Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (born October 28, 1974) is an American actor, producer, and animal rights activist. Known for playing dark and unconventional characters in independent film, he is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, he was ranked 12th on the list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century by The New York Times. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Los Angeles and Florida, Phoenix began his career by appearing in television series in the early 1980s with his brother River. His first major film roles were in SpaceCamp (1986) and Parenthood (1989). During this period, he was credited as Leaf Phoenix, a name he gave himself. He took back his birth first name in the early 1990s and received critical acclaim for his supporting roles in the comedy-drama film To Die For (1995) and the period film Quills (2000). Phoenix received further critical acclaim and first Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the evil emperor Commodus in the historical drama film Gladiator (2000). He had success with the horror films Signs (2002) and The Village (2004), the historical drama Hotel Rwanda (2004) and won a Grammy, a Golden Globe and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of musician Johnny Cash in the biopic Walk the Line (2005). He continued to receive acclaim in two features ...

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Gladiator (2000)

Action-packedViolentEmotionalThought provoking

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ridley Scott
CAST:  Russell Crowe  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Connie Nielsen  •  Oliver Reed

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ridley Scott
CAST:  Russell Crowe  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Connie Nielsen  •  Oliver Reed

Her (2013)

RomanticEmotionalThought provokingTear-jerker

In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Jonze
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Rooney Mara  •  Amy Adams

In the not so distant future, Theodore, a lonely writer, purchases a newly developed operating system designed to meet the user's every need. To Theodore's surprise, a romantic relationship develops between him and his operating system. This unconventional love ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Spike Jonze
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Rooney Mara  •  Amy Adams

8MM (1999)

SuspensefulViolentDisturbingThought provoking

A small, seemingly innocuous plastic reel of film leads surveillance specialist Tom Welles down an increasingly dark and frightening path. With the help of the streetwise Max, he relentlessly follows a bizarre trail of evidence to determine the fate of a complete ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Schumacher
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  James Gandolfini  •  Chris Bauer

A small, seemingly innocuous plastic reel of film leads surveillance specialist Tom Welles down an increasingly dark and frightening path. With the help of the streetwise Max, he relentlessly follows a bizarre trail of evidence to determine the fate of a complete ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joel Schumacher
CAST:  Nicolas Cage  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  James Gandolfini  •  Chris Bauer

Brother Bear (2003)

When an impulsive boy named Kenai is magically transformed into a bear, he must literally walk in another's footsteps until he learns some valuable life lessons. His courageous and often zany journey introduces him to a forest full of wildlife, including the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aaron Blaise  •  Robert Walker
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Jeremy Suarez  •  Jason Raize  •  Rick Moranis

When an impulsive boy named Kenai is magically transformed into a bear, he must literally walk in another's footsteps until he learns some valuable life lessons. His courageous and often zany journey introduces him to a forest full of wildlife, including the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Aaron Blaise  •  Robert Walker
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Jeremy Suarez  •  Jason Raize  •  Rick Moranis

Buffalo Soldiers (2002)

Thought provokingFunnyViolentAction-packed

A criminal subculture operates among U.S. soldiers stationed in West Germany just before the fall of the Berlin wall.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregor Jordan
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Ed Harris  •  Scott Glenn  •  Anna Paquin

A criminal subculture operates among U.S. soldiers stationed in West Germany just before the fall of the Berlin wall.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gregor Jordan
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Ed Harris  •  Scott Glenn  •  Anna Paquin

Clay Pigeons (1998)

Thought provokingFunnyViolentDark

Clay is a young man in a small town who witnesses his friend, Earl kill himself because of the ongoing affair that Clay was having with the man's wife, Amanda. Feeling guilty, Clay now resists the widow when she presses him to continue with their sexual affairs. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Dobkin
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Vince Vaughn  •  Janeane Garofalo  •  Gregory Sporleder

Clay is a young man in a small town who witnesses his friend, Earl kill himself because of the ongoing affair that Clay was having with the man's wife, Amanda. Feeling guilty, Clay now resists the widow when she presses him to continue with their sexual affairs. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Dobkin
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Vince Vaughn  •  Janeane Garofalo  •  Gregory Sporleder

Earthlings (2005)

Thought provokingIntense

Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shaun Monson
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix

Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Shaun Monson
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix

Hotel Rwanda (2004)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalTear-jerker

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Terry George
CAST:  Don Cheadle  •  Nick Nolte  •  Sophie Okonedo  •  Joaquin Phoenix

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Terry George
CAST:  Don Cheadle  •  Nick Nolte  •  Sophie Okonedo  •  Joaquin Phoenix

Inventing the Abbotts (1997)

RomanticUpliftingEmotionalThought provoking

In the 1950s, brothers Jacey and Doug Holt, who come from the poorer side of their sleepy Midwestern town, vie for the affections of the wealthy, lovely Abbott sisters. Lady-killer Jacey alternates between Eleanor and Alice, wanting simply to break the hearts of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pat O'Connor
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Liv Tyler  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Billy Crudup

In the 1950s, brothers Jacey and Doug Holt, who come from the poorer side of their sleepy Midwestern town, vie for the affections of the wealthy, lovely Abbott sisters. Lady-killer Jacey alternates between Eleanor and Alice, wanting simply to break the hearts of ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Pat O'Connor
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Liv Tyler  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Billy Crudup

It's All About Love (2003)

SuspensefulRomanticEmotionalFuturistic

The story of two lovers and their attempts to save their relationship in a near-future world on the brink of cosmic collapse. John, and world-famous ice skating star, Elena, are about to sign divorce papers when they realise that, in spite of everything happening ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thomas Vinterberg
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Claire Danes  •  Sean Penn  •  Douglas Henshall

The story of two lovers and their attempts to save their relationship in a near-future world on the brink of cosmic collapse. John, and world-famous ice skating star, Elena, are about to sign divorce papers when they realise that, in spite of everything happening ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Thomas Vinterberg
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Claire Danes  •  Sean Penn  •  Douglas Henshall

Ladder 49 (2004)

InspiringIntenseEmotionalThought provoking

Under the watchful eye of his mentor, Captain Mike Kennedy, probationary firefighter Jack Morrison matures into a seasoned veteran at a Baltimore fire station. However, Jack has reached a crossroads as the sacrifices he's made have put him in harm's way ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jay Russell
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  John Travolta  •  Jacinda Barrett  •  Robert Patrick

Under the watchful eye of his mentor, Captain Mike Kennedy, probationary firefighter Jack Morrison matures into a seasoned veteran at a Baltimore fire station. However, Jack has reached a crossroads as the sacrifices he's made have put him in harm's way ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jay Russell
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  John Travolta  •  Jacinda Barrett  •  Robert Patrick

Parenthood (1989)

The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Howard
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Tom Hulce  •  Rick Moranis  •  Martha Plimpton

The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ron Howard
CAST:  Steve Martin  •  Tom Hulce  •  Rick Moranis  •  Martha Plimpton

Quills (2000)

DepressingDisturbingEmotionalSuspenseful

A nobleman with a literary flair, the Marquis de Sade lives in a madhouse where a beautiful laundry maid smuggles his erotic stories to a printer, defying orders from the asylum's resident priest. The titillating passages whip all of France into a sexual frenzy, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philip Kaufman
CAST:  Geoffrey Rush  •  Kate Winslet  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Michael Caine

A nobleman with a literary flair, the Marquis de Sade lives in a madhouse where a beautiful laundry maid smuggles his erotic stories to a printer, defying orders from the asylum's resident priest. The titillating passages whip all of France into a sexual frenzy, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Philip Kaufman
CAST:  Geoffrey Rush  •  Kate Winslet  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Michael Caine

Signs (2002)

SuspensefulDisturbingFuturisticCreepy

A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.  (more)

DIRECTION:  M. Night Shyamalan
CAST:  Mel Gibson  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Rory Culkin  •  Abigail Breslin

A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.  (more)

DIRECTION:  M. Night Shyamalan
CAST:  Mel Gibson  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Rory Culkin  •  Abigail Breslin

To Die For (1995)

FunnyDarkDisturbingThought provoking

Suzanne Stone wants to be a world-famous news anchor and she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. What she lacks in intelligence, she makes up for in cold determination and diabolical wiles. As she pursues her goal with relentless focus, she is forced ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Matt Dillon  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Casey Affleck

Suzanne Stone wants to be a world-famous news anchor and she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. What she lacks in intelligence, she makes up for in cold determination and diabolical wiles. As she pursues her goal with relentless focus, she is forced ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gus Van Sant
CAST:  Nicole Kidman  •  Matt Dillon  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Casey Affleck

U Turn (1997)

Thought provokingIntenseGrippingViolent

When Bobby's car breaks down in the desert while on the run from some of the bookies who have already taken two of his fingers, he becomes trapped in the nearby small town where the people are stranger than anyone he's encountered. After becoming involved with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Nick Nolte  •  Jennifer Lopez  •  Joaquin Phoenix

When Bobby's car breaks down in the desert while on the run from some of the bookies who have already taken two of his fingers, he becomes trapped in the nearby small town where the people are stranger than anyone he's encountered. After becoming involved with a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Oliver Stone
CAST:  Sean Penn  •  Nick Nolte  •  Jennifer Lopez  •  Joaquin Phoenix

Walk the Line (2005)

InspiringIntenseUpliftingThought provoking

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Mangold
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Reese Witherspoon  •  Ginnifer Goodwin  •  Robert Patrick

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Mangold
CAST:  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Reese Witherspoon  •  Ginnifer Goodwin  •  Robert Patrick

SpaceCamp (1986)

Andie Bergstrom, an astronaut eagerly awaiting her first trip to space, runs a summer camp for teenagers with her NASA-employed husband, Zach. One night during an engine test, Andie and four teenage campers are accidentally shot into space. Together, the group -- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Harry Winer
CAST:  Kate Capshaw  •  Lea Thompson  •  Kelly Preston  •  Larry B. Scott

Andie Bergstrom, an astronaut eagerly awaiting her first trip to space, runs a summer camp for teenagers with her NASA-employed husband, Zach. One night during an engine test, Andie and four teenage campers are accidentally shot into space. Together, the group -- ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Harry Winer
CAST:  Kate Capshaw  •  Lea Thompson  •  Kelly Preston  •  Larry B. Scott

The Yards (2000)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalSuspenseful

In the rail yards of Queens, contractors repair and rebuild the city's subway cars. These contracts are lucrative, so graft and corruption are rife. When Leo Handler gets out of prison, he finds his aunt married to Frank Olchin, one of the big contractors; he's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gray
CAST:  Mark Wahlberg  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Charlize Theron  •  James Caan

In the rail yards of Queens, contractors repair and rebuild the city's subway cars. These contracts are lucrative, so graft and corruption are rife. When Leo Handler gets out of prison, he finds his aunt married to Frank Olchin, one of the big contractors; he's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  James Gray
CAST:  Mark Wahlberg  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Charlize Theron  •  James Caan

Return to Paradise (1998)

DepressingHeartbreakingEmotionalThought provoking

Lewis, Sheriff and Tony are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Ruben
CAST:  Vince Vaughn  •  Anne Heche  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  David Conrad

Lewis, Sheriff and Tony are three friends vacationing in Malaysia. Sheriff and Tony eventually leave to pursue careers in New York, but Lewis stays behind to work with orangutans. Two years later, Sheriff and Tony learn that, because of their past actions, Lewis ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Joseph Ruben
CAST:  Vince Vaughn  •  Anne Heche  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  David Conrad
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