Miramax Films
Hollywood love a good comeback . The industry that transforms actors and music director into gargantuan ace will also alleviate their downfall . One misapprehension , and it ’s back to the bottom of the heap . J.J. Abrams , a massively talented author and music director , has not directed a film since the reviledStar Wars : The advance of Skywalker . Taylor Kitsch has not had top charge in a movie since a pair of massive bust from 2012 : John CarterandBattleship . The picture manufacture can be ruthless and cutthroat .
Hollywood rarely declare oneself second chance . However , there are some notable examples of achiever stories for the thespian and director who receive the opportunity to make a comeback . Several resurgences led to Oscar winnings , while others revitalized actor ’ status as top stars . We ’ve ranked the seven good return motion-picture show for player and director .
Miramax Films
7. Birdman (Michael Keaton)
Who does n’t care Michael Keaton ? The actor won over audiencesthanks to his charm and comedic timing in the 1980s with purpose inNight Shift , Mr. Mom , andBeetlejuice . Keaton ’s career reached new peak in 1989 when he starred as Bruce Wayne in Tim Burton’sBatman . Keaton ’s stoical interpretation of the titular superhero inBatmanandBatman Returnsis consider one of the best portrayals of the caped crusader .
Keaton remained active for the next 20 - plus years as he transitioned to support roles in the 2000s . Ironically , Keaton have a career revivification inBirdman or ( The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)as Riggan Thomson , a refuse actor who once played a popular superhero and who is hoping for a jibe at redemption as the star of a Broadway play . It ’s a plot that shares many similarities with Keaton ’s vocation . Unsurprisingly , Keaton gives a vocation - best performance as Riggan that resulted in an Oscar nomination for Best Actor .
Rent or buyBirdman or ( The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)onPrime Video , YouTube , Google , andApple .
6. John Wick (Keanu Reeves)
Keanu Reeves is one of the unlikeliest action stars to amount out of the 1990s . At a metre when Sylvester Stallone , Arnold Schwarzenegger , and Steven Seagal relied on their physicality , Reeves be given into a quieter , more vulnerable presence . This everyman part ignited Reeves ’s action career inPoint BreakandSpeedbefore he became an external whiz inThe Matrix . Yet , Reeves ’s luster wore off post - Matrix trilogy , culminating in 2013’s47 Ronin , a critical bankruptcy and box authority bomb .
In 2014 , Reeves star inJohn Wickas the titular assassinator , who returns to the criminal Hades to seek retaliation on the thugs who stole his car and drink down his dog . Backed by magnificent stunt work , John Wickwas instantly beloved by activity buff . The character was a return to configuration for Reeves , who thrive as a no - nonsense protagonist . Three John Wick movies subsequently , Reeves is back on top of the action human race , just like he was in 1999 .
StreamJohn WickonPeacock .
5. Jackie Brown (Pam Grier)
In the 1970s , Pam Grier became a household name for her work in blaxploitation films , includingCoffyandFoxy Brown . Grier was bar to supporting purpose in the 1980s , with her biggest hit part coming in 1988’sAbove the Lawstarring Steven Seagal . It was not until 1997’sJackie Brownthat Grier returned to top charge for the first prison term in over 20 years .
Quentin Tarantinoknew Grier was a star ; she only require the right part , alike to how Tarantino find about John Travolta when hurl forPulp Fiction . Tarantino persuaded Grier to dally the form of address character inJackie Brown , his homage to blaxploitation films of the 1970s . Grier lights up the screen as the confident and charismatic Jackie Brown . For her splendid work , Grier received a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards .
StreamJackie BrownonTubiandPeacock .
4. Gone Baby Gone (Ben Affleck)
Ben Affleckwas destined for stardom from a untested age . After winning the Best Original Screenplay Oscar with Matt Damon forGood Will Hunting , Affleck became one of the most in - requirement actors in Hollywood , with leading office inArmageddon , Pearl Harbor , andThe Sum of All Fears . Because of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez , Affleck became a tabloid sensation with unremitting aid from the paparazzo . Unfortunately , the increased care hurt Affleck ’s mental well - being and career , with 2003’sGiglibeing the movie that sank his status as Hollywood royal line .
With nowhere to go but up , Affleck pace behind the camera , making a decision that would shape the balance of his career . In 2007 , Affleck guide and co - wroteGone Baby Gone , a Boston criminal offence thriller about a individual detective ’s ( Casey Affleck ) hunt for a absent female child . The filmwas lauded by critic , who were impressed with Affleck ’s terrific way . Gone Baby Gonebecame ill-use one of a three - part comeback . Step two wasThe Town , which raise Affleck could be a commercial-grade director . The third and last step wasArgo , the striking thriller that get ahead the 2013 Oscar for Best Picture , the cherry red on top of Affleck ’s noteworthy resurgence .
StreamGone Baby GoneonPluto TV .
3. Pulp Fiction (John Travolta)
In the late seventies , John Travolta was arguably the bighearted star on the satellite . Travolta starred inSaturday Night FeverandGrease , two gigantic hit that were the two highest - gross films domestically over the eight - calendar month span in which they were released , a rarified feat that no actor equalize for over 40 years untilTimothée Chalametaccomplished it withWonkaandDune : Part Two .
Yet , the eighties were unkind to Travolta because of several decisive miss , includingTwo of a Kind , Perfect , andStaying Alive . After the success ofLook Who ’s Talkingin the late 1980s , Travolta deliver the goods the role of Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino ’s hitPulp fabrication . Despite his career downswing , Tarantino knew that Travolta was still a superstar . “ It ’s only stupid Hollywood that does n’t realize it , ” Tarantino read about casting Travolta on the podcast2 Bears , 1 Cave . Tarantino was right-hand , as Travolta earned some of the best reviews of his life history inPulp Fiction . Travolta received a Best Actor nomination at the 1995 Oscars , catapulting him to a Hollywood upturn for the rest of the 10 .
StreamPulp FictiononMax .
2. Everything Everywhere All at Once (Ke Huy Quan)
Does any tyke actor have a better start to their career than Ke Huy Quan ? At age 12 , Quan starred as Short Round in 1984’sIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom . The following year , Quan diddle the memorable function of Richard “ Data ” Wang inThe Goonies . Yet , over the next 15 years , Quan struggled to leger part , with his most significant appearance coming in 1992’sEncino Man . Quan finally drop out performing in the early 2000s and work behind the setting as a stunt choreographer and assistant director for the next two 10 .
In 2022 , Quan returned triumphantly to act inEverything Everywhere All at Once , the sci - fi multiversal escapade that transfer his aliveness . Quan plays Waymond Wang , the meek , kind husband to Evelyn ( Michele Yeoh ) . Quan ’s kindly and bouncing depiction of Waymond receive universal congratulations . Quan succeed nigh every major supporting acting award from critic , highlighted by an emotional triumph for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Oscar .
StreamEverything Everywhere All at OnceonNetflix .
1. The Whale (Brendan Fraser)
Brendan Fraser became one of Hollywood ’s most recognizable lead men in the nineties and early 2000s . After his find roles in 1992’sEncino ManandSchool Ties , Fraser transformed into a global action genius with his office as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy trilogy . After 2008’sThe Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperorfailed with critic and audience , Fraser ’s vocation began to decline , leading to a hiatus in the mid-2010s due to a diversity of issues .
After appearing in several supporting theatrical role on television , Fraser received his big break in 2022’sThe Whale . guide by Darren Aronofsky , The Whalestars Fraser as Charlie , a morbidly weighty English teacher on his deathbed who seek to reconcile with his vernal daughter Ellie ( Sadie Sink).Fraser told Digital Trendshe hopedThe Whalewould ” change some hearts and head . ” It did that and more , with Fraser collect some of the best review of his career , culminate with his profits for Best Actor at the 2023 Academy Award .
StreamThe WhaleonParamount+ .
