10 Best Val Kilmer Movies, Ranked

Val Kilmer has had a decade-spanning profession that features main blockbusters, underrated gems, and stone-cold classics. The actor has vacillated between genres and starring roles, with a few of his finest work coming in main supporting performances. He was additionally a part of one of many wildest Hollywood behind-the-scenes tales of any film ever. Past superstardom and alleged tough habits, Kilmer was a part of some main cultural touchstones.

These are movies which have grown steadily of their popular culture recognition and proceed to have a presence within the more and more crowded on-line world. A few of these motion pictures succeed largely due to Kilmer’s efficiency, whereas others are merely nice, with Kilmer as a single contributor to their success. Whereas the actor’s battle with throat most cancers has slowed his profession, his cultural footprint is all however ensured. This checklist will rank Val Kilmer’s finest movies primarily based on their total high quality, Kilmer’s function throughout the story, and their place amongst his cinematic oeuvre.

10

‘Batman Ceaselessly’ (1996)

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Batman (Val Kilmer) looking up in 'Batman Forever' — Picture by way of Warner Bros. Photos

Kilmer’s time carrying the cape and cowl was short-lived resulting from tensions between the actor and director Joel Schumacher on the set of Batman Ceaselessly. It was the third of the big-budget Batman motion pictures and the primary with out unique director Tim Burton and star Michael Keaton. After Warner Bros. was disillusioned in the dead of night content material (and decrease field workplace) of Batman Returns, they introduced on Kilmer and Schumacher to create a extra marketable superhero movie that would not scare kids and will promote McDonald’s toys.

For higher or worse, that is precisely what they received. Batman Ceaselessly and Kilmer’s efficiency, retrospectively, fall someplace in the midst of fan rankings, removed from the beloved The Darkish Knight however not practically as derided as Batman & Robin. The film shares loads of similarities with the notorious latter, together with the garish visuals and maximalism of Schumacher’s model, and Kilmer is massively overshadowed by the scenery-chewing villains performed by Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones. Regardless, Batman Ceaselessly was a field workplace hit, preserving Kilmer and the Caped Crusader within the popular culture dialog.

9

‘Willow’ (1988)

Directed by Ron Howard

Madmartigan under the rain in Willow — Picture by way of Lucasfilm

A critically panned fantasy film upon its launch, Willow has since developed a cult following sturdy sufficient to earn a follow-up collection, although not sturdy sufficient to maintain it from being canceled and subsequently faraway from Disney+. This George Lucas-produced epic borrows an awesome deal from The Lord of the Rings in its plot, which follows the titular character, a farmer from a small village performed by Warwick Davis, who turns into an unwitting caregiver to a child who’s focused by an evil sorceress.

Kilmer performs Madmartigan, a devil-may-care swordsman with a personality arc taken straight from Han Solo. With that quantity of cliché piled on prime, it will be simple for Madmartigan to be a boring caricature, however Kilmer has such charisma within the function that he finally ends up being probably the most enjoyable facets of the film and a swashbuckling reminder of the actor’s star energy. Very similar to the film itself, it is a efficiency that deserves to be revisited.

Willow

Launch Date: Could 20, 1988
Runtime: 126 minutes

8

‘Thunderheart’ (1992)

Directed by Michael Apted

Val-Kilmer-and-Ted-Thin-Elk-in-the-movie-Thunderheart-talking-at-sunset — Picture by way of TriStar Photos

Thunderheart is an underrated ’90s thriller that’s typically forgotten amongst Kilmer’s filmography, just like different movies of his from the identical decade, comparable to The Actual McCoy and The Ghost and the Darkness. It is a fictionalized account of the Wounded Knee incident that occurred in 1973 when Oglala Lakota protesters occupied the South Dakota city, which resulted in battle with federal brokers and a number of other deaths.

The movie turns real-life occasions right into a neo-Western homicide thriller that may be very profitable as a social thriller due to Michael Apted‘s documentarian eye and director of pictures Roger Deakins‘ stunning lensing of the South Dakota areas. It nonetheless falls prey to sure stereotypes and facets of a white savior narrative (Kilmer’s character is meant to be of blended Sioux heritage), however Thunderheart nonetheless provides room to its Native American characters. Kilmer is a strong lead, and his chemistry with First Nations actor Graham Greene gives among the finest scenes within the movie.

Thunderheart

Launch Date: April 3, 1992
Runtime: 119 minutes
Director: Michael Apted

7

‘High Gun’ (1986)

Directed by Tony Scott

Val Kilmer as Iceman arguing with Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun — Picture By way of Paramount Photos

The huge success of High Gun first catapulted Kilmer to stardom, and it is simple to see why. In his antagonistic supporting efficiency as Iceman, the rival to Tom Cruise‘s Maverick, Kilmer delivers a real star-is-born second. The arc of the two-megawatt stars going from rivals to wingmen (with a really suggestive volleyball recreation in between) is pure popcorn fodder.

Whereas the film might belong to Cruise and is not pretty much as good as some folks bear in mind, Kilmer’s flip was nonetheless iconic sufficient that he was introduced again for a short cameo to honor his character’s legacy in High Gun: Maverick. The 1986 Tony Scott unique might have since been eclipsed by its legacy sequel, however High Gun stays a slick, enjoyable slice of ’80s American cheese, and Kilmer is a key ingredient.

High Gun

Launch Date: Could 16, 1986
Runtime: 110 minutes

6

‘Actual Genius’ (1985)

Directed by Martha Coolidge

Val Kilmer sitting on the floor and looking emotional in Real Genius — Picture by way of TriStar Photos

Kilmer has at all times had comedic chops, however his profession is pretty slim with regards to true blue comedies. A manic exception is the cult faculty comedy Actual Genius. Premiering within the period of different high-concept teen comedies like Again to the Future and Bizarre Science, Actual Genius stars Kilmer as a gifted senior at a prestigious tech faculty who has taken to slacker antics to deal with the burden of expectations.

Kilmer acts as a mentor to a nerdy new pupil, and collegiate hijinks ensue. The film is way much less lascivious than a few of its contemporaries, and it additionally stands aside due to a sci-fi subplot involving area lasers. Kilmer’s efficiency is one among his finest, combining his signature charisma with a deeper insecurity that will get revealed over time. Extra folks ought to take note of this undersung and curious ’80s hidden gem.

Actual Genius

Launch Date: August 7, 1985
Runtime: 108 Minutes
Director: Martha Coolidge

5

‘High Secret!’ (1984)

Directed by Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker

Val Kilmer sings on stage in Top Secret! — Picture by way of Paramount Photos

The truth that comedy would not play a bigger function in Kilmer’s profession is odd, contemplating his movie debut was in one of many funniest spy comedies of all time. High Secret! got here from the filmmaking group of Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker, the minds behind the important comedy basic Airplane! Whereas this follow-up, which spoofs every part from espionage thrillers to Elvis motion pictures, will not be as properly remembered, it is arguably simply as humorous.

Kilmer performs American heartthrob and singer Nick Rivers, who will get concerned within the French resistance whereas visiting East Germany to carry out his widespread songs. The film is filled with the ZAZ group’s signature wordplay, visible gags, and absurd humorousness. Kilmer is completely suited to the function of the hip-swinging singer, taking part in straight to the comedian lunacy that surrounds him but additionally managing to get in loads of comedic jabs himself.

High Secret!

Launch Date: June 22, 1984
Runtime: 90 Minutes
Director: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker

4

‘The Doorways’ (1991)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Jim Morrison looking upset in The Doors — Picture by way of TriStar Photos

Oliver Stone‘s musical biopic of rock band The Doorways has been topic to controversy since its launch due to the liberties it takes with actual occasions and the way it depicted the late lead singer Jim Morrison. Nevertheless, Kilmer’s powerhouse efficiency has by no means been part of that dialogue. Not solely is his resemblance to the late singer fairly placing, however Kilmer additionally delivers probably the most poignant performances of his profession.

Kilmer takes on the mythic Morrison with excessive dedication and even does his personal singing. It is one among his most totally transformative performances that usually ranks extremely in his profession however is dragged down by the uneven movie that surrounds it. Stone is named a director with excessive highs and lows in his profession, and The Doorways falls someplace in between. Nonetheless, a lot of its finest moments are all due to Kilmer, to the purpose the place one may name him the movie’s saving grace.

The Doorways

Launch Date: March 1, 1991
Runtime: 140 minutes
Director: Oliver Stone

3

‘Warmth’ (1995)

Directed by Michael Mann

Val Kilmer fires a rifle during a shootout in Michael Mann's 'Heat' — Picture by way of Warner Bros.

Michael Mann‘s must-watch crime epic Warmth is without doubt one of the most influential heist movies of all time. From prime to backside, it has a stacked forged of performers, and whereas a lot of the press consideration the movie acquired on the time centered on the collaboration between leads Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, Kilmer remains to be a key a part of its ensemble with an emotional subplot that helps anchor the whole movie.

Kilmer performs a member of De Niro’s elite group {of professional} thieves. He has extra private stakes, due to a spouse and baby at residence, whom he later has to desert after a job goes unsuitable. Kilmer is in prime type and holds his personal in opposition to the heavyweight De Niro, however his character is way from the main target of the sprawling crime saga. Fortunately, Kilmer would not attempt to give a lead efficiency however as an alternative melds properly with the remainder of the ensemble, additional enhancing this crime masterpiece.

Warmth

Launch Date: December 15, 1995
Runtime: 170 minutes
Director: Michael Mann

2

‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ (2005)

Directed by Shane Black

Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer in a shootout scene during 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang' — Picture by way of Warner Bros. Photos

Famed screenwriter Shane Black‘s directorial debut Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is a neo-noir black comedy that options a lot of his logos, together with a Christmas setting and a dynamic duo on the middle of its thriller. Kilmer fills out half of that duo as non-public investigator Perry van Shrike, who has been attached with Robert Downey Jr.‘s thief-turned-would-be actor as a mentor. The 2 then rapidly grow to be concerned in a twisty plot involving a corpse and varied Hollywood has-beens and wannabes.

Kilmer and Downey have terrific chemistry, and each ship Black’s banter with ease. Whereas the movie wasn’t a hit, it did assist result in a profession resurgence for Downey, however sadly, the identical did not happen for Kilmer, who continued to battle in lesser productions earlier than headlining direct-to-video releases. It is a disgrace as a result of Kilmer’s breezy efficiency proves he hadn’t misplaced any of his innate allure, and it helped make the film one of many absolute best Christmas noir treats.

1

‘Tombstone’ (1993)

Directed by George P. Cosmatos

Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, looking shocked at something off-camera in Tombstone — Picture by way of Buena Vista Photos Distribution

Tombstone takes a mythic strategy to the legendary Wyatt Earp and his compatriots. It is grow to be an iconic Western full of incredible performing, however Kilmer, as Doc Holliday, provides the perfect efficiency. His flip because the tuberculosis-stricken Holliday is the type of supporting efficiency that utterly overshadows the lead function, which isn’t any imply feat contemplating Kurt Russell‘s efficiency as Earp is one among his finest as properly.

Kilmer merely would not hit a unsuitable notice on this efficiency. His chemistry with Russell crackles, and he delivers line after line of memorable dialogue with a Whiskey-soured sensibility. Regardless of an honest field workplace efficiency and evaluations that each one singled out Kilmer’s efficiency as a spotlight, the actor by no means acquired any actual awards recognition for the function. That oversight has since been overpowered by the long-lasting legacy that the film, with Kilmer’s efficiency persevering with to develop a few years since.