The Chalamet effect has taken over Hollywood in the past decade. Appearing in a wide variety of roles, Timothée Chalamet has made a name for himself with movies that range from teen drama to romance, comedy to action, and sci-fi to adventure. The young actor has spread his wings far and wide, showcasing his talent and range as an artist.
Just in his late 20s, Chalamet has become a Hollywood mainstay. The son of French journalist Marc Chalamet, Timothée has also received numerous award nominations, including an Oscar nod for his much-lauded role in Luca Guadagnino’s coming-of-age romantic drama Call Me By Your Name (2017).
His dedication to playing nuanced characters like a skater punk youngster in Don’t Look Up (2021), an off-kilter chocolatier in Wonka (2023), Paul Atreides in Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune franchise and a heartthrob in several others like the Woody Allen directorial, A Rainy Day in New York (2019) has earned Chalamet a series of critically acclaimed hits. So much so that it’s hard to spot a miss where the actor hasn’t delivered.
It’s safe to say that his much-anticipated role as Bob Dylan in the upcoming James Mangold-directed A Complete Unknown should live up to the hype around Chalamet and the complex characters he portrays. Another exciting upcoming role of his includes Josh Safdie’s first solo film, Marty Supreme, reportedly a fictionalised biopic of table tennis champion Marty Reisman. But until these two biopics hit the big screen, let’s take a look at some of the best films of Timothée Chalamet that built his star power.
Best Timothée Chalamet movies, ranked according to IMDb ratings
From historical epics to teen dramas, here are some of the most iconic roles ever played by Timothée Chalamet that showcase his versatility as an actor.
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Bones and All (2022)
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Other cast members: Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance, André Holland, Ellie Parker, Sean Bridgers
IMDb rating: 6.8/10
Synopsis: Maren (Russell), a young woman navigating life on the fringes of society due to her cannibalistic instincts meets Lee (Chalamet), a passionate drifter with similar inclinations. They embark on a thousand-mile journey through the lesser-known routes, secret spots, and hidden corners of Ronald Reagan’s America. However, no matter how hard they try to escape, their haunting pasts keep pulling them back.
About the movie: Bones and All is an unusual mix of romantic and horror genres. It’s got that deep, human touch, but fair warning, it leans a bit heavy on the gore. The film premiered at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022, where it won the Silver Lion for best direction and the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Russell. This film also marks Guadagnino’s second collaboration with Timothée Chalamet.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet delivers a dark, vulnerable, and sexy performance as Lee and his chemistry with Taylor Russell is just as captivating as ever.
Wonka (2023)
Directed by: Paul King
Other cast members: Gustave Die, Murray McArthur, Paul G. Raymond, Isy Suttie
IMDb rating: 7/10
Synopsis: A young and broke Willy Wonka (Chalamet) dreams of opening a shop in a city famous for its chocolate, but he soon realises that the industry is controlled by a bunch of greedy chocolatiers. With a mix of bold ideas, determination, and some unexpected support from new pals, Willy plans to turn his biggest dreams into reality.
About the movie: Wonka debuted in London at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre in November 2023. The movie got mostly positive feedback from critics, who highlighted Chalamet’s acting, the music, and the stunning visuals of the musical fantasy. It turned out to be a box-office hit, raking in USD 632 million globally on a USD 125 million budget, making it the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2023. It also snagged a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding British Film, and Chalamet earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet pulls off the iconic Wonka to perfection. He skips the melancholy vibe that Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp brought but captures some of that quirky charm, and he interacts with the kids in a way that feels genuine.
Don't Look Up (2021)
Directed by: Adam McKay
Other cast members: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Jonah Hill
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Synopsis: Kate Dibiasky (Lawrence), a graduate student in astronomy, along with her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (DiCaprio), uncovers a remarkable comet that is traversing the solar system and is on a direct path to collide with Earth. Compounding the situation is the general apathy towards this alarming revelation. With the assistance of Dr. Oglethorpe (Morgan), Kate and Randall undertake a media campaign that leads them from the office of a disinterested President Orlean (Streep) and her obsequious son and Chief of Staff, Jason (Hill), to the lively set of The Daily Rip, a morning show hosted by Brie (Blanchett) and Jack (Perry).
About the movie: This American apocalyptic political satire received mixed opinions from critics regarding McKay’s satirical approach, with some appreciating its finesse while others deemed it overly self-satisfied and heavy-handed. Don’t Look Up was recognised as one of the top 10 films of 2021 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. It garnered four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, four Golden Globe nominations (including Best Picture – Musical or Comedy), and six nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards (including Best Picture), in addition to winning Best Original Screenplay at the 74th Writers Guild of America Awards.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet portrays a nearly homeless young man who exhibits a vibrancy and spontaneity that the actor is not frequently permitted to showcase. His portrayal is endearingly silly in a way that genuinely provokes laughter. Although his role is small, he leaves a significant mark in a movie that features a surprisingly subdued Meryl Streep, an exuberant Ariana Grande, and an energetic Tyler Perry alongside promising performances by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Beautiful Boy (2018)
Directed by: Felix van Groeningen
Other cast members: Steve Carell, Maura Tierney, Jack Dylan Grazer, Oakley Bull, Christian Convery
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Synopsis: Following the separation from his first wife, journalist David Sheff (Carrell) faces the challenge of assisting their teenage son, Nic (Chalamet), who transitions from casual drug experimentation to a severe addiction to methamphetamine.
About the movie: The film is based on Sheff’s bestselling memoir Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction. The film was tanked at the box office grossing only USD 16 million on a USD 25 million budget. However, critics hailed the performances of Carell and Chalamet.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet delivers a gut-wrenching portrayal of a teenage boy Nic in Beautiful Boy. It is deeply emotional, despite criticism of the movie being a privileged look at addiction. For his work, he also earned nominations at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards, BAFTA Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards, among others.
Lady Bird (2017)
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Other cast members: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Synopsis: Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Ronan), is a senior in high school hailing from a less privileged background. She yearns for excitement and new possibilities, yet discovers scant opportunities within her Sacramento Catholic high school. However, her final year takes a turn for the better as she experiences her first love with Kyle Scheible (Chalamet), engages in the school play, and crucially, submits her college applications.
About the movie: Lady Bird achieved significant commercial success, grossing USD 79 million, which made it A24’s highest-grossing film at that time. It garnered extensive critical acclaim, particularly for Gerwig’s screenplay and direction, as well as the performances delivered by Ronan and Metcalf. The movie was recognised by the National Board of Review, the American Film Institute, and Time magazine as one of the top ten films of 2017. At the 90th Academy Awards, it received five nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Ronan, Best Supporting Actress for Metcalf, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Director.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet embodies the quintessential bad boy archetype through his portrayal of Kyle in Gerwig’s directorial debut Lady Bird, which earned her her first and only Oscar nomination for directing to date. His refined yet enigmatic character is depicted as a bassist in a band.
Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Other cast members: Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: In the summer of 1983, 17-year-old Elio (Chalamet) spends his days at his family’s villa in Lombardy, Italy. There, he meets Oliver (Hammer), an intern working for his father. Together, they explore the intoxicating beauty of burgeoning desire with Elio navigating the rush of young love and longing.
About the movie: This Academy Award-winning movie is poetry in motion and one of Luca Guadagnino’s best works. Timothée Chalamet earned his first and only (so far) Oscar nomination for Best Actor for this role. The nuanced portrayal of a father’s kindness towards his possibly queer son by Michael Stuhlbarg is particularly moving. It is no surprise that this film established Chalamet’s reputation for portraying maturity on celluloid beyond his years.
What makes his performance stand out: The portrayal of a teen exploring his sexuality and experiencing the burst of first love by Timothée Chalamet is honest, sincere and deeply moving in this coming-of-age film. The climax with the song “Visions of Gideon” and Tim’s sincere grieving of love and loss will leave you in tears.
Little Women (2019)
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Other cast members: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Louis Garrel
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Synopsis: In the 1900s in Massachusetts, while their father is off fighting in the Civil War, the March women – loving mom Marmee (Dern) and her four daughters, Jo (Ronan), Meg (Watson), Amy (Pugh) and Beth (Scanlen) — are left to navigate life on their own. Dealing with a tight budget, Jo, who dreams of being a writer, is trying to break into the male-dominated scene in New York City. Meg is now married, and artistic Amy is living it up in Paris with their wealthy Aunt March. But when they hear about Beth’s illness, the sisters come back together. Despite this, Jo, who values her independence, is not interested in the idea of settling down, much to the chagrin of their charming neighbour, Laurie (Chalamet).
About the movie: Based on the coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women was an immediate commercial and critical success.
What makes his performance stand out: Timothée Chalamet delivered a charming, stand-out performance as Laurie along with a delightful ensemble cast in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women.
Dune: Part One (2021)
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Other cast members: Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Synopsis: Paul Atreides (Chalamet), an exceptionally talented young individual destined for greatness beyond his comprehension, is compelled to journey to the most perilous planet in the universe. His mission is to safeguard the future of his family and the people who find themselves entangled in a fierce struggle for dominance over the galaxy’s most coveted resource. As sinister forces clash over the planet’s unique supply of the most invaluable commodity, which holds the key to humanity’s highest potential, only those who can master their fears endure.
About the movie: This Oscar-winning movie represents the initial instalment of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel. The film garnered six awards at the 94th Academy Awards and received nominations in four additional categories, along with numerous other honours.
What makes his performance stand out: While Chalamet’s performance may not be the most dynamic of his career, under the direction of Denis Villeneuve, he presents a version of himself that is composed, teetering on the edge of fury, sorrow and disintegration. The complexity of his lead role as a messiah is significant, yet Chalamet’s exceptional talent makes it appear effortless.
Dune: Part Two (2024)
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Other cast members: Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Josh Brolin
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Synopsis: Paul Atreides (Chalamet) allies with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen as he seeks vengeance against those responsible for his family’s destruction. Confronted with a dilemma between his beloved and the destiny of the universe, he must avert a dire future that only he can predict.
About the movie: It is regarded as one of the best sci-fi movies of many generations by critics and fans. Dune: Part Two achieved numerous box office milestones, amassing a total of USD 711.8 million globally. This figure not only exceeded that of its predecessor but also positioned it as the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2024 and the most financially successful film in Villeneuve’s career.
What makes his performance stand out: For this Dune sequel, Timothée Chalamet reunited with his Little Women co-star Florence Pugh, who praised his work on the film, Paul Atriedes’s journey from humble beginnings among the Fremen to ultimately becoming their Lisan al Gaib is a transformative one. But Chalamet pulls it off with perfection. Along with Chalamet’s performance, his chemistry with Zendaya is impeccable in the movie.
Interstellar (2014)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Other cast members: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Caine
IMDb rating: 8.7/10
Synopsis: In the near future, Cooper (McConaughey), a former aerospace engineer and pilot, is deeply connected to his agricultural land, where he lives with his daughter Murph (Foy) and son Tom (Timothée Chalamet). As catastrophic sandstorms devastate the planet’s crops, humanity comes to the grim realisation that their existence on Earth is nearing its end. Cooper is recruited by NASA for a perilous mission alongside several scientists. He is faced with the choice of remaining with his children or embarking on a journey through a wormhole to seek a new habitable world to save the human race.
About the movie: The Christopher Nolan movie garnered significant critical praise and achieved a global box office revenue exceeding USD 681 million and USD 705 million following later re-releases, making it the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2014. The film also received five nominations at the 87th Academy Awards, securing the award for Best Visual Effects, along with a multitude of other honours.
What makes his performance stand out: Interstellar marked Timothée Chalamet’s film debut in Hollywood where he portrayed Young Tom, the younger version of Casey Affleck’s character, Old Tom. Although a minor role, he stands out among a stellar cast at just 19 years of age.
(Hero and featured image courtesy of IMDb/Dune: Part II/Call Me By Your Name)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Timothée Chalamet is an Oscar-nominated actor who is known for his roles in several films, including ‘Call Me By Your Name’, ‘Beautiful Boy’, ‘Wonka’, and the ‘Dune’ movies. He is also famous for his impeccable style.
No, Timothée Chalamet has never been a part of the ‘Harry Potter’ series.
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Kratagya Rathore could possibly be your passport into the world of style, grooming, skincare, and mindful living. Fashion is as imperative to him as his daily 10,000 steps count. He is a raconteur, almost living his life in a musical; A social firefly who is also fluent in silence. A journalism grad, Kratagya has previously worked for Times Internet and The Times of India.
