My Favourite Bill Nighy Movies of All-Time

Not many actors have made movies that satisfy audiences like Bill Nighy. Since the 1990’s, Nighy has become a beloved British icon. Whether it’s compassionate fathers, rock singers or aging seniors, Nighy has portrayed many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that 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.

1. About Time

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s future. As far as I can remember, I’ve always admired my father. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father that was fascinated with time travel causing damage. He would often yearn to go back in time to mend broken bonds with family. An inspiring role model, my father motivated me to achieve goals I am passionate about. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the positive impact that fathers have on children over time as powerfully as “About Time”. Released in 2013, Bill Nighy’s best movie captured the impact of time travel on family relationships. In the greatest role of his career, Nighy portrays a compassionate father that teaches his son how to use time travel causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: charming, funny and emotional in his most memorable role. Nighy achieved acknowledgment playing larger-than-life heroes with comical personalities. With “About Time”, however, he showcased strong emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Rachel McAdams who is also amazing, Nighy created a portrait of fatherhood that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Tim bids emotional farewell to his father whom he becomes aware is dying from Cancer causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “About Time” Bill Nighy’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about time travel targeted, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about the fleeting nature of time that passes quickly which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of time travel that causes doomed romantic relationships to deteriorate, it’s a great reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate making timeless films which audiences celebrate.

2. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Travelling can be a hard activity for seniors that are aging. Years ago, my grandparents were always enthusiastic about going on big trips to Toronto. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of my grandparents that always enjoyed visiting Canada. However, age has become a barrier. As my grandparents began aging, travelling became challenging. As someone treasuring grandparents that once loved to tell stories about travelling, I loved “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”. Released in 2011, Bill Nighy’s movie captured seniors. In the most mature role of his career, Nighy portrays an aging senior facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working with Maggie Smith who is also amazing, Nighy created a portrait of seniors that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Douglas and Evelyn first visit the hotel in India is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” a classic is its message. The film delivers a great message about aging that will resonate with everyone. As beautiful as the Marigold hotel in India, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma that has made movies worth seeing in the Cinema.

3. Emma

Jane Austen is a legendary author that inspired my mother. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author. She was drawn to the sense and sensibility of an author from a past century. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. In 2020, Bill Nighy honoured the legendary author that wrote stories in a past era in his movie “Emma”. In the most comical role of his career, Nighy portrayed the eccentric father of a matchmaking woman facing a burden to bear. Nighy has always been one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour, and “Emma” showcased his comedic talents. Working alongside Anya Taylor-Joy who is also amazing, Nighy honoured a legendary author in literature. For instance, the scene in which Mr. Woodhouse makes comical remarks about the church pastor at which people stare is one of the funniest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Emma” a classic is its strong appeal. Unlike most Austen adaptations, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. Centuries after a legendary author penned legendary literature about sense and sensibility of women in danger, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that audiences treasure.

4. Love Actually

Rock bands are great musicians whose melodies have inspired me. I recall with nostalgia my love for rock music created in a past era. Rock music became a way for me to cope with situations which were tragic. I grew up to adore famous bands composing melodies that are precious. As someone that has always loved rock music shaping my identity, I adored “Love Actually”. Released in 2003, Bill Nighy’s movie depicted a rock musician seeking success. In the most playful role of his career, Nighy portrays a legendary British rock musician seeking to prepare for a concert causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a playful side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Nighy showcased flair for singing that audiences hadn’t seen before in his career. For instance, the scene in which Billy seeks to prepare a rock song to air live on Christmas is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Love Actually” a Christmas classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about love which would resonate with everyone. A captivating depiction of couples celebrating the Christmas season, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor producing movies that definitely deserve appreciation.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

“Pirates of the Caribbean” is a fantastic fantasy franchise that always earned my brother’s appreciation. Several years ago, my brother adored Jack Sparrow. He admired pirates travelling Caribbean seas that shaped his identity. In 2006, Bill Nighy honoured the franchise about pirates that rarely rest in his movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”. In the most villainous role of his career, Nighy embodied a sea pirate seeking gold that becomes a burden to bear. Nighy has spent most of his career playing honourable heroes with sympathetic personalities. With “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Through stunning motion-capture, Nighy created a pirate that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Davy Jones awakens the Kraken causing pirates to face fear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” a great movie is appeal. Unlike most movies in the franchise, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as Davy Jones’ chest, it’s a breathtaking reminder about one of the world’s best actors that has made movies leaving audiences impressed.

6. Shaun of the Dead

Over the past decade, the zombie movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their cartoonish characters, over-the-top action and lacklustre effects, zombie movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has become dead, it’s worth praising “Shaun of the Dead”. Released in 2004, Bill Nighy’s movie revived the dying zombie genre through comedy. In the most frightening role of his career, Nighy portrays a businessman that faces a zombie invasion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a creepy zombie. Working alongside Simon Pegg who is also amazing, Nighy created a zombie movie that’s compelling. As strong as Shaun’s desire to prevent a zombie invasion, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies that deserve celebration.

7. Notes on a Scandal

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about scandals that are painful, it’s worth discussing Notes on a Scandal. Since its publication in 2003, Zoe Heller’s book has become timeless literature. In 2006, Bill Nighy honoured the powerful book about scandals in his movie “Notes on a Scandal”. In the most scandalous role of his career, Nighy portrays a man whose wife has an extramarital affair causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Cate Blanchett who is also amazing, Nighy honoured a legendary book about scandals that are frightening. A spectacular adaptation of a beloved book about teachers facing a scandal, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that has manufactured memorable movies audiences consider special.

8. Living

Terminal illness is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided illnesses which are misunderstood. A sensitive subject matter, Cancer rarely attracts audiences to the theatre. In an industry ignoring a subject that’s depressing, it’s worth discussing “Living”. Released in 2022, Bill Nighy’s movie offered an engaging portrait of terminal illness. In the most tragic role of his career, Nighy embodies a man diagnosed with illness causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Aimee Lou Wood who is also amazing, Nighy created a portrait of illness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of seniors facing illness that’s terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor whose movies are worth celebrating.

9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry Potter is a fantastic fantasy series that I’ve always loved dearly. I grew up with J.K. Rowling’s beloved book series that shaped my lifelong love of reading. In 2010, Bill Nighy honoured the series about spellbinding heroes in his movie “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1”. In the most magical role of his career, Nighy portrays a politician seeking to control a wizarding world facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by playing a legendary literary character. Working alongside Emma Watson who is also amazing, Nighy honoured J.K. Rowling’s magical literature. A fantastic tribute towards a famous fantasy book series casting a magical spell, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has produced unforgettable movies offering timeless stories to tell.

10. Jack the Giant Slayer

Bill Nighy hasn’t always made memorable movies that satisfy. While most movies that the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Jack the Giant Slayer” falls into the latter category. Released in 2013, Bryan Singer’s blockbuster was a gigantic disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Nighy portrays a giant facing despair. Nighy used stunning motion-capture technology to create a strong character, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Jack the Giant Slayer” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Nighy’s enduring legacy. As powerful as giants Jack seeks to slay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to portray compelling characters in fantastic movies I will forever treasure for paving the way for my lifelong love of filmmaking today.