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| Keanu Reeves, 2017. Photo by Nathan Congleton. |
POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD!
My favorite Movies/TV Shows he has been in:
Speed (1994)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%
IMDB rating: 7.3/10
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
You can call it cheesy, you can call the premise ridiculous, but you cannot deny that Speed is one of the most entertaining action movies ever made. Reeves plays Jack Traven, an LAPD SWAT officer trapped on a city bus that will explode if it drops below 50 mph.
This is the movie that proved Keanu wasn’t just "Ted" from Bill & Ted. He shaved his head, bulked up, and played the role with a deadly seriousness that grounded the wild concept. His chemistry with Sandra Bullock is electric and remains the gold standard for action-movie romances. What makes Speed my favorite is the pacing; it literally never slows down. It’s pure adrenaline, practical stunts, and Keanu looking cool under pressure. It doesn't try to be deep—it just tries to be a rush, and it succeeds perfectly.
The Matrix (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 83%
IMDB rating: 8.7/10
Where to watch: Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
It is impossible to overstate how much The Matrix changed cinema. Reeves plays Neo, a hacker who discovers his reality is a simulation created by machines to enslave humanity. While the special effects (specifically "bullet time") were revolutionary, the movie works because of Keanu.
He brings a sense of wonder and innocence to Neo that grounds the high-concept sci-fi. We learn about the world through his eyes, and his physical dedication to the role set a new standard for actors performing their own stunts. The lobby shootout scene remains one of the greatest action sequences ever filmed, but it’s the quiet moments—where Neo begins to believe in himself—that make the character iconic.
My favorite Movie/TV Show he has been in that you may not have seen:
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 68%
IMDB rating: 7.0/10
Where to watch: Tubi (Free), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
This is one of the most unique films in Reeves' catalog. Directed by Richard Linklater, it uses a technique called rotoscoping, where animators draw over live-action footage, giving the movie a surreal, dreamlike quality. Set in a dystopian future where 20% of the population is addicted to a hallucinogenic drug, Reeves plays an undercover cop who becomes addicted to the very substance he is investigating.
The animation style perfectly captures the paranoia and fractured reality of the characters. Reeves gives a subtle, tragic performance as a man losing his mind and his identity simultaneously. It’s a weird, trippy, and deeply intellectual sci-fi film that features Robert Downey Jr. and Woody Harrelson in hilarious supporting roles.
Don’t waste your time with this Movie/TV Show:
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 21%
IMDB rating: 5.5/10
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Remaking a beloved 1951 sci-fi classic is always a risk, and unfortunately, this one doesn't pay off. Reeves plays Klaatu, an alien visitor sent to Earth to decide if humanity is worth saving. While the role of an emotionless alien should theoretically be a good fit for Reeves’ stoic acting style, he comes across as more robotic than the actual giant robot in the film.
The movie strips away the charm and Cold War tension of the original, replacing it with a heavy-handed environmental message and soulless CGI. The script gives Reeves very little to do other than stare blankly, and the human drama (led by Jennifer Connelly) feels flat and uninspired. If you want to see this story, stick to the black-and-white original; this remake is a dull, grey wash that wastes everyone’s time.
Honorable Mentions to check out:
Keanu Reeves has a cult following for a reason. If you want more, check these out:
John Wick: The movie that revitalized his career with incredible "gun-fu" choreography. It's brutal, stylish, and a modern classic.
Point Break: The ultimate "so bad it's good" masterpiece that is actually just good. Surfing bank robbers and Reeves screaming at the sky.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure: The role that started it all. It’s sweet, dumb, and incredibly charming.
My Own Private Idaho: A critically acclaimed indie drama where Reeves plays a street hustler alongside River Phoenix. It proves he has serious dramatic chops.
Constantine: A supernatural thriller that was hated by critics upon release but has since gained a massive cult following for its unique take on demons and hell.
Toy Story 4: He voices "Duke Caboom," a Canadian stuntman toy. It is a hilarious comedic performance that steals every scene he is in.