Val Kilmer Movies on Streaming to Watch In Honor of the Late, Great Star

What to Watch

On Wednesday morning, the world woke up to the news that one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men, Val Kilmer, died late Tuesday night, at the age of 65.

Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer over a decade ago, resulting in two tracheotomies in 2015 that left a tube down his throat, rendering the actor unable to speak above a toneless rasp. However, his cause of death was pneumonia, according to his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who spoke to the New York Times. His health problems led to a long break from major Hollywood roles. But despite this, and despite Kilmer’s too-soon death, the actor starred in many, many iconic roles that will cement his legacy in Hollywood forever.

If you’re looking to remember Kilmer through his work today, there are a handful of Val Kilmer movies available to watch for free on subscription-based streaming services. (Sadly, neither Top Secret! nor Real Genius—two of Kilmer’s hilarious, early comedies that showcase his goofball sensibility—are currently streaming free anywhere, though you can buy or rent both films online.) From Kilmer’s famous roles like Top Gun and Batman Forever, to his recent moving Amazon documentary, here are 7 Val Kilmer movies to stream today.

  1. Val (2021)

    VAL DOCUMENTARY AMAZON PRIME MOVIE REVIEW
    Photo: Everett Collection

    If you watch just one Val Kilmer movie today, make it Kilmer’s heartbreaking 2021 documentary for Amazon, Val. It’s not easy to watch the then 61-year-old Kilmer struggle to speak in a toneless rasp, through the tube down his throat, thanks to the two tracheotomies he underwent while treating his throat cancer. But much of the film is narrated by Kilmer’s son Jack, reading from a script Kilmer wrote, in a voice that sounds so much like his dad you’ll feel like you’re back in the ’80s. Kilmer walks viewers through his career—from Top Secret, to Top Gun, to The Island of Dr. Moreau—and he makes clear he cared deeply about his work. You’ll come away convinced that the reason for Kilmer’s perfectionism—and, at times, difficult behavior—stemmed only from his desire to be a great artist. And he was.

    Streaming on: Prime Video

  2. TOP GUN, Val Kilmer, 1986
    Photo: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    Top Gun will always be the blockbuster that truly launched Kilmer’s career. The Iceman actor mentions in his 2021 Amazon documentary that he disapproved of the film’s overtly pro-military message, but he nevertheless delivered an unforgettable performance as Iceman, the sneering rival to Tom Cruise’s Maverick. It’s one of the great enemies-to-friends stories in Hollywood history, and it’s all thanks to Kilmer’s effortless charisma. Cruise should be honored to be his wingman, anytime.

    Streaming on: Prime Video, Paramount+, or buy or rent on digital

  3. Val Kilmer as Batman in Batman Forever
    © Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

    Tim Burton’s Batman Forever was the film that made Kilmer a Hollywood A-lister, and it’s also, arguably, the most campy, fun, and whimsical film in all the Batman franchise. Jim Carrey brought his signature unhinged wackiness to the Riddler, while Nicole Kidman was magnetic and sensual as an over-the-top femme fatale. And as Bruce Wayne, Kilmer was suave and sexy, but also open and vulnerable. It’s no wonder the film cemented Kilmer’s status as a leading man.

    Streaming on: Max, or buy or rent on digital

  4. HEAT, Val Kilmer, 1995
    Photo: ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    There’s only one Val Kilmer movie currently streaming on Netflix, but it’s a good one: Heat, the 1995 crime drama starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Written and directed by Michael Mann, this classic is a cat-and-mouse chase between a police detective (Al Pacino) and a thieving criminal (Robert De Niro). Kilmer plays De Niro’s right-hand man—a cold, heartless, sharpshooter. It’s more Pacino and De Niro’s movie than Kilmer’s, but it’s simply a great action flick. And Kilmer, ever studious, interviewed actual career criminals to prep for the role.

    Streaming on: Netflix, or buy or rent on digital

  5. Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer in 'Tombstone'
    Photo: Everett Collection

    If you need proof that Kilmer could thrive in any genre, don’t hesitate to stream this highly quotable ’90s Western classic on Hulu. Directed by George P. Cosmatos, the film stars Kilmer as the best bud of Wyatt Earp (played by Kurt Russell), a sheriff who’s trying to hang up his badge. But Earp and Doc Holliday (Kilmer) inevitably get sucked back into a life of rootin’, tootin’, and of course, shootin’, action when a band of outlaws arrives in their town of Tombstone, Arizona.

    Streaming on: Hulu, or buy or rent on digital

  6. Val Kilmer as Madmartigan in 'Willow'
    Photo: Everett Collection

    At the height of his sex symbol status in the ’80s, Kilmer had the honor of playing a shirtless, swoon-worthy swordsman with swagger in Willow, the classic high fantasy film from director Ron Howard. (Later rebooted as a short-lived TV series for Disney+.) A young Warwick Davis starred as an aspiring sorcerer who embarks on an epic journey to return an abandoned infant to her home—a baby whom, it turns out, is destined for greatness. Kilmer plays the roguish Madmartigan, a long-haired, earring-wearing, lady-killer who infuses some sexy romance into an otherwise family-friendly tale for kids. I’m not complaining.

    Streaming on: Disney+, or buy or rent on digital

  7. Top Gun Maverick Val Kilmer Iceman scene
    Photo: Paramount / Vudu

    Though Kilmer’s health issues prevented him from having a substantial role in the recent Top Gun sequel, the movie still paid homage to Iceman with one moving scene, which would end up being Kilmer’s final film performance. Kilmer had to fight to be included in the film, with backup from Tom Cruise. Because he’d lost his speaking voice by that point, the filmmakers incorporated Kilmer’s throat cancer into his character. Though Kilmer has almost no verbal dialogue—instead typing his lines out on a computer screen—the actor nevertheless manages to convey the meaningful bond between Iceman and Maverick. The two men hug, and it’s exactly the emotional catharsis you want it to be, complete with a playful reference to their former rivalry, when Iceman asks, “Who’s the better pilot, you or me?”

    Streaming on: Paramount+, or buy or rent on digital