Although Nicolas Cage’s career has had several ups and downs throughout the years, he is undeniably one of Hollywood’s most talented actors working. He has a charisma that has established himself in several genres including drama, science fiction, comedy, and action. He proved with his Oscar-winning performance in Leaving Las Vegas that he can completely transform into a character both physically and mentally. Cage has worked with several prominent filmmakers including Oliver Stone, David Lynch, and John Woo. In his later years, Cage has taken on several movies that unfortunately received negative reviews. With that said, Cage gives every performance his all, and he is always entertaining.

Recently, Cage received critical acclaim for his subtle, yet effective, performance as a recluse on a quest for his truffle pig in the film, Pig. He showed the world, once again, his emotional range and his ability to deliver a fine performance. Even more recently, Cage hit the screen, playing himself in the action/comedy film, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. Many could say that, with these two hits, Cage is on his way towards an epic comeback. Throughout the years, Cage has starred in several independent films. He is always surprising audiences with the films, and roles, that he takes on. Let’s dive into Nicolas Cage’s best independent movies, ranked.

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8 Mom and Dad

     Momentum Pictures

Brian Taylor’s Mom and Dad has a good blend of comedy and horror throughout the film. The film follows an unexplained phenomenon that turns parents into sadistic killers who try to murder their own children. Although it isn’t the greatest film of Cage’s career, it is certainly entertaining from beginning to end. At the same time, Cage delivers several expected moments of utter chaos.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 Color Out Of Space

     RLJE Films

The science fiction film, Color out of Space, follows a family’s journey after a meteorite crash-lands on their farm, infecting their entire surroundings with a beautiful color and a strange alien force. It is a solid science fiction film that showcases paranoia, isolation, and fear throughout. At the same time, the cinematography is vibrant and beautiful. Cage gives a solid performance as the family’s patriarch.

6 Mandy

Nicolas Cage goes all the way back to the 1980s in Mandy as a lumberjack on a bloody quest to get his kidnapped wife (Andrea Riseborough) back from a deranged cult. It is a solid revenge film, filled with violence, action, and spectacular cinematography. Cage gives everything he’s got with his performance. It is a highly original film.

5 Joe

     Worldview Entertainment

Joe is a great film following an ex-con who becomes a father figure to an abused boy played by Tye Sheridan. Although Cage’s character is a troubled man, he rises to the occasion to become the hero of the story. It is an endearing film and Cage gives a fantastic performance as Joe. At the same time, Cage and Sheridan’s chemistry is top-notch.

4 Wild At Heart

     The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Nicolas Cage acted opposite Laura Dern and Willem Dafoe in acclaimed filmmaker David Lynch’s Wild at Heart. Cage plays a sailor, recently released from prison, who begins a romantic relationship with Lula (Dern) despite her mother’s disapproval. It is a highly original love story filled with thrills and violence, and Lynch proved his capabilites as a filmmaker, once again.

3 The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

     Lionsgate

In Nicolas Cage’s most recent film, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, he plays a version of himself who travels on a job to visit a big fan, played by Pedro Pascal. Unexpectedly, he becomes involved in a mission from the CIA. It is a zany roller coaster ride of a film filled with a great blend of action and comedy. Cage absolutely shines playing a fictionalized version of himself. The film currently has an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

2 Pig

     AI Film

Many were surprised that a film following a recluse on a revenge quest for his truffle pig would be so effective. Cage gives a spectacular performance as a broken and lonely man on an unexpected mission in Pig. At the same time, we see through his performance a deep backstory of how his life was before. The chemistry between Cage and Alex Wolff was great, and there are also several moments that any foodie could enjoy.

1 Leaving Las Vegas

     MGM

Nicolas Cage gives the finest performance of his career in Mike Figgis’ Leaving Las Vegas, based on John O’Brien’s novel of the same name. Cage plays Ben, an alcoholic screenwriter, who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. On the way, he meets a prostitute named Sera (Elizabeth Shue) giving us a fantastic and unexpected love story. Shue and Cage absolutely nail their performances and Cage took home the Academy Award for Best Actor.