Val Kilmer’s cinematic legacy continues to endure, and this week UNILAD RANKED brings you his top five films.
Val Kilmer passed away at 65 due to pneumonia, with his daughter confirming the news to the New York Times.
Fans of the iconic actor quickly paid tribute, including his Top Gun co-star and friend Tom Cruise, who requested a moment of silence during CinemaCon at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Cruise expressed his gratitude for working with Kilmer, holding the moment of silence ‘because Kilmer loved movies and he gave a lot to all of us’.
Kilmer’s filmography features some memorable roles, spanning from Batman to Doc Holliday. Among them, five movies stand out on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighted in this week’s UNILAD RANKED to celebrate his career.
Written and directed by Michael Mann (Ferrari) and produced by Mann and Art Linson (The Edge), this film boasts an extraordinary cast.
Al Pacino (The Godfather) and Robert De Niro (Taxi Driver) star alongside Kilmer, Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), and Jon Voight (Holes) in a 1995 film showcasing some of the industry’s most recognized actors.
The movie focuses on a group of elite professional thieves who come under pressure from the LAPD.
The gang leader plans one last heist before retiring but faces the challenge of a rogue team member, while the head of the LAPD deals with personal issues. Will they discover their similarities despite being adversaries?
Kilmer was reportedly pleased to learn that Marine recruits were shown the gun battle scene where his character expertly changes his magazine, according to IMDb.
With an 83 on Rotten Tomatoes and a 94 popcorn score, it’s no surprise that a viewer remarked: “Val Kilmer is part of one of the greatest heist sequences in film history. Everything about Kilmer in this moment in Heat feels so real. Val Kilmer was just that dude: a vintage Hollywood bad-ass.”
Another viewer added: “You will never be as cool as Val Kilmer in Heat.”
The documentary focusing on the actor’s life deserves a spot in the top five.
Co-written by Kilmer, directed and produced by Leo Scott and Ting Poo, Val premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021.
It includes unseen footage spanning 40 years, from Kilmer’s childhood to his marriage and throat cancer diagnosis, providing fans with an intimate glimpse into his life.
The documentary holds a 93 on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89 popcorn score, averaging 91.
One Twitter user commented: “I’ve been a huge fan of Val’s since I was a kid in the 90s. Took me a really long time to bring myself to watch his doc because I knew it would be hard. So glad I finally did it a few months ago though. RIP VK.”
Actor Hugh Jackman also recommended: “I recommend … the documentary VAL by @valkilmer. It is so raw, so honest. I didn’t want it to end. Check it out. @AmazonStudios.”
Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction) penned and Tony Scott (Top Gun) directed this 1993 romantic crime movie with an impressive cast.
Starring Christian Slater (Heathers) and Patricia Arquette (Severance), the film also features Dennis Hopper (Blue Velvet), Kilmer, Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Brad Pitt (Fight Club) – who reportedly improvised much of his dialogue – and Christopher Walken (Severance).
The plot follows Clarence (Slater), a comic-book enthusiast and Elvis fan, who falls for Alabama (Arquette), a prostitute, and their encounters with her pimp, leading them into danger. Can their love endure?
Though it barely broke even at the box office, earning $12.6 million against a $12.5 million budget, the film has gained a loyal following, boasting a 93 on both Rotten Tomatoes and the popcorn score.
One Twitter user noted: “That time we didn’t even need to see Val Kilmer’s face for his incredible performance as Elvis in True Romance to be burnt into our memory. Rest in Peace Kifness.”
Another person remarked: “True Romance is the best movie, with the best cast, that you’ve probably never seen.”
The next spot goes to a significant film in Kilmer’s career – his last.
The iconic action drama was crafted by Ehren Kruger, (Dumbo) Eric Warren Singer (American Hustle), and Christopher McQuarrie (Mission Impossible – Fallout) and helmed by Joseph Kosinski (F1).
Cruise reprised his role as naval aviator Maverick, initially introduced in the 1986 classic Top Gun.
Despite Kilmer’s vocal cords being affected following a tracheostomy due to a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis, he returned as Admiral Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.
This feat was achieved with the help of British AI company Sonantic, which used recordings from Kilmer’s career to ‘masterfully restore’ his voice.
On set with Cruise felt timeless and enjoyable for Kilmer. “We blew a lot of takes laughing so much,” he said to Entertainment Weekly. “It was really fun and special.”
Top Gun: Maverick was Kilmer’s final performance, and with a 96 on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99 popcorn score, it’s cherished by fans.
A Twitter user expressed: “This scene from Top Gun: Maverick hits harder right now. RIP Iceman.”
Another remarked: “That scene between Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick was is an absolute masterpiece,” while another added: “I still remember hearing people in the theater cry during this moment between Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. I’m so incredibly thankful Cruise insisted on this scene because this moment is forever. RIP, Iceman.”
Leading the list with a flawless Rotten Tomatoes score is Kill Me Again, co-written by John Dahl (Joy Ride) and David W. Warfield (Kill Me Again), directed by Dahl.
This film, featuring his then-wife Joanne Whalley, casts Kilmer as private investigator Jack Andrews and Whalley as Fay Forrester, a woman eager to flee her violent partner.
Despite its 100 on the tomatometer, the popcorn score is a modest 48, marking it as a box office failure with a budget of $4 million and worldwide earnings of $283,694.
Nevertheless, the film has gained a devoted fanbase over the years, with viewers still lauding it over three decades later.
One Twitter user suggested: “If you’re looking for a Val Kilmer flick you’ve maybe missed, try John Dahl’s (RED ROCK WEST, LAST SEDUCTION) KILL ME AGAIN. Kilmer doing incredible, nuanced work as a private eye caught in a killtrap. 90 minutes of page-yellowed and existential back-pocket pulp, as god intended.”
Another added: “A personal favorite in my neo-noir collection,” while a third concluded: “This is one of