Throughout the 1990s, Javier Bardem built up his reputation amongst the Spanish film community before garnering international attention in the early 2000s. Known for his range, the actor has portrayed a range of roles from strange villains to vast portraits of real-life figures.
With over 60 acting credits to his name, Javier Bardem has been a constant presence in foreign films, independents, and blockbusters for more than 20 years. Of this versatile collection, here are ten of his best films, according to IMDb ratings.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) - 7.1
Set in the titular city, Vicky Cristina Barcelona follows Vicky and Cristina, two American women, who spend a summer in Spain and fall into a love triangle with Juan Antonio, played by Bardem. As they learn more about Juan, the situation only gets more complicated.
The film co-stars the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, Chris Messina, and Penélope Cruz in one of her best roles as María Elena, the ex-wife of Bardem's character. While Bardem and Cruz had known each other since the 90s, this film also marked the beginning of their romantic relationship.
Before Night Falls (2000) - 7.2
In his international film debut Before Night Falls, Bardem plays Reinaldo Arenas, a Cuban writer whose homosexuality, ambitions abroad, and vocal criticism of Fidel Castro led to his imprisonment. In 1980, Arenas was able to start a new life in the U.S. before dying a decade later as a result of AIDS.
The film resulted in 19 nominations for Bardem on the awards circuit, including his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor, catapulting him into the worldwide spotlight. The rest of the cast includes Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, and Diego Luna in an early career role.
Biutiful (2010) - 7.4
The fourth film from Mexican auteur Alejandro González Iñárritu, Biutiful focuses on Uxbal, a man whose work is to help illegal immigrants find jobs. However, when Uxbal finds out that he has terminal prostate cancer, he must do his best to keep his life from falling apart and take care of his two young children.
Upon its release, the film as a whole received mixed reviews. However, Bardem was singled out for praise, receiving 18 nominations on the awards circuit, including his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor. It also marked the first time a solely Spanish spoken performance was nominated for an Oscar in that category.
Live Flesh (1997) - 7.4
An erotic Spanish thriller, Live Flesh follows Victor, a drug dealer still in love with his ex-lover Elena. However, upon his release from prison, he learns that she is married to the policeman who put him away. Intent on revenge, Victor schemes to win her back.
Bardem plays David, the cop who arrested Victor and was paralyzed by an accidental gunshot during their altercation. Among the other actors in the film are Penélope Cruz and Pilar Bardem, Javier Bardem's mother.
Mondays In The Sun (2002) - 7.5
Taking place off of the northern coast of Spain, Mondays In The Sun tracks the demeaning effects of unemployment on a group of shipyard workers. Amongst the former co-workers, Bardem plays Santa, their seemingly confident leader who dreams of going to Australia.
The film won 5 Goya Awards, the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars, and co-starred Luis Tosar, Enrique Villén, and Celso Bugallo. Bardem would go on to collaborate with director Fernando León de Aranoa again in the films Loving Pablo and The Good Boss.
Collateral (2004) - 7.5
Directed by Michael Mann, Collateral tells the story of a cab driver who picks up a hitman and becomes an unwilling accomplice to the man's killing spree. As the night goes on things escalate and the driver finds himself more and more entangled in a web of crimes.
Bardem plays Felix, a drug lord who is responsible for the hits in the first place. The film carries an all-star cast including Tom Cruise, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, and Jamie Foxx in one of his best movies. The film was a box office hit and gave Jamie Foxx his first Oscar nomination for Best ing Actor.
Skyfall (2012) - 7.8
Considered Skyfall centers on the revenge plot of Raoul Silva, played by Bardem, a former MI6 agent who aims to get back at M for disavowing and betraying him more than a decade earlier.
With a ing cast of Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, and Judi Dench, the film became the only Bond movie to make over a billion dollars. In addition to its financial success, the film drew much critical attention, with Bardem himself receiving over a dozen nominations on the awards circuit.
The Sea Inside (2004) - 8.0
Based on the real-life of Ramón Sampedro, The Sea Inside is about a 54-year-old man, played by Bardem, who has been campaigning for the right to end his own life by assisted suicide for 28 years following a diving accident that left him as a quadriplegic.
Aside from Bardem, the film stars Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas, and Mabel Rivera amongst others. The film was positively received internationally, a box office success, and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
Dune (2021) - 8.1
Set far in the future, Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Dune follows Paul Atreides as he attempts to help his father bring peace to the harsh desert planet of Arrakis. Despite its inhospitality, Arrakis is a strategic foothold for the Atreides family as it contains one of the universe's most valuable commodities: spice.
Bardem plays Stilgar, the leader of a Fremen tribe Paul meets during his journey. The blockbuster's cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Mamoa, and Oscar Isaac in one of his best movies. It was a box office success despite its release during the pandemic and has been nominated for 10 Oscars.
No Country For Old Men (2007) - 8.2
No Country For Old Men tells the story of three connected narratives, that of a welder who stumbles onto a briefcase of money, a hitman sent to retrieve the money, and a local sheriff. In the film, Bardem plays the iconic Anton Chigurh, the odd and mysterious hitman with his own set of rules.
Considered to be one of the Coen Brothers' best movies, No Country For Old Men was a worldwide financial success, and won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best ing Actor (for Bardem) at the Oscars.
