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 vibrant musical fantasy TV movie that follows the teenage offspring of Disney’s most notorious villains, as they navigate a series of new challenges and adventures in Auradon. This heartfelt film features the late Cameron Boyce as Carlos, the charming son of Cruella de Vil, who sadly passed away before its release, making it a tribute to his remarkable talent and enduring 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 that centers around two teenage girls who scheme to murder one of their stepfathers with the assistance of a drug dealer. Starring Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift, it is penned and directed by Cory Finley in his impressive feature debut. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 and released in 2018, it serves as the last U.S. film featuring Anton Yelchin, who tragically died in a car accident in 2016, and is 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 whimsical fantasy adventure film inspired by Lewis Carroll’s timeless characters, serving as the sequel to the 2010 hit Alice in Wonderland. Featuring the return of Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, alongside Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska, this sequel also introduces Sacha Baron Cohen as Time, a powerful entity governing the flow of time in Wonderland. Released in 2016, four years after the passing of Alan Rickman, who lent his voice to Absolem, the Caterpillar turned Butterfly, the film is dedicated to celebrating his artistic contributions, as he had recorded his lines prior to his untimely death.
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 visually stunning fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam, showcasing a remarkable cast including Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, and Lily Cole. Centered around a traveling theater troupe led by Doctor Parnassus, who has struck a deal with the devil, the narrative unfolds as he must save his daughter Valentina from a dire fate on her 16th birthday. Ledger’s performance marks his final film before his tragic death in 2008, after completing his scenes in London, prompting Gilliam to creatively cast Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to portray different versions of Ledger’s character Tony, who changes appearances in the magical realm of the Imaginarium. This heartfelt film is dedicated to Ledger, complete with 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 1973 martial arts film starring Bruce Lee, John Saxon, and Jim Kelly. It was Lee’s final completed film before his death at age 32 from cerebral edema. The film follows Lee, a Shaolin martial artist who is recruited by a British intelligence agent to infiltrate a mysterious island owned by a crime lord named Han, who hosts a martial arts tournament every three years. Lee’s mission is to gather evidence of Han’s involvement in drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as to avenge his sister’s 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 renowned for its status as one of the worst movies ever made, directed by Ed Wood, who also wrote, produced, and edited this unique film. Featuring the late Bela Lugosi, who passed away before filming wrapped, the movie unfolds a bizarre narrative involving flying saucers, zombies, and aliens aiming to prevent humanity from developing a doomsday weapon. Despite its notorious continuity errors, questionable acting, and low-budget aesthetics, the film released in 1957 has cultivated a dedicated fan base over time, earning acclaim for its so-bad-it’s-good charm.
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 groundbreaking 1955 American coming-of-age romantic drama directed by Nicholas Ray, featuring iconic performances from James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. This poignant film delves into the lives of three troubled teens in suburban Los Angeles as they rebel against their parents, society, and authority figures, capturing the profound alienation and angst of youth culture. It stands as a landmark in cinematic history and unfortunately became the last film to feature James Dean, who tragically died in a car accident just a month prior to 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 James Dean, the talented actor who portrayed Jett Rink in Giant, faced an untimely death in a car crash on September 30, 1955, at just 24 years old, after wrapping up most of his scenes for the film. Some of his voice parts were later dubbed by his friend Nick Adams, who did an impressive imitation of Dean’s voice. Dean’s remarkable performance earned him a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Giant, marking him as the first actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations, the other being for East of Eden.
Remembering Stars: Actors Who Left Us Before Their Final Film Premiere
