Anybody who dreams of becoming an actor should most certainly look to Dustin Hoffman for an education. Hoffman has the gift of completely transforming into any character that he takes on. He has delivered many iconic performances throughout the years and has seven Academy Award nominations, including two wins for his performances in Rain Man and Kramer Vs. Kramer. Hoffman is a dedicated actor who employs method acting to deliver such realistic performances. When you watch him on screen, he is so honest and seamless, it is as if you aren't even watching acting. When Hoffman starred in Netflix's The Meyerowitz Stories opposite Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller, he certainly proved that he still had the goods in later years.

Hoffman was born in Los Angeles, California and originally planned on studying medicine before leaving school to join the Pasadena Playhouse. He eventually moved to New York City, living with Gene Hackman and Robert Duvall, according to The Hollywood Reporter. After performing in some off-Broadway plays, Hoffman eventually got his big break when he was cast in director Mike Nichols' The Graduate opposite Anne Bancroft. After that, Hoffman continued to land leading roles while earning critical acclaim. He is now an A-list actor with a long and successful career under his belt. Let's look at his best movies, ranked.

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9 The Meyerowitz Stories

The Meyerowitz Stories was written and directed by Noah Baumbach and released on Netflix in 2017. It is a fantastic film focusing on the relationships between a dysfunctional family. Hoffman plays the patriarch of the family, Harold, who is a retired professor and artist. Hoffman gives a fantastic performance as a complicated artist struggling to make connections with his children. At the same time, his chemistry with Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and the rest of the cast is top-notch.

8 Straw Dogs

Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs is a brutal film about a young couple who moves to a rural area and clashes with the local residents. There are violent scenes that are hard to watch, but the film, as a whole, was a great achievement. Hoffman gives a stellar performance as a man who reaches his breaking point. A remake of the film was made in 2011 with James Marsden and Kate Bosworth, proving that the story still holds up.

7 Marathon Man

Marathon Man is a thrilling film directed by John Schlesinger and written by William Goldman. The story follows a history student named Thomas "Babe" Levy (Hoffman) who becomes roped in a political conspiracy to retrieve stolen diamonds for a Nazi war criminal (Laurence Olivier). The film is filled with suspense from beginning to end, and the screenplay is top-notch. At the same time, Hoffman, Olivier, and the rest of the cast give stellar performances.

6 Rain Man

Barry Levinson's Rain Man earned Hoffman his second Academy Award. The story follows Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) who takes his autistic brother, Raymond (Hoffman), across the country in hopes to receive his large inheritance. On the way, the two connect and Charlie learns that there is more to life than money. Hoffman is a tour de force from beginning to end in the film, and it is unquestionably one of his greatest performances of all time. Recently, however, as reported by The Guardian, Rain Man has been re-examined for its portrayal of autism, with some praising the representation and others denouncing it as damaging.

5 All The President's Men

All The President's Men is a political drama that focuses on two journalists uncovering the truth behind the Watergate Scandal. Hoffman and Robert Redford take the leading roles and their chemistry is top-notch. While their characters are very different, they created an iconic duo. The film is a fascinating look into politics and journalism.

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4 Tootsie

Tootsie is an endearing film that is particularly great to watch for anyone pursuing an acting career. Hoffman gives one of his greatest performances as a struggling New York City actor who decides to pose as a woman to land a dream role. To his surprise, he ends up becoming a critical hit and inspiration for women. The film is centered around female empowerment, and Hoffman's character learns a lot along the way. Hoffman is flawless from beginning to end.

3 Midnight Cowboy

In the classic film, Midnight Cowboy, Hoffman plays a street hustler nicknamed Ratso who helps cowboy Joe Buck (Jon Voight) try to make it in New York City. Hoffman gives a performance filled with raw emotion and physicality. As the film progresses, we see the hopeless situation that the two buddies find themselves in. It is a harsh story about broken dreams. Both Voight and Hoffman were nominated for Oscars, and the film took home the award for Best Picture.

2 Kramer Vs. Kramer

Hoffman won his first Academy Award for his tremendous performance in Kramer Vs. Kramer. He plays a career-obsessed father who takes on the responsibilities of a single parent after his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), leaves him. After his wife returns, the two find themselves in a heartbreaking battle for custody. The performances, alone, make this a classic film. At the same time, it is an endearing story filled with heart.

1 The Graduate

The Graduate is the type of film that should be seen by everybody at least once. It follows a recent college graduate named Benjamin (Hoffman), who is unsure about his future and begins an affair with his parents' friend, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The film is a very artistic coming-of-age story filled with a great blend of drama and humor. At the same time, the soundtrack provided by Simon & Garfunkel is absolutely legendary.