Nicolas Cage has had one of the most varied careers in Hollywood, but it’s in the action movie genre that he’s had some of his most acclaimed and memorable roles. With three iconic releases in 1996 alone, including The Rock, Con Air, and Face/Off, Cage has made a name for himself as a non-stop worker who’s always willing to embrace even the most outlandish of movie premises. From blockbuster smashes to later lesser-known straight-to-video releases, Cage has become a touchstone in modern popular culture and has achieved cult status among action movie lovers.
While some of Cage’s best movies were undisputed action classics, there were also some heartbreakingly low points in his long and bloated filmography. Whether he’s portraying a vengeful father, a man who has escaped from hell, or even a future-seeing action hero, Cage has consistently remained totally committed to his roles and brought his unique style and eccentricities to Hollywood’s film landscape. With releases that included truly terrible movies, so-bad-it’s-good films, or beloved classics, Cage’s action movie career has been an undeniable part of the actor’s strange and enigmatic legacy.
20 Arsenal (2017)
Nicolas Cage as Eddie King
Arsenal 0
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Directed by Steven C. Miller, Arsenal is a 2017 Action and Thriller movie. It was released as direct-to-video and stars Nicolas Cage, Adrian Grenier, John Cusack, and Johnathon Schaech. The plot follows two brothers, one that engages in some unsavory actions and the other that must protect him.
Director Steven C. Miller Release Date January 6, 2017 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Jason Mosberg Cast Nicolas Cage , Tyler Jon Olson , Heather Johansen , John Cusack , Abbie Gayle , Lydia Hull , Adrian Grenier , William Mark McCullough , Johnathon Schaech , Christopher Coppola , Carrie Jo Hubrich Runtime 97minutes Expand
It boggles the mind why Nicolas Cage decided to reprise his role from the 1993 box office flop and critically reviled movie Deadfall for yet another lackluster film that bordered on offensive in its dullness. In Arsenal, Cage played the sleazy mobster Eddie King, a wig-wearing, mustache-clad, prosthetic-nosed caricature whose outrageous nature was a little too on the nose, even for lovers of Cage’s unique acting style. Arsenal was a painfully mediocre action movie about gangsters and kidnappings that was best avoided altogether.
19 211 (2018)
Nicolas Cage as Mike Chandler
211 (2018) 0
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211 is a 2018 action film directed by York Alec Shackleton. It stars Nicolas Cage as Officer Mike Chandler, who, along with a young civilian passenger, finds himself caught in the midst of a violent bank heist. The plot revolves around their efforts to survive the chaos and restore order as heavily armed robbers execute their plan, leading to intense confrontations and a desperate fight for survival.
Director York Shackleton Release Date June 8, 2018 Writers York Shackleton , John Rebus Cast Nicolas Cage , Sophie Skelton , Michael Rainey Jr. , Dwayne Cameron , Weston Cage , Ori Pfeffer Character(s) Mike Chandler , Lisa MacAvoy , Kenny , Steve MacAvoy , Luke , Tre Main Genre Action Expand
As just one in a long line of forgettable Nicolas Cage action movies, 211 followed a police officer and teenager stuck in a bank during a violent shootout and was loosely based on the real 1997 North Hollywood shootout. As a disjointed mix of action movie tropes strung together by an uninspired plot, 211 was truly the bottom of the barrel regarding Cage’s many direct-to-video releases. With very little going for it, 211 was a generic heist movie that totally lacked the unique charm and originality of Cage’s greatest action offerings.
18 Rage (2014)
Nicolas Cage as Paul Maguire
Rage 0
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Rage is a crime thriller directed by Paco Cabezas, starring Nicolas Cage as Paul Maguire, a reformed criminal whose retirement is shattered when his daughter is kidnapped. Determined to find her, Paul revisits his violent past and confronts old enemies. Danny Glover, Rachel Nichols, and Peter Stormare co-star in this intense narrative exploring themes of revenge, redemption, and the consequences of a criminal life.
Director Paco Cabezas Release Date May 9, 2014 Writers Jim Agnew , Sean Keller Cast Nicolas Cage , Rachel Nichols , Max Ryan , Michael McGrady , Peter Stormare , Pasha D. Lychnikoff Runtime 98 minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand
Disappointedly, Rage never managed to quite meet the so-bad-its-good criteria of Nicolas Cage action movies and instead stood as a lackluster kidnapping story. With Cage as a former reformed criminal whose kidnapped daughter forces him to gather his old crew and resume his old habits again, this was a movie done ten times better in the countless Taken rip-offs out there. While this kind of violence-filled story of pure vengeance has been a franchise starting in the past, here it was just a forgettable retread of action movie cliches.
Rage
was released under the title
Tokarev
in most of Europe and Australia.
17 Outcast (2014)
Nicolas Cage as Gallain
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Outcast is an action-drama film set in China during the 12th century, directed by Nick Powell. The story follows two former Crusaders, played by Nicolas Cage and Hayden Christensen, who become entangled in a conflict to protect a prince and his sister from their evil sibling seeking the throne. The movie blends martial arts elements with themes of redemption and survival in a historical setting.
Director Nick Powell Release Date September 26, 2014 Writers James Dormer Cast Nicolas Cage , Hayden Christensen , Liu Yifei , Summer Jike , Andy On , Anoja Dias Bolt , Byron Lawson , Fernando Chien , Jawed El Berni Character(s) Gallain , Jacob , Lian , Mei , Shing , Anika , Captain Peng , Wu , Moor Captain Main Genre Action Expand
The American-Chinese-Candian co-production Outcast paired Nicolas Cage with Hayden Christensen for a universally panned period action movie set during the Crusades. Outcast was slated by critics, with Glenn Kenny of Rogerebert.com rightfully noting that it represented Cage moving out of his “entertainingly eccentric phase” and into his “genuinely befuddling and perhaps sad phase.” This was one best left for Cage-completionists only, as this tale of Chinese Emperors and mysterious warriors failed to connect with anybody and boasts an abysmal 4% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
16 Grand Isle (2019)
Nicolas Cage as Walter
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Grand Isle is a thriller directed by Stephen S. Campanelli, starring Nicolas Cage and KaDee Strickland. Set on a storm-lashed island, the film follows a troubled young man who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation after seeking refuge at the home of a mysterious couple. As the truth unravels, buried secrets and hidden motives come to light, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere.
Director Stephen S. Campanelli Release Date December 6, 2019 Writers Iver William Jallah , Rich Ronat Cast Nicolas Cage , Kadee Strickland , Luke Benward , Kelsey Grammer , Zulay Henao , Emily Marie Palmer , Oliver Trevena , Beatrice Hernandez Character(s) Walter , Fancy , Buddy , Detective Jones , Officer Newton , Lisa , Officer Garrett , Patty Main Genre Thriller Expand
Grand Isle saw Nicolas Cage play a hard-drinking Vietnam veteran haunted by his past in a depressing story that saw a young man trying to prove his innocence against accusations of murdering Cage’s wife. With a slowly unfolding narrative of sad and sinister characters, Grand Isle contained glimpses of Cage’s unique talents as his dark characterization kept things interesting. Although there was enough intrigue in this neo-noir tale to make this one worth recommending to casual Cage fans, unfortunately, the weak script and structural issues of Grand Isle stop it from achieving greatness.
15 Primal (2019)
Nicolas Cage as Frank Walsh
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Primal is an action thriller directed by Nick Powell, starring Nicolas Cage as Frank Walsh, a big-game hunter who smuggles exotic animals on a cargo ship. The journey spirals into chaos when a dangerous political assassin, also on board, escapes and unleashes the captured creatures. Co-starring Famke Janssen and Kevin Durand, the film combines suspense with dynamic action sequences set aboard the confined maritime vessel.
Director Nick Powell Release Date November 8, 2019 Writers Richard Leder Cast Nicolas Cage , Famke Janssen , Kevin Durand , LaMonica Garrett , Michael Imperioli , Tom Walker Runtime 97 minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand
Primal had the exact kind of over-the-top concept that makes a great Nicolas Cage action movie, although for how fun it was, it fell short of this honor and was more of a guilty pleasure in Cage’s filmography. With Cage as Frank Walsh, a big game hunter who caught a 400-pound white jaguar, all hell broke loose when the big cat was shipped on the same vehicle as a skilled assassin who sets the animal free. Like the beast, Primal was wild and unhinged but lacked the B-movie energy and urgency found in Cage’s best action offerings.
14 Vengeance: A Love Story (2017)
Nicolas Cage as John Dromoor
Vengeance: A Love Story (2017) 0
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Vengeance: A Love Story is a crime thriller directed by Johnny Martin and starring Nicolas Cage. Based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates, the film centers on a detective who seeks justice for a single mother brutally assaulted in front of her daughter. Set in a small town, the narrative explores themes of revenge and justice as the detective battles legal and personal obstacles to make the perpetrators pay for their crimes.
Director johnny martin Release Date September 15, 2017 Writers John Mankiewicz Cast Nicolas Cage , Anna Hutchison , Talitha Eliana Bateman , Deborah Kara Unger , Don Johnson , Charlene Tilton , Joshua Mikel , Rocco Nugent , Joe Ochterbeck , Carter Burch , Jimmy Gonzales , Dikran Tulaine Main Genre Thriller Character(s) John Dromoor , Teena Maguire , Bethie Maguire , Agnes , Jay Kirkpatrick , Irma Fick , Marvin Fick , Lloyd Fick , Jimmy De Lucca , Fritz Haaber , Detective Zwaff , Walt Fick Expand
Vengeance: A Love Story, adapted from a novel by Joyce Carol Oates, tells the story of a policeman investigating the rape of a single mother who was forced to take the law into his own hands after the attackers were acquitted. While Vengeance had a disappointingly formulaic revenge movie structure, the incredible performance of Talitha Bateman as the daughter elevated this film into something more than the sum of its parts. Sadly, Cage never seemed to connect with his role fully and struggled with the film’s slower pace, which, from a performance perspective, made it one of his weaker works.
13 Bangkok Dangerous (2008)
Nicolas Cage as Joe
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Bangkok Dangerous is a 2008 action film directed by the Pang Brothers and stars Nicolas Cage as Joe, a hitman on an assignment in Bangkok. Joe’s life takes an unexpected turn when he forms emotional bonds with a local woman and a street punk, challenging his solitary existence and professional detachment. The film explores themes of isolation, redemption, and the moral complexities of a life of crime.
Director Danny Pang , Oxide Pang Chun Release Date August 21, 2008 Studio(s) Virtual Studios , Saturn Films , Blue Star Pictures , Living Films , Bangkok Dangerous , Initial Entertainment Group , Lionsgate Writers Jason Richman Cast Nicolas Cage , Shahkrit Yamnarm , Charlie Yeung , Panward Hemmanee , Nirattisai Kaljaruek Runtime 99 Minutes Budget 45000000.0 Main Genre Action Expand
Bangkok Dangerous was a remake of the Pang brothers’ own 1999 Thai film that cast Nicolas Cage as a professional contract killer who was forced to violate his personal code for the good of those he loves. While it may not have a profoundly complex storyline, for those looking for solid action-movie fun and a long-haired Cage shooting his way through Bangkok, it more than delivered. Cage also acted as a producer on this American remake that walked the fun line between entertainment and pure ridiculousness.
12 Dog Eat Dog (2016)
Nicolas Cage as Troy
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Dog Eat Dog is a crime drama directed by Paul Schrader, featuring Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe. The film revolves around three ex-convicts hired by a mob boss for a kidnapping job that spirals out of control. Set against a gritty backdrop, Dog Eat Dog explores themes of criminality and moral ambiguity, offering a raw portrayal of characters entrapped by a life of crime.
Director Paul Schrader Release Date November 4, 2016 Writers Matthew Wilder Cast Nicolas Cage , Willem Dafoe , Christopher Matthew Cook , Omar J. Dorsey , Louisa Krause Main Genre Crime Character(s) Troy , Mad Dog , Diesel , Moon Man , Krause Expand
Dog Eat Dog was worth watching just to see two of the most interesting actors in Hollywood, Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe, sharing the screen together. From the acclaimed director Paul Schrader, Dog Eat Dog doesn’t quite live up to his best work, such as the screenplays for Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, yet its thrilling story of three ex-cons holding a kidnapped baby for ransom remained engaging and witty throughout. With plenty of talented people involved, Dog Eat Dog had great chemistry, a farcical story, and a strong sense of humor.
11 Stolen (2012)
Nicolas Cage as Will Montgomery
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Stolen follows the story of a family grappling with the disappearance of their young child. The series, anchored by nuanced performances and a gripping narrative, delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil experienced by the family while navigating the complexities of the legal system and the media spotlight.
Director Simon West Release Date September 6, 2012 Writers David Guggenheim Cast Nicolas Cage , Josh Lucas , Danny Huston , Malin Akerman , Sami Gayle , Edrick Browne Runtime 96 minutes Main Genre Action Expand
It’s a tale as old as time; a former thief has 12 hours to track down $10 million dollars and save his daughter from imminent danger in Stolen. Although it bombed at the box office when it was first released, looking back on Stolen, it was a high-octane thriller that kept intensity going throughout in a classic race-against-the-clock style story. There’s nothing much deeper than that in Stolen, but everything came together incredibly well, and, in typical Cage fashion, he gave his all to a script that a lesser actor would have phoned in.
10 Drive Angry (2011)
Nicolas Cage as John Milton
Drive Angry 1
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pg-13ActionComedyFantasy
Nicolas Cage stars in Drive Angry, an action movie that follows Cage as John Milton, a tortured soul who escapes from hell with the gun of Satan to save his granddaughter from a cult leader who murdered his daughter. Now on a road-trip from hell (literally,) Milton, joined by a waitress he saves from an abusive relationship, will leave destruction in their wake to face off against cultists and the agents of hell.
Director Patrick Lussier Release Date February 25, 2011 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment , Lionsgate Writers Todd Farmer , Patrick Lussier Cast Nicolas Cage , Amber Heard , William Fichtner , Billy Burke , David Morse , Todd Farmer , Christa Campbell , Charlotte Ross Runtime 105minutes Budget $50 million Main Genre Action Expand
The exploitation action horror movie Drive Angry ticked all the right boxes for an outrageous Nicolas Cage film. As John Milton, Cage stole Satan’s personal shotgun and escaped from Hell to save his granddaughter from the man who killed his daughter in an over-the-top exercise in total excess. Cage was perfectly cast as the vengeful man who had spent ten years in Hell, and while he had no issue enduring the pain that was inflicted upon him there, having to watch a video feed depicting his daughter’s murder continually was unbearable.
9 A Score To Settle (2019)
Nicolas Cage as Frank Carver
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A Score to Settle is an action thriller directed by Shawn Ku. Nicolas Cage stars as Frank, a former enforcer who is released from prison after serving 19 years for a crime he did not commit. With his newfound freedom, Frank embarks on a mission for vengeance, targeting those who betrayed him. Benjamin Bratt co-stars in this relentless tale of retribution and justice.
Director Shawn Ku Release Date August 2, 2019 Writers Shawn Ku , John Newman Cast Nicolas Cage , Noah Le Gros , Karolina Wydra , Mohamed Karim , ian tracey , Benjamin Bratt , Bailey Coppola , Dave Kenneth MacKinnon , Zyan Panagopoulos , Alex Alegria , Linda Ko , Anthony Timpano , Nicole G. Leier , Sean Owen Roberts Main Genre Action Character(s) Frank Carver , Joey Carver , Simone/Jennifer , Jimmy the Dragon , Tank , Q/San Quentin , Young Frank , Max , Bagman , Young Q , Prison Doctor , Baby-Faced Thug , Sleepy’s Daughter , Trip Expand
Nicolas Cage played Frank, a mobster who took the fall for a crime he didn’t commit for $450,000 and with the promise that his son would be protected while he’s incarcerated. However, a six-year sentence quickly turned to life, and when Frank was released for medical reasons, he had old scores to settle with the crooks who broke their promise. A Score to Settle was plenty of fun for what it was, as Cage helped elevate what could have been a forgettable film into pure B-movie action fun.
8 Next (2007)
Nicolas Cage as Cris Johnson
Next 0
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PG-13Sci-FiActionThriller
Next is a science fiction thriller directed by Lee Tamahori, starring Nicolas Cage as Cris Johnson, a man who can see two minutes into the future. Struggling with his unique ability, Cris tries to avoid the attention of both the government and a terrorist group plotting a devastating attack. Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel also star in this film based on Philip K. Dick’s short story “The Golden Man.”
Director Lee Tamahori Release Date April 27, 2007 Writers Gary Goldman , Jonathan Hensleigh , Paul Bernbaum Cast Nicolas Cage , Julianne Moore , Jessica Biel , Thomas Kretschmann , Tory Kittles , José Zúñiga , Jim Beaver , Jason Butler Harner Runtime 96 Minutes Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand
Next was adapted from a story by Philip K. Dick and starred Nicolas Cage as a man who can see into the future and must evade a group of terrorists who wish to use his powers for evil. With a star-studded cast that included Julianne Moore and Jessica Biel, Next was a high-intensity popcorn flick with thought-provoking sci-fi undertones. As a box office flop, despite being a lot of fun, Next represented Cage’s faltering reputation as a major movie action star and signaled his gradual decline into many lackluster straight-to-video releases in subsequent years.
7 Fire Birds (1990)
Nicolas Cage as Jake Preston
Fire Birds (1990) 0
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PG-13ActionAdventureThriller
Fire Birds is a 1990 action-adventure film directed by David Green. The movie stars Nicolas Cage, Tommy Lee Jones, and Sean Young and follows an elite team of U.S. Army helicopter pilots tasked with taking down a powerful drug cartel in South America. The film focuses on the intense training, complex missions, and personal dynamics within the team as they strive to overcome both internal and external challenges.
Director David Green Release Date May 25, 1990 Writers tep Tyner , John K. Swensson , Paul F. Edwards Cast Nicolas Cage , Tommy Lee Jones , Sean Young , Bryan Kestner , Dale Dye Main Genre Action Character(s) Jake Preston , Brad Little , Billie Lee Guthries , Breaker , A.K. McNeil Expand
There’s no denying that Fire Birds wasn’t a total Top Gun ripoff that switched out Tom Cruise’s naval aviator Maverick for Nicolas Cage as the helicopter pilot Jake Preston. With some impressive visuals, a romantic subplot, and a mentor-mentee relationship between Cage and Tommy Lee Jones, Fire Birds rehashed much of the same story beats as Top Gun and failed at the box office as a result. However, looking back, the stunts and visuals were impressive, the air battles looked great, and the world’s better off for having a Cage action movie set in the sky full of corny dialogue.
Fire Birds
was also released under the title
Wings of the Apache
.
6 Amos & Andrew (1993)
Nicolas Cage as Amos Odell
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PG-13ComedyCrime
Amos & Andrew is a comedy film directed by E. Max Frye. The movie stars Samuel L. Jackson as Andrew Sterling, a successful African American playwright, and Nicolas Cage as Amos Odell, a bumbling white man hired to rob Sterling’s house to cover up a botched police operation. The film explores issues of race, prejudice, and misunderstanding, set against a backdrop of comedic events and mistaken identities.
Director E. Max Fry Release Date March 5, 1993 Writers E. Max Fry Cast Nicolas Cage , Samuel L. Jackson , Dabney Coleman , Michael Lerner , Margaret Colin Main Genre Comedy Character(s) Amos Odell , Andrew Sterling , Cecil Tolliver , Phil Gillman , Judy Gillman Expand
The highly underrated 1990s action-comedy Amos & Andrew was a buddy movie with insightful racial themes as Samuel L. Jackson played a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright while Nicolas was a two-bit thief tasked by police to take the fall for their mistakes. When Jackson’s white neighbors mistook him for a burglar, all hell broke loose when they opened fire on his home and recruited Cage to make it look like a kidnapping. As a light-hearted exploration of race, class, and racial profiling, Amos & Andrew was a hilarious, thought-provoking examination of prejudice and how friendships can be formed in the most unlikely places.
5 Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)
Nicolas Cage as Randall “Memphis” Raines
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PG-13ActionCrimeThriller
Gone in 60 Seconds is a high-octane action film directed by Dominic Sena. It stars Nicolas Cage as ex-car thief Randall “Memphis” Raines, who is forced out of retirement to steal 50 cars in one night to save his brother’s life. Angelina Jolie co-stars as his former girlfriend and fellow car thief, Sara “Sway” Wayland. The film explores themes of loyalty, skill, and the adrenaline of high-stakes theft.
Director Dominic Sena Release Date June 9, 2000 Writers H.B. Halicki , Scott Rosenberg Cast Nicolas Cage , Angelina Jolie , Giovanni Ribisi , T.J. Cross , William Lee Scott , Scott Caan , James Duval , Will Patton Character(s) Memphis Raines , Sara Wayland , Kip Raines , Mirror Man , Toby , Tumbler , Freb , Atley Jackson Runtime 118 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
As a loose remake of the 1974 movie of the same name, Gone in 60 Seconds starred Nicolas Cage as a former car thief who comes out of retirement to steal 50 cars in one night in exchange for his brother’s life. With an excellent premise for delivering over-the-top action and intense car chase sequences, Cage, Angelina Jolie, and Robert Duvall kicked it into hypergear for this outrageous heist. While Gone in 60 Seconds was badly received by critics, its over $237 million take at the box office (via Box Office Mojo) proved audiences were happy to go along for the ride.
4 The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent (2022)
Nicolas Cage as Nicolas Cage
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent 3
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The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent tells the story of a fictionalized version of actor Nicolas Cage when he unwittingly becomes entangled with a criminal cartel. On the brink of bankruptcy, Cage (played by himself) is made an offer he can’t refuse: $1 million to appear at the birthday party of a wealthy fan named Javi (Pedro Pascal). However, Cage’s trip puts him in the middle of a CIA investigation into Javi, and he finds himself caught between his new friend and a whole host of very dangerous people.
Director Tom Gormican Release Date April 22, 2022 Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Writers Kevin Etten , Tom Gormican Cast Jacob Scipio , Pedro Pascal , with Neil Patrick Harris , Ike Barinholtz , Tiffany Haddish , Lily Sheen , Nicolas Cage , Alessandra Mastronardi , Neil Patrick Harris , Sharon Horgan Runtime 107 minutes Budget 30 million Expand
Nicolas Cage fully embraced his meme-able persona for The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, a satirical action movie where he played a down-on-his-luck fictional version of himself. With Cage as both a struggling Hollywood actor and as Nicky Cage, a figment of his own imagination who represented the bizarre glory days of his career, this surreal, action-packed adventure saw Cage caught between a criminal superfan and the FBI hoping to take him down. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent was a special treat for Cage lovers and featured incredible chemistry between himself and his co-star Pedro Pascal.
3 Con Air (1996)
Nicolas Cage as Cameron Poe
Con Air 1
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Con-Air is a 1990s action crime-thriller starring Nicholas Cage as former U.S. Ranger turned to convict Cameron Poe. Poe, in an act of self-defense and passion, is court-martialed for accidentally killing the man he protected his wife from. Having served his time and achieving Parole, Poe is on his way home with one problem – the transport plane he’s on has been hijacked by several dangerous convicts, led by one of the worst in the United States.
Director Simon West Release Date June 5, 1997 Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Scott Rosenberg Cast John Cusack , Dave Chappelle , Ving Rhames , John Malkovich , Steve Buscemi , Nicolas Cage Runtime 115 minutes Budget $75 million Expand
The year 1996 was truly transformative for Cage, as he proved his potential as an action-hero leading man in three iconic movies and never looked better than as the long-haired convict Cameron Poe in Con Air. With an intense story set in the sky, Poe found himself caught in the middle of a hijacked plane full of criminals as he worked with authorities to reclaim the flight and enjoy his parole. With impressive visual style, consistent wit, and a truly over-the-top plotline, Con Air represented all that was great about Cage action movies in the 1990s.
2 The Rock (1996)
Nicolas Cage as Dr. Stanley Goodspeed
The Rock 1
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The Rock is a 1996 action film from director Michael Bay. The story revolves around a chemist named Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) and John Mason (Sean Connery), an ex-con who escaped from Alcatraz, who are tasked to lead a counterstrike to protect San Francisco from a lethal nerve gas attack.
Director Michael Bay Release Date June 7, 1996 Studio(s) Disney Distributor(s) Disney Writers Mark Rosner , David Weisberg , Douglas Cook Cast John C. McGinley , Sean Connery , David Morse , Nicolas Cage , Michael Biehn , William Forsythe , Vanessa Marcil , Ed Harris , Tony Todd , John Spencer Runtime 136 minutes Budget $75 million Expand
Michael Bay’s iconic action thriller The Rock saw Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery, and Ed Harris embroiled in a story about an FBI chemist and former SAS captain breaking into Alcatraz, where a rogue group of Marines has held the tourists of the islands hostage. This was a top-tier thriller full of plenty of style that stood as perhaps Bay’s greatest achievement as a director. With incredible pacing, perfect casting, and a story that likely inspired false descriptions of the Iraqi chemical weapons program (via Guardian), The Rock was one of Cage’s most iconic movies.
1 Face/Off (1996)
Nicolas Cage as Castor Troy/Sean Archer
Face/Off 2
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John Travolta and Nicolas Cage star in Face/Off as Sean Archer and Castor Troy, an FBI agent and a terrorist who undergo a face transplant surgery to assume each other’s identities. The 1997 action thriller is directed by famous Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo.
Director John Woo Release Date June 27, 1997 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Disney Writers Michael Colleary , Mike Werb Cast Alessandro Nivola , Gina Gershon , Nicolas Cage , John Travolta , Joan Allen Runtime 138 minutes Budget $80 million Expand
Nicolas Cage has made a career for himself by fully embracing truly outrageous concepts and giving his all the narratives that must be seen to be believed. This was certainly the case for Face/Off, Cage’s very best action movie, which saw Cage swapping faces with John Travolta as he played both the hero and the villain in an intense game of cat-and-mouse. With two massive movie stars at the helm, a mind-bogglingly bizarre concept, and an incredible direction from John Woo, Face/Off was truly peak Nicolas Cage and one of the best action movies ever made.
Sources: Rogerebert.com, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo, Guardian