An actor who deserves more recognition and praise than he gets, Edward Norton is definitely underrated. Even if Norton does not receive the fame he deserves, he has undoubtedly left his mark on Hollywood. From Fight Club to Birdman, Norton has delivered some extraordinary performances. Though he’s surprisingly never won an Oscar, his performances are iconic and still talked about today.

Even if Norton has reduced his presence in Hollywood in order to pursue other ventures, he is still a remarkable personality who is worth discussing. Here are some of the best Edward Norton movies, with performances that are still beloved by cinephiles everywhere.

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8 Moonrise Kingdom

     Focus Features

Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom is about young love and revolves around the idea of fitting into a world where you are rejected. This particular movie might seem silly at first, but it unpacks darker themes with splendid visuals, great music, and deep emotion, and is thus one of the best films by Anderson. What makes the film even better is its casting of Edward Norton as Scout Master Ward, the leader of the Khaki Scouts. This character exudes both innocence and passion, as we see Scout Master Ward putting his best effort into his job. He literally saves the day and definitely wins the hearts of the audience. Norton’s role as Scout Master Ward definitely shows his range, as we often see him portraying more serious and dark characters.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 The People vs. Larry Flynt

     Sony Pictures Releasing

This fun biopic is based on the real-life story of Larry Flynt, whose case against a “leader of the Religious Right” went to the Supreme Court and ended up leaving a lasting impact in relation to first amendment rights of the USA. In The People vs. Larry Flynt, Norton takes on the role of Alan Isaacman, the lawyer who represented Flynt and helped him win the case. Norton’s delivery of Isaacman’s arguments as a lawyer is definitely a noteworthy performance, seeing him tap into the true essence of a court argument rather than a dramatized one, thanks to his research into the actual case. This particular film by the great Milos Forman is undeniably a masterpiece, and Norton’s role as Isaacman is one of the many reasons for its popularity.

6 The Illusionist

     Yari Film Group Releasing & Freestyle Releasing

This particular film takes place in 1880s Vienna and is based on Steven Millhauser’s short story “Eisenheim the Illusionist.” A brilliant piece that focuses on romance, crime, and mystery, The Illusionist is a film that ensures the viewer’s attention is fully focused on its twisting plot. Norton’s role as the protagonist, Eisenheim, is a brilliant performance. As The Independent Critic notes, what makes this film a success is the perfect cast that brings out the “multi-faceted complexities of the film without taking away its fun and intrigue.” Norton’s extraordinary performance here went slightly overlooked, as The Illusionist was released within two months of a similar, dark period drama focused on magic, the bigger-budgeted Christopher Nolan film The Prestige.

5 Primal Fear

     Paramount Pictures

A great 1996 American legal thriller that introduced Edward Norton to the world as Aaron Stampler, a 19-year-old boy who is initially portrayed as someone with a multiple personality disorder. What makes this particular performance by Norton exceptional (aside from it being his debut film and earning an Oscar nomination) is the complex nature of the character. Stampler is portrayed as a victim who turns out to be a psychopath who flaunts his murders. Portraying a character who shifts between different personas is no easy task, but Norton captures it so perfectly that his character alone makes Primal Fear a must-watch.

4 Birdman

     Fox Searchlight Pictures

This Academy-Award-winning film focuses on Riggan Thomson (played by Michael Keaton) going through an existential crisis and hilariously trying to figure out the meaning of his life. Even if Edward Norton plays the side character of Mike Shiner, a narcissistic method actor, he definitely shows his variety and often steals the show. Norton’s portrayal of Shiner is another great performance, as he teeters around the edges of annoyance and playing the villain, while still remaining magnetic and funny, which is no easy task. Viewers might hate the character, but they can’t look away.

3 25th Hour

     Buena Vista Pictures

Based on David Benioff’s debut novel, 25th Hour by Spike Lee focuses on the last day of a man’s freedom before he is sent to prison for drug dealing. Edward Norton takes up the role of the protagonist, Monty Brogan. Monty’s character is one with a lot of depth, as we see him reflecting on his mistakes and his flaws. Regardless of him being a criminal, Monty is a character who grabs the hearts of the audience, rescuing dogs and refusing to take revenge. Norton’s ability to capture the different sides of such a character indicates his immense talent, and 25th Hour remains one of the most underrated and greatest Spike Lee movies.

2 American History X

     New Line Cinema

A film that explores racism and cycles of violence, American History X is a brutal eye-opener. Norton takes on the role of Derek Vinyard, a white supremacist who goes to prison for voluntary manslaughter. Derek’s persona is constructed with racist ideologies and much hatred, which eventually get him into trouble. However, this character progresses to the extent that he lets go of these disturbing ideas and attempts to help his brother, as well. Norton does an amazing job growing this character throughout the story; though the viewer starts the film by despising Derek, they end the film by feeling sympathy towards him. Moreover, Norton’s commitment to this role can be seen in the way he gained 20 pounds just to represent Derek accurately, and gets almost scarily lost in his character. This eventually led him to an Academy Award nomination.

1 Fight Club

     20th Century Fox

Based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club is a cult classic that is still a major hit. Edward Norton takes on the role of the unnamed protagonist whilst Brad Pitt takes over the character of Tyler Durden. Norton’s character is more complex than we realize; we see him beginning the story as someone with chronic insomnia leading a mundane life, but with Tyler’s entrance, Norton’s character breaks out of his shell and takes a huge turn. Fight Club is a spectacle of a film, one that leaves the audience shocked with a massive plot twist but entranced by David Fincher’s energetic and charismatic direction. Norton’s performance as the protagonist plays a major role in this brilliant masterpiece gaining such prominence years after it bombed in the box office.