Ranking Every Nicolas Cage Movie Worst To Best

9. Birdy (1984)

Though a catastrophic box office bomb and largely remembered as the movie that Cage had two teeth removed for, Birdy is on its own merits a riveting war drama following two young men (Cage and Matthew Modine) who end up serving in the Vietnam War.

While its more outlandish, theatrical affectations won't be for everyone, it is nevertheless a devastating look at war's cost, told with compassion and empathy by both Cage and Modine.

8. Red Rock West (1993)

A terrific neo-noir from genre veteran John Dahl, Red Rock West casts Cage as a drifter who finds himself mistaken for a hitman and attempts to make off with his ill-gotten loot.

Before long, the real hitman (a full-froth Dennis Hopper) comes a-knocking, and the proverbial hits the fan.

Though not doing anything especially creative, Red Rock West succeeds on the strength of its airy setting, terrific cast - also including Lara Flynn Boyle and late, great character actor J. T. Walsh - and sharp-tongued script.