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Ian McKellen, actor
Actor

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)
Known for

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.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

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

  1. 1960s 2
  2. 1970s 3
  3. 1980s 12
  4. 1990s 16
  5. 2000s 17
  6. 2010s 17
  7. 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
102 credits

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
  1. 2026 The Christophers (2026) movie poster The Christophers as Julian Sklar · Comedy Movie Echo Score: 80
  2. 2024 The Critic (2024) movie poster The Critic as Jimmy Erskine · Crime Movie Echo Score: 69
  3. 2024 Hamlet (2024) movie poster Hamlet as Hamlet · Drama
  4. 2023 The One Note Man (2023) movie poster The One Note Man as Narrator (voice) · Comedy
  5. 2022 Hamlet Within (2022) movie poster Hamlet Within Documentary
  6. 2021 On Broadway (2021) movie poster On Broadway History Movie Echo Score: 80
  7. 2021 Infinitum: Subject Unknown (2021) movie poster Infinitum: Subject Unknown as Dr. Charles Marland-White · Sci-Fi Movie Echo Score: 42
  8. 2020 Animal Crackers (2020) movie poster Animal Crackers as Horatio P. Huntington · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 66
  9. 2020 Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU (2020) movie poster Ian McKellen on Stage: With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others and YOU Drama
  10. 2019 Cats (2019) movie poster Cats Drama Movie Echo Score: 22
  11. 2019 The Good Liar (2019) movie poster The Good Liar as Roy Courtnay · Drama Movie Echo Score: 59
  12. 2018 All Is True (2018) movie poster All Is True as Earl of Southampton · Biography Movie Echo Score: 67
  13. 2018 National Theatre Live: King Lear (2018) movie poster National Theatre Live: King Lear as King Lear · Drama
  14. 2017 Animal Crackers (2017) movie poster Animal Crackers as Horatio P. Huntington (voice) · Family
  15. 2016 National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land (2016) movie poster National Theatre Live: No Man’s Land as Spooner · Drama
  16. 2016 All the World’s a Screen: Shakespeare on Film (2016) movie poster All the World’s a Screen: Shakespeare on Film as Prospero's Speech Reader (voice) · Documentary
  17. 2015 Mr. Holmes (2015) movie poster Mr. Holmes Drama
  18. 2015 Mutant vs. Machine: The Making of X-Men: Days of Future Past (2015) movie poster Mutant vs. Machine: The Making of X-Men: Days of Future Past Documentary
  19. 2014 The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) movie poster The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Adventure
  20. 2014 X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) movie poster X-Men: Days of Future Past Action
  21. 2013 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) movie poster The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Adventure
  22. 2013 The Egg Trick (2013) movie poster The Egg Trick as Magician · Drama
  23. 2012 Doctor Who: The Snowmen (2012) movie poster Doctor Who: The Snowmen as The Great Intelligence (voice) · Drama
  24. 2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) movie poster The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Adventure
  25. 2010 Lady Grey London (2010) movie poster Lady Grey London Fantasy
  26. 2010 A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation (2010) movie poster A Lost and Found Box of Human Sensation as Narrator (voice) · Animation
  27. 2009 The Prisoner (2009) movie poster The Prisoner as 2 / Curtis · Drama
  28. 2008 King Lear (2008) movie poster King Lear as King Lear · Drama
  29. 2007 For the Love of God (2007) movie poster For the Love of God as The Jackdaw · Animation
  30. 2006 Flushed Away (2006) movie poster Flushed Away Adventure
  31. 2006 X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) movie poster X-Men: The Last Stand Action
  32. 2005 Neverwas (2005) movie poster Neverwas as Gabriel Finch · Thriller
  33. 2005 Asylum (2005) movie poster Asylum Thriller
  34. 2005 Eighteen (2005) movie poster Eighteen as Jason Anders (voice) · War
  35. 2004 The Magic Roundabout (2004) movie poster The Magic Roundabout as Zebedee (voice) · Fantasy
  36. 2003 The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men - Making X2 (2003) movie poster The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men - Making X2 Documentary
  37. 2003 X2: X-Men United (2003) movie poster X2: X-Men United Action
  38. 2003 X2 (2003) movie poster X2 as Eric Lehnsherr / Magneto · Sci-Fi
  39. 2003 The Making of The Two Towers (2003) movie poster The Making of The Two Towers Documentary
  40. 2003 Evolution X - The Making of X-Men (2003) movie poster Evolution X - The Making of X-Men Documentary
  41. 2003 Émile (2003) movie poster Émile as Emile · Drama
  42. 2000 X-Men (2000) movie poster X-Men Action
  43. 2000 Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man (2000) movie poster Cirque du Soleil: Journey of Man Drama
  44. 1999 David Copperfield (1999) movie poster David Copperfield as Creakle · Drama
  45. 1998 Gods and Monsters (1998) movie poster Gods and Monsters Biography
  46. 1998 Apt Pupil (1998) movie poster Apt Pupil Drama
  47. 1997 Bent (1997) movie poster Bent as Uncle Freddie · Romance
  48. 1997 Swept from the Sea (1997) movie poster Swept from the Sea as Dr. James Kennedy · Drama
  49. 1997 A Bit Of Scarlet (1997) movie poster A Bit Of Scarlet as Narrator · Documentary
  50. 1996 Rasputin (1996) movie poster Rasputin as Tsar Nicholas II · Tv movie
  51. 1996 Restoration (1996) movie poster Restoration Biography
  52. 1995 Richard III (1995) movie poster Richard III Drama
  53. 1995 Jack & Sarah (1995) movie poster Jack & Sarah as William · Drama
  54. 1994 David Macaulay: Roman City (1994) movie poster David Macaulay: Roman City as Augustus Caesar (voice) · History
  55. 1994 I’ll Do Anything (1994) movie poster I’ll Do Anything as John Earl McAlpine · Drama
  56. 1993 Six Degrees of Separation (1993) movie poster Six Degrees of Separation Drama
  57. 1993 And the Band Played On (1993) movie poster And the Band Played On as Bill Kraus · Drama
  58. 1992 Gladio (1992) movie poster Gladio as Aldo Moro (voice) · Documentary
  59. 1990 Othello (1990) movie poster Othello as Iago · Drama
  60. 1989 Countdown to War (1989) movie poster Countdown to War as Adolf Hitler · Drama
  61. 1989 Scandal (1989) movie poster Scandal as John Profumo · Romance
  62. 1988 Windmills of the Gods (1988) movie poster Windmills of the Gods as Chairman
  63. 1985 Zina (1985) movie poster Zina as Kronfeld · Drama
  64. 1985 Plenty (1985) movie poster Plenty as Sir Andrew Charleson · Romance
  65. 1984 Playing Shakespeare (1984) movie poster Playing Shakespeare Documentary
  66. 1983 The Keep (1983) movie poster The Keep Action
  67. 1983 Walter and June (1983) movie poster Walter and June as Walter · Drama
  68. 1982 The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) movie poster The Scarlet Pimpernel as Chauvelin · Tv movie
  69. 1982 Walter (1982) movie poster Walter as Walter · Drama
  70. 1982 Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare (1982) movie poster Ian McKellen: Acting Shakespeare
  71. 1981 Priest of Love (1981) movie poster Priest of Love as D.H. Lawrence · Drama
  72. 1979 Macbeth (1979) movie poster Macbeth as Macbeth · Drama
  73. 1970 Edward II (1970) movie poster Edward II as King Edward · Drama
  74. 1970 The Tragedy of King Richard II (1970) movie poster The Tragedy of King Richard II as King Richard II · Drama
  75. 1969 Alfred the Great (1969) movie poster Alfred the Great as Roger · History
  76. 1969 A Touch of Love (1969) movie poster A Touch of Love as George · Drama

Ian McKellen in Documentaries & Specials

26
  1. 2024 The Life and Death of Lily Savage (2024) movie poster The Life and Death of Lily Savage as Self · Comedy
  2. 2021 Hating Peter Tatchell (2021) movie poster Hating Peter Tatchell as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 76
  3. 2019 On Broadway (2019) movie poster On Broadway as Self · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 80
  4. 2017 McKellen: Playing the Part (2017) movie poster McKellen: Playing the Part as Himself · Documentary
  5. 2017 The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin (2017) movie poster The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin as Self - Actor · Documentary Movie Echo Score: 87
  6. 2017 Edmund the Magnificent (2017) movie poster Edmund the Magnificent as Self - Narrator (voice) · Comedy
  7. 2016 Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage (2016) movie poster Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage as Self · Tv movie
  8. 2016 Shakespeare Live! From the RSC (2016) movie poster Shakespeare Live! From the RSC as Self - Performer · Documentary
  9. 2013 The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin (2013) movie poster The Wolverine: Path of a Ronin as Self · Documentary
  10. 2013 The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot (2013) movie poster The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot as Self · Comedy
  11. 2013 Muse of Fire (2013) movie poster Muse of Fire as Self · Documentary
  12. 2012 London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony (2012) movie poster London 2012: Paralympics Opening Ceremony as Self
  13. 2005 The Hobart Shakespeareans (2005) movie poster The Hobart Shakespeareans as Himself · Documentary
  14. 2005 Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005) movie poster Ringers: Lord of the Fans as Self · Documentary
  15. 2004 A Filmmaker’s Journey: Making ‘The Return of the King’ (2004) movie poster A Filmmaker’s Journey: Making ‘The Return of the King’ as Self · Documentary
  16. 2004 Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!! (2004) movie poster Frodo Is Great… Who Is That?!! as Self · Documentary
  17. 2004 The Making of the Return of the King (2004) movie poster The Making of the Return of the King as Self · Documentary
  18. 2003 The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision (2003) movie poster The Quest Fulfilled: A Director’s Vision as Self · Tv movie
  19. 2003 Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King (2003) movie poster Beyond the Movie: The Return of the King as Self · History
  20. 2003 Film Collectibles: Capturing Movie Memories (2003) movie poster Film Collectibles: Capturing Movie Memories as Self · Documentary
  21. 2001 Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) movie poster Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring as Self · Documentary
  22. 2001 A Passage to Middle-Earth: Making of ‘Lord of the Rings’ (2001) movie poster A Passage to Middle-Earth: Making of ‘Lord of the Rings’ as Self · Tv movie
  23. 2000 Now You See Him: ‘The Invisible Man’ Revealed! (2000) movie poster Now You See Him: ‘The Invisible Man’ Revealed! as Self · Documentary
  24. 2000 X-Men: The Mutant Watch (2000) movie poster X-Men: The Mutant Watch as Self - 'Magneto' · Documentary
  25. 1999 The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale (1999) movie poster The World of Gods and Monsters: A Journey with James Whale as Self · Documentary
  26. 1999 After Stonewall (1999) movie poster After Stonewall as Self · Documentary
2 wins · 10 nominations

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.

All movie awards
  • Actor Awards (SAG) logo Actor Awards (SAG) 1 win from 2 nominations
  • Spirit Awards logo Spirit Awards 1 win from 1 nomination
  • BAFTA logo BAFTA 3 nominations
  • Oscars logo Oscars 2 nominations
  • Golden Globes logo Golden Globes 2 nominations
Biography

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.

Works with

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).

FAQ

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.

See the ranking

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