Johnny Depp is one of the most famous, eccentric, and diverse actors. The man is a chameleon and has played some amazing characters throughout his career. In an industry that emphasizes physical appearance, he is unique in that he’s not only good-looking but also has excellent acting skills. His acting talents and willingness to take risks have allowed him to continue working on projects loved by all types of movie-goers. Read on as we list down the top 5 movies from one of the most versatile actors around.
5. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005)
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Tim Burton’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular children’s novel is significantly grimmer than the 1971 Gene Wilder classic, and it also has a much more traumatized Willy Wonka. Depp is an inspired choice to play this uber-nerd who lights up the screen and emits waves of pain. Although Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka was somewhat goofy, Depp portrays Willy Wonka as an eccentric, damaged individual who uses his job as a candy maker to cope with past trauma. Depp garnered his sixth Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role as Willy Wonka.
4. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
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In Tim Burton’s 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, Johnny Depp plays Edward, an artificial young man who has scissors for hands and is raised by an inventor. Though Edward lives in a suburban family’s home, he does not know how to fit in with the ordinary people in his community. Winona Ryder plays the character of the daughter in the new family, and Edward falls in love with her. Depp received his first-ever Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Edward.
3. Finding Neverland (2004)
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The movie Finding Neverland departs from traditional adaptations of J.M. Barrie’s famous children’s tale “Peter Pan.” This movie examines Barrie’s life and how he came to create the popular play. Critics and audiences alike were surprised by Johnny Depp’s understated performance in Finding Neverland. His portrayal of author J.M. Barrie earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and nominations from the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild. This movie is a must-watch!
2. Pirates Of The Caribbean movie series (2003, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2017)
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Depp mined Keith Richards’ rock-and-roll swagger for his portrayal of the delightfully bumbling pirate Jack Sparrow. This choice paid off when the “Pirates” series became an unexpected hit. Depp’s seemingly crazy take on Jack Sparrow initially shocked some Disney execs, who wanted to halt production and even considered it a flop. But the movie spawned an even bigger franchise. Depp’s over-the-top performance won him the Screen Actors Guild Best Actor Award in 2003 and a pair of Oscar and Golden Globe nominations in 2004.
1. Donnie Brasco (1997)
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With a handful of quirky films under his belt, Depp made a drastic image change with this true story crime drama about an FBI agent going undercover as “The Jewel Man,” Donnie Brasco. Brasco quickly becomes entangled in the Bonanno criminal organization and the apprentice of veteran boss Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). Although Depp was well-known for his quirky films, he proved to be able to hold his own with some of the most famous names in Hollywood.