Whenever he isn't starring in the wildly successful Spider-Man: No Way Home, Willem Dafoe is busy being one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. A veteran who is not afraid to challenge himself, Dafoe has worked with legendary directors like Lars von Trier and Martin Scorsese while giving chances to works by rising talents like Sean Baker and Robert Eggers. Whether he is playing a villain or a hero, Dafoe always steals the spotlight thanks to his expressive face, his incredible line delivery, and his overall versatility.

Born in Wisconsin in 1955, Dafoe began his acting career in 1979 with the film Heaven’s Gate (for which he humorously lied about speaking Dutch in order to be cast). Though he has yet to win an Academy Award (despite being nominated four times), Dafoe has starred in some of the most iconic films of the last three decades and is still going strong. Some of his most recent films include Nightmare Alley, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Northman, and Aestroid City. He will soon appear in Yorgos Lanthimos's Poor Things, which opens in theaters on December 8, 2023. Here are his best performances, ranked.

Update November 6, 2023: This article has been updated to include more details on Willem Dafoe's best movies as well as where you can stream them.

10 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson’s film The Grand Budapest Hotel follows an old hotel concierge and a young bellboy who join forces is an exhilarating and quirky comedy with an impressive cast of Hollywood's finest actors. Dafoe does not disappoint in his role as deadly assassin J.G. Jopling, who has been hired to kill the hotel concierge because the man has inherited a valuable artwork.

What Makes It Great

Dafoe unleashes the deadliest part of his personality (along with great eyeshadow and leather) to add a wonderful punk-rock pinch of darkness to Anderson's characteristically saccharine film. The Grand Budapest Hotel was critically acclaimed, winning five BAFTAs and four Academy Awards.

Rent on Prime Video

9 Mississippi Burning (1988)

Based on an infamous murder investigation that rocked a Mississippi town in 1964, the social message of Mississippi Burning has only become more salient since its release in 1988. In this crime thriller, Dafoe plays Alan Ward, one of two white FBI agents sent to investigate the murders of three Black civil rights workers.

What Makes It Great

This 1988 film was met with divisive critiques due to its 'white savior' narrative, and while some of its elements have not stood the test of time, it was also praised for its emotionally-gripping performances and impressive cinematography, for which Peter Biziou won an Academy Award. With a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and Dafoe's hard-hitting performance, this movie still has the capacity to leave audiences dazzled and thrilled to this day.

Stream on MGM+

8 John Wick (2014)

One of the most important action films of the last decade, John Wick has gained a cult fanbase that has allowed the franchise to expand to four films. But none of that would not have been possible without the original film, in which Dafoe plays Marcus, a former high-class assassin who taught John everything he knows.

What Makes It Great

Dafoe does a wonderful job with the character, emphasizing the long history between Marcus and John but still being ambivalent enough so the audience is never quite sure which side he plays for. Somehow both ambiguous and extremely likable, this is Dafoe at the top of his action game.

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7 The Lighthouse (2019)

One of Dafoe's most recent roles, The Lighthouse is "a brilliantly acted" and highly-stylized "descent into madness," according to Julian Roman. Directed by Robert Eggers, who is also known for his critically adored The Witch, this black-and-white psychological thriller shows Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as lighthouse keepers who slowly, but surely succumb to the loneliness and isolation of their post.

What Makes It Great

The film was praised for its surreal imagery and masterful performances, and Dafoe locks into the profane, alcoholic insanity of a mad pirate-like man perfectly. His performance adds depth to the overall film and pairs brilliantly with Robert Pattinson, who himself gives an amazing performance, making this film one the best movies of the last decade. This film was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 92nd Academy Awards, and Dafoe even won the Best Supporting Male Award at the Independent Spirit Awards in 2020.

Stream on Paramount+

6 Spider-Man (2002)

One of Dafoe’s most iconic roles came with 2002's Spider-Man, which exposed him to a new generation of viewers and to legions of superhero movie fans. Dafoe plays a billionaire scientist named Norman Osborn who takes an unapproved drug to make himself stronger and ends up becoming The Green Goblin.

What Makes It Great

Dafoe's character is still viewed as one of the best comic-book film villains ever, almost too perfectly suited for Dafoe's unique facial features and voice, and has even made an acclaimed comeback in the franchise with Spider Man: No Way Home. This movie has turned into a timeless classic because of Dafoe's portrayal as the now much-beloved enigmatic villain, and his performance has turned the character into a pop culture icon over the decades.

Stream on Disney+ or Netflix

5 Shadow of the Vampire (2000)

Shadow of the Vampire was a fictionalized account on the making of the F.W. Murnau film Nosferatu. Dafoe plays Max Schreck, the actor who plays the titular vampire who many suspect to be an actual vampire. The movie also featured performances by John Malkovich, Cary Elwes, Eddie Izzard, Udo Kier, and Catherine McCormack.

What Makes It Great

Shadow of the Vampire landed Dafoe an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Not only does he perfectly capture the spirit of the original performance, but he truly makes it his own by tapping into his own movie star persona as a creepy figure. In an interesting twist of fate, Dafoe will star in Robert Eggers's remake of Nosferatu, playing the role of Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz, with Bill Skarsgård taking over the titular vampire role.

Not Available to Stream

4 The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

The most controversial role in Dafoe's filmography comes from Martin Scorsese‘s adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis's fictional novel about Jesus, The Last Temptation of Christ. The movie, however was shrouded in controversy; perhaps the reason for this was the film's controversial depiction of Jesus' sexual temptations, which led to public outrage, including protests from right-wing Christian groups, anonymous death threats, and even bans in many countries.

What Makes It Great

Playing the titular role of Jesus, Dafoe's performance was widely praised for its emotional intensity and commitment, but the Academy Award nomination eluded him. Still, the epic film remains a fantastic tale of sacrifice and desire thanks to Scorsese's masterful direction and Dafoe's humanizing performance, which placed emphasis on the difficulty of the decisions made by Jesus.

Rent on Apple TV

3 Antichrist (2009)

Dafoe is not one to shy away from controversial films, so it was only natural that he would end up collaborating with enfant terrible and arthouse darling Lars Von Trier (who has since been basically blacklisted for his disgustingly insensitive and supremely stupid remarks). Antichrist tells the stripped-down story of a couple who retreat to a cabin in the woods following the death of their son.

What Makes It Great

While his character remains unnamed, Dafoe plays a man who suffers from bizarre visions while his wife develops violent sexual behavior and a penchant for sadomasochism. His performance is surreal in the film and he embodies man with delusions in a chilling and eerily realistic manner. Written by Von Trier while hospitalized for his own depression, the film is a grim but impactful representation of the struggles many have with depression and anxiety.

Stream on Tubi or Kanopy

2 The Florida Project (2017)

Florida Project is a tender but heartbreaking coming-of-age film directed by Sean Baker, also known for directing Red Rocket and Tangerine. In the film, Dafoe plays Bobby Hicks, the manager of Magic Castle, a decrepit motel set next to DisneyWorld.The film shows the economic and emotional circumstances of a single mother and her mischievous daughter as they struggle to make ends meet.

What Makes It Great

One of his most acclaimed and humane performances, Dafoe received his third Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The film has been praised by fans and critics alike for its heartwarming and empathic narrative as well as the masterful direction, and it even boasts an approval rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Stream on fuboTV or Paramount+

1 Platoon (1986)

Oliver Stone's Platoon has been defined as one of the best war films ever made. Focusing on the psychological toll that war has on soldiers, Stone wrote the screenplay based on his experiences as an infantryman in Vietnam, making him the first Vietnam veteran to make a Hollywood film. Platoon was praised for Stone's screenplay, its political message, the realism of its battle sequences, and the performances from Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and, of course, Willem Dafoe.

What Makes It Great

Dafoe was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his sympathetic portrayal of Sergeant Elias, an idealistic but troubled army officer who takes Charlie Sheen's character under his wing; the scene in which he falls to his knees has become one of the most iconic images in all of cinema. Platoon is a great tale of bravery and one of the most important films about trauma and war, but it also contains perhaps the best Willem Dafoe performance of all time.

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