Mickey Rourke: 10 Best Movies Ranked, According To IMDb

Mickey Rourke has been acting in major motion pictures since the late 1970s. He is known for a variety of roles early on in his career like The Pope of Greenwich Village. Following his preliminary years, a whole new generation came to understand Rourke’s work.

Some say his likable character in The Wrestler helped the actor form a major comeback in Hollywood. However, Rourke never took a long hiatus from acting. He has appeared in dozens of movies over the years. Fans have taken to IMDb to rank the best movies he has contributed to.

Barfly — 7.2

A Charles Bukowski story comes to life in Barfly. He wrote the screenplay, and the story brings his classic autobiographical character Henry Chinaski to the silver screen. Chinaski spends his time stumbling from bar to bar in Los Angeles in a film that is driven more by style than narrative.

Rourke stars as Chinaski. Fans of the film might say he transforms effortlessly into Bukowski’s alcoholic caricature. Barfly devotees perhaps say the movie couldn’t have been made without Rourke, who acts as the heart and soul of the film.

Rumble Fish — 7.2

Rumble Fish articulates a beloved young adult novel on film. It is based on the book of the same name by S.E. Hinton, who wrote The Outsiders. Matt Dillon, who stars in the film adaptation of The Outsiders, also stars in Rumble Fish. The films are also linked by their director, Francis Ford Coppola. Some fans say Rumble Fish is one of Coppola’s best movies.

Mickey Rourke co-stars as Motorcycle Boy. It is only Rourke’s sixth feature role, but fans of the movie might say he shows his talents early on in his career. Others might simply praise the film for its storytelling, crafted by Coppola and the impressive cast joining Rourke, including Lawrence Fishburne and Dennis Hopper.

The Rainmaker — 7.2

Mickey Rourke collaborated with director Francis Ford Coppola for a second time when he appeared in The Rainmaker. The movie presents a legal drama. Matt Damon stars as Rudy Baylor, an aspiring lawyer, looking for some of his first cases while awaiting licensure. Before long, he becomes more emotionally invested in a case than he initially plans.

Rourke plays Baylor’s sleazy boss J. Lyman “Bruiser” Stone. While Baylor wants to be a legitimate and moral lawyer, he starts out working for Bruiser out of desperation. Fans of the movie might say Rourke shows his adaptability as one of the movie’s less affable characters. Others perhaps say his role is memorable, even though he isn’t one of The Rainmaker‘s main stars.

Man Of God — 7.3

Man Of God is Mickey Rourke’s most recent movie. It follows the story of religious men and the work of a saint, Nectarios of Aegina, during the turn of the century. It is a Greek production, but an English-language film.

Rourke plays a paralyzed man in Man Of God. The character is unnamed. Fans of the movie might say his supporting role helps highlight the character development of Nectarios. Others perhaps say the film brings an interesting chunk of history to life on screen.

Angel Heart — 7.3

Audiences are presented with a psychological and supernatural neo-noir with Angel Heart. It follows the story of Mickey Rourke’s Harry Angel as he tries to uncover the mystery of various murders in New Orleans after being hired by Robert DeNiro’s Louis Cyphre.

Rourke carries the movie as its star, and audiences see him easily take on the role of a rugged private investigator. Fans of the film might say Rourke brings a special quality to the ethereal crime thriller. Others might praise the film for its twists and turns, highlit by its unexpected ending showcasing Rourke’s emotional performance.

Body Heat — 7.4

Body Heat is only Mickey Rourke’s fourth theatrical role, but some fans would call it one of the most memorable. The neo-noir thriller follows the steamy relationship between William Hurt’s Ned Racine and Kathleen Turner’s Matty Tyler Walker and a twisting tale of murder that follows.

Mickey Rourke plays Teddy Lewis, who helps Ned and Kathleen in their dirty deeds. Fans of the movie might say it is a well-crafted updated take on a classic film noir story. Other devotees perhaps say Rourke adds undeniable support to the film’s other notable performances.

Buffalo ’66 — 7.5

Buffalo ’66 follows Vincent Gallo’s Billy Brown. He also directs the film. Brown kidnaps Christina Ricci’s Layla in order to show her off to his parents as his girlfriend. She joins him as he seeks revenge on the football player who lands him in jail after losing a bet and taking a Bookie’s rap for payment.

Mickey Rourke plays The Bookie. It isn’t the actor’s most prominent role. However, fans of Buffalo ’66 perhaps say the movie’s cult reputation speaks for itself, and couldn’t have gained it without Rourke’s addition.

Man On Fire — 7.7

Man On Fire is one of Denzel Washington’s highest-rated movies. He stars as John Creasy, a US Marine Corps Captain. He becomes a bodyguard, and the story unfolds after a child he is meant to protect is kidnapped.

Mickey Rourke plays Jordan Kalfus, a lawyer who suspiciously suggests a kidnapping insurance policy be opened before Creasy’s assignment is abducted. Fans of the movie perhaps say the thrilling action sequences make Man On Fire one of Rourke’s highest-rated movies.

The Wrestler — 7.9

It is hard to argue The Wrestler doesn’t present one of Mickey Rourke’s standout roles. He is the star of the film. The Wrestler is one of director Darren Aronofsky’s highest-rated movies. It tells the heartbreaking story of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a professional wrestler past his prime. Audiences see Randy struggle with the physical, emotional, and social consequences of his career that leaves him estranged from his daughter and largely alone.

Fans of The Wrestler would say the movie presents perhaps Rourke’s best role. Audiences might have a hard time imagining The Wrestler without Mickey Rourke. Devotees would say he carries the film and gives one of his most emotionally and physically-demanding performances. Aronofsky’s direction and the other performances by the movie’s small cast might be reasons for praising The Wrestler.

Sin City — 8.0

Sin City is Mickey Rourke’s highest-rated movie on IMDb, and one of the biggest blockbusters he has been a part of. Adapted from Frank Miller’s acclaimed graphic novel, the movie is broken up into a few stories tied together by location and a distinct film noir aesthetic. Rourke stars as Marv in the story called “The Hard Goodbye.”

“The Hard Goodbye” is a classic detective story, as Marv tries to avenge a woman he meets after waking up to find her dead in his bed. Fans of Sin City would say the movie’s innovative filmmaking techniques and neck-break action have garnered a deserving reputation. Rourke fans would say his chapter in Sin City is most memorable, thanks in part to the actor’s standout performance.

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