Heath Ledger notched up an incredible range of movies in his short 28 years, and there really isn’t a bad one in the bunch. He did everything from Oscar-winning dramas, groundbreaking love epics, gritty crime stories and sappy teen rom-coms.
It’s been hard to get this list down, but we’ve done our best. Here are the best 9 Heath Ledger movies to watch, no matter what you’re in the mood for.
The Dark Knight
There have been countless depictions of Batman and the Joker, but I don’t think I will be able to imagine anyone else as either character having watched this film. Heath Ledger’s Joker was so haunting, flawed and entertaining that it was hard to tear your eyes away from him. The plot was also fascinating, as it offers an examination of morality for Batman that isn’t exactly black and white. The movie is perfection in my eyes and one of my go-to superhero repeats.
You can watch it on Netflix, HBO Max or Stan.
10 Things I Hate About You
This classic teen rom-com is definitely one to add to your rewatch list if you haven’t seen it in a while, and if you’ve never watched it, you’re in for a treat. It follows Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who enlists the help of Patrick (Heath Ledger) to date the sister of the girl he is interested in so he has a chance of being with her. Over time it’s become a bit of a cult classic, but with moments such as Ledger singing Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You with the school marching band and Julia Stiles reciting her poem to the class and crying, it’s easy to see why. It’s a fun movie with truly poignant moments and an incredible cast.
You can watch it on Disney Plus.
A Knight's Tale
Brokeback Mountain
One of Heath Ledger’s most iconic roles is this love story about two cowboys in 1960s Wyoming USA. While controversial when it was released in 2005, the movie was critically acclaimed and has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Heath Ledger and Jack Gyllenhaal star as sheep herders working on an isolated mountain, where they start a relationship and eventually fall in love. The story is beautiful and heartbreaking as it shows the prejudice people at the time dealt with. Honestly, get ready to cry.
You can rent or buy Brokeback Mountain on Prime.
Candy
This underrated Australian film is a tragic portrayal of heroin addiction, featuring a stellar cast which includes Heath Ledger as art student Dan, Abbie Cornish as his love interest Candy, and Geoffrey Rush as a fatherly chemistry professor. The film is like watching a slow car crash as Dan and Candy tumble further down into addiction. They are both in love but they are hit with so much heartbreak trying to deal with their addiction – lying to family members, prostitution, and death, to name a few. The movie is beautiful but it’s not an easy watch and will leave you reeling.
You can watch Candy on Stan.
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Casanova
This 2006 period rom-com is a really fun watch and one of my favourites from Ledger. It sees him play the famed Casanova, a notorious ladies’ man who is simply irresistible to women. All except the one he really wants. It’s funny and energetic, with the period setting bringing a certain dramatic quality to it, and Ledger and the rest of the cast are engaging to watch. This is a great low-stakes date night film or one to watch with your friends (there are a loooot of sex scenes, so maybe not one for family movie night).
You can watch Casanova on Disney Plus.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Ned Kelly
Who doesn’t want to see Heath Ledger as notorious outlaw Ned Kelly? This 2003 film has an incredible cast, with Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush and Naomi Watts, and tells the story of the Australian bushranger as his reputation grows and he deals with local authorities. It’s not easy to tell the story of such a notorious person, but Ledger really brings the man to life. The little touches of Aussie humour that were sprinkled through were also perfect.
You can watch Ned Kelly on Binge.
The Patriot
This is another classic period movie that’s worth adding to your Heath Ledger must-watch list. The Patriot stars Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin and Ledger as his son Gabriel, both forced to join the American Revolution when the British threaten their family farm and one of Benjamin’s other sons is murdered. The plot is fast-moving and emotionally-driven, and while I can’t speak for the historical accuracy, it’s a fascinating time period to set a drama.
You can watch it on Stan.
Main image credit: Netflix
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