Keanu Reeves Movies Ranked From Worst to Best

24. Feeling Minnesota

 
This 1996 romantic comedy missed the mark. Starring Keanu Reeves and the beautiful Cameron Diaz, Feeling Minnesota ended up feeling a bit derivative.

In Feeling Minnesota, Cameron Diaz plays an ex-stripper named Freddie who is pushed into marrying Sam Clayton by a club proprietor. When Freddie falls in love with Sam’s brother Jiaks, played by Keanu Reeves, they must run away together. Of course nothing is quite that easy, and Sam and the club proprietor go after them and threaten them.

While not the best movie, with a mere 14% on the Tomatometer, Feeling Minnesota is a fun watch.

23. Sweet November

 
Another romantic comedy, this time with Keanu Reeves co-starring with the beautiful Charlize Theron, Sweet November only earned itself one more percentage point than Feeling Minnesota on the Tomatometer, landing it at a sad 15%.

The fun thing about Sweet November is the way that Nelson Moss, played by Keanu Reeves, and Sara Deever, played by Charlize Theron, meet. While most people only find stress and annoyance at the DMV, Nelson and Sara found each other. In order to decide whether or not this spark is worth a real commitment, they make use of a one-month trial with no strings attached. Though these two characters have nothing in common, they cannot help but fall in love.

Unfortunately the spark between Nelson and Sara did not come off to the audience. The chemistry between Reeves and Theron was non-existent.

22. The Lake House

 
Are you ready for another failed romance film? In The Lake House, Reeves’ character, a frustrated architect, and Bullock’s character, a lonely doctor, are pen pals of a sort. They end up falling in love without ever having seen each other in person, only based on the bond they create from the letters they exchange at the lake house, where each of them has lived at a different point in time. The twist: they are somehow living two years apart.

Films that play with time are intriguing, but The Lake House was too convoluted. However, if you aren’t worried about inconsistencies or the film you watch making any logical sense, then The Lake House can certainly be enjoyed for its romance.

21. Constantine

 
Keanu Reeves is certainly used to playing characters who are larger than life. His role in Constantine is no different.

In Constantine, Reeves plays a suicide survivor turned demon hunter. When John Constantine, played by Reeves, survives a suicide attempt, he finds out that he will go back to Hell when he dies again if he does not accumulate enough goodwill. In order to increase his goodwill, he helps a policewoman, played by Rachel Weisz, whose identical twin was discovered dead from an apparent suicide. During their investigation, Constantine discovers that there is way more going on than meets the eye.

This film has everything you could ask for, from demonic forces to angelic forces to a supernatural plot. It is worth watching, even if just for the great cast, which includes Tilda Swinton, Shia LaBeouf, and Djimon Hounsou.

20. A Scanner Darkly

 
Based off of a Philip K. Dick novel of the same name, A Scanner Darkly was met with mostly positive reviews and was considered a “faithful adaptation” of the novel.

A Scanner Darkly has a distinctive animated look because of the way the film was shot. It was first shot digitally and then animated using a technique called interpolated rotoscope. Interpolated rotoscope requires the animators to trace over the original footage frame by frame. While this takes a lot of time and skill, it definitely makes A Scanner Darkly stand apart visually.

A Scanner Darkly shows us a world in which we have lost the war on drugs. Keanu Reeves plays Bob Arctor, “Fred”, an undercover agent who is tasked with immersing himself in the drug underworld and infiltrating the supply chain. This is done partially via an invasive, high-tech surveillance system set up by the government.

While this movie came with a lot of positive reviews, some found this movie unimpressive or too experimentative. Because of this, it isn’t higher on the list. Maybe you think differently. You’ll have to give it a watch and decide for yourself!

19. Man of Tai Chi

 
One of the special things about Man of Tai Chi is that it is Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut. In itself this film was not really groundbreaking, but that being said, it was a solid directorial debut. If you enjoy martial arts films, then you will enjoy watching Man of Tai Chi.

Man of Tai Chi is about a martial artist named Chen Lin-Hu, who is played by Tiger Hu Chen. Chen finds out that the temple where he studies Tai Chi is about to be demolished, so he must do something to save his temple. In order to save this temple, he joins an illegal underground fight club, though his master would not approve, since his master does not want Chen to use his skills in Tai Chi to fight.

The action in Man of Tai Chi is incredible. If you are looking for a fun action movie with Keanu Reeves, then Man of Tai Chi should be at the top of your list.

18. Something’s Gotta Give

 
Something’s Gotta Give is a rom com, but it’s got a little something for both sexes. For instance, your girlfriend or wife may enjoy the romantic parts of Something’s Gotta Give. You, on the other hand, may be able to appreciate that Jack Nicholson, who plays Harry Sanborn, is an aging womanizer that bags the beautiful and young Amanda Peet, who plays Marin.

However, it doesn’t stop there. Harry may have a beautiful, young woman by his side, but in Something’s Gotta Give, Harry starts to fall for her mother, Erica, who is played by Diane Keaton.

And everyone can appreciate Keanu Reeves’ small part. In Something’s Gotta Give, Reeves plays a doctor. See, I told you he always plays characters who are larger than life. In this movie, he can literally save lives.

17. Little Buddha

 
Little Buddha is beautiful, especially in regards to cinematography. If you are religious, then this movie may also have deeper meaning for you.

Little Buddha is about Tibetan Buddhist monks from Bhutan who are searching for the reincarnation of a great Buddhist teacher named Lama Dorje. These monks believe that an American boy named Jesse Conrad, who lives in Seattle, may be the reincarnation of this great Buddhist teacher, Lama Dorje. In order to determine if this boy truly is the reincarnation, the monks travel to Seattle to see him.

During this film, we concurrently hear the story of a prince named Siddhartha. Siddhartha is played by the one and only Keanu Reeves.

16. Much Ado About Nothing

 
Much Ado About Nothing is another great adaptation of the great Shakespearean comedy from the same name. This 1993 adaptation is brilliant, but if you are not very interested in Shakespeare or classic plays, then this may not be for you.

In this fun comedy, Hero and Claudio, who are planned to be wed, join together with a few others to hatch a matchmaking scheme, in order to bring together Benedick and Beatrice. Of course, Benedick and Beatrice do not like each other — or love, for that matter. Keanu Reeves plays Don John, the character who is plotting to ruin Hero and Claudio’s wedding.

Besides Keanu Reeves’ great acting as Don John, there are a variety of amazing actors in the cast of this adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, including Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Robert Sean Leonard. It is really Kenneth Branaugh, whose passion for Shakespeare is clear in every scene, who steals the show though.

15. The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

 
A more serious but still fun film is The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. In this film, Keanu Reeves plays Chris, the son of someone living in a retirement community. Chris acts as the confidante of a middle-aged woman named Pippa who moves to the retirement community with her much older husband. While confiding in Chris, we find out a lot about Pippa’s troubled past. Despite the solace of talking to Chris, Pippa seems to be inching closer and closer toward a nervous breakdown.

This film has emotional twists and turns, which are complemented by a great cast, including Robin Wright as Pippa, Alan Arkin, Julianne Moore, and Winona Ryder.

14. Thumbsucker

 
If you like indie films, then don’t miss Thumbsucker. In Thumbsucker, Keanu Reeves plays a spacey orthodontist named Perry, who gives New Age advice to an introverted teen named Justin, who is played by Lou Pucci. This introverted teen’s life is changed after hearing this advice. The prescription pills helped a lot too. This introverted teen becomes an outspoken debate club member. Of course, being outspoken and extroverted has its own problems, which Justin soon finds out.

Tilda Swinson and Vince Vaughn help round out this cast, leading to an unforgettable movie experience.

13. Bram Stoker’s Dracula

 
If you have not seen the 1992 film based on Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, then you need to. The story of Dracula is a classic, but Francis Ford Coppola’s directing of the story is not one to miss. Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Jonathan Harker, one of the main protagonists in the story, was unfortunately criticized. However, it is still worth the watch.

Dracula, played by Gary Oldman, is trying to become reunited with his lost love Mira, played by Winona Ryder. Of course a story about Dracula, who is known for his reigns of terror and seduction in Britain, would not be complete without an appearance from Van Helsing.

12. The Devil’s Advocate

 
If you like supernatural movies, then you must watch The Devil’s Advocate. In The Devil’s Advocate, Keanu Reeves plays a Florida defense lawyer named Kevin Lomax. Kevin takes a high-powered position at a law firm located in New York. The head of this law firm is a legal shark named John Milton, who is played by Al Pacino. After accepting this position, Kevin’s wife, Mary Ann, who is played by Charlize Theron, experiences some strange supernatural happenings.

Though not perfect, The Devil’s Advocate is a fun watch.

11. Always Be My Maybe

 
In 2019, Keanu Reeves plays himself in Always Be My Maybe. His part in this rom com was surprising, hilarious, and unforgettable. I do not want to give too much away or spoil anything, so I will not go into the details too much.

Always Be My Maybe is a rom com about two childhood sweethearts, Sasha and Marcus, played by Ali Wong and Randall Park respectively. Sasha and Marcus reconnect as adults 15 years after a falling-out. Sparks are still there, but after 15 years, Sasha and Marcus live in two completely different worlds.

10. My Own Private Idaho

 
Much Ado About Nothing isn’t the only Shakespeare adaptation on this list. Though only a loose adaptation, My Own Private Idaho is supposed to be an adaptation of Shakespeare’s history play Henry IV. In My Own Private Idaho, Keanu Reeves plays Scott, the rebellious son of a mayor. Together with his friend Mike, who is a gay hustler with narcolepsy played by River Phoenix, they travel through the US, including — you guessed it — Idaho, and even Italy in search of Mike’s estranged mother.

My Own Private Idaho is brilliant, albeit sad. If you have not seen it yet, then it’s time.

9. River’s Edge

 
In River’s Edge, a teenager murders his girlfriend and then brings his friends to the scene of the crime. The friends must help dispose of the girl’s body. Despite one of the friends trying to force the rest of the friends to keep silent, a couple of the teens, including Keanu Reeves’ character Matt, wants to go to the police. Matt’s conscience can’t handle keeping silent.

This crime drama film has been called a “contemporary-day horror film” by some. While being an extremely dark film, River’s Edge still received mostly positive reviews.

8. Point Break

 
This is a great man’s movie. If you’re looking for your plans for your next guy’s night, then here it is.

Point Break is an exciting movie about a gang of bank robbers being infiltrated by a federal agent, starring both Keanu Reeves, who is the federal agent Johnny Utah, and Patrick Swayze, who is the charismatic leader of the gang of robbers. The twist: the gang of bank robbers are also surfers, really in it for the rush. Another twist: Federal agent falling in love with a beautiful female surfer close to the gang.

7. The Gift

 
Not only does The Gift contain supernatural elements, it even has its own supernatural clairvoyant: a widow named Annie Wilson, played by Cate Blanchett. When the fiancée of the local school’s principal disappears, Annie has a vision: The fiancée has been killed, and her body has been thrown in a pond. It is the pond outside the house of Keanu Reeves’ character, Donnie, that is suspected to contain her body.

With only a 57% rating on the Tomatometer, this film is underappreciated, which is why I put it at #7 on my list. If you have not yet seen The Gift, then now is the time. It could also be a fun movie to watch around Halloween, due to its supernatural nature.

6. Toy Story 4

 
Toy Story 4 was a huge deal when it came out, and it only gets better with age.

Toy Story 4 follows a road trip with Bonnie and the original gang: Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys we have grown to love from the first three Toy Story movies. We also get to meet some new faces along the way. 

This movie gets deep and is beautifully animated as always. Keanu Reeves voices the comical Duke Caboom, but we also have Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen as Buzz, and a variety of other great actors voicing the toys we love so much.

5. John Wick Trilogy

 
Do you love dogs and action? Then you will love the John Wick trilogy. It all starts when John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, comes home to find out that there has been a home invasion, and someone has killed his dog, Daisy, who had been given to him by his recently deceased wife, Helen. The only thing left to do is track down the people who did this and enact his revenge.

The next two movies in the trilogy are also high action and a lot of fun. Keanu Reeves does an outstanding job being John Wick.

4. Bill & Ted Trilogy

 
If you like sci fi, comedy, and your bros, then you must watch the Bill & Ted Trilogy, which includes Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and Bill & Ted Face the Music.

The two metalhead bros who travel through time together are William “Bill” S. Prestin Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan, III, played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves respectively.

While the first two installments were released in 1989 and 1991, the third installment, Bill & Ted Face the Music, was only just released in 2020.

3. The Matrix Trilogy

 
The Matrix trilogy, made up of The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, and The Matrix Revolutions. However, this trilogy is about to get one more movie in the mix. The Matrix 4 is supposed to be released in 2022.

These films have been highly praised since they have come out. If you have somehow missed it up to now, then make sure to watch The Matrix trilogy before the fourth installment comes out. There is plenty of time to catch up!

2. Dangerous Liaisons

 
Sexual politics in the 18th century French royal court. Really, what could be more seductive or manipulative?

In Dangerous Liaisons, the Marquise de Merteuil, played by Glenn Close, wants revenge against her ex-lover, the Comte de Bastide, by disgracing his young, virgin fiancée, Cécile de Volange, played by Uma Thurman. Merteuil gets Cécile to fall in love with her music teacher, Chevalier Raphael Danceny, played by Keanu Reeves.

That is not even the half of all of the sexual politics in this movie, but I hope it gives you a flavor.

1. Speed

 
Speed is a classic, as it should be. There is nothing more exciting than watching Keanu Reeves play an LA police officer who must figure out how to deactivate a bomb that is on a bus and will explode if the bus drops below 50 miles per hour.

While Keanu Reeves definitely helped make this movie what it is, the rest of the cast was also perfectly picked. Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels, and Dennis Hopper also gave outstanding performances in this 1994 thriller.

Featured image credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com