My Favourite Jeff Goldblum Movies of All-Time

Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved stardom of Jeff Goldblum. Since the 1990’s, Goldblum has become an icon. Whether it’s dinosaur explorers, magical wizards or alien survivors, Goldblum has portrayed many interesting characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Jurassic Park

Dinosaurs are terrifying creatures causing disaster that always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that was fascinated with dinosaurs causing damage. He grew up to adore dinosaurs with a loud roar that made his heart soar. Fascinated with the history of prehistoric dinosaurs, he would often love watching bold documentaries about creatures that shaped his identity. My grandfather’s lifelong love for dark dinosaurs with a bright spark first began when he watched “Jurassic Park”. Released in 1993, Jeff Goldblum’s best movie celebrated dark dinosaurs causing catastrophe. In the greatest role of his career, Goldblum embodies an eccentric mathematician that visits a dangerous theme park where dinosaurs cause despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most memorable role. Goldblum has always had an aptitude for playing highly intelligent characters, and “Jurassic Park” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Laura Dern who is also amazing, Goldblum created a portrait of dinosaurs that’s compelling. As Ian Malcolm, Goldblum created an iconic character that become a main highlight of the Jurassic Park franchise. For instance, the scene in which Dr. Malcolm attempts to distract a dinosaur that wreaks havoc with a bright flaming torch causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Jurassic Park” Jeff Goldblum’s greatest movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about dinosaurs, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about disaster which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about dinosaurs seeking to destroy a theme park that are frightening, it’s a bold reminder of a great actor that has made a lasting legacy making memorable movies which are worth celebrating.

2. Independence Day

Alien invasions are frightening events that fascinated my brother. At an early age, I developed bonds with a brother that feared alien invasions causing damage. He would fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by terrifying aliens with a price to pay. A huge fan of science-fiction, my teacher admired movies about an alien invasion. As someone treasuring a brother that loved alien invasions every day, I adored “Independence Day”. Released in 1996, Jeff Goldblum’s movie offered an awe-inspiring depiction of alien invasions. In the most anxious role of his career, Goldblum embodies an intelligent engineer that discovers evidence of alien invasions causing despair. Wth “Independence Day”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing an intellectual engineer. Working alongside Will Smith who is also amazing, Goldblum created a portrait of alien invasions that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which David warns the president about the alien invasion causing fear is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Independence Day” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crisis that would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring depiction of an alien invasion tragedy, it’s an amazing reminder of an actor that has made timeless movies audiences love dearly.

3. Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Doppelgangers are terrifying figures that have always scared me. As far as I remember, I have feared doppelgangers causing terror. At an early age, I formed a lifelong fear of doppelgangers causing damage. The mere idea of meeting a duplicate of one’s self scared me. I would often have a nightmare about meeting a duplicate of myself causing despair. As someone that has always been afraid of doppelgangers, I adored “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. Released in 1978, Jeff Goldblum’s film depicted doppelgangers causing disaster. In the most frightening role of his career, Goldblum portrays an aspiring writer that becomes the victim of a doppelganger disaster causing despair. With “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, the actor showcased an aptitude for horror he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Donald Sutherland who is also amazing, Goldblum created a doppelganger invasion that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Jack discovers his doppelganger evoking fear is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a strong message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. A frightening depiction of doppelgangers that are dangerous, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor audiences consider precious.

4. Thor: Ragnarok

Thor is a legendary comic-book character that always inspired my teacher. I remember an English teacher that was fascinated with the comic-book character. A huge comic-book nerd, he would always speak fondly about a superhero that made him feel heard. He would marvel in astonishment at a demi-god that he considered an icon in entertainment. As someone treasuring a teacher that would always flock to the theatre to see Thor, I adored “Thor: Ragnarok”. Released in 2017, Jeff Goldblum’s movie celebrated the legendary comic-book character’s legacy. In the most villainous role of his career, Goldblum embodies a grandmaster that challenges a demi-god facing despair. Goldblum has spent most of his career playing honourable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Thor: Ragnarok”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which the Grandmaster sabotages a fight causing Thor to be defeated causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Thor: Ragnarok” a comic-book masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles relatable themes that would resonate with everyone. As precious as Thor’s hammer, it’s a bold reminder of a great actor that has made timeless movies which audiences treasure.

5. Wicked

“The Wizard of Oz” is a legendary musical that my grandmother always considered special. I recall with nostalgia a grandma appreciating a film in the musical genre. She praised an iconic musical about a yellow brick road she considered fantastic. Through her love for a musical about wizards with wisdom, my grandmother inspired me to pursue dreams of film criticism. In 2024, Jeff Goldblum honoured the classic musical about wicked witches in his movie “Wicked”. In the most magical role of his career, Goldblum embodies a wise wizard that guides witches facing despair. Goldblum has a sharp sense of humour, and his comedic talents are evident in “Wicked”. Working alongside Cynthia Erivo who is also amazing, Goldblum honoured a bold musical released years ago. For instance, the scene in which Elphaba and Glinda first meet the wizard causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Wicked” a great musical is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about social acceptance that would resonate with everyone. As precious as the land of Oz, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured unforgettable movies that deserve a loud round of applause.

6. Deep Cover

A common criticism often levelled against Jeff Goldblum is that he doesn’t take risks as an actor. Following “Jurassic Park”, Goldblum has often been typecast as heroes with a bright spark. This has left little room for surprises in the actor’s career. However, in 1992 the actor took audiences by surprise when he made his crime thriller “Deep Cover”. In the most solemn role of his career, Goldblum embodies a police officer investigating drug trafficking in a city facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a conflicted police-officer. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is also amazing, Goldblum created a cop that’s compelling. A dazzling depiction of police officers facing despair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a great career making movies about which audiences care.

7. The Fly

Jeff Goldblum has always excelled at making movies about monsters. Goldblum has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing heroes fighting monsters that cause damage. Goldblum’s strength for playing heroes fighting monsters that terrify is clearly evident in his film “The Fly”. Released in 1986, David Cronenberg’s movie found the actor playing a fly monster. In the most physically demanding role of his career, Goldblum embodies a scientist that transforms into a fly causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a creature. Goldblum showcased commitment to this role he hadn’t shown in his career before. As unforgettable as Seth’s transformation into a fly, it’s a spectacular reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to satisfy making movies about monsters that terrify.

8. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Wes Anderson. Since the 1990’s, Anderson’s quirky movies have earned a huge following. Jeff Goldblum has collaborated with Anderson on several movies. In 2014, Anderson showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he cast Jeff Goldblum in his movie “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. In the most quirky role of his career, Goldblum embodies a lawyer seeking to take care of a hotel causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase talent for playing quirky characters. Working alongside Willem Dafoe who is also amazing, Goldblum created a character that’s compelling.  A grand portrait of a Budapest hotel, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor with commemorated stories to tell that has produced unforgettable movies which have cast a magical spell.

9. The Right Stuff

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about NASA astronauts that are tough, it’s worth discussing The Right Stuff. Since its publication in 1979, Tom Wolfe’s book has become a literary classic. In 1983, Jeff Goldblum beautifully adapted the book about astronauts’ stuff in his movie “The Right Stuff”. In the most subtle role of his career, Goldblum embodies a recruiter that takes care of operations at NASA with a heavy burden to bear. Goldblum has spent most of his career playing larger-than-life heroes with talkative personalities. With “The Right Stuff”, however, the actor showcased subtlety he hadn’t shown in his career before. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about hardships astronauts face in space, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has made memorable movies which audiences embrace.

10. Jurassic World: Dominion

Jeff Goldblum hasn’t always made great movies achieving stardom. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Jurassic World: Dominion” falls into the latter category. Released in 2022, Colin Trevorrow’s dinosaur blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Goldblum embodies a scientist investigating dinosaurs causing despair. Goldblum brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Jurassic World: Dominion” is a disastrous blockbuster, it honoured Goldblum’s legacy as an actor. As strong as dinosaurs in a state of dominion, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that has created a legendary reputation producing memorable movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my filmmaking passion.