100 Greatest Male Acting
Performances 1990 - 2009
Criteria: These perfomances are based on characterization, charisma, intensity, and mainly on how well the actor portrayed the role. The genre of the role has no affect on its placement. Comedy, drama, and action, as well as both leading roles and supporting roles were all given a fair consideration.
Movie Title - Movie Actor (Year)
(Part 1. Serious Drama/Action)
1. Silence of the Lambs
Anthony Hopkins (1991)
2. There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day Lewis (2007)
3. Malcolm X
Denzel Washington (1992)
4. American Beauty
Kevin Spacey (1999)
5. Shine
Geoffrey Rush (1996)
6. Capote
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (2005)
7. Scent of a Woman
Al Pacino (1992)
8. Gangs of New York
Daniel Day Lewis (2002)
9. American History X
Edward Norton (1998)
10. The Last King Of Scotland
Forest Whitaker (2006)
11. Mystic River
Sean Penn (2003)
12. Ray
Jamie Foxx (2004)
13. I am Sam
Sean Penn (2001)
14. Training Day
Denzel Washington (2001)
15. Philadelphia
Tom Hanks (1993)
16. The Shawshank Redemption
Morgan Freeman (1994)
17. The Pianist
Adrian Brody (2002)
18. Schindler's List
Liam Neeson (1993)
19. Leaving Las Vegas
Nicolas Cage (1995)
20. Hamlet
Kenneth Branagh (1996)
21. Chaplin
Robert Downy Jr. (1992)
22. Unforgiven
Gene Hackman (1992)
23. Braveheart
Mel Gibson (1995)
24. No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem (2007)
25. In the Name of the Father
Daniel Day Lewis (1993)
26. Gladiator
Russell Crowe (2000)
27. The English Patient
Ralph Fiennes (1996)
28. A Beautiful Mind
Russel Crowe (2001)
29. The Shawshank Redemption
Tim Robbins (1994)
30. Brokeback Mountain
Heath Ledger (2005)
31. Philadelphia
Denzel Washington (1993)
32. Michael Clayton
George Clooney (2007)
33. The Usual Suspects
Kevin Spacey (1995)
34. Cape Fear
Robert DeNiro (1991)
35. Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling (2006)
36. Glengarry Glen Ross
Jack Lemmon (1992)
37. Monstor's Ball
Billy Bob Thornton (2001)
38. Quills
Geoffrey Rush- (2000)
39. Pulp Fiction
Samuel L. Jackson (1994)
40. Carlito's Way
Al Pacino (1993)
41. Gods and Monsters
Ian McKellan (1998)
42. Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner (1990)
43. The Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood (1992)
44. The Apostle
Robert DuVall (1997)
45. Fight Club
Edward Norton (1999)
46. GoodFellas
Joe Pesci (1990)
47. House of Sand and Fog
Ben Kingsley (2003)
48. The Aviator
Leonardo DiCaprio (2004)
49. Reversal of Fortune
Jeremy Irons (1990)
50. Richard III
Ian McKellen (1995)
51. The Fugitive
Harrison Ford (1993)
52. Sexy Beast
Ben Kingsley (2000)
53. The Departed
Leonardo DiCaprio (2006)
54. Hustle & Flow
Terence Howard (2005)
55. Mystic River
Tim Robbins (2003)
56. Dead Man Walking
Sean Penn (1995)
57. The Pledge
Jack Nicholson (2001)
58. Gangs of New York
Leonardo DiCaprio (2002)
59. Cast Away
Tom Hanks (2000)
60. The Pursuit Of Happiness
Will Smith (2006)
61. Pulp Fiction
John Travolta (1994)
62. Walk the Line
Joaquin Phoenix (2005)
63. One Hour Photo
Robin Williams (2002)
64. Memento
Guy Pearce (2000)
65. Hotel Rwanda
Don Cheadle (2004)
66. Sling Blade
Billy Bob Thornton (1996)
67. Men of Honor
Cuba Gooding Jr. (2000)
68. Michael Clayton
Tom Wilkinson (2007)
69. A Few Good Men
Jack Nicholson (1992)
70. Hamlet
Derek Jacobi (1996)
71. The Cider House Rules
Micheal Caine (1999)
72. Ali
Will Smith (2001)
73. Blood Diamond
Leonardo DiCaprio (2006)
74. Schindler's List
Ralph Fiennes (1993)
75. Training Day
Ethan Hawk (2001)
76. Hurricane
Denzel Washington (1999)
77. Pollock
Ed Harris (2000)
78. JFK
Gary Oldman (1991)
79. The Remains of the Day
Anthony Hopkins (1993)
80. Master and Commander
Russell Crowe (2003)
81. Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams (1997)
82. Before Night Falls
Javier Bardem (2000)
83. The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke (2008)
84. The People vs. Larry Flint
Woody Harrelson (1996)
85. Ulee's Gold
Peter Fonda (1997)
86. Good Will Hunting
Matt Damon (1997)
87. Crazy Heart
Jeff Bridges (2009)
88. Gladiator
Joaquin Phoenix (2000)
89. GoodFellas
Ray Liotta (1990)
90. The 25th Hour
Edward Norton (2002)
91. 12 Monkeys
Brad Pitt (1995)
92. Reservoir Dogs
Steve Buscemi (1992)
93. The Age of Innocence
Daniel Day Lewis (1993)
94. My Own Private Idaho
River Phoenix (1991)
95. Reservoir Dogs
Tim Roth (1992)
96. Eastern Promises
Viggo Mortensen (2007)
97. GoodFellas
Robert DeNiro (1990)
98. Mr. Holland's Opus
Richard Dryfuss (1995)
99. A Few Good Men
Tom Cruise (1992)
100. Awakenings
Robert DeNiro (1990)
Anthony Hopkins (1991)
2. There Will Be Blood
Daniel Day Lewis (2007)
3. Malcolm X
Denzel Washington (1992)
4. American Beauty
Kevin Spacey (1999)
5. Shine
Geoffrey Rush (1996)
6. Capote
Phillip Seymour Hoffman (2005)
7. Scent of a Woman
Al Pacino (1992)
8. Gangs of New York
Daniel Day Lewis (2002)
9. American History X
Edward Norton (1998)
10. The Last King Of Scotland
Forest Whitaker (2006)
11. Mystic River
Sean Penn (2003)
12. Ray
Jamie Foxx (2004)
13. I am Sam
Sean Penn (2001)
14. Training Day
Denzel Washington (2001)
15. Philadelphia
Tom Hanks (1993)
16. The Shawshank Redemption
Morgan Freeman (1994)
17. The Pianist
Adrian Brody (2002)
18. Schindler's List
Liam Neeson (1993)
19. Leaving Las Vegas
Nicolas Cage (1995)
20. Hamlet
Kenneth Branagh (1996)
21. Chaplin
Robert Downy Jr. (1992)
22. Unforgiven
Gene Hackman (1992)
23. Braveheart
Mel Gibson (1995)
24. No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem (2007)
25. In the Name of the Father
Daniel Day Lewis (1993)
26. Gladiator
Russell Crowe (2000)
27. The English Patient
Ralph Fiennes (1996)
28. A Beautiful Mind
Russel Crowe (2001)
29. The Shawshank Redemption
Tim Robbins (1994)
30. Brokeback Mountain
Heath Ledger (2005)
31. Philadelphia
Denzel Washington (1993)
32. Michael Clayton
George Clooney (2007)
33. The Usual Suspects
Kevin Spacey (1995)
34. Cape Fear
Robert DeNiro (1991)
35. Half Nelson
Ryan Gosling (2006)
36. Glengarry Glen Ross
Jack Lemmon (1992)
37. Monstor's Ball
Billy Bob Thornton (2001)
38. Quills
Geoffrey Rush- (2000)
39. Pulp Fiction
Samuel L. Jackson (1994)
40. Carlito's Way
Al Pacino (1993)
41. Gods and Monsters
Ian McKellan (1998)
42. Dances with Wolves
Kevin Costner (1990)
43. The Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood (1992)
44. The Apostle
Robert DuVall (1997)
45. Fight Club
Edward Norton (1999)
46. GoodFellas
Joe Pesci (1990)
47. House of Sand and Fog
Ben Kingsley (2003)
48. The Aviator
Leonardo DiCaprio (2004)
49. Reversal of Fortune
Jeremy Irons (1990)
50. Richard III
Ian McKellen (1995)
51. The Fugitive
Harrison Ford (1993)
52. Sexy Beast
Ben Kingsley (2000)
53. The Departed
Leonardo DiCaprio (2006)
54. Hustle & Flow
Terence Howard (2005)
55. Mystic River
Tim Robbins (2003)
56. Dead Man Walking
Sean Penn (1995)
57. The Pledge
Jack Nicholson (2001)
58. Gangs of New York
Leonardo DiCaprio (2002)
59. Cast Away
Tom Hanks (2000)
60. The Pursuit Of Happiness
Will Smith (2006)
61. Pulp Fiction
John Travolta (1994)
62. Walk the Line
Joaquin Phoenix (2005)
63. One Hour Photo
Robin Williams (2002)
64. Memento
Guy Pearce (2000)
65. Hotel Rwanda
Don Cheadle (2004)
66. Sling Blade
Billy Bob Thornton (1996)
67. Men of Honor
Cuba Gooding Jr. (2000)
68. Michael Clayton
Tom Wilkinson (2007)
69. A Few Good Men
Jack Nicholson (1992)
70. Hamlet
Derek Jacobi (1996)
71. The Cider House Rules
Micheal Caine (1999)
72. Ali
Will Smith (2001)
73. Blood Diamond
Leonardo DiCaprio (2006)
74. Schindler's List
Ralph Fiennes (1993)
75. Training Day
Ethan Hawk (2001)
76. Hurricane
Denzel Washington (1999)
77. Pollock
Ed Harris (2000)
78. JFK
Gary Oldman (1991)
79. The Remains of the Day
Anthony Hopkins (1993)
80. Master and Commander
Russell Crowe (2003)
81. Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams (1997)
82. Before Night Falls
Javier Bardem (2000)
83. The Wrestler
Mickey Rourke (2008)
84. The People vs. Larry Flint
Woody Harrelson (1996)
85. Ulee's Gold
Peter Fonda (1997)
86. Good Will Hunting
Matt Damon (1997)
87. Crazy Heart
Jeff Bridges (2009)
88. Gladiator
Joaquin Phoenix (2000)
89. GoodFellas
Ray Liotta (1990)
90. The 25th Hour
Edward Norton (2002)
91. 12 Monkeys
Brad Pitt (1995)
92. Reservoir Dogs
Steve Buscemi (1992)
93. The Age of Innocence
Daniel Day Lewis (1993)
94. My Own Private Idaho
River Phoenix (1991)
95. Reservoir Dogs
Tim Roth (1992)
96. Eastern Promises
Viggo Mortensen (2007)
97. GoodFellas
Robert DeNiro (1990)
98. Mr. Holland's Opus
Richard Dryfuss (1995)
99. A Few Good Men
Tom Cruise (1992)
100. Awakenings
Robert DeNiro (1990)
(Part 2. Comedy/Musical)
1. Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks (1994)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp (2003)
3. Adaptation
Nicolas Cage (2002)
4. Lost in Translation
Bill Murray (2003)
5. Man on the Moon
Jim Carrey (1999)
6. The Big Lebowski
Jeff Bridges (1998)
7. Barton Fink
John Turturro (1991)
8. Ed Wood
Martin Landau (1994)
9. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jim Carrey (2004)
10. Nobody's Fool
Paul Newman (1994)
11. Sweet and Lowdown
Sean Penn (1999)
12. About Schmidt
Jack Nicholson (2002)
13. Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depp (2007)
14. The Fisher King
Robin Williams (1991)
15. Life is Beautiful
Roberto Benigni (1997)
16. Lars and the Real Girl
Ryan Gosling (2007)
17. The Player
Tim Robbins (1992)
18. The Fisher King
Jeff Bridges (1991)
19. As Good as It Gets
Jack Nicholson (1997)
20. Groundhog Day
Bill Murray (1993)
21. Quiz Show
John Turturro (1994)
22. The Birdcage
Nathan Lane (1996)
23. Fargo
Steve Buscemi (1996)
24. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
George Clooney (2000)
25. Sideways
Paul Giamatti (2004)
26. De Lovely
Kevin Kline (2004)
27. American Splendor
Paul Giamatti (2003)
28. Living in Oblivion
Steve Buscemi (1995)
29. Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise (1996)
30. Out of Sight
George Clooney (1995)
31. Flawless
Philip Seymour Hoffman (1999)
32. The Nutty Professor
Eddie Murphy (1996)
33. The Birdcage
Robin Williams (1996)
34. The Savages
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2007)
35. Bob Roberts
Tim Robbins (1992)
36. Rushmore
Bill Murray (1998)
37. Being John Malkovich
John Cusack (1997)
38. The Truman Show
Jim Carrey (1998)
39. Little Miss Sunshine
Alan Arkin (2006)
40. Wag the Dog
Dustin Hoffman (1997)
41. Waiting For Guffman
Christopher Guest (1996)
42. Being John Malkovich
John Malkovich (1997)
43. Benny and Joon- Johnny Depp (1993)
44. The Terminal
Tom Hanks (2004)
45. In and Out
Kevin Kline (1997)
46. Jerry Maguire
Cuba Gooding Jr. (1996)
47. Novocain
Steve Martin (2001)
48. Best in Show
Eugene Levy (2000)
49. Edward Scissorhands
Johnny Depp (1990)
50. The Royal Tenenbaums
Gene Hackman (2001)
51. Dreamgirls
Eddie Murphy (2006)
52. Adaptation
Chris Cooper (2002)
53. Bean
Rowan Atkinson (1997)
54. Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton (2003)
55. Ghost World
Steve Buscemi (2001)
56. Trainspotting
Ewan McGregor (1996)
57. Fargo
William H. Macy (1996)
58. Chicago
Richard Gere (2002)
59. Shakespeare in Love
Joseph Fiennes (1998)
60. Thank You For Smoking
Aaron Eckhart (2006)
61. Barton Fink
John Goodman (1991)
62. Dumb & Dumber
Jim Carrey (1994)
63. Dave
Kevin Kline (1993)
64. Matchstick Men
Nicolas Cage (2003)
65. Mrs. Doubtfire
Robin Williams (1993)
66. Mad Dog and Glory
Bill Murray (1993)
67. Cable Guy
Jim Carrey (1996)
68. Ed Wood
Johnny Depp (1994)
69. The Squid and the Whale
Jeff Daniels (2005)
70. The Big Lebowski
John Goodman (1998)
71. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Geoffrey Rush (2003)
72. Wayne's World
Mike Myers (1992)
73. Flirting with Disaster
Ben Stiller (1996)
74. Little Voice
Michael Caine (1998)
75. Breakfast on Pluto
Cillian Murphy (2005)
76. Hedwig and the Angry Itch
John Cameron Mitchell (2001)
77. Boogie Nights
Mark Walhberg (1997)
78. Much Ado About Nothing
Kenneth Branagh (1993)
79. Catch Me If You Can
Leonardo DiCaprio (2002)
80. Sideways
Thomas Haden Church (2004)
81. Kinky Boots
Chiwetel Ejiofor (2006)
82. Dumb & Dumber
Jeff Daniels (1994)
83. Forrest Gump
Gary Sinise (1994)
84. Get Shorty
John Travolta (1995)
85. The Mask
Jim Carrey (1994)
86. Charlie Wilson's War
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2007)
87. Hook
Dustin Hoffman (1991)
88. About a Boy
Hugh Grant (2002)
89. Grand Canyon
Kevin Kline (1991)
90. Moulin Rouge
Ewan McGregor (2001)
91. High Fidelity
John Cusak (2000)
92. Box of Moonlight
John Turturro (1996)
93. Primary Colors
John Travolta (1998)
94. Four Wedding and a Funeral
Hugh Grant (1994)
95. Six Degrees of Separation
Will Smith (1993)
96. Deconstructing Harry
Woody Allen (1997)
97. It's Complicated
Alec Baldwin (2009)
98. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Mike Myers (1997)
99. Wayne's World
Dana Carvey (1992)
100. Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America
Sacha Baron Cohen (2006)
Tom Hanks (1994)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp (2003)
3. Adaptation
Nicolas Cage (2002)
4. Lost in Translation
Bill Murray (2003)
5. Man on the Moon
Jim Carrey (1999)
6. The Big Lebowski
Jeff Bridges (1998)
7. Barton Fink
John Turturro (1991)
8. Ed Wood
Martin Landau (1994)
9. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Jim Carrey (2004)
10. Nobody's Fool
Paul Newman (1994)
11. Sweet and Lowdown
Sean Penn (1999)
12. About Schmidt
Jack Nicholson (2002)
13. Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depp (2007)
14. The Fisher King
Robin Williams (1991)
15. Life is Beautiful
Roberto Benigni (1997)
16. Lars and the Real Girl
Ryan Gosling (2007)
17. The Player
Tim Robbins (1992)
18. The Fisher King
Jeff Bridges (1991)
19. As Good as It Gets
Jack Nicholson (1997)
20. Groundhog Day
Bill Murray (1993)
21. Quiz Show
John Turturro (1994)
22. The Birdcage
Nathan Lane (1996)
23. Fargo
Steve Buscemi (1996)
24. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
George Clooney (2000)
25. Sideways
Paul Giamatti (2004)
26. De Lovely
Kevin Kline (2004)
27. American Splendor
Paul Giamatti (2003)
28. Living in Oblivion
Steve Buscemi (1995)
29. Jerry Maguire
Tom Cruise (1996)
30. Out of Sight
George Clooney (1995)
31. Flawless
Philip Seymour Hoffman (1999)
32. The Nutty Professor
Eddie Murphy (1996)
33. The Birdcage
Robin Williams (1996)
34. The Savages
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2007)
35. Bob Roberts
Tim Robbins (1992)
36. Rushmore
Bill Murray (1998)
37. Being John Malkovich
John Cusack (1997)
38. The Truman Show
Jim Carrey (1998)
39. Little Miss Sunshine
Alan Arkin (2006)
40. Wag the Dog
Dustin Hoffman (1997)
41. Waiting For Guffman
Christopher Guest (1996)
42. Being John Malkovich
John Malkovich (1997)
43. Benny and Joon- Johnny Depp (1993)
44. The Terminal
Tom Hanks (2004)
45. In and Out
Kevin Kline (1997)
46. Jerry Maguire
Cuba Gooding Jr. (1996)
47. Novocain
Steve Martin (2001)
48. Best in Show
Eugene Levy (2000)
49. Edward Scissorhands
Johnny Depp (1990)
50. The Royal Tenenbaums
Gene Hackman (2001)
51. Dreamgirls
Eddie Murphy (2006)
52. Adaptation
Chris Cooper (2002)
53. Bean
Rowan Atkinson (1997)
54. Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton (2003)
55. Ghost World
Steve Buscemi (2001)
56. Trainspotting
Ewan McGregor (1996)
57. Fargo
William H. Macy (1996)
58. Chicago
Richard Gere (2002)
59. Shakespeare in Love
Joseph Fiennes (1998)
60. Thank You For Smoking
Aaron Eckhart (2006)
61. Barton Fink
John Goodman (1991)
62. Dumb & Dumber
Jim Carrey (1994)
63. Dave
Kevin Kline (1993)
64. Matchstick Men
Nicolas Cage (2003)
65. Mrs. Doubtfire
Robin Williams (1993)
66. Mad Dog and Glory
Bill Murray (1993)
67. Cable Guy
Jim Carrey (1996)
68. Ed Wood
Johnny Depp (1994)
69. The Squid and the Whale
Jeff Daniels (2005)
70. The Big Lebowski
John Goodman (1998)
71. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Geoffrey Rush (2003)
72. Wayne's World
Mike Myers (1992)
73. Flirting with Disaster
Ben Stiller (1996)
74. Little Voice
Michael Caine (1998)
75. Breakfast on Pluto
Cillian Murphy (2005)
76. Hedwig and the Angry Itch
John Cameron Mitchell (2001)
77. Boogie Nights
Mark Walhberg (1997)
78. Much Ado About Nothing
Kenneth Branagh (1993)
79. Catch Me If You Can
Leonardo DiCaprio (2002)
80. Sideways
Thomas Haden Church (2004)
81. Kinky Boots
Chiwetel Ejiofor (2006)
82. Dumb & Dumber
Jeff Daniels (1994)
83. Forrest Gump
Gary Sinise (1994)
84. Get Shorty
John Travolta (1995)
85. The Mask
Jim Carrey (1994)
86. Charlie Wilson's War
Philip Seymour Hoffman (2007)
87. Hook
Dustin Hoffman (1991)
88. About a Boy
Hugh Grant (2002)
89. Grand Canyon
Kevin Kline (1991)
90. Moulin Rouge
Ewan McGregor (2001)
91. High Fidelity
John Cusak (2000)
92. Box of Moonlight
John Turturro (1996)
93. Primary Colors
John Travolta (1998)
94. Four Wedding and a Funeral
Hugh Grant (1994)
95. Six Degrees of Separation
Will Smith (1993)
96. Deconstructing Harry
Woody Allen (1997)
97. It's Complicated
Alec Baldwin (2009)
98. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Mike Myers (1997)
99. Wayne's World
Dana Carvey (1992)
100. Borat: Cultural Learnings Of America
Sacha Baron Cohen (2006)
Edited By: Pave, Lew
Last Updated: 2017-10-04Newly added names are in Red