Keanu Reeves, the Canadian actor born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, commenced his acting career in 1985 with the short film “One Step Away”, subsequently securing roles in notable projects like “River’s Edge”, “Babes in Toyland”, and “Brotherhood of Justice.” He is cherished for iconic performances such as Ted “Theodore” Logan in “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure”, Jack Traven in “Speed”, and Neo in the revolutionary “Matrix” trilogy.
Moreover, his venture into action and martial arts, particularly in the “John Wick” series, highlights his physicality and intensity on-screen. Reeves’ filmography, ranging from thrillers to romances, illustrates his unparalleled versatility and ability to embody a wide array of characters, making him a beloved and enduring figure in the cinematic world.
10. John Wick (2014)
“John Wick” is a 2014 action crime thriller film featuring Keanu Reeves in the iconic role of John Wick. He plays an ex-assassin who retired from his violent profession after marrying the love of his life, Helen. However, her sudden death leaves him devastated and mourning.
During this period, a group of Russian gangsters led by Iosef Tarasov encounters John Wick at a gas station. They fail to intimidate him into selling his 1969 Boss 429 Mustang. Later on, these gangsters steal his car and kill the beagle puppy that was gifted to him by Helen.
This tragic event pushes John Wick to return to his old ways as an efficient killing machine, and he embarks on a journey to avenge his loss. The film showcases Keanu Reeves performing elaborate action sequences and stunts, utilizing a diverse array of weapons and martial arts techniques.
9. Point Break (1991)
“Point Break” is a 1991 crime action film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and written by W. Peter Iliff. The movie features Keanu Reeves as the lead actor alongside Patrick Swayze. The film’s title refers to the surfing term “point break”, where a wave breaks as it hits a point of land jutting out from the coastline.
In the film, Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Utah, an undercover FBI agent tasked with investigating a gang of bank robbers known as The Ex-Presidents. The robbers wear masks of former U.S. Presidents during their heists.
Patrick Swayze portrays Bodhi, the leader of the gang and a skilled surfer. As Johnny infiltrates the group, he becomes enamored with their lifestyle and faces challenges in apprehending them. The movie features thrilling action sequences and showcases the extreme sports culture of the early 1990s.
8. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
“My Own Private Idaho” is a 1991 American independent adventure drama film starring Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix. In this story, Reeves and Phoenix play two street hustlers, Scott Favor and Mike Waters, respectively. Scott is the wayward son of Portland’s mayor, while Mike is a sensitive narcoleptic who dreams of his abandoning mother.
The film presents the characters’ journey of self-discovery and their evolving relationship. Gus Van Sant, who wrote and directed the movie, is known for his unique filmmaking style, combining elements of realism and surrealism.
7. The Matrix (1999)
“The Matrix” is a 1999 sci-fi action film starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers that his world is a simulated reality called the Matrix. Directed and written by the Wachowskis, the film explores themes of reality, perception, and free will.
Carrie-Anne Moss co-stars as Trinity, a skilled hacker and member of a group of rebels led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) who fight against the Matrix’s oppressive machines. Together, they aim to free humanity from the Matrix’s control.
6. The Devil’s Advocate (1997)
“The Devil’s Advocate” is a 1997 American supernatural horror film directed by Taylor Hackford. The plot revolves around an exceptional Florida lawyer, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves), who has never lost a case. He is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a powerful boss, John Milton (Al Pacino). Kevin accepts the opportunity, despite his mother’s disapproval.
As Kevin climbs the ranks within the firm, his wife, played by Charlize Theron, starts feeling homesick and begins to experience devilish apparitions. The film explores themes of temptation, power, and the battle between good and evil. Hell and demons are central elements in the story, involving characters facing moral dilemmas and supernatural occurrences.
5. A Scanner Darkly (2006)
“A Scanner Darkly” is a 2006 American adult animated psychological science fiction thriller film. It is directed by Richard Linklater and based on the 1977 novel of the same name by Philip K. Dick. The movie presents a dystopian future in suburban Orange County, California, where America has lost the war on drugs.
Keanu Reeves stars as the main character, an undercover cop called Bob Arctor. His mission is to infiltrate a group of drug users and dealers. As he becomes more deeply involved in their lives, he starts to question his own identity and the reality of his surroundings.
The movie’s unique visual style is achieved by using rotoscoping, an animation technique that traces over live-action footage. This gives A Scanner Darkly’s animation a distinctive, surreal quality that matches its complex and dark storyline.
4. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
“The Matrix Reloaded” is a 2003 science-fiction action film, and the second installment in the Matrix film series, following the 1999 release of The Matrix. The movie was written and directed by the Wachowskis and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss in the lead roles.
The plot revolves around freedom fighters Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who continue to lead the revolt against the Machine Army. As Zion falls under siege to the Machine Army, with an impending attack by 250,000 Sentinels, Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus return to the Matrix. They utilize their arsenal of extraordinary skills and weaponry to challenge the forces that seek to destroy humanity.
3. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is a 1989 American science fiction comedy film directed by Stephen Herek and written by Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon. This film marked the first installment of the Bill & Ted franchise, starring Keanu Reeves as Ted “Theodore” Logan and Alex Winter as Bill S. Preston, Esq.
The movie follows two rock-‘n-rolling teenagers, on the verge of failing their history class. They embark on a quest to make the ultimate school history report after being presented with a time machine. With the help of Rufus, played by George Carlin, Bill and Ted travel through time to learn from historical figures firsthand.
2. River’s Edge (1986)
“River’s Edge” is a 1986 American crime drama film directed by Tim Hunter and written by Neal Jimenez. The film stars Keanu Reeves alongside a talented cast including Crispin Glover, Ione Skye, Daniel Roebuck, and Alan Boyce. The plot follows a group of teenagers in a Northern California town who grapple with the murder of a girlfriend by one of their friends and the subsequent disposal of her body.
Crispin Glover plays Layne, a flamboyant and reckless character who takes charge of the group’s response to the murder. Keanu Reeves portrays Matt, a high school slacker, torn between loyalty to his friends and his conscience. Ione Skye, in her film debut, plays Clarissa, a conflicted teenager who struggles with the disturbing nature of the crime. Daniel Roebuck delivers a chilling performance as the murderer, Samson “John” Tollet, while Alan Boyce appears as the enigmatic Tim.
The film delves deep into the lives of these misguided teenagers, presenting a bleak depiction of aimless youth. Strong performances by the cast, including Reeves and Glover, generate an atmosphere of tension and urgency that is prevalent throughout the entire film.
1. The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
“The Matrix Revolutions” is a 2003 installment in the science fiction action film series, written and directed by the Wachowskis. As the third movie in the series, it was released six months after The Matrix Reloaded. The film features Keanu Reeves as the lead character, reprising his role as Neo.
The storyline revolves around the human city of Zion, which defends itself against a massive invasion of machines. Neo finds himself fighting on multiple fronts to end the war while also confronting the antagonist, rogue Agent Smith. Reeves plays opposite Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss, who portray Morpheus and Trinity, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some popular 90s movies starring Keanu Reeves?
Some popular 90s movies starring Keanu Reeves include “Speed” (1994), “Point Break” (1991), “The Matrix” (1999), “My Own Private Idaho” (1991), and “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997).
Which Keanu Reeves movies are considered comedies?
Keanu Reeves has starred in several comedies, such as “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989), “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey” (1991), and “The Replacements” (2000).
What are the essential 80s films featuring Keanu Reeves?
Some essential 80s films featuring Keanu Reeves are “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” (1989), “River’s Edge” (1986), “Permanent Record” (1988), and “Parenthood” (1989), where he played Tod Hawkes.
What is Keanu Reeves’ biggest film?
Keanu Reeves’ biggest film is arguably “The Matrix” (1999), which was a huge box-office success and a massive cultural phenomenon.
What are Keanu Reeves’ most recent movie releases?
Keanu Reeves’ most recent movie releases include “Bill & Ted Face the Music” (2020), “The Matrix Resurrections” (2021), and “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019).
