Val Kilmer
ActingAbout Val Kilmer
Val Edward Kilmer (December 31, 1959 – April 1, 2025) was an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer became popular in the mid-1980s after a string of appearances in comedy films, starting with Top Secret! (1984), then the cult classic Real Genius (1985), as well as blockbuster action films, including a role in Top Gun and a lead role in Willow. During the 1990s, Kilmer gained critical respect after a series of films that were also commercially successful, including his roles as Jim Morrison in The Doors, Doc Holliday in 1993's Tombstone, Batman in 1995's Batman Forever, Chris Shiherlis in 1995's Heat, and Simon Templar in 1997's The Saint. During the early 2000s, Kilmer appeared in several well-received roles, including The Salton Sea, Spartan, and supporting performances in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Alexander, and as the voice of KITT in Knight Rider.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Val Kilmer reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Val Kilmer's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 72% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Val Kilmer remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Val Kilmer Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Val Kilmer's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Val Kilmer.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | How to Rob a Bank | Chris Shiherlis (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Val | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | Cinema Twain | Mark Twain | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Palo Alto | Stewart | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Standing Up | Hofstadder | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Kill the Irishman | Joe Manditski | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | The Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Bloodworth | Warren Bloodworth | Hit | Similar → |
| 2009 | Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans | Stevie Pruit | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Felon | John Smith | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Mon Clown | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | American Meth | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Knight Rider | K.I.T.T. (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 2007 | Have Dreams, Will Travel | Henderson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Déjà Vu | Paul Pryzwarra | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | The Ten Commandments: The Musical | Moses | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Kiss Kiss Bang Bang | Gay Perry | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Champion | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Alexander | Philip | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Bounty Hunters | Himself | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Danger Zone: The Making of Top Gun | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Mindhunters | Jake Harris | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Spartan | Scott | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Missing | Lt. Jim Ducharme | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | Wonderland | John Holmes | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | The Salton Sea | Tom Van Allen | Danny Parker | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Pollock | Willem DeKooning | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Prince of Egypt: From Dream to Screen | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | At First Sight | Virgil Adamson | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Prince of Egypt | Moses (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | The Saint | Simon Templar | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Ghost and the Darkness | Col. John Henry Patterson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | A Century of Science Fiction | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Heat | Chris Shiherlis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Wings of Courage | Jean Mermoz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Riddle Me This: Why Is Batman Forever? | Self - Batman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Tombstone | Doc Holliday | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | True Romance | Mentor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Thunderheart | Ray Levoi | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Doors | Jim Morrison | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Kill Me Again | Jack Andrews | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Billy the Kid | William Bonney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Willow | Madmartigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Willow: The Making of an Adventure | Self / Madmartigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains | Robert Elliot Burns / Elliot Roberts | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Top Gun | Ice | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Real Genius | Chris Knight | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Top Secret! | Nick Rivers | Hit | Similar → |
Val Kilmer - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Val Kilmer?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Val Kilmer is "The Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Val Kilmer acted in?
Val Kilmer has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Val Kilmer?
Other notable films include "Bounty Hunters", "Top Gun: Maverick", and "Heat".