The recent release of Wicked: For Good, the cinematic adaptation of the second act of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked, made its debut last week with a noticeable shift in tone. Unlike its predecessor, this installment intentionally dials down the spectacle to reflect the darker, more introspective nature of its source material. The film features an array of ballad-paced songs, augmented by two additional numbers that emphasize its serious themes, leaving less space for the musical’s trademark whimsy. However, a standout moment of levity comes courtesy of Jeff Goldblum’s performance as the Wizard of Oz in the song “Wonderful.” In this piece, the Wizard attempts to persuade Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (portrayed by Cynthia Erivo) to abandon Elphaba’s crusade against his deceit, painting himself as a well-meaning leader rather than a power-hungry figure. Despite his efforts, the Wizard’s appeal falls flat, and Goldblum’s appearances in the film are limited, even though he is the story’s nominal antagonist.

Throughout the movie, Goldblum makes sporadic appearances, but the spotlight remains firmly on the central characters, Glinda and Elphaba. This focus may leave Goldblum’s fans longing for more, particularly since these Wicked films are among the few projects he has undertaken recently. In 2023, Goldblum also played a crucial yet largely symbolic role in Asteroid City, lent his voice to several animated features, and reprised his iconic role as Ian Malcolm in the Jurassic World series. Additionally, he released his third jazz album featuring collaborations with Grande and Erivo. Despite these ventures, fans might still crave more of Goldblum’s unique charm and distinctive speaking style. With that in mind, here’s a look back at some of his more substantial performances that have left a lasting impression.

1. In the realm of later-career Jeff Goldblum—characterized by his post-internet-crush, self-aware persona—his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe stands out. Goldblum shines as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok, a supporting role that showcases his flair for portraying charmingly sleazy characters. In this 2017 film, directed by Taika Waititi, Goldblum’s character reigns over a distant planet where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) encounters his fellow Avenger, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), engaged in gladiatorial combat. Despite Waititi’s waning popularity since the film’s release, Thor: Ragnarok remains a highlight of both the director’s and the franchise’s offerings, thanks in part to Goldblum’s charismatic and improvisational performance that flirts with self-parody yet achieves an entertaining brilliance.

   For those looking for more of Goldblum’s charm, Thor: Ragnarok can be streamed on Disney+.

   Another notable supporting turn from Goldblum can be found in the film Igby Goes Down. This role heralded his transition into a sought-after character actor in the 2000s, following a series of leading roles in 90s sci-fi blockbusters. Goldblum plays D.H. Banes, the affluent godfather of the titular Igby, portrayed by Kieran Culkin. As the temporary guardian of the rebellious teenager during a summer stay, Goldblum delivers a performance filled with dry wit and charm as a philandering hypocrite. He stands out among an eclectic cast that includes notable performances from Amanda Peet, Bill Pullman, and Claire Danes.

   Stream Igby Goes Down on Tubi

3. Those accustomed to seeing Goldblum in flip or campy modes might be surprised by how credible he is as a drug trafficker who forms an alliance with a cop (Laurence Fishburne) who he doesn’t realize is deep undercover, only pretending to be a fellow criminal. Actor and director Bill Duke made the rare early-’90s neo-noir that’s more of an old-fashioned crime picture than a noirish erotic thriller, and with a lot of distinctive visual style. Fishburne and Goldblum make a terrific, unexpected pairing.

   Stream Deep Cover on Tubi

4. Goldblum has appeared in four Wes Anderson movies, which in AndersonWorld makes him a medium-level recurring player; more than Luke Wilson but not as many as Edward Norton. His most memorable Anderson character is also his first: Allistair Hennessey, the well-to-do nemesis of ocean-exploring filmmaker Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) in the hilarious, sad, sometimes dyspeptic The Life Aquatic. Goldblum brings his inimitable delivery to several indelible moments here: cruelly swatting and admonishing a three-legged dog; realizing he’s being rescued from the pirates he’s playing cards with and then announcing, with perfect deadpan ridiculousness, “I fold” just before getting shot by said pirates; and admitting to being “part gay, anyway” in a line penned by Anderson’s co-writer Noah Baumbach (and beloved by Anderson himself, per the film’s DVD commentary). It’s a testament to how rich a character Goldblum can play in a caricatured register with limited screen time.

   Where to Stream The Life Aquatic

5. If you want the sexiest and most iconic of Goldblum’s Sexy Science Nerd shtick, you have to go with the original Jurassic Park. It’s the one where he reclines, resplendent and shirtless (and also injured by an attack that eventually kills him in the book, though he’s brought back for the sequel to better match the film version), and issues dire warnings about the stupidity of playing god by bringing back dinosaurs. Said sequel The Lost World promotes him to lead (and features an iconic match-cut to his yawning face), while Independence Day really codifies his routine into shtick by pairing him with Will Smith (recall Goldblum agreeing to try an alien-defeating tactic again – “yes, this time without the oops”). This may be too much for some fans, and of course Jurassic Park is the best and least cartoony movie of the bunch. But the point is, there are a surprising number of options for seeing Goldblum save the day in a massive blockbuster. Together, these three movies grossed well over two billion dollars worldwide; add in his appearances in some later Jurassic sequels and (secondarily) his other movies, and Goldblum is one of those guys hovering around $5 billion in global grosses.

   Stream Jurassic Park on Peacock

6. David Cronenberg’s masterpiece is also Goldblum’s peak, even as it allows him to disappear before our eyes. Goldblum’s Seth Brundle is nerdier and less swaggering than his other scientist characters, and accidentally zaps away some of his humanity when he tests a teleportation device on himself, unaware that a housefly has slipped into the device with him. Human and fly are then merged, as Brundle slowly transforms into a gigantic humanoid insect, much to the horror of his girlfriend Ronnie (Geena Davis, who had a real-life relationship with Goldblum pre-dating the film, presumably minus the… well, you’ll see). Goldblum apparently won the role in part because he was the most willing to work with the heavy prosthetics and make-up needed to portray the grotesque man-bug hybrid. That makeup won an Oscar, and many critics back in 1986 felt that Goldblum’s performance deserved a nomination, too, which he did not receive – for this movie or, as yet, any other. (At least not for acting; “Little Surprises,” a 1996 short he directed, was nominated in that category.) But his work nevertheless lives on, as part of an all-time great horror film.

   Stream The Fly on Hulu

Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned) is a writer living in Brooklyn. He’s a regular contributor to The A.V. Club, Polygon, and The Week, among others. He podcasts at www.sportsalcohol.com, too.