Summary

• Patrick Swayze's diverse filmography showcases his transformative acting skills across genres, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Hollywood.
• Swayze's cult classics like Red Dawn and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar continue to resonate with audiences.
• From action-packed films like Point Break to iconic roles in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, Swayze's talent and charm made him a true movie star.

Patrick Swayze was one of the defining stars of the '80s and '90s, starring in several movies and TV shows. Although his career was sadly cut short when he ed away in 2009, he left behind a legacy of both critically acclaimed films and cult classics. Swayze made his screen debut in 1979 and rose to fame soon after. During his 30-year career, he garnered three Golden Globe nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, wrote and recorded a Top-Ten hit for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was named People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.

Swayze was once dubbed the "king of the sleepers" because of the unexpected success of many of his films. Despite sometimes being pigeonholed for his good looks, Swayze's filmography shows that he was a surprisingly transformative actor who could deliver great performances across a variety of genres. His films still have a lasting legacy today and are often being remade or reimagined, as seen with 2015's Point Break and 2024's Road House. This continued interest in Swayze's films shows just how impactful his short career was.

10 Red Dawn (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%

Red Dawn follows a group of small-town teens defending their home from invading forces during the early days of World War III. This Cold War parable featured almost entirely real explosions and was noted by the Guinness Book of Records to have the most acts of violence in any film at the time of its release. Reviews from critics were mixed, but audiences loved the movie, which grossed $38 million against a budget of $17 million.

In the years since, Red Dawn has influenced many other pieces of media, proving its cultural significance. A remake starring Chris Hemsworth was released in 2012, with the story reimagined to depict North Korean forces instead of Russian. It highlights the eternal appeal and relevancy of Red Dawn even decades later, which is a common feature of many Swayze projects.

9 The Beast (2009)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 61%

Swayze's final filmed performance was in the short-lived but much-loved A&E series The Beast. It starred Swayze as a veteran FBI agent being investigated for misconduct and explored the experiences of undercover agents working in Chicago. Although the show had consistently low Nielsen ratings and only lasted one season, many critics consider Swayze's role as Agent Charles Barker to be the best performance of his career.

Although Swayze is more well-known for his movie roles than his work on TV, he also starred in The Renegades on ABC. The show ran for six episodes in 1983.

Revisiting The Beast is bittersweet, as Swayze was already in the advanced stages of pancreatic cancer while filming. However, it remains a standout project for the actor that allowed him to show off a new side of himself. Additionally, as few watched the show, it's one of Swayze's more underrated roles.

8 Road House (1989)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 43%

Road House stars Swayze as a martial arts expert and professional bouncer who protects a small-town bar from a corrupt businessman. The film was critically panned when it was first released and even earned five Golden Raspberry nominations. However, like many movies of the '80s and '90s, it has since been accepted as a beloved cult classic.

In the years since its release, Road House has found a home on cable television and grossed $203 million to date, encoming home media and its original box office run of $61.6 million. Swayze's performance, which drew on his dance background to help him perform martial arts stunts, is particularly impressive and was a huge selling point of the movie when it first released. The existence of the 2024 remake shows that even movies dubbed "so bad, it's good" by critics can still have an impact.

7 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 48%

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is another cult classic in Swayze's filmography. It follows the actor alongside Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo as a trio of road-tripping drag queens whose car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. The film got mixed reviews upon release, but the three leads were praised for their sensitive and funny performances. Additionally, To Wong Foo is notable for centering its story around drag queens at a time when there weren't many depictions of them present in media.

For Swayze, To Wong Foo was an intentional step away from his traditional romantic and action roles to full-on comedy. In this way, it's a must-see evolution of Swayze's career. For his role in the film, he was nominated for Best Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 1996 Golden Globes.

Swayze's co-star John Leguizamo received a Golden Globe nomination as well, for Best ing Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

6 11:14 (2003)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

One of the most underrated movies in Swayze's filmography is 11:14, a neo-noir black comedy that follows five different storylines as they converge unexpectedly one night at 11:14. Upon its release, the movie was celebrated for its unique structural approach, employing flashbacks to great effect. Perhaps surprisingly, the film's 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes makes it the "freshest" movie of Swayze's career.

However, 11:14 had an extremely limited theatrical release before going to DVD and never found much of an audience as a result. It may be more critically acclaimed than some of Swayze's other roles, but it has yet to reach cult classic status. As 11:14 was seen by so few, it doesn't have the cultural relevancy of Swayze's more well-known hits and never really became a substantial part of the pop culture conversation.

5 The Outsiders (1983)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

Swayze's breakthrough role came in The Outsiders. Based on the beloved S.E. Hinton novel of the same name and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film was a box office success, grossing over three times its $10 million budget. Swayze's role as Darry Curtis, the unofficial leader of the greaser gang, jumpstarted his career as a leading man, making it one of the actor's seminal performances.

The ensemble cast of The Outsiders also included several other future movie stars, such as Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Matt Dillon, which adds to the film's appeal. While The Outsiders' Rotten Tomatoes critics score is impressive in its own right at 70%, the audience score is even higher at 82%. The movie is considered a classic coming-of-age story that continues to inspire creators today – a musical adaptation opens on Broadway this year.

4 Point Break (1991)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

Point Break stars Swayze as a surfer/bank robber who draws an FBI agent, played by Keanu Reeves, into his web of crime. The film took advantage of Swayze's leading man charm as well as his experience as a stuntman. Swayze performed all of his own fight scenes in the movie and also filmed the surfing and skydiving sequences himself. In the process, Swayze cracked four ribs, making Point Break a stellar example of his commitment to his work.

Kathryn Bigelow's visceral directing style and the chemistry between Swayze and Reeves made the film a hit, grossing a worldwide total of $83.5 million. While considered a success at the time, Point Break has arguably become even more popular since its release, leading to the 2015 remake. However, the more recent film received largely negative reviews, highlighting the importance of Swayze's work in the original.

3 Dirty Dancing (1987)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%

Swayze earned his first Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing, undoubtedly one of the actor's most beloved films. As a young man, Swayze studied classical ballet, and Dirty Dancing allowed him to showcase those skills on screen. The film also gave him a chance to highlight his musical talent. Swayze's song "She's Like the Wind," which he co-wrote with Stacy Widelitz, was featured on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack and became a mainstream hit.

All told, Dirty Dancing manages to celebrate everything that made Swayze a star, from his magnetic charm to his physical ability. With this in mind, it's no surprise that the movie impressed at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1987 and earning $214 million worldwide. Dirty Dancing spawned a veritable franchise, including a prequel, remake, stage adaptation, and more.

2 Donnie Darko (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

Swayze was cast against his usual charming, heroic type in Donnie Darko. In the film, he plays Jim Cunningham, a motivational speaker with a dark secret. Swayze's sinister performance stands in stark contrast to his other more romantic and comedic roles. However, it fits perfectly into the heightened, surreal world of Donnie Darko and remains a treat for those who enjoy seeing Swayze take on a new sort of acting challenge.

Donnie Darko had only moderate commercial success when it was released, probably due to its sensitive subject matter. However, it was an all-out hit with critics. It was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival as well as three Independent Spirit Awards. Donnie Darko is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with its 87% critics score one of Swayze's highest in his career.

1 Ghost (1990)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

Ghost is Swayze's most iconic film, and his role as Sam Wheat elevated him from being a respected actor to a true movie star. As Sam, Swayze got to show off his more sensitive side, proving that he could deliver drama, action, and pathos in equal measure. While the pottery wheel scene is a standout, Swayze's entire performance is to be celebrated.

The film earned Swayze another Golden Globe nomination for Best Lead Actor. Ghost was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Swayze's co-star Whoopi Goldberg won the Oscar for Best ing Actress for her role in the film, and writer Bruce Joel Rubin took home gold as well. Ghost is the most critically successful movie of Patrick Swayze's career, but it's also one of his most beloved, cementing the actor's legacy the way he deserves.