Nicolas Cage made his debut in the 1982Ā coming-of-age comedy-drama film āFast Times at Ridgemont High,ā directed by Amy Heckerling. The film received favorable reviews from critics and was a major success at the box office. Following his debut, Cage went on to star in films like āValley Girlā (1983), āRumble Fishā (1983), āRacing with the Moonā (1984), and āRaising Arizonaā (1987). In 1987, he starred as āRonny Cammareriā in the American romantic comedy-drama film āMoonstruckā directed by āNorman Jewison.ā The film opened to critical acclaim and made big numbers at the box office. Cage also earned a āGolden Globe Awardā nomination for his performance in the film. He was next seen in films like āVampire's Kissā (1988), āNever on Tuesdayā (1989), āWild at Heartā (1990), āZandaleeā (1991), āHoneymoon in Vegasā (1992), āAmos & Andrewā (1993), and āIt Could Happen to Youā (1994).
In the 1995 American drama film āLeaving Las Vegasā where Cage playedĀ the role of āBen Sanderson.ā The film was lauded by critics and audiences alike and was a major financial success. Cage also won the āAcademy Award,ā āGolden Globe Award,ā and āScreen Actors Guild Awardā for his performance in the film. The following year, he appeared in the action thriller film āThe Rock,ā directed by Michael Bay. The film earned positive response from critics and was a major commercial success, grossing over $335.1 million on a budget of $75 million. He next playedĀ the role of āCameron Poeā in the 1997 American action thriller film āCon Air,ā which was a critical and commercial success. In 1998, he acted in the American romantic fantasy film āCity of Angels,ā directed by Brad Silberling. The film saw mixed reviews upon release andĀ did well at the box office. In the 1997 action thriller 'Face/Off,'Ā directed by John Woo, he starred alongside John TraveoltaĀ and earned critical acclaim for his performance.Ā
Thereafter, Cage starred in several films, including ā8mmā (1999), āBringing Out the Deadā (1999), āGone in 60 Secondsā (2000), āChristmas Carol: The Movieā (2001), āWindtalkersā (2002), āThe Life of David Galeā (2003), āNational Treasureā (2004), āLord of Warā (2005), and āThe Ant Bullyā (2006).
In 2007, he played the role of āJohnny Blaze / Ghost Riderā in the American superhero film āGhost Rider,ā directed by Mark Steven Johnson. Despite opening to negative reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing over $228.7 million on a budget of $110 million. That same year, he also appeared in theĀ science fiction action thriller film āNext,ā which tanked at the box office. In 2008, he starred as āJoeā in the action thriller film āBangkok Dangerous,ā directed by Pang Brothers. The film was panned by critics and was a commercial failure.
Cage next appeared in āAstro Boyā (2009), āKick-Assā (2010), āSeason of the Witchā (2011), āGhost Rider: Spirit of Vengeanceā (2011), āThe Croodsā (2013), āOutcastā (2014), āThe Runnerā (2015), āArmy of Oneā (2016), āVengeance: A Love Storyā (2017), āSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseā (2018), āRunning with the Devilā (2019), and āJiu Jitsuā (2020).
In 2021, Cage starred in the American drama film āPig,ā directed by Michael Sarnoski. The film earned wide praise from critics who lauded his performance. He is all set to appear in the upcoming American action comedy film āThe Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,ā directed by Tom Gormican. He will also be seen in the upcoming American Western film āThe Old Way.ā