Joel Edgerton is reprising his iconic role as Owen Lars in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney+, but the actor has been involved in all sorts of successful projects since the last time he took to that particular role. He's been in plenty of Hollywood's most successful films of the past few years, spanning a wide range of genres.
In celebration of Edgerton's career, Ranker has put together an extensive list of the actor's most iconic and memorable films over the years. From science-fiction to romance, Edgerton's filmography contains plenty of diverse and fresh projects for all audiences.
Ned Kelly (2003)
Based on Robert Drewe's novel 'Our Sunshine', Ned Kelly is one of the most noteworthy modern Western films in Australia. With Heath Ledger in the titular role, the film tells the story of Ned and his gang as they are forced to go into hiding in the wild, putting his family and friends in danger.
It might not be that well-known outside of Australia, but it's a hugely underrated film in Edgerton's filmography. It has an interesting story, reliably compelling performances, and a great script that keeps the audience on the edges of their seats.
Separation City (2009)
Separation City sees Joel Edgerton star alongside Rhona Mitra in this charming rom-com about two lost souls who find each other after their respective marriages begin to fall apart. Set in New Zealand, the film exhibits all the signature quirkiness and charisma that you'd expect.
Despite its fun sense of humor and charming characters, there's also an emotional and relatable aspect of Separation City that makes it stand out among a lot of similar rom-coms. It knows how to balance tone effectively, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued in the lives of these characters.
The Thing (2011)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton star opposite each other in this divisive prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic The Thing. The film follows a group of scientists who discover an alien lifeform buried in ice, before realizing that the alien is still alive and thirsty for blood.
Carpenter's The Thing is considered one of the best cult classic horrors of all time, so it's no surprise that this 2011 didn't quite meet the sky-high expectations that many fans had. That being said, many still praise the film for its fun story and inventive use of horror and violence.
Kinky Boots (2005)
Kinky Boots is widely considered one of the definitive British comedies of the 2000s. The film follows Edgerton's character Charles and his drag queen friend Lola, who saves his father's shoe business by reinventing it into a men's fetish footwear store.
Kinky Boots is an extremely bold and risky film, but it's held together by the hilarious dynamic between Edgerton and Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays Lola. The two actors are clearly having so much fun with this eccentric script, and it's impossible not to have fun alongside them.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Although The Great Gatsby is often remembered as one of Leonardo DiCaprio's best movies, Edgerton's supporting performance is usually sadly forgotten about. He plays Tom Buchanan, the wealthy husband of Gatsby's love, Daisy. He's one of the film's least likable characters, but Edgerton plays him in a way that's always fun and exciting to watch.
Although Fitzgerald's iconic novel has been adapted to screen many times before, it's Baz Luhrmann's lavish and bold reimagining that's cemented itself as the best. It captures the spirit of the book expertly with its bright colors and even brighter performances.
Boy Erased (2018)
Not only does Joel Edgerton star in the lead role of Boy Erased, but he also wrote and directed the film based on Garrard Conley's memoir of the same name. It follows Lucas Hedges' character Jared as he's sent to conversion therapy by his homophobic father.
Although it's not an easy film to sit through, it's an extremely important one that has a lot of insightful things to say about a sadly relevant topic. It's one of the best LGBTQ+ movies anyone can watch right now, and it's sure to leave a lasting impact.
It Comes At Night (2017)
Psychological horror might not be Edgerton's most frequently-visited genre, but It Comes At Night is a shining example of why it should be. The film follows two families who are forced to live together after an unexpected apocalypse leaves the outside world uninhabitable.
Despite the deadly threats outside, it's the conflict between the two central families that really drives the narrative forward in the film. It's an extremely tense story, with Edgerton developing a compelling rapport with his co-stars Christopher Abbott and Riley Keough.
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
From acclaimed director Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty chronicles the CIA's decade-long search for the USA's most wanted terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. It's one of the best war thrillers of recent years, and its true story is one that's sure to shake audiences to the core.
Edgerton stars alongside Jessica Chastain and Jason Clarke, who both provide two of the best performances of their careers in this thrilling war drama. The film navigates its story in a truly unique and refreshing way, managing to bring the most out of all its characters and subplots.
Animal Kingdom (2010)
Animal Kingdom tells the thrilling story of Joshua Cody, who moves in with his extended family after his mother's untimely death - only to learn that he's related to a mid-level crime syndicate. It's an extremely exciting and gripping film, with an unpredictable story that keeps things moving at a breakneck pace.
The film also boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, featuring some of Australia's strongest working actors - Joel Edgerton, Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce, and Jacki Weaver, just to name a few. It's a film that's surprisingly easy to get lost in, taking the audience on a whirlwind journey for two thrilling hours.
Warrior (2011)
Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton play rival brothers Tom and Brendan Conlon in Warrior, which follows the pair as they're forced to fight each other in the ring following Tom's recent return home from the marines. It features some of the best combat scenes in recent memory, alongside two powerhouse performances from Hardy and Edgerton.
Warrior is one of the best and most underrated sports movies of the 2010s, despite much of the story focusing on the complex relationship and intense drama at the heart of the narrative instead of the actual sport. That being said, the scenes that do take place in the ring are incredibly shot and even more impressively acted.