Val Kilmer was a truly unique actor, movie star, and personality, as his uncompromising approach to the craft of acting resulted in a great deal of versatility. Although Kilmer emerged as a heartthrob when his performance in “Real Genius” (1985) came at the tail end of the “Brat Pack” era, he quickly began showing signs of greater ambition, as he would often challenge himself with dramatic physical and emotional transformations. Kilmer was incredibly well read and cared deeply about the history of storytelling. As a former theater star, he dedicated a good portion of his career to the works of Mark Twain.
Kilmer’s health struggles resulted in him taking a backseat from the spotlight in recent years, but that doesn’t mean that he failed to keep working. The powerful 2021 documentary “Val” offered an intimate look at his life and career, examining how he was at odds with the perception attached to him. Most emotional was his powerful cameo in “Top Gun: Maverick,” which created a storyline that resembled his real struggles. Kilmer rarely failed to make many interesting choices, as his filmography consists of genuine classics, underrated gems, and unusual misfires that he still managed to stand out within. Here are the ten best Val Kilmer performances, ranked.
10. Batman Forever (1995)
Kilmer was tasked with the enviable challenge of donning the black cape and cowl to play the Dark Knight of Gotham City after Michael Keaton chose to exit the franchise following “Batman” and “Batman Returns.” Although director Joel Schumacher aimed to create a livelier, more cartoonish depiction of Bob Kane’s comic book universe, Kilmer delivered a powerful performance that captured the duality of the character. While Keaton was certainly the greatest Batman, and Christian Bale would go on to nail the outward persona of Bruce Wayne, Kilmer showcased how fungible the two identities were with his underrated performance.
Although it was a performance that was largely a physical one, Kilmer ensured that the action of “Batman Forever” did not feel anonymous. Whether it was romancing Nicole Kidman or facing off with a group of eccentric criminals, Kilmer emphasized the inherent theatricality of the character. “Batman Forever” is often lumped in with Schumacher’s subsequent work on “Batman & Robin,” the box office disaster that effectively killed the franchise for nearly a decade; while there are many reasons why the fourth installment in the live-action “Batman” series did not live up to expectations, a primary factor was that George Clooney didn’t have the same complex, unreadable sense of mystique that had made Kilmer so perfect for the role.
9. Willow (1988)
After George Lucas reimagined the science fiction genre with “Star Wars” and revamped action-adventure cinema with the “Indiana Jones” films, it only made sense that he would also want to offer up his take on high fantasy. “Willow” may have some overt similarities to “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” but Lucas’s idiosyncratic world stood out because of its fascinating characters, including Kilmer as the charismatic swordsman known as Madmartigan. Essentially the Han Solo of the “Willow” universe, Madmartigan added a playful sense of cynicism and altruistic heroism that turned Ron Howard’s 1988 epic into a beloved cult classic.
The fact that “Willow” did not immediately spawn a franchise on the level of “Star Wars” is not entirely surprising, as it made some significant creative leaps with its deep mythology and spiritual undertones. This is why Kilmer’s performance was so brilliant; he added an outsider’s perspective on the archetypes of a story, serving as a reminder that this is an active universe in which the future is not already written. Although the short-lived Disney+ series of the same name failed to kickstart a new direction for the franchise, it did include a heartfelt homage to the beloved work that Kilmer had done to bring Madmartigan to life.
8. The Saint (1997)
“The Saint” is the perfect embodiment of what Kilmer could do on screen, as it is a film that relied upon his versatility. Although the television show of the same name, which starred the future “James Bond” actor Roger Moore, was a fun espionage series, the 1997 reboot of “The Saint” developed a tragic backstory for a sharp-witted master of disguise, who employed various personas in order to pull off elaborate heists. Playing a character who goes to great lengths to change his appearance and personality was a role that was tailor-made for Kilmer. His enthusiasm is evident, as “The Saint” got viewers to buy into the supremely goofy storylines due to Kilmer’s commitment to the premise.
“The Saint” is everything that a ‘90s spy flick should be, but Kilmer deserves credit for adding a dramatic level of nuance to what could have been a generic guilty pleasure. Those who have seen the documentary “Val” know that Kilmer struggled with his upbringing, often feeling anxiety about his identity, and those feelings are well represented within the core text of “The Saint.” The only shame is that the film did not generate enough goodwill to spawn a sequel, as this easily could have been a character that Kilmer could have deepened had he been given more opportunities.
7. True Romance (1993)
“True Romance” was the perfect summation of the renegade independent movement of American cinema in the 1990s, in which a group of idiosyncratic filmmakers crafted edgy crime thrillers with sharp dialogue, clever popular culture references, graphic content, and a very dark sense of humor. Although it was Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette whose love story was at the center of the film, “True Romance” is best remembered for its supporting characters, with Kilmer having the memorable role of the living spirit of Elvis Presley.
There have been multiple onscreen depictions of Elvis both before and after the release of “True Romance,” but Kilmer truly captured the unwavering charisma of the King of Rock’n’Roll. Elvis had become such a dominant force within culture that he felt larger-than-life, and Kilmer was one of the few living actors that could have possibly related to that experience. He had the challenge of playing the version of Elvis that lived within the minds of the audience and managed to capture his mannerisms without ever turning into a caricature. As is so often the case, “there are no small parts, but only small actors.” Kilmer’s brief screen time in “True Romance” didn’t prevent him from giving one of his greatest performances ever.
6. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” proved to be one of the most influential films of its decade, as it served as an excellent directorial debut for “Lethal Weapon” screenwriter Shane Black, as well as a successful comeback vehicle for Robert Downey Jr. “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” is the ideal version of what a buddy cop film should look like, and Kilmer was tasked with offering the most unusual, unpredictable screen partner imaginable for Downey Jr. As a gay, mysterious police officer tasked with both solving a murder and training an actor to learn about the profession, Kilmer created a character who defied expectations at every turn.
Also Read: Career Highlights of Val Kilmer (1959-2025): From Top Gun to Top Gun: Maverick
Capturing the whip-smart, snarky dialogue that Black is so good at writing is not an easy task, but Kilmer was able to make the most cutting lines in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” feel completely authentic. While his character was often a source of comic relief, Kilmer never turned himself into a joke and was willing to offer a transgressive, experimental look at what a different type of hero could look like. Kilmer has often been described as a character actor trapped within the body of a leading man, and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” was the rare film in which he was able to take advantage of both of these sensibilities.
5. Top Gun (1986)
“Top Gun” is one of the most iconic pieces of American culture in the 1980s, and while its influence often looms larger than anything else, it’s easy to forget what a compulsively watchable, perfectly pitched film it actually is. While it’s the exciting flight sequences that turned the film into the biggest blockbuster of 1986, “Top Gun” has lingered along in the culture for the way in which it broke a generation of movie stars. Although its the film that unquestionably announced Tom Cruise as the definitive movie star of a generation, Kilmer proved to be more than his equal with his performance as Iceman. Maverick may be the hero of “Top Gun,” but Iceman is still the coolest, most entertaining character that audiences were left wanting more of.
Kilmer’s star power made Iceman feel like a larger-than-life character who could be aggressive, clever, and at times ruthless, but became impossible to hate because of how alluring he was. The film’s final twist, which reveals Iceman to be entirely pure in his intentions, served as an acknowledgment of the unsung sense of goodness that Kilmer brought to the role. Although his performance in “Top Gun: Maverick” may be too brief to factor into this list, Kilmer’s pivotal scene within the 2022 blockbuster is the type of powerful cinematic moment that’s nearly impossible to watch without immediately bursting into tears.
4. Top Secret! (1984)
There are few debuts in cinematic history quite as impressive as Kilmer’s breakthrough role in “Top Secret!,” which has stood the test of time as one of cinema’s all-time greatest spoof films. Although the dynamic trio of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers crafted hilarious satires with “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” series, “Top Secret!” was more than just a satire of one specific subgenre; an homage to Elvis Presely’s abysmal film career that was also a spy film and a romantic comedy, “Top Secret!” required an actor willing to take a chance on playing a character that could easily come off as entirely grating.
Kilmer’s performance as Nick Rivers isn’t just the funniest role of his career, but oddly one of the most sincere. One of his greatest talents was capturing the persona of seemingly odd outsiders who managed to surpass expectations at every turn. Between doing his own singing, dancing, and fighting, Kilmer has no opportunity in “Top Secret!” to hide behind the spectacle, as the entire film rested on whether or not viewers would find him compelling. It’s perhaps the most genius aspect of the film that it’s initially pitched as a comedy in which the viewers are laughing at Rivers, only to discover by the end that they’re laughing with him.
3. Tombstone (1993)
“Tombstone” served as a rebirth of the Western genre that captured the iconic partnership between Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp, a friendship that had passed into legend as the result of its innumerable depictions within popular culture. Holliday was a unique figure whose defiant sense of honor superseded his outward persona; the concept of a gambling, thieving outlaw who helped fight for justice is something perfectly suited for a big screen adventure. Kilmer’s personality was infused within his nuanced depiction of a man who led life by his own rules and refused to let others step in front of him.
The combination of scene-stealing swagger and complete selflessness was never going to be an easy one to capture, so it should be no surprise that Kilmer knocked it out of the park, making one of the greatest heroes in film history. “Tombstone” is a film so stacked with legendary actors that giving them all the right amount of praise would be nearly impossible, but it is impressive that Kilmer’s work is what most viewers left the theater thinking about. However, Kilmer does not take over “Tombstone,” as he gives a very generous performance that brings out the best in his co-stars.
2. The Doors (1991)
Although many cinephiles may have had their fill of musician biopics thanks to their unwavering popularity within the past few years, “The Doors” was not a film interested in playing by the roles, as to do so would be in defiance of its subject. Jim Morrison was an explosive force of nature that attacked sentimentality, authority, and the status quo at every turn, becoming both highly influential and completely controversial as a result of his unapologetic nature. The level of immersion that Kilmer took in crafting his performance was unparalleled; beyond mirroring Morrison’s persona and words with a remarkable degree of authenticity, Kilmer captured the untapped madness of a man who was always playing too close to the edge.
“The Doors” is not an easy film, as it examines how Morrison’s combative personality brought forth a destructive path in which many of his loved ones were forced to bear the consequences. It’s a role that would have destroyed the career of anyone who didn’t live up to the pressure, yet Kilmer expertly delivered all that was required of him, even when Oliver Stone’s direction fell short. Although it’s upsetting that Kilmer never received a single Academy Award nomination for his illustrious career, the fact that he was snubbed of a Best Actor nomination for “The Doors” was unforgivable.
1. Heat (1995)
There’s a case to be made that “Heat” is the greatest film that nearly all of its cast and crew have ever been involved with, as Michael Mann’s kinetic crime thriller is just as electrifying as it was three decades before during its initial release. Although every aspect of “Heat” is essential to the tapestry of obsession, ambition, and duality, it would be impossible to imagine anyone but Kilmer in the role of the ruthless bank robber Chris Shiherlis.
To say that Chris is nothing but a henchman of Robert De Niro’s Neil McCauley would be a discredit to a character whose unpredictability is essential to the momentum that “Heat” was able to sustain for all of its 170-minute running time. Kilmer’s role is one that seems inherently contradictory. Even though Chris is the most volatile, dangerous member of Neil’s crew, he’s also saddled with an emotional storyline centered around his strained relationship with his wife. It’s the type of vulnerability that could have slowed the film down, yet Kilmer makes it essential to why the densely populated action scenes still land with such emotional resonance. Terrifying, mysterious, and completely human, Kilmer’s performance in “Heat” is the greatest achievement in a career with incredible highlights.
