My Favourite Hugh Grant Films of All-Time

Few actors have made movies audiences value as much as Hugh Grant. Since the 1990’s, Grant has become an icon. Whether it’s bookstore owners, star-crossed lovers or gangsters, Grant has portrayed several characters. Given the number of movies he has made throughout his career, 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. Notting Hill

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school would admire. As famous as a Hollywood actress, she was dressed to impress. When my family moved to Canada, I was faced with the dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the uphill battles of falling in love with someone famous as powerfully as “Notting Hill”. Ever since its release in 1999, Hugh Grant’s movie has stood the test of time as a captivating romantic classic. In the greatest role of his career, Grant embodies a bookstore owner that engages in a romantic affair with a famous actress that becomes a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Grant is one of those actors that has always had a witty sense of humour, and “Notting Hill” showcased his comedic talents as an actor. Working alongside Julia Roberts who is also excellent, Grant creates a romantic relationship that is utterly compelling. For instance, the scene in which William first meets Anna in his bookstore falling in love at first sight is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Notting Hill” Hugh Grant’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the cost of fame which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most romantic comedies manufactured during the 1990’s which are often outdated today, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 30 years following release of a groundbreaking film about bookstore owners falling madly in love with actresses in Notting Hill, it’s a beautiful reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost capabilities to thrill through playing swoon-worthy heroes in celebrated movies which give audiences dreams to fulfill.

2. Sense & Sensibility

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature my mother loves dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that was a big fan of the English author. She took pride rather than prejudice reading books written by an author that left her satisfied. My mother grew up to value books written from a feminist point-of-view. As someone treasuring memories of a mother drawn to the sense and sensibility of Jane Austen, I adored “Sense & Sensibility”. Released in 1995, Hugh Grant’s movie celebrated a classic Jane Austen book. In the most literary role of his career, Grant embodies an awkward suitor in a romantic affair. Grant has always excelled at delivering monologues in his movies, and “Sense & Sensibility” showcased his strengths as a performer. For instance, the scene in which Edward summons the courage to propose to Elinor showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Sense & Sensibility” one of Hugh Grant’s best films is its message. The film delivers a profound message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries after publications of books published by an author about women with sense and sensibility facing danger, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actor whose movies audiences treasure.

3. The Remains of the Day

Housekeepers are powerful figures impacting families. At an early age, I bonded with a housekeeper that had courage. I remember a butler that shaped my family’s future. Dedicated to every chore, he was a person my family came to adore. As someone reminiscing a housekeeper that changed my family in a huge way, I adored “The Remains of the Day”. Released in 1993, Hugh Grant’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book. In the most aristocratic role of his career, Grant embodies a suitor that faces social class causing despair. With “The Remains of the Day”, Grant took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a strong character with power. For instance, the scene in which Cardinal questions Stevens showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The Remains of the Day” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. A brilliant adaptation of a book about butlers recalling the remains of the day, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that thrives given chances to play powerful characters in movies that deserve to be celebrated today.

4. Maurice

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Years ago, I witnessed the hardships faced by a gay cousin seeking acceptance in Toronto. Fond of women’s attire, he was a person my family would admire. Unaware that he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to deeply care. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured barriers causing relationships between queer lovers to cease as powerfully as “Maurice”. Released in 1987, Hugh Grant’s movie captured queer lovers engaging in a romantic affair that’s destined to face despair. With “Maurice”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a queer character. For instance, the scene in which Clive and Maurice engage in a forbidden affair showcasing feelings for each other for the first time is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Maurice” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about love which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships faced by lovers that are queer, it’s a strong reminder about an actor that has built a career making films about which audiences care.

5. Four Weddings and a Funeral

Weddings are a process that has shaped my identity. Growing up in Pakistan, my family has always followed a weddings tradition. A cause for celebration, weddings shaped my nation. I recall the wedding of a cousin that I found inspiring. As someone treasuring fond memories of weddings that are special, I adored “Four Weddings and a Funeral”. Released in 1994, Hugh Grant’s movie painted a powerful portrait of wedding ceremonies. In the most comical role of his career, Grant embodies a socially awkward man attending a wedding. Grant has always had a gift for humour, and “Four Weddings and a Funeral” showcased his strengths. For instance, the scene in which Charlie and Andie meet for the first time is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Four Weddings and a Funeral” one of Hugh Grant’s best movies is its message. The film delivers a strong message about weddings that would resonate with everyone. A wonderful portrait of a wedding, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor worth celebrating.

6. Wonka

Baking is a passion that my mother has always loved pursuing. I remember a mother that sought to become a famous baker. Nobody could bake a cake like my mother did without making a mistake. As someone treasuring a mother that sought to become a baker with nostalgia, I adored “Wonka”. Released in 2023, Hugh Grant’s movie celebrated a legendary literary character. In the most magical role of his career, Grant embodies a whimsical creature that loves selling chocolate about which he grows to care. As an Oompa Loompa, Grant embodied an iconic character in literature. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his sharp sense of humour. As precious as chocolate created by Willy Wonka, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor with charisma whose timeless movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

7. About a Boy

When it comes to the most beloved books ever written about a boy, it’s worth discussing “About a Boy”. Since it was published in 1998, Nick Horby’s book has become a piece of literature readers appreciate. In 2002, Hugh Grant did an exceptional job of adapting the classic book about a boy to the big-screen in his film “About a Boy”. In the most caring role of his career, Grant embodies a single father that seeks to take care of a boy facing despair. It’s a role that gave Grant a chance to showcase an emotional side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Nicholas Hoult who is also excellent, Grant creates a father-son bond that’s compelling. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about a boy, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to make engaging movies giving audiences feelings of joy.

8. Florence Foster Jenkins

Few female singers in British history are as beloved as Florence Foster Jenkins. In 1940’s New York City, Jenkins was a socialite that sought to become a famous opera singer. Despite being ridiculed by the public for her poor voice, Jenkins never stopped pursuing dreams of becoming a singer. In 2016, Hugh Grant did an exceptional job honouring the singer in the lens in his movie “Florence Foster Jenkins”. In the most glamorous role of his career, Grant embodies a businessman supporting a socialite’s dreams of becoming a successful singer people want to hear. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare opportunity to showcase his aptitude for singing melodies. As melodious as songs that Florence Foster Jenkins seeks to orchestrate, it’s a fantastic reminder about an actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate making movies audiences appreciate.

9. Love Actually

Hugh Grant has always been one of those actors with strong sense of humour. Since he achieved stardom in the 1990’s, Grant has proven he has an aptitude for comedy. He has always had a style of humour that audiences have grown to cherish. Grant’s aptitude for making audiences laugh through witty British comedy is evident in his movie “Love Actually”. In the most hilarious role of his career, Grant embodies a Prime Minister engaging in crimes that’s rebellious. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for playing characters with a sense of humour. For instance, the scene in which the Prime Minister begins dancing showcased the actor’s strengths for comedy. A strong portrait of romance facing endings that are tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder about an actor that has constructed a legacy which is iconic.

10. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Hugh Grant hasn’t always made great movies that audiences value. While most movies that the actor has made have been successful, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” stands out as an exception. Released in 2015, Grant’s blockbuster was a disaster that failed to celebrate a famous series. In the most pointless role of his career, Grant embodies an agent seeking to accomplish missions evoking fear. Nevertheless, Grant’s campy performance was one of the rare highlights of what is otherwise a disastrous movie. Grant brought a charming presence to an agent in the vein of James Bond. As powerful as Napoleon’s desire to become a successful spy, it’s a sensational reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to satisfy whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for filmmaking that will never die.