Javier Bardem is an actor that's taken Hollywood by storm with his various iconic roles over the years, with his diverse filmography and quickly adaptable talent. There seems to be no limit to the roles that Bardem takes on, varying from huge Hollywood blockbusters all the way to independent Spanish dramas.
Bardem recently acquired his fourth Academy Award nomination in the acting categories, following his monumental win in 2008 for No Country For Old Men, which many believe to be one of the Oscars' best and most inspired choices in recent memory.
Mondays in the Sun (2003) - 64
Mondays in the Sun is a Spanish comedy/drama in which Bardem plays the character of Santa, who heads a group of friends that have recently lost their jobs as shipbuilders. Although Santa attempts to keep the spirits of his friends high, everybody's personal lives and individual issues seem to get in the way.
Although it's far from Bardem's most famous or memorable role, Mondays in the Sun is a fairly underrated drama that uses its light sense of humor to explore the lives of its characters in a way that always feels human and grounded. Bardem's performance is the highlight, with the witty screenplay trailing close behind.
Everybody Knows (2019) - 68
From acclaimed and prolific director Asghar Farhadi, Everybody Knows is a fascinating thriller that centers around the abduction of a young girl, and the strain that is put on her parents as they attempt to find her. Bardem plays the girl's father, alongside his real-life partner Penelope Cruz.
Farhadi is incredible at creating tension in his films, and Everybody Knows is no different. There isn't a single moment that's boring or predictable, as he uses his characters and subplots extremely effectively to draw out every single once of emotion from the audience.
Live Flesh (1998) - 69
Live Flesh is an intense romantic drama that's up there with some of Bardem's most fascinating and thrilling works to date. It's a film with plenty of intriguing subplots and narratives that unravel into each other, revealing a story that's much more complex than it initially seems.
Although Bardem doesn't play the lead in Live Flesh, his presence within the film is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and noticeable. He plays police officer David, who's called to investigate a domestic dispute that threatens to tear his life apart.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) - 70
The titular women in Vicky Cristina Barcelona are played by Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall, and their characters naturally play a huge role in this dramatic romantic thriller. When the pair begins an affair with Bardem's Juan Antonio on a summer holiday, his ex-wife Maria soon poses a threat to their relaxation.
Much like many of Bardem's early films, Vicky Christina Barcelona is an extremely entertaining and melodramatic ride from start to finish. It's never clear exactly where the plot is going to go, but it's always evident that it's going to result in something extremely inventive and watchable.
Collateral (2004) - 71
Michael Mann's films are often full of memorable characters and exciting storylines, and Collateral certainly fits the criteria. And although he only appears as a secondary antagonist in the film, Bardem's performance as Felix Reyes-Torrena is undoubtedly one of the film's flashiest and most entertaining aspects.
Like much of Mann's previous works, Collateral is extremely intense throughout and offers plenty of exciting action sequences that are bound to get the audience's blood pumping. Its narrative is messy and scattered, but that's exactly what makes it so enthralling to watch.
The Sea Inside (2004) - 74
The Sea Inside is yet another of Bardem's Spanish romance/thrillers, this one centering around the real-life story of Ramon Sampedro, who was left a quadriplegic following a diving accident. The film explores Sampedro's pursuits to legalize euthanasia, and the right to end his own life.
The Sea Inside is hardly an easy watch, but it's definitely an important one. Whilst there's plenty of melodrama and romance to appease the casual moviegoers, the film also has plenty to say about the moral and ethical issues surrounding euthanasia and quality of life.
Dune (2021) - 74
Dune has been praised by many fans as one of the greatest fantasy films of the decade, and it's truly hard to argue with that. With its sprawling narrative and memorable ensemble cast, anybody can easily lose themselves in this exciting world for a couple of hours and not be bored for a single second.
Javier Bardem plays Stilgar, the leader of a tribe of Fremen on the desert planet Arrakis. Although he doesn't play a huge role in the film, there's no doubt that director Denis Villeneuve has huge plans for the character that fans can't wait to see in Dune's upcoming sequel.
Mother! (2017) - 75
Although Mother! wasn't quite as widely enjoyed by casual audiences upon its release, Darren Aronofsky's psychological horror has gathered a lot of respect among critics for its intriguing and revolutionary approach towards its rich central themes.
The film is bolstered by Jennifer Lawrence's astounding lead performance, and it's almost impossible not to relate to her character at least to some extent. The film centers around a young poet and his wife, whose lives begin to take a dark turn when uninvited guests barge their way in.
Skyfall (2012) - 81
Hailed by many fans as the best James Bond movie of the modern era, Skyfall is indisputably one of the most iconic and intense action films of the best decade. From Sam Mendes' astute direction to Roger Deakins' stunning cinematography - and don't forget Bardem's outstanding performance as villainous Raoul Silva - everything about the film feels perfectly crafted to cement itself within the action-movie hall of fame.
The final act of Skyfall features some of the most sublimely talented filmmaking that the action genre has seen in a long time, with some truly stunning imagery mixed with an emotionally rich and rewarding climax. It's an action film that actually has a personality, which is more than many can say about themselves.
No Country For Old Men (2007) - 91
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it's Javier Bardem's career-defining, Oscar-winning turn as chilling psychopath Anton Chigurh that makes the top of this list. Joel and Ethan Coen's iconic crime thriller is one of the defining entries into the genre, with a thoughtful and intense screenplay that's elevated further by the brothers' keen direction.
Although the Coens are somewhat known for their iconic villains, there are few people that would dispute Chigurh's position as the most memorable and haunting of them all. His complete apathy towards the killing of the victims makes him terrifying to watch, and it's all due to Bardem's fantastic performance.