Robin Williams Tribute (My Top 10 Favorite Robin Williams Films)

On August 11th, 2014 the world was silent and lost its smile. It’s a day where the world stopped what they were doing and where people could only cry. It was the day we lost the most fun loving, kind hearted, hilarious man, the day we lost Robin Williams. On August 11th, 2014 Robin McLaurin Williams passed away at the age of 63 after he committed suicide. I remember looking on my phone that night and seeing a post on Facebook and saying to myself it was fake and then for the next ten minutes I went silent as I found out that it was true and that my hero, my favorite comedian and someone I grew up watching passed away. For 7 years now when I watch a Robin Williams film all I can do once his final scene comes is go quiet and feel emotional, sometimes even cry, as this man meant the world to me. He brought smiles and laughter into million homes and his legacy will always live on. It is just very sad that he knew his career was quietly ending because he had early stages of Parkinson’s disease and Lewis body dementia. Not to mention the man who brought smiles into millions of people’s faces was struggling with depression. This isn’t your ordinary top 10 list like I usually post as I usually post them on Sunday’s but because this is the day we lost Robin I wanted to celebrate his amazing career and talk about my favorite Robin William films. Now I will be missing a lot of great films because he had so many greats so in the honorable mentions I will post his other great films that will continue his legacy. Comment below your favorite Robin Williams film and Robin, thank you for everything. Now let’s countdown my top 10 favorite Robin Williams films.

My Top 10 Favorite Robin Williams Films

10. Dead Poets Society – Now while I have only seen this film a couple of times I know for sure if I didn’t have it on the list my sister will kill me since it is her favorite film. Dead Poets Society is a 1989 film about an English teacher who inspires his students with poetry in a Vermont boarding school Welton Academy. John Keating uses a different method than what the school uses to teach his students and reaches out to them as he tries to inspire them all to pursue their careers and seize the day. The film was more of a dramatic movie, something Robin becomes known for more after this film, but Robin finds a way to bring comedy into the film and uses it in the best way possible. The film also introduces us to a young actor who has become one of the most talented actors of the last 30 years, Ethan Hawke. Ethan Hawke’s character, Todd Anderson, has a great bond with Robin Williams character, John Keating, throughout the film and brings inspiration to him and the rest of the class. Now while the film has its light hearted moments it also has its very sad and intense moments. If you have seen the film then you know why many people bring this film up first when talking about Robin but I don’t wish to spoil it so if you haven’t seen the film I highly recommend it. The film was nominated for many awards including the Oscars, where the film won Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Picture. Robin was also nominated but he unfortunately lost but this role changed his career forever as after this film he would be in many great films that we will list throughout the countdown. Robin inspires many in this film as he inspired many who viewed the film to make something great out of your life, do what you love and most of all Seize The Day. O’, Captain, My Captain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j64SctPKmqk

9. Night of the Museum franchise – I know this is cheating but I don’t care. No actor in the world can ever play Theodore Roosevelt like Robin did and the Night of the Museum movies showed us that. Now while he was really playing a wax figure of Theodore Roosevelt he still had the heart and courage the former President of the United States had. The Night of the Museum films is some on the most amazing films. While they aren’t the best films to come out during the current century, they had some very laughable moments, some very inspiring moments and some very silly moments. The first movie centered on the Museum of Natural History and was about a night guard who finds out that everything in the museum comes to life at night. The other two films centered on the same idea but used the item, Ahkmenrah’s tablet, which brings everyone to life. The second film brings us to the Smithsonian and the third film brings us to the British Museum. The first film actually became a favorite of mine and I really wanted to visit the Natural History Museum because I saw the film. The museum looked nothing like the movie but it was still an amazing experience. I always watch the film whenever it is on because I enjoy it so much. But in actuality I think I watch the film more now because I want to see Robin in the 3rd and final Night of the Museum film, Secret of the Tomb, as it was Robin’s final on screen appearance. I think he was a perfect fit for Theodore Roosevelt and he gave the character more personality plus he brought in some Robin uniqueness to the character as he added in some ad-lib in a couple of scenes in the film, which is such a Robin Williams thing to do. His final scene in the last movie breaks my heart and brought a tear to me eye when I first viewed the film. To this day I still shed a tear while watching the films. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eWQ92_6cLQ

8. The Fisher King – I first saw this film two days after Robin’s death and it was a very great experience. I always knew Robin as this guy who played down to earth characters that didn’t have this sad back story but in this film his character has a very sad back story. The film is about a radio jock that provokes a caller to kill multiple people in a Manhattan bar. The jock becomes depressed from the event and his life consists of coping with boozes. Jeff Bridges plays the jock and he and Robin has this weird connection in the film as they played off each other very well and it was something we really didn’t see in Robin’s recent films. However Robin’s character, Parry, is a homeless man whose wife was killed by…Spoiler Alert…the caller that Jeff Bridge’s character provoked. Robin’s character in this film is dealing with psychological trauma and has become mentally scarred by the situation and he spends his days now searching for the Holy Grail. The film has it’s uplifting moments and then it has it’s real moments, especially when we read between the lines of the character development of both Jeff Bridges character and Robin’s as both are dealing with the event in different ways but come together and become friends and help each other out as the jock feels bad about what he technically did and wants to help Parry with his quest and even help him get with a beautiful girl that he has a crush on. Now I also only seen this film a couple of times but the fact that Robin took on a character that had some pretty interesting characteristics made me really into the film and the film did really well critically. It’s not one of his most known films as many people forget about this film but it’s one I recommend to watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyKGLSKXZkw

7. One Hour Photo – I take it back this film hold the darkest character and saddest back story of all of Robin’s characters. If you never saw this film then you really should because to this day this is one of Robin’s most amazing performances. Robin plays Sy Parrish, a photo technician at a one hour photo in SavMart. He has no wife, no friends, and lives alone but finds a beautiful friendship with the Yorkin family. However the film is a psychological thriller and shows a side of Robin we never have seen in any film. Sy Parrish has a very dark past as it is implied by the end of the film that growing up was not great for Sy as apparently his father made him do things as a child that would haunt him for the rest of his life. I’m not going to say what exactly they are to not spoil anything but it is a reason why Sy becomes the person he becomes. The trailer shows him as a stalker and a creep and while this is somewhat true after seeing the film I can say he was a victim of a psychological disorder called Borderline Personality Disorder. His illness is a mood disorder characterized by unstable moods and relationships, where the person affected desires close relationships with others, but this is made difficult by impulsive actions, paranoid behavior, and tendency to go from love to hate in a short period of time for various minor reasons. This is the darkest character I have ever seen Robin play and for once this wasn’t a film where he would make jokes or even improv in the film. This was a performance where we saw Robin act as a different person and not as himself. This was a character that showed that Robin can do more than just Comedy and Drama as he can even play a dark character like Sy Parrish. Highly recommend this film to anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIBX5RrG4Q

6. Jumanji – This film to this day still lives up to when it first came out in 1995 as the film is so popular and one of Robin Williams most beloved films. If you haven’t seen Jumaji yet at this point then you must be living under a rock. The film spawned a sort of sequel/similar film called Zathura: A Space Adventure and it also would later get two actual sequels of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. This film has been a huge success even though it got mixed reviews when it first came out but the film has become an introduction of Robin Williams to mid 90’s kids. Now I saw this film as a kid in I want to say in 99 or 2000 but I remember watching this film a lot in my grandparents house and to this day I will constantly watch the film not because it is nostalgic but because Robin played the role of Alan Parrish, no relation to Sy Parrish by the way lol. The film is one of Robin’s most known films and for most people it is their favorite Robin Williams film, which is a great pick if you ask me. The film is about siblings who play a board game called Jumanji and soon after the game comes to life as everything that happens in the game soon happens to the siblings in the real world. Robin’s character is unfortunately stuck in the game as he played the same game in 1969 but his character gets put into the game and during one of the siblings turn they release a lion and soon after Alan. The film has its goofy moments and its scary moments but this adventure comedy film plays off those moments with the comedic moments, making the film enjoyable and exciting to watch. Yes the CGI does not live up well today but who cares the film is literally a classic and one of Robin’s best. I’m not going to lie the scene with the spiders used to scare me as a kid but thankfully I grown out of it. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a tribute to the late actor as the film tied the original film very well by including Alan Parrish’s name carved into a tree, giving Robin’s character a hidden blink and you missed it Easter egg cameo. It’s always fun watching Robin fight off a Lion, a hunter and Spiders but most of all it was fun watching Robin having fun making a film that was silly and had a great story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTllG2KdPMQ

5. Hook – I recently re-watched this film and was beginning to feel emotional and almost shed a tear. To be honest while watching the film it gave me this idea to create this list to tribute Robin and hence why I am writing this now. If you haven’t seen Hook then something is wrong with you because it was one of the first few films of Robin’s that hooked me into loving him, no pun intended. Hook was directed by Steven Spielberg and is the sequel to the 1911 novel Peter and Wendy. The novel and the film focus on Peter as an adult and how he forgot his childhood and Neverland. Robin has an outstanding performance as Peter Pan and he plays the role very well as much like Peter Pan he was child like in some ways. Now Robin was and always will be a grown up but he always knew how to play a childlike character very well. The film to this day is the only live action Peter Pan film that became a huge success as the 2003 live action Disney film Peter Pan became forgettable and the 2015 film Pan was a box office flop. The thing about this film that I recently realized is the fact that the film can be silly at times but it shows who Robin really was as a person. The kids in the film or in this case the Lost Boys look up to him and see him as someone to trust and he’s a role model to them. Robin was loved by many kids and people over the years, including myself, and without a doubt he always found a way to make you laugh and smile. The film showed how much heart Robin really has and the same can be said with the character of Peter Pan as this version of the character paralleled well with Robin in so many ways. There is something about this film that when I watch it now I get sad and it’s not only cause Robin died, but it’s because no one can ever say that this film never made you smile in some way. Even though it does make me smile, it makes me sad at the same time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s8ZEFUSYAI

4. Good Morning, Vietnam – Robin’s first very successful film and the role that brought his big screen career real high was Good Morning, Vietnam. I watched this film the night of his passing and ever since I have been a big fan of the film. The film takes place during the Vietnam War and focuses on Robin’s character Adrian Cronauer. His character is a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service and is very popular with the troops but not as popular with his superiors as they hate how he runs the show and the music he uses in the show. The film is actually based off the actual Adrian Cronauer as he was a Radio DJ during the Vietnam War. Now while the film isn’t fully about what happened during his time as a disc jockey, the film brings a heartfelt friendship between Cronauer and a Vietnamese boy and the struggles he followed after multiple bombings. Robin Williams went full improv in this film as most of the performance; especially multiple broadcasts of the radio show, were improvised by Williams. The film gained Williams many awards including his first ever Academy award nomination. While he didn’t win the Academy Award he did win a Golden Globe. Now I really love mostly how Williams can be funny and then become serious in just minutes of each other and it’s without a doubt one of Williams’ most amazing talents. Now while the film does have its real moments that are very serious it also has its funny moments where Robin shinned. That also includes Robin improvising voice impressions of Elvis, Walter Cronkite, Mr. Ed and President Richard Nixon. Robin became a huge star after this film and the film itself was a box office success and a critical success as Roger Ebert gave it 4 stars, calling it the best war comedy since MASH. I love this film because it showed Robin’s acting talent but also his comedic talent and how both played well with each other. We saw this is many other films in his career but this was the first film where it really showed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIikfdNIHQE

3. Good Will Hunting – While every film I have mentioned are amazing and great films, this film is considered Robin Williams best film of all time. Good Will Hunting was nominated for 9 Academy Awards and took home two, Best Original Screen Play and Best Supporting Actor. Robin Williams plays Dr. Sean Maguire who is a psychology teacher at Bunker Hill Community College. Matt Damon and Robin Williams have amazing chemistry in this film as the film’s highest moments are when both actors are together on screen. In fact Williams’ character has some powerful lines in the film that it makes you so speechless while you watch the film and hear the dialogue. The film was created by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as this film helped establish their careers as both found huge success after the film became a critical and box office success. The film has some heartfelt moments and tells an amazing story and uses different sort of topics to show its story and the stories message including dreams, fears, hope, heartbreak, friendship and losing a loved one. There are so many great scenes in this film that make the film so memorable and great but the ‘It’s Not Your Fault” scene is by far the film’s best scene as Will finally lets out his emotion and hugs Sean Maguire because he helped him let out his feelings. I think about this scene a lot as many people deal with their struggles in many different ways and we all need to remember that most of the time It’s Not Your Fault and we need to let out our feelings and then we could hopefully feel better. Robin’s performance in this film was amazing, one of his best ever, and he really proved once again that he could play comedic roles but also serious roles and even in this very serious role he was able to make a couple of jokes and be himself and I really loved that he could do this with almost every role he performed throughout his lifetime. It really shows here though the great actor that he was as well, he was more than just a standup comedian, he was an Oscar winning actor who can out act anyone that gets in his way. Your Move Chief! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQht2yOX9Js&t=17s

2. Mrs. Doubtfire – In what is considered Robin’s most iconic film, Mrs. Doubtfire to this day lights up a living room and bring laughter to all ages. I don’t know why I have to explain the plot of this gem since it’s the most well known Robin Williams film but Mrs. Doubtfire is about a recently divorced voice actor who dresses up as a housekeeper so he can interact with his children. While the film might be a comedy it also has some heavy dramatic themes in the film as they include divorce, separation and the effects it has on the children/parents. The film obtained mixed reviews when it first came out but it was a box office success and gained such a huge fanbase over the years. The film even won some big awards as Robin won the best Actor in a Comedy or Musical in the Golden Globes and the Film won Best Comedy/Musical Film in the Golden Globes. It also won an Academy Award for Best Make Up and it is ranked 67th in the American Film Institute 100 Years 100 Laughs in 2000. The film has become one of the greatest comedies of all time and has even spawned a Musical adaptation that is set to debut this year. Regardless the film has made a huge impact in the world today and even helped impact Robin’s career. While the legendary comedian was already a well known name in the world, this film actually helped him become more successful and in the public eye for many more years. Yes he was already in the public eye but this one was more of a lasting one that impacted his career in a successful way. Plus who doesn’t want to see Robin dress up as a 60 plus year old British nanny. The film has so many laughs to the point where I couldn’t tell if some of the moments were a part of the script or Robin doing improv. Regardless this is one of my favorite Robin Williams performances and films and it defiantly was a big part of my childhood even into my adulthood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNEZ_QgvI4

1. Aladdin – If there is any Robin Williams film that I can’t ever stop watching and loving at the same time then it is without a doubt his most iconic performance as The Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. I have made my voice heard about the live action adaptation of the film and how I felt about Will Smith’s performance and how I never want anyone to play the role of Genie ever because Robin brought that character to life and the character was literally written and made for him. The film Aladdin is about a young Arabian boy who finds a magical lamp that contains a genie. He also falls in love with the Sultan’s daughter and with the Genie’s help he disguises himself to be a wealthy prince to win the princesses love. If you didn’t know that by now or ever seen this film then don’t talk to me because this film is literally one of Disney’s most successful films. The film was a box office and critical success gaining the film many awards and ever since it came out it spawned multiple sequels, a television show, a live action adaptation, a successful musical and the characters can be found in every Disney park. The Genie character has to this day become one of Disney’s most iconic characters and to me my favorite Disney character of all time. As I said before Robin brought this character to life but the amount of work he did for the character is phenomenal. Robin did so much improv for the film that there is hours of recordings that was unused in the film. When Robin died it was the first film I actually cried while watching and it just hit me while watching the film that I’m never going to hear his voice again in a new film. I know we have all these other films to hear and see him in but it was just heartbreaking for me and still is today. When Aladdin freed the Genie in the ending I literally shed tears as I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that we lost the legendary Robin Williams. This was my first film that I ever watched with Robin and even though it was his voice I still fell in love with the guy. As a kid I watched this film 100 times a year and as an adult I will watch the film whenever I have the chance just to relive my hero’s greatest performance. I think Genie said it best, you’re never going to find a friend like me and we will never find an amazing person like Robin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNVXsIs22ls

Before the Honorable mentions I want to say a couple more things. First of all if you are depressed and having suicidal thoughts, talk to someone you trust, think positive and stay strong. If you know someone who is depressed and suicidal keep a close eye on them and always be there for them Call 1-800-273-8255 if you ever feel or know anyone that is depressed or suicidal. Robin you are missed so much by everyone in the world. I don’t know where the world would be right now without your comedy and personality. You left an impact on this world that can never be out done and you are a hero to many. That includes me as I miss him so much and even though we never met he was a big part of my life growing up and even today and I’m so thankful to have witnessed his career and be able to watch so many great films, comedy specials and of course countless videos. I want to be you someday Robin, I want to be able to make the world smile in some way and I want to somehow be able to bring happiness into many people’s faces like you did. Every time I watch your films or specials I cry, I can watch a certain compilation video of your career and just shed a tear and ever since that night at 6:30PM I have been just sad because my hero, the one man I really wanted to be like and just meet in person, passed away because of his battle from depression and early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Thank You Robin for everything and I will never ever lose my spark of madness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIZlveksGqc

Honorable Mentions:

Patch Adams Robots Happy Feet Awakenings Birdcage Popeye Flubber RV License to Wed

Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1NE1ZEy3J4