1. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 7.3 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie. The film follows a fading TV actor and his stunt double as they try to revive their careers in 1969 Los Angeles, while living next door to actress Sharon Tate and director Roman Polanski, who become targets of the Manson Family cult.The film is a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age, featuring a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines that intersect with real-life events and figures. The film also marks the final appearance of actor Luke Perry, who died before the film’s release and to whom the film is dedicated.
2. Descendants 3 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.6 Photo by Wikipedia, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Descendants 3 is a captivating musical fantasy TV movie that explores the lives of Disney’s notorious villains’ teenage offspring as they navigate new hurdles and adventures in Auradon, featuring a memorable performance by the late Cameron Boyce as Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil, who sadly passed away before its release; this film is dedicated to his memory, honoring his remarkable talent and legacy.
3. Captain Marvel 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.9，Douban Rating: 6.9 Photo by wired.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Captain Marvel is a 2019 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It stars Brie Larson as Carol Danvers, a former Air Force pilot who gains superpowers after being exposed to an alien energy source. She joins forces with Nick Fury, a young S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, to stop a war between two alien races, the Kree and the Skrulls, that threatens Earth.The film is set in 1995 and explores Danvers’ past and identity as she tries to recover her memories. It also features several actors who reprise their roles from previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, such as Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Lee Pace, and Djimon Hounsou. The film pays tribute to Stan Lee, the co-creator of Captain Marvel, who died in 2018 and makes a cameo appearance in the film.
4. Batman Vs. Two-Face 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 5.8 Photo by bp.blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Batman Vs. Two-Face 2017 is an animated film based on the 1960s Batman TV series, featuring the voices of Adam West, Burt Ward, William Shatner and Julie Newmar. The film follows Batman and Robin as they face off against other villains and a new Two-Face in Gotham City.The film received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised the voice acting, animation, writing, and nostalgia factor. The film was also a tribute to Adam West, who passed away before the film’s release, and who delivered his final performance as Batman.
5. That Good Night 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 8.0 Photo by Flickr, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 That Good Night is a British drama film starring John Hurt as Ralph, a terminally ill screenwriter who wants to reconcile with his son and die with dignity. The film is based on a play by N. J. Crisp and was directed by Eric Styles. It was also the final film of John Hurt, who died in January 2017, before the film’s release in June 2017. The film explores themes of mortality, family, and legacy, as Ralph faces his fears and regrets while trying to make peace with his loved ones and himself. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised Hurt’s performance but criticized the script and direction. The film also features Charles Dance as The Visitor, a mysterious man who offers Ralph a choice between life and death.
6. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.3 Photo by cinematicrandomness.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the final episode of the nine-part Skywalker saga, directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and more. Rey faces Kylo Ren, Palpatine and a new threat in the riveting conclusion of the action-adventure fantasy series.The film is also notable for featuring some actors who passed away before finishing their final movie, such as Carrie Fisher, who reprised her role as Leia Organa using archive footage, and Peter Mayhew, who was replaced by Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca after his death in 2019. Other actors who died before seeing their final film include Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Walker, Heath Ledger, James Dean, Bruce Lee, Brandon Lee, Marilyn Monroe, Chris Farley and many more.
7. Thoroughbreds 2017，IMDB Rating: 6.7，Douban Rating: 6.3 Photo by wikimedia.org, is licensed under CC BY 3.0 Thoroughbreds is a gripping dark comedy thriller centered around two teenage girls who devise a plan to eliminate one of their stepfathers with assistance from a drug dealer, showcasing a stellar cast including Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift; written and directed by Cory Finley in his debut feature, this film premiered at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival and was released in 2018, serving as the last film featuring Anton Yelchin, who tragically died in a car accident in 2016, leading to the film being dedicated to his memory.
8. Alice Through the Looking Glass 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 6.9 Photo by draco.pe.kr, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Alice Through the Looking Glass is a visually enchanting fantasy adventure film, based on Lewis Carroll’s beloved characters, serving as the sequel to the 2010 hit Alice in Wonderland; it brings back Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, alongside Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, Anne Hathaway as the White Queen, and Mia Wasikowska as Alice, while introducing Sacha Baron Cohen as Time, an enigmatic figure who governs the flow of time in Wonderland; released in 2016, this film appeared four years after the passing of Alan Rickman, who lent his voice to Absolem, the Caterpillar turned Butterfly, having recorded his lines prior to his death, with the film dedicated in his honor.
9. Eye in the Sky 2015，IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 7.8 Photo by oldaintdead.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Eye in the Sky 2015 is a British thriller film that explores the ethical challenges of drone warfare. The film stars Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Barkhad Abdi. The film follows a multinational team of military and political leaders who must decide whether to launch a drone strike against a group of terrorists in Kenya who are planning a suicide bombing. The film also features one of the last performances of Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016 before the film’s release.
10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 2015，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.4 Photo by zirev.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 is the final installment of the dystopian sci-fi franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. It follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her allies as they launch a final assault on the tyrannical Capitol, led by President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Along the way, Katniss faces personal and moral dilemmas, as well as unexpected twists and betrayals.The film features one of the last performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a drug overdose in February 2014, before completing his scenes as Plutarch Heavensbee, the rebel leader and former gamemaker. Hoffman had filmed most of his scenes, but some were completed using digital effects and a double. His character’s dialogue was also reduced or given to other characters.
11. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus 2009，IMDB Rating: 6.8，Douban Rating: 6.9 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical journey directed by Terry Gilliam, featuring Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, and others; it tells the story of a traveling theater troupe led by Doctor Parnassus, who has made a pact with the devil in exchange for youth and love, but faces a dire choice involving his daughter Valentina on her 16th birthday; this film marked Ledger’s final performance before his untimely death in 2008, as he completed filming his scenes in London shortly before passing; Gilliam ingeniously finished the project by casting Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to portray different iterations of Ledger’s character Tony, who changes appearance upon entering the magical world of the Imaginarium, and the film is lovingly dedicated to Ledger while also including a tribute in the end credits.
12. Enter the Dragon 1973，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.3 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Enter the Dragon is a groundbreaking 1973 martial arts film featuring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly, marking Lee’s final completed film before his tragic death at the young age of 32 due to cerebral edema; the film follows Lee, a skilled Shaolin martial artist who is enlisted by a British intelligence agent to infiltrate a mysterious island owned by crime lord Han, who hosts a triannual martial arts tournament, with Lee’s quest revolving around gathering evidence of Han’s nefarious activities while also seeking vengeance for his sister’s untimely death at the hands of one of Han’s henchmen.
13. Plan 9 from Outer Space 1957，IMDB Rating: 4.0，Douban Rating: 5.9 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Plan 9 from Outer Space is a cult classic film that is widely considered to be one of the worst movies ever made. It was directed by Ed Wood, who also wrote, produced, and edited the film. The film stars Bela Lugosi, who died before the filming was completed, and features a flying saucer, zombies, and aliens who want to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon. The film is full of continuity errors, bad acting, cheap sets, and unintentional humor. The film was released in 1957 and has gained a loyal fan base over the years for its so-bad-it’s-good quality.
14. Rebel Without a Cause 1955，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.0 Photo by staticflickr.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Rebel Without a Cause is a defining 1955 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and featuring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo, exploring the lives and challenges faced by three troubled teenagers in suburban Los Angeles as they rebel against their parents, societal expectations, and authority; this film was groundbreaking in its portrayal of youth alienation and angst, becoming a landmark in cinematic history, and tragically, it was also the last film to feature James Dean, who died in a car accident just a month before its release.
15. Giant 1956，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 8.1 Photo by blogspot.com, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 One of the iconic actors who tragically passed away before completing their final film was James Dean, who portrayed Jett Rink, a ranch hand who rises to become a wealthy oil tycoon, rivaling the Benedict family; Dean lost his life in a car crash on September 30, 1955, at the young age of 24 after wrapping up most of his scenes for the epic film Giant, although some voice parts had to be dubbed by his friend Nick Adams, who skillfully imitated Dean’s voice; posthumously, Dean earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Giant, making history as the first actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations, with the first being for East of Eden.
Remembering Legends: Actors Who Passed Away Before Their Final Films Hit Theaters
