SAM NEILL POLL
damn.. 2026 is taking the ones I LEAST expected.
Many of us learning our Dino-Daddy passed away. Not much being said about his passing right now - I read that he had cancer for a while but the family is saying his death was unrelated to the illness.
He was in a LOT more movies than I expected actually - so it's quite a few choice here.
Comments (122)
Dead Calm would've gotten my vote (and I think Ashleigh would enjoy it the most of all of these films, tbh), but since it's not on the list, The Piano isn't a bad backup by any stretch. :D
Merlin is also spectacular! Such an amazing human!
I believe he appeared in The Hunt for Red October 🤔
Been asking for Bicentennial man for years!!! and holy cow it is in the lead!!! YES
No mouth of madness? I looked it up on the channel I thought you had seen it but no
Please add Dead Calm and Posession, both excellent movies and better than all of these options I'd say!
The Piano has an amazing cast and story, Sam Neill will be missed.🌟
I voted for JW Dominion because it unites both the classic and new casts together.
In the mouth of madness and event horizon are some good ones too. They are two of my favorite horror movies
Event Horizon is already on the channel: https://youtu.be/_SKIDgdbpto
Hunt for the Wilderpeople!!!
I don't think I've seen any of these. And I only recognize a couple of the titles. So any of these would be good for me.
This genuine and thoughtful man was one of the favourite New Zealand/Australia personalities and a constant presence for 50 years. I remember him most for Dead Calm, The Dish, The Jungle Book, Merlin and of course Jurassic Park...just a few I grew up with but too many more to mention. I know that The Hunt for The Wilderpeople held a special place for him and I hope at some point you will be able to enjoy it.
Bicentennial Man is so underrated and Robin and Sam together. I would need tissues
'The Piano' must be by far the best movie on this list. 'Irresistible' is getting the least votes. It is cheesy melodrama but underrated because hardly known. And it has Emily Blunt at the height of her irresistibility. I'll also put in a vote for 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople'. Funny and touching and totally unique.
I knew that "The Dish", an odd, offbeat, not much-known movie wouldn't be on the list, but Neill is lovely in it, and I recommend it for a watch at some point.
Dead Calm 👍
I would of voted for In the Mouth of Madness
"Bicentennial Man" and "Memoires of an Invisible Man" are the only two on the list I've seen (both good choices). But the thing I most associate with Sam Neil is the two-part made-for-TV special "Merlin." I don't know if you'd consider a TV-two-parter, but it's got a great cast!
And "A Cry in the Dark (1988)" is a true story.
The next time you watch horror movies for Halloween in October, you should also check out *In the Mouth of Madness* (1994) and *Daybreakers* (2009).
Personally, I liked the movie Sirens (1994).
Dead Calm and Hunt for the Wilderpeople are two I would highly recommend.
Sirens would have been fun… lol.
It’s not on the list but ‘In the Mouth of Madness’ has every & all of my votes. 🗳️
I have been wanting you to see Bicentennial Man for years now. It’s phenomenal!
Hunt for the Wilderpeople, In the Mouth of Madness, Dead Calm….just saying.
My Sam Neill vote goes to the movie, The Dish (2000) (But I'll gladly watch Bicentennial Man!)
I'd also recommend Snow White Tale of Terror
Agree - Dead Calm should really be added to the poll. Love that film. PS- not sure why it is showing my Patreon page (which isn't even live yet). Anyone know how to fix it?
Saw that once in my teens but I remember liking it
The jungle book!
I do wish The Dish (2000) was available to stream somewhere.
Worth noting to all those suggesting "Merlin": given the additional time needed for recording, editing, and scheduling, I would operate under the assumption that TV shows will not be eligible for tribute viewings, especially when the actor in question is just as known for their film work. In general, expect that tributes will occur when they are the least complicated to work into the schedule, and TV should always be considered more complicated.
the merlin miniseries he did is great.
No "In the Mouth of Madness"? I know not every movie can be on a poll but its such a great movie and he carries it pretty much alone.
Kind of hoped to see 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' in the list. He's a bit more of a lead than in some of the others,
Yes, this!
What about "Event Horizon" Sam Neill with Lawrence Fishburne?
Already on the channel! https://youtu.be/_SKIDgdbpto
Consider Peaky Blinders as a series. He's in the first season.
Peaky Blinders is the best series. Each season gets better and better.
Was so hoping I would see In the Mouth of Madness on this list
I'm in enough communities that this is of course nothing new, but it is still kinda wild to me that you could add the Rotten Tomatoes scores for three of the top 4 (Bicentennial Man: 38%; Memoirs of an Invisible Man: 30%; and Jurassic World: Dominion - 27%) and only barely come out ahead of the other one (The Piano: 90%). I remember when Bicentennial Man came out, and it was not only a critical failure and a bomb at the box office, but people were so down on it that "Bicentennial Man" was used as a punchline for "expensive failure" AND "bad Robin Williams movie" for almost a decade.
...yep, saw it in the theatre. Not a good film, but...yeah...
For anyone looking for a good Sam Neill rec and you like murder mysteries, I highly suggest checking out Agatha Christies "And Then There Were None" stacked cast, great story
Bicentennial Man It’s not Sam’s movie but it’s still a good one. One is glad to be of service.
I didn't see this one, but you ever do 1997's Event Horizon? That's a favorite many have of his.
It is indeed on the channel. https://youtu.be/_SKIDgdbpto
The Piano won Three Academy Awards. Best Actress - Holly Hunter Best Supporting Actress - Anna Paquin And Best Screenplay, written by Jane Champion. It's the highest grossing film in New Zealand, where it was filmed. Interesting side note: Sigourney Weaver turned down the role of Ada.
JW Dominion please!!! Although from the comments I would say Bicentennial Man is a good one too. Also, I put on my Jurassic Park shirt today before I even knew he'd passed. Must be fate...
"Clever Girl" 🧐
Evil Angels (also known as A Cry in the Dark) is a sleeper. A fascinating true story that will give you a new understanding of the running joke "A dingo's got my baby!" It's not such a joke
Dead Calm needs to be on here! :-D
I know it won't win (because I've been here long enough to know) but THE PIANO deserves to be seen and reacted to! Academy Award winning MASTERPIECE!!
It's a sad reality but you are right. So many movies get missed because they are not as popular. The Piano is a movie you never forget.
I'm my permanent top 5
Possession or In The Mouth of Madness.
Bicentennial Man has a special place in my heart.
World Dominion of course since it’s Jurassic Park Franchise related and it’s the final one you have yet to see and Bicentennial Man. That one is long, but is definitely worth it. (May need tissues handy)
It's not the final one she's yet to see. Jurassic Park Rebirth was released last year.
The Piano & Dead Calm. It’s annoying that franchises dominate reactions when there are meaningful films that get ignored.
Amen! The difference between 'popular' & 'good' is often staggering.
You should watch the mini series Kane and Abel from CBS in 1985
I'm so sad, he was a gem. Agree Dead Calm should probably be here too! 🩵🩵
I'm with the Piano on this one. However, Daybreakers - a Sam Neill vampire movie is a lot of fun!
So sad, I really liked everything I have seen him in and you would not believe how often I watched Jurassic Park as a kid. Having said that I feel we should all vote for Bicentennial Man, Two great masters of the silver screen we recently lost coming together in a very underrated, forgotten classic gem of a movie. So glad it is doing well, rather then the mediocre Jurassic World sequel
I really like Memoirs Of An Invisible Man. But I'll be happy if Bicentennial Man wins too. And The Piano
In the Mouth of Madness or Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Dead Calm (89) not being on here.. shame. lol just my 2 cents. Also, he’s known for Jurassic Park. Be nice for you to watch him in another role instead of the latest franchise installment. But what the hell do I know? 😂😜
Please please please do the Piano. The music and story are so beautiful
For HalloBeans,you should watch the original “Omen” trilogy. Sam’s in the last one “Omen 3:The Final Conflict” where he plays adult Damien,runs for President in order to destroy the world. Sounds like a certain someone in the White House right?
The Omen (1976) is already on the channel...and I think if you see it you may significantly downgrade your hopes for ever seeing another one get a reaction here.
ok if Bicentennial Man wins I vote for Ex Machina right after lol
Sam did an amazing miniseries called Merlin that’s an oldie but a goodie. Martin Short, Helena BC, and Isabella Rossilini are in it!
Have you already seen Event Horizon?
She has. It was posted 3 years ago for Hallobeans, it looks like (based on thumbnail).
The piano !
I've always loved his work but my favorite is Hunt for the Wilderpeople, a hidden gem you all need to watch.
Hmm this list is telling me I need to watch more Sam Neill movies because I've only seen Bicentennial Man.
Voting for Piano... might I also suggest Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Dead Calm would be my vote! Or The Hunt for the Wilderpeople! Also, In the Mouth of Madness and The Omen series (he stars in The Final Conflict) for Hallowbeans!
Don't forget, she has already reacted to the original Omen (and it was not one of her favorites).
My favorite Sam Neill performance was the tv miniseries "Merlin". So sad he passed away.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople would have been a great watch.
This is a good list, but how is Possession not here?!?!?! Daybreakers is also a fun vampire action film. Death in Brunswick is apparently a pretty good black comedy, so I'm choosing that. And the Commutor is fun; he's a side character, but Liam Neilson is in it.
A Cry in the Dark with "The Dingo's Got My Baby"!
I just pay the base, so I know I don't have much suggestion power here, but I'm asking anyway Please consider watching the Merlin miniseries from 1998. Sam Neill stars as Merlin along side a fantastic cast including actors such as Martin Short, Helena Bonham Carter, and Rutger Hauer. Merlin was my childhood introduction to Sam Neill.
I would strongly recommend In the Mouth of Madness, Dead Calm, and Possession.
Where’s Merlin?!
Come on, Piano!
Dang, didn't see this one coming either. It might not be the BEST movie on the list, but I vote for Jurassic World: Dominion. That way Ashleigh can finish off that series (I consider the newest movie a new series).
I believe she has two Jurassic World movies left.
My vote is for The Piano. Sam Neill is so good in it. Also, Anna Paquin won an academy award at 11 years old for her role. The soundtrack is beautiful, it a great love story. 🩷
Hunt For The Wilderpeople would be a great choice, shame it's not on the poll. I reckon you need a funny Kiwi movie to help lift your spirits after this news.
You forgot A Cry in the Dark! Probably his other most famous movie apart from JP!
If nothing else she would get why Oz's band in Buffy was called Dingo's Ate My Baby LOL
Ashleigh, please react to Varsity Blues for James Van Der Beek! And react to something for Nicholas Brendon (Xander)!!
She indicated in her recent Twitch stream that too many people died right before her birthday month or during it and it seems unlikely she is going to go back and cover the missed tributes.
Oh I do hope you will see The Piano, even if it doesn't win the poll. It's such a great film. Sam is great in it, it's a role very different than his other ones. RIP Mr. Neill
Dead Calm (89) not being on here.. shame. lol just my 2 cents.
You should watch the Merlin miniseries that he starred in 1998. You can find it on YouTube.
I've been meaning to watch The Piano for a long time, really ever since I knew Anna Paquin won an Oscar for it, and for some reason I've just never really been in the mood. Hoping it wins and we can watch it together
It's a great movie. I hope that Ashleigh considers it even if it doesn't win. ♥️
Damn! I was hoping for Event Horizon. An excellent performance.
She watched that 3 years ago on her channel.
I'm sad to see that Hunt For The Wilderpeople is not an option.
I voted for Memoirs of an Invisible Man because I have not seen it. I am down for any movie.
I might suggest a Franchise Friday month for The Omen as well. Sam Neil starred in The Omen III: The Final Conflict.
FYI, The Omen was already reacted to, and...well, I'd watch that one before hoping for any others.
Was hoping Dead Calm would be on here
AND POSSESSION
Event Horizont , really
She watched that three years ago.
He literally just received the green light stating he had beat the cancer, Ashleigh.
Possession would be a good choice for hallobeans
Still in shock.
The Piano is one of my favorite movies of all time. It swept the Oscars but somehow has disappeared with time, such a shame. I know this will never win when up against a big franchise but I hope you can enjoy it on your own time.
We watched it when it first came out. I remember being very angry at the story and/or the characters, though I'm not quite remembering why. However, I was almost literally grinding my teeth throughout most of it.
I would have liked to see Montana 😭😭😭 RIP Sam Neill you will be missed
Please watch Bicentennial man! It’s incredible!!!
Yes you should watch it but be ready for a saga-length story. It gets slow a bit but you gotta truck through to get to the payoff. Enjoy!!