If there’s a man who knows how to take on a complicated role and make it his own, it’s Aaron Eckhart. From playing sociopathic womanizers to all-American heroes, the actor has shown a huge range over his thirty-year career, giving us laughs, frights, and everything in between. Born in the States but raised in the U.K. and Australia, he got his start early, acting in several stage performances before taking a break to surf in idyllic spots like Hawaii and France. After that little detour, he began his on-screen career in earnest. If you loved him in one of his roles and want to see what else he’s been in, or just fancy seeing some cracking movies where he’s at his best, then read ahead for our guide to the 10 best Aaron Eckhart Movies!
10. Towelhead
Eckhart perfectly captures a mixture of sliminess and charm in this moving, often bleak portrait of Arab-American identity set during the first Gulf War. Released to the public in 2008, when anti-Muslim politics was at a fever pitch in the States (although it’s hardly turned down much now), it struck a chord with many viewers. The film follows Jasira, a teen who lives with her mother in upstate New York, but is banished to live with her conservative, emotionally distant father in Houston after an incident with her mother’s boyfriend.
In Texas, she’s the victim of racism and sexism, all while trying to understand her unfurling sexuality. Eckhart plays Mr. Vuoso, a handsome, predatory neighbor who sexually assaults Jasira and then seeks to continue an illegal relationship with her. A decent portrait of how identities can change, the film itself is lacking the nuance needed to really be a must-watch.
9. Erin Brockovich
There are few real-life heroes in this world who deserve praise as much as Erin Brockovich, and in this biographical legal drama about the titular water cleanliness activist and organizer, we get a truly brilliant portrait of a phenomenal woman. We see Brockovich (Julia Roberts), a legal assistant living in Hinkley, California, slowly become the number one advocate for a large group of people who’ve been unknowingly ingesting a highly toxic chemical thanks to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) lying to them about how contaminated their water was.
Eckhart plays George, Erin’s partner and a source of comfort for her during the film, and does incredibly well in this subtle role, showing the strain Erin’s crusade places on their relationship while also being a supportive boyfriend. One of the best films on this list, but only at number eight because of Eckhart’s limited role.
8. Midway
Eckhart plays Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle in this 2019 war epic about the famous Battle of Midway, during which the U.S. Navy defeated their Japanese counterparts in what turned out to be a vital turning point in the Pacific Theater of WW2. With plenty of action sequences and long shots of powerful men making contemplative faces, it isn’t exactly going to subvert or redefine the genre like Full Metal Jacket or Blackhawk Down did, but if you want a decent action flick with brilliant visuals, then this is for you.
7. Olympus Has Fallen
Another big, all-action romp, Olympus Has Fallen won’t be winning the hearts of any cinephiles, but if you want drama, action, and some great explosions, then this movie is right up your street. Eckhart plays the U.S. president, who, while having a meeting with the South Korean Prime Minister at the White House, is kidnapped by terrorists from North Korea. Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), a former secret service agent and one-time member of the president’s detail, is assigned to protect the famous building and recover the POTUS, leading to some great fight sequences and a slightly confusing plot involving security systems. Eckhart plays his role well, although he isn’t given much to work with in terms of the script.
6. Sully: Miracle on the Hudson
Based on a true story, this biographical drama follows the story of Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), the pilot who famously landed a plane in the Hudson after the aircraft was damaged, and also chronicles the ensuing investigation into the incident that could have ended his career. Eckhart plays his co-pilot Jeff Skiles and puts in an assured performance while doing a great job of supporting the main man Hanks. A great combination of courtroom drama and action film, if you’re interested in the story that inspired the movie, you’ll definitely get something out of a watch.
5. Bleed for This
Who doesn’t love a good comeback story? Bleed for This is all about overcoming adversity, and Eckhart’s character is a vital lynchpin in this film’s eventual resolution. The movie chronicles the attempts of boxer Vinny Pazienza (Miles Teller, in one of his best performances) as he slowly but surely makes his way back into the ring after a car accident that leaves him almost paralyzed. Along the way, he gets the help of his trainer Kevin (Eckhart), and on his return to boxing earns a win by decision. Bleed for This is based on a true story, and in his role, Eckhart manages to capture the complexity of his character’s struggles when it comes to helping his client do something almost suicidally dangerous.
4. In the Company of Men
Eckhart plays a truly terrible character in this dark comedy which was rightfully praised for its original story and excellent performances. In the Company of Men revolves around Chad (Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Maloy), two colleagues who hatch a misogynistic plot to ruin a woman’s life. They choose their deaf colleague Christine (Stacy Edwards), and decide to both date her, before simultaneously dumping her for extra emotional pain.
Womanizer Chad completes his end of the bargain while also improving his station at work, whereas Howard soon develops feelings for Christine. He attempts to come clean with her, only for Chad to revel in the destruction of her life, while also bragging about cheating on his current partner. A smart, darkly funny look at corporate greed, misogyny, and how they interlink.
3. Rabbit Hole
At times this beautiful meditation on grief and how it can impact a relationship is painful to watch, but it really is the sort of film that stays with you for months afterward. Eckhart stars alongside Nicole Kidman as Howie and Becca, a couple whose son is killed in a tragic car accident. As Howie seeks to soothe his pain through a self-help group and a growing connection with another grieving parent, Becca gets to know the teenage driver that ended their son’s life. A genuinely astounding piece of cinema in which Eckhart is somehow both understated yet gives us enough emotion to drown in.
2. The Dark Knight
Widely considered to be the best Batman trilogy thanks to the way it reshaped the character and kick-started the comic movie renaissance, the reputation of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy precedes it and then some. The second film in the series, The Dark Knight, saw Eckhart take on the role of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and he played the iconic hero-turned-villain perfectly. His performance was truly brilliant, matching the work of co-stars Heath Ledger and Christian Bale, which is no small feat. A fantastic superhero film that Eckhart helped to turn into a magnificent and engaging watch.
1. Thank You For Smoking
Eckhart earned a Golden Globe nomination for his lead performance in this satirical dark comedy about the evils of the tobacco industry, and how its heads spent millions spreading disinformation that led to the deaths of countless folk around the world. He stars as Nick Naylor, and the film is black but brilliant, mixing laughs with outrage as you see the lengths that the sleazy, disgusting tobacco company execs went to in order to make sure the American public remained hooked on cigarettes (using tactics that climate change deniers and oil executives have adopted). Brilliant, frustrating, and hilarious: Eckhart is magnetic in this film, even as someone you want to hate.