Daniel Day-Lewis is not just an actor; he is, perhaps, the epitome of screen alchemy, turning every character he portrays into cinematic gold. With an illustrious career spanning decades and riddled with Oscar-bait performances, Day-Lewis has cemented his place as one of the most riveting and committed actors of his generation.

Below are ten of Daniel Day-Lewis’ best movies, ranked from excellent to unparalleled:

1.There Will Be Blood (2007) – As the unscrupulous oilman Daniel Plainview, Day-Lewis delivers a performance that is both terrifying and captivating. His physicality and psychological depth earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.

2.Lincoln (2012) – Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Abraham Lincoln is a masterclass in acting. With astute attention to detail and a measured delivery, this role won him another well-deserved Oscar.

3.My Left Foot (1989) – Portraying Christy Brown, a man with cerebral palsy who could only control his left foot, Day-Lewis brings an incredible physicality and emotional nuance to the role. His first Academy Award for Best Actor was won for this transformative performance.

4.Gangs of New York (2002) – As the menacing Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting, he delivers a monumental performance full of intensity and raw power. The movie showcases his ability to dominate the screen with a larger-than-life character.

5.The Last of the Mohicans (1992) – In this historical drama set during the French and Indian War, Day-Lewis’ portrayal of Hawkeye blends action with romance in a performance that’s as powerful as it is heartfelt.

6.Phantom Thread (2017) – As the fastidious couturier Reynolds Woodcock, Day-Lewis embodies the character with meticulous grace and obsessive precision, delivering a nuanced portrayal of an artist on the brink of transformation.

7.In the Name of the Father (1993) – Playing Gerry Conlon, a man wrongly imprisoned for an IRA bombing he did not commit, Day-Lewis brings an emotional weight to this true story that makes it profoundly impactful.

8.A Room with a View (1985) – In one of his earlier roles, Day-Lewis plays Cecil Vyse, whose restrained English gentility contrasts sharply with liberated passion—a testament to his versatility even at this stage in his career.

9.The Age of Innocence (1993) – As Newland Archer, trapped between duty and desire in this Edith Wharton adaptation directed by Martin Scorsese, Daniel Day-Lewis captures the subtleties of internal conflict with exquisite finesse.

10.The Crucible (1996) – Taking on the role of John Proctor in this adaptation of Arthur Miller’s play about the Salem witch trials, Day-Lewis’ authoritative presence carries the moral gravity necessary to engage fully with the character’s tragic arc.

Although selecting just ten movies does little justice to Daniel Day-Lewis’ impressive filmography each title here exemplifies his unparalleled commitment to his craft—a commitment that has often seen him merge so completely with his roles that distinguishing between actor and character becomes nearly impossible.