Ethan Hawke's stardom struck in the 90s and successfully carried on to the 2000s, appearing in films ranging from action blockbusters to rom-com flicks. Hawke is a rare find with a skill set applicable to tons of characters, playing both heroes and villains.

From his role as the naive rookie cop in Training Day to the father in Boyhood which took years to film, Hawke's resume has established him as one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.

Updated on January 9th, 2023 by Colin McCormick: Ethan Hawke returns to the movie with his latest supporting role as part of the massive ensemble of Glass Onion. It is yet another role that reminds audiences that Hawke is exceptional no matter the part he has to play. From the leading man to just a couple of scenes in a great movie, Hawke's filmography is filled with movies that get plenty of love from the fans on IMDb. Looking at the best Ethan Hawke movies according to IMDb users highlights what an amazing career he has had and how the actor continues to deliver great work in both leading and supporting roles.

The Northman (2022): 7.1

The Northman: Ethan Hawke as Aurvandill, about to die, with two arrows in his chest
  • Available on Prime Video

Filmmaker Robert Eggers tackled his biggest and most brutal movie yet with the Viking epic, The Northman. Alexander Skarsgard plays a Viking prince who embarks on a long and violent journey to take revenge on his uncle who betrayed and killed his father (Hawke).

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Eggers creates an intense and thrilling revenge tale with a strong Shakespearean vibe. Though Hawke's role is limited, he is a terrific addition to the ensemble that also includes Anya Taylor Joy, Nicole Kidman, and Willem Dafoe.

First Reformed (2018): 7.1

Father Toller looking serious in First Reformed
  • Available on HBO Max, Kanopy and DIRECTV

Hawke gave one of his best performances in the intense drama First Reformed. He plays a priest struggling with a crisis of faith while overseeing his small and isolated church. When a young married woman (Amanda Seyfried) enters his life, he goes down a path of new beliefs.

The movie is a captivating character study featuring Hawke's complex and brilliant performance. While there are not any easy answers when it is all over, fans seem to have enjoyed the stirring experience.

Tape (2001): 7.2

Tape features a minimal cast of two actors and an actress but is still able to tell a compelling story of friendship and heartbreak as three friends reunite to weave through old memories.

Coming off of the success of Before Sunrise from 1995, Hawke plays a troubled character whose recent substance abuse has started to take over his life. An intimate tale of human characters, Tape is an emotional roller coaster that explores old friendships and how small the world can really be sometimes.

Glass Onion (2022): 7.3

Daniel Craig and Ethan Hawke in Glass Onion
  • Available on Netflix

Hawke is just one of the many famous faces in the new murder mystery Glass Onion. This sequel to Knives Out finds Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc who finds himself investigating a new murder surrounding a group of trend-setting rich people.

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Rian Johnson continues to make this an entertaining, funny, and intriguing franchise with another amazing whodunnit. Many fans are even calling it a rare sequel that improves on the original and more are eagerly awaiting the next installment of the Benoit Blanc mystery.

Before The Devil Know's You're Dead (2007): 7.3

  • Available on fuboTV, Hulu, the Roku Channel, Hoopla, Tubi, Kanopy, Crackle, Pluto TV and Plex

From legendary filmmaker Sidney Lumet, Before the Devil Knows Your Dead served as a terrific final movie in his incredible life as a director. Hawke stars opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman as two desperate brothers who plan to rob their parents' jewelry store.

It is a classic movie about a simple crime going horribly wrong with shocking results. Hawke joins the stellar cast that includes Marisa Tomei and Michael Shannon, all giving intense performances in this dark and gripping crime story.

Predestination (2014): 7.4

Sarah Snook and Ethan Hawke in Predestination
  • Available on the Roku Channel

Time travel movies have been popular in Hollywood for decades, so it is always nice to find one that brings something new to the genre. Predestination stars Hawke as a time-traveling agent on his last mission to find the criminal he could never catch.

The movie is an entertaining and clever mystery that deals with its difficult time-travel science in a fun and fresh way. While a small movie, it manages to accomplish a lot as a thrilling genre movie that more audiences should seek out.

Lord Of War (2005): 7.6

Ethan Hawke and Nicolas Cage in Lord of War
  • Available on HBO Max

Among the best characters Nicolas Cage has played in his long career, Yori Orlov in Lord of War is one of his most underrated. The crime movie finds Yuri, an arms dealer, facing his own crisis of morals with the shady business he conducts. Hawke has a standout supporting role as an INTERPOL agent on his trail.

Cage gives a more grounded and reserved performance than some of his other while the movie itself is not shy about showing the flaws in Yuri's character. It makes for a thought-provoking dark comedy that is popular among its small audience.

Maudie (2016): 7.6

  • Available to rent on Apple TV

Hawke made this small Canadian biopic that managed to capture the hearts of many fans despite its small size. Maudie stars Sally Hawkins as Nova Scotian artist Maude Lewis whose simple paintings accomplished despite her arthritis made her a beloved figure in her community. Hawke plays a local fish seller who forms a romantic bond with her.

Hawkins is charming in the lead role while Hawke gives a terrific performance as the soft-spoken and reserved love interest. It is a sweet love story that takes audiences to the beautiful 1930s rural Nova Scotia while examining the life of this great artist.

Waking Life (2001): 7.7

Celine and Jesse share a bed in Waking Life
  • Available on HBO Max and DIRECTV

Hawke's collaborations with filmmaker Richard Linklater have produced some of the best movies in their respective careers. However, Waking Life is an overlooked and interesting project they made together that fans should seek out.

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The experimental animated movie was digitally rotoscoped to give it a surreal look. That serves it well in the story of a young man exploring the world of dreams and the meaning of life. Hawke re-teamed with Julie Delpy to reprise their roles from Linklater's Before Sunrise.

Training Day (2001): 7.7

  • Available on Netflix, HBO Max and Netflix Basic

Training Day is not only one of Hawke's most memorable roles, but Denzel Washington's as well. Hawke stars as a rookie cop on his first day as a narcotics officer in the Los Angeles Police Department. In the span of one day, Jake is taken on a dangerous ride with his partner, a veteran detective who plays loose with the law.

Hawke is terrific in a role that earned him his first Oscar nomination. But this is Washington's show, and he went on to win an Oscar for his commanding, terrifying, and hugely entertaining performance. Overall, the movie is an exceptional thriller and the kind of intense movie taking place over a short period of time.

Gattaca (1997): 7.8

Ethan Hawke as Vincent Freeman in Gattaca
  • Available to rent on Apple TV

Gattaca is not the average sci-fi movie, examining human genetic code rather than extra-terrestrial life. Hawke plays a genetically inferior man who attempts to pose someone whose genetic code is stopping him from space travel.

Despite the sci-fi elements the movie offers some interesting commentary on human life, philosophical at times as the human race attempts to perfect themselves. Also starring in the film alongside Hawke is Jude Law, whose tragic character represents the futility of human perfection.

Before Midnight (2013): 7.9

Before Midnight Ending
  • Available to rent on Apple TV

Though it was never meant to be a movie trilogy, the Before movies managed to reach its third entry with Before Midnight. The movie picks up with Hawke and Julie Delpy once again playing the central couple, now married. The movie follows the pair through a day of their vacation, exploring their life together and its challenges.

Fans expecting the light and romantic vibe of the first two movies will be surprised by the conflict of the movie. However, that is largely what works with this conclusion of the story as it gives an honest and heartbreaking look at how the happy couple doesn't always stay that way without trouble.

Boyhood (2014): 7.9

Boyhood
  • Available on AMC+, The Criterion Channel, Kanopy, DIRECTV and Pluto TV

Though the most recent collaboration between Hawke and Richard Linklater, Boyhood was actually many years in the making. From 2002 to 2013 the movie was filmed and followed the life of a boy as he deals with the various stages of growing up. Hawke earned another Oscar nomination for his role as the young boy's father.

The movie is known for its unique approach to film-making, following the life of the same character and seeing the actors age with their characters. Though it deals with struggles and ugliness as well, many fans see it as the kind of movie about appreciating life.

Before Sunrise (1995): 8.1

Jesse and Celine falling in love in Vienna

  • Available on the Roku Channel

Before Sunrise kicked off the much-loved romance series and surprise franchise for Hawke and his collaborators, Richard Linklater and Julie Delpy. The romance begins with young Jesse and Celine meeting on a train and deciding on a whim to spend the day together. The movie follows them around Vienna as they talk and fall in love.

The simple story proves to be what works for this movie and the subsequent sequels. It feels incredibly real and relatable, unlike many Hollywood romances. Hawke and Delpy make for a wonderful couple and fans were thrilled this was only the beginning of their story.

Before Sunset (2004): 8.1

Ethan Hawke in Before Sunset kneeling and looking at Julie Delpy's character.
  • Available on the Roku Channel

While it was a risk to pick up the story of Jesse and Celine nearly a decade later, Before Sunset succeeded in becoming a sequel some find superior to the original. The movie finds the couple meeting up in Paris after never seeing each since that first day together. Once again, the movie follows them through their day as they reconnect.

The movie is about the missed opportunities and paths not taken, but really it is just lovely to see these two characters spending time together once again. And it all builds to the final moments that will leave a smile on the face of any fan.

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