As one of the most recognizable stars in Hollywood, Michael Douglas’ movies and TV shows have cemented him as a true icon in the industry. Though he is the son of acclaimed star Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas established his own incredible career in Hollywood which started on television and as a producer. Before Douglas was even a household name as an actor, he had already won an Oscar for producing One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. However, acting success and a Best Actor Oscar for himself would be on the horizon.
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Douglas is perhaps best known for his more intense roles, such as in Basic Instinct, but the actor has also shown a lighter side in a number of roles. He also joined the MCU as the original Ant-Man, Hank Pym. His versatility is incredibly impressive and he continues to put out outstanding work in a variety of projects, including his most recent role playing Benjamin Franklin in the miniseries Franklin. Given that he has been acting since the 1960s, the best of Michael Douglas’ projects showcase some truly classic and iconic roles.
10 Ant-Man (2015)
As Hank Pym
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7.3/10 Ant-Man PG-13SuperheroComedyHeistActionAdventure
Former S.H.I.E.L.D. scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is alarmed when his protégé Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) announces his near success in replicating his shrinking technology. Representatives from HYDRA are looking to buy the suit that could cause massive destruction, and Hank must find a man who can successfully infiltrate a tightly guarded facility. After rigorous training with Pym and his daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), including the manipulation of a technologically advanced suit, control of ants, and physical fighting skills, ex-convict Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is chosen to become the new Ant-Man. Together with Hank, Hope, and his friends Luis (Michael Peña) and Dave (Tip Harris), Scott must fight with Darren, who has perfected his version of the suit called the Yellowjacket. Ant-Man is the twelfth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and acts as the final addition to Phase 2.
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*Availability in US Director Peyton Reed Release Date July 14, 2015 Cast Paul Rudd , Michael Douglas , Corey Stoll , Evangeline Lilly , Bobby Cannavale , Anthony Mackie Runtime 117 minutes
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It is a testament to the popularity of the MCU that the cinematic universe could attract a star like Michael Douglas to star in one of their strangest movies at the time. Ant-Man is the comedy-crime take on one of the original Avengers characters from the comics with some clever twists on the origin. Douglas plays Hank Pym, a scientist and former superhero who developed a particle that allows him to shrink in size. When Hank’s former protégé develops a new formula, Hank recruits kind-hearted thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) to become Ant-Man and steal it.
While many fans still want to know what Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man would have looked like, the end result is still a funny and inventive small-scale take on an MCU adventure. Douglas seems to have fun playing the tough and intelligent hero, including appearing in an impressive digital dealing flashback sequence. Meanwhile, Rudd becomes one of the most likable MCU heroes, with Scott still playing a big role in the cinematic universe.
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9 The Game (1997)
As Nicholas Van Orton
The Game RDramaMysteryThriller
Directed by David Fincher, The Game is a mystery thriller released in 1997. Michael Douglas stars as Nicholas Van Orton, an investment banker brought into a mysterious game by his brother hosted by the wealthy. As the game continues to integrate into his life, he begins to see the cracks in the facade of the group’s game, ultimately revealing a dark conspiracy at the center.
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*Availability in US Director David Fincher Release Date September 12, 1997 Cast Michael Douglas , Sean Penn , Deborah Kara Unger , James Rebhorn , Peter Donat , Carroll Baker , Armin Mueller-Stahl Runtime 128 Minutes
David Fincher followed up the big impactful Se7en with what might be his most underrated movie. The Game stars Michael Douglas as Nicholas Van Orton, a closed-off and cold businessman whose wealth and success has left him empty. When his younger brother (Sean Penn) signs him up to take part in a mysterious interactive game for his birthday, he is taken on an odyssey in which he is unsure where the game ends and the real danger begins.
The surreal journey is grounded by Douglas’ layered performance that further ramps up the intensity.
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The Game is a pulse-pounding thriller that sends the audience on the same wild journey as Nicholas, questioning everything and trying to get to the bottom of what is happening. The surreal journey is grounded by Douglas’ layered performance that further ramps up the intensity. By the end of The Game, the audience is left exhausted from the journey yet also willing to dig deeper into the story.
8 Romancing The Stone (1984)
As Jack Colton
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8/10 Romancing the Stone PGComedyActionRomanceAdventure
Romancing the Stone follows romance novelist Joan Wilder, who travels to Colombia to rescue her kidnapped sister. Alongside rugged adventurer Jack Colton, Joan navigates a perilous journey involving treasure maps, dangerous criminals, and unexpected romance. The film stars Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, blending action and comedy in a jungle setting.
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*Availability in US Director Robert Zemeckis Release Date March 30, 1984 Cast Kathleen Turner , Alfonso Arau , Zack Norman , Michael Douglas , Danny DeVito Runtime 106 minutes
Given how many intense roles Michael Douglas has in his career, it is great to see those projects in which he totally embraces having fun. Such is the case with Romancing the Stone, a hugely entertaining throwback movie that combines adventure and romance like the old serials of a bygone era. Kathleen Turner stars as a romance novelist who sets out to get her kidnapped sister back from Colombia, teaming up with a swashbuckling treasure hunter, Jack Colton (Douglas), along the way.
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Douglas and Turner have excellent chemistry, making their banter and eventual romance as exciting as the action sequences.
Romancing the Stone is Douglas’ opportunity to show that he can play the Indiana Jones-type roles with flare. Like Harrison Ford’s iconic performance in that role, Douglas is able to strike a balance between a dashing hero and a character who shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Douglas and Turner have excellent chemistry, making their banter and eventual romance as exciting as the action sequences.
7 Fatal Attraction (1987)
As Dan Gallagher
Fatal Attraction RDramaThriller
Dan Gallagher, a successful lawyer with a seemingly perfect family life, faces unimaginable turmoil after a brief affair with Alex Forrest. Initially, their fling appears to be a momentary lapse in judgment, but Alex’s intense and unstable behavior soon reveals her deep obsession. As Alex’s fixation on Dan grows, she begins to infiltrate his life, threatening his marriage, career, and even his family’s safety.
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*Availability in US Director Adrian Lyne Release Date September 18, 1987 Cast Michael Douglas , Glenn Close , Anne Archer , Ellen Hamilton Latzen , Stuart Pankin , Ellen Foley Runtime 119 Minutes
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Michael Douglas has appeared in several thrillers that have a sexual drive at its center and Fatal Attraction fits into that category. Douglas stars as Dan Gallagher, a married man who meets the alluring Alex Forrest (Glenn Close) and has an affair. As Dan deals with his guilt and tries to end the relationship, Alex becomes more obsessive and dangerous as she begins to target Dan’s family.
Fatal Attraction has undergone an interesting re-evaluation in recent years with its depiction of the character of Alex. While Close’s performance helped cement the intense and terrifying aspects of the character, there is a growing sentiment that she is a woman mistreated by the self-centered adulterer, Dan. Regardless of how much audiences buy into this perspective, Fatal Attraction is still a gripping thriller with some incredible moments. Though Close steals the show, Douglas does well playing the protagonist with flaws that the audience can still care about.
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6 Behind The Candelabra (2013)
As Liberace
Behind the Candelabra TV-MABiographyDramaRomanceMusic
Behind the Candelabra chronicles the tumultuous five-year relationship between Liberace, played by Michael Douglas, and his younger lover Scott Thorson, portrayed by Matt Damon. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film provides a detailed look into the opulent private life of the famed entertainer, showcasing both their romantic and professional dynamics amid the backdrop of Liberace’s extravagant lifestyle and career.
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*Availability in US Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date May 26, 2013 Cast Matt Damon , Michael Douglas , Rob Lowe , Dan Aykroyd , Scott Bakula , Debbie Reynolds Runtime 118 minutes
Though the HBO movie Behind the Candelabra didn’t get quite as much attention as some of Michael Douglas’ other projects, it has been called his best performance by many critics and fans. From director Steven Soderbergh, Behind the Candelabra star Matt Damon as Scott, a young man from a small town who takes a trip to Las Vegas where he meets legendary performer Liberace (Douglas). The movie follows their relationship as Liberace welcomes Scott into his lavish lifestyle while eventually just making him an accessory in his world.
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Douglas’ lively and captivating performance is the draw of the movie, but it is a funny and engrossing look at the excitement of a rich and luxurious lifestyle and how anyone can get caught up in it. Damon makes for an ideal partner for Douglas in the movie with them both playing real characters rather than caricatures.
5 Wonder Boys (2000)
As Grady Tripp
Wonder Boys RComedyDrama
Wonder Boys, directed by Curtis Hanson, follows Grady, a middle-aged English professor, as he navigates a tumultuous weekend filled with unexpected events and personal challenges. Once celebrated for his award-winning novel, Grady now struggles with professional and personal upheavals, accompanied by a gifted young writer.
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*Availability in US Director Curtis Hanson Release Date February 25, 2000 Cast Michael Douglas , Tobey Maguire , Frances McDormand , Katie Holmes , Rip Torn , Robert Downey Jr. , Richard Thomas , Richard Knox Runtime 117 minutes
Michael Douglas has made a career playing characters who are the most powerful people in any room they walk into. As effective as he is in such roles, it is always nice to see him break away from that with a much different character, such as in Wonder Boys. Douglas stars as Grady Tripp, an English professor dealing with his unfinished book, his failed marriage, and his aimless future as he takes a troubled young student under his wing.
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Douglas delivers one of his best performances, finding the humanity and humor in this man who never learned how to get his life together. He is supported by an incredible ensemble of actors, including Tobey Maguire, Frances McDormand, Katie Holmes, and Robert Downey, Jr. It is a quiet and simple comedy with big laughs and a lot of colorful characters.
4 Wall Street (1987)
As Gordon Gekko
Wall Street RCrimeDrama
Wall Street, directed by Oliver Stone, follows the story of Bud Fox, a young stockbroker willing to do anything to get to the top, including trading on illegal inside information. Michael Douglas stars as the ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko, who mentors Fox in the high-stakes world of finance. The film scrutinizes the ethical dilemmas and moral corruption inherent in the pursuit of wealth and success in 1980s America.
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*Availability in US Director Oliver Stone Release Date December 10, 1987 Cast Charlie Sheen , Tamara Tunie , Franklin Cover , Chuck Pfeiffer , John C. McGinley , Hal Holbrook Runtime 125 minutes
While not his most effective movie overall, Wall Street features one of Michael Douglas’ most iconic performances and the one that earned him an Oscar. Oliver Stone explores the world of young and ambitious Wall Street traders in the story of Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) who is taken under the wing of ruthless and unethical Gordon Gekko (Douglas), compromising his morals in order to find wealth and success in this high-pressure world.
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A big part of the fun of Gordon Gekko is how unashamed he is in this quality.
Though Douglas has played plenty of great heroes in his long career, he has a talent for playing sleazy characters. A big part of the fun of Gordon Gekko is how unashamed he is in this quality. He flaunts his greed like a badge of honor. Though not the most impactful of Stone’s movies, Wall Street is still a fascinating exploration of a specific era in America and elevated by Douglas’ performance.
3 Falling Down (1993)
As William Foster
Falling Down RCrimeDramaThriller
Falling Down, directed by Joel Schumacher, follows an ordinary man played by Michael Douglas, who becomes increasingly frustrated with societal flaws. As his day unfolds, his escalating anger leads him down a path of psychotic and violent outbursts, challenging the boundaries of order and chaos in Los Angeles.
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*Availability in US Director Joel Schumacher Release Date February 26, 1993 Cast Michael Douglas , Robert Duvall , Barbara Hershey , Tuesday Weld , Rachel Ticotin , Frederic Forrest Runtime 113 minutes
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Similar to Wonder Boys, Falling Down is a movie that sees Michael Douglas playing against type from his typical successful and self-assured characters. It also happens to be one of his most exciting and entertaining performances. Douglas stars in the movie as William Foster, a married working man who has lost his wife and his job. During his bad day, while stuck in Los Angeles traffic, he abandons his car and goes on a rage-fueled rampage against modern conformity.
The movie brilliantly mixes sizzling intensity with dark humor as the audience struggles to decide if William is a dangerous man or if he is just relatably tired with the state of the world around him. Falling Down is one of those rare films taking place over the course of a single day which allows for a propulsive pace.
2 Basic Instinct (1992)
As Nick Curran
Basic Instinct RDramaMysteryThriller
Catherine Tramell is an extremely seductive writer and the main suspect in a murder case. Police officer Nick Curran is tasked with solving the crime, but becomes strongly attracted to Catherine, putting his own life at risk.
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*Availability in US Director Paul Verhoeven Release Date May 8, 1992 Cast Michael Douglas , Sharon Stone , George Dzundza , Jeanne Tripplehorn , Wayne Knight , Denis Arndt , Leilani Sarelle , Bruce A. Young Runtime 128 minutes
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Like Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct is another thriller with a sexual angle and Michael Douglas in the lead role. He plays Nick Curran, a volatile police detective in San Fransisco who begins investigating a murder that is remarkably similar to one in a crime novel. Curran begins looking into the novel’s author, Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), as a possible suspect but soon finds that she is seducing him into her complex web.
Director Paul Verhoeven is a master at mixing thrills with sexuality and Basic Instinct is one of the best examples of this. While the movie is most remembered for Stone’s breakout performance as the femme fatale, Douglas is key to the film, playing yet another deeply flawed protagonist. It is an intense journey watching Nick’s downward spiral as he wrestles with his obsession with this dangerous woman.
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1 Traffic (2000)
As Robert Wakefield
Traffic (2000) RCrimeDramaThriller
Traffic is a film directed by Steven Soderbergh that examines the complex world of drug trafficking through intersecting stories. It focuses on the efforts of law enforcement, the legal system, and individuals connected to both sides of the drug trade. The film stars Michael Douglas, Benicio del Toro, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, among others, and presents a multifaceted view of drug-related issues and their pervasive societal impact.
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*Availability in US Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date December 27, 2000 Cast Don Cheadle , Benicio Del Toro , Michael Douglas , Luis Guzman , Dennis Quaid , Catherine Zeta-Jones Runtime 147 Minutes
Even as part of a large star-studded ensemble, Michael Douglas knows how to stand out in a memorable role. Traffic is Steven Soderbergh’s brilliant Best Picture-winning movie about America’s war on drugs as seen from a variety of perspectives. Douglas is one of the key players as the new Attorney General who makes it his mission to crack down on drug-related crimes while also struggling with his personal issues as his teenage daughter battles addiction.
Traffic features an incredible cast, including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Don Cheadle, Dennis Quaid, and Benicio Del Toro in an Oscar-winning role. However, Douglas delivers a commanding performance in the massive story that is heartbreaking, grounded, and powerful. The movie is a thought-provoking and engrossing look at an issue that is not easily solved, the many sides of the battle, and the many victims.
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