Keanu Reeves is one of the most likable leading men in Hollywood and an action star legend. With that in mind–and in honor of Bill & Ted Face the Music coming out this week–We decided to take a look at the Best Ever Keanu Reeves Movies. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
First–and most importantly–it’s awesome to see more movies with diversity and representation of different cultures. This rom-com stars Ali Wong and Randell Park as two childhood friends who became romantically involved before going their separate ways. When their careers and lives become once again entwined the “Will they, Won’t they” reignites. Both Randell Park and Ali Wong are great individually, but their chemistry together is what really draws you in. But this is a Keanu Reeves list and boy, does Reeves make his screen time count. Playing a Heightened version of himself, Keanu Reeves makes pretty much every moment he is on screen a hilarious spectacle to behold. Always Be My Maybe is a charming, relatable film that gets a great dose of Keanu Reeves to really set it off. If you haven’t seen it yet, fire up the ol’ Netflix and enjoy! (Evan Lucken)
Many have tried to tackle Alan Moore’s masterworks with various degrees of success. In 2005, first time film director Francis Lawrence took on the task to work on Constantine. Keanu Reeves does a solid job at interpreting this character in his own fashion. Constantine is shown to be the type of character that does the right thing, but there is always an ulterior motive behind it. The rest of the cast is quite impressive with the likes of Rachel Weisz, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf and Tilda Swinton just to name a few. Each adding to the titular character and the overall worldbuilding of the film. A performance that really stands out to me every time I view the film is Tilda Swinton as The Archangel, Gabriel. There is a particular arrogance and righteousness that comes across so well with that character. Constantine is a film that does it best to be faithful to the spirit of the character without being chained down by being a carbon copy. This film has exquisite visuals and worldbuilding that will have viewers coming back for more. (Joe Vargas)
What has been one of the biggest pieces of American culture during this pandemic? Sports! They get you pumped and excited. You get to root for your team and for a few hours forget your worries. We love the big characters that fill out sports teams. That is why we love sports movies. A great sports movie usually is filled with great characters that you can cheer for. The best is even the rag tag gang of misfits who shouldn’t be winners. That is what we get when we watch The Replacements. Keanu Reeves brings his aloof presence to a former college football star who must lead a group of the strangest football players of all. Reeves’ Shane Falco is coached by film legend Gene Hackman and rises on the gridiron with criminals, bodyguards, soccer players, cops, and even sumo wrestlers. What isn’t there to love? (Shane Conto)
What captures the attention of audiences when it comes to family dramas? Is it relatable the presence of characters and relationships that we can connect with and empathize with? Is it an ensemble of actors we love who make it that much more interesting? Is it a nice sense of humor so we can laugh along with and soften the harsh realities that family can cause? Well, if those are all correct, Parenthood just might be the perfect family drama. Ron Howard and his gentle directing hand leads a top-notch ensemble in this big family drama. Steve Martin leads the way with a performance as an every-man who is slowly losing it while he has a tumultuous relationship with his family portrayed by two-time Oscar winner Jason Robards. His younger brother is the favorite played by Oscar nominee Tom Hulce. His sister, Diane Wiest, struggles with her teenage daughter’s love for a dangerous idiot (portrayed by the man of this hour, Keanu Reeves in one of his first dives into dramatic films). Throw in an offbeat brother-in-law, Rick Moranis, and you have a great cast. But even better, this is a heartwarming and relatable drama for all. (Shane Conto)
When it comes to Keanu Reeves, of course something like The Matrix or John Wick might come to your mind before Speed, but for me, Speed sticks around longer than any of the rest of his movies. I wouldn’t say that I love the action genre, but Speed is one of the most watchable, engaging, entertaining, and intense movies I have ever seen. When young LAPD officer Jack Traven (Reeves) finds out there’s a bomb on a bus which will explode if the bus dips below 50 miles per hour, he must find a way to ensure the safety of himself, the passengers, the driver, and every person the bus passes on its chase through the city. It’s as fun and intense as it sounds. With Reeves as the leading action star, it’s fun, and with Sandra Bullock as one of the passengers, it gets taken to the next level because of their magnetic chemistry. Plus, Alan Ruck’s comedic moments remind you of Cameron from Ferris Bueller or Connor Roy from Succession. Mixing the high entertainment value with the underlying messages of basic human decency and coming together to achieve a goal, Speed is one you won’t want to miss. (Robert Bouffard)
Greetings my dudes, as we begin our Excellent Adventure on the Bogus Journey to Face the Music. In the first installment of the Bill & Ted saga, The Great Ones Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted “Theodore” Logan are on the verge of flunking history class in most heinous fashion until Rufus, an agent from 2688, travels back in time through the circuits of history to assist our heroes and facilitate the music of the future utopia inspired by their band the Wyld Stallyns. While parts of this movie (including jokes) fail to hold up in some of the worst ways imaginable (from Bill’s dad marrying someone four years older than his son to the use of some very offensive language), and other parts feel held together by bubblegum and good wishes (quite literally), Bill & Ted provides an interesting view into the time travel genre and how people of the present would interact with those of the past, and vice versa, along with how many figures of the past would interact with one another. While it is a product of its time in many ways, along with a criminally underused George Carlin (though you would need an excess of George Carlin to not criminally underuse him), this movie is to this day a staple in the careers of both Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter and worth looking into on how storytelling, and society, has changed over time.
And, of course, be excellent to each other. Party on dudes. (Joseph Davis)
Who doesn’t love Toy Story? Pixar created one of the greatest film franchises of all time with a bunch of toys who come to life. You heard that right! In one of the most unexpected successes in film, Woody and Buzz Lightyear lead a group of colorful and fun characters with one of the most memorable voice casts in animation. Many people thought our journey with Woody and the gang was coming to an end with the heartfelt and emotional send off from Toy Story 3. Years later, we got the news of another journey that would add a bunch of new and creative toys. There is a fork turned toy that believes he is trash, a duck and bunny combo, and some REALLY creepy dummies. But one character might just steal the show and that is Duke Kaboom. Keanu Reeves plays the toy version of a Canadian stuntman who not only has great moves and catch phrases, but some surprising emotional baggage. I don’t know about you but I loved this unexpected fourth adventure. (Shane Conto)
If we decide to go back to the early 90’s, you might remember a little movie called Point Break. In this movie, Keanu Reeves goes undercover for the F.B.I to catch a group of bank robbers that also surf, and it is just as awesome as it sounds. While Johnny (Reeves) is infiltrating this group of bank robbers, he forms a bond with a member named Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) who makes him feel conflicted about trying to take them down as he grows closer to them. As ridiculous as the premise sounds, that’s what makes this movie stand out in the undercover cop genre to me. It takes a usual trope that we’re all familiar with and turns it on it’s head to make it original. I also have to give Reeves and Swayze credit for how they make their relationship seem natural. They take what’s on the page and make it unique in their own way for an enjoyable bromance. So if you’re taking a dive through Reeves’ filmography, then don’t skip Point Break. (Alex Henderson)
When thinking of a film that is pure unadulterated action, few movies rise to the mantle that is John Wick. A film about a retired hitman whose very name makes powerful men tremble in fear based on reputation alone. Not long after receiving a final gift from his now deceased wife, John Wick goes on a rampage after a group of thugs lead by Iosef Tamarov (Alfie Allen), son of crime boss, and John Wick’s former employer, Viggo Tamarov (Michael Nyvquist), deprive John from the two most important things he has left in his life. With a cast that includes the likes of Adrianne Palicki, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Willem DaFoe, and countless others, this film has many an iconic character played by several great actors for a memorable experience as you delve into the hidden world of assassins (and this isn’t counting the sheer star power that appear in the sequels). What makes this film all the more impressive, and why I would recommend it, is the fact that unlike most action movies where the guns seem to fire infinitely, this film instead opts to go for the authenticity of limited ammo capacity, which adds to the action. While Keanu Reeves is one of the most genuinely nicest actors you could find in Hollywood, he does a great job portraying a ruthless assassin. With great actors, well choreographed fights, and a fine attention to detail while diving deep into a new universe, John Wick is a modern masterpiece of the action genre. Just make sure you stay out of Baba Yega’s way. (Joseph Davis)
“What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?” “No, Neo. I’m trying to tell you that when you’re ready, you won’t have to.” Chances are if you’re checking out a website dedicated to talking about movies, you’ve seen the Wachowski’s film The Matrix. If you haven’t, it could be easy to see this movie as hot young people in tight leather do some mind-bending action type stuff. And to some extent, you’d be right, but to a fuller extent, you would miss the big picture. Yes, The Matrix is about young hot people doing cool action things, but it also has mind-bending altercations of humanity and the nature of the world, great visual effects, characters that you can’t help but idolize, and empowering messages about the self. The great thing about this movie is that aside from the really amazing visual effects that were unlike anything we’d seen at that time, is that it’s really just a guise for philosophy on film. The action and style is what brings many people in, but the philosophy and deep thinking is what elevates this movie to be beyond excellent. If you haven’t seen The Matrix, dedicate the time, open your mind, and DM me when your reality crumbles and you need someone to talk to! (Aaron Schweitzer)
Honorable Mentions:
Hardball
Keanu Reeves plays Conor O’Neill, a gambler down on his luck, and to pay off his debt he becomes a little league coach for a team from the toughest part of Chicago. At first, things aren’t easy between Conor and the boys, but as time goes on, the team gets better and a bond is formed. Reeves has a solid performance as O’Neill, just trying to keep his head above water and two steps ahead of everyone. He becomes a father figure for the boys, and they made him into a better man. That’s how those usual go, right? And of course, my favorite line, “no one can kick my ass better than me.” Seriously, he kicks his own ass within the first 10 minutes of the film. It’s actually kind of awesome and also a way out of getting your ass kicked by someone else. His scenes with G-Baby (DeWayne Warren) were my favorite because they complement one another. I can’t believe this film is almost 20 years old, but it’s still a good one. (Chantal Ashford)
The Lake House
I remember this was one of the first romances that I fell in love with – and I’m pretty sure it’s the first thing I ever saw ol’mate Keanu Reeves appear in. Let me just say – it’s a good one, and he’s also a VERY good one (romantic lead that is). Also starring Sandra Bullock, The Lake House is about two people who fall in love through a mailbox they both share, the only catch? She’s in 2006 and he’s in 2004! Separated by time, and kind of by physics, this is one of those flicks that hits you in all the right places. When you’re in the mood for something warm, fluffy and romantic, you need look no further. Ironically enough, The Lake House will warm you up with it’s heartwarming love story and it’s compelling character study. It’s nothing that will end up in the lauded halls of poetic cinema, but it’s something that can definitely keep you satisfied on a cold Friday night. In fact – I reckon I’ve just confirmed my plans for tomorrow night! (Alice Micheli)
Side by Side
This is probably shaking it up a bit. We usually do narrative movies, but when I saw Keanu Reeves flicks I figured mentioning the Documentary Side by Side was worthy because he hosts and leads all the interviews. The documentary is a great dive into the many views of filmmaking, comparing the legacy of film, and the transition to the digital age. Packed with great conversations and insights from directors like James Cameron, David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and many more, this doc is a fascinating look at what goes on behind the creation of the films we constantly watch and read about. While this film is now 12 years old, it remains incredibly relevant to the temperament and schools of thought that brings the visual storytelling medium to life and Reeves leads it perfectly. (Evan Lucken)
To the Bone
You’re forgiven if you missed this indie Netflix gem from 2017. The story follows 20-year-old Ellen (Lily Collins) dealing with anorexia where Keanu Reeves plays a doctor heading up the group home she goes to for recovery.
It’s more a showpiece for Collins than it is for Reeves, but it’s an important role nonetheless. The relationship between the unconventional doctor and patient is an important one. One that needs buy in for the film to succeed. While on the surface, Reeves being cast as a doctor may seem like a stretch, the performance works, even in some of the more serious scenes.
In the midst of Keanu’s comeback thanks to the John Wick franchise, this role showed he could do more than just really cool stunts with guns. (Jake Bourgeois)
Also see: A Scanner Darkly, A Walk in the Clouds, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Destination Wedding, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, My Own Private Idaho, Something’s Gotta Give, Street Kings, Sweet November, The Day the Earth Stood Still (08), The Devil’s Advocate, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, The Watcher.