Val Kilmer has passed away at the age of 65, but his work and legacy will continue to live on thanks to his memorable performances that have resonated among generations of moviegoing audiences.
He was a signature movie star in the 80s and 90s who showed range as he starred in multiple genres, whether it's action, comedy, drama, or taking on an iconic superhero like Batman. Until his last few years, he showed that he was a fearless performer who was willing to challenge himself in whatever roles he was playing.
Here are the Val Kilmer movies that you should watch to celebrate his life and legacy.
Top Gun
While he had starred in a couple of films prior, it was Top Gun that made Kilmer a bona fide movie star whom audiences would follow for the next several years.
The character of Iceman allowed him to show his depth as an actor, as he started from being an unlikable foe for Maverick and the eventual friendship that they had at the end. It was also considered to be one of his signature roles that he will be remembered for even after his passing.
Willow
Willow is one of the signature fantasy films of the 1980s, partly thanks to Val Kilmer's charismatic on-screen presence and his chemistry with Warwick Davis and Joanne Whalley.
His performance as Madmartigan proved that he has what it takes to be the leading star of a big-budget studio movie, and is another proof of his impressive range as an actor.
The Doors
Kilmer transformed into rock icon Jim Morrison in the 1991 Oliver Stone music biopic The Doors, which chronicled the titular band's rise and influence in the counterculture era.
While the film received mixed reviews from critics, Kilmer's performance as Morrison received wide acclaim, and his tremendous commitment to playing the rock icon has been documented in reports and documentaries.
Tombstone
Tombstone marked another impressive turn for Kilmer in his celebrated career as he showed that he can play a complicated character like Doc Holliday while still being a likable presence.
It was also an opportunity for him to be part of the Western sandbox and showed that he could easily adapt to this era. His performance was acclaimed to the point that critic Richard Roeper believed that he should have gotten an Oscar nomination.
Batman Forever
While Batman Forever is not considered to be one of the great Batman movies, Kilmer's take on the Caped Crusader still made a mark on the generation who grew up in the '90s.
The late actor used his charisma and skills as an action star to highlight the iconic DC hero's heroism and offered a unique take that we didn't see in Adam West and Michael Keaton's interpretations of the character.
Heat
While acting legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino led the 1995 Michael Mann masterpiece Heat, Kilmer still managed to shine as Chris Shiherlis and showed his range again as a skilled thief who is at odds between his criminal life and family life.
It's a far departure from most of his movie star roles and, despite the character's questionable morality, the audience still rooted for his journey, and it's partly thanks to Kilmer's terrific performance.
The Saint
The Saint may not have been an acclaimed film when it was released in 1997, but it was a box office hit and showed Kilmer's continuous appeal as a movie star at that time.
Kilmer played Simon Templar, a thief for hire and master of disguise, who uses the moniker of various saints. Once again, he showed that he can play a complicated character that audiences will still root for from beginning to end.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Kilmer's career as a movie star declined in the 2000s, but it doesn't mean that he was still not giving great performances, as proven by his co-starring role in the Shane Black cult classic Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
He and Robert Downey Jr. (who was a few years away from playing Iron Man) managed to have great chemistry and showed impressive comedic chops as an unexpected duo who found themselves in the middle of a murder conspiracy.
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick marked Kilmer's final on-screen work. Despite battling a health issue during filming, he still managed to give a memorable and emotional performance as Iceman for the last time.
While he only showed up in one scene, his on-screen reunion with Tom Cruise was considered to be one of the highlights of the sequel and made audiences worldwide teary-eyed.
Val
The Prime Video documentary Val is a must-watch for all long-time fans of the late actor, with his son Jack Kilmer providing the voice narration.
Not only does it explore the life and career of Kilmer, but it also has exclusive archive footage shot by him throughout his life, including behind-the-scenes of the films that he starred in. This will bring tears and joy to fans who have been following his career from the beginning.
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