Top 23 Ranked

The Best Antonio Banderas Films

From Passionate Dramas to Iconic Action Heroes

Explore the finest films of Antonio Banderas, featuring his legendary collaborations with Almodóvar and his most iconic Hollywood roles.

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About Antonio Banderas

Antonio Banderas

Long before he became the global face of the silver screen swashbuckler, Antonio Banderas was the chaotic muse of the Spanish New Wave. In the neon-soaked underground of Madrid, he forged a partnership with Pedro Almodovar that redefined cinematic masculinity. Whether he was playing a lovestruck kidnapper in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! or navigating the frantic emotional landscape of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, he possessed a volatile, expressive energy that felt dangerous yet deeply vulnerable. This early era established his unique currency: a rare ability to ground high-concept melodrama in genuine human desire.

Transitioning to Hollywood could have easily resulted in a one-dimensional pigeonholing, but he navigated the studio system with a sharp intelligence. He initially caught American eyes by providing a poignant, steady heartbeat to Philadelphia and adding a layer of aristocratic mystery to Interview with the Vampire. However, it was his turn in Desperado that cemented his status as a bone-fide action icon. He moved with a feline grace that suggested he was just as comfortable with a guitar case full of weapons as he was with a romantic monologue. By the time he donned the cape for The Mask of Zorro, he had perfected a brand of charisma that was both throwback and modern, proving that a blockbuster lead could be both physically imposing and disarmingly funny.

Audiences connect with him because there is an inherent warmth behind his intensity. This is perhaps best exemplified by his voice work as Puss in Boots. What started as a clever riff on his Zorro persona in Shrek 2 eventually evolved into a profound exploration of mortality and ego in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Even through an animated cat, he projects a soulfulness that resonates with children and adults alike. He refuses to wink at the camera or phoning it in, treating a high-concept family film with the same gravity he might bring to a project like The 13th Warrior or the surreal, clinical horror of The Skin I Live In.

His recent years have arguably produced his most breathtaking work, marked by a homecoming to his creative roots. In Pain and Glory, he reunited with Almodovar to deliver a performance of staggering restraint and quiet agony. It was a meta-commentary on aging and artistry that stripped away the bravado of his younger years to reveal a seasoned master at the height of his powers. From the playful gadgetry of Spy Kids to the eccentric supporting turns in Ruby Sparks and Frida, his filmography reflects a man who is perpetually curious. He has managed to survive the fickle nature of fame by remaining a character actor trapped in a leading man’s body, constantly reinventing what it means to be a legend. He remains a singular force in cinema because he never lost the spark of that young actor in Madrid who was willing to do anything for the sake of the story.

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23
Antonio Banderas in Assassins (1995)
Assassins
1995

Assassin Robert Rath arrives at a funeral to kill a prominent mobster, only to witness a rival hired gun complete the job for him -- with grisly results. Horrified by the murder of innocent bystanders, Rath decides to take one last job and then return to civilian life. But finding his way out of the world of contract killing grows ever more dangerous as Rath falls for his female target and becomes a marked man himself.

Action
Adventure
Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, Julianne Moore, Anatoli Davydov
22
Antonio Banderas in Paddington in Peru (2024)
Paddington in Peru
2024

Paddington travels to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Family
Comedy
1h 46m
Dougal Wilson
Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Samuel Joslin
21
Antonio Banderas in Shrek the Third (2007)
Shrek the Third
2007

The King of Far Far Away has died and Shrek and Fiona are to become King & Queen. However, Shrek wants to return to his cozy swamp and live in peace and quiet, so when he finds out there is another heir to the throne, they set off to bring him back to rule the kingdom.

Fantasy
Adventure
1h 33m
Chris Miller

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20
Antonio Banderas in Shrek Forever After (2010)
Shrek Forever After
2010

A midlife-crisis burdened Shrek, longing for the days when he felt like a real ogre, makes a pact with magic deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin. But when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away—where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met—he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

Comedy
Adventure
1h 33m
Mike Mitchell
19
Antonio Banderas in Uncharted (2022)
Uncharted
2022

A young street-smart, Nathan Drake and his wisecracking partner Victor “Sully” Sullivan embark on a dangerous pursuit of “the greatest treasure never found” while also tracking clues that may lead to Nathan’s long-lost brother.

Action
Adventure
1h 56m
Ruben Fleischer
Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Sophia Ali, Tati Gabrielle
18
Antonio Banderas in The House of the Spirits (1993)
The House of the Spirits
1993

A rancher, his clairvoyant wife and their family face turbulent years in South America.

Romance
Drama
2h 20m
Bille August
17
Antonio Banderas in Puss in Boots (2011)
Puss in Boots
2011

Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend... The Boots.

Animation
Family
1h 30m
Chris Miller
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton
16
Antonio Banderas in Ruby Sparks (2012)
Ruby Sparks
2012

Calvin is a young novelist who achieved phenomenal success early in his career but is now struggling with his writing – as well as his romantic life. Finally, he makes a breakthrough and creates a character named Ruby who inspires him. When Calvin finds Ruby, in the flesh, sitting on his couch about a week later, he is completely flabbergasted that his words have turned into a living, breathing person.

Comedy
Romance
1h 44m
Jonathan Dayton
Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Chris Messina, Annette Bening
15
Antonio Banderas in Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids
2001

Carmen and Juni think their parents are boring. Little do they know that in their day, Gregorio and Ingrid Cortez were the top secret agents from their respective countries. They gave up that life to raise their children. Now, the disappearances of several of their old colleagues forces the Cortez' return from retirement. What they didn't count on was Carmen and Juni joining the "family business."

Family
Action
Alexa PenaVega, Daryl Sabara, Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino
14
Antonio Banderas in Evita (1996)
1996

The hit musical based on the life of Evita Duarte, an Argentinian actress who eventually became the wife of Argentinian president Juan Perón, and the most beloved and hated woman in Argentina.

History
Drama
Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce, Jimmy Nail
13
Antonio Banderas in Frida (2002)
2002

A biography of artist Frida Kahlo, who channeled the pain of a crippling injury and her tempestuous marriage into her work.

Drama
Romance
2h 3m
Julie Taymor
Salma Hayek Pinault, Alfred Molina, Mía Maestro, Patricia Reyes Spíndola
12
Antonio Banderas in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990)
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
1990

After being released from a mental hospital, a troubled young man tracks down an actress he once had sex with and forces her into captivity, determined to make her part of his life.

Comedy
Romance
Victoria Abril, Antonio Banderas, Loles León, Julieta Serrano
Why it ranks

In this controversial classic, Banderas balances on a knife edge of obsession and naive sincerity. His performance manages to make a deeply problematic character strangely compelling, showcasing the raw, uninhibited energy of his early years in European cinema.

11
Antonio Banderas in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
1988

After being dumped by her lover, Pepa finds her life and the lives of those around her spiraling out of control in a deliciously chaotic series of events.

Comedy
Drama
Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas, Julieta Serrano, María Barranco
Why it ranks

Playing a stuttering, innocent youth, Banderas displays a nervous comedic timing that helped define the colorful chaos of the Spanish New Wave. This early collaboration cemented his status as a versatile muse for Almodóvar, capable of much more than just rugged intensity.

10

Happily ever after never seemed so far, far away when a trip to meet the in-laws turns into a hilariously twisted adventure for Shrek and Fiona.

Animation
Family
1h 32m
Conrad Vernon
Why it ranks

Banderas reinvented his own screen persona through the voice of a tiny, feathered-hatted cat, turning a brief parody into a global phenomenon. His ability to weaponize his suave vocal timber for self-deprecating comedy remains one of the most successful character transformations in animation history.

9
Antonio Banderas in Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
Once Upon a Time in Mexico
2003

A corrupt CIA agent Sands hires hitman El Mariachi to assassinate a Mexican general hired by a drug kingpin attempting a coup d'état of the President of Mexico.

Action
Crime
Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, Cheech Marin, Salma Hayek Pinault
Why it ranks

Banderas leans into a weary, mythic machismo, trading the wide-eyed intensity of his earlier years for a stone-faced stoicism that commands every frame. He effectively weaponizes his silence to transform El Mariachi from a pulp hero into a haunted legend, marking the sophisticated peak of his collaboration with Robert Rodriguez. It is a masterclass in how to hold the screen with little more than a brooding silhouette and a guitar case.

8

A vampire relates his epic life story of love, betrayal, loneliness, and dark hunger to an over-curious reporter.

Horror
Drama
2h 3m
Neil Jordan
Why it ranks

As the ancient Armand, Banderas exudes a decadent, predatory magnetism that stands out even among a stacked ensemble of icons. He captures the weariness of an immortal leader with a sensual intensity that gives the film its most alluring edge of danger.

7

Two competing lawyers join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops, their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

Drama
2h 6m
Jonathan Demme
Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen
Why it ranks

Banderas brings a soulful, protective tenderness to Miguel Alvarez that avoids the era's common archetypes of melodrama. This role marked his crucial transition from Almodóvar's Spanish muse to a legitimate Hollywood heavyweight capable of nuanced supporting work. He anchors the film's emotional stakes by projecting a quiet, simmering resilience that feels both grounded and deeply human.

6
Antonio Banderas in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
2022

Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll: He has burned through eight of his nine lives, leaving him with only one life left. Puss sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish and restore his nine lives.

Animation
Adventure
1h 43m
Joel Crawford
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillén, Wagner Moura
Why it ranks

In this existential animated sequel, Banderas finds unexpected pathos in a swashbuckling hero facing his own mortality. He balances comedic flair with a raspy, seasoned gravity that elevates the character from a cute parody to a fully realized dramatic protagonist.

5
Antonio Banderas in The 13th Warrior (1999)
The 13th Warrior
1999

A Muslim ambassador exiled from his homeland joins a group of Vikings, initially offended by their behavior but growing to respect them. As they travel together, they learn of a legendary evil closing in and must unite to confront this formidable force.

Adventure
History
Antonio Banderas, Diane Venora, Dennis Storhøi, Vladimir Kulich
Why it ranks

Banderas anchors this Viking epic as a refined outsider, using his natural charisma to bridge the gap between high-society elegance and gritty survivalism. Despite the film's troubled production, his portrayal of a scholar learning the ways of the sword remains a unique entry in his action portfolio.

4
Antonio Banderas in The Skin I Live In (2011)
The Skin I Live In
2011

A brilliant plastic surgeon creates a synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. His guinea pig: a mysterious and volatile woman who holds the key to his obsession.

Drama
Horror
Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet
Why it ranks

Reuniting with Almodóvar for this icy thriller, Banderas portrays a surgeon with a terrifyingly disciplined lack of empathy. His calculated, surgical precision marks a chilling departure from his usual warmth, proving he can dominate the screen through quiet, predatory control.

3

It has been twenty years since Don Diego de la Vega fought Spanish oppression in Alta California as the legendary romantic hero, Zorro. Having escaped from prison he transforms troubled bandit Alejandro into his successor, in order to foil the plans of the tyrannical Don Rafael Montero who robbed him of his freedom, his wife and his precious daughter.

Action
Adventure
2h 16m
Martin Campbell
Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stuart Wilson
Why it ranks

This is the definitive showcase of Banderas as a traditional Hollywood leading man, blending athletic grace with a roguish sense of humor. He revitalized the swashbuckler genre by injecting it with genuine Spanish heritage and a playful chemistry that defined nineties blockbuster stardom.

2
Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory (2019)
Pain and Glory
2019

Salvador Mallo, a filmmaker in the twilight of his career, remembers his life: his mother, his lovers, the actors he worked with. The sixties in a small village in Valencia, the eighties in Madrid, the present, when he feels an immeasurable emptiness, facing his mortality, the incapability of continuing filming, the impossibility of separating creation from his own life. The need of narrating his past can be his salvation.

Drama
Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas
Why it ranks

Banderas strips away his kinetic bravado for a masterclass in stillness, channeling the physical and creative fatigue of Pedro Almodóvar himself. It is a soulful, career-defining homecoming that earned him his first Oscar nomination by trading machismo for vulnerable introspection.

1

El Mariachi plunges headfirst into the dark border underworld when he follows a trail of blood to the last of the infamous Mexican drug lords, Bucho, for an action-packed, bullet-riddled showdown. With the help of his friend and a beautiful bookstore owner, El Mariachi tracks Bucho, takes on his army of desperados, and leaves his own trail of blood.

Thriller
Action
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Joaquim de Almeida, Steve Buscemi
Why it ranks

Banderas exploded into the American consciousness here as a mythic guitar-case-wielding vigilante. It is a work of pure swagger, where his physical fluidity and smoldering gaze transformed Robert Rodriguez's stylized violence into a piece of high-octane performance art.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this list and SnakeDrafts

Antonio Banderas has a celebrated partnership with Pedro Almodóvar, starring in acclaimed films like "Pain and Glory," "The Skin I Live In," "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown." These films highlight their unique blend of emotional intensity and cinematic style.

Antonio Banderas is widely recognized for his role as Zorro in "The Mask of Zorro," where he blends charm and action, solidifying his status as a legendary swashbuckler in Hollywood cinema.

Banderas delivers compelling drama performances in "Pain and Glory," a deeply personal film by Almodóvar, and "Philadelphia," where he plays a supporting role in a gripping narrative about justice and human dignity.

Antonio Banderas is the voice of Puss in Boots in family-friendly animated hits like "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" and "Shrek 2," infusing the character with humor and charm.

Banderas excels in thrilling and action-packed roles in films such as "Desperado" and "Once Upon a Time in Mexico," both directed by Robert Rodriguez, which showcase his flair for intense, charismatic characters in adrenaline-fueled stories.

Antonio Banderas stars in historical dramas like "Evita," where he portrays Che Guevara, and "Frida," depicting Diego Rivera, blending history and personal drama with strong performances.

Yes, Banderas' versatility is evident as he transitions seamlessly from comedy in "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" to horror/thriller in "The Skin I Live In," adventure in "The 13th Warrior," and family films like "Spy Kids."

In the Spanish New Wave, especially in Almodóvar's films, Banderas embodies a volatile and expressive energy, portraying complex masculinity with emotional depth and chaotic charm, notably in "Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."
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