My Favourite Kenneth Branagh Films of All-Time

Not many actors possess charisma of Kenneth Branagh. Since the 1980’s, Branagh has becoming an icon. Whether it’s detectives solving murders, Shakespearean figures or magical teachers, Branagh has portrayed several characters. Given the sheer number of movies which he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated. v

1. Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie is a legendary author whose literature my mother always loved dearly. I remember a mother that was a huge fan of the world-famous author. She would always praise the unique writing style of an author writing bold stories about deaths on the Nile river that always left her with a lasting smile. Through her lifelong love of Agatha Christie’s literature, my mother inspired me to achieve dreams of becoming a writer. In 2017, Kenneth Branagh honoured the legendary author with success in his movie “Murder on the Orient Express”. Branagh’s best movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Agatha Christie’s most beloved book. In the greatest role of his career, Branagh embodies a brave detective seeking to solve murders on a train facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Branagh has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through monologues, and “Murder on the Orient Express” showcased his strengths as an actor. As Hercule Poirot, Branagh did an amazing job of portraying a legendary literary character. Working alongside Johnny Depp who is also amazing, Branagh honoured an iconic author whose legacy is lasting. For instance, the iconic scene in which Poirot gathers the suspects of murder together to discover the shocking identity of the killer causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Murder on the Orient Express” Kenneth Branagh’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most Agatha Christie movies targeted to an old audience, it tackles strong themes that everyone will easily relate to. It delivers a bold message about social class disparity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after the creation of great stories about murders occurring on doomed trains facing disaster, it’s a marvellous reminder of a strong actor that has made great movies which audiences treasure.

2. My Week With Marilyn

Marilyn Monroe is a magnificent movie-star that inspired my father several years ago. I remember my father was always enamoured by the famous actress that he grew up to treasure. He would often speak fondly about a legendary movie-star that shaped his identity. In 2011, Kenneth Branagh honoured the legendary actress in his movie “My Week With Marilyn”. In the most authoritative role of his career, Branagh embodies a famous movie-star that sought to take care of Marilyn Monroe at a time of despair. Branagh has spent most of his career playing fictional characters in Shakespeare adaptations. With “My Week With Marilyn”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a real-life movie-star. As Laurence Olivier, Branagh honoured the legacy of a legendary actor in Hollywood history. Working alongside Michelle Williams who is also amazing, Branagh honoured an actress that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Laurence Olivier gives valuable advice seeking to prepare Marilyn Monroe for the filming of a famous movie is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “My Week With Marilyn” a great biopic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the cost of fame that would resonate with everyone. A marvellous tribute towards Marilyn Monroe, it’s a magnificent reminder of an actor that has made great movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

3. Henry V

Shakespeare is a legendary author whose literature always impressed by teacher. I remember an English teacher that was a fan of Shakespeare’s literature. My teacher loved discussing every play written by Shakespeare in class every day. He believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a poet holding a precious place in his heart. In 1989, Kenneth Branagh honoured the legendary poet in his movie “Henry V”. In the most majestic role of his career, Branagh embodied a king seeking to claim the throne of France causing despair. Branagh has always had an aptitude for playing Shakespearean characters, and “Henry V” showcased his strengths as an actor. As King Henry, Branagh did an extraordinary job of portraying a Shakespeare hero that’s legendary. For instance, the scene in which King Henry delivers a rousing speech seeking to prepare his troops for warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Henry V” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most Shakespeare adaptations targeted towards a specific audience, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. A spectacular adaptation of a beloved Shakespeare play, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his ability to portray compelling characters in timeless movies that deserve to be celebrated today.

4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter is a magical book series that shaped my identity. The story about misunderstood boys who lived has always been a pivotal part of my childhood. I fell in love with a book series about wizards casting a spell with timeless stories to tell. J.K. Rowling created a spellbinding series that forever changed my life by giving me a lasting love for reading. In 2002, Kenneth Branagh honoured the magical series in his movie “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”. In the most magical role of his career, Branagh embodied a school teacher facing despair. Branagh has spent most of his career playing serious Shakespearean heroes. With “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, however, the actor showcased a comedic timing audiences hadn’t seen before. As Gilderoy Lockhart, Branagh honoured a legendary character. For instance, the scene in which Harry becomes aware that Lockhart is a fraud causing despair is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” a great Harry Potter film is its message. The film delivers a universal message about fame which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular adaptation of a commemorated book about wizards with stories to tell casting a spell, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made movies which excel.

5. Dunkirk

The Battle of Dunkirk is a tragic war in history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed bonds with a grandpa recounting a war causing damage. I remember my grandfather would tell me stories about a disaster changing his life forever. As someone treasuring a grandfather that told stories about the Battle of Dunkirk, I adored “Dunkirk”. Released in 2017, Kenneth Branagh’s movie did an extraordinary job of recreating a war in history. In the most authoritative role of his career, Branagh embodied a commander seeking to prepare soldiers for warfare. Branagh has an aptitude for playing strong characters in positions of power, and “Dunkirk” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Bolton expresses relief when soldiers appear home from warfare is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Dunkirk” a commemorated war movie is balance. Unlike most war movies, it finds balance between storytelling and spectacle. 90 years after the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre making manufactured commemorated films by hard work.

6. Othello

Few plays written by Shakespeare years ago are as beloved as Othello. Since its publication in 1622, Shakespeare’s play has become a literary classic today. In 1995, Kenneth Branagh honoured the legendary play about lovers facing sorrow in his movie “Othello”. In the most villainous role of his career, Branagh embodied the antagonistic henchman that deceives Othello causing despair. Branagh has spent most of his career playing honourable heroes. With “Othello”, however, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone playing a villain that’s well-known. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is also amazing, Branagh honoured a legendary play. A spectacular tribute towards Shakespeare, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actor that has built an impressive career manufacturing movies about which audiences care.

7. Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is a legendary physicist that changed the world forever. During WWII, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb that proved tragic. An awe-inspiring physicist, Oppenheimer built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2023, Kenneth Branagh honoured the bomb inventor in his movie “Oppenheimer”. In the. most intellectual role of his career, Branagh portrays a professor that taught an iconic bomb inventor facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Cillian Murphy who is also amazing, Branagh celebrated a legendary physicist in history. Nearly 90 years after Oppenheimer designed a bomb that was frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor whose unforgettable movies are worth celebrating.

8. Much Ado About Nothing

Kenneth Branagh has always excelled at adapting Shakespeare’s plays from a past era. Branagh has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing Shakespearean heroes with courage. Branagh’s strengths for playing Shakespearean heroes that are inspiring is clearly evident in his movie “Much Ado About Nothing”. Released in 1993, Branagh’s movie celebrated Shakespeare’s play. In the most romantic role of his career, Branagh embodied a nobleman having an affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for delivering Shakespearean monologues. Working alongside Emma Thompson who is also amazing, Branagh honoured a legendary play. A fantastic adaptation of a play about lovers that are romantic, it’s a terrific reminder of an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.

9. A Haunting in Venice

When it comes to the greatest mystery books ever written in history, it’s worth discussing “Hallowee’en Party”. Since its publication in 1969, Agatha Christie’s book has become a literary classic. In 2023, Kenneth Branagh did an admirable job adapting the book in his movie “A Haunting in Venice”. In the most spooky role of his career, Branagh embodies a detective investigating a haunted mansion causing fear. Branagh brought out an emotional side to Hercule Poirot in the third film that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Michelle Yeoh who is also extraordinary, Branagh honoured a commemorated mystery book published years ago. As haunting as murders Poirot endeavours to investigate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has always manufactured memorable movies which audiences appreciate.

10. Tenet

Kenneth Branagh hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Tenet” falls into the latter category. Released in 2019, Christopher Nolan’s espionage blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Branagh embodies an arms dealer planning a nuclear disaster that causes despair. Branagh brought an air of menace to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a flawed movie. Although “Tenet” is a flawed movie, it honoured Branagh’s long-lasting legacy. As strong as the Protagonist’s desire to be an agent, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong commitment whose poignant movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of entertainment.