Robin Williams: His Top 5 Movies, According to IMDb, and Where to Stream Them
The world is remembering Robin Williams. The comedian and actor who died in 2014 would have turned 69 on July 21. Fans are marking the Oscar winner’s birthday with online tributes and celebrating his many memorable performances in films such as Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Good Morning, Vietnam.
Williams appeared in dozens of films over his decades-long career in Hollywood. Here are his five best starring roles, according to IMDb users, and where you can stream them.
‘The Fisher King’
IMDb rating: 7.5
Williams received one of his three best actor Oscar nominations for his role in this 1991 Terry Gilliam film. He plays a homeless man named Parry who befriends a despondent former radio DJ named Jack (Jeff Bridges) and enlists him in his quest to find the Holy Grail.
The Fisher King is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other streaming services. You can also stream it for free on-demand at Pluto TV.
‘Awakenings’
IMDb rating: 7.8
Williams and Robert DeNiro co-star in this 1990 film based on a memoir by Oliver Sacks. Malcolm Sayer (Williams) is a doctor who takes a job caring for patients who have been catatonic for decades. After he administers a new drug, their condition improves dramatically. But new complications arise as the patients wake up and adapt to living in a new world, and as it becomes clear the effects of the miracle drug are not permanent.
Awakenings is streaming on Starz and available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other streaming services.
‘Aladdin’
IMDb rating: 8.0
He didn’t play the title character, but Williams stole the show as the voice of the Genie in Disney’s 1992 animated flick Aladdin. It’s streaming on Disney+ and is available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.
‘Dead Poets Society’
IMDb rating: 8.1
A role in this 1989 movie directed by Peter Weir earned Williams his second Oscar nomination. (His first was for 1988’s Good Morning, Vietnam.) Williams plays John Keating, a new teacher at an elite New England prep school in the late 1950s. He inspires his students to challenge conventional wisdom, but the rebellion he inspires has unexpected consequences.
Dead Poets Society is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other streaming services.
‘Good Will Hunting’
IMDb rating: 8.3
After three best actor nominations, Williams finally won his first (and only) Academy Award in the best supporting actor category for his role in Gus Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting. He plays a psychology professor who helps a working-class MIT janitor/secret math genius (Matt Damon) while also wrestling his own demons.
Good Will Hunting is streaming on Showtime and HBO Max; it’s also available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other streaming services.
Bonus stream: ‘Hamlet’
IMDb rating: 7.7
Williams has a small-but-memorable role in Kenneth Branagh’s epic 1996 adaptation of Hamlet. He plays Osric, a courtier who invites Hamlet (Branagh) to duel with Laertes (Michael Maloney). Kate Winslet plays Ophelia, Derek Jacobi is Claudius, and Julie Christie is Gertrude. Hamlet is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and other streaming services.
