The Films of Charlie Kaufman from Best to Worst
by johnnysmac | created - 13 May 2014 | updated - 13 Jul 2021 | PublicOne of the most original screenwriters, Kaufman has also become one of the most accomplished screenwriters over the years. Kaufman is to me a perfect mix of David Lynch and Wes Anderson.
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1. Synecdoche, New York (2008)
R | 124 min | Drama
A theatre director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he creates a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse as part of his new play.
Director: Charlie Kaufman | Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener
Votes: 98,230 | Gross: $3.08M
Almost the best film of the decade *(Roger Ebert). Philosophical, funny, surreal, very dark, and superbly acted. Make sure you see it twice to get the full picture, it is much better that way. Watch "The Genius of Synecdoche New York" by YourMovieSucksDOTorg.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
R | 108 min | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Votes: 1,077,972 | Gross: $34.40M
Totally awesome movie. I would call in the best romantic comedy of all time, although the humor isn't a big part of the movie. This is Jim Carrey's most serious and best film.
3. Adaptation. (2002)
R | 115 min | Comedy, Drama
A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt 'The Orchid Thief' by Susan Orlean for the screen.
Director: Spike Jonze | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton
Votes: 203,043 | Gross: $22.25M
Here we have another modern classic. This is a very funny (and ironic) film with two great performances by Nicolas Cage.
4. I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
R | 134 min | Drama, Thriller
Full of misgivings, a young woman travels with her new boyfriend to his parents' secluded farm. Upon arriving, she comes to question everything she thought she knew about him, and herself.
Director: Charlie Kaufman | Stars: Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette, David Thewlis
Votes: 100,052
5. Anomalisa (2015)
R | 90 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A man crippled by the mundanity of his life experiences something out of the ordinary.
Directors: Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman | Stars: David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan
Votes: 75,306 | Gross: $3.76M
Saw this one at TIFF. Fantastic stop motion visuals with some bizarre moments. Altogether, it's a hilarious, ingenious, meditative masterpiece that only Charlie Kaufman could deliver.
6. Being John Malkovich (1999)
R | 113 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.
Director: Spike Jonze | Stars: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Votes: 353,348 | Gross: $22.86M
Highly original, as always. The one that got Kaufman famous.
7. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)
R | 113 min | Biography, Comedy, Crime
An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell), in which he purports to have been a C.I.A. hitman.
Director: George Clooney | Stars: Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts
Votes: 91,999 | Gross: $16.00M
Still a great film, but not quite the classic that the top 5 are. Good performances from Sam Rockwell and George Clooney.
8. Human Nature (2001)
R | 96 min | Comedy, Drama
A woman is in love with a man in love with another woman, and all three have designs on a young man raised as an ape.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Tim Robbins, Patricia Arquette, Rhys Ifans, Ken Magee
Votes: 18,970 | Gross: $0.70M
The one sub-par Kaufman film, which really isn't that bad.
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