13 best Nicolas Cage movies ranked from ridiculous to really great

2. Wild at Heart

Nicolas Cage has worked with a long list of impressive directors throughout his career, including my personal favorite, David Lynch. The psychological crime drama Wild at Heart came out in 1990 and sees Cage in the co-starring role alongside Laura Dern. The movie follows a couple on the run from Lula’s disapproving mother after Sailor gets out of prison, breaking his parole to road-trip out to California. As the two travel across the states, they encounter a series of violent people looking to stop their plan.

If you’re a fan of Lynch, Wild at Heart is a must-watch. It explores themes of love, violence, and sexuality, while featuring a surreal narrative with dreamlike visuals and dark humor. Though the movie received mixed reviews when it first debuted, it still won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and has since become a cult classic.

VERDICT: Really Great

1. Raising Arizona

Speaking of great filmmakers…Cage teamed up with the Coen Brothers for the 1987 crime comedy Raising Arizona, which was directed by Joel Coen and written by Joel and Ethan Coen. The plot revolves around a married couple who are unable to have children. Feeling desperate and really wanting a child, they come up with a plan to kidnap a baby from a wealthy couple’s new quintuplets. Cage stars alongside Holly Hunter in this offbeat, unconventional comedy.

With the Coen Brothers’ signature style, Raising Arizona is a can’t-miss for movie lovers. It’s unlike any other comedy with its quirky characters, dark humor, and eccentric storytelling. Its originality, hilarity, and the chemistry between the cast make this the best Nicolas Cage movie.

VERDICT: Really Great