Top 5 Films of the Acting Legend Daniel Day-Lewis to Watch
- Elizabeth Sanate
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
When you think of actors who played their roles like it's their real personality, Daniel Day-Lewis is usually the first name that pops into your mind. He’s famous for his total commitment, treating every role as if it were his own personality. From historical dramas to quiet love stories, he made each character unforgettable.
After taking an eight-year break from acting, Daniel Day-Lewis made an exciting return with the psychological drama Anemone. Whether you want to watch his old classics or see his newest work, these five films are a must-watch for anyone who loves great acting.
These movies are the showcase of exactly why he’s often called the greatest actor of his generation.
Daniel Day-Lewis and His Cinematic Masterpieces
5) The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
In this movie, Daniel Day-Lewis plays Hawkeye, who is a white man raised by the Mohican tribe during the French and Indian War. His performance shows a mix of strength, emotion, and quiet power.
He even trained in survival skills for months, learning how to live off the land, hunt, and carry a real musket everywhere just to stay authentic.
Director Michael Mann once said, “Daniel Day-Lewis never came out of character,” and you can feel that in every scene. This is both an exciting adventure and an emotional story, which is perfect for anyone who loves watching action and strong emotions.
4) Gangs of New York (2002)
Daniel Day-Lewis created one of cinema’s most fearsome villains, Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, with director Martin Scorsese.
In this movie, because of his fierce look and oddly calm voice, he makes himself the center of attention in every scene.
In an interview with Scorsese, he said that Daniel Day-Lewis stayed in character even off-camera, spoke like him with the same accent, had the same manner, and sometimes scared crew members even though he didn't mean to.
His performance was so powerful that he was nominated for an Oscar and became a modern acting legend.
3) The Age of Innocence (1993)
In The Age of Innocence, Daniel Day-Lewis steps into the elegant shoes of Newland Archer. A man struggling between society’s rules and forbidden love in old New York.
This role was a quiet role that showed the soft and emotional side of him.
Critics praised how he was able to show heartbreak with just looks, saying more than what many actors do with pages of dialogue. This film, which was directed by Scorsese, remains one of his most underrated works, showing Daniel Day-Lewis’s ability to make silence speak volumes.
2) My Left Foot (1989)
This is the movie that made Daniel Day-Lewis famous worldwide.
In My Left Foot, he plays Christy Brown, who is an Irish writer and painter born with cerebral palsy who learns to create art using only his left foot.
Daniel Day-Lewis’s transformation was amazing. He stayed in a wheelchair between takes, and the crews used to feed him to stay in character. His dedication paid off and made him win his first Best Actor Oscar, bringing real heart and authenticity to the screen
1) There Will Be Blood (2007)
At the top of the list is There Will Be Blood, where Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of the most amazing performances ever captured on film.
He plays Daniel Plainview, an ambitious oil prospector whose greed slowly brings him down.
This film helped him win his second Oscar, and his delivery of the iconic line, “I drink your milkshake!”, became a piece of movie history.
Daniel Day-Lewis said he copied some of the legendary director John Huston's voice, and it added a chilling edge that still gives people goosebumps.
Why Daniel Day-Lewis Will Always Stand Apart
Every performance by Daniel Day-Lewis feels like an event. He doesn’t just act, he lives in his characters until you can tell the difference between the man himself and the role he played.
He’s also the only actor in history to win three Academy Awards for Best Actor, which says a lot about his legacy.
His work continues to inspire new generations of actors and film lovers.
If you want to understand what true dedication to acting looks like, start with these five unforgettable films, and you’ll see why Daniel Day-Lewis is in a league of his own.
Why Daniel Day-Lewis Remains a Legendary Actor
There’s really no one like Daniel Day-Lewis. From My Left Foot to There Will Be Blood, and now finally Anemone, he proves why he’s considered one of the greatest actors alive. Three Oscars, a handful of nominations, and roles that stick with you for years. That’s the kind of legacy we’re talking about.
If you’ve never seen him work, these five films, including his latest, are the perfect place to start. Trust me, you won’t forget him anytime soon.
Follow The Screenlight for more interesting facts and updates on actors, movies, and entertainment
