To most people, Mark Hamill will forever be Luke Skywalker — the farm boy who became a Jedi and helped define a generation of movie heroes. But there’s far more to Hamill than just a lightsaber and whining about power converters.
Across five decades, he’s carved out a career filled with voiceover brilliance, cult classics, indie surprises, and genre gold. Whether he’s saving the galaxy or voicing maniacal villains, Hamill brings something compelling to every role.
So let’s ignite our lightsabers and dive into the 10 best Mark Hamill movies of all time — Star Wars included, but not dominated.
1. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
Yes, Star Wars has to be here — and Empire is the crown jewel. Hamill’s performance as Luke matures here, evolving from naïve dreamer to wounded warrior. His confrontation with Vader is raw and iconic, setting the emotional tone for the entire saga.
2. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Directed by: Eric Radomski & Bruce Timm
It’s not live-action, but it’s essential. Hamill’s Joker is legendary, and this theatrical spin-off of Batman: The Animated Series gave him the chance to push the Clown Prince of Crime to new emotional and sinister depths. Chilling, funny, and definitive.
3. Brigsby Bear (2017)
Directed by: Dave McCary
A quiet indie film that caught critics off guard. Hamill plays a deeply conflicted father figure in a story about trauma, creativity, and healing. His subtle, layered performance proves he’s not just a voice or a sci-fi star — he’s an actor with real nuance.
4. The Big Red One (1980)
Directed by: Samuel Fuller
This World War II drama gave Hamill a real chance to flex his dramatic muscles. It’s gritty, episodic, and a bit under appreciated — but Hamill’s performance as a traumatized young soldier adds emotional heft to the film’s battlefield realism. Cinephiles rightly hold this one up as an early example of his range.
5. Watchers Reborn (1998)
Directed by: John Carl Buechler
This sci-fi/horror thriller is pure 90s B-movie cheese, but Hamill elevates it with a committed performance as a haunted detective tracking a genetically engineered killer. It’s campy but fun — a hidden gem in his genre back catalogue.
6. Village of the Damned (1995)
Directed by: John Carpenter
Hamill teams up with Carpenter in this remake of the 1960 horror classic. As a troubled priest dealing with creepy psychic children, he delivers one of his darkest live-action roles. Underrated and eerie.
7. Slipstream (1989)
Directed by: Steven Lisberger
An ambitious post-apocalyptic sci-fi film from the director of Tron, Slipstream stars Hamill as a bounty hunter in a world literally swept by jet streams. It flopped on release but has gained cult status — and Hamill is intense and unpredictable throughout.
8. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Directed by: Kevin Smith
Hamill gleefully parodies himself as “Cocknocker” in this meta superhero spoof. It’s silly, crude, and absolutely brilliant for fans who love Hamill’s self-aware humor. Bonus: He gets to wield a lightsaber again… sort of.
9. The Guyver (1991)
Directed by: Screaming Mad George & Steve Wang
A wild mix of body horror, sci-fi, and martial arts, this cult favorite sees Hamill playing a CIA-type investigator. He doesn’t play the title role, but he’s memorable — especially in one particularly grotesque transformation scene.
10. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Directed by: Rian Johnson
A divisive movie, but Hamill’s performance is undeniably powerful. He turns Luke into a flawed, haunted myth — bitter, broken, and ultimately reborn. Whether you love or hate the film, it’s the best acting he’s ever done in the Star Wars universe.
Bonus: The Voice of the Villain
While not a movie, it’s worth noting Hamill’s voice work as the Joker in video games (Arkham Asylum series), Fire Lord Ozai in Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Chucky in Child’s Play (2019). He’s a master of menace behind the mic.
Final Thoughts
Mark Hamill’s career is often seen through a lightsaber glow, but his filmography is rich with surprises, risks, and unforgettable characters. Whether voicing chaos or wrestling with inner demons, he continues to prove that there’s far more to Luke Skywalker than meets the eye.
