My Favourite Matthew McConaughey Movies of All-Time

Few actors in Hollywood are as beloved today as Matthew McConaughey. Since the 1990’s, McConaughey has become an icon. Whether it’s AIDS victims, dazed teenagers or Wall Street bankers, McConaughey has played many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has produced, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for greatest movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Dallas Buyers Club

Terminal illness is a tragedy that impacted my family. At an early age, I witnessed my uncle fight terminal illness that caused emotional damage. Several years ago, my family learned that our beloved uncle had been diagnosed with Cancer causing sorrow. I vividly remember my uncle was always an optimistic person that looked at the world from a positive perspective. His devastating death left my family emotionally affected. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the impact of terminal illness that can rub people the wrong way as powerfully as “Dallas Buyers Club”. Following its release in 2013, Matthew McConaughey’s movie has stood the test of time as a masterpiece. In the greatest role of his career, McConaughey embodies a real-life AIDS patient that designed precious clubs to battle a sad illness causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most memorable role. McConaughey has spent most of his career playing heartthrob heroes in romantic comedies. With “Dallas Buyers Club”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a real-life victim of the AIDS crisis. For instance, the scene in which Ron Woodroof begins crying in his car following the discovery that he is diagnosed with AIDS causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dallas Buyers Club” Matthew McConaughey’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about terminal illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after Ron Woodroof overcome homophobic beliefs designing a club battling terminal illnesses which were frightening, it’s a strong reminder of a great actor whose movies are worth celebrating.

2. Interstellar

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s futures. As far as I remember, I’ve always admired my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams. However, career has affected our relationship forever. Focused upon his career, my father hasn’t been available when I need him the most. Our bond has been impacted by long-distance. As someone mourning the absence of a father I treasure, I loved “Interstellar”. Released in 2014, Matthew McConaughey’s movie captured fathers separated from children by barriers of interstellar space travel. In the most emotional role of his career, McConaughey embodies a father embarking on a space travel expedition causing his bond with his daughter to face despair. McConaughey is one of those actors that has always excelled at communicating strong emotions through his expressions, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Interstellar”. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase emotional vulnerability he hadn’t shown in his career before. For instance, the scene in which Cooper reunites with his daughter experiencing a commemorated reunion after several years of separation on found footage is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Interstellar” a classic is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A commemorated portrait of painful hardships fathers face being separated from estranged children in space, it’s a strong reminder of an actor whose movies audiences embrace.

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

When it comes to the most corrupt stockbrokers in American history, it’s worth discussing Jordan Belfort. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a brother that was fascinated with a stockbroker he considered a hero. He would always admire a stockbroker that got away with felonies without a price to pay. In 2013, Matthew McConaughey did an extraordinary job depicting the corrupt stockbroker that committed crimes on Wall Street in his movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”. In the most comical role of his career, McConaughey embodies a wild Wall Street stockbroker engaging in a lifestyle of hedonism without fear. McConaughey has always been one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic talents are clearly evident in “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Despite appearing in the film for a single scene with limited screen-time, McConaughey steals the show with his humour. For instance, the scene in which Mark Hanna teaches Jordan Belfort about the drug-infused lifestyle of Wall Street stockbrokers is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about consequences of crime which would resonate with everyone. 30 years after a stockbroker committed crimes on Wall Street, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to make movies audiences consider a treat.

4. Contact

Alien invasions are terrifying disasters that have always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I developed bonds with a teacher that feared alien invasions causing damage. He would often fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher afraid of extra-terrestrial contact, I adored “Contact”. Released in 1997, Matthew McConaughey’s movie captured astronomers seeking to communicate with aliens causing catastrophe. In the most intelligent role of his career, McConaughey embodies an astronomer seeking to communicate with aliens causing despair. McConaughey is one of those actors that has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles, and his strengths are evident in “Contact”. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also excellent, McConaughey embodies an astronomer with strong commitment. For instance, the scene in which Palmer assists Ellie with radio signals of extra-terrestrial aliens showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Contact” a great science-fiction movie is its message. It delivers a strong message about communication which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of astronomers seeking extra-terrestrial contact, it’s a strong reminder about a commemorated actor whose movies have a huge impact.

5. Dazed and Confused

Drug addiction is a serious issue that causes people to face destruction. During my childhood, I formed a friendship with a kid addicted to drugs. He would show up to class dazed and confused for which he was rarely praised. His addiction to weed put him on a path to fail rather than succeed. Nevertheless, I treasured my relationship with a friend that taught me about the painful drug addiction process. As someone treasuring a drug-addicted friend that was dazed and confused, I adored “Dazed and Confused”. Released in 1993, Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age movie captured teenagers with drug addiction. In the most iconic role of his career, McConaughey embodies a drug-addict teen. McConaughey has a powerful voice with a Southern accent, and “Dazed and Confused” showcased his vocal talents. For instance, the scene in which Wooderson states his line “Alight, Alright, Alright” is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dazed and Confused” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a message about drug addiction which would resonate with everyone. A dazzling depiction of teens that are dazed and confused, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies leave audiences amused.

6. Killer Joe

Matthew McConaughey is one of those actors that has always excelled at playing disturbed characters. McConaughey has built an image for playing tormented characters facing emotional damage. McConaughey’s strength for playing troubled characters facing sorrow is clearly evident in his movie “Killer Joe”. Released in 2011, Matthew McConaughey’s movie captured a psychotic contract killer. In the most villainous role of his career, McConaughey embodies a treacherous killer committing crimes whose mere presence evokes fear. It’s a role that gave McConaughey an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a villainous killer without humanity. As memorable as murders committed by killer Joe, it’s a marvellous reminder of a commemorated actor whose timeless movies give audiences dreams to follow.

7. The Lincoln Lawyer

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about lawyers facing danger, it’s worth discussing The Lincoln Lawyer. Since its publication in 2005, Michael Connelly’s novel has become a beloved piece of literature. In 2011, Matthew McConaughey adapted the classic book about lawyers facing danger in his movie “The Lincoln Lawyer”. In the most thoughtful role of his career, McConaughey embodies a lawyer seeking to resolve a mysterious case of murder causing despair. It’s a dialogue-driven role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for delivering monologues. Working alongside Ryan Phillippe who is excellent, McConaughey honoured legendary literature about lawyers. A lovely adaptation of a legendary book about lawyers facing danger, it’ a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies audiences treasure.

8. Mud

Adolescence is a formative time in life that shapes one’s identity. I vividly remember the time when I was a teenager. Whether it was bullying, classes that were challenging or teachers I found inspiring, adolescence shaped my identity. As someone reminiscing fond memories of being a teenager in my blood, I admired “Mud”. Released in 2012, Matthew McConaughey’s movie depicted teenagers bonding with fugitives on the run. In the most mysterious role of his career, McConaughey embodies a fugitive forming bonds with teenagers that face despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing mischievous characters that are misunderstood. As strong as Mud’s desire to escape his traumatic past, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a strong legacy which will always last.

9. Magic Mike

Stripping is a sensitive profession that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from depicting a profession which is misunderstood. Strippers are controversial characters whose stories rarely attract audiences to the theatre. In an industry that has often avoided depicting strippers that are hard to like, it’s worth praising “Magic Mike”. Released in 2012, Matthew McConaughey’s movie offered an engaging depiction of male strippers. In the most provocative role of his career, McConaughey embodies a male stripper whose sexual activities cause despair. It’s a role that gave the actor chances to step out of his comfort zone by playing a male stripper with strong sexuality. As strong as Magic Mike’s desire to strip, it’s a marvellous reminder of an actor whose memorable movies have earned huge viewership.

10. Tropic Thunder

Matthew McConaughey hasn’t always made great movies which have blown audiences away. While most movies that the actor has made are successful, others have fallen short. Unfortunately, “Tropic Thunder” falls into the latter group of movies. Released in 2008, Ben Stiller’s movie offered a fun but flawed spoof about the film industry. In the most comical role of his career, McConaughey embodies a manager struggling to care for an actor. McConaughey brought humour to the role proving to be the bright spot of a flawed movie. Despite its flaws, “Tropic Thunder” is a riveting reminder of McConaughey’s strengths as an actor. As powerful as Tugg Speedman’s love for acting, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a star that has built a lasting legacy whose engaging movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for filmmaking.