The Phoenix family is known for being very involved in the entertainment industry with the siblings working as actors, musicians, and even fashion designers. But arguably the most famous of them all are the two brothers River and Joaquin Phoenix.
Unfortunately, River Phoenix passed away in 1993, but his legacy as a teen idol lives on, while his younger brother Joaquin Phoenix both continues acting and promotes various animal rights and environmental causes as an activist. The two have starred in a number of successful movies and are praised both for their talent and for their acting skills.
Running On Empty (1988): 7.7, Available On Hoopla
Running on Empty is considered to be one of the roles that helped River Phoenix transition into more adult-oriented movies. At eighteen years of age, Phoenix was nominated for his performance for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor becoming one of the youngest actors to achieve this.
The story follows a counterculture family on the run from the FBI. Danny Pope, the son of the troubled couple, decides to break free from this fugitive lifestyle.
Walk The Line (2005): 7.8, Available On FuboTV, DirecTV & Max Go
The Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line earned Joaquin Phoenix his first nomination for the Best Actor Academy Award. Phoenix also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor while his co-star Reese Witherspoon won both the Best Actress Academy Award and the Best Actress Golden Globe.
Based on two autobiographies, it follows Johnny Cash in his early years, his relationship with June Carter, and his rise as a country music icon.
Her (2013): 8.0, Available On Tubi TV
Her was another huge success for Joaquin Phoenix who, along with his co-star Scarlett Johansson, got nominated for multiple awards, including Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
Set in the near future in Los Angeles, it follows Theodore who works for a company writing personal letters for other people. Theodore is depressed and is currently going through a divorce when he decides to purchase an operating system that acts as a virtual assistant. As he gets closer to the AI program, he starts falling in love with her.
Stand By Me (1986): 8.1, Available On FuboTV, Starz & DirecTV
Stand by Me is considered to be the first prominent role in River Phoenix's career. Phoenix's performance was praised by critics and the movie was even nominated for multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and two Golden Globes (Best Picture - Drama and Best Director).
Adapted from Stephen King's The Body, it is set in 1959 and tells the story of four boys who go on a hike and find the dead body of a boy who was considered missing.
Hotel Rwanda (2004): 8.1, Available On Showtime, FuboTV & DirecTV
Hotel Rwanda wasn't a particularly big commercial success, but it was praised by critics and received multiple awards nominations, including three Academy Awards. Though Phoenix had limited screentime, his performance was praised alongside that of his fellow co-stars.
Based on the real events of the Rwandan genocide which happened in the spring of 1994, the story follows a hotelier trying to save both his family and other refugees who are taking shelter in his hotel.
Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade (1989): 8.2, Available On Paramount+
Though River Phoenix's role in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was of the blink-and-you-miss-it kind, it still stands out due to being in the opening scene of the movie. The third installment in the franchise was a box office hit and is only second to the original.
This time, Indiana Jones sets out to find his father who has been allegedly kidnapped by Nazis looking for the Holy Grail. Phoenix plays young Indiana in the opening scene that establishes interesting details about the character's past.
Joker (2019): 8.4, Available On HBO Now, HBO Max & DirecTV
Joaquin Phoenix's performance in Joker is arguably his best despite the movie getting extremely polarizing reviews from critics. Nevertheless, Phoenix won the Best Actor Academy Award and the Best Actor Golden Globe while the movie received a total of eleven Academy Award nominations.
Based on the characters from DC Comics, it takes place in 1981 in Gotham City and follows Arthur Fleck and his descent into madness as he becomes the iconic villain known as Joker.
Gladiator (2000): 8.5, Available On Syfy, FuboTV & DirecTV
Gladiator was the movie that brought Joaquin Phoenix international acclaim for portraying one of the best on-screen villains of the 2000s. The movie was a massive success and Phoenix even got his first Academy Award nomination (in the Best Supporting Actor category).
Taking place in the 2nd century, it follows a Roman general whose emperor is betrayed and murdered by his own son. As the emperor's son ascends the throne, he also murders the general's family who is now reduced to a gladiator and must work his way up to get his revenge.
Earthlings (2005): 8.7, Available On Films For Action
As mentioned earlier, Joaquin Phoenix is a prominent animal rights activist and environmentalist which is why he gets involved in such projects as Earthlings and Dominion.
Earthlings is a documentary about the way humans use animals for scientific experiments, clothing, food, entertainment, and as pets. Phoenix narrated the documentary.
Dominion (2018): 9.1, Available On Films For Action
Dominion is another documentary centering on animal rights issues which was narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. But this time, he also had co-narrators, including actress Rooney Mara and singer Sia.
The documentary also covers multiple animal-related topics such as scientific experimentation on animals, animals used on farms, animals used for entertainment, and so on.