Philip Seymour Hoffman was born on July 23, 1967, in Fairport, New York. While we may never know when people started to realize that he was destined for greatness, he soon became one of the most beloved actors of his era. With an impressive list of stage and screen performances to choose from it’s hard to pick just one role when looking at his extensive filmography. Especially because even when he was a supporting character, he was the main attraction.
Many of us have fond memories of his characters in movies like Twister, and My Boyfriend’s Back. Others would love to make a case for The Talented Mr. Ripley or even Montana. Instead of arguing for the rest of the summer, we decided to narrow our focus on his genre entries that are currently streaming. I am honored to submit to The Midnight Society 5 of his characters you can stream today to celebrate this legend who left us too soon.
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video, PlutoTV, Redbox, Tubi, Vudu, and Youtube
For much of his screen career, Philip Seymour Hoffman captivated audiences while playing supporting characters. So, the films where he was the lead felt like a treat because it meant we would get more time with him. The movie holds a special place because it was his last leading role. This star-studded spy thriller premiered at Sundance a few weeks before his untimely death.
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)
Where You Can Watch: Crackle, Hulu, Plex, PlutoTV, Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and Vudu
Very few actors could find the humanity of morally bankrupt characters like Hoffman could. This thriller finds him playing a man who enlists his brother to help him rob his family’s jewelry store. Things go awry as the father seeks to take justice into his own hands without knowing that the robbers are his sons.
Capote (2005)
Where You Can Watch: PlutoTV, The Roku Channel, Tubi,
Another Philip Seymour Hoffman leading and legendary role is Truman Capote. He plays the novelist that reads about a Kansas murder and decides to write a book about it. While researching the killings, he forms a bond with one of the murderers. This performance earned him his first Oscar and first Golden Globe. It is also one of the first movies that comes to mind when most of us think of Hoffman.
The Hunger Games Franchise
Where You Can Watch: Hulu and Peacock
The Hunger Games novels and films had us in a chokehold. We were all enjoying our time with the movies, but then Philip Seymour Hoffman showed up in the second installment and elevated the series to high art. He entered the chat with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and appeared in the rest of the series. He was even in the process of filming the last two movies when he passed away. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 and Part 2 were released posthumously.
The Master (2012)
Where You Can Watch: Max and Plex
This is one of the many times Philip Seymour Hoffman stole a movie. His charismatic cult leader, Lancaster Dodd, is the main event. This thriller set in the 1950s could have easily sunk without the beloved actor. This is one of the movies that benefited greatly from Hoffman’s stage presence and talents.
We can all agree that Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema. He left us entirely too soon, but his legacy lives on in each of his award-caliber performances. I hope you make time to celebrate his birthday this week.
Is your favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman performance streaming this week? Then let me know at
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