The Ultimate Ranking of Paul Giamatti's Top 15 Movies

During the 2016 Academy Awards, Chris Rock humorously proclaimed Paul Giamatti as the greatest living actor, sparking the thought as to why Giamatti is not as widely recognized in the context of the Oscars. Known for his versatility, Giamatti has excelled in comedic roles, compelling drama as a leading man, and even in intense, villainous characters. His filmography showcases an impressive range and complexity, making his body of work the envy of many actors. The following films highlight his exceptional talent.

Updated on October 18, 2023, by Ryan Heffernan:

Paul Giamatti, an actor often overlooked in contemporary film, is renowned for his exceptional range and captivating on-screen presence. He has consistently demonstrated his talent across various genres and has had the privilege of working with some of Hollywood's finest directors. With The Holdovers (October 27), his second collaboration with Alexander Payne, Giamatti is expected to once again captivate audiences with his remarkable versatility and skill.

15 'Shoot 'em Up' (2007)

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Giamatti is always a delight when he has the opportunity to showcase his talent as an eccentric antagonist. While this style may not have been a good fit for a film like The Amazing Spider-Man 2, it was perfectly suited for the intentionally over-the-top atmosphere of Shoot ‘em Up, a movie where he threatens to harm an infant with his car.

Starring Clive Owen as a skilled but drifting gunslinger, this underappreciated action film revolves around his efforts to protect a newborn baby from an army of well-armed attackers. With its gleefully absurd and comically exaggerated tone, Shoot 'em Up is a treat for action enthusiasts. It also serves as a platform for Giamatti to showcase his exceptional talent for portraying despicable villains in a truly enjoyable and gory fashion.

14 'Ironclad' (2011)

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Ironclad, presented as a historical war film, actually thrives as a thrilling medieval action spectacle. Fueled by themes of honor and chivalry, it transforms into an inspiring narrative centered on an unlikely group of heroes defending a crucial castle against the tyrannical King John (played brilliantly by Giamatti). Loosely based on the siege of Rochester Castle in 1215, this blood-soaked adventure may not provide a comprehensive history lesson, but it surely delivers riveting entertainment and well-executed battle sequences filled with raw intensity. Furthermore, Giamatti's portrayal of King John showcases his remarkable talent as he embodies a truly detestable movie villain, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

13 'Man on the Moon' (1999)

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Man on the Moon is a delightful biopic that showcases Jim Carrey's comedic genius in a funny and heartbreaking performance as the legendary Andy Kaufman. Carrey successfully embraces Kaufman's eccentricity and mystique while delivering a dazzling and uncanny portrayal of the late comic. Notably, Paul Giamatti keeps up with Carrey as Kaufman's collaborator and close friend, Bob Zmuda. Despite the film's well-known subject and Carrey's star power, Man on the Moon underperformed at the box office and is still an underrated dramatic biopic, though it has gained a following over time.

12 'The Illusionist' (2006)

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The Illusionist is a captivating magic-themed mystery that delves into the romantic challenges faced by an accomplished lifelong magician named Edward Norton. His mission? To win the heart of his childhood crush, played by Jessica Biel. Paul Giamatti delivers a compelling performance as the relentless Chief Inspector Walter Uhl, who apprehends Norton's character at the beginning of the film.

During its initial release, The Illusionist faced criticism due to its coincidental timing with another brilliant magician period film, Christopher Nolan's The Prestige. Nevertheless, both movies garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, cementing their visual excellence.

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11 'The Ides of March' (2011)

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Upon its release, The Ides of March presented an authentic and cynical yet logical portrayal of contemporary politics, teeming with moral corruption and simmering scandals. The film revolves around Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling), an idealistic aide to a presidential candidate who becomes aware of the ruthless scheming within the industry as he becomes involved in the campaign and finds himself entangled in a plot to dismantle his own position, gradually unveiling deeper layers of deception.

Amid a stellar ensemble featuring George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, and Jeffrey Wright, Giamatti excelled in his role as Ted Duffy, a political rival who conspired against Meyers. While the film's political themes were skillfully crafted, it was impossible to resist the captivating dynamic between Giamatti and Hoffman, as they vied to steal the spotlight in every scene.

10 'Win Win' (2011)

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Win Win is a remarkable blend of drama and comedy, showcasing Giamatti's brilliance in both genres. In the film, Giamatti plays Mike Flaherty, a struggling lawyer whose clever plan to take advantage of a client with dementia gets disrupted when his client's troubled grandson, Kyle (Alex Shaffer), unexpectedly enters the picture. As the coach of a wrestling team facing challenges, Mike finds an unlikely solution in Kyle.

9 'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013)

The heartwarming sports movie excelled in its authentic and heartfelt portrayal, effortlessly blending different genres with a remarkable finesse. It captivated audiences with its brilliantly written narrative, highlighted by the outstanding performances of Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Melanie Lynskey, Burt Young, and Jeffrey Tambor, complementing Giamatti's extraordinary lead role.

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Saving Mr. Banks is a delightful story filled with heartfelt nostalgia from Disney. The film beautifully captures the life of P. L. Travers (Emma Thompson) and primarily focuses on Walt Disney's (Tom Hanks) determined efforts to bring her Mary Poppins books to the big screen. This heartwarming and idealized reflection on the past will touch audiences of all ages.

The film received criticism for romanticizing certain aspects of the adaptation of Mary Poppins, but its all-star cast was undeniably excellent. One standout was Giamatti's portrayal of Ralph, Travers' chauffeur in Los Angeles. Their bond develops beautifully throughout the film.

Stream on Disney+

8 'Cinderella Man' (2005)

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Despite Chris Rock correctly acknowledging Giamatti's talents while hosting the Oscars, it is shocking that he has only received one nomination. However, his recognition for his exceptional performance in Ron Howard's remarkable boxing biopic Cinderella Man was truly deserving. In fact, he deserved to win the award over George Clooney's portrayal in Syriana.

Giamatti fully immerses himself in the role of Joe Gould, James J. Braddock's (Russell Crowe) inspiring boxing coach. Not only is Giamatti's persistence inspiring to Braddock, but it also captivates the audience. He sets the standard for what all great teachers should aspire to.

Watch on Netflix

7 'Straight Outta Compton' (2015)

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When Giamatti was cast in the 2015 music biopic "Straight Outta Compton," he faced a significant challenge. The role he was taking on, that of Jerry Heller, was one that had always been surrounded by controversy within the history of N.W.A. For an actor, it is always difficult when the real-life subject they are portraying is still alive and able to offer their opinion on the performance.

6 'Love & Mercy' (2014)

Giamatti's portrayal of the music producer goes beyond manipulation. He beautifully captures moments of genuine concern for Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell) and his personal challenges. It is a multi-dimensional and nuanced role that Giamatti tackles with his signature passion and energy.

Image via Lionsgate

Love & Mercy, released just a few years before the surge in popularity of music biopics, stands out as one of the most unjustly overlooked films within the genre. It chronicles the life of Brian Wilson, the frontman of the Beach Boys, spanning two different periods of his career. Paul Dano portrays a young Wilson during his initial struggles with health in the 1960s, while John Cusack takes on the role of an older version of the artist, who, in the '80s, becomes a victim of manipulation by a deceitful health advisor.

Among the ensemble of famous actors, Giamatti portrayed Dr. Eugene Landy, Wilson's fearsome and oppressive psychiatrist who assumed the role of the artist's legal guardian for a certain period. Despite the film's convoluted storyline, the filmmakers were determined to portray Wilson's life with utmost precision.

Stream now on Prime Video.

5 'American Splendor' (2003)

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American Splendor is a remarkable comic book movie that stands out from the rest by not featuring any superheroes. Starring Giamatti, it showcases his breakthrough performance as the renowned cartoonist Harvey Pekar. Pekar's comics center around relatable real-life subjects and issues that bring laughter to the audience.

The film creatively merges Giamatti's portrayal with the authentic Pekar and brings his work to life through captivating animated segments. Although it received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, it's disappointing that Giamatti was overlooked in the Best Actor category.

Watch on Max

4 'Private Life' (2018)

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Regrettably, it is not rare for Netflix to acquire independent films from the Sundance Film Festival and then fail to provide them with sufficient promotion upon their release on the platform. This situation occurred with the heartbreakingly beautiful romantic drama Private Life, directed by Tamara Jenkins, which offers a remarkably genuine depiction of the complexities of relationships in midlife.

Giamatti and Kathryn Hahn portray a writer couple determined to overcome numerous challenges in their quest to become parents. Jenkins, the screenplay writer, skillfully infuses dark comedy with a comforting warmth, exposing the couple's struggles in an exceptional manner. Both Giamatti and Hahn impeccably bring this story to life on the screen. Catch it on Netflix.

3 '12 Years a Slave' (2013)

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Apart from his notable roles in various remarkable movies, Paul Giamatti has also made brief appearances in several contemporary classics. One such instance was in the biographical historical drama 12 Years a Slave. The film revolves around Solomon Northup (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor), a man who was kidnapped and forced into slavery, working on a plantation in Louisiana for a duration of 12 years.

The movie showcased outstanding performances, including Ejiofor's compelling lead role, Michael Fassbender's chilling portrayal of Edwin Epps, and Lupita Nyong'o's award-winning debut as Epps' abused favorite slave. Giamatti made a significant impact with his portrayal of Theophilus Freeman, a slave trader who provided Northup with a false identity and sold him to a plantation owner in Georgia.

2 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)

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Before establishing himself as a renowned actor, Paul Giamatti spent years working in minor supporting roles under the direction of top Hollywood filmmakers. One notable project was Steven Spielberg's WWII epic, Saving Private Ryan. The film follows a small squad assigned to locate a soldier whose three brothers had died during the war, enabling him to return home to his family.

In this film, Giamatti portrays the fatigued Sergeant William Hill, whom Captain Miller's (Tom Hanks) squad encounters in Neuville-au-Plain. In this particular scene, they come under fire from a German sniper. While Giamatti's appearance in the movie is brief, this intense and unforgettable moment remains one of the standout moments from the film.

Watch on Netflix

1 'Sideways' (2004)

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Sideways, released in 2004, marked the initial collaboration between Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti before their successful partnership on The Holdovers. This film showcases both artists at the height of their creative prowess, particularly Giamatti, whose performance is multifaceted. He skillfully portrays a character with a prickly yet comedic demeanor, simultaneously revealing a profound and sincere understanding of the complexities of human existence.

He portrays the role of Miles Raymond, an expert in wines, who reflects on his life, unsuccessful marriage, personal writings, and passion for exquisite drinks while embarking on a high-end vineyard tour in California with his closest companion. Essentially, it is a thought-provoking film that combines realism with a sense of adventure, exploring profound notions of life and love through the lens of a world-weary and perceptive road trip.