Ian McKellen’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the recognition of Ian McKellen. Since the 1990’s, McKellen has become an icon. Whether it’s fantasy figures, comic-book villains or retired authors, McKellen has played many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic fantasy series that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that loved a series about rings causing damage. Drawn to the power of rings that were dangers, he loved a series that always held a place in his heart that was precious. I remember every summer looking forward to spending quality time with my grandfather watching LOTR movies in the theatre. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that loved a franchise about precious rings, I adored “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”. Released in 2001, Ian McKellen’s movie did an extraordinary job of adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s commemorated book series. In the most memorable role of his career, McKellen embodies a wise wizard seeking to destroy a ring that has been a painful burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. As Gandalf, McKellen did an exceptional job of portraying a legendary literary character. McKellen has always been one of those actors with a larger-than-life presence, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Fellowship of the Ring”. For instance, the iconic scene in which Gandalf defends the fellowship against a dragon saying that it shall not pass remains one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Fellowship of the Ring” McKellen’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about the importance of teamwork which would resonate with everyone. 70 years following the publication of a groundbreaking fantasy book about adventurous hobbits carrying a precious ring with powers that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.

2. X-Men

The X-Men are an excellent superhero team that inspired my teacher. Several years ago, I formed a strong relationship with a school teacher that was a massive fan of X-Men. A comic-book nerd, he appreciated a superhero team that made him feel heard. Through his love for the X-Men, my teacher gave me a lifelong appreciation for a team I have grown to value. In 2000, Ian McKellen did an excellent job introducing the iconic superhero team on the big-screen in his film “X-Men”. In the most villainous role of his career, McKellen embodies a magnetic antagonist that causes mutants to face fear. McKellen has always been one of those actors with a commanding voice that has powerful authority, and “X-Men” showcased his vocal talents. For instance, the scene in which Magneto controls the minds of individuals in a train station during a fight against the X-Men is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “X-Men” a great comic-book movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about value of teamwork which would resonate with everyone. An extraordinary introduction towards a superhero team that’s excellent, it’s a strong reminder about an actor that has stood the test of time as an icon in entertainment.

3. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. As far as I remember, I have been addicted to smartphones. At an early age, I became addicted to smartphones without concern for damage. As precious as the ring, my phone became an object I was always using. It became a possession without a doubt that I simply couldn’t live without. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured danger of addiction as powerfully as “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”. Released in 2002, Ian McKellen’s movie offered a powerful sequel to a fantasy film about rings that are powerful. In the most commanding role of his career, McKellen embodies a wizard embarking on journeys to destroy a ring causing despair. McKellen has always had a strong presence, and “The Two Towers” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Gandalf returns from the dead as Gandalf the White is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Two Towers” a great sequel is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. A towering sequel about rings that are powerful, it’s a remarkable reminder about an actor whose timeless movies audiences consider special.

4. X2: X-Men United

Teamwork is one of those skills that has never come naturally to me. As far as I remember, I have often struggled working within groups under pressure. I recall memories of bad group projects in school. I’ll never forget a group project in which peers treated me without respect. As someone that has often struggled to collaborate in teams that are united, I loved “X2: X-Men United”. Released in 2003, Ian McKellen’s sequel explored themes of teamwork in the X-Men franchise. In his most sympathetic turn as the iconic supervillain, McKellen brought vulnerability to Magneto that audiences hadn’t seen before. It gave the actor chances to showcase his aptitude for playing wise figures in positions of power. For instance, the scene in which Magneto escapes confined prison through his superpowers remains one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “X2: X-Men United” a great comic-book sequel is its humanity. The film turns a supervillain into a relatable character that anyone can relate to. As strong as the X-Men’s desire to stay united, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated whose unforgettable films definitely deserve to be appreciated.

5. Gods and Monsters

Aging is a painful process that causes seniors to face stress. Years ago, I formed bonds with my grandmother. I loved watching movies in the theatre with a grandma I grew up to treasure. However, age ended our bond forever. After reaching an age of retirement, my grandmother faced memory impairment. As someone treasuring a grandmother that faced aging, I adored “Gods and Monsters”. Released in 1998, Ian McKellen’s movie captured an aging filmmaker struggling to cope with health that’s declining. In the most mature role of his career, Ian McKellen embodies an aging filmmaker in an affair. McKellen is excels at playing senior citizens, and “Gods and Monsters” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which James reveals his upbringing to Clayton showcased the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “God and Monsters” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about aging that would resonate with everyone. A fantastic adaptation of a book about queer filmmakers facing despair, it’s a fabulous reminder about an actor that has built a great career making movies about which audiences care.

6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

It’s often challenging to bring a beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start off on a high note with plenty of promise initially to begin with. However, franchises rarely ever stick the landing. It’s often challenging to create a satisfying ending. Nevertheless, Ian McKellen pulled it off successfully when he brought the LOTR franchise to a great ending in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”. In the final instalment of the fantasy franchise, McKellen brought an emotional vulnerability to Gandalf that audiences hadn’t seen before. It’s a role that gave the actor chances to bring emotional depth towards the iconic literary character. A fantastic conclusion to a famous fantasy franchise about rings that are dangerous, it’s a strong reminder about an actor whose timeless movies audiences consider precious.

7. Richard III

It isn’t easy to adapt celebrated Shakespeare plays on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in English literature, Shakespeare penned timeless plays changing the world forever. Making an adaptation of Shakespeare poses certain challenges for actors. That being said, Ian McKellen pulled it off effectively in “Richard III”. Released in 1995, Ian McKellen’s movie did excellent jobs of adapting a beloved Shakespeare play. In the most poetic role of his career, McKellen embodies a majestic king seeking to conquer thrones without fear. It’s a role that gave the actor opportunities to showcase his aptitude for delivering complex Shakespeare monologues. An astonishing adaptation of an iconic Shakespeare play, it’s a strong reminder about an actor whose commemorated movies definitely deserve to be celebrated today.

8. Mr. Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a legendary detective that my father has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a father that was a huge fan of the legendary literary character. He would always appreciate the timeless stories of a detective with murders to investigate. In 2015, Ian McKellen did an extraordinary job of portraying the world-famous detective solving mysteries in his film “Mr. Holmes”. In the most intelligent role of his career, McKellen embodies a retired detective that experiences despair. McKellen offered a unique take on the iconic detective. It’s a larger-than-life role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing complex characters with wisdom. As strong as Mr. Holmes’ desire to retire, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies audiences admire.

9. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

When it comes to the most beloved books ever written about rings that fit, it’s worth discussing The Hobbit” Since publication in 1937, The Hobbit has stood the test of time as legendary literature. In 2012, Ian McKellen did a great job of adapting the beloved book about rings in his film “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. In the most wise role of his career, McKellen embodies a wizard embarking on an unexpected journey. McKellen has always excelled at playing the wise wizard throughout his career, and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” showcased his strengths as an actor clearly. It gave the actor a chance prove why he was born to play Gandalf. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a celebrated book about journeys that are unexpected, it’s a breathtaking reminder about an actor whose movies deserve to be appreciated.

10. The Da Vinci Code

Few books ever written about a code are as beloved as The Da Vinci Code. Since it was published by Dan Brown in 2003, The Da Vinci Code has become a book readers have cherished. In 2006, Ian McKellen did an exceptional job adapting the book in his film “The Da Vinci Code”. In the most devious role of his career, McKellen embodies a professor with precious knowledge about codes that are mysterious. McKellen has always excelled at playing wise characters with wisdom, and “The Da Vinci Code” showcased his strengths as an actor. While the movie is flawed, McKellen elevates it to another level through his strong screen presence. As precious as the Da Vinci Code, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has always followed his dreams whose movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to write movie reviews I love to upload.