The film world lost an unbelievable talent with the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2014. In his all-too-short life, Hoffman had already cemented himself as one of the best actors of his generation with a number of amazing performances.
Though we will sadly never see a new performance from Hoffman, he did leave behind so many great films so that we can look back and remember the immense talent of this man. From dramas to comedies, supporting roles to leading man roles, these are Philip Seymour Hoffman's best movies, according to IMDb.
Hoffman teamed with acclaimed auteur Spike Lee and an amazing cast for the drama 25th Hour. Edward Norton stars as a man on his final day of freedom before he starts a long prison sentence. Hoffman plays Norton's strait-laced teacher friend who joins him for one last night on the town.
Hoffman and Norton are joined by some great supporting players, including Rosario Dawson and Brain Cox, with everyone delivering stellar performances. Lee once again delivers a compelling story set in post-9/11 New York City.
Synecdoche, New York is the mind-bending directorial debut from the brilliant writer Charlie Kaufman. Hoffman stars as a who attempts to stage an ambitious new play that will give meaning to his life.
The movie is a fascinating look inside the creative mind, what drives it, and the obsession over one's creations. Hoffman is spectacular in the film and Kaufman proves to be a talented director. It is another of Kaufman's stories that blurs the line between reality and fiction.
Hoffman reteamed with his friend Bennett Miller for this excellent sports drama. Based on a true story, Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. Unable to compete with the richer organizations, Beane uses statistics to form a winning team.
Hoffman gives a subdued yet winning performance as the team's beleaguered coach. Pitt is captivating in the lead role and the sharp script helps make this a totally engrossing and entertaining drama, even for people who hate baseball and math.
Hoffman spent much of his early career giving standout performances in indie ensembles, like Happiness. This pitch-dark comedy tells the story of a number of individuals living their own disturbed lives as they pine for human connection.
Hoffman gives a tremendous performance as a lonely and depressed man who is desperately in love with his attractive neighbor. The subject matter may be too much for some to handle but it is a darkly hilarious look at some colorful characters.
Even with limited screen time, Hoffman can steal the show. In Almost Famous, Hoffman has a small supporting role as a rock journalist who inspired a young writer to follow an up-and-coming rock band on tour. Along the way, the young man falls for a free-spirited music lover.
The movie is a wonderful and entertaining love letter to the rock era of the 1970s from filmmaker Cameron Crowe. It is filled with great performance, including Hoffman's brief but memorable appearance.
Hoffman was a frequent collaborator of filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and the two made some amazing movies together. Boogie Nights explores the porn industry of the 1970s as it follows a young man (Mark Wahlberg) who becomes an adult film superstar.
The film is packed with great actors like Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, and John C. Reilly all doing great work. It is an epic and surprisingly touching journey about the ups-and-downs of fame and an unconventional family.
One of Hoffman's first feature film appearances was in the Oscar-winning film Scent of a Woman. The movie stars Al Pacino as a blind army veteran who takes a young private school student under his wing. Hoffman plays the young man's conniving friend.
The movie features the only Oscar-winning role for Pacino to date. He relishes the juicy role, chewing the scenery in every scene and making the movie all the more interesting with his intense and riveting performance.
Hoffman teamed with Paul Thomas Anderson again for Magnolia. The film features another all-star cast as it tells the interlocking stories of a group of individuals in Los Angeles searching for love, forgiveness, and meaning in their lives.
The film features so many great actors including Tom Cruise, John C. Reilly, and Julianne Moore. Hoffman gets a sympathetic role as a kindly nurse caring for a dying old man and helping him with his final wish. It is a unique and beautiful film.
Mary and Max is Hoffman's only animated feature from his filmography, but it is a brilliant though underseen gem. The claymation film tells the story of a lonely young girl in Australia (voiced by Toni Collette) and a lonely middle-aged man in New York (Hoffman) who form a friendship as pen pals.
The unique animation draws the audience into the story, but the funny and touching writing is what makes it some interesting. The exploration of these two characters is funny, insightful, and heartbreaking which all adds up to an unforgettable film.
Hoffman delivers yet another scene-stealing supporting role in the Coen Brother's hilarious comedy The Big Lebowski. The film stars Jeff Bridges as a lazy stoner in Los Angeles who becomes wrapped up in a case of mistaken identity and kidnapping. Hoffman plays the awkward aide of the titular rich businessman.
The film is filled with the kind of colorful characters one would expect from a Coen Brothers movie as well as a bizarre sense of humor. It is an endlessly quotable take on film noir with a main character who cannot be bothered to care.
