Keanu Reeves' Best Co-Stars Ranked

The flickering star that is Keanu Reeves continues to rise and burn bright, even decades after his career on the silver screen began. His good-natured demeanor and stylish, melodramatic roles have solidified him as something of an icon among cinema-goers. While Reeves is certainly notable for his sci-fi and action affairs, the versatile actor has also branched out with starring roles in the romance and drama departments.

Throughout Reeves' career, he's had the pleasure of working with a diverse and talented cast across a litany of films. In some of these films, he plays a starring role, while in others, he is simply billed as a supporting actor. No matter his status, he's always been standing next to top-tier talent in the movie industry, and he will likely continue to attract positive attention from both his adoring fans and those within the industry for years to come. In the meantime, let's take a journey through the legendary actor's filmography and rank his best co-stars on a scale from bogus to excellent. (Okay, they're not really "bogus," but you get the reference we were going for, right?)

The 2008 remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" offered a semi-fresh take on the timeless narrative where god-like alien beings test the limits of humanity, hoping to find a healthy proclivity for moral progression. However, when Keanu Reeves' Klaatu arrives on Earth, he quickly finds that the very nature of the human race is defined by selfishness, pride, and destruction. As such, he determines that humanity must be destroyed in an effort to save the Earth from destruction. He plans to sample the wildlife on Earth in an effort to repopulate the animal kingdom after the slate has been wiped clean.

Jennifer Connelly's Helen Benson is an astrobiologist who the government has tasked with making contact with the alien race. While the armed forces act recklessly ⁠— shooting Klaatu upon arrival and then interrogating him ⁠— Helen attempts to show him a different side of humanity. While the film received a mixed critical reception, Connelly managed to expertly convey the tragic, desperate side of humanity that is aching to progress beyond its state of stubborn naivete.

"Point Break" is an all-time classic adventure that captures one of humanity's greatest desires in cinematic glory — the need to feel alive. Punctuated by adrenaline-inducing action, Keanu Reeves plays the role of FBI agent Johnny Utah. He goes undercover in an effort to confirm that a group of surfers following the lead of Bodhi (Patrick Swayze) are, in fact, criminals known as the "Ex-Presidents" who wear masks of former U.S. presidents while committing a string of robberies. Posing as a surfer himself, Johnny Utah becomes enveloped in the surfing culture and begins to crave the thrill of hitting the waves. Swayze brings a healthy dose of charisma to the table as he aims to depict a simple soul vying to get high on life.

"Point Break" has easily earned its cult-favorite status. Fans cherish the Katheryn Bigelow-directed film so much that the news of a remake was met with a copious amount of vitriol. The film was released opposite of another action classic of the early 90s, "Terminator 2." Despite the competition from Bigelow's then-husband James Cameron, "Point Break" would achieve a legendary status in the realm of action cinema.

Perhaps one of the best drama films that Keanu Reeves has starred in, "Hardball" tells the tale of a broken man who becomes whole again through the love and acceptance of an inner-city baseball team. It's an uplifting story where Conor (Keanu Reeves), who has been plagued with gambling debt, begins coaching an unlikely team of street-wise youth in the projects in an effort to resolve his financial problems. While the position is simply one of circumstance at first, he grows a deep and abiding affection for the kids that he coaches. They, too, help him to become a better man less focused on his self-destructive gambling behaviors. Diane Lane portrays a teacher, Elizabeth Wilkes, who focuses on her job as an educator for the youth.

Elizabeth ultimately sparks a relationship with Conor that only serves to create more unity within the central cast. "Hardball" is full of its emotional highs and lows, and it will most certainly put your tear ducts to the test. Regardless, Keanu Reeves and Diane Lane make a strong and capable pair in this tale rooted in human fallibility and triumph.

The wise-crackin' DC anti-hero John Constantine made his first on-screen debut in a film portrayed by none other than Keanu Reeves. The character received something of a cinematic overhaul, but he isn't exactly the blonde British bloke fans had come to know from the comic books he originated in. Instead, Keanu offered a more subdued Americanized version of the character that was initially panned by fans. But the film aged well and gained a strong cult following despite its differences from the source material. 

John Constantine is an occult expert well-practiced in the art of the dark arts and magic. He attempts to vanquish evil and often performs exorcisms. In the film, Rachel Weisz plays the role of detective Angela Dodson, who is attempting to investigate foul play behind the death of her twin sister — a death that was ruled as a suicide. Weisz competently portrays a tortured soul with an enigmatic past who is ultimately a child of destiny. Like her sister, she has psychic abilities that enable her to help Constantine hunt the demons that plague them. 

Tonally, the film is rather bleak and grim as Constantine has resigned himself to death in a lifelong career of demon-vanquishing that will ultimately result in his internment in hell for his past misdeeds. However, the action is frenetic and visceral, and the story takes a few twists at the end that offer the hero a lasting bit of salvation. It is, at the very least, a must-see one-time watch for fans of Keanu Reeves.

While Keanu Reeves can certainly kick some ass as the lethal John Wick and charm us all as the loveable slacker Ted, he's also a bit of a lady-killer. In "Destination Wedding," Reeves co-stars alongside Winona Ryder as Frank and Lindsay, respectively. The duo finds themselves in the fateful position of sharing a plane ride to the wedding of a man who is Frank's half-brother and Lindsay's former flame. The two wind up arguing and bantering as they board the flight and are seated next to each other. Then, much to their dismay, they are staying in adjoining rooms. This wouldn't be a rom-com, however, if the unlikely couple didn't connect on some level. Reeves' and Ryder's chemistry is palpable as their characters strike up an interest in one another that transcends the wedding they arrived for in the first place.

The film received mixed reviews, but one thing is certain: Frank and Lindsey offer a bit of a reprieve from the typical rom-com fare. While many of the cliches of the genre still remain intact, the characters manage to set themselves apart from the average unlikely romance. Although the two had appeared in films together before — Richard Linklater's "A Scanner Darkly" and Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula" — "Destination Wedding" gave the pair a chance to truly share the spotlight together and put their chemistry to work.

If you didn't realize that Jason Momoa once appeared in a film alongside Keanu Reeves, you're likely not alone. The 2016 flick "The Bad Batch" was nabbed by Netflix for distribution and flew under the radar for most. The film is centered around a young girl by the name of Arlen (Suki Waterhouse), an outcast who is ultimately kidnapped by a woman who amputates one of her arms and legs. She is eventually able to escape and make a home in a settlement called Comfort, where she obtains a prosthetic leg. 

The film takes a psychedelic trip as Keanu Reeves and Jason Momoa's characters are introduced. Reeves' character, known simply as "The Dream," is the leader of the settlement. He seemingly provides Arlen with guidance and hallucinogens. She eventually finds herself wandering in the desert where she meets Miami Man (Jason Momoa), who is searching for his daughter in Comfort. Arlen and Miami Man journey back to Comfort and eventually strike up a workable partnership.

While Momoa and Reeves are relegated to supporting roles in the film, they are, perhaps, the film's zaniest characters, and they ultimately shape Arlen into the person she becomes. Reeves proves to be a capably semi-antagonistic fixture that runs Comfort based on the pretext that his dirty business deeds keep the place afloat. Miami Man, on the other hand, paints a picture of a father in pain, aching to see his daughter once more. If you haven't seen "The Bad Batch," it's available on Netflix.

Everyone's favorite gothic horror tale, "Dracula," was once again retold in theaters everywhere in 1992. The film aimed to take a hardline approach in adapting Bram Stoker's original work, hence the title. Gary Oldman embodies the titular blood-sucking character of Dracula while Keanu Reeves portrays Jonathan Harker, a solicitor who attempts to do business with Count Dracula in Transylvania, unaware of his nature. Quickly, however, Harker is enlightened as the creature of the night is vying for Harker's wife, believing her to be his reincarnated former flame from centuries prior. Eventually, Harker partners with Abraham Van Helsing in an attempt to stop Dracula.

While Reeves was saddled with negative criticism surrounding his casting and his rough English accent, the film still became a box-office hit. Furthermore, it was nominated for four Academy Awards and managed to nab three wins for Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, and Best Makeup. Elsewhere, Gary Oldman was nearly unrecognizable as Dracula and was indeed a highlight of the film.

"John Wick" ushered in the era of Keanu Reeves' resurgence in cinema with a strikingly visceral and fun action thriller featuring the titular character as a retired hitman setting out to take revenge on those who wronged him. The magnetic Willem Dafoe plays the role of Marcus, a mentor-type character who is ultimately John's closest confidant in the seedy underworld in which he did business. Dafoe excels at subverting expectations, leading viewers to think there's a chance he could work against John. But loyal to a fault, he protects John as the rage-filled hitman embarks on his crusade against the Russian mob. Ultimately, the fate of Marcus results in John's character progression and the resolve that helps him finish what he started.

The film went on to be a major critical and box office success. Of course, the popularity of the character created the demand for further sequels and world-building within the John Wick Universe, and the succeeding John Wick films even made room for some of Reeves' old costars, including the next one on our list.

Arguably one of the most iconic characters of "The Matrix" outside of Neo (Keanu Reeves) himself is Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). Laurence expertly crafted an enigmatic persona that left the minds of viewers scrambling to keep up with the philosophical beats the overzealous champion for humanity posed to the conflicted hero. Where does a dream end and reality begin? Morpheus likely had many of us contemplating the very fabric of our reality when "The Matrix" hit theaters in 1999.

 In the film, Neo and Morpheus eventually form a familial bond that is rooted in the trust that Neo grants Morpheus as he takes a leap of faith and heads down the rabbit hole to find that humanity is living a lie. Machines had taken over humankind and locked them in a virtual world in order to keep them happy and quell rebellion — all while using them as batteries to power their empire. The film was thought-provoking and electric, with rousing action sequences and drama, and is undoubtedly the biggest part of Reeves' legacy.

Fresh-faced and high (on life), Keanu Reeves spent his heyday in Hollywood as Ted opposite Alex Winter's Bill in the infamous "Bill & Ted" adventures. In 1989, "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" kicked off the narrative of what would become an epic trilogy where two slackers who dream of becoming rockstars receive guidance from the future — a time in which they are well-respected leaders of a free world. But in the '80s, they are simply two goofs trying to pass a high school history report. It's the type of comedy where Reeves' and Winter's characters are able to riff off each other's own ineptitude. Indeed, the duo presented a comedic genius that wouldn't be recreated until the advent of "Dumb & Dumber."

Despite the "space cadet" vibe we get from the duo, one can't help but feel charmed by these loveable characters, whose intentions are pure, even if they lack knowledge of some of the most basic fundamentals in life. Bill and Ted would journey through time, take a trip to hell, and visit the future in a trilogy of films that may very well stand the test of time. After all, the demand for a threequel is ever-present nearly three decades after the first two films were released. If that's not an enduring fandom, what is?

Just like the title of the film implies, most of "Speed" takes place on a speeding bus. In this harrowing action-thriller, Keanu Reeves takes on the role of LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven, who is attempting to stop a bomber from killing a lot of innocent passengers aboard a bus rigged to explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour. Annie Porter (Sandra Bullock) is a passenger aboard the bus who helps Jack avert a travesty as he attempts to keep the cool of the passengers and maintain the high speeds necessary to keep the bomb from detonating.

Bullock and Reeves spark a circumstantial and unspoken (until the end) romance because of the death-defying experience they both share. Bullock would again share the screen with Keanu Reeves in "The Lake House," a far more subdued and tonally serious romantic drama. "Speed" is one of Reeves' most iconic films of the '90s and shares the company of other famous action thrillers from the same time period like "Con Air" and "Bad Boys."

John Wick has made a lot of enemies in a short amount of time. After all, it's hard being king when everyone is vying for the throne. John won't let that stand, however. For the longest time, his friend and the owner of the Continental Hotel is a man by the name of Winston (Ian McShane). McShane brings his iconic voice and aging wisdom to the table in an effort to keep John from making critical mistakes. Ultimately, John is going to do what John is going to do — even if that's violating rules established by the High Table, a committee of Illuminati-like individuals who govern the rules of assassins in the world at large.

McShane proves to be a capable and strong ally for John Wick — until he betrays the titular character to get ahead. While Reeves and McShane have developed an intriguing relationship over three films as comrades, seeing that association change into a rivalry most certainly ups the ante.

The devil is in the details, and Al Pacino mastered them wonderfully by embodying Satan in "The Devil's Advocate." Reeves plays the role of a shady attorney by the name of Kevin Lomax, who ultimately protects deeply sinful individuals from conviction. He does so by attacking the prosecution's credibility, nullifying any chance for guilty verdicts against his clients. Because of his undercutting skills in the courtroom, John Milton, the head of a New York City law firm, offers Kevin a job, a sweet salary, and a decadent apartment if he joins the team. Not about to turn down the obvious opportunity, Kevin and his wife relocate to New York City. But it becomes clear that there's something rather sinister about John Milton, and because of the film's premise, it's painfully obvious to audiences that he is actually Satan.

Pacino delivers a calculating performance as the devil, who expertly manipulates Kevin and his wife through greed and vanity. The film takes a rather dark turn and will most assuredly be unforgettable in the minds of viewers. "The Devil's Advocate" received mostly positive critical acclaim, with many critics praising Al Pacino's devious performance as the devil.

For children of the '90s, it's hard to not think of Keanu Reeves and instantly place him shoulder to shoulder with his "Matrix" co-star Carrie-Anne Moss. Indeed, Neo and Trinity are a truly iconic duo. Throughout the series, their love and chemistry are on full display as they confront enemies together as equals. Carrie-Anne Moss' performance is brilliant, honing the rigid badass temperament required to dish out pain to agents of the system, all while capably depicting Trinity's vulnerability alongside Neo in the real world.

"The Matrix Resurrections" ultimately established that Trinity and Neo are each other's strength, a fact we "Matrix" fans knew all along — the fourth film just confirmed it. Carrie-Anne Moss is synonymous with Trinity, and despite her countless acting credentials, her role in "The Matrix" will indelibly be a part of her lasting legacy in Hollywood.