
Joaquin Phoenix
ActingAbout Joaquin Phoenix
Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (born October 28, 1974) is an American actor. Known for his roles as dark, unconventional and eccentric characters, particularly in period dramas, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, The New York Times named him one of the greatest actors of the 21st century. Phoenix began his career by appearing in a television series in the early 1980s with his older brother River. His first major film roles were in SpaceCamp (1986) and Parenthood (1989). During this period, he was credited as Leaf Phoenix. He began being credited as Joaquin Phoenix in To Die For, his first adult role. He received critical acclaim for his supporting roles in the comedy-drama To Die For (1995) and the period film Quills (2000). Phoenix received further critical acclaim and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Commodus in the historical drama Gladiator (2000). He had success with the horror films Signs (2002), The Village (2004) and the historical drama Hotel Rwanda (2004). He won a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of musician Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line (2005). Following a brief sabbatical, Phoenix starred in the psychological drama The Master (2012), winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor and earning his third Academy Award nomination. He gained praise for his roles in the romantic drama Her (2013) and the crime satire Inherent Vice (2014) and won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor for the psychological thriller You Were Never Really Here (2017). For his performance as the titular character of Joker (2019), Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He has since starred in the independent films C'mon C'mon (2021), and Beau Is Afraid (2023) and portrayed the title role in the historical drama Napoleon (2023). Outside of acting, Phoenix is an animal rights activist. A vegan, he regularly supports charitable causes and has produced several documentaries on global meat consumption and its impact on the environment.
Joaquin Phoenix Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Joaquin Phoenix reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Joaquin Phoenix's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 74% of Joaquin Phoenix's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Kids Don't Tell, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Joaquin Phoenix Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Joaquin Phoenix's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Joaquin Phoenix has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Made in Eddington | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2025 | Eddington | Joe Cross | Average | Similar → |
| 2024 | Joaquin Phoenix: An Actor of Extremes | Self - Actor (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Napoleon | Napoleon Bonaparte | Average | Similar → |
| 2023 | Finally Home: Making Beau is Afraid | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Beau Is Afraid | Beau Wassermann | Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | C'mon C'mon | Johnny | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Joker: Put on a Happy Face | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | My Darling Vivian | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Joker | Arthur Fleck | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | The Sisters Brothers | Charlie Sisters | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot | John Callahan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Dominion | Narrator (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | Mary Magdalene | Jesus | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | You Were Never Really Here | Joe | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Unity | Narrator (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Irrational Man | Abe | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Chryskylodon Blues | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2014 | Inherent Vice | Larry "Doc" Sportello | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Her: The Untitled Rick Howard Project | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Her: Love in the Modern Age | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Her | Theodore | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Immigrant | Bruno Weiss | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | The Master | Freddie Quell | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | I'm Still Here | Joaquin Phoenix | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Two Lovers | Leonard Kraditor | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | We Own the Night | Bobby Green | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Reservation Road | Ethan Learner | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Earthlings | Narrator (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Walk the Line | John R. Cash | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator' | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Hotel Rwanda | Jack Daglish | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Ladder 49 | Jack Morrison | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | The Village | Lucius Hunt | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Brother Bear | Kenai (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Buffalo Soldiers | Ray Elwood | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Signs | Merrill Hess | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Quills | Abbe du Coulmier | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Gladiator Games: The Roman Bloodsport | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Gladiator | Commodus | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | The Yards | Willie Gutierrez | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | 8MM | Max California | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Clay Pigeons | Clay Bidwell | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | Return to Paradise | Lewis McBride | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | U Turn | Toby N. Tucker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Inventing the Abbotts | Doug Holt | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | To Die For | Jimmy Emmett | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Parenthood | Garry Buckman-Lampkin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Kids Don't Tell | Frankie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Backwards: The Riddle of Dyslexia | Robby Ellsworth | Super Hit | Similar → |
Joaquin Phoenix - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Joaquin Phoenix?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Joaquin Phoenix is "Kids Don't Tell" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Joaquin Phoenix acted in?
Joaquin Phoenix has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Joaquin Phoenix?
Other notable films include "Finally Home: Making Beau is Afraid", "Made in Eddington", and "Dominion".




