Not many actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Ralph Fiennes. Since the 1990’s, Fiennes has become an icon. Whether it’s despicable Nazi commanders, hotel owners or comic-book characters, Fiennes has portrayed many strong characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has always fascinated my teacher. Several years ago, I was taught about the dark genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. I recall a history teacher that was fascinated with the grim genocide disaster that had changed his life forever. During college, I attended the bold classes taught by an inspiring professor that had Holocaust knowledge. He often took great pride in teaching students about a bad genocide in which his people died. He believed movies were an art that could never capture a genocide that tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture a genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1994, Ralph Fiennes’ movie has stood the test of time as a haunting historical classic. In the greatest role of his career, Fiennes embodies an evil Nazi officer that commits atrocities causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in the most iconic role of his career. Fiennes is one of those actors that has always had a powerful screen presence, and it is clearly evident in “Schindler’s List”. For instance, the scene in which Amon Goeth shoots innocent Jews from the balcony of his home out of boredom is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” Ralph Fiennes’ greatest movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most films on the Holocaust, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide in which people died, it’s a bold reminder of an actor whose movies have always left audiences satisfied.
2. Skyfall
James Bond is a legendary spy that shaped my father’s identity. I vividly remember bonding with a father that adored the character. He would love talking about a goldeneye spy falling from the sky with no time to die. Through his love for James Bond, my father gave me an appreciation for movies about a spy that I’ve grown to value. As someone treasuring a father that loved a spy he would recall, I adored “Skyfall”. Released in 2012, Ralph Fiennes’ movie reimagined James Bond for a modern generation. In the most stylish role of his career, Fiennes embodies an agent that assists James Bond. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his aptitude for stealing scenes with limited screen time. For instance, the scene in which Mallory becomes involved in a courtroom shootout showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “Skyfall” the best James Bond movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bond movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. A breathtaking tribute towards a spy falling from the sky, it’s an inspiring reminder about an actor manufacturing memorable movies that commonly satisfy.
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter is a beloved book series that shaped my identity. J.K. Rowling’s series about a misunderstood boy who lived was a part of my childhood. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and adore all the movies that have brought the novels to the big-screen. However, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” remains my favourite film in the franchise. Released in 2011, Ralph Fiennes’ movie brought the famous fantasy franchise to a satisfying conclusion. In the most villainous role of his career, Fiennes embodied a dark wizard evoking fear. Fiennes is one of those actors that has always excelled at delivering inspirational monologues in movies, and “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Voldemort delivers a speech announcing the heartbreaking news of Harry Potter’s death showcased the actor’s strengths. Ultimately, what makes “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Harry Potter films, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic farewell towards a fantasy franchise about wizards with stories to tell, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose commemorated movies have always cast audiences in an unforgettable spell.
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Voldemort is a legendary literary character that scares me. As far as I remember, I have always been scared of the frightening villain that challenges Harry Potter. With his snake-like nostrils, sharp eyes and hissing voice, He Who Must Not be Named has often been a character that’s frightening. My lifelong fear of a villain that’s dire first began when I watched “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”. Released in 2005, Ralph Fiennes’ movie introduced Voldemort on the big-screen. In the most terrifying role of his career, Fiennes embodies a frightening wizard evoking fear. Despite his limited screen-time, Fiennes managed to leave a lasting impression. Fiennes did an excellent job of bringing the terrifying character from the book series to the big-screen. For instance, the graveyard scene in which Voldemort challenges Harry to a frightening duel is one of the best moments in the Harry Potter franchise. Ultimately, what makes “The Goblet of Fire” a great Harry Potter movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about the dangers of competition which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the Goblet of Fire, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to inspire whose timeless movies audiences undeniably admire.
5. The English Patient
Historical movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with an uncle that loved movies about historical events. Fascinated by WWII, he enjoyed watching hardships that soldiers went through. One of my uncle’s favourite historical films that gave him excitement was “The English Patient”. Released in 1996, Ralph Fiennes’ Oscar-winning movie offered a brilliant adaptation of a beloved book. In the most romantic role of his career, Fiennes embodies a soldier recounting his love affair with a woman during a time of warfare. Fiennes has always excelled at communicating strong emotions through his body language, and his strengths as an actor are evident in “The English Patient”. For instance, the scene in which Almasy first meets Katharine on his voyage setting the stage for their romance showcased the actor at his best. Ultimately, what makes “The English Patient” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. 30 years following the publication of a book about about English soldiers in a doomed affair, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a career making successful movies about which audiences deeply commonly care.
6. Conclave
Popes are figures that always fascinated my grandmother. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandma that admired popes facing a dilemma. As someone treasuring a grandmother that was fascinated with the way popes behave, I admired “Conclave”. Released in 2024, Ralph Fiennes’ Oscar-winning drama captured popes facing a crisis. In the most religious role of his career, Fiennes portrayed a conflicted pope that questions his faith in religion causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Stanley Tucci who is also amazing, Fiennes created a religious drama that’s engaging. A captivating portrait of conflicted popes experiencing a dilemma, it’s a compelling reminder of a genre making memorable movies attracting audiences to the modern-day Cinema.
7. The Dig
Archaeology is a field that my grandfather has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a grandfather that would love to dig up treasure. He was fascinated by the process in which artifacts were excavated. As someone treasuring a grandfather that loved to dig up artifacts, I adored “The Dig”. Released in 2021, Ralph Fiennes’ movie depicted a dig in history. In the most dedicated role of his career, Fiennes embodies an archaeologist seeking to dig up artifacts that are rare. Working alongside Carey Mulligan who is also excellent, Fiennes embodies an archaeologist with commitment. As precious as the treasure of Sutton Hoo, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to captivate audiences whose memorable movies that have stood the test of time audiences will always commonly value.
8. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Ralph Fiennes has always been one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour. Since his career began several years ago, Fiennes has always excelled at playing a comical hero. Fiennes’ aptitude for making audiences laugh through comical stories movies tell in clearly evident in his film “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. Released in 2014, Wes Anderson’s movie gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for comedy. In the most comical role of his career, Fiennes embodies a hotel manager that becomes involved in a mystery causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by showcasing his knack for playing characters that are quirky. As precious as the hotel Gustave seeks to manage, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor whose timeless movies always deliver a meaningful unforgettable message.
9. The Menu
A lifelong love for cooking has always run in my family. I remember being raised by a mother that sought to become a famous baker. Nobody in the whole world could bake cakes like my mother did without making any mistakes. A someone that grew up to value a mother that cooked delicious dishes on the menu, I adored “The Menu”. Released in 2022, Ralph Fiennes’ movie offered an engaging glimpse at chefs in the culinary industry. In the most delicious role of his career, Fiennes embodies a dedicated chef designing dishes that are precious. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing authoritative characters in positions of power. A captivating portrait of chefs with a long-lasting love for cooking, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about an actor whose memorable movies are worth absolutely celebrating.
10. Holmes & Watson
Ralph Fiennes hasn’t always made great movies that shine. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Holmes & Watson” falls into latter category. Released in 2018, Etan Cohen’s comedy was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Fiennes portrayed a detective investigating murders causing despair. Fiennes brought a sharp sense of humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Holmes & Watson” is a disastrous comedy, it honoured Fiennes’ legacy. As memorable as murders Holmes and Watson investigate, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that I appreciate.
The Film Buff 