Oscar Isaac has quietly become one of the most in-demand actors working today. Isaac appeared in a series of supporting roles before becoming the leading man in Inside Llewyn Davis, the Coen Brothers film that showcased his ability to carry a story on his back. Isaac’s career then shifted again in an upward trajectory as he joined a galaxy far, far away.
Isaac went on to appear in two other Star Wars films, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. The actor had increased roles in these movies, with a substantial arc in each. In between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and in between each Star Wars film more broadly, Isaac continued to be a prolific performer with a number of high-quality projects.
Isaac has also appeared in films and shows like Ex Machina, Annihilation, Show Me A Hero (for HBO), and most recently, season two of Beef, all of which highlight his ability as an actor and rank among the best projects Isaac has participated in. Isaac shines in these stories, showing his versatility as an actor and proving that he’s one of the best actors of his generation.
10 Triple Frontier (2019)
Oscar Isaac stars alongside Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, and Pedro Pascal in Triple Frontier, an action film made for Netflix with a stellar cast. Isaac is one of many former military personnel who join forces for a dangerous mission in the jungle of South America.
It's a gripping story with incredible action and direction, and Isaac is convincing in his role as a seasoned military officer. The film was a solid hit for Netflix thanks to the star power of the cast.
9 Beef Season 2 (2026)
Beef season 2 has received some mixed reviews from fans and critics, and is something of a drop-off from the critically acclaimed first season. However, as of now, season 2 doesn’t appear to be getting the credit it deserves. It’s a hyper-entertaining season of television, and one that continues the core themes from season 1, but in a new and exciting way.
The casting of season 2 helps in elevating the show. Isaac stars alongside Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, and Carey Mulligan, and the quartet are alongside one another as tempers rise and tensions escalate. It’s a great return for TV for Isaac, who has been selective with the small screen roles he’s chosen over the years.
8 Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
The film that helped put Isaac on the map, Inside Llewyn Davis, is almost the exact opposite of the actor’s Star Wars films. It's a true story, and rather than the loud and high intensity action of the space franchise, this Coen Brothers movie relies much more on silence and subtlety, which is exactly why it works so well.
However, there’s a world in which Inside Llewyn Davis simply wouldn’t work if Isaac wasn’t cast. He helps to keep the film entertaining and audiences engaged, which is a huge thing for a story like this, with a slow but deliberate pace.
7 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Isaac has a very different kind of role in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, lending only his voice to the animated project. He plays Spider-Man 2099, aka Miguel O’Hara, who serves as a villain to Miles Morales as the latter tries to escape his fate within the multiverse.
Across the Spider-Verse is a film that works on almost every level. It’s entertaining, fun, but also has real emotion attached. Isaac’s character shines in some of the best animated action sequences in recent years, too, making this a can’t-miss movie.
6 Show Me A Hero (2015)
Show Me A Hero debuted in 2015, just prior to the release of The Force Awakens. The miniseries told the story of Nick Wasicsko as he goes from police officer all the way up to mayor of Yonkers. Along the way, he becomes embroiled in political infighting and scandals, and fights to defend himself amidst allegations of corruption.
Isaac won a Golden Globe Award for Show Me A Hero, and rightfully so. He gives one of his very best performances in this miniseries, which is saying something given the quality of roles Isaac has had over the years. He plays a well-intentioned character that is, more often than not, given the short end of the stick incredibly well, making Show Me A Hero well worth the watch for Isaac’s performance alone.
5 Annihilation (2018)
Isaac followed up The Last Jedi with Annihilation from director Alex Garland. The film follows a scientist who dies on a mission, only to then return some time later. However, his wife, played by Natalie Portman, notices that Isaac’s character is off after returning, and sets out on a mission of her own to discover what happened.
Annihilation is a sci-fi film that produces real moments of horror. Isaac gives a haunting performance, playing a character that is unlike his usual self. It makes the story feel haunting and unsettling, which helps Annihilation be one of the most compelling modern sci-fi movies.
4 Dune (2021)
Isaac is a supporting player in Denis Villanueve’s first Dune movie. He plays the father of Paul Atreides, providing mentorship to Timothée Chalamet‘s character. Dune is another hugely successful sci-fi film featuring Isaac, just like Annihilation, but differs from that movie in tone and scale.
Annihilation thrives on creating fear through tense moments. However, Dune works so well by showcasing a story with immense scale, while making it entertaining and compelling throughout. That’s something that the original Dune film from the 1980s suffered with, but Isaac helped greatly to make the reboot successful.
3 Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Image via Disney+The Last Jedi is among the most controversial movies ever made. It has a number of divisive questions, with Star Wars fans either hating or loving the movie. However, one thing that is typically agreed upon regarding this movie is Isaac’s increased role.
As stated, Isaac has much more screen time here than he did in the previous installment, and he gives a memorable performance as Poe Dameron. Poe's character arc, becoming a leader and growing from a selfish and cocky pilot, is one of the best of film, and is one of the many reasons why The Last Jedi works so well.
2 Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina is one of Isaac’s best roles ever. It’s a film that is classic sci-fi, and blends with the horror genre while also serving as a warning of advancements in technology.
It plays like a classic episode of The Twilight Zone, with Isaac playing a tech billionaire. Ex Machina also has one of the most memorable endings to a movie in recent years, making this another must-watch.
1 Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
MovieStillsDBPerhaps a surprising choice, The Force Awakens remains Isaac’s standout work. He’s excellent as a hotshot pilot in this film, and works well within the broader story, which is incredibly well told.
JJ Abrams shows just how good a director he is, telling a story that, while similar to A New Hope, also stands out on its own and helped to relaunch the Star Wars franchise in the process.
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