After making his on-screen acting debut as the Pepsi-loving Fuller in Home Alone in 1990, Kieran Culkin has steadily built a reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation over the following three decades. With over thirty movie and television credits to his name thus far, Culkin can currently be seen as Roman Roy in HBO’s hit drama Succession, as well as a criminal named Charley in Steven Soderbergh’s film No Sudden Move.
Culkin’s most illustrious cinematic highpoints include indie coming-of-age dramas, beloved 90s comedies, big-budget graphic novel adaptations, animated features, and more.
Lymelife (2008) 63%
Directed and co-written by Derick Martini, Lymelife is an underrated coming-of-age dramedy set on Long Island in 1979. Seen through the eyes of 15-year-old Scott Bartlett (Rory Culkin), the story concerns his disintegrating family unit, awkward romances, and neighborhood rivals.
The title refers to Lyme Disease and how it affects Scott’s neighbor, Charlie Bragg (Timothy Hutton). Kieran Culkin plays Scott’s cool older brother Jimmy who smokes, drives a muscle car, and teaches Scott how to talk to girls, including his romantic crush and Charlie’s daughter, Adrianna (Emma Roberts).
Home Alone (1990) 67%
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Kieran Culkin’s very first movie remains his best. Directed by Chris Columbus from a John Hughes script, Home Alone was the second highest-grossing film released in 1990 behind Ghost (per Box Office Mojo).
The high-concept comedy involves a large upscale family set to spend their Christmas holiday in Paris. When they accidentally leave young mischievous Kevin McCallister behind, his newfound freedom is supplanted by fright when a pair of thieves target his home. Kieran Culkin plays Kevin’s little brother Fuller, who wets the bed after drinking too much Pepsi.
Father Of The Bride (1991) 70%
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this December is Father of the Bride, the uproarious remake of the classic Spencer Tracy comedy starring Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and Martin Short. Culkin plays Matty Banks in the film, the young brother of bride-to-be Annie (Kimberly Williams).
The plot concerns Annie’s impending marriage and the financial, emotional, and psychological toll it takes on her loving father, George (Martin), who cannot let go of his daughter easily. Culkin also appeared in the sequel.
The Cider House Rules (1999) 71%
One year after giving a stellar turn in The Mighty, Culkin joined the star-studded cast of Lasse Hallstrom’s The Cider House Rules. Based on famed scribe John Irving’s celebrated novel, the story follows orphan Homer Wells (Tobey Maguire) and his time coming of age under the aegis of Dr. Wilbur Larch (Michael Caine).
Upon discovering that Dr. Larch performs secret abortions for women at the orphanage, Homer becomes his assistant despite never graduating high school. Culkin plays Buster in the film, a young orphan hoping for adoption.
Wiener-Dog (2016) 74%
Todd Solondz’s quirky anthology movie Wiener-Dog functions as a spinoff of his 1995 cult film Welcome to the Dollhouse. Seen through the eyes of a pet dachshund who moves from one wildly disparate owner to the next, the film chronicles how the pet animal affects their daily lives.
Culkin plays Brandon in the film, a drug addict and former classmate of Dawn (Greta Gerwig), a veterinarian who adopts Wiener-Dog before he is euthanized. Brandon and Dawn travel to Ohio, where the latter agrees to let Wiener-Dog stay with Brandon’s brother, Tommy (Connor Long).
Infinity Baby (2017) 75%
Culkin stars as Ben in Infinity Baby, an absurdist comedy about a group of parents desperate to cling to their baby’s first days of infancy. As such, the parents take advantage of a company called Infinity Baby that accidentally makes their dream come true.
Due to a genetic accident during a stem cell trial, Infinity Baby produces a slew of babies who do not age past the three-month mark. As an employee for the company, Ben struggles with his own fear of growing older while and committing to a romantic relationship.
The Mighty (1998) 75%
One of the most uplifting and inspirational movies in Culkin’s filmography includes The Mighty, a story of unlikely friendship among two young, social pariahs in a small midwestern town.
Based on the novel Freak The Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, Culkin plays Kevin “Freak” Dillon, a 12-year-old with debilitating Mosquito Syndrome. When Kevin becomes the reading tutor for the dyslexic Max Kane (Elden Henson), the two become the best of friends, teach each other how to find happiness, and save each other’s life from a ruthless kidnapper in the end.
Igby Goes Down (2002) 75%
Culkin earned critical acclaim for his first leading role as an adult in Igby Goes Down; he played a precocious, highly intelligent yet deeply troubled teenager coming of age in New York. Along with costar Susan Sarandon, Culkin earned a Golden Globe nod for his performance.
Igby is a rebellious teenager who despises his rich lineage, snooty older brother Ollie (Ryan Philippe), and domineering mother Mimi (Sarandon). Determined to carve his own path and follow his heart, Igby struggles to get out of his own way and confront his father’s potentially inheritable mental health struggles.
The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys (2002) 77%
Adapted from the Chris Fuhrman book of the same name, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys is an irreverent indie coming-of-age dramedy that follows a group of mischievous catholic schoolboys who struggle to stay out of trouble in the 1970s.
The drama mainly concerns best friends Francis Doyle (Emile Hirsch) and Tim Sullivan (Culkin), a pair of unruly kids who get caught by the strict Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster) for creating their own X-rated comic book. Unrepentant, Tim and Francis plan a daring heist to teach Sister Assumpta a lesson.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010) 82%
Culkin nearly stole the show as Scott Pilgrim’s (Michael Cera) cooler, wiser, and more confident roommate Wallace Wells, who navigated his romantic interests with far more success than the awkward titular teen. As a result, the Edgar Wright film is Culkin’s second-highest-rated, per Rotten Tomatoes.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World follows the title character’s loving obsession with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a mysterious cool-girl with a host of annoying ex-boyfriends. In order to prove his true feelings for Ramona and win her heart, Scott must defeat all of her evil exes in a series of exciting video game-style showdowns.
