The Top 10 Actors I Would Watch In Any Movie

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I was recently looking at a list of upcoming movies, and as I got excited to see some of them, I realized that seeing the name of some actors will make me want to watch a movie. I thought this might be an interesting insight as to why I am excited or choose to watch some films.

And so I decided to put together a list of the Top 10 actors that will get me to the movie theater by simply being in a film. Check them out below in no specific order.

James McAvoy

I first saw James McAvoy in “The Last King of Scotland” and was so blown away by his strong performance that I started looking for some more films he had starred in. He just gives amazing performances in every single one, that now knowing he is in a movie pretty much guarantees I’m going to see it. The next step for him is getting an Oscar at this point.

If you like him, you should watch: The Last King of Scotland, Penelope, Becoming Jane, Atonement, Wanted

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling is without a doubt one of the most (if not the most) talented actor of his generation. I first noticed him in “The Believer,” which was followed by an incredible performance in “The United States of Leland.” Most people of course know him from “The Notebook,” which I really loved as well (no surprise there). Like James McAvoy, I think it’s only time before he wins an Oscar, especially since he was already nominated for his work in “Half Nelson.”

If you like him, you should watch: The Notebook, The Believer, The United States of Leland, Half Nelson, Lars and the Real Girl

Alex O’Loughlin

I first saw Alex O’Loughlin in “The Invisible.” And although I didn’t enjoy the movie that much, he really stood out to me because of his obvious talent. I remember thinking “this guy is going to get big, whoever he is.” Well, wouldn’t you know it, only a few months later, I saw him in the promo for the TV show, “Moonlight,” which unfortunately didn’t last nearly long enough. The show definitely put him on the map for a lot of people. His next appearance will be in CBS’s new series, “Three Rivers.” I think it’s only a matter of time before the right part sends him into an award spree.

If you like him, you should watch: August Rush, The Invisible, Mary Bryant (TV mini-series), Moonlight (TV series)

Cillian Murphy

I had seen Cillian Murphy in a few movies (Red Eye, Batman Begins, Sunshine) before becoming a really big fan. But the one movie that amazed me was “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” Not only was the movie really great, but Cillian Murphy was pretty incredible as well. This made me go back a look at a few of his early films, and I now would watch pretty much anything he stars in.

If you like him, you should watch: On the Edge, Batman Begins, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Sunshine

Aaron Eckhart

Aaron Eckhart is another actor that I started liking gradually. I always thought he was really talented, but only recently did he become in my top 10. There isn’t one movie in particular that put him there, but more of a few movies that I watched one after the other.

If you like him, you should watch: The Dark Knight, Thank You for Smoking, Towelhead, No Reservations, Erin Brockovich

Billy Crudup

I think I started liking Billy Crudup when I saw him in “Walking the Dead,” although I had seen him in a lot of his early movies. From there followed “Big Fish” and “Stage Beauty,” which pretty much sealed the deal for me, from then on Billy Crudup was definitely a reason to go see a movie.

If you like him, you should watch: Watchmen, Public Enemies, Dedication, The Good Shepherd, Trust the Man, Stage Beauty, Big Fish, Waking the Dead, Inventing the Abbotts, Sleepers

Viggo Mortensen

I was already a fan of Viggo Mortensen after seeing him in “A Perfect Murder” and “A Walk on the Moon” (although I can’t remember which one I saw first). And then of course came “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and needless to say, Viggo Mortensen was boosted up to my top 10 list.

If you like him, you should watch: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, Appaloosa, A Walk on the Moon, 28 Days, A Perfect Murder

Ewan McGregor

The way I discovered Ewan McGregor is quite the unusual story. I didn’t see him in a movie, but as a guest star in ‘ER’ (no kidding). At the time I had no idea that he already had a career, I just thought he was a random guest star, but was so taken by his performance, that I had watched the episode quite a few times. Not too long after that I saw his picture in a magazine in promotion of his new movie, “A Life Less Ordinary.” I of course went to see the movie as soon as it came out and started watching all his earlier movies, including “Transpotting” and “Shallow Grave.” I’ve been following his career ever since.

If you like him, you should watch: Big Fish, Moulin Rouge!, A Life Less Ordinary, Trainspotting, The Island, Down with Love, Star Wars: Episode 1-3, Little Voice, Emma, Brassed Off, Shallow Grave

Keanu Reeves

I knew of Keanu Reeves when I was young, but never got any interest in him, that is until (and I am ashamed to say) seeing “Chain Reaction” (which I still love by the way). I only saw “Speed” after that and then started watching more of his films. To this day Keanu Reeves can still get me to see a movie. There is just something about him…

If you like him, you should watch: Constantine, The Lake House, The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Something’s Gotta Give, The Replacements, The Gift, Sweet November, The Devil’s Advocate, Speed, A Walk in the Clouds, My Own Private Idaho, Chain Reaction, Point Break, I Love You to Death, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey

Guillaume Canet

Guillaume Canet is another one that I came to know in an unusual way. I saw a preview for his first film “Barracuda” and was really fascinated by it, but never ended up seeing it. A few years later, “The Beach” came out, which I went to see because I was a fan of Danny Boyle. That’s when I started liking Guillaume Canet and then started watching other movies he starred in. The peak was probably seeing “Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d’enfants),” with Marion Cotillard, which was equally amazing in that movie.

If you like him, you should watch: Ensemble C’est Tout, Merry Christmas, Love Me If You Dare, Fidelity, The Beach

So now that you know what my top 10 is, I want to know who your top 10 is. Which actors will make you go see any movie? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.