Michael Douglas has had a long distinguished career, becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors. Though he is the son of acting legend Kirk Douglas, he managed to make a name for himself in the business on his own, becoming an Oscar-winning actor and producer.
With such an impressive career, you can imagine that Douglas has more than a few critically acclaimed films on his filmography. He has worked with some of the best filmmakers around, starred in a variety of genres, and delivered some iconic performances. Here are Michael Douglas’ best movies, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Haywire (80%)
The idea of Steven Soderberg doing an action movie is immediately interesting. Haywire is the film that launched Gina Carano into the Hollywood sphere. She stars as a black ops soldier who is on a mission of revenge after she is betrayed. Douglas plays a CIA officer helping her on her mission.
With Soderberg’s slick direction and Carano’s impressive acting skills, this makes for a fast-paced and thrilling entry into the action genre. Carano is also backed up by an impressive cast that also includes Ewan MacGregor, Channing Tatum, and Antonio Banderas.
Wonder Boys (82%)
Douglas doesn’t often get to show off his comedic side, but he can be quite funny when given the chance. One of his finest comedic roles is Wonder Boys where he stars as an English professor and writer who is dealing with a broken marriage, an affair and several professional crises.
It is rare to see Douglas play a character whose life is such a mess, but he really excels in the role. The film is a sharp and funny comedy with a terrific cast including Robert Downey Jr., Frances McDormand, and Tobey Maguire.
Ant-Man (83%)
It’s clear that the MCU has reached some incredible heights when they can convince an actor of Michael Douglas’ caliber to join their cinematic universe. Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, a thief who is recruited by scientist Hank Pym (Douglas) to become the shrinking hero, Ant-Man.
The movie cleverly styles itself as a heist film inside a superhero world which gives it fast-paced energy. The movie is one of the funniest in the MCU and Rudd brings his undeniable charm to the role, creating a fun and unique hero.
The China Syndrome (84%)
Douglas’ acting career really took off when he joined the likes of Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon in the drama, The China Syndrome. Fonda plays a reporter struggling to be taken seriously who uncovers a cover-up about safety regulations in a nuclear power plant. Douglas plays her roguish cameraman.
The film is a tense and well-acted thriller about a subject that was on a lot of people’s minds at this time. Despite that, it is a film worth checking out today for its strong performances and tension throughout the grounded story.
The War Of The Roses (85%)
Douglas and Kathleen Turner had explosive chemistry on the big screen and the sparks really flew in the relationship disaster comedy, The War of the Roses. The two actors play a married couple who begin to resent each other to the point of trying to destroy each other.
The over-the-top movie has a lot of fun depicting one of the ugliest marriages ever seen in movies. The two leads seem to be having a ball as these combative former lovers who engage in all-out war. It’s a wild comedy that never takes itself too seriously.
Romancing The Stone (86%)
Douglas and Turner teamed for the first time in this adventure comedy where their chemistry was immediately apparent. Turner stars as a novelist who travels to Colombia to find her kidnapped sister with the help of a selfish treasure hunter (Douglas).
Douglas gets to do his best Indiana Jones impression, making for a very entertaining hero. Turner is a great comedic partner for him, and the fun story is the perfect vehicle for them to play off one another. It’s a funny and thrilling throwback adventure.
Ant-Man And The Wasp (88%)
Douglas returned to the MCU in the first Ant-Man sequel which saw Hank Pym’s daughter, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) take up the hero mantel of The Wasp. The sequel finds out heroes once again teaming up to rescue Hank’s long-lost wife from the Quantum Realm.
The second film wisely keeps the adventure smaller than the other MCU films while still delivering plenty of action and spectacle. Once again, the comedy is a great aspect that separates it from other superhero films.
The American President (91%)
Douglas has always excelled at playing powerful characters so it seemed inevitable that he would play the President of the United States before too long. The American President stars Douglas as a widowed President who falls for a Washington reporter played by Annette Benning.
With a script by Aaron Sorkin, the film is filled with sharp and smart dialogue which is performed by an incredible cast. Douglas and Benning make for a lovely couple in this unique and entertaining romantic comedy.
Traffic (92%)
Though he brings plenty of star power himself, Douglas is not above acting as part of an ensemble as he does in Steven Soderberg’s Oscar-winning drama Traffic. The film tells multiple intersecting stories all surrounding the war on drugs. Douglas plays a Washington judge who is appointed to an anti-drug task force while dealing with more personal consequences of the drug trade.
The cast is impeccable, with several standouts in the various and equally compelling stories. Soderberg expertly weaves the ambitious story together creating a powerful and impactful look at the issue that has no easy answers.
Behind the Candelabra (95%)
Douglas teamed with Soderberg once again for a very different kind of movie. Behind the Candelabra is a behind the scenes look at famed musician and pianist Liberace, played by Michael Douglas. Matt Damon co-stars as a young man seduced into Liberace’s life of luxury.
Douglas gives one of his best performances switching between charming and selfish, funny and heartbreaking so flawlessly. He has great chemistry with Damon and the movie juggles a light yet genuine tone throughout its compelling story.
