From his developing years in the theater all the way to his Hollywood explosion in David Fincher‘s 2010 masterpiece The Social Network, Andrew Garfield has always captivated audiences. Throughout his career, he’s been well awarded for his work, receiving numerous awards and recognition for the dedication and time he puts into his work, including a Tony Award and nominations for two Oscars and an Emmy.
Although arguably best known by mainstream audiences for his misunderstood take on Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man duology, Garfield is among his generation’s finest actors. His commitment to his craft has shone through his performances and garnered him a lot of wonderful opportunities in the acting space. Over his nearly twenty-year career, Garfield has appeared in multiple movies in both lead and supporting roles. Many of Garfield’s movies have received high ratings among fans on IMDb, cementing his reputation as a beloved and highly-regarded performer by critics and audiences alike.
15
‘Under the Silver Lake’ (2018)
IMDb Score: 6.5/10
Under the Silver Lake is one of those movies that audiences either love or hate. It’s an experimental movie that is more mysterious than the rest of the actor’s catalog of films. Director David Robert Mitchell is most well-known for the more popular movie, It Follows, and the talent he gives in that project is still found here; it’s just got a different direction that a lot of people aren’t typically used to.
The mystery in Under the Silver Lake is intriguing enough, but it can get a bit muddled at times. The highlight, however, is quite easily Garfield’s performance, as per usual. He totally brings it in this flick and keeps audiences invested, even if they’re not completely sold on the story. So, while people are give or take on Under the Silver Lake, Garfield is a consistent thing that everyone can agree on.
14
‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ (2021)
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
If it isn’t obvious based on his overall resume (just stay tuned), Garfield likes to do smaller budget and/or indie projects a lot. This is really dang cool to see from a performer who has led major franchises like The Amazing Spider-Man, but it’s also led to a lot of said resume falling under the radar in comparison to his larger releases. The same is the case with 2021’s The Eyes of Tammy Faye.
Director Michael Showalter is also known for the incredible movie that is The Big Sick, and that can be felt in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. He does a great job showcasing the intimate moments of life, which is the entire charm of this film, as it’s an in-depth look at the famous televangelist, Tammy Faye Bakker (Jessica Chastain).
13
‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ (2014)
IMDb Score: 6.6/10
After the mild success that was the first movie in this Spider-Man reboot franchise, the sequel was pretty inevitable, and that didn’t just come with some major tonal changes, but a far more expensive production, too — it’s become one of the most expensive Spider-Man movies of all time, alongside the likes of Spider-Man 3. Despite this being a sequel, though, it is a far different movie, and you could probably convince someone it’s part of a whole different franchise.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a tonally opposite movie to its predecessor, featuring a Peter Parker who is far more lighthearted and comedic. Yes, he was comedic in the first movie, but it’s a wholly different vibe in this one. This made it feel extremely jarring in a way that already soured people on the film, more than they’d been with an already rough script. Thankfully, though, this also happens to be the Spider-Man movie with some of, if not the best, visuals and visual effects in the entire overarching Spider-Man franchise.
12
‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ (2009)
IMDb Score: 6.7/10
If someone hasn’t heard of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, they can’t be blamed. This one definitely flew under the radar for most, which is a shame, because it’s one of the last major performances from the late Heath Ledger. They were highly praised for how they handled the death of Ledger, by having the other actors replace his when the film jumped into the fantasy land, which worked incredibly well and was a tasteful way to handle the loss.
While some people thought the plot was a bit all over the place, there is plenty here to thoroughly enjoy. The sequences in the movie are visually surreal. Director Terry Gilliam really went all in on making The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus look electrifying, and the visuals alone are more than enough reason to give it a watch.
11
‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2012)
IMDb Score: 6.9/10
After the conclusion of Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man trilogy, Sony set out to repave the character’s groundwork in a brand-new franchise. 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb was placed into the director’s seat, and with him came the world’s next Spider-Man and breakout star, Andrew Garfield. The plot tells a classic origin story, and while it might seem somewhat uninspired, Garfield’s chemistry with Emma Stone is so electrifying that it single-handedly elevates the picture.
The movie created a buzz all over the world after wasting no time and releasing a mere five years after the previous franchise’s conclusion. The Amazing Spider-Man may have garnered mixed reviews from audiences, but Andrew took this opportunity to set his place in Hollywood as an actor not to be trifled with. The majority of reviews praise Andrew’s performance in the film, even among the less-than-desirable plot elements surrounding his character. Some have gone as far as to call him the best Spider-Man performer to date, a reputation that greatly increased following his scene-stealing job in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
10
‘We Live in Time’ (2024)
IMDb Score: 7.0/10
Of Garfield’s films in the 2020s, We Live in Time is most certainly one of the best. Starring alongside the legendary talent that is Florence Pugh, he brings a performance that is abundantly honest and real, which meshes perfectly with Pugh’s. Together, they bring a relationship to life that produces a dynamic unlike any other he’s had. It’s genuinely on par with his chemistry with Emma Stone in The Amazing Spider-Man franchise.
We Live in Time is tear-jerking, heartwarming, moving, and looks gorgeous. It’s an all-around amazing movie that is quite easily one of the best releases for 2024. This project was brought to life in such a beautiful manner that makes it such a great watch — maybe not one to return to super often, though, because, man, does it bring a rollercoaster of emotions.
9
‘Never Let Me Go’ (2010)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
2011’s Never Let Me Go wears the guise of multiple genres, being described as a British dystopian romantic tragedy based on a novel of the same name. Set in an alternate version of England, the plot centers on Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three friends whose lives become entangled by a love triangle and the true and sinister nature of their purpose on Earth.
While the film performed moderately in the States, it performed very well in the UK and eventually took ninth place at the box office. Never Let Me Go was well reviewed, with a surplus of praise awarded to Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Garfield’s performance. Nowadays, Never Let Me Go is widely considered a modern sci-fi classic. It seems that even among high-concept ideas, Garfield’s talent reigned supreme.
8
’99 Homes’ (2014)
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Among the other films in Andrew’s repertoire, 99 Homes was one of the few to have seemingly fallen under the general public’s radar. An indie film directed by Ramin Bahrani, the plot centers on single father Dennis Nash, who chooses to help Rick Carver (Michael Shannon) evict families from their homes in order to save his own. Oscar-winner Laura Dern co-stars as Dennis’ mother.
Due to its heavy and somewhat bleak narrative, 99 Homes underperformed at the theatrical box office. However, it won over film festival audiences and garnered multiple awards and glowing reviews praising Garfield and Shannon’s work. 99 Homes gave Garfield another solid credit on his resume, solidifying his reputation as a versatile actor away from the Marvel machine.
7
‘Breathe’ (2017)
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Andy Serkis’ directorial debut, Breathe is a biographical film surrounding Robin Cavendish, a man diagnosed with polio in 1958, who soon became paralyzed over 90% of his body. Although given only three months to live, Cavendish defies the odds and becomes one of the longest-living polio survivors in Britain and an advocate for people with disability.
Breathe is among the 21st century’s best biopics. While some were displeased the film focused heavier on romance rather than Cavendish’s condition, Garfield was specifically complimented on his breathtaking performance by The Guardian‘s Mark Kermode, who wrote: “There’s a real terror in Garfield’s eyes as Robin stares into the abyss, spitting in the face of a hospital chaplain who announces that his suffering was somehow part of God’s plan.”
6
‘Silence’ (2016)
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Martin Scorsese’s 2016 film Silence found Andrew Garfield in the role of Sebastião Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest traveling to Japan to seek his former mentor, who he’s been told has renounced his faith and assimilated into Japanese society. The two priests embark on a dangerous journey, trying to spread Christianity while avoiding the feudal lords and the ruling samurai.
Garfield would go on to speak about his intense preparation for the role on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He spoke about extensively studying under Father James Martin, losing a whopping 40 pounds, and retreating into a week of silence with his co-star Adam Driver to fully immerse themselves in the roles. Garfield’s dedication shines through in his performance, with many considering Silence among his finest on-screen efforts.
