The 13 Best Johnny Depp Films Ever Made
From a gentle scissor-handed being to a struggling psychotic writer, the morph we all know and love as Johnny Depp has captivated the followers of the silver screen by directly becoming the very characters he was meant to play.
Johnny Depp goes beyond the title of actor as the roles he undertakes seem to become as real as the man himself, and in this article, we will look over thirteen of his greatest pieces and delve into the world that so many Depp fans never wish to leave.
13) Public Enemies
Public Enemies Movie Trailer
Having a compatible mindset with President Herbert Hoover, In Public Enemies Johnny Depp plays the role of John Dillinger, an infamous bank robber having the time of his life as he milks every day for its worth of adrenaline and suspense. Johnny Depp does an exceptional job of playing the stern and smooth spoken gangster, as every action and movement expresses a sense of decisiveness and confidence.
Melvin Purvis, an agent set with the task of tracking down the notorious John Dillinger through his suspenseful story of crime, love, and evasion wants nothing more than to see that John Dillinger receives the justice he deserves.
Watching the movie is simply captivating as the true story of John Dillinger unfolds before you in an array of suspenseful situations, and rebellious acts that leave you debating which side you should be rooting for. An exciting story of love and excitement in an otherwise depressing time makes for an amazing movie, but the limits of emotion scan only be pushed so far in a movie based upon a true story leaving me the decision of giving this movie a 7/10.
It’s hard not to fear a man toting a fully automatic gun
Robbing banks can make it easy to wear the finest things money can buy
12) Black Mass
Black Mass Movie Trailer
Following the story of James “Whitey” Bulger and his reign as the Godfather of South Boston, the true story behind one of the most dangerous men in the world is portrayed in a realistically graphic nature that begs for the question, Is he even human? James Bulger has a deep and complex life that holds an intense level of blood and burdens that can only be portrayed by a master actor.
Playing the role of John “Whitey” Bulger is none other than Johnny Depp. Playing the seemingly heartless mob Boss, Johnny Depp enters a state of numbness. Having lost all feeling of sorrow and remorse he kills numerous amounts of people without so much as batting an eye.
The film holds a grand gesture to the acting of mob bosses, gangsters, and hitman alike as Johnny Depp becomes James Bulger, and performs his duties as though the man himself had walked up and began offing people. This drew my attention to the story of James Bulger, but left me with minimal desire to seek out any further information than what was provided. I would Give the film 7.1/10.
The scariest thing about his expression is the lack of emotion as he is about to end someone
Certainly, one of the greatest transformations ever done by a makeup crew
11) Cry-Baby
Cry-Baby Movie Trailer
Allison is a good girl with a desire to tread on the bad side so, when Cry Baby Walker comes along she falls head over heels for the bad boy everyone wants. But when everything seems to be against Cry Baby Walker, the only thing that could truly make things alright is Allison’s love.
Johnny Depp plays Cry Baby Walker, a tortured young teen with a desire to be accepted by those he loves. Upon arriving to his home town, he meets a girl from the greener side of the grass. Allison should be a girl that he despises and wishes to have nothing to do with, but instead she seems to be the only person who can capture the attention of this teenage heartthrob.
Cry-Baby is comically romantic, and holds no punches in the realm of a twisted plot. It holds true to the spoof requirements but adapts some creative freedom in developing some more complex emotions. Overall, the movie is about as brilliant as a spoof can be and with the wonderful acting of Johnny Depp the movie excels into a solid 7.5/10.
Cry-Baby ignores all the bad girls that want him for good girl Allison
Only for Allison to become the bad girl of his dreams
10) What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
What's Eating Gilbert Grape Movie Trailer
In this epically heartwarming tale of love and struggle Gilbert Grape must work to to provide for his family and play as the father figure to his brother Arnie, who suffers from a mental illness that leaves Gilbert both physically and mentally taxed. Arnie mental illness leaves him constantly wandering and generally finding himself in trouble with Gilbert and in worse cases with local law enforcement.
Johnny Depp plays the guardian angel in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape as Gilbert tries to do what he can to take care of Arnie while being constantly criticized by his mother. Doing all of this and still working at a grocery outlet leaves gilbert gone to the world. But after meeting a girl who is a stranger to the town, Gilbert finds a new light in an otherwise dim world.
Beautiful, tender, loving, heartbreaking, deep, and sensational are only a fraction of the words used to describe the experience behind watching this movie. It leaves people with mixed feelings depending on the depth of emotion one can take from a single movie. I love this movie but it holds a compilation of emotion that can leave you emotionally worn out by the end of it. This movie deserves a 7.9/10
It can be hard for Gilbert to take care of his brother Arnie at times
It can be hard for Gilbert to take care of his brother Arnie at times
9) Finding Neverland
Fuinding Neverland Movie Trailer
James Barrie is a famous playwright with an astonishing ability to leave the audience awestruck. But he has since lost the inspiration that drives his amazing abilities, and has gone in search of this inspiration in a local park. Through the missing article of a newspaper he finds what will be his new inspiration, even if he doesn’t yet realize it himself.
Playing the brilliant J.M. Barrie, Johnny Depp provides the true genius that lies behind the mind of Neverland’s creator who finds inspiration through the Llewelyn Davies Family who have become very dear to him. As his relationship deepens with Sylvia Llewelyn and her children he finds that his willingness to endow inspiration into them in turn inspires him to write the greatest play that he will ever produce. Things become complicated because of this however, as James realizes that his inspiration stems from the love he holds for them.
Finding Neverland is an inspiring tale of a man who finds the lost spark of his inspiration in a woman and her family troubled by the grief of having lost their beloved husband and father. The tale is both inspiring and whimsical, giving a feeling of purity in the world. but things do not stay pure and innocent as reality makes its way into the movie at abrupt times that keep things grounded. This movie has earned an 8.0/10.
When you’re worried the dinner, guests will think you’re weird, and they show up looking like this
He has a very positive outlook for someone who just found a kid under their bench
8) Donnie Brasco
Donnie Brasco Movie Trailer
Donnie Brasco (Joe Pistone) is an FBI agent that infiltrates the New York Mafia by befriending Lefty Ruggiero. Under the leadership of Sonny Black, Donnie Brasco and Lefty Ruggiero oversee collecting money for “the bosses”. Donnie Brasco gets deeper undercover when Sonny Black becomes “a boss”. The deeper he gets the harder things become for Joe Pistone.
Johnny Depp is Donnie Brasco, a man looking to make his way in the deep end of the New York Mafia, but as the mafia begins to believe that there is a rat among their numbers tensions between friends begin to grow.
Donnie Brasco leaves you on the edge of your seat as the suspense of Joe Pistones true identity being found out could lead to fatal consequences. The movie has a warm side as the bond between Donnie and lefty builds into a strong father son like relationship, but as the Mafia begins cracking down on finding their rat things begin to strain and something must give. In total this movie has earned a good 8.3/10
Making friends isn’t always easy when making friends with mobsters
This is a group of fellas that are far from good
7) Edward Scissorhands
Edward Scissorhands Movie Trailer
An inventor dissatisfied with his inventions realizes it is because nothing he has made is truly alive. Creating Edward was his greatest achievement, and he was nearly complete as he was to receive his hands but upon the inventors unanticipated death, Edward was left to live alone until Peg, a kind Avon Sales Lady finds him and invites him to come with her on what both would find out to be an adventure of a lifetime.
Johnny Depp plays Edward Scissorhands, a kind human-like invention of his father who died leaving him to live alone. Upon meeting Peg he finds residence in her house and invites a new world of adventure and mystery into a town that begs for excitement. But as Edward falls for the lovely Kim (Winona Ryder) things take a horrible turn as Edwards life begins to spiral into chaos in a world that could not handle the unique individuality that is Edward Scissorhands.
Edward Scissorhands takes on a life of its own as Tim Burton breathes life into a film that feels whimsical while maintaining the feel of a dark Comedy. The level of kindness set within Peg’s household is a light within the dark world that lies beyond it. A light that shined the way for Edward to get home. This movie is magical if I may say so, and deserves an 8.5/10.
Avon has never received better advertising than Edward Scissorhands
Experiencing snow for the first time by the hands of a scissor-wielding master carver
6) Blow
Blow Movie Trailer
Deciding that he will not end up bankrupt and defeated like his parents, George Jung decides to start selling marijuana and makes a good profit in California until he is arrested. Befriending Diego Delgado, the two prison inmates discuss and contemplate how to bring cocaine to America.
George Jung, played by Johnny Depp, is the main character in the movie blow. The movie is based on a true story of a man who wanted more than anything to be successful so that he would never end up with his parent’s fate. This drive made George Jung disregard all the possible consequences of his actions.
Blow captures the true consequences of one’s actions without focusing purely on the legal kickback but considering the emotional and direct cost of losing everything important to him. Blow goes beyond being a movie and captures the experience of a human being. This movie earns a serious 8.6/10
Playing one of the most extensive drug dealers in history is a large order that Depp was able to deliver
Trying to imagine what a bazillion dollars looks like as a kid
5) Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Movie Trailer
Having everything precious to him stolen by Judge Turpin, Benjamin Barker decides to leave behind the dead remnants of this past life and take on the singular motive of revenge. Shedding his identity and taking on the alias of Sweeney Todd, Benjamin Barker grows closer to his enemies hoping to give them the closest shave of their lives.
Johnny Depp plays Sweeney Todd, a distraught man lost to the beautiful world that once encapsulated him. Mr. Todd, along with the help of Ms. Lovett, pursues a darkened path of his once renowned career as a barber. He will give many people a close shave to ensure Ms. Lovett’s meat pies remain popular, but his desired customers are those who wished him gone.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is an impeccable story of man dealt a bad hand due to the envy of a corrupt judge. Having found his new calling Mr. Todd sets impatiently forward on a new life goal that could potentially cost his own. The combination of a macabre-like environment with an uplifting musical number makes for a delightfully disturbing musical. This movie has earned an 8.9/10
The transformation from Benjamin Barker to Sweeney Todd is both tragic and dark
She tries so hard to make him love her when all he wants is revenge
4) Benny and Joon
Benny and Joon Movie Trailer
Joon is a wonderful artist with a mental disability that causes her brother, Benny to sacrifice his social to take care of her as he cannot a care taker who can handle the job. Along the way the meet a boy named Sam who not only makes Joon happy, but is able to understand her and care for her the way that no one else can.
Johnny Depp embodies the role of Sam, a character in Benny and Joon that acts as Joon’s main source of sanity and normality. Being the only person outside of her family to understand her, it is no surprise that Joon develops feelings for Sam that exceed those of being her care taker.
Benny and Joon is a classic love story with a touch of ill fate that makes it both realistic and loveable. The movie holds true to a love that exceeds that of your everyday meeting. Fate played a hand in this couple as each of them love and endure their differences from the norm. Unless you have a heart of stone, this movie will leave you in tears, and understanding why it deserves a 9.2/10.
Well… that’s one way to make a grilled cheese I suppose
When your ex’s makeup game is way off point
3) Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow Movie Trailer
After multiple gruesome murders within the small town of Sleepy Hollow, Constable Ichabod Crane is sent to discover the identity of the murderer. Locals suggest that the assailant to be the ghost of the headless horseman, but Ichabod is not so likely to believe in such fairytale suspects.
Johnny Depp plays the role of Constable Ichabod Crane, the man in charge of investigating the Sleepy hollow murders, and deciphering who among the residents of sleepy hollow would want to decapitate the known victims.
Sleepy Hollow represents one of the only true renderings of the headless horseman from Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Most movies pertaining to the headless horseman blow the horror concept out of proportion making the character more comical than anything, but Sleepy Hollow stays true to the rendering of both Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. This movie is deserving of a 9.5/10
Those are the teeth of someone who has sworn off ever eating a salad again
It’s hard to disbelieve the story of a headless horseman when you meet horseman without a head
2) Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Movie Trailer
After the governor’s daughter is captured by Captain Barbossa’s crew, William Turner recruits the help of Captain Jack Sparrow as he may be the only man capable of seeing her returned safely home. Barbossa intends to use Elizabeth as a sacrifice to remove the curse put upon Barbossa and his crew.
Johnny Depp plays captain Jack Sparrow, a lovingly goofy pirate infamous for being both an amazing pirate an a terrible one. Captain Jack Sparrow plays a valuable role in the movie and is generally to blame for any unfortunate situations other characters may find themselves in, but also happens to be the savior of those same situations.
Being comical, adventurous, suspenseful, romantic, and unique are only a few reasons that Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl is absolutely brilliant. The movie covers several standpoints that makes the movie great for people who have different opinions on cinema styles. This movie has many reasons to get a 9.6/10
Trying to contemplate what to do with the ship you just stole on a whim
No matter what situation he gets himself into, Captain Jack Sparrow can always find his way out
1) Secret Window
Secret Window Movie Trailer
Mort Rainey would be the first to tell you that finding success does not always mean finding happiness. In the middle of a divorce, and struggling to find the inspiration for his new story, Mort finds himself in a grimmer situation than he was already in. With a stranger standing at his door speaking of plagiarism, Mort Rainey finds that startling things begin to happen.
Johnny Depp plays Mort Rainey, a writer who has found much success, but not very much happiness in his career choices. With his marriage in shambles, and his inspiration dying, Mort finds the only thing he has left to lose is his life. So, when a man blaming him of plagiarism begins vandalizing his house and killing those he loves Mort begins to become mentally unstable.
Secret Window is a dramatic tale of horror, and suspense that will fill the room with an eerie sense of being watched and taunted from the darkness. This movie leaves you questioning the acts of all characters and wishing you had some understanding of the situation. This movie is truly brilliant in all senses of the of the word and owns the right to have a 9.8/10
It was at this point that Mort realized his stalker was getting serious
When you realize, things can’t get any grimmer so you just stop caring all together
Though recognizing Johnny Depp is simple, it is when he begins acting that we stop referring to him as Johnny and begin referring to him as the person he has become for the film. He can turn into someone that you become invested in, and because of this become invested in the movie that he is in until you are drowning in the emotions that the characters are feeling, so that when they cry, you will to. Johnny Depp is not just an actor, he is an artist.
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