My Favourite Lily James Movies of All-Time

Not many actresses have built a legacy as powerful as Lily James. Since the 2000’s, James has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s historical figures, legendary princesses or drivers, James has portrayed many compelling characters. Given the sheer number of movies that she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that definitely deserves to be celebrated.

1. Baby Driver

Driving is an activity my cousin always found appealing. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a cousin appreciating race cars facing damage. I remember a cousin that was fascinated with cars experiencing races doomed to face disaster. He would always face excitement whenever he got to see cars participating a thrilling race. Few films I’ve seen have captured excitement felt by drivers putting their cars in danger as powerfully as “Baby Driver”. Released in 2017, Lily James’ best movie captured the life of a deaf driver conducting criminal activities. In the greatest role of her career, James portrays a waitress that has a romantic affair with a driver causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: charming, funny and emotional in her most memorable role. James has spent most of her career playing romantic heroines in old-fashioned period pieces. With “Baby Driver”, however, actress took a step out of her comfort zone by making her first ever crime thriller. Working alongside Kevin Spacey who is also amazing, James created a hero that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Debora first meets Baby at her diner sparking the start of their romantic affair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Baby Driver” Lily James’ best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about drivers, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about disability which would resonate with everyone. Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about deaf drivers that experience hardships engaging in a frightening race, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has made memorable films which audiences embrace.

2. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that inspired my grandfather. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. Fascinated with WWII, he grew up to value a historic figure making his dreams come true. In 2017, Lily James honoured the prime minister that served Britain during its darkest hour in her movie “Darkest Hour”. In the most historical role of her career, James portrayed a secretary that assisted the prime minister during warfare. James has an aptitude for playing women in period dramas, and “Darkest Hour” showcased her strengths as an actress. Working alongside Gary Oldman who is also outstanding, James honoured a prime minister that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Churchill gets angry with Elizabeth when she doesn’t write his speech properly causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a historical masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most historical biopics, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress making unforgettable films which audiences treasure.

3. The Dig

Archaeology is a fascinating field that my mother always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that loved to dig up ancient treasure. She was fascinated by the process by which ancient artifacts were excavated. Drawn towards archaeology, she loved digging up ancient artifacts in history. As someone treasuring a mother that loved to dig up artifacts, I adored “The Dig”. Released in 2021, Lily James’ movie depicted a real-life archaeological dig in history. In the most committed role of her career, James portrayed an archaeologist seeking to dig up artifacts that are rare. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing an archaeologist that’s well-known. Working alongside Ralph Fiennes who is also amazing, James created a portrait of an archaeologist that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Peggy investigates the artifact that’s rare is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Dig” a great period piece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the value of archaeological artifacts which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with archaeology history to appreciate it. As precious as the treasure of Sutton Hoo, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actress that has manufactured memorable movies which audiences value.

4. The Iron Claw

As far as I can remember, I’ve always shared strong bonds with my brother. I remember forming bonds with a brother appreciating soccer. Born with physique of a warrior, he enjoyed playing soccer every week. An awe-inspiring athlete, he was praised for having strong feet. As someone treasuring memories of a brother that inspired awe, I appreciated “The Iron Claw”. Released in 2023, Lily James’ movie celebrated the true story of the Von Enrich wrestling brothers. In the most supportive role of her career, James portrays a woman that has a romantic affair with a renowned wrestler facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase strong emotional range she hadn’t shown in her career before. For instance, the scene in which Pam is abandoned by Kevin causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “The Iron Claw” a classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about brotherhood which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the wrestling world to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute to brothers in wrestling, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has always manufactured movies which are worth celebrating.

5. Yesterday

The Beatles are a legendary rock band that I have always loved dearly. I grew up listening to the timeless melodies composed by a band that shaped my identity. A huge fan of John Lennon, I adored a band that had the abilities to imagine. As someone treasuring a band that composed melodies yesterday, I adored “Yesterday”. Released in 2019, Lily James’ movie offered a breathtaking tribute towards the Beatles. In the most musical role of her career, James portrays a woman whose boyfriend is plagiarizing the Beatles’ music causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to step out of her comfort zone by honouring a rock band that’s well-known. Working alongside Himesh Patel who is also amazing, James celebrated a rock band that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Ellie becomes aware that Jack has plagiarized the Beatles’ music at a live concert causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Yesterday” a classic is its appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the Beatles to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute towards a commemorated band that composed unforgettable music, it’s a riveting reminder of an iconic actress that has manufactured fantastic films that have captivated the public.

6. Cinderella

When it comes to the greatest movies ever made in the animated genre, it’s worth discussing Cinderella. Since its release in 1950, Walt Disney’s iconic movie has become a beloved classic. In 2015, Lily James reimagined the classic animated film for a modern era in her movie “Cinderella”. In the most magical role of her career, James portrayed the iconic princess wearing slippers that are a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone by playing an animated character that’s well-known. Working alongside Cate Blanchett who is also amazing, James honoured an iconic animated character. A captivating tribute towards a commemorated princess, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that hasn’t lost her abilities impress audiences manufacturing memorable movies achieving success.

7. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Few books ever written about secret societies are as beloved as The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Since its publication in 2008, Mary Ann Shaffer’s book has become a beloved literary classic. In 2018, Lily James honoured the iconic book about a society in her movie “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”. In the most literary role of her career, James portrayed a writer exchanging letters during a time of warfare. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in period dramas. Working alongside Glen Powell who is also amazing, James honoured a classic book that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a book about writers facing despair, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has built a great career making memorable movies about which audiences care.

8. Little Woods

Lily James has always excelled at playing emotional women facing tragedy. James has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing heroines facing damage. James’ strength for playing troubled women in traumatic neighbourhoods is evident in her movie “Little Woods”. Released in 2018, Nia DaCosta’s movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most emotional role of her career, James portrayed a woman facing a healthcare system causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her strength for playing emotional women. Working alongside Tessa Thompson who is also amazing, James created a character that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of hardships that traumatized women experience, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress with presence whose movies attract a huge audience.

9. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Broadway musical on the big-screen today. What works in stage musicals doesn’t always work in films. In order to make a successful adaptation, filmmakers must pay attention to the storytelling, music and characters of the show. However, in 2018 Lily James pulled it off when she made “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”. In the most musical role of her career, James portrayed a young woman facing a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase flair for singing melodies that she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Meryl Streep who is also amazing, James honoured a classic musical that’s compelling. A breathtaking tribute towards a beloved Broadway play, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actress that has made movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

10. Rebecca

Lily James hasn’t always made great movies which audiences love dearly. While most movies that the actress has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Rebecca” falls into the latter category. Released in 2020, Ben Wheatley’s remake of Hitchcock’s classic was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, James portrays a woman that has a doomed romantic affair with a wealthy man facing despair. James brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Rebecca” is a disastrous movie, it honoured James’ legacy. As powerful as the ghost of Rebecca, it’s a remarkable reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma that has produced unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of Cinema.