22 Nicolas Cage Movies You Had No Idea Existed

I’ve been a fan of Nicolas Cage for as long as I can remember. His wild and unpredictable performances have brought me endless entertainment over the years. But lately, it seems like he’s been taking on more and more direct-to-video projects that leave a lot to be desired.

As a movie enthusiast who has followed Nicolas Cage’s career since the early 2000s, I can attest to his unyielding dedication and versatility as an actor. When I first came across this list, published back in September 2017, I was amazed by the impressive number of films he had already under his belt. Little did I know that Nicolas Cage’s prolificity was far from over.

Due to the relentless efforts of the Internal Revenue Service, Nicolas Cage has been the busiest actor in Hollywood for over a decade. In 2009, Cage faced a massive tax debt following his well-documented expensive acquisitions such as “America’s most haunted mansion,” two castles, and a Tarbosaurus skull (later returned to Mongolia). He was subsequently hit with more tax bills. According to him, he owed the US government around $14 million.

After regaining public favor through notable performances in critically acclaimed indie films like “Pig” and “Mandy,” as well as commercial successes suited to his unique persona such as “Renfield” and “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” it appears that even during his career resurgence, Cage continues to accept any script offered. Over the past 15 years, he has graced the big screen in an astonishing 62 films. As a devoted Cage fan, you might remember every word from the trailer of “Season of the Witch” and have reenacted the iguana scene from “Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans” numerous times. However, there exist countless Nic Cage movies that didn’t even garner the internet’s scorn. (In 2019, he featured in seven films, with only one, the Lovecraftian horror film “Color Out of Space,” receiving a widespread theatrical release.) Some of these films are commendable; most of them are subpar. These are their accounts.

Trespass (2011)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=1rolBdc_mjs

In the 2010s, Cage’s fame had waned significantly, making this forgettable home-invasion thriller seem like a stark contrast to most of his work during that period. Co-starring with him was none other than Nicole Kidman, an Oscar-winning actress. The director wasn’t an unknown figure, but rather Joel Schumacher, known for producing critically acclaimed films. And the antagonist was Ben Mendelsohn from “Bloodline,” adding credibility to the production. Despite being terrible, it held a certain level of class compared to the movies featuring Cage in the coming years.

Seeking Justice (2011)

If during a pitch meeting, no one compared “Seeking Justice” to “Strangers on a Train” and “Fight Club,” I would be surprised enough to eat a shoe. In this film, Cage portrays a meek professor whose wife (January Jones) is violently assaulted. Later, the leader of an underground vigilante squad (Guy Pearce) approaches him with an offer: they will take revenge on the perpetrator, but Cage must pay them back in kind at a later time. Remarkably, his wife remains accepting of this arrangement.

Stolen (2012)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rpMxOjUjweA

The film “Stolen” exhibits several characteristics typical of Nic Cage’s direct-to-video releases: It was filmed in New Orleans and features Cage as a reformed criminal with a noble heart, compelled to carry out an intricate heist to protect his endangered daughter. If only Cage hadn’t shaved off his unusual facial hair, it would have been the epitome of Caginess.

Joe (2013)

In this David Gordon Green film, Joe (played by Nicolas Cage), garnered some of the best critiques of his acting career to date. He portrays a solitary and enigmatic figure who forms an unexpected bond with a teenage boy named Gary (Tye Sheridan) in the rural areas of Texas. Regrettably, this production hit the box office at a disappointing time, as it followed the successful release of Mud, where Matthew McConaughey depicted another solitary and unlikely mentor to Gary (once again Tye Sheridan) in the backwoods of Arkansas. Despite its merit, Mud was an indie sensation, generating $30 million in revenue; Joe, unfortunately, debuted a year later and earned a meager $2 million.

The Frozen Ground (2013)

In our latest collaboration, John Cusack and I find ourselves at odds with each other in “Con Air,” this time with him portraying the chilling role of serial killer Robert Hansen. I, on the other hand, assume the part of the determined law enforcement officer, hell-bent on bringing Hansen to justice for his heinous crimes against at least 17 innocent women in the Alaskan wilderness. Sadly, my pursuit is hindered by the age-old challenge in criminal investigations: insufficient evidence.

Rage (2014)

In the same year that John Wick made its debut, Cage found himself lured back from retirement with an opportunity to take on Russian mobsters. But unlike John Wick’s quest for vengeance over a deceased dog, Cage was driven by the desperate search for his kidnapped daughter. Sadly, for any young actress auditioning for a Nicholas Cage film, it was almost guaranteed that they would be subjected to some harrowing experiences.

Outcast (2014)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JZW2lo19MEg

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder if you genuinely believed that Nicolas Cage would reach such an extended tenure in his acting career without featuring in a Chinese-American collaboration? It’s becoming increasingly common, even Matt Damon is jumping on the bandwagon! In “The Great Wall,” Cage and Hayden Christensen, sporting what appears to be the most contemporary haircut of the 21st century, portray white characters in medieval China. Christensen assumes the role of a former Crusader, while Cage transforms into his mentor, a notorious bandit who’s now a household name. Together they aid a young prince in seizing the throne from his wicked brother. By cleverly avoiding release in the United States, this production managed to steer clear of the white-savior controversy that surrounded “The Great Wall.”

Left Behind (2014)

As a long-time fan of Christian fiction, I’ve been following the development of film adaptations of beloved novels with great interest. I remember being captivated by the “Left Behind” series back in the 1990s and eagerly awaiting each new installment. So, when I heard that there was going to be another adaptation of Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins’ iconic novel, I was both excited and apprehensive.

Dying of the Light (2015)

Some films have misleading titles, but “Dying of the Light” truly embodies its name. It follows a CIA agent with dementia, played by Harrison Ford, who struggles to capture his terrorist adversary before losing all mental faculties. Director Paul Schrader alleges that his work was altered without his approval, and evidence suggests this may be true. Originally, Schrader’s script attracted the talent of Harrison Ford and Nicolas Winding Refn; however, the released version received a Rotten Tomatoes score of only 9%.

The Runner (2015)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=sG3YXUBoroM

Did you know that Nic Cage featured in his own political drama named “Treme”? In this series, Cage portrays an ambitious Louisiana congressman. He experiences a significant fall from grace but later finds renewed commitment to his community following the Deepwater Horizon spill. Despite unfavorable critiques, it allowed Cage to showcase his New Orleans accent and deliver the iconic line, “Even though this is a British Petroleum spill, it’s our ocean as Americans.”

Pay the Ghost (2015)

Have you come across the chilling tale set in 17th-century New York about a woman who met her tragic end by being burned alive? Each Halloween, her vengeful spirit reportedly abducts three children and confines them in an otherworldly realm. Their parents have a year to save them before they’re trapped there forever. Have I piqued your interest?

The Trust (2016)

Low-key Las Vegas police officers Cage and Wood hatch a plan to burglarize a drug dealer’s hidden safe. Unfortunately, their scheme takes a turn for the worse. Joining this DirectTV production’s eccentric ensemble are Sky Ferreira and Jerry Lewis in his last film appearance.

U.S.S. Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ExSDMWJhm_Q

Approximately 1,000 men entered the water after the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis by a Japanese submarine, but only 316 managed to survive. For those who prefer this chilling account in the form of a mid-budget action film, U.S.S. Indianapolis: Men of Courage, directed by Mario Van Peebles, is recommended. In this production, Cage portrays Captain Charles McVay, the commander of the unfortunate vessel, who was later blamed for its demise by higher-ranking military personnel. The film combines elements of a war thriller, shark movie, and legal drama.

Dog Eat Dog (2016)

This crime film on Johnny Depp’s resume, directed by Schrader, boasts a more esteemed background than average. Starring Depp and Willem Dafoe as former convicts, they find themselves entangled in a baby-napping scam. Critic David Edelstein described it as “extravagantly cheesy” in his Vulture review, meaning he enjoyed it.

Army of One (2016)

As a film critic with a particular interest in biographical movies, I’ve seen my fair share of attempts to bring real-life stories to the big screen. Some are moving, some are inspiring, and some are downright bizarre. The 2016 film “Army of One,” starring Nicolas Cage, falls into that last category for me.

Arsenal (2017)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=03u9p3ofKog

In this new film titled “Arsenal,” Nicolas Cage teames up with actor Barry Cusack once more for a story revolving around two siblings, Adrian Grenier and Johnathon Schaech, who find themselves at odds with a powerful local gangster. Sporting a questionable fake nose and mustache, Cage brings an unusual charm to the production. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Times criticized “Arsenal” heavily upon its early 2017 release, even suggesting it as a strong candidate for the year’s worst movie.

Inconceivable (2017)

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d like to clarify that “Inconceivable” is not an intriguing behind-the-scenes account of the making of “The Princess Bride.” Instead, this film boasts a seemingly unbelievable premise for a It’s a gripping thriller revolving around surrogate pregnancy. My beloved husband and I, portrayed by Nicolas Cage and Gina Gershon, yearn to expand our family. Fortuitously, our resourceful nanny (Nicky Whelan) offers to carry our child as a surrogate. Unfortunately, she harbors a dark secret – she’s a killer! It’s intriguing how the roles are reversed here, with Gina Gershon taking the lead, and fortunately, she avoids the usual horrors that have plagued Nic Cage’s on-screen wives in the past.

Primal (2019)

Nicolas Cage finds himself stranded on a ship with a dangerous escaped prisoner, Kevin Durand, who releases all of his captive animals. This setup seems promising, but unfortunately, the film fails to deliver due to its overly serious direction by Nick Powell. Michael Imperioli is along for the ride as the marshal accompanying Durand’s criminal to the United States. Surprisingly, this movie lacks any enjoyment.

Jiu Jitsu (2020)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ywhTeWg8970

On Reddit, there’s a widely discussed notion that the longer Nicolas Cage’s hair is in a movie, the lower the film’s quality. This theory can be debated with examples like “Con Air,” which is excellent despite Cage’s long hair. However, “Jiu Jitsu” provides compelling evidence supporting this idea since Cage sports an exceptionally long mane in it while portraying – you guessed it – a jiujitsu master. In this film, he must team up to thwart an alien invasion. Rest assured, it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.

Prisoners of the Ghostland (2021), Butcher’s Crossing (2022), and The Old Way (2023)

In the past 40 years, Cage made his long-awaited debut in western films. His distinctive face, voice, and demeanor were far from stoic. However, he swiftly proved himself with a trilogy of westerns starting with “Prisoners of the Ghostland” (2021). This production stands out as the strongest, although debatable, for it’s set in a post-apocalyptic Japan that seamlessly merges Japanese feudal influences with those of the American West. Following this is “Butcher’s Crossing” (2022), where Cage portrays an Old West frontiersman who recklessly overhunts buffalo populations, delivering a heavy-handed cautionary tale about the destructive impact of white settlers on America. Lastly, in 2023, we witnessed “The Old Way,” which can be characterized as the “True Grit” version produced domestically.

2024-07-22 19:26