Remembering the Legends: Actors Who Passed Away Before Their Final Film Premiered

1. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 7.3
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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
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Descendants 3 is a captivating musical fantasy TV movie that follows the teenage offspring of Disney’s most notorious villains as they embark on new adventures and face challenges in the magical realm of Auradon. This film features the late Cameron Boyce in the role of Carlos, the son of Cruella de Vil, who tragically passed away before the movie hit theaters, making its dedication to his memory a heartfelt tribute to his remarkable talent and lasting legacy.
3. Captain Marvel 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.9，Douban Rating: 6.9
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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
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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
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That Good Night is a poignant British drama film featuring the legendary John Hurt as Ralph, a terminally ill screenwriter seeking to mend his relationship with his son while striving to depart this world with dignity. Based on a powerful play by N. J. Crisp and helmed by director Eric Styles, this film also marks the final appearance of John Hurt, who sadly passed away in January 2017, just before the film was released in June of the same year. The narrative delves into profound themes of mortality, familial ties, and the quest for legacy, as Ralph confronts his deepest fears and regrets in a heartfelt attempt to find peace with those he loves, as well as his own self. Critics delivered mixed reviews, praising Hurt’s outstanding performance while noting shortcomings in the script and direction, and the film also features Charles Dance as The Visitor, a mysterious figure presenting Ralph with a choice between life and death.
6. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 2019，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.3
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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
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Thoroughbreds serves as a thrilling dark comedy, revolving around two teenage friends who devise a daring plan to eliminate one of their stepfathers, enlisting the help of a local drug dealer. Directed and written by Cory Finley in his feature debut, this film stars Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift, presenting an unforgettable blend of humor and tension. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 before its release in 2018, it holds the distinction of being Anton Yelchin’s last U.S. film following his tragic car accident in 2016, and it stands as a heartfelt homage to his memory.
8. Alice Through the Looking Glass 2016，IMDB Rating: 6.2，Douban Rating: 6.9
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Alice Through the Looking Glass takes viewers on a whimsical journey based on the beloved characters created by Lewis Carroll, serving as a vibrant sequel to the 2010 hit Alice in Wonderland. The film showcases the return of fan-favorite actors, including Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, 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, a formidable force that governs the flow of time in Wonderland. Released in 2016, four years after the passing of the iconic Alan Rickman, who lent his voice to Absolem, the Caterpillar turned Butterfly, the film honors his legacy by dedicating the movie to his memory, 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
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Eye in the Sky is a gripping 2015 British thriller that delves into the moral complexities surrounding drone warfare and its implications. Featuring a star-studded cast including Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Barkhad Abdi, the film follows a coalition of military and political leaders faced with the harrowing decision of whether to authorize a drone strike on a group of terrorists in Kenya plotting a devastating suicide bombing. Notably, this film showcases one of Alan Rickman’s final performances, as he passed away in January 2016 before its release, adding an emotional weight to the narrative.
10. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 2015，IMDB Rating: 6.6，Douban Rating: 6.4
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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
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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantasy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Lily Cole, and others. The film follows the adventures of a traveling theater troupe led by Doctor Parnassus, who has made a deal with the devil to exchange his immortality for youth and the love of a woman. However, he must also give up his daughter Valentina to the devil on her 16th birthday, unless he can find someone to take his place.The film was Ledger’s last before his death in 2008, and he had only completed filming his scenes in London before he passed away. Gilliam decided to finish the film by casting Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell as different versions of Ledger’s character Tony, who changes appearance whenever he enters the magical realm of the imaginarium. The film is dedicated to Ledger’s memory and also features a tribute to him in the end credits.
12. Enter the Dragon 1973，IMDB Rating: 7.7，Douban Rating: 8.3
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Enter the Dragon stands as a seminal 1973 martial arts film starring the legendary Bruce Lee alongside John Saxon and Jim Kelly. This film marks Lee’s last completed work before his untimely death at the age of 32 due to cerebral edema, capturing the spirit of an era. The plot follows Lee, a dedicated Shaolin martial artist recruited by a British intelligence agent to infiltrate a mysterious crime lord’s island, where a martial arts tournament takes place every three years. As Lee embarks on this mission, he seeks not only to uncover evidence of the crime lord’s illegal activities but also to avenge his sister’s tragic demise at the hands of one of the henchmen, intertwining personal vengeance with a larger quest for justice.
13. Plan 9 from Outer Space 1957，IMDB Rating: 4.0，Douban Rating: 5.9
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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
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Rebel Without a Cause is a 1955 American coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo. The film explores the lives and struggles of three troubled teenagers in suburban Los Angeles, who rebel against their parents, society, and authority. The film was one of the first to portray the alienation and angst of youth culture, and became a landmark of cinematic history. The film was also the last one to feature James Dean, who died in a car accident a month before its release.
15. Giant 1956，IMDB Rating: 7.6，Douban Rating: 8.1
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Among the poignant stories of actors who left us before their final film was released is that of the iconic James Dean, who portrayed Jett Rink—a ranch hand who rises to become a wealthy oil tycoon, ultimately clashing with the Benedict family. Dean’s life was tragically cut short in a car crash on September 30, 1955, at just 24 years old, after he completed most of his scenes for the epic film Giant. Unfortunately, some of his voice work had to be dubbed by his friend Nick Adams, who skillfully mimicked Dean’s voice. In a posthumous honor, Dean was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Giant, making history as the first actor to receive two posthumous acting nominations, with the first one being for East of Eden.