Jason Momoa Breaks Down His Five Favorite Movies Of All Time

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While Jason Momoa often plays tough characters and has a big personality, he actually loves movies that are emotionally complex, focus on interesting people, and are made by innovative directors.

In a recent interview with Rotten Tomatoes, the actor discussed the movies that had a big impact on him, starting with his appreciation for Jack Nicholson. He specifically mentioned Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film, The Shining, and praised Nicholson as a uniquely talented performer.

The actor had a hard time describing how much Jack Nicholson influenced him, but he made it clear how much he admired him. “He’s a god to me. I love him. I don’t know how to properly explain why, but he’s just fantastic,” Momoa said. He highlighted Nicholson’s special combination of humor, intensity, and charisma, emphasizing that there’s truly no one else like him.

Shifting gears from scary movies to grand historical adventures, Jason Momoa shared that The Last of the Mohicans was a childhood favorite. He especially loved the film’s immersive feel and still considers its music to be among the best ever composed.

Momoa also admires actors who truly transform for their roles, singling out Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance in Gangs of New York. He jokingly said that while the movie itself might not have been great, Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Bill the Butcher was phenomenal.

The actor shared his admiration for director Terry Gilliam, particularly his 1998 film Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. He was impressed by Gilliam’s skill in adapting a challenging book for the screen. “Terry Gilliam is phenomenal. I love his mind,” Momoa said, adding that he was amazed by the director’s ability to create such psychedelic visuals without using drugs.

Jason Momoa finished his list with the intense 1978 prison drama Midnight Express. He said this film, along with John Cassavetes’ A Woman Under the Influence, really changed how he thought about movies. He explained that these films felt so authentic, he completely forgot he was watching something staged. He described feeling fully immersed in the story, saying, “It doesn’t feel like a movie – you don’t think about cuts or trailers. You feel like you are there.” He believes that’s what truly makes a film great.

By early 2026, Jason Momoa is staying very busy. He recently starred in the blockbuster film Minecraft as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, alongside Jack Black, and the movie has been a huge success with families. He’s also returning to the Fast & Furious series to play his popular villain, Dante Reyes, in what will be the last main film in the franchise.

Jason Momoa is taking on a bigger role behind the scenes with his new Apple TV+ series, Chief of War. He not only stars in the historical drama, but also co-created and co-wrote it. The series tells the story of how the Hawaiian Islands were unified, told from the perspective of the native Hawaiian people – a topic that’s deeply meaningful to Momoa.

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2026-01-28 14:14