The Best John Cusack Movies

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Updated April 15, 2024 92.8K views
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Vote for your favorite John Cusack movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

With more than 1,800 movie fans casting their votes, this list of the best John Cusack movies of all time is a testament to the actor's remarkable career. Whether it's his iconic roles in Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity, or his engaging turns in Say Anything... and Never Grow Old, John Cusack has captivated audiences for decades with his unique brand of charm.

Fans of these films praise Cusack for his unparalleled ability to deliver intense performances alongside lighthearted comedy. In recent years, he has continued to evolve as an actor, taking on critically acclaimed roles such as Brian Wilson in Love & Mercy. He also continues to prove himself across genres - from action-packed thrillers like 2012 and horror flicks like Stephen King's adaptation of 1408, there are few roles that Cusack fans can't master.

So why not check out our list? Vote up your favorites, relive some great memories, and find out what makes John Cusack one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood.

Most divisive: Shadows and Fog
Over 2.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best John Cusack Movies
  • Grosse Pointe Blank
    1
    John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Dan Aykroyd
    759 votes
    Grosse Pointe Blank, a unique blend of comedy and action, unravels the story of Martin Q. Blank (John Cusack), a professional hitman grappling with a mid-life crisis. As he is invited back to his high school reunion in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, he becomes torn between his past and present. Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver), his high school sweetheart, reenters his life while rival hitman Grocer (Dan Aykroyd) seeks to eliminate him. Amidst this chaos, he must confront his career choice and navigate through a maze of old acquaintances, assassins, and emotions.
  • Better Off Dead
    2
    John Cusack, Diane Franklin, David Ogden Stiers
    683 votes
    In the quirky 1985 comedy Better Off Dead, high schooler Lane Myer (John Cusack) is devastated when his girlfriend Beth (Amanda Wyss) breaks up with him for the suave ski team captain. Disheartened, Lane contemplates ending it all until he crosses paths with the intriguing French exchange student Monique (Diane Franklin). Amidst a backdrop of zany subplots and offbeat characters, Lane learns to ski to regain his self-esteem, win back Beth, or perhaps discover unexpected love. The film, directed by Savage Steve Holland, cleverly satirizes teen angst with a blend of dark humor and whimsical charm.
  • High Fidelity
    3
    John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso
    675 votes
    In High Fidelity, Rob Gordon (John Cusack) navigates the tumultuous waters of romantic relationships. As a record shop owner with a deep love for music, he embarks on a self-reflective journey after his latest break-up with Laura (Iben Hjejle). This prompts him to revisit his top five past break-ups, in search of answers. Aided by his eccentric employees Barry (Jack Black) and Dick (Todd Louiso), his introspective quest takes him through an intriguing mix of humor, heartbreak, and vinyl records. A refreshing take on rom-coms, it's as much about personal growth as it is about love's high and lows.
  • Say Anything...
    4
    John Cusack, Ione Skye, John Mahoney
    723 votes
    Say Anything... is a 1989 romantic comedy-drama directed by Cameron Crowe. The film centers on the unlikely romance between Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), an earnest, quirky kickboxer, and Diane Court (Ione Skye), a high-achieving valedictorian. Dobler's unconventional charm and persistent pursuit of Court forms the crux of this coming-of-age tale. The movie, while encompassing themes of young love and post-high school uncertainty, also delves into familial dynamics with James Court (John Mahoney), Diane's overprotective father. Say Anything... is noted for its iconic boombox scene and was ranked by Entertainment Weekly as one of the greatest modern movie romances.
  • Serendipity
    5
    John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Molly Shannon
    663 votes
    In Serendipity, Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) cross paths serendipitously one Christmas in New York, sparking a love-at-first-sight connection. Yet, Sara believes in destiny. To test their fate, she writes her number in a book, promising that if he finds it, they are meant to be. Years later, both engaged to others, they can't shake the memory of their chance encounter. The movie is a romantic comedy-drama, exploring themes of fate and love with a dash of whimsy and humor. It's a tale about destiny's mysterious ways and the relentless pursuit of true love.
  • Con Air
    6
    Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, John Malkovich
    548 votes
    In Con Air, Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage), a newly released ex-con and former U.S. Ranger, finds himself trapped on a prisoner transport plane when the passengers seize control. Among them is Cyrus 'The Virus' Grissom (John Malkovich), a cunning and ruthless criminal mastermind. With help from U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), Poe must thwart their deadly plans, save his friend Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson) and get home to his daughter. This action-packed thriller, directed by Simon West, blends high-stakes tension with explosive spectacle, delivering a wild ride in the sky.
  • 1408
    7
    John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
    415 votes
    In the suspenseful thriller 1408, renowned author Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a skeptic of supernatural phenomena. His cynicism leads him to room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, despite warnings from hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson). This room, notorious for its sinister history, becomes an arena for a chilling confrontation with the paranormal. As the plot unfurls, Enslin's skepticism is challenged by inexplicable events that defy his rational mind. The movie masterfully blends psychological terror with suspense, making 1408 a haunting exploration of disbelief meeting incontrovertible reality.
  • Stand by Me
    8
    Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
    451 votes
    In the engaging film Stand by Me, four young boys - Gordie Lachance (Wil Wheaton), Chris Chambers (River Phoenix), Teddy Duchamp (Corey Feldman), and Vern Tessio (Jerry O'Connell) - embark on an unforgettable quest. Their aim? To locate a missing teenager's body somewhere in the woods of Oregon. Directed by Rob Reiner, this coming-of-age drama is based on Stephen King's novella The Body. It's a gripping tale about friendship, adventure, and the harsh realities of growing up. The film, ripe with poignant performances and a captivating storyline, won critical acclaim upon its release in 1986.
  • One Crazy Summer
    9
    John Cusack, Demi Moore, Joel Murray
    390 votes
    After graduating from high school, art school hopeful Hoops McCann (John Cusack) struggles to complete his application to the Rhode Island School of Design. Resigning himself to a summer of boredom, McCann agrees to go along with his best friend, George Calamari (Joel Murray), on a family trip to Nantucket, Mass. But, after McCann and Calamari meet rocker-in-distress Cassandra (Demi Moore), it suddenly looks like it's going to be "one crazy summer."
  • Sixteen Candles
    10
    Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Michael Schoeffling
    535 votes
    Sixteen Candles is a classic 1984 coming-of-age comedy directed by John Hughes. The film centers around the character of Samantha Baker, (Molly Ringwald), who's celebrating her 16th birthday but feels ignored by her family who are preoccupied with her sister's wedding. Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling), the high school heartthrob, is the object of Samantha's affection while she is relentlessly pursued by a nerdy freshman named Ted, (Anthony Michael Hall). As the day unfolds, hilarious and heartfelt moments ensue, culminating in a memorable birthday that Samantha didn't expect. This film marks an important milestone in teenage films for its honest depiction of adolescent life.
  • Runaway Jury
    11
    John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman
    432 votes
    After a workplace shooting in New Orleans, a trial against the gun manufacturer pits lawyer Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman) against shady jury consultant Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), who uses illegal means to stack the jury with people sympathetic to the defense. But when juror Nicholas Easter (John Cusack) and his girlfriend, Marlee (Rachel Weisz), reveal their ability to sway the jury into delivering any verdict they want, a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game begins.
  • Eight Men Out
    12
    John Cusack, Clifton James, Michael Lerner
    354 votes
    The Chicago White Sox, who are set to play the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series of 1919, are at odds with their team's owner, Charles Comiskey (Clifton James), who pays his players unsatisfactory wages despite the team's popularity. A group of professional gamblers offers the Sox's best athletes a fortune to throw the series, and the players agree. However, their reputations and careers are ruined when the dark secret, dubbed the "Black Sox Scandal," reaches the public consciousness.
  • Identity
    13
    John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet
    466 votes
    In the shadowy recesses of the thriller Identity, ten strangers find themselves marooned in a desolate Nevada motel during a harsh rainstorm. Among them are a limo driver, Ed Dakota (John Cusack), a cop, Officer Rhodes (Ray Liotta), and a convicted murderer, Robert Maine (Jake Busey). As they start to get picked off one by one, the remaining guests must unravel the mystery of their connection. The film's intriguing narrative structure and high-stakes suspense won it critical acclaim. It toys with themes of reality and illusion, keeping viewers on edge till the very end.
  • The Sure Thing
    14
    John Cusack, Daphne Zuniga, Nicollette Sheridan
    472 votes
    Gib (John Cusack), a college freshman, keeps striking out with women. When he learns that a beautiful Californian (Nicollette Sheridan) wants to have a tryst with him, he decides to carpool all the way to the West Coast to meet her. Unfortunately, one of the other passengers on the trip is Alison (Daphne Zuniga), an attractive but domineering girl who has rejected Gib once before. The journey is a nightmare until a funny thing happens -- Gib and Alison start to fall in love.
  • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
    15
    Kevin Spacey, John Cusack, Jack Thompson
    325 votes
    In this adaptation of John Berendt's book, a young journalist, John Kelso (John Cusack), travels to Savannah, Ga., to cover the city's Christmas celebration amid a backdrop of eccentric characters. He becomes intrigued by a sultry singer, Mandy (Alison Eastwood), and engrossed by a murder trial. Wealthy society figure Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) is accused of shooting his male lover, and the question is whether it was in self-defense as he claims.
  • Being John Malkovich
    16
    John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
    421 votes
    In the quirky film Being John Malkovich, puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) stumbles upon a bizarre secret: a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). Schwartz's wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz), becomes obsessed with this surreal experience, leading to an unconventional love triangle involving Maxine (Catherine Keener), who exploits the portal for profit. Directed by Spike Jonze and penned by Charlie Kaufman, this dark comedy-drama delves into themes of identity and consciousness. It snagged three Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film is a unique exploration of celebrity culture, layered with philosophical undertones.
  • Must Love Dogs
    17
    Diane Lane, John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins
    336 votes
    Sarah (Diane Lane), is 40 and recently divorced. Believing Sarah needs to date more, her sister, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins), creates an online dating profile for her. Simultaneously, Jake (John Cusack) reluctantly decides to try Internet dating. Sarah and Jake meet, and though both agree they are not interested in a serious relationship, their chemistry is undeniable. But, when Bob (Dermot Mulroney) suddenly shows interest in Sarah, her future with Charlie becomes unclear.
  • The Grifters
    18
    John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening
    335 votes
    Hard-as-nails Lily Dillon (Anjelica Huston) works as a swindler for dangerous bookie Bobo (Pat Hingle), probably the only man she fears. Arriving in Los Angeles on "business," Lily looks up her son, Roy (John Cusack), a small-time con artist content with paltry sleight-of-hand cheats. Roy's girlfriend, Myra (Annette Bening), looks like an All-American type but is a grifter looking to pull off another big-time con. The convergence of the three hustlers inevitably means trouble for all of them.
  • Hot Tub Time Machine
    19
    John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson
    415 votes
    In Hot Tub Time Machine, a comedic whirlwind of sci-fi and adventure, three friends Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry) and Nick (Craig Robinson) find themselves transported back to 1986 via a bubbling hot tub. A mysterious repairman (Chevy Chase) hints at the tub's time-bending properties. Struggling with their mundane lives, they view this as an opportunity to rewrite their pasts. However, altering the course of history proves more challenging and chaotic than expected. Unforeseen consequences unfold in a hilarious sequence of events that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
  • The Thin Red Line
    20
    Sean Penn, Adrien Brody, Jim Caviezel
    239 votes
    The Thin Red Line, a war drama directed by Terrence Malick, paints a visceral picture of the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. The film's narrative primarily revolves around Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), who is forced to confront his own morality amidst the chaos of battle. Other central characters include First Sgt. Welsh (Sean Penn) and Lt. Col. Tall (Nick Nolte), each grappling with their roles within the brutal realities of war. The movie garnered seven Academy Award nominations, testament to its impactful storytelling and powerful performances.
  • Pushing Tin
    21
    John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Cate Blanchett
    289 votes
    Two air traffic controllers (John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton) who thrive on living dangerously compete to outdo each other on several levels.
  • The Raven
    22
    John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve
    256 votes
    In 19th-century Baltimore, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a horrifying discovery: The murders of a mother and daughter resemble a fictional crime described in a story by Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack).When another murder occurs, also seemingly inspired by Poe's writings, Fields realizes a serial killer is on the loose and enlists Poe's help in catching the felon. The stakes become personal for the struggling author when someone close to him may become the killer's next victim.
  • 2012
    23
    John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet
    356 votes
    In the disaster movie 2012, the world faces an apocalyptic cataclysm of biblical proportions. Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), a science fiction writer, stumbles upon these unsettling predictions and embarks on a race against time to save his family. Alongside him is Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a government scientist who also discovers the impending doom. Directed by Roland Emmerich, this film combines elements of action and science fiction genres, bringing together a star-studded cast in a thrilling narrative about survival and resilience amidst global catastrophe.
  • America's Sweethearts
    24
    Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones
    279 votes
    For an awkward, self-conscious girl like Kiki (Julia Roberts), being the personal assistant to a beautiful megastar like Gwen (Catherine Zeta-Jones) isn't easy. But when she dutifully accepts the task of helping Gwen and her estranged husband Eddie (John Cusack) make it through one last public appearance masterminded by legendary press agent Lee Phillips (Billy Crystal), forever devoted Kiki finds that her job is about to get even harder when her and Eddie's relationship takes a romantic turn.
  • The Ice Harvest
    25
    John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton, Connie Nielsen
    180 votes
    As the attorney for a mobster (Randy Quaid), Charlie Arglist (John Cusack) has access to some not-so-clean money, which he readily embezzles with the help of an associate, Vic (Billy Bob Thornton). On Christmas Eve, the two partners decide to hightail it with the money, but an ice storm sweeping through the area delays their departure. Stuck in town, Charlie visits strip club owner Renata (Connie Nielsen) and lets on about the money. But the longer he stays, the more trouble builds.
  • Broadcast News
    26
    William Hurt, Albert Brooks, Holly Hunter
    172 votes
    Broadcast News, a romantic comedy-drama, explores the chaotic world of television news production. Jane Craig (Holly Hunter), an ambitious producer, finds herself caught in a professional and personal tug-of-war between Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks), her brilliant yet self-deprecating reporter friend, and Tom Grunick (William Hurt), a charismatic but less competent new anchor. Set against the high-pressure backdrop of broadcast journalism, this film deftly navigates the tricky balance between integrity and ratings. Released in 1987, it received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, highlighting its notable contribution to cinema. Crafted by acclaimed director James L. Brooks, Broadcast News presents a compelling narrative that continues to resonate today.
  • The Journey of Natty Gann
    27
    Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise
    147 votes
    Warm-hearted family tale of a girl's cross-country trek to find her father, set during the bleak days of the Depression in America. When her father goes to work in the Pacific Northwest, the brave youngster sets out on the long journey from Chicago to join him. En route she is befriended by a wolf, which becomes a protective traveling companion.
  • Class
    28
    Jacqueline Bisset, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy
    147 votes
    Naive Midwestern prep student Jonathan (Andrew McCarthy) bonds with his more worldly roommate, Skip (Rob Lowe), who takes the small-town boy under his wing. At Skip's urging, the inexperienced Jonathan is emboldened to seek out older women in the cocktail lounges of nearby Chicago, where he meets and beds the alluring Ellen (Jacqueline Bisset), who unfortunately turns out to be Skip's mother. The division between the friends is further deepened when a cheating scandal engulfs the school.
  • The Frozen Ground
    29
    Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Vanessa Hudgens
    192 votes
    A teenage escapee (Vanessa Hudgens) provides a critical break in the case, as an Alaskan detective (Nicolas Cage) hunts a serial killer who has been preying on women for 13 years.
  • City Hall
    30
    Al Pacino, John Cusack, Bridget Fonda
    169 votes
    Tragedy strikes when a child is caught in the crossfire between a cop and a mobster on the streets of New York City. Mayor John Pappas (Al Pacino) brushes the situation under the rug, causing his deputy mayor, Kevin Calhoun (John Cusack), to start asking questions. When Calhoun discovers that Pappas, his idol, is actually deeply involved in illegal activity between the police department and the Mafia, he is faced with a dilemma: Should he stay quiet, or expose his boss for who he really is?