Johnny Depp has made a career for himself by distancing himself from the typical leading man and taking on more twisted roles. He is known for getting under the skin of his characters, down to their mannerisms and dialogue delivery.
His role in Jim Jarmusch’s psychedelic western Dead Man proved that he was not your ordinary movie star.
1. Edward Scissorhands
When it comes to spooky, Gothic fairy tales that are filled with a bit of dark humor and a dose of morality, this movie is one that everyone should see. Johnny Depp embodies the character of Edward with true passion and sensitivity. This yesmovies film tells the story of a man who is unfinished by his inventor and is left with scissors for hands. He lives a lonely existence in his crumbling mansion until kind-hearted Avon lady Peg Boggs (an astounding performance from Dianne Wiest) brings him into her home and family.
This is the movie that gave audiences a chance to get acquainted with Johnny Depp’s unique acting style and talent. He later went on to star in many other Tim Burton films, such as the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and 2015’s gangster biopic Black Mass, which stars real-life Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger.
2. Alice in Wonderland
When it comes to a perfect pairing for an actor, director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are it. The pair worked together on a number of films that are regarded as cult classics, including the gothic supernatural film Sleepy Hollow. In the movie, Depp portrays Ichabod Crane who travels to the titular town on a mission to investigate a series of grisly murders blamed on the Headless Horseman.
The gothic horror film Dark Shadows is another example of the magical pairing between Burton and Depp. In this film, he plays Barnabas Collins, a vampire who returns to his ancestral home to protect his dysfunctional descendants.
Few actors can get into character as well as Johnny Depp. His methodical approach to performance allows him to transform into his characters and pull off their mannerisms with ease. Sweeney Todd is a great example of this talent, as he brings the Demon Barber of Fleet Street to life with his acting and costume design.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
The sequel to the 2003 blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a massive hit and brought in even more cash than its predecessor. This time around Depp returned as rogue pirate Captain Jack Sparrow, who has a debt to pay to Davy Jones the demonic ruler of the ocean depths.
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have a long history of working together, starting with the 1990 teen musical Edward Scissorhands. Burton took the idea of a man with scissor blades for hands from a drawing he made as a teenager. This film also marked the first time Depp was required to sing, and he did so brilliantly as Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Martin Scorsese’s mob classics Goodfellas and Casino are often cited as some of the best gangster films, but Donnie Brasco is another to add to this list. Starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, this crime drama is thrilling, suspenseful and incredibly realistic.
4. The Lone Ranger
As one of the most renowned and beloved actors, Depp has had a storied career that includes several classic films and hits. But it is also no secret that he has had some flops as well. A few years after he starred in the horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street, Depp was cast as the lead character in Edward Scissorhands, marking his first collaboration with director Tim Burton. From there, he went on to star in Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow.
While the Lone Ranger was a box office hit in the United States, it suffered from poor critical reception and poor sales abroad. But even with this, the film is still a solid entry in the actor’s portfolio. Gore Verbinski tries to revive the Western franchise with his usual flamboyance of visual gags, left-field references, bit characters, John Ford and Sergio Leone impressions and eccentric framing devices.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp was at his most popular when he starred in this blockbuster. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow, the flamboyant pirate who seeks freedom in the coastal city Port Royal. When he is betrayed by his first mate Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), he is consumed with retrieving a gold medallion that can bring back his beloved Black Pearl.
Despite the low expectations for this film, it was a huge success. The movie lays the groundwork for four more movies in the series, and is a lot of fun to watch. Depp’s performance as Sparrow is not only memorable but iconic. He was reportedly inspired by the look of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards for his character. The make-up and costume team also deserve a lot of the credit for his look.