17 Wonderful Robin Williams Movies

Robin Williams feels like a larger-than-life figure to many comedy fans. While he started his career in stand-up comedy and TV (especially the ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy), many fans will be most familiar with Robin Williams’ filmography. Robin Williams appeared in over 70 movies in his nearly 40-year career. While he appeared in many different genres, his most remembered films are his inventive and out-of-the-box comedies, animated movies and fantastic family films. For many ‘90s kids, Williams’ movies will feel especially nostalgic. He may be best known for voicing the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin; however, many of his films are strange, risky and unique, and often garnered mixed reviews. While he passed away in 2014 at the age of 63, his legacy and impact on American comedy and cinema lives on.

Top Robin Williams Movies

Robin Williams is probably best remembered for family and comedy classics like Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Morning, Vietnam and Jumanji. Williams was also nominated for four Oscars, winning one for Good Will Hunting (he was also nominated for Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society and The Fisher King.) He also won multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, Grammy and Screen Actors Guild Awards. In 2005, he was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award. However, not all of his performances were as iconic. He also appeared in less celebrated films like License to Wed, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn and Old Dogs (his lowest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes with only a 5% rating.)

This list, however, focuses on his best movies. In some ways, it is hard to define Williams’ best films. He was a fabulous actor but also one who took risks in the form of boundary-pushing, strange and unique movies. This leads to a filmography that will largely not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, he was consistently a great performer. Thus, this list considers two factors: the film's overall quality and Williams’ specific performance in the film.

17. Hamlet (1996)

Hamlet isn’t “A Robin Williams Movie”; it is more of a movie in which Robin Williams is in. He plays the very minor character of Osric in Kenneth Branagh’s 1996 take on the famous William Shakespeare play. However, this movie is beautiful, and Williams' inclusion is a fun addition, given that he often used Shakespearean references in his comedy. (Just don’t go into it waiting for Williams because it will be a long wait, especially because this is the first unabridged theatrical film version of the play and clocks in at over four hours.)

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The film stars Branagh, Kate Winslet, Derek Jacobi, Billy Crystal, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon and Williams. The film follows the plot of the original play but is set in the 19th century. The film was nominated for four Oscars. It wasn’t the first Branagh film that Williams appeared in; he is also in (a larger role) in Branagh’s 1991 thriller, Dead Again. Hamlet is available to stream with a premium subscription on The Roku Channel.

16. Moscow on the Hudson (1984)

Moscow on the Hudson is far from a perfect film, but there is something incredibly special about Robin Williams’ performance in it that feels needed when discussing his filmography. While it doesn’t age perfectly, it’s a sweet and often funny film about a Russian saxophonist who defects to become a New Yorker.

Directed by Paul Mazursky, the film stars Williams, María Conchita Alonso and Cleavant Derricks. Alonso especially also shines in the film. Williams even learned Russian and how to play the saxophone for this role. It is available to rent on YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play and Amazon Prime.

15. What Dreams May Come (1998)

What Dreams May Come isn’t a perfect film, but there is something wholly arresting about it. Roger Ebert summed up the feeling of the film well, saying, “I walked out of the theater sensing that I should have felt more, that an opportunity had been lost. ‘What Dreams May Come’ takes us too far and risks too much to turn conventional at the end. It could have been better. It could perhaps have been the best film of the year. Whatever its shortcomings, it is a film to treasure.”

What Dreams May Come is a surrealist love story that deals with the nature of the afterlife. Many things about this film are weird in a good way, and several are weird in a bad way. The film follows a man who goes to heaven and, without giving too much away, has to contend with hell, suicide and the loss of loved ones. The film was directed by Vincent Ward and stars Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Annabella Sciorra. The plot is a little weak in this film, but it makes up for it with visuals (it even won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects) and its pure uniqueness. It is available to rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play and Apple TV.

14. Cadillac Man (1990)

Cadillac Man will not be for everyone. It received mixed to negative reviews upon its release and hasn’t really taken on a cult status in the 30+ years since, but it should. Directed by Roger Donaldson, Cadillac Man is a black comedy about a philandering car salesman who has to talk down a hostage situation at the dealership.

The film is goofy, weird and impossibly 1990s (in both a complimentary and derogatory way). It stars Williams, Tim Robbins, Pamela Reed, Fran Drescher and Lori Petty. Williams spent time at Queens’ car dealerships to prepare for the role, which paid off since he’s extremely believable in this film. His chemistry with Robbins and Drescher makes this film. It is currently streaming n Tubi, Pluto TV and The Roku Channel.

13. Awakenings (1990)

Set in the late 1960s, Awakenings is based on Oliver Sacks's memoir of the same name. It follows a doctor who finds that an experimental use of a Parkinson’s drug helps patients who were left in catatonic states from the 1919–1930 encephalitis lethargica epidemic. The film focuses on one man who awakens after 30 years in a catatonic state.

Awakenings is a melodrama, but one that is done correctly. Those looking for Robin Williams’ comedic work should skip this film as it is solidly a tear-jerker. It only feels more tragic after Williams’ 2014 Parkinson’s diagnosis and subsequent suicide tied to Lewd Body Dementia (a side effect of Parkinson’s disease). Directed by Penny Marshall, Awakenings stars Robert De Niro, Williams, John Heard, Julie Kavner, Penelope Ann Miller and Max von Sydow. The film was nominated for three Oscars and De Niro and Williams tied for a National Board of Review Award for Best Actor. It is available to rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.

12. Hook (1991)

Critics hated Hook. Currently, it only has a 29% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it has become a cult classic and has a dedicated following. Directed by Steven Spielberg, it is a sequel ​​to J. M. Barrie's 1911 novel Peter and Wendy. The film follows a grown-up Peter Pan who has forgotten his past life but must return to Neverland to defeat an old nemesis and save his children.

Hook stars Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith and Dante Basco. The film features an iconic musical score from John Williams, larger-than-life practical sets, and fun (if not over-the-top) performances. Even after poor reviews, it was nominated for five Oscars. It is available to rent on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.

11. Jumanji (1995)

Jumanji follows two kids who play a magical board game and free a man who has been stuck in the game for decades… along with a terrifying hunter, giant bugs and stampeding rhinos. Jumanji is a highly nostalgic film, especially for older millennials who would have seen it as children; however, it may be slightly too scary for very young viewers today.

The film stars Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt and Bebe Neuwirth. While Jumanji was met with mixed reviews, it has become a family movie classic. It has spawned board games, video games, a TV show, a spiritual successor (Zathura: A Space Adventure) and a rebooted series (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: the Next Level.) The original Jumanji is currently streaming on Netflix.

10. Popeye (1980)

Popeye is a cult classic directed by Robert Altman. It originally received fairly negative reviews but has largely been reassessed. The film is still fairly messy, but that only really adds to its charm. Popeye follows the titular sailor man on a musical adventure as he comes to town and falls for Olive Oyl.

The film stars Robin Williams (in his first major theatrical role) and Shelley Duvall. Duvall does somewhat overshadow Williams in this film as she almost feels tailor-made to play Olive Oyl, and she performs the best song, “He needs me.” The film is also iconic for its practical sets, which give it a charming cartoon feel. The set is actually still standing and has become a tourist attraction and wedding venue in Malta. Roger Ebert wrote in a contemporary review of the film, “[Altman] takes one of the most artificial and limiting art forms — the comic strip — and raises it to the level of high comedy and high spirits.” It is currently streaming on YouTube TV.

9. Dead Poets Society (1989)

Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society is a coming-of-age story set in the late 1950s at an all-male boarding school. The film follows a new teacher, played by Robin Williams, and the boys who learn more than just English from his unconventional teaching style. The movie stars Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke and Williams.

The film received mixed reviews upon its release. Roger Ebert panned the film, saying, “I was so moved, I wanted to throw up.” However, it went on to be nominated for four Academy Awards, winning for Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen. While Dead Poets Society is saccharine, it is part of its charm. Williams delivers an iconic and understated (at least for him) performance, but in some ways, he is overshadowed by the performances of the young cast which feels right in this film. It is currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

8. Aladdin (1992)

Disney’s Aladdin has a complicated legacy. Loosely based on a folktale from One Thousand and One Nights, Aladdin exotifies, barbarizes and sexualizes Arab culture. Upon its release, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) listed several complaints about the film and its opening song. Disney+ even added a disclaimer on the movie in 2020, saying, “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.”

However, when discussing Robin Williams' filmography, it feels wrong not to mention his performance as the Genie. This performance changed the history of the animation genre and the rise of Hollywood voice actors. Aladdin is one of the films to usher in the Disney Renaissance and features songs from the legendary pairing of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The movie follows a poor boy as he finds a magic lamp and tries to woo a princess. The history behind the film and the fallout between Williams and Disney is another interesting piece of Aladdin’s legacy. While the film has issues, it also is beloved by Disney fans. The film won two Academy Awards and currently holds a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. It is currently available on Disney+.

7. FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

While Robin Williams’ other 1992 animated film, Aladdin, is far more remembered, FernGully: The Last Rainforest ages better and is a bit of an underrated gem. Directed by Bill Kroyer, FernGully is the rare independent animated film. The film follows a fairy who lives in the Australian rainforest as she has to stop an evil force that feeds off human pollution and figure out how to deal with a human that she accidentally shrunk down to fairy size.

The film stars Tim Curry, Samantha Mathis, Christian Slater and Williams (who plays a zany bat character aptly named “Batty”). Some have claimed that James Cameron’s Avatar plagiarized FernGully, and the films share surprising similarities. The film has a good message about environmentalism and is fiercely nostalgic for ‘90s kids. It is currently streaming for free on Tubi, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and Plex and with a subscription on Hulu, Amazon Prime and Disney+.

6. The Fisher King (1991)

Robin Williams made a couple of dramedies that tackled philosophy and social issues, notably Good Morning Vietnam, The World According to Garp and The Fisher King. Arguably, The Fisher King works the best to make its points. The film is hyper-stylized and reads almost as a modern-day fable with a touch of magical realism. If that sounds odd, it is because it kind of is. The film follows a shock jock who tries to make up for his past sins by helping a homeless man who has been failed by the U.S. mental health system.

Not everything works perfectly in this movie, but because of the stylization, it doesn’t feel like everything should be taken directly. Rather, it is a parable about how society treats success, failure and madness. Directed by Terry Gilliam, the film stars Williams, Jeff Bridges, Amanda Plummer and Mercedes Ruehl. The movie was nominated for five Oscars including a Best Actor nom for Williams. Gilliam and Williams had previously collaborated on The Adventures of Baron Munchausen — another strangely beautiful film that was, unfortunately, a noted nightmare to work on. The Fisher King is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

5. Insomnia (2002)

Robin Williams starred in two psychological thrillers as a villain in 2002: One Hour Photo and Insomnia. He shines in both films and really excels at playing a twisted killer. However, while One Hour Photo is good, Insomnia is better. A hidden gem in Christopher Nolan’s filmography, Insomnia, follows L.A. detectives sent to Alaska to investigate a murder as one of them is plagued by guilt, insomnia and perpetual daylight in the small town of Nightmute.

The film stars Al Pacino, Williams, Hilary Swank and Maura Tierney. It is a remake of a 1997 Norwegian film of the same name and is the only film directed by Nolan that he did not write/co-write. While it's a remake, it feels very fresh, and Nolan even once said of it, “I think, of all my films, it’s probably the most underrated.” It is available to rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

4. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Mrs. Doubtfire is a truly bizarre film that has become a family film classic through the sheer star power of Robin Williams. This film shouldn’t work as well as it does, but it's zany fun. Directed by Chris Columbus, it follows a divorced actor who dresses up like an aging nanny/housekeeper to spend more time with his children.

The film stars Williams, Sally Field​​, Pierce Brosnan and Harvey Fierstein. ​​While Mrs. Doubtfire received mixed reviews upon its release, it won an Oscar for ​​Best Makeup and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy. While the premise is over the top, the film is a surprisingly thoughtful take on divorce and parenthood. It is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.

3. World’s Greatest Dad (2009)

World’s Greatest Dad is a pitch-black comedy that comes with a pretty big trigger warning for suicide, especially given Robin Williams’ own tragic death five years later. The film follows a struggling writer/teacher after his terrible son dies in an autoerotic asphyxiation accident, and he forges a suicide note.

It is very dark but also has a whip-smart script by writer-director Bobcat Goldthwait and a hilariously understated performance by Williams. The film stars Williams, Daryl Sabara and Alexie Gilmore. It deals with celebrity, tragedy and public personas in an almost prescient way. The film still feels risky and fresh 15 years later. World’s Greatest Dad features Williams in arguably his least likable role, and his performance is much more restrained than many of the films on this list. It is currently available on Max.

2. The Bird Cage (1996)

“I made you short?” The Bird Cage is an extremely quotable queer cinema classic. The movie is based on the 1978 French film La Cage aux Folles (which is an adaptation of a play by the same name). The Bird Cage follows a South Beach drag club owner and his long-time partner who have to play it straight when his son comes home with a fiance from a conservative political family. The film stars Williams, Nathan Lane, Gene Hackman, Dianne Wiest, Hank Azaria, Christine Baranski and Calista Flockhart.

The film doesn’t age perfectly (for example, Azaria plays a gay Guatemalan maid.) However, The Birdcage feels partially like a time capsule in the history of queer parenting and, is surprisingly timely in an era for queer families and conservative baby boomer parents. Maybe, more importantly for the casual viewer, The Bird Cage is immensely funny, and Williams and Lane especially deliver perfect performances. The film was groundbreaking as one of the first major studio films to star gay characters. The Bird Cage isn’t the only iconic ‘90s gay film that Williams appears in. He also made a brief cameo in 1995’s Too Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything Julia Newmar (in which he completely steals the scene.) The Bird Cage won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Art Direction. It is currently streaming for free on Pluto TV.

1. Good Will Hunting (1997)

Directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting is almost impossible not to like. While it is a little schmaltzy and predictable, it is carried by its big heart, interesting choices and powerhouse performances. The film follows a brilliant MIT janitor as a therapist works with him through his aggression so that he can pursue an education in mathematics.

The film stars Damon, Robin Williams, Stellan Skarsgård, Affleck and Minnie Driver. It was nominated for nine Oscars; Williams won for Best Supporting Actor, and “Matt and Ben” took home another for Best Screenplay. So how do you like them apples? It is currently streaming on Max.

Bottom Line

Robin Williams left behind a varied, zany, strange and often highly nostalgic filmography. While his films won’t be for everyone, the risks he took as a performer, along with a penchant for improv and impression, have made a mark on cinema history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Was Robin Williams’ Last Film?

While Williams passed in 2014, three of his films were released posthumously: A Merry Friggin’ Christmas and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb in 2014 and Absolutely Anything in 2015. In Absolutely Anything, Williams voiced a talking dog. The film was directed by Terry Jones and stars Simon Pegg. 

Interestingly, Absolutely Anything was the first movie since  Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life in 1983 to feature all living members of the iconic sketch group. Unfortunately, it is not very good. While there are some funny moments, it feels a little like how Orson Welles’ last role is sometimes listed as The Transformers: The Movie or Raul Julia’s being Street Fighter: a disappointing last role for an American icon. 

What Are The Funniest Robin Williams Movies?

Comedy is subject; however, arguably, Williams’ funniest film is 1994’s The Bird Cage. It has a highly quotable script that is intensely witty and sharp. Williams is also pitch-perfect as a gay Florida club owner. He sells the role in a believable and grounded way that feels ahead of its time. Others would likely argue that his funniest role is in 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire. 

Collider ranked his funniest film as Good Morning, Vietnam. While the film has funny moments, it also tackles tragedy and war. Williams’ performance in the Barry Levenson-directed film is outstanding; however, many of the jokes might not work for a modern audience. There are many referencial jokes that may be lost on younger audiences, but more importantly, many other jokes will likely feel in poor taste for modern audiences. In the film, Williams impersonates black and gay soldiers and Asian accents. These jokes make the comedy feel dated, which is a shame because there are also genuine moments of comedy genius. 

What Are Great Animated Films With Robin Williams?

Robin Williams lent his voice to several great animated films. While his most famous animated role is the Genie in 1992’s Aladdin, he also voiced an animated bat the same year in FernGully: The Last Rain Forest. Williams also voiced a robot in the 2005 movie Robots. Directed by Chris Wedge, the film also starred Ewan McGregor, Halle Berry, Mel Brooks, Greg Kinnear and Amanda Bynes. The film follows a young robot who rebels against their capitalist system. 

He also went on to voice a penguin in 2006’s Happy Feet. Directed by George Miller, the film also stars Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Steve Irwin. Notably, Happy Feet was the fourth non-Disney/Pixar film to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.