Timothée Chalamet has quickly become one of the most recognizable and versatile actors of his generation. What sets him apart isn’t just his talent, but the way he blends intensity, vulnerability, and charm across wildly different roles. From indie dramas to massive blockbusters, and even musicals, he’s built a filmography that feels both daring and unpredictable. With so many iconic turns on his resume, it’s time to put his 10 greatest performances to date into order, culminating in the one that best represents his craft.
10. Wonka (2023)
Chalamet’s interpretation of young Willy Wonka was a vibrant change of pace from his typical dense material. Part whimsical and part sincere, he embraced the character’s optimistic eccentricity while flaunting his singing skills. Critics debated the tone of the film, but all agreed that Chalamet’s wit and enthusiasm gave the movie its soul. It’s less dense than some of his dramatic work, but it demonstrates he can lead a family blockbuster with ease.
9. The French Dispatch (2021)
In this all-star anthology from Wes Anderson, Chalamet excels as Zeffirelli, a young revolutionary student who is both cocky and insecure. He fits seamlessly into Anderson’s offbeat beats, mixing humor with authenticity. Although it’s a lesser role than those on this list, his work stands out for the manner in which it adds layers of brazen adolescence to moments of exposure.
8. Miss Stevens (2016)
Before the world really knew his name, Chalamet gave a breakthrough performance in this underappreciated indie. His rawness and unpredictability—particularly in a highlight-reel monologue from Death of a Salesman—suggested star power to be. It’s an intimate movie, and his version of a troubled teenager is still one of his most emotionally raw roles.
7. Lady Bird (2017)
As Kyle, the smirking, too-trendy-for-school boyfriend, Chalamet is laughably intolerable in Greta Gerwig’s coming-of-age masterpiece. He nails the kind of teenager dude who believes reading philosophy makes him deep, and brings the character a weird sort of charm. It’s a smaller supporting part, but one that brings bite (and plenty of laughs) to the movie.
6. Bones and All (2022)
This romantic horror mix of tenderness and terror, and Chalamet infuses both as Lee, a wanderer struggling with a literal flesh hunger. He has such chemistry with Taylor Russell that you find yourself rooting for two characters who, by all indications, should be unsalvageable. It’s a courageous performance that showcases his skill at making even the darkest characters sympathetic.
5. Beautiful Boy (2018)
Playing Nic Sheff, a young man embroiled in the throes of addiction, Chalamet gives one of his most gut-wrenching performances. The character demanded subtlety, restraint, and vulnerability, and he aced all three. His performance against Steve Carell is heart-wrenching, and it bagged him a bunch of award nominations. It’s evidence of how well he can fully get into the anguish of a character without melodrama.
4. Little Women (2019)
In Gerwig’s remake, Chalamet both familiarizes and newly invigorates Laurie. His youthful charm in the initial scenes graduates to a wiser, damaged adult Laurie later on. The chemistry between him, Saoirse Ronan, and Florence Pugh powers much of the emotional strength of the movie, and his skill in plotting Laurie’s development over the years makes this one of his best performances.
3. Dune (2021–2024)
As Paul Atreides, Chalamet enters epic, franchise-greedy territory with ease. He lends quiet gravitas to the young scion, anchoring the spectacle with a performance that’s restrained but captivating. His transformation from reluctant son to battle-hardened leader in Dune: Part Two cemented him as a commanding figure in blockbuster fare. Few could navigate such a complicated arc, but Chalamet does.
2. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
This is the movie that rocketed him to stardom and got him an Oscar nomination at 22. Playing Elio, he conveys the thrill and pain of love for the first time with stunning candor. His subtle gestures, yearning glances, and that iconic final shot by the fire make this performance one of the most memorable in contemporary cinema. It’s tender, raw, and ageless.
1. A Complete Unknown (coming soon)
Making Bob Dylan a challenge indeed, initial reviews indicate Chalamet has provided something remarkable. Beyond imitation, he embodies Dylan’s mysterious persona and agitated presence, even singing the songs live. Apparently sanctioned by Dylan himself, the role is a turning point for Chalamet’s career—a rich, full-bodied turn that may redefine what people believe about him. Where Call Me By Your Name got him on the map, A Complete Unknown could just cement his place.
From heartbreakers of the indie sort to sci-fi blockbusters and now musical legends, Timothée Chalamet has shown he can do anything. Regardless of the character, he infuses it with a combination of vulnerability and risk-taking that makes viewers sit transfixed in front of the screen. And if his journey till date is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.