Jake Gyllenhaal's Best Movies

In just three decades of work, Jake Gyllenhaal has emerged as one of the finest actors of his generation, delivering standout performances in films like 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005), 'Prisoners' (2013), and 'Nocturnal Animals' (2016). Join us as we delve into his extraordinary filmography!

Jake Gyllenhaal's ascent to stardom began with his role in 'Donnie Darko' (2001), an apocalyptic cult classic that showcased his compelling performance. Despite its release shortly after 9/11, the film garnered critical acclaim, propelling Gyllenhaal into the spotlight and solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the industry.

In the following years, Jake Gyllenhaal continued to delve into small- and medium-budget films. His next major undertaking was the mega-disaster production 'The Day After Tomorrow' (2004), directed by Roland Emmerich.
In the film, Gyllenhaal played a young, gifted student trapped in New York during a series of catastrophic atmospheric events. As his father, portrayed by Dennis Quaid, embarks on a perilous journey to rescue him, the duo faces the brink of the apocalypse. While critics gave mixed reviews, the film proved to be a box office success, grossing over $500 million worldwide.

In 2005, Jake Gyllenhaal had a significant year, narrating the documentary 'Between the Towers' and starring in the ambitious films 'Proof' and 'Jarhead.' However, the pinnacle of the year for the actor was 'Brokeback Mountain,' a remarkable gay drama directed by Ang Lee. Gyllenhaal portrayed "Jack Twist," a cowboy engaging in a complex relationship with his co-worker in the Wyoming mountains, played by Heath Ledger as "Ennis del Mar." The film, based on Annie Proulx's book, traced their intertwined lives over two decades.

For his outstanding work in 'Brokeback Mountain,' Jake Gyllenhaal earned an Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category. He won the BAFTA award in the same category and received nominations from prestigious awards such as the Critics' Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild of America Award.

After garnering acclaim for his role in 'Brokeback Mountain,' Jake Gyllenhaal collaborated with director David Fincher in 'Zodiac' (2007), an intelligent thriller revolving around the investigation of a notorious serial killer in 1960s San Francisco.

Despite not achieving blockbuster success at the box office, critics applauded the film for Fincher's directorial style and the stellar performances of the cast, including Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., and Mark Ruffalo.

Today, 'Zodiac' is hailed as one of the standout films of the 21st century.

In 2009, Jake Gyllenhaal reentered the awards race with 'Brothers,' a psychological drama directed by Jim Sheridan and written by David Benioff, the mind behind 'Game of Thrones.' Gyllenhaal portrayed a man who forms a connection with his sister-in-law (Natalie Portman) and nieces after his brother (Tobey Maguire) is mistakenly reported dead in Afghanistan. The narrative takes a complex turn when the brother returns home, unraveling a web of complicated dynamics within the family.

While 'Brothers' didn't secure Oscar nominations for the anticipated performances of Maguire and Gyllenhaal, the film earned a place on many critics' best-of-the-year lists, attesting to its compelling storytelling and powerful performances.

After establishing his prowess as an actor, Jake Gyllenhaal took on an unconventional project with Disney: a film adaptation of the video game 'Prince of Persia.' Despite 'The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' receiving a lukewarm response at the box office, Gyllenhaal's performance resonated with the audience.

His career rebounded with the romantic comedy 'Love & Other Drugs' (2010), where he co-starred alongside Anne Hathaway, earning praise for his work in a genre distinct from his previous roles.

After his roles in the science fiction film 'Source Code' (2011) and the crime film 'End of Watch' (2012), Jake Gyllenhaal collaborated with Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve in 'Prisoners' (2013). The intense thriller follows a father's (Hugh Jackman) relentless quest to find his daughter's kidnapper, with Gyllenhaal delivering a universally acclaimed performance as "Detective Loki." His portrayal earned accolades, with Peter Travers of 'Rolling Stone' praising it and the National Board of Review listing it among the best acting works of the year. Gyllenhaal clinched the Best Supporting Actor award at the 2013 Hollywood Film Festival.

In the same year, Gyllenhaal reunited with Villeneuve for 'Enemy' (2013), a peculiar mystery thriller based on José Saramago's short story 'The Duplicate Man.'

In 2014, Jake Gyllenhaal astounded audiences with his role in 'Nightcrawler' (2014), a film for which he underwent a significant physical and psychological transformation. Under the direction of Dan Gilroy, Gyllenhaal portrayed "Louis Bloom," a morally dubious character working as a freelance crime journalist in the early morning hours. His unscrupulous nature and unrelenting ambition push him to bend every rule to capture the most sensational shots.

Despite high expectations for another Oscar nomination or even a win, the Academy did not recognize Gyllenhaal's outstanding performance. However, he did receive nominations from BAFTA, Critics' Choice Award, and Golden Globe, acknowledging the depth and brilliance of his portrayal.

In 2015, Jake Gyllenhaal showcased his versatility by undergoing a dramatic physical transformation for Antoine Fuqua's film 'Southpaw.' Portraying the troubled boxer "Billy 'The Great' Hope," Gyllenhaal demonstrated his commitment to roles on both ends of the physical spectrum. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 59% approval rating on 'Rotten Tomatoes,' Gyllenhaal's powerful performance solidified his reputation as an acting chameleon, surprising audiences with his ability to immerse himself in diverse roles."