Keanu Reeves’ Coolest Movies Showcase His Remarkable Adaptability

Within the past 10 years, Keanu Reeves has become something of a cult phenomenon, establishing himself as a permanent fixture in the larger world of pop culture.

A talented leading man throughout the late ‘80s into the ‘90s, Reeves became one of the most talked-about young actors of his generation. Praised for his imminent adaptability and range as a performer, Reeves proved himself able to appear in any kind of genre piece, whether discussing action (The Matrix), comedy (Bill & Ted), horror (Dracula), crime (Point Break), or drama (My Own Private Idaho).

Since the release of his acclaimed John Wick series, critical appreciation of Reeves’ career has only improved, triggering a professional resurgence for Reeves that has allowed him to appear in kids’ movies, video games, commercials, memes, and a variety of films and TV shows.

A likable celebrity known for his down-to-earth personality, Reeves has already given the world some of the best movies of the past four decades, from kung fu-laden action films to self-deprecating romantic comedies.

The Matrix (1999)

The crowning achievement of 1990s science fiction, The Matrix forever changed the nature of sci-fi narratives within fiction. A brilliant dystopian movie rooted around rogue artificial intelligence and virtual reality simulators, the Wachowskis painted a nightmarish alternative universe with The Matrix.

Referenced, parodied, and mimicked in countless movies that followed, the movie stands alongside The Terminator or Alien as one of the most influential sci-fi films ever created. It also made Reeves a bonafide icon, as well one of the most recognizable faces in the history of sci-fi movies.

If nothing else, the movie helped reorient Reeves as a legitimate actor of significant range, with Neo containing none of the intrinsic humor as the actor's previous performances in Bill & Ted or, to a certain degree, more laughable character portrayals such as Dracula.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

Not many film series see their finest entry come with the third sequel. Yet, like Mission: Impossible, John Wick seems to only improve over time, ushering in polished films that continue the action-packed adventures of Reeves’ vengeful hitman.

Featuring even larger fight sequences and a healthy mix of new and returning characters, John Wick: Chapter 4 stands tall as the best entry in the John Wick series yet. Doubling down on everything that made the John Wick franchise so great in the first place, the film also manages to further orient itself around the intricate dynamic that makes up the sleek criminal underworld (filled with samurai-like codes of honor, elegant hotels, and professional assassins galore).

Speed (1994)

The ideal segue from Point Break to The Matrix, Speed served as yet another high-octane action thriller featuring Reeves at the height of his ‘90s-era popularity.

Holding his own against acting heavyweights like Sandra Bullock and Dennis Hopper, Reeves manages to conjure up a realistic everyman with his performance as Jack Traven–a workaholic bomb disposal officer pursuing his pyromaniacal arch-enemy (Hopper). Though portraying a thin character on paper, Reeves infuses enough personality to get Traven running off from the script, delighting viewers with his no-nonsense delivery and distinct air of professional integrity.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Next to The Matrix and John Wick, Bill & Ted remains one of the more recognizable series to feature Reeves in a lead role, dating back to the franchise's original entry: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Cast opposite Alex Winter, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure made for a light-hearted sci-fi adventure film that mocked the convention of time travel, featuring the lovable comedic duo interacting with a cadre of well-known historical figures (like Billy the Kid, Socrates, Sigmund Freud, Beethoven, Joan of Arc, and Abe Lincoln).

Despite the legion of fascinating historical personalities, however, Bill and Ted continue to hold audiences' interest from start to finish (a testament to Reeves and Winter's individual performances, as well as their agreeable chemistry together).

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

As with each John Wick sequel, John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum managed to push the boundaries of the John Wick universe in unparalleled new directions.

Retaining all the characteristics that made the first two films so enjoyable, Parabellum’s grittier aesthetic and pulse-pounding action entertained viewers across the globe, continuing John Wick’s upward momentum ahead of its 2023 release with Chapter 4. The film also made endless use of Reeves' distinct portrayal of its title character, with the actor able to better tap into Wick's personality and subtle character quirks with each new movie.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Capitalizing off the exposure he received for the indie crime drama River’s Edge, Reeves went on to appear in the similarly-veined drama film, My Own Private Idaho.

Appearing alongside his close friend River Phoenix, both actors do a phenomenal job eliciting an emotional response from their characters’ portrayals, transposing the historical epics of Shakespeare's Henriad to contemporary 1990s suburbia. As with the Bard's original works, My Own Private Idaho also underscores the complex dynamic formed between two unique characters, with Reeves stunning viewers with his modern take on Prince Hal.

John Wick Chapter 2 (2017)

The momentous follow-up to 2014’s John Wick, John Wick Chapter 2 solidified the series as something more unique than yet another boilerplate action franchise.

Rather than falling into the same predictable formula as countless action sequels before it, John Wick Chapter 2 managed to expand the series’ universe in bold new ways, doubling down on everything that made the original so enjoyable in the first place (I.E., more action, more memorable characters, larger set pieces, etc.). Handling his role with greater confidence, Reeves also portrays a more nuanced version of the eponymous hitman, demonstrating Wick's reluctance to the underworld he tried so hard to leave behind.

Point Break (1991)

Point Break’s main appeal lies in the relationship between Reeves’ straight-laced FBI agent and Patrick Swayze’s magnetic surfer-turned-bank robber, Bodhi. Attempting to ingratiate himself with Bodhi’s band of thrill-seeking beach dwellers, Reeves’ Johnny Utah feels himself drawn to Bodhi’s winning worldview and unique presence.

Struggling to determine whether to follow Bodhi or clap him in handcuffs at the first moment’s notice, Reeves’ conflicted main character provides Point Break with a palpable sense of mounting tension, leading audiences to wonder where Johnny’s true loyalties might lie. Demonstrating a remarkable rapport with both Swayze's Bodhi and his FBI mentor (Gary Busey), Reeves piques audiences' interest with his ambiguous motivations throughout.

John Wick (2014)

The first entry in the John Wick series, 2014’s John Wick re-established Reeves’ place in mainstream film after a near-decade away from the spotlight.

Granting him a character as rich and nuanced as The Matrix’s Neo, Reeves managed to tap into the suit-clad title character with minimal effort, bringing out every conflicting aspect of his personality (from the romantic admiration he holds for his wife to the embittered sense of vengeance he uses to pursue his enemies). Without John Wick, who knows whether Reeves might have ever returned to the forefront of pop culture.

Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

The long-belated sequel to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, Bill & Red Face the Music served as a return to form for the dormant sci-fi series.

Showing little to any signs of age or ring-rust in their roles, Reeves and Alex Winters manage to slip back into their fictitious counterparts with ease, allowing audiences to rejoice at the prospect of seeing the absent-minded duo almost 30 years after their previous outing in Bogus Journey. Throughout it all, despite three decades passing in between movies, Reeves and Winters capture the same energetic chemistry they introduced in 1989, complete with nonsensical jokes and and a mind-numbing amount of “dudes.”

River’s Edge (1986)

One of the earliest films to feature Reeves in a starring role, River’s Edge cast Reeves as an average teenager trying to navigate an extraordinary situation. Finding himself in the middle of a gut-wrenching murder cover-up, Reeves’ kind-hearted Matt struggles to decipher the proper course to take, playing an integral role in the crime’s subsequent investigation.

A dark and depressing crime drama on its own, River’s Edge also gave Reeves a chance to prove himself a prodigious young actor to watch out for well into the future. Though not as well-known as most of Reeve's later work, it remains an underrated indie drama in its own right, even if its main message can come across as far too downbeat for most casual viewers.

Man of Tai Chi (2013)

Before the 2014 release of John Wick, Reeves seemed to have his attention set on lesser-known genre pieces, including the 2013 martial arts movie, Man of Tai Chi. Directed and starring Reeves in his official filmmaking debut, Man of Tai Chi casts Reeves in an all-too-rare villainous performance.

A charismatic criminal attempting to push Tiger Chen’s martial artist into becoming a full-blown killer, Reeves’ Donaka Mark makes for a character every bit as memorable as the judicious John Wick or the heroic Neo. The proverbial devil on his fighters' shoulders, Mark proves himself as dangerous a mental threat as he is a physical one, breaking down his opponents' spirits and mental faculties and ensuring they reach their full murderous potential.

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Like Man of Tai Chi, Much Ado About Nothing casts Reeves against type as the villainous Don John. The scheming half-brother of Denzel Washington’s Don Pedro, Reeves’ John spends a bulk of the film plotting out ways to undermine his fellow nobles, using the ensuing chaos to his own twisted advantage.

More mischievous than downright evil, Reeves’ John makes for a fantastic counterpart to the protagonists of this 1993 Shakespeare adaptation, rivaling the talents of Washington, Kenneth Branagh, and Kate Beckinsale. A straight-faced, suave, yet irredeemable narcissist, Reeves' John supports the idea that Reeves can always accomplish more with less, creating a full-bodied portrait out of an otherwise flat personality.

A Scanner Darkly (2006)

In some ways, A Scanner Darkly reads almost like a cross between The Matrix, Blade Runner, and Point Break, featuring an undercover police agent (Reeves) descending into a dystopian criminal underworld rocked by rampant substance abuse.

Pushing himself to the physical and mental limits as part of his investigation, Reeves’ officer begins to question his own sanity as he wades deeper and deeper into full-on addiction, forcing him to confront the nature of law and order in a totalitarian police state. While audiences might find themselves roped into A Scanner Darkly due to its colorful animation style, Reeves' nuanced performance forces them to pay closer attention to the main narrative than the unique visuals. 

To the Bone (2017)

On paper, Reeves’ gentle demeanor seems to make him a perfect fit for the role of a patient and understanding psychiatrist—a part he plays well in 2017’s To the Bone.

A heartrending drama about the dangers of anorexia and mental illness, Reeves’ Dr. Beckham lets his patients in on the hard truth of their situation. Rather than sharing wrong or hollow advice, Beckham encourages his subjects to confront the harsh reality of their symptoms, advocating for them to create meaning and achieve self-dependence instead of awaiting a magical solution for all their problems.

Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Keanu Reeves may not appear in a large role in 2019’s Always Be My Maybe, but that doesn’t prevent him from serving as one of the movie’s single best features. The foremost romantic rival to Randall Parks’ everyman Marcus, Reeves figures into the movie’s plot as an over-the-top caricature of himself.

A smug, pretentious, almost mystical presence in Sasha’s (Ali Wong) love life, Reeves manages to get audiences chuckling every time he appears on screen, whether crying over his veal dinner or smashing a flower vase over his own skull during a game of Truth or Dare.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009)

Among the better films of Reeves’ 2000s-era career, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee serves as an underrated romantic comedy starring the always superb Robin Wright. In contrast to his self-referential role in Always Be My Maybe, Reeves opts for a more cathartic appearance in Private Lives, inhabiting a far more serious character than the aforementioned 2019 rom-com.

A straight-faced man tormenting himself over the mistakes of his past, Reeves’ Chris makes for a character audiences can understand and relate with the moment he appears on-screen. While much of the movie's focus revolves around Wright, Reeves uses every second of his screentime to his advantage, creating a strong of sympathy for his character here.

Toy Story 4 (2019)

After making his successful comeback with the John Wick films, Reeves became a hot commodity for the remainder of the 2010s, leading to his appearances in everything from SpongeBob SquarePants to 2019’s Toy Story 4. An impressive vocal performance for Reeves, Toy Story 4 finds Reeves in the role of Duke Caboom—a high-spirited daredevil one can describe as the Canadian version of Evel Knievel.

Appearing uber-confident one moment yet paralyzed by crippling self-doubt in the next, Reeves’ Duke makes for one of the most delightful new characters to debut in the Toy Story series yet.

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

As most fans will admit, The Matrix sequels never lived up to the dystopian ambition of the original film. Yet even then, most viewers can admit to enjoying some aspects of The Matrix Reloaded.

Without a doubt the best sequel in the Matrix continuity, The Matrix Reloaded tapped into the same fundamental themes as its predecessor, ensuring a movie almost as stylish and intelligent as the initial entry in the series. In contrast to the original Matrix, where his character suffers from endless uncertainty regarding his identity as the One, Reeves also appears far more comfortable in his role as Neo, illustrating the character's change from the weak-willed Mr. Anderson into humanity's god-like savior.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)

An ambitious adaptation of Bram Stoker’s immortal horror novel, Dracula remains most worth seeing for Gary Oldman’s layered performance as the vampiric title character.

A rare movie where Reeves phones it in in his portrayal of the meek Jonathan Harker, Oldman’s performance proves powerful enough to redeem Dracula’s handful of weaknesses, captivating audiences with his alluring iteration of the tragic anti-villain Dracula. Yet even then, Reeves does his best with the material, creating a younger, doe-eyed version of Harker, who slowly (perhaps almost too slowly) comes to learn the true identity behind his wealthy, blood-loving client.