While “Man of Tai Chi” may be the least well known movie on this list, it also might be one of the closest to Keanu’s heart as it was his directorial debut. Reeves cast himself as the villainous Donaka Mark, the sadistic owner of a shady private security firm. “Man of Tai Chi” stars Tiger Chen as a tai chi disciple who’s recruited by Donaka to become a modern-day gladiator, fighting for the pleasure of the ultra-wealthy. While the film bombed at the box office, critics considered it a fun callback to old-school martial arts films. Whenever he’s on screen, Keanu cranks the sinister creepiness up to eleven as Donaka.

While Keanu may not have the blonde hair or British accent that Hellblazer comic book fans expected, he did make the cantankerous exorcist his own in 2005’s “Constantine.” Critics weren’t particularly fond of the supernatural noir, citing plot holes and slamming the CGI portrayal of Hell. But even the most damning critics praised Keanu’s portrayal of the chain-smoking sorcerer. Fighting angels, demons, and every monster in between, Keanu even manages to flip Satan the bird. The film has since reached cult status and Keanu himself has pushed for a sequel.

Taking place in a near-future dystopia where the U.S. government has lost the war on drugs, Richard Linklater’s “A Scanner Darkly” is an adaptation of the novel by Philip K. Dick. Keanu stars in this rotoscoped sci-fi film as Bob Arctor, an undercover cop who wears a ‘scramble suit,’ changing his appearance and voice. The film is an examination of anonymity and paranoia in a world where drugs and technology can warp both. As many critics at the time noted, Keanu is perfectly cast as a cop/drug addict who is lost and struggling to hold onto a sense of his own identity.

Though only on screen for less than ten minutes, Keanu absolutely steals the show in “Always Be My Maybe.” Fully embracing his status as the internet’s boyfriend, Keanu Reeves plays a completely off-the-wall version of himself as the love interest of co-star Ali Wong’s character, Sasha. Movie Keanu is ultra horny, physically aggressive, yet still incredibly polite and charming to everyone he meets. He and co-star Randall Park get into a wild fight where he maniacally demands that he be punched in the face. A fan of Ali Wong’s standup, Keanu was so excited to play this role that he managed to carve out a small 4-day window while shooting “John Wick: Chapter 3” to get his cameo in the can.

Directed by “The Hurt Locker’s” Kathryn Bigelow, “Point Break” was one of three Keanu Reeves movies to come out in 1991 and his first foray into action hero stardom. In “Point Break,” one of the biggest stars of the 1980s – Patrick Swayze – passes the torch to one of the biggest action stars of the 90s. Keanu’s undercover agent Johnny Utah joins Swayze’s crew of surfing, skydiving bank robbers, only to discover a deep affinity for Swayze’s life philosophy. The film is so deeply etched into the gen x zeitgeist that it was famously referenced in Edgar Wright’s action movie homage film “Hot Fuzz”.

Also released in 1991, “My Own Private Idaho” couldn’t be more different from “Point Break.” Appearing opposite lead actor River Phoenix, Keanu co-stars as Scott - the rebellious son of the mayor of Portland, who works as a male sex worker. In the early ‘90s, the role was a brave choice for a young up-and-coming male actor. When asked if he was worried about it hurting his career, Reeves joked: "Who am I—a politician? No. I'm an actor.” Both Reeves and Phoenix were lauded for their performances and the film is considered to be a seminal example of 1990s independent cinema.

“Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” is the film that catapulted Keanu Reeves to Hollywood stardom. As “Ted” Theodore Logan, Keanu is one half of the rock band Wyld Stallyns, destined to save the world so long as they pass their latest high school history assignment. Cue George Carlin as Rufus, the boys’ time traveling protector. Together, Bill and Ted use Rufus’s time-traveling phone booth to amass a crew of famous historical figures for their history presentation. Though the plot may be more than a little zany, the film’s sequels get even crazier; “Bogus Journey” sees the boys take on the afterlife. Then, almost thirty years later, they even go to prison as they try to help their teenage daughters in “Face the Music.”

“John Wick” won us over with a path of bloody revenge, and the sequel dragged us deeper into its shady world. But the third installment, “Parabellum,” steps up the gun-fu action to a whole other level. Featuring exhilarating fight scenes and chase sequences, “Chapter 3” sees our weary hero traversing the globe, dealing with the fallout of defying the criminal underworld. This chapter brings in Halle Berry and Anjelica Huston in memorable roles and culminates in one of the best fight scenes in the series so far. The John Wick films have reset all our expectations for action combat, and Keanu is one of the main reasons why. Oh, and there are more films on the way!

Arguably one of the quintessential 1990s action movies, “Speed” brought in a staggering 350 million in 1994 dollars. Keanu stars as LAPD SWAT officer Jack Traven, who has to save Sandra Bullock’s character and the other passengers of an LA city bus that will explode if it drops below 50mph. Co-starring Jeff Daniels and Dennis Hopper at his campy best as the mad bomber Howard Payne, “Speed” promises heart pumping action and delivers non-stop adrenaline. With wild action, solid humor, and explosions galore, “Speed” really is everything you want out of a ‘90s popcorn movie. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997) Keanu Gives the Devil a Run for His Money “River’s Edge” (1986) A Young Keanu Really Brings the Teen Angst “A Walk in the Clouds” (1995) This Is One of His Dreamiest & Steamiest Romances “Toy Story 4” (2019) He Nearly Steals the Show as Toy Daredevil Duke Caboom

This cyberpunk classic changed the action movie game forever, leaving a leather boot print on the face of ‘90s pop culture. While the three sequels weren’t as well received, the orignal is a trendsetting reboot of the genre, helping to usher in the era of CGI. Inspired by philosophy and Hong Kong style wire fu, “The Matrix” has some of the most complex combat sequences ever shot. The directors had to have a 600-page shot-by-shot storyboard submitted for approval before the studio allowed them to start production. Several A-list actors were originally attached to star as Neo, but Keanu Reeves ultimately landed the role, and we’re glad he did. Because Keanu IS the One.