Ian McKellen: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 102
- on screen
- 1969–2026
- box office
- $5.27B
- award wins
- 2
- average score
- 66
- Born
- May 25, 1939 (age 87)
- Birthplace
- Burnley, Lancashire, England
- Full name
- Ian Murray McKellen
- Citizenship
- United Kingdom
- Occupations
- Actor
- Years active
- 1958-present
- Spouses
- Brian Taylor (1964–1972), Sean Mathias (1978–1988)
The Best Ian McKellen Movies
The highest-rated films Ian McKellen is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The Christophers (2026) scores highest, at 80. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.
-
Movie Echo Score: Score 80 The Christophers 2026 · Julian Sklar -
Movie Echo Score: Score 80 On Broadway 2021 · History -
Movie Echo Score: Score 69 The Critic 2024 · Jimmy Erskine -
Movie Echo Score: Score 67 All Is True 2018 · Earl of Southampton -
Movie Echo Score: Score 66 Animal Crackers 2020 · Horatio P. Huntington -
Movie Echo Score: Score 59 The Good Liar 2019 · Roy Courtnay
Ian McKellen's Career in Numbers
Ian McKellen's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Ian McKellen works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Alfred the Great (1969) to The Christophers (2026), and the 2000s were the busiest decade.
Ian McKellen Movies by Decade
- 1960s 2
- 1970s 3
- 1980s 12
- 1990s 16
- 2000s 17
- 2010s 17
- 2020s 9
The 2000s were Ian McKellen's busiest decade, with 17 films.
Ian McKellen Movies by Genre
- Drama 31
- Documentary 9
- Adventure 5
- Action 5
- History 3
- Biography 3
- Romance 3
- Comedy 2
- Sci-Fi 2
- Fantasy 2
Drama is the genre Ian McKellen has worked in most, with 31 films, ahead of documentary (9).
Ian McKellen Career Milestones
- First film
- Alfred the Great 1969
- Biggest box office hit
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey $1.02B worldwide
- Best-rated film
- The Christophers Movie Echo Score 80
- Newest film
- The Christophers 2026
Ian McKellen Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Ian McKellen is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 66. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Ian McKellen Movies as an Actor
76- 2026
The Christophers as Julian Sklar · Comedy Movie Echo Score: 80 - 2024
The Critic as Jimmy Erskine · Crime Worldwide box office: $3.34M Movie Echo Score: 69 - 2024
Hamlet as Hamlet · Drama Worldwide box office: $223K - 2023
The One Note Man as Narrator (voice) · Comedy - 2022
Hamlet Within Documentary - 2021
On Broadway History Movie Echo Score: 80 - 2021
Infinitum: Subject Unknown as Dr. Charles Marland-White · Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 42 - 2020
Animal Crackers as Horatio P. Huntington · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 66 - 2020
Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU Drama - 2019
Cats Drama Worldwide box office: $75.6M Movie Echo Score: 22 - 2019
The Good Liar as Roy Courtnay · Drama Worldwide box office: $33.9M Movie Echo Score: 59 - 2018
All Is True as Earl of Southampton · Biography Worldwide box office: $3.02M Movie Echo Score: 67 - 2018
National Theatre Live: King Lear as King Lear · Drama Worldwide box office: $1.14M - 2017
Animal Crackers as Horatio P. Huntington (voice) · Family Worldwide box office: $13.3M - 2016
National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land as Spooner · Drama Worldwide box office: $908K - 2016
All the World’s a Screen: Shakespeare on Film as Prospero's Speech Reader (voice) · Documentary - 2015
Mr. Holmes Drama Worldwide box office: $29.4M - 2015
Mutant vs. Machine: The Making of X-Men: Days of Future Past Documentary - 2014
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Adventure Worldwide box office: $962M - 2014
X-Men: Days of Future Past Action Worldwide box office: $746M - 2013
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Adventure Worldwide box office: $959M - 2013
The Egg Trick as Magician · Drama - 2012
Doctor Who: The Snowmen as The Great Intelligence (voice) · Drama - 2012
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Adventure Worldwide box office: $1.02B - 2010
Lady Grey London Fantasy - 2010
A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation as Narrator (voice) · Animation - 2009
The Prisoner as 2 / Curtis · Drama - 2008
King Lear as King Lear · Drama - 2007
For the Love of God as The Jackdaw · Animation - 2006
Flushed Away Adventure Worldwide box office: $178M - 2006
X-Men: The Last Stand Action Worldwide box office: $460M - 2005
Neverwas as Gabriel Finch · Thriller Worldwide box office: $11.2K - 2005
Asylum Thriller Worldwide box office: $2.79M - 2005
Eighteen as Jason Anders (voice) · War - 2004
The Magic Roundabout as Zebedee (voice) · Fantasy - 2003
The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men - Making X2 Documentary - 2003
X2: X-Men United Action Worldwide box office: $408M - 2003
X2 as Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto · Sci-Fi - 2003
The Making of The Two Towers Documentary - 2003
Evolution X - The Making of X-Men Documentary - 2003
Émile as Emile · Drama - 2000
X-Men Action Worldwide box office: $296M - 2000
Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man Drama Worldwide box office: $27.5M - 1999
David Copperfield as Creakle · Drama - 1998
Gods and Monsters Biography Worldwide box office: $6.45M - 1998
Apt Pupil Drama Worldwide box office: $8.86M - 1997
Bent as Uncle Freddie · Romance Worldwide box office: $496K - 1997
Swept from the Sea as Dr. James Kennedy · Drama Worldwide box office: $397K - 1997
A Bit Of Scarlet as Narrator · Documentary - 1996
Rasputin as Tsar Nicholas II · Tv movie - 1996
Restoration Biography Worldwide box office: $4.01M - 1995
Richard III Drama Worldwide box office: $2.75M - 1995
Jack & Sarah as William · Drama Worldwide box office: $219K - 1994
David Macaulay: Roman City as Augustus Caesar (voice) · History - 1994
I’ll Do Anything as John Earl McAlpine · Drama - 1993
Six Degrees of Separation Drama Worldwide box office: $6.41M - 1993
And the Band Played On as Bill Kraus · Drama - 1992
Gladio as Aldo Moro (voice) · Documentary - 1990
Othello as Iago · Drama - 1989
Countdown to War as Adolf Hitler · Drama - 1989
Scandal as John Profumo · Romance Worldwide box office: $8.8M - 1988
Windmills of the Gods as Chairman - 1985
Zina as Kronfeld · Drama - 1985
Plenty as Sir Andrew Charleson · Romance Worldwide box office: $6.15M - 1984
Playing Shakespeare Documentary - 1983
The Keep Action Worldwide box office: $4.22M - 1983
Walter and June as Walter · Drama - 1982
The Scarlet Pimpernel as Chauvelin · Tv movie - 1982
Walter as Walter · Drama - 1982
Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare - 1981
Priest of Love as D.H. Lawrence · Drama - 1979
Macbeth as Macbeth · Drama - 1970
Edward II as King Edward · Drama - 1970
The Tragedy of King Richard II as King Richard II · Drama - 1969
Alfred the Great as Roger · History - 1969
A Touch of Love as George · Drama
Ian McKellen in Documentaries & Specials
26- 2024
The Life and Death of Lily Savage as Self · Comedy - 2021
Hating Peter Tatchell as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 76 - 2019
On Broadway as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $82.7K Movie Echo Score: 80 - 2017
McKellen: Playing the Part as Himself · Documentary Worldwide box office: $42.2K - 2017
The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin as Self - Actor · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 87 - 2017
Edmund the Magnificent as Self - Narrator (voice) · Comedy - 2016
Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage as Self · Tv movie - 2016
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC as Self - Performer · Documentary Worldwide box office: $747K - 2013
The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin as Self · Documentary - 2013
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot as Self · Comedy Worldwide box office: $4.28M - 2013
Muse of Fire as Self · Documentary - 2012
London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony as Self - 2005
The Hobart Shakespeareans as Himself · Documentary - 2005
Ringers: Lord of the Fans as Self · Documentary - 2004
A Filmmaker’s Journey: Making ‘The Return of the King’ as Self · Documentary - 2004
Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!! as Self · Documentary - 2004
The Making of the Return of the King as Self · Documentary - 2003
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision as Self · Tv movie - 2003
Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King as Self · History - 2003
Film Collectibles: Capturing Movie Memories as Self · Documentary - 2001
Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring as Self · Documentary - 2001
A Passage to Middle-Earth: Making of ‘Lord of the Rings’ as Self · Tv movie - 2000
Now You See Him: ‘The Invisible Man’ Revealed! as Self · Documentary - 2000
X-Men: The Mutant Watch as Self - 'Magneto' · Documentary - 1999
The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale as Self · Documentary - 1999
After Stonewall as Self · Documentary
Ian McKellen: Awards & Nominations
2 wins from 10 nominations across 5 award bodies, from 1996 to 2004. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
-
Actor Awards (SAG) 1 win from 2 nominations -
Spirit Awards 1 win from 1 nomination -
BAFTA 3 nominations -
Oscars 2 nominations -
Golden Globes 2 nominations
-
57th British Academy Film Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Supporting Actor The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
-
74th Academy Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Supporting Actor The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
-
55th British Academy Film Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Actor The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
-
8th Screen Actors Guild Awards- Ian McKellen: Win Outstanding Supporting Male Actor The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
-
71st Academy Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Actor Gods and Monsters
-
5th Screen Actors Guild Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Outstanding Leading Male Actor Gods and Monsters
-
56th Golden Globe Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Actor – Drama Gods and Monsters
-
14th Independent Spirit Awards- Ian McKellen: Win Best Male Lead Gods and Monsters
-
50th British Academy Film Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Actor Richard III
-
53rd Golden Globe Awards- Ian McKellen: Nominated Best Actor – Drama Richard III
Who Is Ian McKellen?
Ian McKellen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England in 1939 and is 87 years old. Credited on films since 1969, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Sir Ian Murray McKellen CH CBE (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. With a career spanning six decades, he is known for his diverse roles in genres ranging from Shakespearean and modern theatre to popular fantasy and science fiction. McKellen, a British cultural icon, was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 for his significant contributions to drama. He has received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, six Olivier Awards, and a Golden Globe Award, with nominations for two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and five Emmy Awards.
McKellen made his stage debut in 1961 and his first West End appearance in 1965. It was only in 1969 that he started receiving lead parts in Shakespeare's Richard II and Marlowe's Edward II. His roles in the 1970s established him as a stalwart of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Great Britain. His contributions as a performer range from modern drama and Greek tragedy to contemporary sitcoms, cinema, and fantasy roles. McKellen's rise to global popularity can be attributed to his memorable roles in movies such as Richard III (1995), Gods and Monsters (1998), X-Men films, and Lord of the Rings (2001–2003) and Hobbit trilogies. He is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, even coming out as gay in 1988. He also co-founded Stonewall, an LGBT rights lobby group in the UK.
Who Ian McKellen Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Ian McKellen shares the most films with. Peter Jackson comes first, with 14 films together, followed by Hugh Jackman (13).
Ian McKellen: Questions & Answers
How many movies Ian McKellen has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Ian McKellen been in?
Ian McKellen is credited on 102 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 Ian McKellen's highest-grossing movie?
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) is Ian McKellen's biggest box office hit, with $1.02B worldwide, ahead of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) ($962M). Across every film with box office figures, Ian McKellen's movies have made $5.27B.
Ian McKellen's biggest hits What is the best Ian McKellen movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Ian McKellen's best-rated film is The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017) with a score of 87, followed by The Christophers (2026) (80).
Best Ian McKellen movies, ranked Has Ian McKellen won an Oscar?
Ian McKellen has been nominated for 2 Oscars but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Ian McKellen has 2 wins from 10 nominations.
How old is Ian McKellen?
Ian McKellen is 87 years old, born on May 25, 1939 in Burnley, Lancashire, England.
What is Ian McKellen's newest movie?
The most recent film on Ian McKellen's filmography is The Christophers (2026), in the role of Julian Sklar.
Who does Ian McKellen work with most often?
Ian McKellen shares the most films with Peter Jackson (14 films), Hugh Jackman (13 films) and Patrick Stewart (12 films).
The Best Ian McKellen Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 102 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
