David Bowie: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 117
- on screen
- 1969–2026
- box office
- $50.6M
- average score
- 76
- Born
- January 8, 1947
- Birthplace
- London, England
- Full name
- David Robert Jones
- Citizenship
- British
- Occupations
- Singer, songwriter, musician, actor
- Years active
- 1962-2016
- Spouses
- Angie Barnett, Iman
- Children
- 2
The Best David Bowie Movies
The films of David Bowie that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Labyrinth (1986) leads with $14.7M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
-
Worldwide box office: $14.7M Labyrinth 1986 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $7.56M Into the Night 1985 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $5.99M The Hunger 1983 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $2.38M Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence 1983 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $930K Absolute Beginners 1986 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $257K Mayor of the Sunset Strip 2004 · Biography
David Bowie's Career in Numbers
David Bowie's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres David Bowie works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from The Virgin Soldiers (1969) to Twiggy (2024), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.
David Bowie Movies by Decade
- 1960s 2
- 1970s 3
- 1980s 10
- 1990s 4
- 2000s 5
- 2010s 5
- 2020s 3
The 1980s were David Bowie's busiest decade, with 10 films.
David Bowie Movies by Genre
- Documentary 6
- Drama 5
- Music 4
- Biography 3
- Comedy 3
- Crime 2
- Family 2
- Mystery 1
- Action 1
- Adventure 1
Documentary is the genre David Bowie has worked in most, with 6 films, ahead of drama (5).
David Bowie Career Milestones
- First film
- The Virgin Soldiers 1969
- Biggest box office hit
- Labyrinth $14.7M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Zappa Movie Echo Score 85
- Newest film
- Twiggy 2024
David Bowie Filmography: Every Movie
Every film David Bowie is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 76. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
David Bowie Movies as an Actor
32- 2024
Twiggy as (archival footage) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $406K - 2023
Dear Bowie as David Bowie · Documentary - 2020
Zappa Biography Worldwide box office: $220K Movie Echo Score: 85 - 2018
Freddie Mercury: The King of Queen as Singer · Documentary - 2017
Beside Bowie: The Mick Ronson Story Documentary Worldwide box office: $11.4K - 2017
Twin Peaks: The Return as Phillip Jeffries · Crime - 2015
Blackstar Music - 2014
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces as Phillip Jeffries · Mystery - 2007
SpongeBob’s Atlantis SquarePantis as Lord Royal Highness · Comedy - 2007
Glastonbury Music Worldwide box office: $202K - 2004
Mayor of the Sunset Strip Biography Worldwide box office: $257K - 2002
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Biography - 2000
Mr. Rice’s Secret as Mr. William Rice · Family - 1998
Gunslinger’s Revenge as Jack Sikora · Comedy - 1998
Everybody Loves Sunshine as Bernie · Action - 1994
The World of Jim Henson as Jareth (archive footage) · Documentary - 1991
The Linguini Incident as Monte · Crime - 1986
Labyrinth Adventure Worldwide box office: $14.7M - 1986
Absolute Beginners Drama Worldwide box office: $930K - 1985
David Bowie at Live Aid Music - 1985
Tokyo Melody: A Film About Ryuichi Sakamoto as Celliers (archive footage) · Documentary - 1985
Into the Night as Colin Morris · Comedy Worldwide box office: $7.56M - 1984
David Bowie: Jazzin’ for Blue Jean as Vic / Screaming Lord Byron · Music - 1983
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence Drama Worldwide box office: $2.38M - 1983
The Hunger Drama Worldwide box office: $5.99M - 1982
The Snowman as Older James (re-released version) (uncredited) · Family - 1982
Baal as Baal · Drama - 1978
Just a Gigolo as Paul Ambrosius von Przygodski · Drama - 1976
The Man Who Fell to Earth Sci-Fi Worldwide box office: $167K - 1970
The Looking Glass Murders as Cloud - 1969
The Virgin Soldiers as Soldier · War - 1969
The Image as The Boy · Horror
David Bowie in Documentaries & Specials
85- 2026
Twiggy as Self - Singer · Documentary - 2025
Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex as Self · Documentary - 2024
My Way as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2023
WHAM! as Self (archive footage) · Music Movie Echo Score: 81 - 2023
Can Creativity Save the World? as Self · Documentary - 2023
Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $85.8K - 2022
Moonage Daydream as Self · Music Worldwide box office: $13.1M Movie Echo Score: 84 - 2022
The Lost Weekend: A Love Story as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $103K Movie Echo Score: 85 - 2022
Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex as Self (archive footage) · Music Worldwide box office: $53.2K Movie Echo Score: 74 - 2021
Freddie Mercury: The Final Act as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2021
Moby Doc as Self · Biography Movie Echo Score: 51 - 2021
David Bowie: Out of this World as Self · Documentary - 2020
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2020
The BRITs at 40 as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2019
The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 67 - 2019
WBCN and the American Revolution as Self · Documentary - 2019
David Bowie: Finding Fame as Self (archive footage) · Music Movie Echo Score: 77 - 2019
Moonage Ice Cream as Self (Archival/Voice) · Comedy - 2018
David Bowie: Glastonbury 2000 as Self · Documentary - 2018
Why Are We Creative? as Self · Documentary - 2017
Glam Rock at the BBC as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2017
David Bowie: The Last Five Years as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2016
Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels as Self · Documentary - 2016
Bowie: The Man Who Changed the World as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2016
David Bowie: The Man Who Stole the World as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2016
Burden as Self (archive footage) · Documentary Worldwide box office: $20.4K - 2016
David Bowie: Sound and Vision as Self · Documentary - 2016
David Bowie: Starman as Self · Documentary - 2015
B-Movie: Lust & Sound in West-Berlin 1979-1989 as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $22.7K - 2014
Bing Crosby: Rediscovered as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2013
David Bowie Is Happening Now as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2013
David Bowie: Five Years as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2012
Clockwork Orange County as Self · Documentary - 2012
David Bowie & The Story of Ziggy Stardust as Self / Ziggy Stardust (archive footage) · Documentary - 2011
Acoustic at the BBC as Self · Music - 2010
Bowie, Iggy & Lou 1971-1973: The Sacred Triangle as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2010
David Bowie: Rare and Unseen as Self · Documentary - 2009
Krautrock: The Rebirth of Germany as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2009
David Bowie: VH1 Storytellers as Self · Music - 2008
Kings of Glam as Self (archive footage) · Music - 2007
David Gilmour: Remember That Night - Live at the Royal Albert Hall as Self - Guest Artist · Music - 2007
Seven Ages of Rock as Self · Documentary - 2006
David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust as Self - Singer, Songwriter · Music - 2006
David Bowie: Under Review 1976-79 as Self · Documentary - 2005
TV Party as Self · Documentary - 2005
Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today as Self · Music - 2005
Live Aid Against All Odds as Self · Music - 2004
Bowie: A Reality Tour as Self · Documentary - 2004
Superstar in a Housedress: The Life and Legend of Jackie Curtis as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2003
David Bowie - Sound and Vision as Self · Documentary - 2003
Late Night with Conan O’Brien: 10th Anniversary Special as Self · Documentary - 2003
The Rutles 2: Can’t Buy Me Lunch as Self - Interviewee · Comedy - 2002
Hr. Vinterberg & Mr. Bowie as Self · Documentary - 2002
David Bowie: Live at Montreux as Self · Music - 2002
David Bowie: Live by Request as Self · Music - 2002
Queen - The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert 10th Anniversary Documentary as Self · Documentary - 2001
Classic Albums: Lou Reed - Transformer as Self · Music - 2001
Pixies: Gouge as Self · Music - 2001
The Concert for New York City as Self · Music - 2000
Bowie at the BBC as Self - Vocals · Music - 1998
Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart as Self · Music - 1998
Goldie: When Saturn Returns as Self · Documentary - 1997
Nine Inch Nails: Closure as Self (uncredited) · Documentary - 1997
David Bowie & Friends: A Very Special Birthday Celebration as Self · Music - 1996
The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money as Self · Documentary - 1995
Nine Inch Nails & David Bowie: Dissonance as Self · Music - 1995
The History of Rock ’n’ Roll as Self · Music - 1993
David Bowie: Black Tie White Noise as Self · Music - 1992
The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert as Self · Music - 1990
David Bowie: Live At The Tokyo Dome as Self · Music - 1988
Imagine: John Lennon as Self · Music Worldwide box office: $3.75M - 1988
David Bowie: Glass Spider as Self · Documentary - 1986
Inside the Labyrinth as Self · Documentary - 1986
Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes All-Star 50th Anniversary as Self · Documentary - 1985
Live Aid as Self · Documentary - 1985
Tina Turner: Private Dancer Tour as Self · Music - 1984
Ricochet as Self · Documentary - 1984
David Bowie: Serious Moonlight as Self - Lead Vocals / Guitar · Music - 1983
The Oshima Gang as Self · Documentary - 1979
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars as Self / Ziggy Stardust · Music Worldwide box office: $576K - 1978
David Bowie On Stage: Live in Japan as Self · Music - 1978
David Bowie: Live at Beat Club Musikladen as Self - Keyboard, Vocals · Music - 1975
Night Lunch as Self · Documentary - 1975
David Bowie: Cracked Actor as Self · Documentary - 1974
Diamond Dogs Demo Video as Self / Harpie
Who Is David Bowie?
David Bowie was born in London, England in 1947. Credited on films since 1969, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
David Bowie, born as David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), was an iconic English singer acclaimed for his unique music and cutting-edge visual presentation. His sporadic and dramatic career marked with reinvention left a significant impact on the world of popular music. Extreme experimentation with various genres - ranging from electronic to pop, soul to hard rock, and more - was typical of his work.
Bowie was a precocious interest in music: he studied art, music and design before launching his professional career in 1963. His initial single releases with local bands weren't successful, but Bowie steadily achieved recognition, especially with his top-five UK Singles Chart hit "Space Oddity" in 1969.
He later reinvented himself in 1972 as the flamboyant Ziggy Stardust character during the glam rock period. His trailblazing persona was driven by his track "Starman" and its album "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," which earned him widespread popularity. He ventured into acting, and his most notable silver screen venture was his role in The Man Who Fell to Earth in 1976. Despite some controversies during his career, Bowie's impact on music, fashion and culture remains indisputable.
Who David Bowie Makes Movies With
The actors and directors David Bowie shares the most films with. Elton John comes first, with 18 films together, followed by Paul McCartney (11).
David Bowie: Questions & Answers
How many movies David Bowie has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has David Bowie been in?
David Bowie is credited on 117 films, from 1969 to 2026. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is David Bowie's highest-grossing movie?
Labyrinth (1986) is David Bowie's biggest box office hit, with $14.7M worldwide, ahead of Moonage Daydream (2022) ($13.1M). Across every film with box office figures, David Bowie's movies have made $50.6M.
David Bowie's biggest hits What is the best David Bowie movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, David Bowie's best-rated film is The Lost Weekend: A Love Story (2022) with a score of 85, followed by Zappa (2020) (85).
Best David Bowie movies, ranked What is David Bowie's newest movie?
The most recent film on David Bowie's filmography is Twiggy (2026), in the role of Self - Singer.
Who does David Bowie work with most often?
David Bowie shares the most films with Elton John (18 films), Paul McCartney (11 films) and Mike Garson (9 films).
The Best David Bowie Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 117 credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
