The Best Catherine Keener Movies

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Updated August 11, 2023 429 votes 81 voters
Over 80 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Catherine Keener Movies
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List of the best Catherine Keener movies, ranked best to worst with movie trailers when available. Catherine Keener's highest grossing movies have received a lot of accolades over the years, earning millions upon millions around the world. The order of these top Catherine Keener movies is decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated Catherine Keener movies will be at the top of the list. Catherine Keener has been in a lot of films, so people often debate each other over what the greatest Catherine Keener movie of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Catherine Keener films to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Catherine Keener role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Catherine Keener performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

Full Frontal and Captain Phillips are included in this list.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Catherine Keener movies?" and "What are the greatest Catherine Keener roles of all time?"

Joel Schumacher and Judd Apatow have both worked with Catherine Keener over the years, as have plenty of other well-known directors. If Catherine Keener movies are your thing, then check out the greatest movies by Patricia Clarkson and Vera Farmiga too.

Most divisive: A Late Quartet
Ranked by
  • The 40-Year-Old Virgin
    1

    The 40-Year-Old Virgin

    Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
    25 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Judd Apatow
    The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a comedic exploration of late-blooming adulthood, starring Steve Carell as Andy Stitzer, a man who has managed to avoid life's intimate interactions. The movie, directed by Judd Apatow, follows the journey of Andy as his friends David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) discover his secret and embark on a mission to end his virgin status. Through their misadventures and Andy's burgeoning relationship with Trish (Catherine Keener), the film delves into themes of friendship, love, and the pressures of societal norms. This light-hearted comedy won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance by Carell.

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  • Being John Malkovich
    2

    Being John Malkovich

    John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
    17 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Spike Jonze
    In the quirky film Being John Malkovich, puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) stumbles upon a bizarre secret: a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). Schwartz's wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz), becomes obsessed with this surreal experience, leading to an unconventional love triangle involving Maxine (Catherine Keener), who exploits the portal for profit. Directed by Spike Jonze and penned by Charlie Kaufman, this dark comedy-drama delves into themes of identity and consciousness. It snagged three Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The film is a unique exploration of celebrity culture, layered with philosophical undertones.

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  • Where the Wild Things Are
    3

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Catherine Keener, Max Records, Mark Ruffalo
    9 votes
    • Released: 2009
    • Directed by: Spike Jonze
    Embarking on a fantastical journey, Max (Max Records), the film's young protagonist in Where the Wild Things Are, finds himself in a realm of bizarre, yet endearing creatures. Directed by Spike Jonze and based on Maurice Sendak's treasured children's book, this adventure drama unfolds as Max becomes the ruler of these wild beings. Among them are Carol (James Gandolfini), Judith (Catherine O'Hara), and KW (Lauren Ambrose). The movie captures Max's struggle with loneliness and his yearning for friendship, offering viewers an enchanting exploration of childhood imagination. With its unique blend of live-action and puppetry, it won the 2010 BAFTA award for Best Production Design.

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  • Into the Wild
    4

    Into the Wild

    Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt
    9 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: Sean Penn
    Into the Wild is a riveting biographical drama that chronicles the life of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man who abandons societal norms to embark on an odyssey into nature. Directed by Sean Penn, this cinematic masterpiece scooped up numerous awards for its poignant depiction of human longing for freedom and truth. The film's narrative unfolds in the wild expanses of Alaska, where McCandless seeks solace and self-discovery. Along his journey, he encounters a series of characters that shape his understanding of life and survival. His quest is not merely physical; it's a deep spiritual journey into the unknown. Into the Wild, while being a tale of adventure, also explores themes of solitude, identity, and the human relationship with nature.

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  • Captain Phillips
    5

    Captain Phillips

    Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener, Barkhad Abdi
    6 votes
    • Released: 2013
    • Directed by: Paul Greengrass
    In April 2009, the U.S. containership Maersk Alabama sails toward its destination on a day that seems like any other. Suddenly, Somali pirates race toward the vessel, climb aboard and take everyone hostage. The captain of the ship, Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), looks to protect his crew from the hostile invaders, and their leader, Muse (Barkhad Abdi). The pirates are after millions of dollars, and Phillips must use his wits to make sure everyone survives and returns home safely.

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  • Capote
    6

    Capote

    Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins
    11 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Bennett Miller
    Reading of the murder of a Kansas family, New York City novelist Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) decides to cover the story himself, and travels to the small town with his childhood friend, aspiring novelist Harper Lee (Catherine Keener). When Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Dick Hickock (Mark Pellegrino) are arrested and charged, Capote forms an emotional bond with Smith during his jailhouse interviews despite the young criminal's apparent guilt.

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