[Editor’s note: This list was originally published in December 2024, and has since been updated with new entries.]
There are few stars of his age who generate as much foaming at the mouth celebrity obsession as Timothée Chalamet. Ever since the one-two punch of “Lady Bird” and “Call Me By Your Name” arrived in 2017, the young actor has been the darling of social media fan accounts fawning over his signature long black hair and delicate, porcelain features. It’s made him the archetypal onscreen heartthrob of his generation and garnered him those pesky Leonardo DiCaprio comparisons that have lingered over the course of his career.
Does that online thirst translate into being a movie star? That’s a question that various outlets have tried to unpack over the course of Chalamet’s career with varying degrees of success. He certainly has the chops for it: beyond his pretty, pretty face, Chalamet has a sensitive onscreen presence that can be played straight — as in “Call Me By Your Name,” where he’s heartbreakingly earnest as a queer young man going through a formative sexual awakening — or amusingly subverted, as seen in his performance as the pretentious boyfriend in “Lady Bird.”
But beyond his name-making films, Chalamet hasn’t landed in a specific Hollywood niche. His juiciest role after his initial breakout was in “Little Women,” where he re-teamed with “Lady Bird” director Greta Gerwig to again play a supporting role for Saoirse Ronan’s free-spirited Jo March. But as a leading man, he’s struggled to find the films that give his talents a real platform. He was good in forgettable prestige bait like “The King” and “Beautiful Boy,” and admirably weird in “Bones and All,” his second collaboration with “Call Me By Your Name” director Luca Guadagnino. Nothing he’s done has brought him back to the Oscar stage since “Call Me By Your Name” netted him a Best Actor nomination, becoming one of the youngest stars of all time to receive that honor. There was also “Wonka,” and while it’s fun to see an actor with such a cool kid reputation star in something as endearingly dorky as a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” prequel musical from the guy who made the “Paddington” films, it isn’t the type of film that helps a budding still-young A-lister fully bloom.
Looking at this list, you’ll note a general absence of blockbuster action films in his resume. There’s one obvious exception to this: Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” films, in which he takes on the role of Paul Atreides, the messiah figure of Frank Herbert’s seminal science fiction saga. The original 2021 film was a financial and critical success, but its release was hampered slightly by the pandemic. So it’ll be fascinating to see how the better received “Part Two,” which immediately picks up from the first film’s conclusion, performs in theaters after a nearly three-year wait and intense hype. Could a brainy sci-fi epic be what firmly mints and verifies Chalamet as a true blue movie star? Stranger things have happened, but if not, he’ll take a more classic approach in his next project, going the biopic route to portray a young Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s long-delayed “A Complete Unknown.”
With “Dune: Part Two” releasing in theaters, IndieWire decided to look at the best films in Chalamet’s growing roster of great performances. Although many films on this list aren’t exactly modern classics, Chalamet shines brightly in all of them, and the movies are ranked based on his performance in them rather than their overall quality as projects. Read on for our ranking of the top 12 best Timothée Chalamet performances so far, ranked from so-called “worst” to best.
With editorial contributions from David Ehrlich.
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12. “Don’t Look Up” (2021)
Image Credit: ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Yule, a slacker and shoplifter who begins dating astronomer Kate (Jennifer Lawrence), against the backdrop of an asteroid set to hit Earth and cause an immediate extinction-level event.
Why he’s great: Adam McKay’s panned climate change satire isn’t exactly the finest hour for any person in its cast, who take on overly broad, poorly written characters. Thankfully, nobody embarrasses themselves either, and Chalamet is surprisingly charming as the seemingly dense but surprisingly kind and open-minded Yule. It’s a small part, but he makes the most of it, and his prayer at the end when the asteroid finally arrives may be the only genuinely affecting moment in the entire film.
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11. “The King” (2019)
Who Chalamet plays: Henry V, the real-life King of England, in a very loosely rendered adaptation of William Shakespeare’s iconic Henriad plays (“Henry IV” Parts I and II as well as “Henry V”). Like the plays, the film follows the young king’s struggles to adapt to court politics after his father’s death hands him the crown of England.
Why it’s great: “The King” is a decidedly mediocre entry into the Chalamet canon. And the star himself is completely overshadowed by Robert Pattinson’s demented camp turn as The Dauphin of France. But still, Chalamet commits to the role with ease; this coming-of-age story is one the star can do in his sleep, but he still brings a bit of energy to the proceedings. Plus, there’s something about Chalamet’s face that just belongs in a Middle Ages film.
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10. “The French Dispatch” (2021)
Image Credit: ©Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Wes Anderson’s “The French Dispatch” uses the framing device of a farewell issue of the titular fictional magazine as an entry into several tales set around Paris. In “Revisions to a Manifesto,” Chalamet plays Zeffirelli, a leader in a student revolt that begins over access to girls’ dormitories but soon becomes more political and anti-war.
Why it’s great: Like many of Chalamet’s performances, his “French Dispatch” role really leans into his inherent boyishness, playing Zeffirelli as a slightly arrogant but still lovable cad, with spiky hair that makes him look like a greaser. Although his segment is probably the weakest of the film’s three stories, that’s not at all Chalamet’s fault, as the actor suits the work like a glove; you truly understand with his charisma why Frances McDormand’s journalist would be seduced by him, and why his fellow students would turn to him as a symbol for their cause.
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9. “Dune: Part Two” (2024)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Paul Atreides, the protagonist of Frank Herbert’s seminal science fiction novel “Dune.” The young son of a noble house, Paul is forced to defend his family after they are thrust into a war over control of the desert planet Arrakis by their rival, House Harkonnen. The second film covers the bulk of Paul’s heroic quest, as he allies with Arrakis’ native Fremen people to wage war against House Harkonnen.
Why he’s great: Chalamet is still plenty good in “Dune: Part Two,” with full leading-man gravitas and a strong understanding of how to play this broad, archetypical role. The sequel ranks a hair lower than the first “Dune” on this list because he’s, quite simply, a bit overshadowed by his costars. Zendaya, in particular, shines as love interest Chani, and he looks a little smaller in comparison to her. Add in scene-stealing appearances from the rest of the cast, particularly a freaky Austin Butler, and he feels slightly less central this time around. He still delivers his all to the role, it just feels a tiny bit less potent.
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8. “Dune” (2021)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: See the last entry. The original “Dune” focused on the beginning of Paul’s quest, as he experiences visions of the mysterious Chani (Zendaya) and grapples with the initial assault against his family from the forces of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård).
Why it’s great: Before Villeneuve’s crack at “Dune,” Paul was played in David Lynch’s version by Kyle MacLachlan, and in hindsight, Chalamet and MacLachlan cut similar presences in both films as pretty, long-haired brunettes. “Dune” is all about the presence of the stars, in a way; with so much focus on the spectacle and scope of the world over human drama, the actors need to play big, and even as Chalamet finds small emotional beats to hit, he still puts his charisma into overdrive to ensure he’s never lost in the noise.
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7. “Wonka” (2023)
Image Credit: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Willy Wonka, of course! In Paul King’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” prequel, Chalamet plays a younger version of the famous chocolatier, as he attempts to establish himself in the cutthroat chocolate industry.
Why he’s great: If “Wonka” is heightened enough to exist at the exact midpoint between “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and “The Greatest Showman,” Chalamet’s raw excitability helps ground it in something real enough to keep the movie from floating away. There are moments in the actor’s performance that feel labored and inauthentic (most of them made worse by the groan-worthy patter of a part defined by its eccentricities), but Chalamet owns the uncoolness that comes with playing a kid-friendly version of a historically demented character. It works because Willy feels so close to who Chalamet really is at heart: a baby-faced goofball with the world at his feet. —DE
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6. “Beautiful Boy” (2018)
Image Credit: ©Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Based on the dual memoirs of father-son David and Nic Sheff, “Beautiful Boy” focuses on a father and son whose relationship nearly becomes undone thanks to the son’s addiction. Chalamet plays the son opposite Steve Carell as the father, as he goes through the difficult process of rehab to recover from his addictions to methamphetamine drugs.
Why he’s great: “Beautiful Boy” is ultimately staid and predictable, too cloying and desperate for your tears to really say anything about addiction. That said, Chalamet is still powerful in the central role, throwing himself into the lost soul role with aplomb and developing a strong rapport with Carell that works wonders to make you care about their connection. It’s the most predictable Oscar bait part Chalamet has ever picked, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t great in it.
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5. “Bones and All” (2022)
Image Credit: ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Lee, a young, hot, red-haired cannibal in Luca Guadagnino’s film set in the late 1980s. Taylor Russell plays fellow cannibal Maren, who meets Lee and embarks with him on a road trip across the United States.
Why he’s great: Despite the sex symbol status he’s gained, few of the characters that Chalamet has played are actually that sexy: even in “Call Me By Your Name,” he’s more innocent than hot. “Bones and All” is the exception, making Chalamet a genuinely alluring onscreen presence as Lee, one you can understand running away from everything for. Russell is unquestionably the star of the film, but Chalamet is a great support for her, and their chemistry makes the unconventional and divisive cannibal romance pop.
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4. “Miss Stevens” (2016)
Image Credit: Everett Collection / Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Before “Call Me By Your Name,” Chalamet was a consistently working young actor in various small indie movies. The best of these is 2016’s “Miss Stevens,” director Julia Hart’s feature debut. He plays Billy, a troubled young student with behavioral issues who is among the three students chaperoned by Lily Rabe’s titular young teacher.
Why he’s great: Billy is the prototypical Chalamet performance, sensitive, moody, troubled, and wise beyond his very young years. And Chalamet is spectacular in the role, sweet and lovable despite his telegraphed demons. His centerpiece scene, where Billy performs a “Death of a Salesman” monologue at the drama competition, is a phenomenal example of an actor acting acting, managing to make this teenager’s recitation of a classic piece of American theater feel truly fresh and real.
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3. “Lady Bird” (2017)
Image Credit: Everett Collection / Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Kyle, the cool alternative kid that attracts the attention of Saoirse Ronan’s awkward lead after her breakup with her first boyfriend Danny (Lucas Hedges). Initially, he seems like a teenage dream, but Greta Gerwig’s sharp script soon reveals that Kyle’s blasé attitude is paired with a deeply selfish streak.
Why it’s great: It’s amusing to look back on “Lady Bird” and see how, even before Chalamet’s popular image as an artsy sensitive heartthrob was established, the actor had already taken the absolute piss out of it. He’s hilarious in “Lady Bird,” playing up Kyle’s ego to an extreme, even as he deeply hurts Lady Bird with his actions. As much as “Call Me By Your Name” fashioned Chalamet an indie darling, “Lady Bird” was vital in proving the young star had a sense of humor to go along with his talent.
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2. “Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
Image Credit: ©Sony Pictures/Everett Collection / Everett Collection Who Chalamet plays: Elio, the 17-year-old protagonist of Luca Guadagnino’s adaptation of André Aciman’s novel. Living with his parents in Northern Italy during the summer of 1983, Elio’s world changes when he meets his father’s research assistant Oliver (Armie Hammer), and develops a romantic and sexual relationship with him.
Why he’s great: It’s a bit rough to look back on “Call Me By Your Name” today, after the Armie Hammer of it all. But that doesn’t change the fact that Chalamet is as great as you remember, turning in an earnest and emotional performance that embodies the painful realities of growing into your sexuality. What’s most impressive about his work is how much Chalamet can convey with just his face, like in the various scenes where he gazes longingly at his object of desire. And of course, there’s the film’s final shot of the young star gazing teary-eyed into the fireplace, which has become the defining image of Chalamet’s entire career.
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1. “Little Women” (2019)
Image Credit: Sonhy Pictures Who Chalamet plays: In the “Little Women” canon, Laurie is the heartthrob character, embodied famously in the 1994 adaptation by a young and long-haired Christian Bale. For Greta Gerwig’s 2017 adaptation, Chalamet stepped into the role, opposite Saoirse Ronan as Jo.
Why he’s great: Chalamet is only a supporting character to Gerwig’s complicated young women in her adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel. But he’s never been more handsome, more charming, or more compelling than as the romantic Laurie, whose love for Jo is never quite reciprocated even when he thinks it is. His anguished plea for her love on a grassy hill is a highlight of Chalamet’s career, a moment both painfully sincere and just a little bit pathetic. But his work opposite Florence Pugh as Amy is even better, showing the perpetual boyish star growing into something more mature and adult.
