Geoffrey Rush’s 10 Best Movies, According To IMDb

Captain Jack Sparrow might be the coolest pirate ever, but Hector Barbossa is definitely not far behind. Of course, one of the reasons why Barbossa is so great is because Geoffrey Rush portrayed him so well enriching the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise with his performance.

Geoffrey Rush didn’t have many iconic roles, but he definitely starred in some really good movies. Here are Geoffrey Rush’s 10 Best Movies, According To IMDb.

10 Elizabeth (1998) – 7.4

In the 1998 biographical drama Elizabeth, Cate Blanchett plays Queen Elizabeth I of England with Geoffrey Rush playing Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth’s principal secretary, alongside her. After the death of Elizabeth’s half-sister Mary I who had imprisoned her, Elizabeth has to deal with those who plot to take her down.

Though it wasn’t entirely accurate historically, the film was positively received both by critics and audiences. It was nominated in seven categories on the 71st Academy Awards and won Best Makeup.

9 Frida (2002) – 7.4

Based on the 1983 book Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo, 2002’s Frida is a biographical drama with Salma Hayek playing the titular role (which is considered Hayek’s breakthrough). The film depicts the private and professional life of the Mexican surrealist artist. Rush has a minor role.

The film was praised by virtually everyone. It was nominated in six categories on the 75th Academy Awards – including a nomination for Hayek – winning Best Makeup and Best Original Score.

8 Les Miserables (1998) – 7.5

Yet another adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel of the same name, 1998’s Les Miserables depicts the lives of several characters – with Jean Valjean being at the center of the story – before and during the June Rebellion in Paris in 1832. Rush plays Inspector Javert who is pursuing Jean Valjean.

There are not many exceptional things to point out about Les Miserables except for its generally favorable reception and a cast that includes such big names as Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman.

7 Munich (2005) – 7.5

Produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, Munich is a 2005 historical drama based on the 1984 book Vengeance detailing the events of Operation Wrath of God, a secret scheme by the Israeli government planned after the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Rush only has a minor role here.

The film also stars Eric Bana and Daniel Craig in titular roles, but what is the most remarkable about it are the five nominations at the 78th Academy Awards as well as nominations at other prestigious awards.

6 The Book Thief (2013) – 7.6

Another film based on the book of the same name, The Book Thief is a 2013 war drama starring Sophie Nelisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Nico Liersch. The story is set during the Nazi era and focuses on a young girl living with her German foster family.

The film received mixed reviews, but John Williams was nominated for his score at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Grammy Awards (winning the Grammy).

5 Shine (1996) – 7.7

Shine is a 1996 biographical drama about the life of David Helfgott, an Australian pianist who went through a mental breakdown spending many years in institutions. Rush played the title role. There are some historical inaccuracies, but the film was well-received nonetheless.

For his performance, Geoffrey Rush won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. Shine also received six other Academy Award nominations, four other Golden Globe nominations, and six other BAFTA nominations (winning Best Sound).

4 The Best Offer (2013) – 7.8

This English-language Italian psychological thriller – originally known as La migliore offerta – has a music score composed by the legendary Ennio Morricone. The Best Offer tells the story of an art expert who works for a mysterious heiress. He discovers that it’s not just her art worth examining.

Much like The Book Thief, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Nevertheless, it received various European awards and nominations for awards.

3 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) – 8.0

Geoffrey Rush’s Hector Barbossa is rightfully his most recognizable role. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl became a surprise hit in 2003 changing the pirate sub-genre forever. Based on the Disneyland attraction of the same name, it tells the story of pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, blacksmith Will Turner, and governor’s daughter Elizabeth Swann.

Starring Johnny Depp, Will Turner, and Keira Knightley, the film got five Academy Awards nominations, one Golden Globe nomination (for Depp), and five BAFTA nominations (winning Best Makeup and Hair).

2 The King’s Speech (2010) – 8.0

The King’s Speech is a historical drama starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, and others. The film tells the story of the future King George VI who has to seek help from the Australian speech and language therapist to help with his stammer.

The film was very well-received and got numerous nominations and awards including twelve Academy Awards nominations (winning four of them), seven Golden Globes nominations (winning one), and fourteen BAFTA nominations (winning seven).

1 Finding Nemo (2003) – 8.1

Finding Nemo is probably one of Pixar’s most well-known animated feature films. It tells the story of Marlin, a clownfish who is being overprotective towards his only son Nemo. When Nemo is captured, Marlin pairs up with Dory, a regal blue tang with short-term memory loss, to find his son and bring him home.

The film received nearly universal acclaim and got nominated in four categories at the 76th Academy Awards winning Best Animated Feature, in one category at the Golden Globes, and in one category at the BAFTAs.

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