11 Johnny Depp Movies You Should See

Johnny Depp is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, thanks to films like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland.’ But he also happens to be one of Hollywood's most talented actors. Before you see his latest, ‘Into the Woods,’ let’s check out a few of his most memorable films. 

This first collaboration between Depp and director Tim Burton offered a stylized take on the Pinocchio fable, with Depp starring as a lonely young man with scissors for hands. Equal parts heartwarming and tragic, ‘Scissorhands’ presents the actor at his best. 

‘Grape’ is a showcase for both Depp and a young Leonardo DiCaprio. Depp plays Gilbert, a young man burdened with the responsibility of overseeing the family farm, while taking care of his mentally handicapped younger brother (DiCaprio). While only Leo scored an Oscar nom for his impressive work, Depp’s nuanced performance is very noteworthy. 

Depp re-teamed with Burton for one of their best films, with the actor playing the titular B-movie director and occasional cross-dresser. The Oscar-winning film is considered to be one of the best bio-pics ever made.

If you're going to star in a mob drama, who better to work with than Al Pacino? Depp plays undercover FBI agent Joe Pistone (a.k.a. jewel thief Donnie Brasco), in this crowd-pleaser based on Pistone's memoir. The film focuses heavily on the friendship between Pistone and mobster Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero (Pacino).

Depp took on one of his most challenging roles to date in this adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's semi-autobiographical book. With former Monty Python-ite Terry Gilliam directing, the result was a surreal and memorable ride. 

Depp's next big crime movie put him on the opposite side of the law, in this biopic about cocaine smuggler George Jung. ‘Blow’ offers a sobering look at a man who achieves vast wealth only to lose it all, and Depp is more than capable of holding our attention throughout Jung’s rise and fall. 

Director Robert Rodriguez capped off his 'El Mariachi' trilogy with this sequel, bringing back Antonio Banderas' gun-toting, guitar-playing hero. But it's Depp’s role as crooked CIA agent Sheldon Sands that steals the show. 

Who would have thought a movie based on a theme park ride would spawn one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood history? Depp deserves plenty of credit for his iconic portrayal of fumbling, spastic pirate hero Captain Jack Sparrow.

Instead of telling yet another Peter Pan story, ‘Finding Neverland’ focuses instead on writer J.M. Barrie and the creation of that timeless tale. Depp and co-star Kate Winslet deliver exceptional work in this drama about finding a balance between the responsibilities of adulthood and the joy of being a child.  

In one of the most underrated Depp/Burton collaborations of recent years, the duo bring the bloody musical to the big screen. Depp brings a sinister, haunted charm to the role of Mr. Todd, while proving that he can also carry a tune. 

With three ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films in the can, Depp and director Gore Verbinski reunited for this CG-animated tale about a chameleon who becomes sheriff of a Wild West town. Depp's talent for quirky characters and spastic mannerisms shine here, even though he only had his voice to rely upon.