Michael J. Fox is best known for starring in hit movies and TV shows in the '80s and '90s, including Spin City and the Back to the Future trilogy, though his filmography is full of forgotten and underrated features deserving recognition among the list of his top films. The beloved actor began his career in the late '70s and became a household name through his role as Alex P. Keaton on the popular sitcom Family Ties the following decade. He broke out on the big screen with the 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future, proving to be a star with real box office appeal.
Throughout his career, Fox has found ways to reinvent himself, and he has played a wide variety of movie and TV characters over the decades, from affable everymen to unlikable yuppies. While he had his share of flops, his best movies have typically capitalized on his whip-smart comedic timing. Even following Fox's early Parkinson's disease diagnosis in the '90s, the actor has continued to work in film and TV, never losing his charm. While he has focused his career on television roles in recent years, Fox's movie work still stands out, and his best films are highlighted and ranked below.
11 Mars Attacks! (1996)
Cheekily based on the classic trading card series from Topps, Mars Attacks! recalls the fun camp of '50s B movies. The ensemble comedy follows various Earthlings as they experience the arrival of the Martians, who are anything but friendly. Michael J. Fox plays the relatively minor role of an intrepid news reporter named Jason Stone, and though he wasn't given much to do, he perfectly matched the comedic tone of the movie. While ranked lower among Tim Burton's best horror movies, Mars Attacks! offers a unique approach to the alien invasion genre that has made it an instant cult classic despite its lackluster reception from critics and moviegoers upon release.
10 The Secret Of My Success (1987)
Coming at the height of his career, The Secret of My Success features one of Michael J. Fox's more underappreciated movie roles. The romantic comedy sees Fox as a young man posing as an executive in order to improve his station as he works his way up the corporate ladder. Though it received mixed reviews from critics, The Secret of My Success allowed Fox to play a character right in his wheelhouse, and the movie grossed over $100 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). While the movie has become overshadowed by Fox's other '80s gems, it's still notable as a comedy that perfectly depicts the corporate opulence of the '80s.
9 Stuart Little (1999)
Having already lent his voice to one of the main characters in 1993's Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and its 1996 sequel, Michael J. Fox was a veteran of voice acting by the time he took on the title role for Stuart Little. In the adaptation of E. B. White's beloved children's novel, the Littles adopts a young orphaned mouse named Stuart, who struggles to integrate into his human family. Stuart Little's overwhelmingly heartwarming message is undeniable, and Fox's vocal work makes everything click. It was nominated for an Oscar for its visual effects and was popular enough to spawn two sequels, with Fox returning to play the lovable rodent.
8 The American President (1995)
Scripted by Aaron Sorkin, The American President sees Michael J. Fox in an unorthodox role as Lewis Rothschild, a political advisor who isn't afraid to voice his opinions no matter how confrontational. The movie follows the President of the United States (Michael Douglas) as he runs for reelection amidst the fallout of his relationship with a lobbyist (Annette Benning). Though movies about U.S. presidents are nothing rare, Sorkin's screenplay crackles with life and led to the creation of his hit TV series The West Wing a few years later. The American President is particularly praiseworthy for its performances and Marc Shaiman's music score, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
7 Doc Hollywood (1991)
By the early 1990s, Michael J. Fox had already proven himself to be a box office draw, and Doc Hollywood allowed him to stretch his range. While driving across the country to interview for a prestigious position in Los Angeles, Fox's Dr. Ben Stone crashes his car in a small Southern town where he is forced to perform community service. Doc Hollywood was met with mild praise from critics, but Fox's turn as a hotshot surgeon saw him step out of his comfort zone and play a character who starts off quite unlikeable. In spite of the movie's predictability, Fox and his co-stars elevate Doc Hollywood with their undeniable charm.
6 Casualties Of War (1989)
Featuring one of Michael J. Fox's most underrated roles, Casualties of War is a unique entry in the beloved actor's filmography. Set during the Vietnam War, the movie follows Private Eriksson (Fox), who is at odds with his platoon after they attack a female villager. Based loosely on a true story, Brian De Palma's harrowing vision of war was almost too much for audiences to take, resulting in an underwhelming box office performance (via Box Office Mojo). Overshadowed by earlier Vietnam films like Platoon, Casualties of War remains an unflinching portrait of the then-recent past that allowed Fox to show more of his dramatic side on the big screen.
5 Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Despite being a rare flop for Walt Disney's animation studio, 2001's Atlantis: The Lost Empire has grown into a bona fide cult classic. In the movie, a linguist named Milo (voiced by Michael J. Fox) embarks on a journey to find the lost continent of Atlantis along with a band of explorers. Fox's affable vocal performance is perfect for the lovable geek protagonist, and the movie's unique visual style sets it apart from Disney's usual fare. Its critical reception at the time of release was rather poor, but like many of Fox's best movies, Atlantis: The Lost Empire finds a new audience with each successive generation.
4 The Frighteners (1996)
Before Peter Jackson was known for his Lord of the Rings movies, he directed the criminally underrated horror comedy The Frighteners. Michael J. Fox stars as Frank Bannister, a man who learns he can communicate with the dead following the tragic ing of his wife, and he uses his gift to con people. horror flops of the '90s that should've been hits, and it's another of Fox's movies that have settled into cult classic status.
3 Teen Wolf (1985)
As far as iconic 1980s teen movies go, Teen Wolf ranks near the top thanks largely to the lead performance from Michael J. Fox. He plays high school basketball star Scott Howard, who receives the shock of his life when he learns he is actually a werewolf. Though reviews at the time criticized the movie's silly premise, the over-the-top nature of its script is what makes it so enjoyable. Fox's take on the cocky and arrogant teenage werewolf further elevated him as an '80s superstar, and memorable moments his the van surfing scene have become permanent fixtures of popular culture.
2 Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
After a career filled with iconic characters and beloved films, the 2023 documentary Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie presents the actor in his most raw and humorous state. Through interview segments, archival footage and clips, and recreations, Fox recounts his prolific career and recontextualizes it through his Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Offering words of wisdom and his signature brand of unwavering optimism Still is not only a love letter to Fox and his amazing career, but it's also a tribute to those who have followed him for decades. At its heart, the documentary's message is one of hope, which perfectly reflects the man whose name graces the title.
