The 21 Best Johnny Depp Performances

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In honor of this past weekend’s premiere of the film adaptation 21 Jump Street, we’re bringing The 21 Best Film Performances of Johnny Depp. After all, it was the original American police television drama of 1987 with the same name that sparked Depp’s lavish career.

From scissored hands to the cynical, eccentric hedonist Raoul Duke, Depp’s character canon is comprised of the daft, addicted, singing, drunk, animated and creative.

Here’s to you, Johnny, the chameleon of all chameleons. You’ve created characters who’ve become staples in American cinema.

Check out our 21 favorite Depp performances.

21. Once Upon a Time In Mexico
Robert Rodriguez’s final installment of the “Mariachi Trilogy” holds the box office record for being the most improved second sequel of all-time, grossing 122 percent more than Desperado. We can’t help but attribute much of that success to the riveting performance Depp created on-screen. In a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone Depp said of his role as Sands, “The idea behind him is there was this guy I used to know in Hollywood who on the outside was very charming—soft-spoken and almost hypnotic in the rhythm he used to speak. You knew this guy was aiming to fuck you over, but somehow you stuck around because he was just so fascinating to watch.”

20. The Rum Diary
When American journalist Paul Kemp takes a freelance job for a local newspaper in Puerto Rico during the 1950s, he realizes he must work to find the balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there. Based on an early novel by Hunter S. Thompson, Depp’s portrayal in the film adaptation engages all the treachery, rum and lush writing fans of the book can expect.

19. Benny And Joon
When eccentric individuals Sam and Juniper “June” find each other, their love blinds the illnesses that bind them. As the absurd fripperies come to screen one after the other, it is the magic of surrealism and domestic life that keep the two attached (that and their separation anxiety).

18. Donnie Brasco
Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 1997 Academy Awards, the film’s true heroes were that of Pacino and Depp, as they took on the FBI/mafia relationship with an unforeseen level of dense, shady and relentless mayhem.

17. The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus
After Heath Ledger’s passing during filming of Terry Gilliam’s 2009 fantasy film, Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell collectively took the place of Ledger’s character. On CBS news, Gilliam said in retrospect of the first transition from Ledger to Depp in the film (the scene above), “He’s extraordinary. That’s why I put Johnny in first postion of the three new Tonys, because number one, he was going to be the most difficult to get any time with, and number two, I just thought if it works with the transition to Johnny and if the audience goes for it, they’ll follow the next two. And that’s exactly how it works.”

16. Rango
Pirates director Gore Verbinski knows a good thing when he sees it. That’s why there’s no surprise he reteamed with Depp for his 2011 Academy Award-winning animated feature Rango. The $245 million Rango earned put the film as the 23rd highest-grossing film of 2011.

15. Cry Baby
Teen musical? Check! This 1990 American cult classic featured the likes of Iggy Pop, Amy Locane, Traci Lords, Ricki Lake, Kim McGuire, David Nelson, Susan Tyrrell and Patty Hearst.

14. A Nightmare On Elm Street
1984 brought Depp’s feature film debut. Fred Krueger wasn’t Freddy in those days. In fact, many considered it one of the best films of 1984. So put on your parachute pants and abandon any bias you have against those who outplayed Freddy’s innovative beginning.

13. Sleepy Hollow
The brainchild of Burton and Depp began on the set of Burton’s 1999 period horror film adaptation inspired by the 19th century short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In total, the two have partnered for six films. This May, Burton and Depp will drop Dark Shadows, rounding out the collaboration to a healthy seven films.

12. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a character that dates back to 1846 and has a lot of history behind it. Even the musical that the film is based on is over 30 years old. Basically, Depp had a lot to live up to, and he didn’t disappoint. The combination of horror and music is unique and allowed the actor to balance the dark aspects of a serial killer with the lightheartedness of a lead in a musical. His cold performance was exactly what the film needed and garnered him the Golden Globe for Best Actor, plus an Oscar nomination. -Adam Vitcavage

11. From Hell
Playing a sympathetic detective whose drug intake forces him to have nightmares of the horrifying murders he’s investigating allowed Depp to explore the darkness of the human psyche. A lot of the films he has done (mainly Tim Burton-helmed projects) have a Gothic overtone, but are usually lighthearted. In From Hell, Depp’s performance is truly hellish and gripping. – Adam Vitcavage

In honor of this past weekend’s premiere of the film adaptation 21 Jump Street, we’re bringing The 21 Best Film Performances of Johnny Depp. After all, it was the original American police television drama of 1987 with the same name that sparked Depp’s lavish career.