Heath Ledger notched up an incredible range of movies in his short 28 years on this planet, and there really isn’t a bad one in the bunch. He did everything from Oscar-winning dramas and groundbreaking love epics to gritty crime stories and sappy teen rom-coms. And, even in movies that didn’t cut the mustard with critics and/or the box office, Heath was always praised for his individual performance.
It’s been hard to get this list down to just a few, but we’ve done our best. From box office hits to lesser-known cult classics, here are 13 of our favourite Heath Ledger movies to watch.
Two Hands
True blue Aussies will know all about this early-doors Heath Ledger movie. But, for those of you who aren’t familiar, it’s a gritty Aussie crime-comedy starring Heath Ledger and Rose Byrne before they got super famous. Released in 1999, it follows a young man (played by Ledger) who loses $10,000 of his gangster boss’s money. In his scramble to repay the debt and avoid sleeping with the fishes, he runs all over Sydney while being chased by ruthless criminals. Praised for its mix of Aussie humour and dark thriller vibes, it’s a must-see for any die-hard Heath Ledger fan.
You can stream Two Hands on Foxtel, Prime Video, Brollie, SBS On Demand, and ABC iView.
You can also rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
Lords of Dogtown
This one didn’t make a big splash at the box office like some of his other movies, but this biographical drama about the rise of skate culture in 1970s America has become a bit of a cult classic—especially in the skateboarding community. The movie follows skating legends Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams (also known as the Z-Boys) as they revolutionise skate culture and navigate fame, rivalries, and personal challenges. Our boy Heath’s portrayal of mentor and board designer, Skip Engblom, was hailed by critics as one of the film’s highlights (duh—we’d expect no less, really).
You can rent or buy Lords of Dogtown on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
Monster’s Ball
Although Monster’s Ball is arguably most famous for Halle Berry’s Oscar-winning performance, Heath is certainly no slouch in his supporting role. If you haven’t seen this iconic 2001 Heath Ledger movie, it’s about a racist prison guard (played by Billy Bob Thornton) who forms a complex relationship with the wife of a man he helped execute. Heath plays his sensitive son, who clashes with his father over his cruel behaviour. We’ll say no more because…spoilers, but suffice it to say that this one showed Heath’s range well before his more iconic roles in Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight.
You can stream Monster’s Ball for free on SBS On Demand, or buy or rent it on Apple TV Store.
The Brothers Grimm
A young Matt Damon and Heath Ledger together on one screen? Yes please. This 2005 fantasy adventure film reimagines the real-life fairy tale icons as travelling con artists faking hauntings and exorcisms for profit in 19th-century Germany. Their dodgy dealings lead them to a haunted forest where they encounter an actual haunting, forcing them to face supernatural forces, a deadly enchantress, and their past deceptions to survive. This movie wasn’t a huge success with critics, but Heath was generally praised for his performance (as per…)
You can rent or buy The Brothers Grimm on Prime Video Store, Apple TV Store, or YouTube.
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 Stan, Binge, HBO Max, Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube
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 or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
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 or YouTube.
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 or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
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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 or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
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 stream Ned Kelly on Binge or Foxtel, or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store, Apple TV Store, or YouTube.
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 or rent or buy it on Prime Video Store or YouTube.
Main image credit: Netflix
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