In 1983, Joaquin Phoenix appeared in the television movie, Six Pack. Appearing under the name Leaf Phoenix, Six Pack provided the actor with his first movie role, but certainly not his last.

Following small roles in films during the 1980s, including a memorable part as Garry in Parenthood, where he acted alongside Dianne Wiest, Martha Plimpton, Keanu Reeves, and Steve Martin, Phoenix’s star continued to rise. Moving into the 1990s, the actor featured in films such as To Die For and 8MM, before taking on the unforgettable role of Commodus in 2000’s Gladiator.

More roles followed including Ray Elwood in Buffalo Soldiers, Merrill Hess in Signs, and Lucius Hunt in The Village. In 2013, Phoenix played the role of Theodore in Her, and in 2018 he played Jesus in Mary Magdalene.

In 2019, Joaquin Phoenix moved into the world of DC Comics with the lead role in Todd Phillips’ drama, Joker. Here Phoenix took on the part of troubled stand-up comedian, Arthur Fleck – a role he would reprise in 2024 for the sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux opposite Lady Gaga.

But how many of Joaquin Phoenix’s movies have you watched and are you familiar with some of his best roles? Well, if you wish to check out all his movies, then you may want to take a look at the list below.

Below is a run-through of all his films, divided into decades. His appearances during the 1980s are small parts, but his roles expand from the 1990s onwards.

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1980s

Image: ©Universal Pictures

As noted above, Joaquin Phoenix began his movie career in the 1980s, where he acted under the name Leaf Phoenix. His first role came in 1983 via the movie Six Pack, before popping up in films such as Kids Don’t Tell, Anything for Love, and the superb Parenthood.

Joaquin Phoenix’s movies during the 1980s included:

  • Six Pack (1983)*
  • Kids Don’t Tell (1985)*
  • Anything for Love (1985)*
  • SpaceCamp (1986)*
  • Russkies (1987)*
  • Secret Witness (1988)*
  • Parenthood (1989)*

*Credited as Leaf Phoenix

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1990s

Image: ©Sony Pictures

Moving into the 1990s and after a six-year period away from film, Phoenix starred alongside Nicole Kidman in the black comedy, To Die For. From here he starred in Inventing the Abbotts, as well as Clay Pigeons and 8MM.

Joaquin Phoenix’s movies during the 1990s included:

  • To Die For (1995)
  • Inventing the Abbotts (1997)
  • U Turn (1997)
  • Return to Paradise (1998)
  • Clay Pigeons (1998)
  • 8MM (1999)
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2000s

Image: ©FilmFour/Miramax

Sliding into the 2000s and Phoenix kicked off the decade in the Oscar-winning action movie, Gladiator. He then took a role in Quills, followed by Buffalo Soldiers, and starred in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.

Phoenix re-teamed with Shyamalan for The Village, before taking on the role of Johnny Cash in James Mangold’s, Walk the Line. He also provided voice work for Disney’s Brother Bear.

Joaquin Phoenix’s movies during the 2000s included:

  • Gladiator (2000)
  • Quills (2000)
  • Buffalo Soldiers (2001)
  • Signs (2002)
  • It’s All About Love (2003)
  • Brother Bear (2003)**
  • The Village (2004)
  • Hotel Rwanda (2004)
  • Ladder 49 (2004)
  • Walk the Line (2005)
  • We Own the Night (2007)
  • Reservation Road (2007)
  • Two Lovers (2008)

**Voice role

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2010s

Image: ©Warner Bros./DC Entertainment

Into the 2010s and the movies kept on coming with I’m Still Here, The Immigrant, Her, and Mary Magdalene. In 2018, Phoenix starred alongside John C. Reilly in The Sisters Brother, then played the role of Arthur Fleck in the DC Comics movie, Joker.

Joaquin Phoenix’s movies during the 2010s included:

  • I’m Still Here (2010)
  • The Master (2012)
  • The Immigrant (2013)
  • Her (2013)
  • Inherent Vice (2014)
  • Irrational Man (2015)
  • You Were Never Really Here (2017)
  • Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018)
  • Mary Magdalene (2018)
  • The Sisters Brothers (2018)
  • Joker (2019)
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2020s

Over to the 2020s and Joaquin Phoenix began the decade in C’mon C’mon, before appearing in Beau is Afraid, and Napoleon. He also reprised the lead role of Arthur Fleck in DC Comics sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux.

Joaquin Phoenix’s movies during the 2020s included:

  • C’mon C’mon (2021)
  • Beau is Afraid (2023)
  • Napoleon (2023)
  • Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
  • Eddington (2025)
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Joaquin Phoenix. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.

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