"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
If you’ve never seen any Timothée Chalamet movies, you're missing out. Even though his acting career only began in the early 2010s, the highly acclaimed actor has had remarkable performances in some of the most popular films in the past decade. His breakout performance in his portrayal of Elio Perlman in the 2017 film "Call Me by Your Name" catapulted him to stardom. It quickly earned him widespread acclaim, including numerous award nominations (like an Academy Award nom for Best Actor, which makes him the youngest nominee in that category since 1939).
Since his breakout role, Chalamet has continued to impress audiences and critics with his versatility and talent. He has gone on to star in roles that range from dramas to science fiction, even comedies. He has played Willy Wonka in the chocolatier's origin story, "Wonka." He's portrayed a meth addict struggling through recovery in "Beautiful Boy" opposite Steve Carell. And he's been a love interest to stars like Zendaya and Saoirse Ronan in other films. No matter the role, there's nothing he can't do on-screen.
We rounded up Chalamet’s top 10 most notable films that you should totally add to your watchlist. They span genres and time periods, so all your entertainment bases are covered.
"Dune"
In Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel "Dune," Chalamet stars as young nobleman Paul Atreides. The movie follows Paul's journey on the desert planet of Arrakis. In the “Dune” futuristic universe, powerful families vie for control where spice is the only thing of value. Politics and warfare ensue and Chalamet’s character becomes entangled in the fate of humanity.
"Wonka"
We love a good origin story. "Wonka," starring Chalamet as the chocolatier himself, is a musical prequel to Roald Dahl's classic children's book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." In the whimsical 2023 movie, which also stars Hugh Grant, Keegan-Michael Key, and Rowan Atkinson, we witness Willy Wonka’s early adventures before he became the enigmatic factory owner from the classic 1971 movie with Gene Wilder.
"Bones and All"
If you love a fright, you’ll enjoy the horror film, "Bones and All," where Chalamet plays Lee, a young drifter. Based on the novel of the same name by Camille DeAngelis, the movie follows the story of a young woman named Maren who has a rare condition that compels her to consume the people she loves. During her journey to find her father, she forms a connection with Chalamet's character. Together, the two navigate love, identity, and the consequences of Maren's dark condition.
"Call Me By Your Name"
"Call Me by Your Name" is a romantic drama where Chalamet plays Elio Perlman, a young man who forms a passionate relationship set during a 1983 summer in Italy with an older graduate student (played by Armie Hammer). This coming-of-age film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is based on an André Aciman novel of the same name. During the escapade, the two develop a deep connection surrounded by the picturesque Italian countryside.
"Don't Look Up"
The movie, "Don't Look Up," made the apocalypse rather funny. In the satirical disaster comedy directed by Adam McKay, Chalamet plays Yule, a seemingly carefree astronomy grad student who becomes involved in two scientists' efforts to thwart disaster. Streamed on Netflix, the two scientists were played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, who hilariously embark on a media tour to warn humankind of an approaching comet. The two struggle to convey the urgency of the situation as they encounter skepticism, indifference, and media manipulation.
"Little Women"
Even though Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel, "Little Women," has been adapted into movies several times, the 2019 Greta Gerwig interpretation starring Chalamet has been our favorite by far. (A close second is the 1994 one starring Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Claire Danes, and Kirsten Dunst!) In the Gerwig version, Chalamet is Theodore "Laurie" Laurence, the charismatic neighbor and love interest of Jo March (played by Saoirse Ronan).
If you’re not already familiar with the classic, "Little Women" follows the lives of the March sisters — Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth – as they navigate their journey from childhood to womanhood in 19th-century New England.
"Lady Bird"
Directed by Greta Gerwig, the coming-of-age "Lady Bird" stars Chalamet as Kyle Scheible, a pretentious yet rebellious high school student who briefly dates Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (played by Saoirse Ronan). The 2017 drama follows Christine as she navigates her final year of high school in Sacramento, California. The movie explores her relationships with her family, friends, and romantic flames.
"Interstellar"
If you want a good cry, sci-fi flick "Interstellar" is the way to go. The 2014 movie — directed by Oscar winner Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey as farmer (and protagonist) Tom Cooper — follows a group of astronauts who embark on a journey through a wormhole near Saturn, searching for a new habitable planet for humanity as Earth faces environmental collapse. (No pressure!) Chalamet appears in flashback scenes that give insight into Cooper's relationship with his family and his motivations for joining the mankind-saving mission.
"Hot Summer Nights"
Set in Cape Cod during the summer of 1991, "Hot Summer Nights" will make you sweat. In the coming-of-age drama, you'll meet Daniel Middleton, played by Chalamet. The shy teenager ends up spending his summer getting rich, dealing drugs to gangsters while falling in love, navigating friendships, and the complexities of his youth.
His character gets involved with a local dealer named Hunter Strawberry (played by Alex Roe) and becomes entangled in a dangerous world of crime. As the summer progresses, Daniel's choices lead to escalating tensions and ultimately change the course of his life forever. No spoilers here!
"Beautiful Boy"
In the based-on-a-true-story drama "Beautiful Boy," viewers will follow the memoirs of David Sheff (played by Steve Carell) and his son Nic Sheff (played by Chalamet). The movie explores the harrowing journey of the two as the dad grapples with his son's addiction to methamphetamine. Trigger warning: Chalamet's character spirals out of control due to his substance abuse, which then puts a strain on his family. You'll see Nic's relentless struggle for recovery through Chalamet's powerful performance.
You Might Also Like
