David Arquette may not have been the quirkiest member of the Arquette family, but over time, David Arquette carved out a unique niche for himself in Hollywood as one of its most delightfully unpredictable actors. Through the ‘90s and into the 2000s, David Arquette steadily built a reputation—not just for his quirky charm, but for his ability to bring heart to offbeat characters. After years of taking on smaller roles, it was his portrayal of the good-natured, slightly bumbling Sheriff Dewey Riley in Wes Craven’s Scream (1996) that truly put David Arquette on the map. The character resonated so strongly with fans that when plans were made to write him off, producers actually changed course—bringing David Arquette back for both sequels in 1997 and 1999.
The massive success of the Scream franchise, combined with his high-profile marriage to co-star Courteney Cox—a union that lasted until 2010—catapulted David Arquette into the spotlight. Yet despite the fame, he never strayed too far from his love of nuanced, character-driven performances. Whether playing the sweet former jock in Never Been Kissed (1999) or embodying an enthusiastic wrestling fan in Ready to Rumble (2000), David Arquette brought sincerity to even the most eccentric roles. He also showed depth in more serious projects, like the intense johns (1996), the indie gem Dreams with the Fishes (1997)—which David Arquette co-produced—and the harrowing Holocaust drama The Grey Zone (2002).
Still, it was perhaps his more eccentric side that audiences embraced most warmly. From his hyper-energetic commercials for AT&T to his surprising—and real—run as WCW World Heavyweight Champion, David Arquette proved he wasn’t afraid to blur the lines between performance and reality. And even when returning to familiar territory, like reprising Sheriff Dewey Riley in Scream 4 (2011), David Arquette managed to surprise viewers all over again. With every role, every twist in his career, David Arquette kept people wondering: what will he do next?
When it comes to David Arquette’s filmography, one standout in terms of critical reception is Survivors Guide to Prison from 2018—it’s widely regarded as David Arquette’s highest rated movie. The documentary, which sheds light on the U.S. prison system, earned solid reviews and marked a strong point in David Arquette’s career. On the flip side, David Arquette’s lowest rated film appears to be Mob Town, released just a year later in 2019. While opinions can vary, the general consensus places Mob Town at the lower end of the spectrum when evaluating David Arquette’s body of work. So, if you’re exploring David Arquette’s movies, these two offer a bit of a contrast in both tone and reception.