Top 20 Movie Angels

“City of Angels” (1998)
Hollywood's remake of 1987's "Wings of Desire" wisely doesn't try for a shot-to-shot recreation of the original, instead opting for an effective albeit very mainstream love story. While Nicolas Cage is certainly an odd pick for an angel, the actor delivers a good and, by his standards, reserved performance as Seth. Seth becomes interested in a heart surgeon, opting to fall and turn human to experience one breath of her hair. Starting as an angel who observes but doesn't understand humanity, Seth's journey is defined by discovery, enlightenment, and love.

“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (2008)
Now, that's a design worthy of an Angel of Death. With films like "Pan's Labyrinth," Guillermo del Toro proved he could bring to life fantastical creatures unlike anything else in cinema. The "Hellboy" movies are filled with great practical effects, but their crowning achievement might just be the Angel of Death. While only appearing for a short scene, this angel saves Hellboy's life, although the act is not exactly fueled by generosity. According to del Toro, the design harkens back to the mid-'90s, with the director taking inspiration from a Mexican painting found in a church.

“Forever, Darling” (1956)
A vehicle for "I Love Lucy's" Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, "Forever, Darling" disappointed at the box office and did little to help the starring couple's real-life marriage that was on the rocks at the time. The movie isn’t without some standout performances, however. In this romantic comedy, a frustrated housewife annoyed that her distant husband prioritizes work accidentally summons her Guardian Angel, who happens to take the form of James Mason. While the angel plays third fiddle to the leads and is given very little to do in the film, Mason does get to be his usual sophisticated and charming self.

“A Life Less Ordinary” (1997)
Even angels have to work. Danny Boyle's "A Life Less Ordinary" envisions a universe where angels spend their time inspiring love in the world, and they are expected to get results. After their couples just refuse to stick, O'Reilly and Jackson are given one last chance to bring two humans together or they will be banished to Earth. While the two angels mostly take a backseat to the main couple, Robert and Celine, O'Reilly and Jackson pop up on occasion to inject some bickering and a few laughs. These two never really act like traditional angels, although they get to play pretend as bounty hunters and corpses.

“Frailty” (2001)
God's work isn't always pretty. "Frailty" revolves around a father who is visited by an angel and told to destroy demons roaming the world, a mission he passes on to his sons. With dark wings, armor, and a fiery sword, the angel is an intimidating entity, a being that screams heavenly vengeance. Through whispers, lists, and visions, the angel leads the Meiks family into a life of executing God's will, although one of the sons doesn't believe their father is genuinely doing Heaven's work. While the angel might only appear briefly, its presence is heavy.

“Meet Joe Black” (1998)
Death takes on many forms, and sometimes they look like Brad Pitt. "Meet Joe Black's" title refers to an Angel of Death who wishes to learn more about Earth and humanity from a billionaire he will soon be leading to the next life. Joe Black makes for a rather naive mythical figure, a being that slowly experiences human emotions like desire and passion. Eventually, Death falls in love, which naturally comes with its challenges. This Death is a strangely un-intimidating figure, an angel that grows more interesting as he becomes more human.

“Legion” (2010)
When God announces a humanity extermination plan, the archangel Michael goes rogue, cuts off his wings, and sets up shop at a diner. Likable, brave, and willing to make the hard choices, Michael is a badass from beginning to end, even though he is stripped of most of his power for the majority of "Legion." While Michael fights to preserve humanity, Gabriel seeks to complete God's mission, and both beings know how to make an entrance. While Gabriel mostly just serves as a very powerful obstacle, the archangel manages to be intense, intimidating, and kind of cool-looking.

“Fallen” (1998)
Philadelphia has a serial killer problem, and they might not catch this one. "Fallen" follows Detective John Hobbes as he investigates a string of murders reminiscent of the recently executed Edgar Reese's handy work. Hobbes' investigation leads down a very unusual path, with the detective learning that these crimes have been committed by a fallen angel turned demon, Azazel. Capable of jumping from body to body, Azazel is menacing, pure evil, and can pull off a wicked Rolling Stones cover. Azazel really lives up to his "fallen angel" reputation, and he is way out of any human's league.

“Always” (1989)
Steven Spielberg's remake of 1943's "A Guy Named Joe" has heart, great firefighting scenes, and Richard Dreyfuss as a newly appointed angel. After saving his best friend's life, Pete dies in a plane crash but comes out the other side as a spirit assigned to help the living. While people might not be able to see him, Pete is still very much a human who's coming to grips with this whole angel thing. By guiding the mourning Dorinda, Pete comes to accept his new role, growing a lot in the process.

“Heart and Souls” (1993)
When four lost and troubled souls enter a bus and take a trip off an overpass just as a boy is about to be born, they end up tied to the child for the foreseeable future. A cross between guardian angels, imaginary friends, and body hijackers; Julia, Milo, Harrison, and Penny bring the Four Seasons and a great deal of chaos to Thomas's life. While played largely for laughs, "Heart and Souls" does give some emotional depth to its angels, something they pass along to Thomas. A fun film with a sweet tone, "Heart and Souls" delivers four likable angels for the price of one.

“Gabriel” (2007)
A haunting Purgatory serves as the battleground for a conflict between Heaven’s archangels and Hell’s fallen. With the Arcs receiving a resounding beating after succumbing to human passions, Gabriel is the last remaining warrior of God. The angel has a lot of smiting to do to get the Light back into Purgatory, and Gabriel makes it look convincing. Swinging back and forth between eye-turningly ferocious to deeply compassionate, Gabriel carries the movie on his back, injecting a pulse into a film that can be extremely dark and dreary for long stretches.

“Heaven Can Wait” (1978)
Everyone can make a mistake, even an angel. When Joe finds himself biking into some oncoming cars, The Escort - an angel who guides people to the next life - jumps the gun and gets to work before the collision actually happens. A humorless angel who gives off the vibes of an accountant, The Escort's mistake forces Mr. Jordan to personally take charge of the situation, as the two beings seek to find Joe another body. The two sharply-dressed guides bounce off each other very well, with James Mason's Mr. Jordan being especially memorable.

“Angels in the Outfield” (1994)
Along with swapping the Pittsburgh Pirates for the California Angels, the ‘90s remake of 1951’s “Angels in the Outfield” also gives the heavenly helpers more of a presence in the movie. Spearheaded by Christopher Lloyd’s Al, the angels answer Roger's prayers and show up to provide the ailing baseball team with a bit of assistance, and they need it. While perhaps not the most majestic or awe-inspiring angel to ever grace the big screen, Al makes up for it through sheer charm, a hint of wisdom, and by just being consistently entertaining.

“The Bishop's Wife” (1947)
When it comes to casting a lead angel, Cary Grant is pretty difficult to top. A desperate bishop obsessed with funding a cathedral prays to Heaven and gets Dudley as a reward, but the mesmerizing angel doesn't give the human exactly what he wants. Dudley commands the screen with effortless grace, performing small but whimsical miracles fitting of a Christmas movie. Kind, lovable, and sweet, Dudley is almost the perfect angel, and he makes it look easy. "The Bishop's Wife" was remade in 1996 as "The Preacher's Wife," and Denzel Washington's Dudley is also great.

“Dogma” (1996)
About as far removed from stereotypical angels as possible, Bartleby and Loki make for an inherently watchable and destructive duo. Fallen angels banished to Wisconsin, Bartleby and Loki learn about a way back into Heaven and set out for New Jersey. This journey leads the two angels into the paths of Jay and Silent Bob, an apostle, and the awesome scribe of God, Alan Rickman's Metatron. Unpredictable, violent, and prone to sudden personality swerves, Bartleby and Loki produce gold whenever they are on screen, particularly when the pair pay a visit to a board room.

“The Prophecy” franchise (1995-2005)
How could Christopher Walken as a violent, psychotic archangel not create movie magic? In the first two "Prophecy" movies, Gabriel comes to Earth to find the key to stopping a war in Heaven, although his methods will create a second Hell. A scenery-chewing monster that treats humans like garbage, Gabriel has a wicked sense of humor, a penchant for cruelty, and an ability to switch on the fear factor at a moment's notice. Although Gabriel is unapologetically antagonistic, the angel is difficult to not love, mostly because he is by far the most entertaining part of "The Prophecy" franchise.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
In this timeless Christmas classic, George Bailey finds himself at a depressing crossroads, one that drives the family man to consider jumping off a bridge. Thankfully, someone happens to be looking out for good old George. An Angel Second Class who's still trying to get his wings, Clarence Odbody shows up in the nick of time and beats George to the punch, inspiring the human to save the life of his guardian. An unassuming and good-natured chap, Clarence brings warmth, humor, and some much-needed clarity to George's life and the movie in general.

“Constantine” (2005)
Say what you want about the 2005 “Constantine” adaptation, but the movie could not have cast a better Gabriel. A half-breed angel portrayed by the immeasurable Tilda Swinton, Gabriel is a complex figure that shows a surprising range of emotions despite only appearing in a handful of scenes. Whenever Gabriel pays a visit to Earth, the bitter and powerful entity commands the screen. The angel’s brief but climactic encounter with Lucifer is one of the movie’s best moments. Although Gabriel’s goal to unleash Hell on Earth is undeniably vindictive and irredeemable, the angel does an incredible job selling this motivation.

“Michael” (1996)
Many movies depict angels as being naive to humanity’s ways and emotions, but “Michael” shakes things up by jumping ahead a few steps. John Travolta’s Michael has already spent a significant amount of time among humans, and while he retains physical and spiritual elements of his angelic heritage, these heavenly traits are mixed with an appreciation for earthly pleasures. Effortlessly charming and captivating, Michael has a magnetic presence, almost literally at times. Although this archangel does have a mission, Michael is allowed to just exist and be himself for most of the film, leading to some great battles and gags.

“Wings of Desire” (1987)
Set in Berlin, "Wings of Desire" is a haunting experience that follows two angels as they watch over humanity. Damiel and Cassiel have been around since the beginning, and while they have seen everything, they can't feel what humans feel. The angels listen in on conversations and take notes, occasionally providing unseen comfort through a hand on a shoulder; however, they can't directly impact humans. A mood piece with no conventional plot, "Wings of Desire '' expertly presents Damiel's growing desire to fall and become human, to know what angels do not know, while simultaneously showing Cassiel grow more fragmented. “Faraway, So Close!” also has some great moments with Cassiel.