When you think of the most diverse actors of our time, you might come across a few names. But it’s undeniable that Johnny Depp is one of the leading actors who have played a slew of amazing roles, from the famed and beloved pirate to a madman with a hat. But what are the best Johnny Depp movies ever? It’s hard to narrow down just a few, but we can at least look at the top seven.
Johnny Depp is known for his multiple, and different, roles throughout his career, as well as his performances in several amateur rock bands. His band currently is The Hollywood Vampires, which consists of well-known rock stars Alice Cooper and Arosmith’s Joe Perry, as well as Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum.
But when he’s not jamming out, he’s creating beautiful performances on the screen. His first movie was in the horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984 but quickly rose as a teen idol in the series 21 Jump Street which ran from 1987 to 1990. From there he’s found several amazing roles, and these are the best Jonny Depp movies that highlight those characters.
7. Donnie Brasco, Prime Video (1997)
One of the best Johnny Depp movies ever is Donnie Brasco, a 1997 crime drama film directed by Mike Newell and starring alongside amazing names like Al Pacino, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo, and Anne Heche. The film is based on the 1988 nonfiction book, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia by Joseph D. Pistone and Richard Woodley.
The film is based on a true story where Depp plays Pistone’s life as an FBI undercover agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s, under the alias of Donnie Brasco, a jewel thief from Vero Beach, Florida.
6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Prime Video (2005)
Another one of his most iconic roles, and one of the best Johnny Depp movies of all time, is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The 2005 musical fantasy film was directed by Tim Burton, who is known for always trying to work with Johnny Depp. The film also stars Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, and many more. In the film, Depp plays Willy Wonka who owns a chocolate factory and has allowed families who have won a ticket to explore the factory.
While the movie closely follows Charlie, along with his grandfather, who explores the factory, Depp’s whimsical and fantastical role should still be appreciated. While there is still a deeper twist of many children ending up in unsafe situations, this is one of the many movies that shows off Depp’s unique, versatile acting skills.
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5. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Prime Video (1993)
Is there anything Johnny Depp can’t excel at, from crime dramas to musicals to coming-of-age movies? What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 comedy-drama that stars Depp, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Leonardo DiCaprio, and John C. Reilly. The movie is based on the 1991 novel sharing the same name by Peter Hedges, who also wrote the screenplay.
The film follows a young man in a small Midwestern town of the fictional rural town of Endora, Iowa who is taking care of his morbidly obese mother and his mentally-disabled younger brother while attempting to pursue his own happiness.
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4. Alice in Wonderland, Prime Video (2010)
There are some iconic Johnny Depp roles. Fans everywhere can name a few of his characters off the top of his head, with one being the madman in Alice in Wonderland. The fantasy adventure film is yet another genius creation by Tim Burton, but is of course based on the work by Lewis Carroll.
Starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and Mia Kingsleigh, the movie follows Alice, a nineteen-year-old who accidentally falls down a rabbit hole, returns to Wonderland, and alongside the Mad Hatter, helps restore the White Queen to her throne by fighting against the Red Queen and her Jabberwocky, or dragon.
3. Edward Scissorhands, Prime Video (1990)
Yet another Tim Burton creation, Edward Scissorhands is one of the best Johnny Depp movies ever. The 1990 gothic romantic fantasy film fits perfectly with Depp’s acting style and love for gothic. The movie stars him alongside Winona Ryder, Dianne West, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, and Alan Arkin.
The movie tells the story of an unfinished artificial humanoid who has scissor blades instead of hands, and is taken in by a suburban family and falls in love with their teenage daughter. It not only received high reviews upon release but it’s also said that it’s Burton’s most personal and favorite work.
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2. Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Paramount (2007)
One of the best Johnny Depp movies ever is the musical slasher film directed by Tim Burton, which is based on the stage play sharing the same name by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler. Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street follows some familiar themes with Depp’s acting, with the dark and sinister ambiance. The movie received critical acclaim upon release and is known as one of the greatest musical films of the 21st century.
The movie follows the legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the violence, and death, of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.
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1. The Pirates Franchise, Prime Video
It might be unfair to put a whole franchise at number one, especially since the newest one was a bit of a letdown, but Johnny Depp’s role in these movies deserves the number one spot. Captain Jack Sparrow quite literally makes the movie, which makes it one of the best Johnny Depp movies of all time.
The franchise is a fantasy supernatural swashbuckler film series that consists of five total films. It’s fair to say that the first one, The Curse of the Black Pearl, is the best, but Dead Man’s Chest is a close second. Starring Depp along with Kira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, and several supporting characters, this movie dives into the world of pirates.
It first follows Will Turner, a blacksmith who teams up with eccentric, but very well-known pirate, Jack Sparrow, on a mission to save Elizabeth Swann, the governor’s daughter, and his love, from Jack’s former pirate allies. Jack immediately steals the hearts of viewers and has since been one of his most iconic roles.