Anthony Michael Hall is one of the most underappreciated comedic actors of our time, and is best known for his roles in National Lampoon’s Vacation and the Brat Pack movies. But Hall is one of those rare actors that were able to break out of his teenage typecast that has led to a slew of different roles. These are the best performances by the actor.

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9 Halloween Kills

     Universal Pictures

Halloween Kills is the sequel to the 2018 Halloween and the 12th installment in the Halloween franchise. Jamie Lee Curtis and James Jude Courtney reprised their roles while Anthony Michael Hall is Tommy Doyle, a role originally played by Brian Andrews and Paul Rudd. Although the film was not a critical success, Hall was praised for his performance as Doyle who was one of the children Curtis’s character Laurie babysat in the original. Halloween Kills is currently available on HBO Max.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

8 Johnny Be Good

     Orion Pictures

Johnny Be Good is a comedy directed by Bud S. Smith and starring Hall, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Gleason, and Uma Thurman. Hall plays Johnny Walker, a high school quarterback who is the top recruit in the nation. The film follows Johnny as he decides between staying close to home or choosing one of the multiple colleges that offered him everything he wanted.

7 War Machine

     Netflix

War Machine is a satirical war comedy and a voyage into the absurd. The film, directed by David Michôd, stars Brad Pitt, Anthony Hayes, Topher Grace, and Hall. The film is about four-star General Glen McMahon (Pitt) and his team, who are sent to Afghanistan to plan an assessment so the U.S. government can end the war.

In the film, Hall plays Major General Greg Pulver, a member of McMahon’s team, and it is a performance we have never seen from Hall. He is hysterical as the tough ISAF Director of Intelligence that was loosely based on Lieutenant General Michael Flynn. War Machine is streaming on Netflix.

6 National Lampoon Vacation

     Warner Bros.

National Lampoon’s Vacation, also known as Vacation, is one of the best road trip movies of all time. The box-office hit is directed by Harold Ramis and stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, and Imogene Coca. This was one of Hall’s first films, and he plays Russell “Rusty” Griswold, the son of Clark (Chase) and Ellen (D’Angelo). Hall is great as the young son and is a standout among the cast of comedians. Vacation is now available on Netflix.

5 Edward Scissorhands

     20th Century Fox

Edward Scissorhands could be Tim Burton’s best film. The 1990 fantasy romance was a massive success and continues to be talked about over 30 years later. The film stars Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, and Hall as the antagonist, Jim. Hall is incredible as the jock, and it was a great way for him to diverge away from the nerd typecast. Edward Scissorhands is now streaming on Disney+.

4 Weird Science

Weird Science is one of those classic teen comedies and a John Hughes’ classic that never received its due. The 1985 film stars Hall, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Kelly LeBrock. The film follows two high school outcasts as they try to make their dream woman. The film is hysterical and even had a spin-off series that followed the antics of Gray, Wyatt, and Lisa. Weird Science is now available on Starz.

3 The Dead Zone

     Lionsgate Television

2 Sixteen Candles

Sixteen Candles was John Hughes’ directorial debut and the first in a string of coming-of-age comedies. Sixteen Candles is probably one of the best Brat Pack movies and stars Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, and Hall as the geek, Farmer Ted. Hall has some of the most memorable scenes in the film and is easily part of the reason it has become a classic. Sixteen Candles is currently available on Starz.

1 Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is arguably John Hughes’ most-known film and one o the best coming-of-age stories. The film stars Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, and Hall. The Breakfast Club is about five very different students serving all-day Saturday detention. The film was a massive success and has become one of Hughes’ most beloved films. The film was such a success that according to Hall The Breakfast Club 2 almost happened with Hughes at the helm. The Breakfast Club is now available on Starz.