Edward Norton is one of the most fascinating actors in Hollywood today. He broke onto the scene with an Oscar-nominated feature film debut in Primal Fear. Since then, he has continued to show his incredible range in a variety of intense, entertaining, and unforgettable projects that rank among the best of all time.
Though his filmography is filled with some stellar work, Norton has also had a few missteps along the way. Looking at his entire career, it's clear the good outweighs the bad, but over at IMDb, we can take examine which of Norton's work ranks highest with audiences and which falls to the bottom.
Best: Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - 7.8
One of Norton's most frequent collaborators is Wes Anderson, and their work together is usually quite successful. Moonrise Kingdom was their first film together, and it centers on a young boy and girl who run away together, throwing their small island community into chaos. Norton plays the eager Scout Master who leads the search party.
Moonrise Kingdom is a sweet and funny adventure filled with the nostalgia of first love. The cast is filled with great actors like Bruce Willis, s McDormand, and Bill Murray, who all wonderfully bring Anderson's world to life.
Worst: Death to Smoochy (2002) - 6.4
Though he was first known for intense dramas, Norton has been dabbling in comedies for years. Death to Smoochy stars Robin Williams as a children's television entertainer who seeks murderous revenge when he is replaced by Smoochy the Rhino (Norton).
The premise has a lot of potential to be a quirky and bizarre dark comedy. However, most people seemed to think the laughs weren't big enough and the film wasn't willing to get really dark with its story, making it a dull affair.
Best: Isle of Dogs (2018) - 7.9
Norton teamed with Anderson for the filmmaker's second stop-motion animated film Isle of Dogs. Set in Japan, all dogs have been exiled to a trash-filled island. Norton plays a member of a pack of dogs who decide to help a young boy reunite with his lost pet.
Anderson's charm and humor work perfectly for this kind of unique and vibrant animation, which perfectly complements this touching and funny adventure.
Worst: The Invention of Lying (2009) - 6.4
Ricky Gervais is a popular comedian but his work in film hasn't been as successful. Gervais wrote, directed, and starred in The Invention of Lying which is set in a world where lying doesn't exist. Gervais plays a man who discovers the ability and everything he can accomplish with it.
Despite the brilliant premise, the film failed to interest many people. Many felt Gervais took a good idea and tried to do too much with it. The so-so nature of the film is particularly disappointing considering the fun cast, including a funny cameo by Norton as a cop.
Best: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - 8.1
Once again, Norton teamed with Wes Anderson for the terrifically entertaining The Grand Budapest Hotel. The story is set in a fictional European country and follows a dedicated hotel concierge and his lobby boy who find themselves wrapped up in a conspiracy. Norton plays a military official on the case.
Many consider this film to be Anderson's best as it combines his humor, aesthetics, and storytelling in such a beautiful way. It also features another brilliant cast, led by Ralph Fiennes in a hilarious and charming performance.
Worst: Keeping The Faith (2000) - 6.3
Norton made his directorial debut in this unexpected romantic comedy. Keeping the Faith stars Norton and Ben Stiller as two friends, one a priest and the other a rabbi, who find their faith and friendship tested when they both fall for the same woman.
One might expect Norton would take on a more unique story for his first film as a director. Alas, despite the faith-based angle, the story and comedy in this film feel very much like any typical romantic comedy.
Best: American History X (1998) - 8.5
Norton gives one of his most acclaimed performances in the harrowing drama American History X. He plays a young man who becomes a neo-Nazi fanatic filled with hate and violence. After he is sent to prison for a brutal crime, he begins to see the flaws in his ideology and tries to prevent his young brother from going down a similar path.
The film is a powerful and disturbing look at racism and how it infects a person's mind. Norton is sensational in the role, showing terrifying brutal rage as well as complexity when this man begins to see the errors of his ways.
Worst: Sausage Party (2016) - 6.1
One would be hard-pressed to find too many animated films as wild and vulgar as Sausage Party. Seth Rogen stars as a sausage in a grocery store filled with food whose only desire is to be chosen. But everything changes when then the truth of what humans do with food becomes clear. Norton provides the voice of a bagel.
Rogen and company seem hellbent on making the filthiest and graphic animated film of all time. Some still found the story to be too ridiculous to have fun with and the shock of the humor wore off quickly for some viewers.
Best: Fight Club (1999) - 8.8
In one of the 90s, Norton teamed with Brad Pitt and David Fincher for Fight Club. Norton plays a mild-mannered professional who is jolted out of his ordinary life by a charismatic strange named Tyler Durden (Pitt). Together, they start a club in which grown men fight each other.
Fincher directs with surreal energy that makes for an unforgettable experience. As the wild story continues and the twists keep coming, Fight Club cements itself as one of the most unique and exciting films of all time that fans are still crazy about.
Worst: Stone (2010) - 5.4
The combination of Norton and Robert De Niro should have made for an engrossing drama, but Stone is a disappointment for both talented stars. Norton plays a convicted felon who attempts to manipulate his parole officer (De Niro) by using his beautiful wife.
Neither actor seems to be very engaged in the material, though Norton does try to make his part compelling. The end result is a completely forgettable thriller that wastes the talents of those on-screen.
