Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a supremely talented actor, who knows how to immerse himself in every role he plays, regardless of the genre. While sometimes he’s taken on the part of a rebellious NSA contractor, he’s at other times performed as the son of a U.S. president, a struggling cancer patient, and a dreamy-eyed greeting card writer. Because of his versatility, we decided to look at all of the actor’s best movies. Rather than picking our own favorites, however, we decided to turn to the stats on IMDb.
The popular entertainment website has assigned every one of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s films a star rating. This score is based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10. We’ll be using these to determine which films are better than the rest.
With that said, it’s time to head to the movies; Here are Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s best films, according to IMDb.
Snowden (7.3)
Inspired by real-life events, this 2016 thriller tells the story of a contractor who leaves his position at the National Security Agency and leaks classified information after he learns that the government is spying on non-threatening Americans. This controversial move has the man — Edward Snowden — earning praise from some and hate from others.
Gordon-Levitt plays the titular character while Shailene Woodley plays his love interest, Lindsay Mills. Documentarian Laura Poitras is played by Melissa Leo while Zachary Quinto takes on journalist Glenn Greenwald.
Lincoln (7.3)
This 2012 historical drama film has President Abraham Lincoln working hard to bring an end to the Civil War, abolish slavery, and bring peace back to the U.S.
Though Daniel Day-Lewis plays the president, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays his first son: Robert Todd Lincoln.
The film ended up on many critics end-of-year top-10 lists and scored multiple Academy Awards and nominations.
10 Things I Hate About You (7.3)
This iconic ‘99 rom-com tells a modernized version of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Rather than taking place in Padua in the 16th century, the plot is moved to an American high school in the ’90s.
While Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger play the leading couple, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Cameron James, a new student at Padua High School who develops a huge crush on Bianca Stratford.
If “Where can I find teen nostalgia?” is the question, 10 Things I Hate About You is the answer.
Looper (7.4)
Set in the future, this sci-fi film tells the story of a group of killers called “loopers” who eliminate people by sending them back in the time. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a member of this group (Joe). The problem comes after he exposed to the dark side of his job when his bosses send a future version of himself back to the past to be murdered.
Bruce Willis joined the cast as Old Joe while Emily Blunt played a farm woman whom Joe eventually get intertwined with named Sara.
Mysterious Skin (7.6)
This coming-of-age drama tells of two adults who deal with the aftermath of the sexual abuse they faced as kids on a basketball team. While one of these men becomes a male prostitute, the other starts to believe in a strange alien abduction fantasy.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the first of these characters while Brady Corbet plays the later of the two. Though the content is heavy, the story was well-received for being thought-provoking and even hopeful.
50/50 (7.6)
This comedy-drama tells the story of a public radio journalist who becomes diagnosed with schwannoma neurofibrosarcoma and a tumor. This has him undergoing chemotherapy and attempting to beat the survival odds, which are 50/50.
While Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the lead character, Adam Lerner, Seth Rogen plays his best friend. Bryce Dallas Howard stars in the movie as Adam’s girlfriend, and Anna Kendrick plays the role of his charming, young therapist.
The film was well-loved for dealing with the heavy realities of cancer while sprinkling in a nice dose of good-hearted humor.
500 Days Of Summer (7.7)
500 Days of Summer is a comedy-drama that tells the story of a failed relationship through a series of nonlinear flashbacks.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the leading man, an architect who wastes his potential as a greeting card writer in L.A. Zooey Deschanel plays the girl he falls for, who is the office’s newest assistant. Yes, she also shares his taste in music, and unluckily for him, she doesn’t believe in love.
The film’s high-reviews and universal love has earned itself a spot amongst the world’s modern romantic classics.
The Wind Rises (7.8)
This beautifully designed anime film had Joseph Gordon-Levitt once again teaming up with Emily Blunt.
Released in 2013 in Japan and re-recorded and released to American audiences in 2014, the film tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi, who is known for designing Japanese fighter aircrafts.
Names including John Krasinski, Martin Short, and Stanley Tucci also show up on the cast list. Gordon-Levitt plays Horikoshi himself.
The Dark Knight Rises (8.4)
This 2012 DC Comics film has Batman jumping back into action after a cat burglar and terrorist threaten Gotham City with nuclear destruction.
Christian Bale reprised his role as Batman, Anne Hathaway plays Catwoman, and Tomy Hardy plays the terroristic Bane. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows up as John Blake, a police officer who helps out Batman and holds a lot more optimism than him. It is revealed that Gordon-Levitt’s character is a reference to Batman’s comic sidekick, Robin.
The Dark Knight Rises garnered many positive reviews from critics who found the film to be as thought-out and exciting as ever.
Inception (8.8)
Dom Cobb is a thief, but not in the normal sense. Rather than stealing objects, he steals people’s secrets by entering their dreams. Cobb’s biggest mission yet comes when rather than taking memories, he attempts to plant an idea inside of someone’s mind.
While Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the starring role, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays his cunning partner.
The film was deemed smart, exciting, and fully entrancing. It ended up on many critics year-end top-10 lists and received a handful of Academy Awards.
