stain Cage’s otherwise commendable film career.
100 Grand Isle (2019)
Nicolas Cage Plays Walter
*Grand Isle*, another lackluster entry in Cage’s filmography, follows Buddy (Luke Benward) as he is wrongfully accused of murder. In this action-thriller, Cage takes on the role of Walter, a troubled Vietnam veteran. While he delivers an acceptable performance, the film itself falters due to its weak plot and predictable twists.
99 211 (2018)
Nicolas Cage Plays Mike Chandler
*211* is a dismal direct-to-video crime-action film directed by York Shackleton, featuring yet another uninspired performance from Cage. Set in the fictional Chesterford, the film revolves around a bank heist that spirals out of control. Cage plays the underwhelming patrolman Mike Chandler in a muddled narrative filled with indistinct characters. Critics, including David Ehrlich from Indiewire, have condemned it as an “inept heist film.”
98 Trapped in Paradise (1994)
Nicolas Cage Plays Bill Firpo
This Christmas-themed crime comedy directed by George Gallo casts Cage as Bill Firpo, alongside Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey.The film has been largely panned, though Lovitz’s performance received some praise as the only redeeming quality. Cage’s portrayal is uninspired, leading to a film laden with unoriginal humor and excessive sentimentality.
97 Arsenal (2017)
Nicolas Cage Plays Eddie King
In this direct-to-video action thriller directed by Steven C. Miller, Cage returns as Eddie King from *Deadfall*.Despite the intriguing premise, the film has been criticized for its gaudy visuals and a cast that fails to deliver any meaningful contributions. Critics have noted its superficial execution and lack of genuine excitement.
96 Outcast (2014)
Nicolas Cage Plays Gallin
In *Outcast*, Nick Powell directs a film featuring Cage as Gallain, a warrior in the Crusades. Though visually appealing, the inconsistent tone and lackluster performances led to predominantly negative reviews. Despite some praise for its battle sequences, the overall product was widely regarded as disappointing.
95 Trespass (2011)
Nicolas Cage Plays Kyle Miller
In Joel Schumacher’s *Trespass*, Cage and Nicole Kidman star as a couple held hostage by intruders.While Kidman and other cast members received recognition for their performances, Cage’s portrayal garnered him a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor. The film struggles with a disjointed narrative and lack of suspense.
94 Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
Nicolas Cage Plays Joe
Directed by the Pang brothers, *Bangkok Dangerous* is a remake of the 1999 Thai film, featuring Cage as a hitman whose moodiness does little to elevate the film. Despite some praise for his performance, the underlying storyline and pacing contributed to its unpopularity among critics.
93 Pay the Ghost (2015)
Nicolas Cage Plays Mike Lawford
Uli Edel’s supernatural horror offering follows professor Mike Lawford (Cage) as he searches for his son, abducted during a Halloween event. The film scored a mere 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, primarily criticized for its predictable plot and unengaging pacing. Critic Brian Tallerico referred to it as a “new low”for Cage.
92 Season of the Witch (2011)
Nicolas Cage Plays Behmen
Dominic Sena’s *Season of the Witch* attempts to weave serious themes into a narrative centered on knights confronting plague and witchcraft. However, its subpar production quality and dull plot led critics to view it as unintentionally comical. Cage’s performance was criticized as bordering on parody, leading to a Razzie nomination.
91 Vengeance: A Love Story (2017)
Nicolas Cage Plays John Dromoor
This action-thriller, inspired by Joyce Carol Oates’ novel, stars Cage in a melodramatic revenge tale. Apart from one standout performance, Vengeance struggles to resonate due to its predictable story and reliance on overused tropes.
90 Time To Kill (1989)
Nicolas Cage Plays Lt. Enrico Silvestri
Set against the backdrop of the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, *Time to Kill* features Cage as Lt. Silvestri dealing with a toothache. Critics noted its odd premise and execution, while Cage’s performance was elevated by an Ennio Morricone score, offering a glimpse of its potential.
89 Army of One (2016)
Nicolas Cage Plays Gary Brooks Faulkner
*Army of One* depicts the real-life pursuit of Osama bin Laden by Gary Faulkner (Cage).Featuring a notable cast, the film received a wide array of negative reviews, particularly for its poorly executed narrative and acting.
88 Dying of the Light (2014)
Nicolas Cage Plays Evan Lake
This film faced substantial criticism due to issues surrounding its editing and production. Although Cage’s portrayal of a CIA operative struggling with dementia was commendable, the overall reception was marred by discontent over the final cut.
87 Looking Glass (2018)
Nicolas Cage Plays Ray
*Looking Glass* tells the story of Ray (Cage) and his wife Maggie (Robin Tunney) as they grapple with the loss of their child. Described as a “murder mystery without enough suspects, ”this film barely scrapes the surface of mediocrity, showcasing yet another underwhelming performance from Cage.
86 Tokarev (Rage) (2014)
Nicolas Cage Plays Paul Maguire
In *Tokarev*, directed by Paco Cabezas, Cage portrays a character seeking revenge on the Russian mob. Despite its thrilling setup, the film falls flat due to an inability to capture sustained excitement or engagement from viewers.
85 Fire Birds (1990)
Nicolas Cage Plays Jake Preston
Featuring Cage as a helicopter pilot battling drug cartels, *Fire Birds* has been described by critics as akin to a video game montage, lacking the depth or seriousness of comparable films like *Top Gun*.The predictable narrative and stilted dialogue hindered its potential appeal.
84 A Score to Settle (2019)
Nicolas Cage Plays Frank Carver
This formulaic action-thriller features Cage as Frank Carver, who seeks vengeance after being wronged by a criminal boss. Unfortunately, *A Score to Settle* fails to differentiate itself from countless revenge thrillers, lacking authentic thrills and character development.
83 Amos & Andrew (1993)
Nicolas Cage Plays Amos Odell
*Amos & Andrew*, directed by E. Max Frye, attempts to tackle sensitive racial issues through comedy but falls flat both critically and commercially.Despite some insightful social commentary, the film was largely viewed as misguided in its approach and execution.
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