My Favourite Cuba Gooding Jr. Films

Not many actors in Hollywood have made movies audiences treasure like Cuba Gooding Jr. Since the 1990’s, Gooding Jr. has become an icon. Whether it’s football players, political leaders or authors, Gooding Jr. has portrayed several strong characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Jerry Maguire

Sports agents seeking to plan games are figures that always fascinated my brother. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyful memories of a great brother that was a huge fan of sports agents with charisma. Through his lifelong love of big sports agents, my brother gave me a newfound appreciation for a great profession that I’ve grown up to value. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the dire obstacles faced by bold sports agents that wear attire which people often admire as powerfully as “Jerry Maguire”. Released in 1996, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s best movie captured charismatic sports agents that face adversity. In the greatest role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a famous football player that seeks assistance from a sports agents to prepare for big games causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and funny in his most iconic role. With “Jerry Maguire”, the actor showcased rare aptitude for comedy that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also outstanding, Gooding Jr. created a sports drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Rod has a phone call talk with Jerry Maguire about how to prepare money is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Jerry Maguire” Cuba Gooding Jr.’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about sports agents, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 30 years after the release of an iconic movie about great sports agents seeking to assist big players be successful, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made commemorated movies in his strong career which audiences consider special.

2. A Few Good Men

Courtroom dramas are a genre of movies that my uncle loved dearly. I fondly recall with nostalgia heartwarming memories of an uncle appreciating the courtroom drama genre. My uncle grew up to embrace a genre in which 12 angry men faced a case. As someone treasuring an uncle admiring legal movies about a few good men, I adored “A Few Good Men”. Released in 1992, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s movie depicted lawyers fighting a courtroom case in Guantanamo Bay. In the most authoritative role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed an army commander facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a courtroom drama that’s captivating. For instance, the scene which Corporal Hammaker is called to the witness stand to confess causing despair is one of the finest moment of the actor’s career.  Ultimately, what makes “A Few Good Men” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about injustice which would resonate with everyone. A bold adaptation of a play about Guantanamo Bay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has made movies which deserve appreciation today.

3. As Good as it Gets

OCD is a debilitating disease that shaped my personality. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with OCD causing emotional damage. As someone that has witnessed how painful Obsessive Compulsive Disorder often gets, I appreciated “As Good as it Gets”. Released in 1997, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s movie captured an aging senior with OCD. In the most compassionate role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a concerned man seeking to care for a neighbour with OCD facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Jack Nicholson who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a portrait of OCD that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Frank becomes aware that Melvin suffers from severe OCD causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “As Good as it Gets” a timeless classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences commonly treasure.

4. The Butler

Housekeepers are powerful figures impacting families. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a housekeeper that delivered an inspiring message. I remember bonding with a loyal butler that shaped my family’s future. As someone treasuring fond memories of a butler, I adored “The Butler”. Released in 2013, Cuba Gooding Jr.’s movie honoured the true story of a White House butler in American history. In the most political role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a housekeeper that served at the White House during an era of despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Forest Whitaker who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a portrait of butlers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Carter seeks to prepare for a big meeting at the White House is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Butler” a commemorated masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American history to appreciate it. An astonishing tribute towards a legendary butler in America, it’s an amazing reminder of an actor whose memorable movies attract audiences towards Cinema.

5. Selma

Martin Luther King Jr. is a legendary political leader that always inspired my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia joyous memories of a grandpa that appreciated the iconic president which changed America. I remember by grandfather was once a fan of a great leader that fought dire racism in a nation facing terror. In 2015, Cuba Gooding Jr. honoured the iconic political leader that changed America in his movie “Selma”. In the most historical role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a fierce supporter of MLK that fought racism during an era of despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a political figure in America that’s well-known. Working alongside David Oyelowo who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a political drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Fred witnesses Martin Luther King Jr. deliver a speech causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Selma” a historical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Martin Luther King Jr.’s desire to overcome racism, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor making great movies achieving immense stardom.

6. American Gangster

Frank Lucas is a legendary gangster that built a lasting legacy in American history. During the 1970’s, Lucas was a notorious gangster that engaged in criminal activities. In 2001, Cuba Gooding Jr. honoured the American gangster in his movie “American Gangster”. In the most villainous role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a cruel gangster engaging in a life of crime causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for playing villains he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a gangster movie that’s captivating. As strong as Frank’s love for the criminal lifestyle, it’s a captivating reminder of a commemorated actor with undeniable style that has always manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his career audiences consider worthwhile.

7. Boyz n the Hood

Cuba Gooding Jr. has always excelled at playing emotional characters under intense pressure. Gooding Jr. has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing emotional heroes facing damage. Gooding Jr.’s strength for playing misunderstood heroes in Hollywood is clearly evident in his movie “Boyz n the Hood”. Released in 1991, John Singleton’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, the actor portrayed a black man growing up in neighbourhoods causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase talent playing men under pressure. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is amazing, Gooding Jr. created a drama that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of a neighbourhood, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has stood the test of time as a celebrated icon in modern-day Hollywood.

8. Coming to America

Few comedians in Hollywood have built a legacy as strong as Eddie Murphy. With his strong presence, charisma and sharps sense of humour, Murphy has become a beloved actor. In 1988, Cuba Gooding Jr. honoured the iconic comedian in America in his movie “Coming to America”. In one of his first ever roles, the actor portrayed a man seeking to get a haircut at a barbershop causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his charisma during the early stages of his career. Working alongside Eddie Murphy who is also amazing, Gooding Jr. created a commemorated comedy that’s engaging. As strong as Joffer’s desire to becoming a king, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong presence that has made captivating movies throughout his long-lasting career which are definitely worth absolutely celebrating.

9. Men of Honour

When it comes to the most inspirational Navy sailors in American history, it’s worth discussing Carl Brashear. An awe-inspiring naval captain, Brashear built a legacy that’s lasting. With his commanding presence, strong leadership and charisma, Brashear became an icon in America. In 2000, Cuba Gooding Jr. honoured the iconic naval captain with honour in his movie “Men of Honour”. In the most honourable role of his career, Gooding Jr. portrayed a naval captain facing warfare. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Robert De Niro who is also outstanding, Gooding Jr. honoured a naval captain that’s inspiring. A powerful tribute towards a diver in the Navy, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured movies audiences love dearly.

10. Daddy Day Camp

Cuba Gooding Jr. hasn’t always made great movies that audiences treasure. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Daddy Day Camp” falls into the latter category. Released in 2007, Fred Savage’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a dad seeking to organize a summer camp causing despair. Gooding Jr. brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Daddy Day Camp” is a bad movie, it honoured Gooding Jr.’s legacy. As strong as Charlie’s desire to be a caring daddy, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy manufacturing unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.