13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Johnny Depp is probably one of the most versatile actors who can pull off every role in any movie genre. But he is best known for his quirky and mysterious characters throughout the years.

Giving movie suggestions starring him would be hard to do as this man has a long list under his name. But don’t worry because we’re giving you the 13 Best Johnny Depp movies you must watch!

Who is Johnny Depp?

John Christopher Depp II was born on the 9th of June 1963 in Kentucky but grew up and was raised in Florida. Before his acting career, he wanted to be a musician. He dropped out of school at 15 and formed and joined different bands. He even got married before his job.

But he was discovered when he went to LA in 1984. That’s what kickstarted his career. He debuted in the film A Nightmare on Elm Street, which subsequently landed him different roles in showbiz until came the time when he became the star that we know today.

Aside from acting, he is also a producer and a musician—truly a Jack of all trades.

Well, enough with the info because we know you’re itching to see the list. If you are an avid fan of Depp or planning to binge-watch his movies, watch out because we’re dropping 13 Best Movies of Johnny Depp.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

English 2h 23m IMDb
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Gore Verbinski

Stars: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom

We’re starting with the movie that embedded Depp’s name in history. “The Curse of the Black Pearl” powerfully kicks off the start of the Pirates series, in which Johnny portrayed Captain Jack Sparrow.

An unconventional pirate (Jack) helps a blacksmith (Will) search for his love, Elizabeth, who other pirates had kidnaped. They discovered the kidnapping was to break a curse but later found out they had taken the wrong person.

If you are fond of adventure with a bit of fantasy and action, then you would love this movie! Plus, promise you wouldn’t anticipate the plot twist!


2. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

English 1h 45m IMDb
Edward Scissorhands (1990) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest

Edward Scissorhands is probably the movie that gave Johnny Depp a big break, as this is one of his first films. In this Johnny Depp film, Edward is considered the greatest invention of his creator. Sadly, before Edward was complete, his creator died, leaving him with scissors as hands and alone.

One day, he met a lady and introduced him to her family, where he fell in love with Kim, the lady’s daughter. You might expect a happy ending if this film were a fairytale. But spoiler alert, we will advise you to bring tissues if you plan to watch this.


3. Finding Neverland (2004)

English 1h 46m IMDb
Finding Neverland (2004) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Marc Forster

Stars: Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Julie Christie

Are you searching for a more realistic portrayal by Johnny Depp? Finding Neverland is the best movie! This classic film is a story based on the autobiography of J.M. Barrie, the playwright of Peter Pan.

Delve into his world as he meets and forms a friendship with four boys and their widowed mother, inspiring him to create Peter Pan and Neverland. Dive into a place where imagination never stops, and children never grow old.

Finding Neverland is truly a heartfelt movie that will move you and will take you once again to your childhood, wishing that time would stop and the people we love wouldn’t have to leave.


4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

English 1h 58m IMDb
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Lasse Hallström

Stars: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis

Now, if you want a Johnny Depp x Leonardo DiCaprio crossover, then watching What’s Eating Gilbert Grape would be your cup of tea. Gilbert grape works at a grocery store and is the breadwinner of his family. He takes care of his obese mother and disabled teenage brother.

This film reflects on some truths surrounding simple homes and how a strong-willed person could surpass these challenges. Watch this and get to see how the love for family makes every hardship worth it.


5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

English 1h 55m IMDb
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly

Are you looking for a fun, colorful, magical, and sweet film featuring the most awaited actor, Johnny Depp? Let’s dive into the twist and turns of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Not all are welcome to Willy Wonka’s factory. Another masterpiece from Johnny Depp.

Charlie is a poor boy who got one of the five a golden ticket to enter Willy Wonka’s factory. This fateful event started the factory tour with the four other children. Is this just an ordinary tour, or is it a test of values?

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of the best children’s shows that can teach kids to choose the more essential things in life. A must-watch with kids!


6. Dead Man (1995)

English, Cree 2h 1m IMDb
Dead Man (1995) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Jim Jarmusch

Stars: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer, Crispin Glover

Dead Man is one of Johnny Depp’s most critically claimed movies. For one, this depicts a story of Western America; second, his acting as William Blake.

William is an accountant who moved to a new town because of work. Just a few days after arriving in town, he accidentally murdered somebody, leading him to flee. That’s when he met Nobody, a Native American, and they made a friend to each other.

You’ll love this movie, especially if you’re into murder movies. On top of that, this movie is such a pause. It was a fresh take on Native American culture.


7. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

English, Latin 1h 45m IMDb
Sleepy Hollow (1999) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson

Sleepy Hollow is right up your alley if you are into dark mystery and fantasy movies. Find out how Johnny acted as Ichabod Crane to look for the culprit.

Because of the curse of the Headless Horseman, Police Detective Ichabod was sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate three murders. Unconvinced by the curse, Ichabod only seeks answers to discover more and that the curse is real. A race begins to find the beginning of the curse to put him in silence.

Get into this movie if you want to make your hearts race, as this horror fantasy will give you shivers.


8. Benny & Joon (1993)

English 1h 38m IMDb
Benny & Joon (1993) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Stars: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn

Romance might not at all be conventional. Johnny taught us this when he portrayed Sam in Benny & Joon.

Joon is a talented, mentally challenged artist who is cared for by her brother, Benny. When it appears that Benny cannot provide the care that Joon needs anymore, he doesn’t know how to tell her that he is opting to put her in a group home.

That’s before they met Sam, a crackpot with whom Joon slowly felt a deeper connection. Will Benny accept this crazy relationship? We’ll let you figure out the rest once you watch the movie.


9. Public Enemies (2009)

English 2h 20m IMDb
Public Enemies (2009) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Michael Mann

Stars: Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, Christian Stolte

This next movie is based on a true-life story of a bank robber during the Great Depression. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of John Dillinger is genuinely a superb sight.

This classic film is a tale about Dillinger and the FBI’s hunt for him. Dillinger meets Billie Frechette, and they immediately become partners. As the search for him intensified, the series of robberies, he made also became large.

One day, they decided to rob one last time and escape together. But what would he do if Billie got caught? If you need to escape from this world, then Public Enemies is the one to watch.


10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

English, French 2h 14m IMDb
Fantastic Beasts The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: David Yates

Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler

Johnny Depp might be great at acting lead roles, but he can be a great villain too!

In the second installment of Fantastic Beasts, Grindelwald escaped as he was transferred to the maximum prison facility for his crimes in the wizardry world.

To stop him from committing more crimes, Albus Dumbledore now seeks the help of Newt Scamander. Catch the charisma and beastly acting of Johnny as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the Crimes of Grindelwald.


11. The Ninth Gate (1999)

English, French, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish 2h 13m IMDb
The Ninth Gate (1999) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Roman Polanski

Stars: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin

We all know that many Johnny Depp movies involve dark, mystery, and thriller genres, but the Ninth Gate was intense. Dean Corso is a book dealer that lives for money. One day, he was hired by book collector Borris Balkan to authenticate his newly acquired books.

Little did he know, his mission does not only involve authentication but more of a diabolic life-and-death expedition. We recommend watching The Ninth Gate, especially for book lovers, and we are sure it will give you some chills down your spine.


12. The Professor (2018)

English, Spanish 1h 30m IMDb
The Professor (2018) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: Wayne Roberts

Stars: Johnny Depp, Rosemarie DeWitt, Odessa Young

What would you do if your doctor broke the news that you’re about to die? Well, Jonny Depp acting as Richard, made some bad and sound decisions. Richard, a college professor, was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer. His instant reaction?

To live his wrecked life as if it were his last day alive — drinking and smoking. He also started to be honest with people, which resulted in forgiveness and picking up broken relationships.

If you want a good and hearty laugh but oh so little drama, then you should watch the Professor and learn the essential thing in life asap!


13. Secret Window (2004)

English 1h 36m IMDb
Secret Window (2004) 13 Best Johnny Depp Movies (Ranked)

Director: David Koepp

Stars: Johnny Depp, Maria Bello, John Turturro

Better hold hour pants together as our last movie might creep you out. We all know Johnny is good at acting in mystery movies, but Secret Window is undoubtedly on another level.

Mort Rainey is a mystery writer whose wife recently divorced. One day, a man named Shooter went to his cabin, alleging that Mort had plagiarized his work. Shooter challenges him to prove by bringing him the original.

But like a stalker and a psycho, Shooter does anything to make Mort unable to produce it. Secret Window is not worth being a secret because everybody should watch it!

Wrapping up the Best Johnny Depp Movies

For some of us, Johnny Depp will always be that actor specializing in horror, mystery, and thriller. However, it is surprising but lovely to know that he also excels in portraying roles with humanistic emotions.

So, if you are waiting for the opportune moment to watch these 13 Best Jonny Depp movies, this is the perfect time. Ahoy, mates!

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