He might not be the actor with the most blockbusters or the one with the most accolades under his belt but there's no question that Nicolas Cage is a true Hollywood legend. Cage has been a star in dozens of films over the past few decades, spanning every genre you can think of.
The ones that come to mind are often action flicks like Face/Off or Gone in 60 Seconds, comedies like Raising Arizona or Kick-Ass, or even the wacky ones like The Wicker Man or Mandy. His most recent movie, Pig, has also received critical acclaim but what about those Cage films that have been forgotten about?
The Weather Man (2005)
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Neither a commercial hit nor a critical darling, The Weather Man is kind of the definition of an underrated and often unheralded film. The premise of the movie is simple enough, centering on a weatherman who struggles while going through a mid-life crisis.
However, it's just that basic setup that makes this work so well. It's a slice-of-life that shows you a man dealing with something that is relatable for many audience members. Even if reviews weren't sparkling, most critics agreed that the performances, including that of Cage, were good. It also features a memorable Cage quote.
Trapped In Paradise (1994)
Stream On Max Go
Since he's become so popular for his over-the-top performances and his wild action movies, some viewers might forget just how funny Nicolas Cage can be. He made audiences laugh in several comedies in his early days and a hidden gem of one is Trapped in Paradise.
Partnered up on the screen with the hilarious Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey, Cage shined as Bill Firpo. The three brothers attempt to rob a bank on Christmas Eve, only for their plans to get ruined by overly friendly residents of the town. Reviews were mixed at best but there's a lot of fun to be had in this underrated Christmas flick.
The Trust (2016)
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During the 2010s, it seems like Nicolas Cage has made his mark by appearing in a slew of indie flicks that not a lot of people even know existed. One of those is The Trust, which was released to little fanfare despite featuring Elijah Wood starring alongside Cage in one of his best recent films.
The film sees Wood and Cage's characters as police partners who look for a way to make more money and attempt to rob a drug dealer of his impressive fortune. Of course, things don't go as planned, leading to some exciting and tense scenes. Critics were high on the chemistry between Cage and Wood.
The Croods (2013)
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Although it was a massive success at the box office, it's understandable to not really remember that The Croods was a hit Nicolas Cage flick. Fans often tend to not think about who voices characters in major animated films unless they're truly iconic.
Mike Myers as Shrek, Tom Hanks as Woody, and characters like that are remembered. Grug Crood isn't as memorable but it remains a highlight of Cage's career. He voices the patriarch of the titular family of cave people as they have their world turned upside down by the arrival of an intelligent human named Guy.
Drive Angry (2011)
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Part of the reason that Drive Angry may have gone overlooked in 2011 is that it came out in the same year as the more hyped Drive, which has a similar title. Those who saw it were treated to one of the wildest action movies of Cage's career, which is saying something.
The premise sees Cage as the badass John Milton, a felon who escapes Hell in his quest to get revenge on the cult leader who murdered his daughter and has plans to sacrifice his granddaughter. Even though reviews were mixed, it's just the kind of absurd movie that Nicolas Cage fans adore.
Birdy (1984)
Stream On Amazon Prime
One of the earliest films in Nicolas Cage's filmography, Birdy remains one of the most underrated too. Based on a 1978 novel of the same name, the story focuses on two friends (Cage and Matthew Modine) who return from the Vietnam War, which seriously impacted their lives.
Modine's character goes on to believe that he's actually a bird, leading him to be placed in a mental hospital, only adding to their struggles. The film was met with widespread acclaim, even taking home the Grand Prix Spécial du Jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Frozen Ground (2013)
Stream On Netflix
Considering the obsession that many viewers seem to have with watching films and TV shows about true crime and serial killers, you might expect The Frozen Ground to be more famous than it is. After all, the film is based on the real crimes of murderer Robert Hansen.
The Frozen Ground stars Nicolas Cage as an Alaskan state trooper who hunts down Hansen (John Cusack) with the help of a woman (Vanessa Hudgens) who managed to escape him. A lot of the positive reviews for the film centered on the efforts of Cage, calling it a return to form for the actor.
Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)
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Maybe it's because the title of the film is such a mouthful but it seems like most people overlooked Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans when it came out. Indeed, it only grossed about $10 million on a budget of more than double that. Despite not being a commercial hit, most reviews were strong for the film.
The story centers on an officer (Cage) who is promoted and commended for his efforts in Hurricane Katrina, only to get hurt and become addicted to pain pills while he investigates the kidnappings of immigrants. He delivers a somewhat subdued performance surrounded by talents like Eva Mendes and Fairuza Balk but it remains one of Cage's best characters.
Mom And Dad (2017)
Stream On Starz
You have to appreciate how Nicolas Cage has gone all-in on the idea of him being an over-the-top actor. He's owned it and began starring in films that highlighted that attribute, including in Mom and Dad. The film sees a mass hysteria cause parents to begin to violently attack their children.
The titular parents are played by Cage and Selma Blair and this movie sees Cage at his most unhinged in the best possible way. Most reviews were strong, praising how wild the premise is and that the performance by Cage is exactly what this movie needed to be successful.