One minute, Ethan Hawke is a police officer; the next, he’s a vampire on the prowl, then he’s playing a jazz musician. Through it all, he remains versatile as an actor and director whose many roles have left a lasting impact. Hawke’s career crosses the boundaries of genres and moods from romance to crime and even horror. Like most actors, some of his performances hit the right spot, while others never quite reached the same heights. Even at that, each project adds a little something to his lasting legacy as an actor.
Hawke has been in the movie industry since 1985, and with so many standout performances, selecting his best films is no easy task. The real challenge is deciding which ones to leave off this list, since Hawke is no stranger to stellar acting. These movies were picked for a bunch of reasons, ranging from great acting to box office success, and everything in between.
1. Boyhood (2014)
Boyhood is a distinctive coming-of-age drama that is true to life — it’s emotional, relatable, and gently tough. It is written and directed by Richard Linklater, and the film captures the beauty and ugliness of family life, adulthood, and how time just slips away. Ethan Hawke is Mason Sr., a dad whose own marriage did not work, but who clings to stay in his kids’ lives as they grow up. He’s supported by Patricia Arquette as his ex-wife Olivia, and their kids Mason Jr. (Ellar Coltrane) and Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), who grow up under our very eyes.
The beauty of Boyhood is that it pulls you in with its real, everyday moments, making you feel like you’re experiencing life alongside the characters. With Hawke’s supporting role providing a boost, the film ticked a lot of boxes. It earned a 97% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and although it didn’t hit massive box office numbers, it still grossed $57.3 million against a $4 million budget.
2. Training Day (2001)
In Training Day, Ethan Hawke plays Jake Hoyt, a young police officer looking to make his mark. He‘s partnered with rough around the edges and explosive Detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) for a routine day on the beat. But in short order, the day spirals out of control as Jake realizes Harris isn‘t just bending the law — he‘s deep in with the Russian Mafia and subjecting Jake to a whirlwind of moral dilemmas and kill-or-be-killed moments.
Overall, Training Day is an intense crime thriller that showcases Hawke’s charisma as a relentless LAPD trainee. He fits well into the role, with many critics calling his act excellent and a masterpiece. The fact that Hawke poured his heart into the role, coupled with his chemistry with Washington, is enough to give the movie a moment of applause.
3. Dead Poets Society (1989)
In Dead Poets Society, Hawke plays Todd Anderson, a quiet high school student who discovers his voice during the course of the film through poetry. This was the breakout role that gave the actor a chance to shine — and he made it clear he was headed for the big leagues.With the support of his teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), Todd and his fellow students learn to embrace the arts — even though Keating’s unorthodox teaching methods ultimately yield some negative results.
The film hit it off with critics and audiences alike, with The Washington Post calling it “solid, smart entertainment”. Dead Poets Society is one of Hawke’s most successful films at the box office. It recorded a whopping $235.9 million in adjusted dollars over a $14.4 million budget.
4. Before Midnight (2013)
In Before Midnight, Ethan Hawke is not only on screen — he co-wrote the screenplay too. His character, Jesse, is trying to work out love, family, and career all at once. It becomes real with Celine (Julie Delpy), and their relationship runs into some tough but real moments that hit a little too close to home.
The film is driven by Hawke’s performance, which was listed as the third-best of the year in 2013. Before Midnightis the last of the Before trilogy. The first two are Before Sunrise (1995) and Before Sunset (2004). All three of the movies have gained massive attention and are among Hawke’s best films.
5. First Reformed (2017)
One of Ethan Hawke’s most memorable roles ever is as Reverend Ernst Toller, a Church minister going through a personal crisis in First Reformed. The psychological thriller, directed by Paul Schrader, follows the Reverend as he helps people with their salvation but finds himself weighed down by his own internal demons. Through it all, Hawke is the balance that holds First Reformed.
Although it saw limited commercial success, the film is worth mentioning as one of Ethan Hawke’s best films. Forget its earnings, the actor left quite a mark with his stellar performance in the film, which was generally well-received. On Rotten Tomatoes, First Reformed gained 94% from 255 critics’ reviews, and Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said that “the sheer Bunyanesque severity of this film is as refreshing as a glass of ice-cold water”.
6. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)
Sidney Lumet created many great films in his lifetime, and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead was the last before his demise in 2011. This intense crime thriller film features Hawke as Hank Hanson, who has seen his fair share of troubles in life. His vulnerability is obvious, and he becomes the perfect accomplice when his brother Andy orchestrates the robbery of their parents. The robbery leads to the death of his mother, further crumbling their dysfunctional family.
Here, Hawke displays raw talent, thereby contributing to the universal acclaim of the movie. Following its release, Lumet was named a living treasure by Roger Ebert. It recorded $25 million box office sales over an $18 million budget. Beyond its earnings, the movie also claimed numerous awards and honors, such as the American Film Institute Awards and the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cast.
7. Gattaca (1997)
Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca is set in a future where your DNA pretty much decides your whole life. If you’re born naturally, you’re labeled ‘in-valid’ and stuck at the bottom. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent Freeman, a guy who refuses to let his so-called flaws hold him back — not even from chasing his dream of going to space. To achieve it, he secretly uses the genetic makeup of a ‘valid’ (played by Jude Law) to obtain employment at Gattaca and aspirations for the stars.
Despite its underwhelming box office returns, Gattaca remains a thought-provoking, intelligent film where Hawke delivers an exceptional performance. The film exposes the deep debate about human genetic engineering. No doubt, it’ll go down as a movie that changed pop culture and even became a topic in classrooms.
8. Predestination (2014)
Predestination is all about time travel, and it’s the kind of movie that messes with your head in the best way. Here, Ethan Hawke plays a time-traveling agent who’s trying to stop a bomber from wreaking havoc. The movie is based on a 1959 short story called “All You Zombies,” and Sarah Snook and Noah Taylor also deliver good performances that make it worth watching.
Predestination might not have been a commercial success — it didn’t exactly turn a profit with its $5 million budget — but that does nothing to diminish how well it holds up. It’s one of those overlooked gems that received its second wind years later, appearing on Netflix and earning respectable scores: 84% among critics, 75% among average viewers.
9. Reality Bites (1994)
There’s a lot to like about Ben Stiller’s Reality Bites, from the rom-com theme to how it gives viewers a glimpse of some top-shelf conflict and resolution. It piles on the complexities of the relationship between Hawke’s character, Troy, and Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder). At the end of the day, the two find a soft landing for their relationship, but the journey there is not void of its ups and downs.
Ethan Hawke’s interpretation of the role is appreciated and that’s mainly because he was relatable, especially with the young folk. But, despite great reviews, Reality Bites became a moderate success at the box office. It grossed $41 million on an $11.5 million budget.
10. Born to be Blue (2015)
At its heart, Born to Be Blue is all about music with elements of romance and the many odds of Chet Baker, played by none other than Ethan Hawke. The movie loosely draws from real events in Chet Baker’s life, but it mixes in some fiction too. It follows the jazz musician after a brutal attack that leaves him seriously injured and puts his entire career on the line.
Despite the film’s commercial flop, Born to Be Blue‘s authenticity glimmers, showing the real life of Chet Baker. This makes it appealing to the audience, and the emotional depth of the plot twists also earns it critical acclaim. Ethan Hawke’s performance remains crucial to the movie, showing off his struggle while also blending music and romance.
