Film Junk Poll: What is the Best Johnny Depp Movie?

There’s been some debate over the past few years as to whether or not Johnny Depp has “sold out”, at least in the sense that he has foregone all artistic aspirations in favour of sanitized Disney blockbusters. I don’t completely buy that argument, especially since he’s currently in the process of filming his seventh movie with Tim Burton (eighth if you count Corpse Bride), with whom he has maintained a fruitful artistic relationship throughout most of his career. Still, it does feel like he earned a lot more acclaim for his earlier performances (although, ironically, his first Oscar nomination didn’t come until the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie). So let’s settle it once and for all: what is Johnny Depp’s best work to date? Cast your vote in this week’s poll and discuss further in the comments below.

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  • Beerdude

    Dead Man and Sleepy Hollow are my near the top for me.

  • Nelson

    Honestly, I think he’s a very talented guy, period. I haven’t seen all the movies listed on the poll, but I have seen enough to know that he pretty much excels in any role that he is in, though some of his films make more and some make less.

    None of his performances ever feel “the same” to me and I never get the idea that he is cast in a part to simply play Johnny Depp. When I see a preview for a movie or hear about a movie in which Johnny is cast, I know he is going to put forth his best effort.

    When I watch him perform I always have the feeling that he loves what he is doing and that makes me appreciate his work all the more.

  • Mike

    He’s the most overrated actor in movies.

  • HerlyGirl

    My fav is Benny & June which isn’t even on the list. His character is so one of a kind in that movie, and I doubt anyone else would’ve been able to pull it off the same way.

  • mark

    Dead Man

  • Henrik

    Sleepy Hollow.

  • My favourite film featuring Johnny Depp is Secret Window.

  • neve6

    also loved him in sleepy hollow and secret window

  • T. Heilman

    I’m reserving judgement until the long-delayed Rum Diary adaptation is released.

  • Rynn

    Sleepy Hollow

  • Bas

    I love quirky Depp (Sleepy Hollow & the first Pirates) but I chose Donnie Brasco because there he shows some acting skills. Not the most fun, but maybe his “best”.

  • Rick

    greatest actor of our generation. PERIOD!

  • HBZ

    Hunter S. Thompson was the perfect super weirdo for Depp to crawl into: Kerouac of the hardcores
    Hunter S. Thompson

    Directed by Terry Gilliam
    Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
    is The drig experience captured in print perfectly/ raw and trippy and transcribed fluidly and effectivly into Badass/ Pure Cinema

    Johnny and Benicio are stunning.

    Secret Window is predictable/ Surprise free/ BAD

  • JustinRJ

    Dead Man is my favorite Depp film.

  • djangoscud

    No Dead Man?