Is Marty Supreme Timothée Chalamet’s Best? My Top 10 Ranked

10. Nic Sheff (Beautiful Boy, 2018)

In this harrowing biographical drama, Chalamet plays a young man struggling with a devastating methamphetamine addiction. Based on the memoirs of David and Nic Sheff, the performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination. It is noted for its raw, physical portrayal of the cycle of recovery and relapse, highlighting the strained but loving relationship between a father and son.

9. King Henry V (The King, 2019)

Chalamet took on a "Shakespearean" challenge in this gritty reimagining of Henriad. Playing a wayward prince who reluctantly ascends to the English throne, he underwent a significant physical transformation, including training in medieval broadsword combat. The film showcased his ability to carry a historical epic, portraying a leader hardened by the betrayal of the politics surrounding him.

8. Bob Dylan (A Complete Unknown, 2024)

This biographical film follows the transformative years of music icon Bob Dylan in the early 1960s. Chalamet did his own singing for the role, capturing Dylan’s transition from a folk singer to a rock star. The performance is grounded in historical accuracy, focusing on the specific 1965 Newport Folk Festival performance that famously "electrified" the music world.

7. Zeffirelli (The French Dispatch, 2021)

Working with director Wes Anderson, Chalamet played a student revolutionary in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. His performance as Zeffirelli is a stylized, comedic take on youthful idealism and the "May 68" protests in France. It demonstrated his range in deadpan comedy and his ability to fit into the highly specific, symmetrical aesthetic of Anderson's filmmaking.

6. Elio Perlman (Call Me by Your Name, 2017)

The role that catapulted him to international stardom, Elio is a 17-year-old living in 1980s Italy who falls in love with his father's research assistant. At age 22, Chalamet became the third-youngest nominee for the Academy Award for Best Actor. The performance is famous for its subtlety, particularly the final, three-minute single-take shot of Elio processing his grief by a fireplace.

5. Kyle Scheible (Lady Bird, 2017)

In Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut, Chalamet played the "pretentious teenage intellectual" archetype. As a bassist in a band who reads Howard Zinn, Kyle is the quintessential high school crush who is ultimately revealed to be deeply immature. It is a sharp, observational supporting performance that added a layer of comedic satire to the film’s coming-of-age narrative.

4. Tom Cooper (Interstellar, 2014)

In one of his earliest major roles, Chalamet played the younger version of Casey Affleck’s character, the son of astronaut Joseph Cooper (Matthew McConaughey). Though his screen time was limited, his performance as a boy living on a dying Earth established his presence in high-concept cinema. It served as a vital emotional link for the audience before the film’s time-dilation effects separated the family.

3. Theodore "Laurie" Laurence (Little Women, 2019)

Reunited with director Greta Gerwig, Chalamet portrayed the iconic literary character Laurie. His chemistry with Saoirse Ronan’s Jo March was a highlight of the film, as he brought a modern, playful energy to the 19th-century setting. His performance is often praised for capturing the "aimless" longing of a wealthy young man who eventually finds his place within the March family.

2. Paul Atreides (Dune: Part One, 2021)

Director Denis Villeneuve cast Chalamet as the "Lisan al-Gaib" because of his youthful appearance and "old soul" energy. In Part One, he portrays Paul as a burdened ducal heir plagued by terrifying visions of a holy war. The film focuses on his training in the "Bene Gesserit" ways and his initial survival on the desert planet Arrakis, setting the stage for his transformation.

1. Paul Atreides (Dune: Part Two, 2024)

In the sequel, Chalamet delivers his most complex performance to date, depicting Paul’s rise as a messianic figure among the Fremen. He transitions from a vengeful son to a calculated leader who manipulates prophecy to gain power. The performance is a chilling exploration of the "hero's journey" gone wrong, culminating in a cold, authoritative command of the Galactic Empire that forever changed the character's legacy.