By Keanu Reeves has never allowed his fame to go to his head. The actor is well-known for his philanthropy and would rather ride the New York subway than sit in a chauffeur driven limousine.
His movie career has a similarly understated feel about it despite the actor appearing in some of Hollywood’s biggest box office successes in the last 20 years such as The Matrix and Speed. What Reeves has done is mix commercial triumphs with personal projects that haven’t always set the box office alight.
However, his singular achievements not only make him one of America’s greatest male stars but provide us with a diverse and compelling filmography.
What are the best Keanu Reeves movies?
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Reeves was raised in Toronto where he started acting in theatre productions and on television. He made his feature film debut in 1986’s Youngblood.
His major acting breakthrough came when he starred alongside Alex Winter in science fiction comedy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). He would go on to reprise his character in the sequels including the most recent, Bill & Ted Face the Music.
However, it was his work in the independent drama My Own Private Idaho a couple of years later that showcased the true extent of his dramatic range before he scored commercial hits with early 1990s action films Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994).
Now let’s take a look at Keanu Reeves’ top 10 films…
10. Speed
Dir. de Bont (1994)
Speed is an enjoyable thrill ride that made the most of its straightforward plot with high-octane set pieces and a great supporting performance from Sandra Bullock.
Reeves himself is fine, but he’s more of a one-dimension hero caricature here. Speed isn’t the best Keanu Reeves film because it lacks a bit of originality following the same formulaic hero-saves-the-girl format but the actor comes off as a genuine saviour and a badass at times which makes for an appealing combination of hero and heroine.
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9. Knock Knock
Dir. Roth (2015)
Eli Roth directs a truly frightening thriller in Knock, Knock. To be honest I didn’t think Reeves could pull off traditional horror, but he is pretty convincing as a adulterous husband.
Knock Knock is completely over the top insane. The two women dominate the screen, raging vengeance on cheating men. At times Reeves comes off weak and unforgiving but he handles his business.
8. The Replacements
Dir. Deutch (2000)
The Replacements is such an amusing light-hearted, sarcastic film. Reeves stars as a second string quarterback hired to play for a losing football team, The Washington Sentinels.
A formulaic but funny film due to Reeves’ charismatic character who is flooded with contrived moral conviction but doesn’t want to let people down. Not a great film by any stretch but Reeves carries it with his enthusiastic charm and wit.
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7. Parenthood
Dir. Howard (1989)
Parenthood is a silly story but still one of the best Keanu Reeves films. It deserves a mention even if he is by no means the star of the film. It’s hard to outshine Steve Martin, who plays Gil, a hard-working guy just trying to take care of a very big family.
Reeves plays Tod, the tearaway boyfriend of Gil’s sister’s daughter, who manages to find his place within the increasingly chaotic Buckman family household. Reeves is delightfully quirky here as a laid back slacker kind of reminiscent of another character he once played.
6. The Matrix
Dir. Wachowskis (1999)
The Matrix is a fascinating film posing all sorts of questions and philosophies on life. Is it real or imagined? It questions people’s thoughts on reality and perception. Reeves himself is perfectly cast as the slightly spacey, emotionally detached loner who morphs into a trench coat wearing badass.
The actor is very dynamic in this role and proves he has all the attributes to be an action movie superstar. The film also looks amazing thanks to its inventive, 360-degree camera work and sharp action sequences.
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5. Point Break
Dir. Bigelow (1991)
Point Break got shunned by critics and I don’t know why. It’s an interesting story and delivers a non-stop adrenaline rush, but it also displays some very good acting.
Keanu Reeves stars as college football quarterback-turned-FBI agent Johnny Utah. We suppose the film was instantly greenlit once that was pitched. But it gets even better. Utah is assigned to infiltrate a band of surfers led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) who is believed to be tied to a string of bank robberies.
Reeves finds himself torn between his duty and his newfound friendship to the free-spirited Bodhi. The story is essentially about loyalty. Reeves at times over-acts but it somehow fits with the story. He remains convincing but the love story is cheesy. Bodhi, the soul surfer, does teach the wide-eyed cop a lesson in the end.
4. The Devil’s Advocate
Dir. Hackford (1997)
A dark, hybrid film: part legal drama, part supernatural horror film, part psychological character study. It’s a mix that mostly works.
Keanu Reeves stars as Kevin Lomax, a bright attorney with no hang ups about defending clearly guilty clients. An invitation to join an esteemed New York law firm leads to serious temptation when Lomax discovers that one of its partners, John Milton (Al Pacino), is actually Satan.
Both Pacino and Reeves deliver some of their best performances of the ’90s in this film, benefiting from a strong script. Reeves brings emotional subtlety to his portrayal of Lomax while Pacino layered his character with a pot-boiling aggression. The duality brought an interesting contrast.
3. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Dir. Herek (1989)
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure is just a fun movie. Two stoner dudes in a band called The Wyld Stallyns want to make it big but first must pass a history exam. What could possibly go wrong? Bill & Ted race against time and pal around with everyone from Billy the Kid to Abraham Lincoln to an ice cream-chugging Napoleon.
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter fit their roles like a glove, portraying Bill and Ted as equal parts surfer dudes and metal heads. The film deserves its high place because I do believe this is the one that lets us know Reeves was destined for stardom. Reeves is extremely entertaining along with Winter in this offbeat comedy.
2. My Own Private Idaho
Dir. Van Sant (1991)
Keanu Reeves was no doubt looking for more heartier roles in the 1990s. In fear of being typecast as a rocker stoner dude, My Own Private Idaho sees the actor play Scott, son of a politician from a wealthy family. He rejects his silver spoon existence by hanging with street people and the poor. His best friend is Mikey played by River Phoenix, a hustler who he takes under his wing.
The film is a perfect example of Reeves acting ability. It’s raw and real. Reeves really has to stretch himself here giving a heartfelt performance as a dear friend to a lost soul. Then has to turn his back in a twist of bad fate.
My Own Private Idaho is very loosely based on Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, and Henry V. Though a bit light on plot, the film deals with the struggles faced by these young men as they face their day-to-day obstacles and Mikey’s quest to reconnect with his mother.
1. River’s Edge
Dir. Hunter (1986)
River’s Edge offers a compelling, disquieting and unique story that’s triggered by a murder. John (Daniel Roebuck) confesses to his group of high school friends (including Keanu Reeves, Crispin Glover and Ione Skye) that he murdered his girlfriend. After finding her body, the disaffected and emotionally detached teens struggle with the desire to protect their friend and the need to do the right thing.
This is the film that truly displayed Reeves’ acting range because up until this film he had only played comical light-hearted roles. River’s Edge was his breakout movie.
It’s a fascinating film and Reeves is so charismatic in a dark and gloomy way. His chemistry bounces off Ione Skye like a finely tuned instrument. Reeves convincingly plays the voice of reason to a group of desensitised kids.
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I’m surprised there’s no mention of John Wick, which is one of my favorites from Reeves in a long time. It’s such a crazy B movie in the vein of action films from the ’80s and early ’90s. I’m surprised to have never heard of Knock Knock, though it sounds interesting. I’d also put Bram Stoker’s Dracula somewhere in the 8-10 range, though Reeves has more of a supporting role. So I’m not sure it really fits. I agree with most of the choices, though I’ve have The Matrix closer to the top. Nice job.
Great list but John Wick would make my top 5. River’s Edge is terrific of course but I’d have Matrix as his number one. Terrific piece though Neal.
I’ve never seen John Wick and I have to be honest in my lists. The Matrix was great but I feel it’s not a film that stretches or showcases his acting ability.
Thanks for reading
I would highly highly highly recommend you watching John Wick. It’s one of the most stylish films I’ve ever seen. And he was terrific in it. Your list is really well done and of course it has the who’s who of his great films on their period or is that just fantastic and I loved his performance in Parenthood. I always enjoy reading your pieces, Neal.
John Wick is the big omission for me. Great film and far better than Knock Knock which I could barely sit through.
Knock Knock is really just a ripoff of the grindhouse classic “Death Game” came out in 1977. Eli is a real fan of horror films.
Just noticed you’ve not seen John Wick. I’d recommend catching it.
Thanks for reading, Callum. That is the beauty of opinion. I will check it out.
Nice list. Top 5 is perfect. I’d perhaps push Speed ahead of The Matrix but I guess the Wachowskis’ film was the more innovative/influential film.
Good stuff Neal.
I rather like Speed a bit more than you. It’s definitely one of my favourite Reeves films. I think its simply premise is a big reason why it’s so successful as an action film and you’re right, the two leads make it work. There’s also a great support cast too.
I’m not going to argue with River’s Edge at number one – a great film. Perhaps I’d switch your one and two in my own top 10 but they’d definitely be the stand outs of his career.
But I think his performance in Bill and Ted gets underrated. That’s such a re-watchable film and I love the sequel too.
Like others on here, I recommend seeing John Wick which was something of a comeback for him.
Love Keanu and all these movies
I’ve only seen seven of these, and based on that I agree with choices 1 and 2. But what about Street Kings? I thought it was a pretty strong performance amongst a strong cast (Hugh Laurie, Forrest Whittaker).
I agree with Dan that Speed could have creeped up the order a bit, even if it is a film I’m not totally fond of.
Also, Larry Kasdan’s I Love You to Death – he bounces off pretty well against William Hurt.
Nevertheless, hats off to another well written list. I don’t like Roth, but at some point I’m definitely gunna watch Knock Knock thanks to this narrative.
Good top 10 Neal. Glad Speed crept on there as it’s my favourite Reeves film.
Speed just did not do it for me. I don’t fancy formulaic films. ( me trying to sound British, lol)
The selection is good. I would have also included Youngblood and Much Ado About Nothing (and others). ?
He may not have a leading role in some of his films, but I enjoy his portrayals in the storylines.
Youngblood? Really lol. He was basically an extra in that.
I really liked Nic Cage in Fast Times At Ridgemont High (laughing)
Oh Dan Grant I hear you!
I know I’m probably alone in my praise of his performance in Dracula but I really like him in that movie as well. I think he gets a bad rap butt he’s actually pretty good in my opinion in most films that I’ve seen him in.
Melissa, I’m not making fun of you, not at all. But as Neal said, if you include something like Youngblood, then stuff like Nic Cage in Fast Times, Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Rundown and Bob Hope in Spies Like Us is a good comparison.
In a acting sense, I think performance wise My Own Private Idaho and River’s Edge best represent him.
Definitely. Some of his earliest work is some of his most raw and it suits him. I still think he did a great job in Bill and Ted.
Good list.
With Keanu Reeves you can just as easily put together a Top10 bad Kaenau Reeves films!
Agree with what many have said, John Wick must be on the list, the whole film is made with a wry smile and this time Keanu is in on the joke!
Will always be a big fan of Bill and Ted, glad it is so high on the list.
With that said I believe it’s much harder to write a top good Keanu Reeves list. (Laughing)
Thanks for reading and the feedback, mate
@LisaKey
Have you never seen My Own Private Idaho??
Great list! I gotta say I LOVE John Wick and I also enjoyed his performance in the romantic drama A Walk In The Clouds. Of course Speed & The Matrix are awesome!
I don’t like romantic comedies, although I did like Sweet November.
Am really really pleased to see here “My Own Private Idaho”, a real gem and an often overlooked movie. But, wait…No “Constantine”? 🙂
Thanks Diana!
MOPI is such an interesting gem indeed. I never saw Constantine do it wouldn’t be true to put it up on the list. I will definitely have to check it out soon.
Thanks for reading ?
I actually like 47 Ronin surprised you didn’t mention it?
@eben
Never saw it.
It’s a great list. I would add John Wick, Constantine and The Lake House, but those are my personal favs.
Great choices and perfect placings. I’ve been saying River’s Edge is the best Keanu Reeves film for ages but so many people I speak to haven’t ever heard of it.