25 Best Keanu Reeves Movies Of All Time

The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Many fans would agree that The Matrix franchise is ranked as the best of the best from Keanu. Five years after he starred in Speed with Sandra Bullock in 1994, Reeves signed up for the biggest project yet that would define his career as a Hollywood actor.

Five years after Speed, he found his next great project, which would become the defining role of his career. The Matrix, which hit theaters in 1999, was a dream-come-true movie envisioned by up-and-coming filmmakers, Lana and Lilly Wachowski.

“They had written something that I had never seen, but in a way, something that I’d always hoped for — as an actor, as a fan of science fiction,” Keanu said, describing the sensation he felt when he was reading The Matrix screenplay.

In The Matrix, Keanu, who plays the lead character of Neo, displays a formidable onscreen presence no one else has ever done before. He looks deadly serious, although, he is still loose, cool, and flexible.

The true blockbuster success of the first The Matrix film spins a sequel known as The Matrix: Reloaded. The follow-up is undoubtedly the second-best from The Matrix franchise, with its remarkable set pieces, or referred to as Burly Brawl, in Keanu’s filmography.

However, film critics say the third movie, The Matrix Revolutions, is “convoluted nonsense.” While both Reloaded and Revolution failed with its philosophical ramblings and over-the-top CGI effects, Keanu still has a captivating presence.

It is worth noting that this sci-fi fantasy franchise is a masterpiece. It is hailed as one of the finest movies ever made in the history of filmmaking.

Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski ⁠— Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss

Run Time: 2h 30m

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

We rank A Scanner Darkly as the second-best of Keanu Reeves’ movies in his 30-year career. Released in 2006, Keanu stars in this Philip K. Dick adaptation with Richard Linklater.

Apparently, this is the only time in which Reeves and Linklater co-starred in a film. Their laidback vibes work well for the two on-screen.

The inventive visuals of A Scanner Darkly introduce the movie lovers to the magic of interpolated rotoscoping. This film tells the story of a drug cop, played by Keanu.

However, he is also hiding his own addiction amid living in a frightening police state. Although Reeves is able to beat the dark forces in The Matrix films, he failed to do the same in this film. Evil is just extremely powerful, which explains the sad ending.

Keanu has given his role justice as a drug addict and proves his craft as a movie actor in this film. Overall, a roster of the superb supporting cast includes Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr., and Woody Harrelson.

This ensemble has indeed resulted in the most faithful adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel in Hollywood’s cinematic history. If you happen to have already watched this movie, it’s still worth a second viewing.

Director: Richard Linklater ⁠— Cast: Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr., and Woody Harrelson

Run Time: 1 hr and 40 mins

John Wick (2014), John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017), and John Wick: Chapter 3 (2019)

The John Wick saga all began when a former assassin returns to the fold. He mercilessly hunts down the ones who killed his dog that was a gift from his wife who passed away. The movie, simply put, is guns, guns, and more guns.

The John Wick franchise is tightly attached to a subgenre that emerged since the release of Taken starring Liam Neeson. It stars middle-aged actors that play the role of melancholic, badass men.

The original film, which debuted in 2014, introduced Keanu as an ex-deadly assassin who turns his back from his old criminal life when he met his wife. It wasn’t a happy ever after for him, however. After she died, his dog got killed and that was when he has to seek revenge. The rest, they say, is history.

His past hit movies show he is somewhat detached, but Keanu effortlessly locks in with his character as a killing machine. The first film delights the viewers with its over-the-top gun fighting action.

So, it is not surprising to see the original movie spun two more sequels. Chapter 2 hit the big screen a couple of years after in 2016. The sequel brings spectacle with a more exciting new revelation. The audience can truly feel Keanu’s raw rage killing those who want to kill him and his tiredness while he is on the run.

What makes the John Wick movies among the best Keanu Reeves films is that he is ferociously convincing in his role as a highly-skilled assassin that can annihilate a horde of his enemies all at the same time.

It is safe to say that fans of Keanu personally dig the latest John Wick chapter in the film series titled Parabellum. Chapter 3 takes it further because of the extremities, although, the first is still the best in the trilogy.

All in all, the third movie showcases inventive kills while the second film displays some grand set pieces. The viewers can feel the genuine adrenaline rush in the scenes, which depicts why Keanu is in fact in the A-list of Hollywood’s finest action figures.

Director: Chad Stahelski ⁠— Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, Lawrence Fishbourne

Run Time: 1h 41m

River’s Edge (1987)

River’s Edge is a 1987 movie that stars Keanu as a dead-end youngster who knows about a murder. But he has not done anything about it.

According to the casting director, that’s because of how he held his body or his untied shoes. He wears what seems like a kid growing into being a man. This film may be his darkest film yet, which was released 32 years ago and features the early years of Reeves’ acting career.

Fans of Keanu will be definitely digging River’s Edge. He is mystifying in that he captivates the audience with his natural performance, it does not even look like acting.

Director: Tim Hunter ⁠— Cast: Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, and Ione Skye

Run Time: 1h 39min

Speed (1994)

Speed is arguably one of the most well-known movies from our beloved Keanu Reeves. Released in 1994, this film, according to movie critics, has an utterly insane premise. Despite that it is an idiotic idea for a movie, it ends up as quite funny and entertaining.

It appears, though, that Speed is a click 90s film because of Keanu. He takes in his role entirely with sincerity as LA cop Jack Traven, a ramrod lawman who is ready to do what he can to save all the bus passengers.

Also, the audiences can enjoy how Speed can constantly juxtapose life and death with its striking, communicable idea. Keanu remarkably expressed the ongoing tension to keep the speed above 50 mph or the bus will explode.

As an actor, he can invest convincingly in the movie that makes the scenes just as thrilling as it is goofy. Add to that is Keanu’s explosive onscreen chemistry with Sandra Bullock.

Nevertheless, the romance between Keanu and Sandra in Speed also appeals to the viewers, especially when they have their happy ending.

Director: Jan de Bont ⁠— Cast: Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Hopper, and Jeff Daniels

Run Time: 1h 56m

 

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

My Own Private Idaho is a 1991 drama directed by filmmaker Gus Van Sant. Keanu plays the role of Scott, the fellow hustler and best friend of Mike played the late River Phoenix.

Van Sant’s historic film is mainly reminiscent of Phoenix’s bare, anguished act as the spiritually adrift gay hustler. Sadly, River passed away only a couple of years after My Own Private Idaho premiered in theaters, making it more heart-wrenching for his fans.

Phoenix’s performance in this film would not have worked without his co-star, Reeves. Here, Keanu played his role well as a contented young lad whose mindset is to just float through life.

Contrary to Mike, Scott (Reeves) understands there is a fat inheritance in his name soon. Also, he is not gay, which is why he couldn’t feel the same romantic feelings his best friend has.

Although Reeves has not received the awards as Phoenix had in My Own Private Idaho, he has delivered remarkable acting.

Director: Gus Van Sant ⁠— Cast: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo

Run Time: 1h 44min

 

The Gift (2000)

The Gift is a 2000 Sam Raimi film, also starring Keanu Reeves along with a top-shelf cast. It is written by versatile actor Billy Bob Thornton who got the inspiration from his mother.

The Gift is filled with a top-caliber cast, however, it did not fare well at the box office. Still, Keanu is stellar in this film, taking on the role of an abusive husband and jack-of-all-trade guy. His fate changed when was wrongly accused of murder something that a psychic, played by Cate Blanchett, knows.

What’s to love about Keanu in The Gift is that he is able to offer something fresh and surprising. His fans should be able to get more of this sort from Keanu.

Director: Sam Raimi — Cast: Cate Blanchett, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, Giovanni Ribisi

Runtime: 1h 51min

 

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) and Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

Keanu Reeves is the serenely silly Theodore Logan, or Ted for short, in the 1989 Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. He stars in the titular role vis-à-vis Alex Winter as the equally clueless Bill, hence the title.

Many fans surely love Bill and Ted 1 that you would be surprised how remarkably bright this movie regarding its humor. You will see a different side of Keanu who seems to have shown off a darker, brooding persona in his more recent movies.

But in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, he played his character just perfectly lovable as the blissfully stupid Ted in this movie.

You should check this one out if you missed to watch it. It spun a follow-up called Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey after two years in 1991.

The sequel is less great compared to Excellent Adventure. But even decades later, the movie aficionados still clamor for Bill and Ted 3, which is said to be in the works for a 2020 release.

Director: Stephen Herek — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, George Carlin

Runtime: 1h 30min

Point Break (1991)

After Bill and Ted 2, Keanu returns to the big screen in the same year in the philosophical crime thriller Point Break. The making of this Kathryn Bigelow-directed movie is aptly right on time. The actor has evolved as a mature, reputable actor over the years.

The audience may have loved and enjoyed how Point Break has wonderfully depicted the lead characters’ quest for deep spiritual connection with the world surrounding them.

It beautifully narrates the lives of lonely souls seeking for that suspenseful adrenaline rush — from surfing through killer waves or robbing banks.

Keanu plays the character of Johnny Utah, an undercover agent who used his real name and true identity as an ex-quarterback of All-American Ohio State. He delivers a superb performance that cuts both ways.

You will marvel at how he, as Johnny Utah, forms a rapport with Bodhi. Played by Patrick Swayze, Bodhi is a bank robber who is obsessed with surfing. He lives his life to the extreme to feel alive and he almost lured Johnny to his dark path. You will also dig Keanu’s melodramatic side in this film.

Aside from Reeves and Swayze, Point Break stars Gary Busey, making it a stellar, historically relevant casting for a movie. Busey takes on the role of Johnny Utah’s FBI mentor.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow — Cast: Patrick Swayze, Keanu Reeves, Lori Petty, and Gary Busey

Run Time: 2h 3m

The Replacements (2000)

The Replacements, which was released in 2000, is a satisfying sports comedy that is perfect to watch on a Sunday afternoon. This funny movie also features Keanu as a former quarterback named Shane, an archetypal next-big-thing in football. However, his sports career goes tumbling down after suffering a disaster in a bowl game.

With a stroke of luck, though, he gets a second chance at gridiron glory when the pros go on a strike against greedy owners. They, however, decide to replace them with hired scabs, which explains the film’s title.

Throughout his career, Keanu has been notably playing the not so regular guy in movies. He seems to be special and unique than anyone. In The Replacements, he is able to act as an ordinary good person who has to deal with disappointments in life.

Despite that this movie is quite predictable, it still is as enjoyable thanks to Keanu. Even if the viewers are not fans of the sports, hence, not even think for one second to see it in theaters, this comedy will make a perfect weekend flick.

Unsurprisingly, The Replacements is a classic comedy that stands the test of time. It is still relevant almost two decades later. I can personally re-watch it like 10 times over.

Director: Howard Deutch — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton, and Orlando Jones

Run Time: 1h 58m

Bram Stoker’s Dracula is Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Stoker’s gothic-romance novel. Released in 1992, this film bagged Academy Awards for costume design, makeup, and sound effects editing.

Notably, not one of the three Oscars won involves acting. The actors’ performances don’t stand out and not as stellar as they should. Perhaps filmmaker Coppola is fixated on the visuals. It looks like he is too focused on making the blood-sucking Vlad The Impaler, played by Gary Oldman, as theatrical as it should.

Nevertheless, Bram Stoker’s Dracula is stylish, brilliant, and funnily ludicrous but the audiences love it. Keanu plays the character of Jonathan Harker, Dracula’s real-estate lawyer, who seems as confused as the others. Keanu shines in his subversive performance even though he might have been given credit for it.

Director: Francis Ford Coppola — Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves

Run Time: 2h 8min

Permanent Record (1988)

Permanent Record is a beautiful but melancholic film that was released in 1998. This nearly forgotten movie is directed by novelist Marisa Silver. Keanu plays the best friend of a teenager who commits suicide. Now, the rest from their group of friends have to pick up the pieces after what happened to their friend.

The young Keanu can deliver a convincing and impressive performance. You can see his trademark reserve here with little restraint. You will see a different Keanu in Permanent Record. But you will understand why he has come a long way and made it through as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars today.

Director: Marisa Silver — Cast: Alan Boyce, Keanu Reeves, Pamela Gidley

Run Time:1h 31min

Parenthood (1989)

Parenthood is a 1989 Ron Howard’s ensemble comedy starring the funny man Steve Martin. Keanu returns on the big screen in this another hilarious film six months after Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

The John Wick actor plays the role of Tod, a doofus who gets entangled with the daughter of the uptight suburban dad played by Martin. Keanu nicely plays the character as the nightmare of every father.

He seems to be the definition of slacker screw-ups who are just going to mess up in life. Apparently, not everything you see is what it is. He turns out to be mature and much kinder.

Parenthood shows a more grown-up Keanu Reeves whose appeal is tremendously oozing to the movie fans than ever. He stands out as a fine actor that he is even billed at the fifth spot on the poster of this Ron Howard film.

Parenthood includes the charming ensemble of Mary Steenburgen, Rick Moranis, Tom Hulce, Dianne West, Martha Plimpton, and Jason Robards. This film has been remade into a TV series of the same name. It aired on NBC for a span of six seasons.

Director: Ron Howard — Cast: Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Keanu Reeves

Run Time 2h 4min

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee is a 2009 film that incredibly features Robin Wright in the lead role opposite Keanu. Wright plays the role of a graceful and intelligent woman who navigates a difficult, boxed life.

Later in the movie, Keanu appears in a romantic lead role that he already played before. He plays the younger man who fits perfectly for an older woman who still tries to figure herself out.

Director: Rebecca Miller — Cast: Robin Wright, Alan Arkin, Mike Binder, Keanu Reeves, Blake Lively, Monica Bellucci

Run Time: 1h 38min

Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Dangerous Liaisons is a 1988 movie that won an Oscar for Best Drama. This film features Glenn Close and John Malkovich in the lead roles. So, it is pretty understandable that Keanu Reeves is outclassed by the big actors in this award-winning film.

On the other hand, Keanu plays the character of a young man Le Chevalier Raphael Danceny, a mere pawn in a brutal game that is being played. Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont played by Close and Malkovich both have the brilliance to offer an authentic zest to this 18th-century tale of thwarted love and bruised pride.

Danceny, meanwhile, is practically a boy who still needs to learn the art of manipulation. Keanu fits perfectly for his young and naïve character. Although he does not stand out in Dangerous Liaisons, he redeems himself with the surprising twist. You better watch this movie to find out how it pans out for Keanu’s character in the end.

Director: Stephen Frears — Cast: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman, Keanu Reeves

Run Time: 1h 59min

Man of Tai Chi (2013)

Man of Tai Chi is a more recent and the only action movie that is directed by Keanu Reeves himself. Released in 2013, this film proves Keanu’s deep love for Hong Kong action movies that he created quite a good one himself.

Man of Tai Chi has a pretty straightforward narrative and technical proficiency. Film critics say it shows some outstanding long-take action sequences. Similar to his John Wick movies, Keanu is no quick-guy and he loves to show off his skill in fighting.

Keanu may not have yet what it takes to be recognized as a visionary filmmaker. However, Man of Tai Chi remarkably delivers a decent performance by an actor that is Keanu. It is also possible that he would direct another film of the same genre sometime soon.

Director: Keanu Reeves — Cast: Tiger Hu Chen, Keanu Reeves, Karen Mok

Run Time: 1h 45min

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Something’s Gotta Give is a romantic comedy by acclaimed filmmaker Nancy Meyers. This movie was released in 2003 just a month after The Matrix: Revolutions hit the big screen.

It offers the movie fans a look a different Keanu. He shifts from being an intense, sci-fi action hero to playing a supporting role as a charming, low-key love interest.

Keanu takes on the character of Julian Mercer, a doctor who administers to the shameless womanizer Harry Sanborn, played by Jack Nicholson. Harry is seeing a woman (Amanda Peet) who is a lot younger than him. She is the daughter of a popular playwright, Erica, played by Diane Keaton.

Director: Nancy Meyers — Cast: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet

Runtime 2h 8min

Thumbsucker (2005)

Thumbsucker is a directorial debut film of the 20th Century Women and Beginners’ Mike Mills. This mild but clever 2015 coming-of-age comedy is an adaptation of a Walter Kirn novel.

In Thumbsucker, Keanu plays the character of Dr. Perry Lyman, the dentist of the eponymous thumbsucker. Here, he is a funny, experienced actor. This goes to show that with the perfect filmmaker, Keanu is more than capable of being a supporting actor.

Director: Mike Mills — Cast: Lou Taylor Pucci, Tilda Swinton, Vincent D’Onofrio

Run Time: 1h 36min

 

Destination Wedding (2018)

Many years later, Keanu reunites with his Bram Stoker’s Dracula’co-actor Winona Ryder in Destination Wedding in 2018. The two play as wedding guests in this bizarrely spoiled comedy.

Both of them seem to have seriously bad attitudes about things. However, they find themselves bonding over their common indifference for other people on the planet.

Destination Wedding, for some, could be a tasking movie to watch. The on-screen chemistry between Winona and Keanu, though, offers Gen-X nostalgia. They are both likable and so is this movie.

Director: Victor Levin — Cast: Winona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, DJ Dallenbach

1h 27min

A Walk in the Clouds (1995)

Keanu also stars in a 1995 romantic movie A Walk in the Clouds. He is cast to play the role of a tortured war veteran who poses as the husband of a pregnant woman. He consequently falls for her, however.

Although critics say that he was miscast for his role, he is not as bad as it looked then. A Walk in the Clouds is still a fantastic movie featuring vast vineyards. While for some, it is no longer worth a rewatch, still, it is a good one to check out, especially if enjoy a Keanu Reeves movie.

Director: Alfonso Arau — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Anthony Quinn

Run Time: 1h 42min

The Devil’s Advocate (1997)

The Devil’s Advocate is the less popular movie of Keanu Reeves that was released in 1997. He plays the hotshot attorney Kevin Lomax.

Seemingly, the horror thriller kind of loses its main appeal when Al Pacino, who plays the devil himself disguised as a New York lawyer, goes over-the-top.

Nevertheless, The Devil’s Advocate follows the life of Lomax, the film’s lead character. He is newly hired at a well-known law firm in New York. This is why he needs to move to Manhattan with his wife played by his Sweet November co-star Charlize Theron. But little does he know that there is a wicked motive that led him in this city.

Director: Taylor Edwin Hackford — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, and Jeffrey Jones

Run Time: 2h 26m

 

 

Knock Knock (2015)

Knock Knock also joins our list of 25 best Keanu Reeves movies of all time. This erotic thriller might not be a movie for everyone. However, it is interestingly an acting exercise.

In Knock Knock, Keanu plays Evan, a married suburban guy. He has the entire house all to himself while his wife and kids are away for an out-of-town trip.

The story quickly gets a suspenseful turn when one stormy evening, two beautiful young strangers conveniently come by his house. Played by Ana de Armas and Lorenza Izzo, the two girls themselves in and begin to seduce him.

While it appears to be a wild sexual fantasy come true for Evan, he eventually realizes that it is not and he has entered Hell.

Director: Eli Roth — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Lorenza Izzo, and Ana de Armas

Run Time: 1h 39min

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

The Day the Earth Stood Still is a remake of the 1950s sci-fi classic film that hit theaters in 2008. This movie sends out a timely pro-environment message.

Keanu is cast to play the character of Klaatu, an extraterrestrial being who takes a human form upon arriving on Earth. Here, Keanu shows some signs of a more confident actor after his sheer presence in The Matrix movies. Then, he reaps the rewards years later with the box-office success of John Wick, which has so far spun two sequels.

Director: Scott Derrickson — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, and Kathy Bates

Run Time: 1h 50m

Constantine (2005)

Constantine was released two years after last Matrix film called Revolutions. Reeves comes back to try to launch another possible franchise.

This DC Comics adaptation tells the tale of a guy who can see spirits on Earth. Doomed to atone for attempting to take his own life, he finds himself straddling the divide between Heaven and Hell.

Constantine looks fascinating that it looks to possibly become a franchise. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have much wit or the appeal to work with Reeves’s image in the same way he does in Wachowskis’ John Wick.

Director: Francis Lawrence — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf, Gavin Rossdale

Run Time: 2h 1min

Street Kings (2008)

Street Kings is a 2008 film directed by filmmaker David Ayer. The movie director has made a name for himself as a director for L.A. thrillers such as Training Day, which he also wrote. He is also the director and writer of End of Watch.

Street Kings also features a fine ensemble: Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, and Chris Evans (before he suited up as Captain America).

In Street Kings, Keanu takes on the role of Ludlow, an LAPD detective who now seems to lose his moral compass along the way.

Director: David Ayer — Cast: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans

Run Time: 1h 49min