Nicolas Cage's 10 Most Unintentionally Hilarious Movies

From horrible hair pieces to comically inappropriate love interests, we run down the "Season of the Witch" star's most laughable roles.

January 3, 2011

Image via Complex Original

Nicolas Cage's 10 Most Unintentionally Hilarious Movies

Love him or hate him, Nicolas Cage is one of the most...fascinating actors of our time. Since his first appearance in 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Cage, nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola, has headlined a string of blockbuster films, earned two Academy Award and four Golden Globe nominations (winning Best Actor at both award shows for 1995’s Leaving Las Vegas), and even produced several hit movies. These days, though, the eccentric A-lister has become a punch line thanks to his now-recognized brand of big-budgeted camp. Give the man an outlandish plot and a laughable hairstyle and he’s ready to work. Both requirements are met in Season of the Witch, his new 14th Century action thriller about Crusaders, the Black Plague, and sorcery. It should be noted that the movie was completed in 2009 and is just now coming out—never a good sign. Oh, and the trailer looks like crap. We’re hoping it’ll make us laugh despite its actual intentions, at least, much like the flicks that made our list of Nicolas Cage’s 10 Most Unintentionally Hilarious Movies. Let’s give Cage some credit, though—it ain’t easy being cheesy

By Matt Barone

Windtalkers

#10: WINDTALKERS (2002)
Saving Private RyanPearl HarborWindtalkersWindtalkers

Con Air

#9: CON AIR (1997)
Con AirCon Air

Knowing

#8: KNOWING (2009)
Knowing

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

#7: CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN (2001)

Just because someone acts for a living, it doesn’t mean that he should try every film genre. Apparently itching to make a sweeping period romance, Cage signed on to this well shot but otherwise botched adaptation of Louis de Bernieres’s celebrated 1994 novel. Set in Greece during World War II, this borefest finds the out-of-his-element actor playing an Italian officer who falls in love with an engaged woman (Penelope Cruz). It shouldn’t be hard to convincingly lust after a hottie like Cruz, right? Don’t tell that to Mr. Cage, whose chemistry with the sultry Latina actress is akin to that of a comatose man and woman sharing the same hospital room. Watching the poor guy try to play a debonair romantic lead is tragically hilarious.