Nicolas Cage Is Fascinating

Nicolas Cage has been in more than 100 films throughout his 40-year career as an actor—a feat that has earned Cage quite the reputation.

There has been no shortage of movie triumphs throughout Cage's career. Films such as Pig (2021), Moonstruck (1987), Raising Arizona (1987), Matchstick Men (2003), Face/Off (1997), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022), Longlegs (2024), Mandy (2018) and Con Air (1997), to name a few, have all earned critical acclaim and boast high rankings on the Tomatometer.

There have also been many hidden gems, fan favorites and cult classics, including National Treasure (2004), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Renfield (2023), Ghost Rider (2007), Willy's Wonderland (2021), Between Worlds (2018), Color Out of Space (2019) and Arcadian (2024). While critics' reviews vary, the majority of audiences agree these films are modern classics and worth watching.

And then of course, there are Cage's infamous blunders, like Deadfall (1993), The Wicker Man (2006), Grand Isle (2019), Left Behind (2014) and Arsenal (2017). Grand Isle and Left Behind both managed to score a whopping 0% on the Tomatometer. And Arsenal was not far off at 3%.

While some might call Cage's professional acting career inconsistent, or unpredictable at best, many who have grown up watching the now 62-year-old star work his on-screen magic have described Cage as fearless, endlessly entertaining, ever-evolving, and above all, one of a kind.

Honestly, when you take the deep dive like I did in order to paint the full picture of his life, legacy and career, it is impossible not to feel fans' admiration, respect and love for Cage and his eagerness to bring his own unique style to every film project he is a part of.

Just take a look at weird spoofs like Willy's Wonderland. You ever hear the phrase, "A plan so crazy it just might work?" Well, Cage puts that idea to the ultimate test. The film's main protagonist, played by Cage, doesn't utter a single word throughout its 88-minute duration. This was a deliberate, experimental move Cage convinced director Kevin Lewis would work. And miraculously, it did! In the film, Cage plays a janitor charged with cleaning up a deserted restaurant while fighting back against a group of sinister animatronics (based on Five Nights at Freddy's, of course). As he battles the furry foes, determined to clean up the restaurant at any cost, Cage's facial expressions, body language and stunt work are all we really need to fully embrace his character and the absurd situation he finds himself in. A strategy so bold and crazy, it works wonders.

Then there are films like National Treasure, a beloved childhood favorite for many Nicolas Cage fans. While it didn't receive rave reviews from critics, National Treasure won the hearts of audiences worldwide, now considered a cult classic and one of Cage's greatest films. It's one of those movies that unapologetically screams Nicolas Cage with its high-stakes plot, The Mummy/Indiana Jones-esque historical whimsy and campy fun. You can tell Cage had a blast starring in this one.

Even the recent Amazon Prime thriller series Spider Noir (2026) has left critics and audiences alike excited and hungry for more Nicolas Cage adventures. Starring as Ben Reilly, a private investigator and superhero living in 1930s New York, Cage truly brings his A-game, and all the sarcastic humor, over the top acting and scary-for-a-62-year-old-to-be-doing stunt work that entails.

Nicolas Cage will remain a legendary, ambitious and incredibly memeable icon in the cinematic world now and forever more. While his performances at times could be described as "out there" to say the least, his love for acting is palpable in everything he does. Some of my personal favorite films of his include classics like Moonstruck and more recent hits like Color Out of Space and Arcadian—I highly recommend checking these out if you have not already seen them. It's clear Cage is nowhere near finished making movies and I am very excited to see what he does next.

And of course, I wish him the best of luck in fulfilling his dream to appear in every film ever released.