Michael Madsen’s 10 Best Movies

Michael Madsen, a renowned actor known for his deep, commanding voice, passed away on July 3. Hollywood has now lost one of its most memorable and versatile performers who could turn even minor roles into standout performances. Despite being often cast as intimidating villains, Madsen was capable of portraying a wide range of characters. His filmography spans various genres, including sports movies reminiscent of classics, sci-fi films akin to Alien, and, notably, numerous crime dramas where he truly excelled.

Additionally, crime movies weren’t the sole category to appear on the top 10 list. Furthermore, although he often worked with Quentin Tarantino, not only were his contributions limited to the crime genre; other films of his also managed to make the list.

1) The Natural

According to Bernard Malamud’s timeless 1952 novel, Barry Levinson’s film The Natural is an enchanting baseball movie that clearly showcases its passion for the sport. Furthermore, Robert Redford brilliantly embodies the character of Roy Hobbs, a role that seems tailor-made for him.

Hobbs plays for the struggling New York Knights baseball team, which is currently at the bottom of the league. The team is led by “Pop” Fisher, who doubts Hobbs’ abilities due to his age. However, Hobbs impresses the crowd and refuses an offer from the team’s main owner, the Judge, to intentionally lose games. The Judge would gain control if Fisher fails another season. In contrast, Bump Bailey, the team’s coach, didn’t survive the season; he passed away while attempting to catch a fly ball in the stadium.

Stream The Natural on fuboTV.

2) Thelma & Louise

Among all movies that Madsen has starred in, it’s widely considered that “Thelma & Louise” is one of his best performances. In fact, some might argue that there are other contenders for

In this movie, only two actors who also appeared in Reservoir Dogs, namely Madsen and Harvey Keitel, are not exclusive. Keitel portrays Det. Hal Slocumb, a detective pursuing Thelma and Louise, with growing suspicion that the murder committed by Louise was justified given the deceased’s actions. As for Madsen, he plays Jimmy Lennox, a musician who is reluctant to commit but is ready to change his ways for Louise. While Keitel’s character appears as a good-hearted individual, Madsen’s Jimmy has his moments of anger, yet manages to convince the audience that beneath that anger lies genuine love and concern for Louise.

Stream Thelma & Louise on fuboTV.

3) Reservoir Dogs

Boasting an exceptional screenplay, flawless acting, and the standout use of music for any Quentin Tarantino film, “Reservoir Dogs” was undeniably a remarkable directorial debut. Moreover, Michael Madsen’s portrayal of Mr. Blonde stands out as the finest performance of his career.

In this exceptionally well-crafted movie, Steve Buscemi, Tim Roth, and Harvey Keitel deliver outstanding performances. However, Madsen steals the show. While others portray criminals, Madsen embodies a criminal, a psychopath, and a risky proposition. It appears he relished this challenging role, and his performance, especially during the “Stuck in the Middle With You” scene by Stealers Wheel, is truly remarkable.

Stream Reservoir Dogs on fuboTV.

4) Species

Apart from Predator, Species stands as an exceptional counterpart in the Alien franchise. This is because Sil, the alien in Species, was conceptualized by H.R. Giger, who is also renowned for designing the Xenomorph from the Alien series.

In this story, Sil, portrayed first by a young Michelle Williams and later by Natasha Henstridge, is a being with alien and human origins, yearning for procreation to ensure its kind dominates Earth. Mercenary Preston Lennox, played by Thomas Madsen, joins forces with Xavier Fitch, the one responsible for Sil’s creation (portrayed by Ben Kingsley). Also in the team are anthropologist Dr. Stephen Arden (Alfred Molina), molecular biologist Dr. Laura Baker (Marg Helgenberger), and empath Dan Smithson (Forest Whitaker). Essentially, the cast is as strong as that of ‘Alien’, though the film itself may not be quite as impactful.

Stream Species on fuboTV.

5) Donnie Brasco

Among all the movies Madsen has starred in, excluding “Thelma & Louise”, it’s generally agreed that “Donnie Brasco” stands out as his best performance in a crime film, not directed by Quentin Tarantino. This movie primarily belongs to Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, with Depp portraying an undercover cop infiltrating the mafia world, while Pacino takes on a role that deviates from his typical characters – he plays a once-prominent but now marginalized gangster, who is often depicted as less assertive than his usual roles in crime films.

It’s noted that Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, played by Pacino, is overlooked despite his long-standing involvement in the crime syndicate. The truth is, he’ll never ascend to the role of the boss. On the other hand, Michael Madsen’s character, “Sonny Black,” exudes a strong, commanding presence, showcasing Madsen’s skill at portraying intimidating and cunning personas.

6) Kill Bill

Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films may not be his greatest creations (due to the lofty standards he has set), but they certainly hold a legendary status. In fact, only recently did Saturday Night Live feature a skit that made references to them.

In “Kill Bill: Vol. 2,” Madsen’s character, known as Budd (also called Sidewinder), who is Bill’s brother and a member of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, plays a significant role in the first half of the movie. He manages to immobilize Beatrix Kiddo, played by Uma Thurman, but instead of receiving payment, he ends up getting bitten by a black mamba snake after Elle Driver (played by Daryl Hannah) arrives. This unexpected turn of events is quite startling.

Stream both Kill Bill movies on AMC+.

7) Sin City

Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City stands out as one of the top movies adapted from comic books, without any superheroes; it’s a brilliant display of intense noir-style violence. The movie is divided into four distinct stories, with two of them further subdivided. In the segment starring Bruce Willis, titled “That Yellow Bastard,” Madsen portrays a crooked cop who wrongs Willis’ character, John Hartigan.

While Madsen’s role may not be his most significant across all his films, he certainly relishes delivering the gritty dialogue and flashes a menacing smile. Interestingly enough, it’s one of the top films he has ever starred in. Moreover, let’s not forget that among the five comic book movies Willis spearheaded, Sin City stands out as the best and continues to do so.

Stream Sin City on Kanopy.

8) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Despite being well-suited for voice-over work, Madsen didn’t often accept voice roles in films. Instead, his voice talents were primarily utilized in television shows such as “Bob’s Burgers” and “Axe Cop.” However, he did make an appearance in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” voicing Maugrim, the leader of the wolves who carried out the orders of Tilda Swinton’s White Witch.

Among the three films based on “The Chronicles of Narnia,” I find that “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” stands out as my favorite. It captures a genuine sense of enchantment, boasts exceptional acting, particularly from Tilda Swinton, Christopher Lee, and Liam Neeson, and it effectively maintains this captivating atmosphere without prolonging its runtime unnecessarily.

Stream The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Disney+.

9) The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” is a lengthy but skillfully crafted and entertaining modern Western, filled with unexpected moments (farewell, Kurt Russell as John ‘The Hangman’ Ruth). The film also boasts an exceptional soundtrack by the late Ennio Morricone.

In “The Hateful Eight,” everyone gives outstanding performances. Russell is charming as always, Samuel L. Jackson excels as a strong lead, while Madsen, Tim Roth, Demián Bichir, and Channing Tatum bring humor to their roles within the Domergue gang. However, it’s ultimately Walton Goggins and Jennifer Jason Leigh who steal the show.

Stream The Hateful Eight on Netflix.

10) Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

Currently, there are five additional movies with Madsen set for posthumous debuts. However, it seems that “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” directed by Tarantino will mark the actor’s last significant role. Notably, Madsen only makes a brief appearance in this film, portraying Sheriff Hackett in an episode of Rick Dalton’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) television series titled “Bounty Law”.

In one brief scene, it was a delight to witness Madsen in a Tarantino production. His role as an imposing, likely corrupt sheriff fit perfectly. However, learning that he won’t reappear for another guest spot in the upcoming sequel to “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” is regrettable.

Stream Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood on fuboTV.

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2025-07-15 22:44