James Spader's filmography proves that the actor is one of the most versatile performers in Hollywood. He is also someone who reinvented himself halfway through his astonishing career. For the first 25 years, Spader was a solid performer in movies, taking on several high-profile ing roles in movies like Pretty in Pink. He also proved he could pique the interest of critically acclaimed directors like Steven Soderbergh, Oliver Stone, Mike Nichols, and David Cronenberg while appearing in blockbusters like Stargate.

However, Spader made a change in 2003 when he took on a role in the TV series The Practice. Since then, his movie roles remain minimal, with only a few major releases. Instead, Spader focuses on TV now. He followed up The Practice with the leading the main cast in its spin-off Boston Legal, took a shot at starring in The Office, and enjoyed the greatest success of his career with the lead role on The Blacklist, proving his second life as a star actor could sur a great first half but in a very different medium.

25 Dream Lover (1993)

An Erotic Thriller About A Man Entrapped By A Woman Who Is Not Who She Claims

Dream Lover is an erotic thriller about a man named Ray (James Spader) who meets a woman and quickly marries her, leading to them starting a family together. However, as their marriage continues, he begins to suspect she is lying to him and then realizes she is not who she claims to be. Mädchen Amick (Shelly Johnson from Twin Peaks) stars as the woman, Lena Mathers, and the two end up in a game of cat and mouse, one that has a horrifyingly tragic ending.

The film received mixed to positive critical reviews, although the audience was not as enamored. However, Amick was praised for her performance as Lena, earning a Best Actress nomination from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Horror Films at the 1995 Saturn Awards. While he was disappointed with the ending, Roger Ebert gave the movie three stars, calling it a "deadly game of romantic cat-and-mouse " that is "worth seeing."

24 Critical Care (1997)

A Sidney Lumet Satire About The American Healthcare System

James Spader starred in the Sidney Lumet 1997 comedy that took aim at the American medicine industry. Spader was only part of an incredible cast that included Kyra Sedgwick, Helen Mirren, Anne Bancroft, Albert Brooks, Jeffrey Wright, and many more. Spader plays Werner Ernst, a doctor who finds himself involved in a fight between two half-sisters Felicia (Kyra Sedgwick) and Connie (Margo Martindale) about the care of their ill father. One wants the hospital to pull the plug, and the other wants him saved.

Spader turned in a great wide-eyed performance as a doctor who wants to do good in a health industry that only cares about money.

At the same time, his mentor (Albert Brooks) also warns him only to help people with good insurance. As a dark comedy, this movie differs from many of Spader's other projects, which tended to be thrillers and dramas with an erotic leaning. However, Spader turned in a great wide-eyed performance as a doctor who wants to do good in a health industry that only cares about money. Steven Schwartz earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Screenplay.

23 Less Than Zero (1987)

A Man Returns From College To Learn His Best Friends Have Become Drug Addicts

James Spader stars alongside Jami Gertz (The Lost Boys) and Robert Downey Jr. in Less Than Zero. In this film, Andrew McCarthy stars as Clay, a college freshman who returns home for Christmas only to find his two closest friends, Blair (Gertz) and Julian (Downey), have become drug addicts. Spader stars as Rip, a former classmate who Julian owes $50,000. Rip has forced Julian to become a male prostitute to help pay it off and keeps him addicted to drugs to ensure his complicity.

Less Than Zero is based on Bret Easton Ellis's first novel.

When Clay tries to help Julian get clean, Rip is the villain who refuses to allow this to happen. Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, critical reception was mixed, with many itting that Ellis's story would have been impossible to sell if kept with its nihilistic tone. Critics also say the changes to make it more crowd-friendly ended up "sanitizing" the story. However, critics also praised Downey's performance as "desperately moving," and Ellis also praised Downey and Spader as Julian and Rip (via HillZoo).

22 Bad Influence (1990)

James Spader Plays A Yuppie Encouraged To Explore His Dark Side

Directed by Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential), Bad Influence was the first script that David Koepp received sole screenplay credit for. In this film, James Spader plays a socially awkward man named Michael, someone who is often used and pushed around by everyone from co-workers to his fiancé. However, this all changes after he meets a mysterious man named Alex (Rob Lowe). Alex soon sucks Michael into a hedonistic lifestyle, which includes breaking off his engagement, attacking a co-worker, and even taking part in an armed robbery.

By the time Michael realizes how deep he has gotten and tries to get out of the toxic relationship with Alex, it is too late. Critics awarded the film mixed to positive reviews, with a 65% Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics praised Koepp for his script and Curtis Hanson's direction. Sadly, the film was mostly dismissed at the time thanks to Rob Lowe's sex tape scandal that hit at the same time, but it remains a solid thriller noir that deserves a second look.

21 Baby Boom (1987)

A Woman Receives A Toddler As An Inheritance

Baby Boom is a Diane Keaton vehicle written by Nancy Meyers (Father of the Bride). Keaton stars as J.C. Wiatt, a Manhattan management consultant committed to her high-profile job. She lives with her boyfriend (Harold Ramis), and neither is interested in having children. However, her life is turned upside down when her cousin dies, and her inheritance is the woman's 18-month-old orphaned toddler, Elizabeth. J.C. initially plans to put the child up for adoption but then grows attached and tries to become a working mom.

James Spader plays Ken Arrenberg, J.C.'s protégé at her job. It is Ken who makes a series of decisions without consulting her first and soon takes over her spot in the company when they choose him over her. Arrenberg is a minor antagonist here, a young man who will step on anyone to get to the top in a film that shows companies will always look for the next big thing and push out anyone reaching a certain age. The film received positive reviews and earned nominations for Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and Best Actress at the Golden Globes.

20 2 Days In The Valley (1996)

James Spader Leads The Ensemble Of This Dark Comedy

Following the success of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, there were a lot of movies that came out in the 1990s that attempted to replicate the same wild energy of interconnecting crime stories, a colorful cast of characters, and a dark sense of humor. While many of these attempts fell far short of capturing Tarantino's style, 2 Days in the Valley is a solid entry into this specific subgenre and elevated by a stellar cast.

The movie follows a pair of cops, a ruthless hitman, and a former Olympian who find themselves colliding on a violent odyssey in Los Angeles. James Spader gets the juiciest and most vicious role in a movie populated by nefarious characters. As Lee Woods, the deadly hitman, Spader brings a menacing coolness to the role. He is also ed by the likes of Teri Hatcher, Jeff Daniels, and Charlize Theron in her acting debut.

19 White Palace (1990)

Spader And Susan Sarandon Star In The Romance Drama

James Spader has starred in a few unorthodox romance stories in his career, with The White Palace being one of the most underrated. Spader stars as a yuppie advertising professional in his 20s who has a chance encounter with a bold working-class woman in her 40s, played by Susan Sarandon. They quickly form an intense connection and embark on a love affair that is both ionate and complicated.

There have been many movies about the romance between an older woman and a younger man, but The White Palace offers something better than most in the genre by being about the characters rather than the age gap. Spader and Sarandon have incredible chemistry together, while the movie's script is taut, funny, sexy, and clever. It is a thrill seeing these two navigate their relationship as the rest of the world judges.

18 The Music Of Chance (1993)

Spader Leads The Gambling Thriller

James Spader finds himself among a strong ensemble of actors in the intense and dark drama The Music of Chance. Mandy Patinkin stars as a newly wealthy man on a road trip across the country who happens to meet an eccentric professional gambler (Spader). The two men team up for a high-stakes poker game against two rich and powerful men. However, when Spader loses, they are kept captive on the rich men's estate and forced to work as indentured servants to pay off their debt.

The movie presents an intriguing premise that comments on class divisions and the power of wealth. However, it is really a display of some brilliant acting across the board. Spader is the standout of the movie with his somewhat unhinged yet sympathetic performance. He and Patinkin are ed by Charles Durning, Joel Grey, and M. Emmet Walsh. It is a joy watching these actors work together as the tense movie builds to its thought-provoking end.

17 Bob Roberts (1992)

James Spader Cameos In The Political Satire

Bob Roberts is a hilarious and clever political satire that remains a relevant and insightful bit of commentary more than 30 years later. This mockumentary-like comedy stars Tim Robbins as a folk singer and politician who manipulates the needs of the people and uses fiery rhetoric to grow an increasingly popular campaign for the U.S. Senate. The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Roberts' campaign as well as the reaction from the country about the controversial man.

James Spader is part of this large ensemble as a local news reporter covering Bob's campaign.

The movie is filled with big names in small cameo roles, including Giancarlo Esposito, John Cusack, and Jack Black. James Spader is part of this large ensemble as a local news reporter covering Bob's campaign. Spader brings a fun bit of overly eager energy to the comedic role. The movie itself is a very funny ride but is also thought-provoking in its messages, teetering on the edge of outlandish but always remaining grounded.

16 Wall Street (1987)

Spader Appears In Oliver Stone's Drama About Modern Greed

Along with starring in some of the most definitive 1980s movies of all time, James Spader also appeared in a film that spoke to a specific culture of the era. Oliver Stone's Wall Street is an examination of the rise of the financial professionals on Wall Street and the culture of greed they were at the center of. Michael Douglas stars as Gordon Gekko, a legendary Wall Street player who takes young Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) under his wing and corrupts him in the name of making money.

Spader has a small but effective role as Roger Barnes, a lawyer who is friends with Bud and who he eventually uses to get insider information. Douglas won an Oscar for his electrifying lead performance, while Stone proved himself a compelling filmmaker once more with his ability to place the audience in a dark and disturbing world where morality and ethics are constantly in question.