Michael Palin: Movies, Awards & Box Office
- films
- 107
- on screen
- 1966–2025
- box office
- $126M
- award win
- 1
- average score
- 85
- Born
- May 5, 1943 (age 83)
- Birthplace
- Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
- Full name
- Michael Edward Palin
- Citizenship
- British
- Occupations
- Actor, comedian, writer, television presenter
- Years active
- 1965-present
- Spouses
- Helen Gibbins
- Children
- 3
The Best Michael Palin Movies
The films of Michael Palin that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Time Bandits (1981) leads with $42.4M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
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Worldwide box office: $42.4M Time Bandits 1981 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $24.6M The Death of Stalin 2018 · Biography -
Worldwide box office: $20.8M Monty Python's Life of Brian 1979 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $14.9M The Meaning of Life 1983 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $14.9M Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life 1983 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $2.93M Monty Python and the Holy Grail 1975 · Adventure
Michael Palin's Career in Numbers
Michael Palin's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Michael Palin works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1966) to Michael Palin: Into Iraq (2022), and the 1970s were the busiest decade.
Michael Palin Movies by Decade
- 1960s 1
- 1970s 23
- 1980s 7
- 1990s 5
- 2000s 6
- 2010s 6
- 2020s 1
The 1970s were Michael Palin's busiest decade, with 23 films.
Michael Palin Movies by Genre
- Comedy 29
- Documentary 5
- Adventure 3
- Drama 2
- Biography 1
- Tv movie 1
- Animation 1
- Romance 1
- Fantasy 1
- Music 1
Comedy is the genre Michael Palin has worked in most, with 29 films, ahead of documentary (5).
Michael Palin Career Milestones
- First film
- Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World 1966
- Biggest box office hit
- Time Bandits $42.4M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- The Death of Stalin Movie Echo Score 85
- Newest film
- Michael Palin: Into Iraq 2022
Michael Palin Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Michael Palin is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 85. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Michael Palin Movies as an Actor
49- 2022
Michael Palin: Into Iraq Documentary - 2019
Worzel Gummidge: The Green Man as The Green Man - 2018
The Death of Stalin as Vyacheslav Molotov · Biography Worldwide box office: $24.6M Movie Echo Score: 85 - 2018
Michael Palin: A Life on Screen Comedy - 2018
Vanity Fair as William Makepeace Thackeray · Comedy - 2013
The Wipers Times as General Mitford · Tv movie - 2010
Not the Messiah (He’s a Very Naughty Boy) as Mrs. Betty Palin / Julius Caesar / Bevis · Comedy - 2006
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Gilliam’s Personal Best as Various Characters · Comedy - 2006
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Michael Palin’s Personal Best Comedy - 2006
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Terry Jones’ Personal Best as Various Characters · Comedy - 2006
Monty Python’s Flying Circus—Eric Idle’s Personal Best as Various Characters · Comedy - 2005
Michael Palin & the Mystery of Hammershøi as Host · Documentary - 2001
Jabberwocky (re-release) Adventure - 1996
The Willows in Winter as Rat · Animation - 1996
The Wind in the Willows as The Sun · Comedy - 1995
The Wind in the Willows as Rat · Comedy - 1991
American Friends as Rev. Francis Ashby · Romance Worldwide box office: $23K - 1991
G.B.H. as Jim Nelson · Drama - 1984
A Private Function as Gilbert Chilvers · Comedy Worldwide box office: $2.53M - 1983
The Meaning of Life Comedy Worldwide box office: $14.9M - 1983
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life as Various Roles · Comedy Worldwide box office: $14.9M - 1983
The Crimson Permanent Assurance as Workman · Fantasy - 1982
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl as Various Roles · Comedy Worldwide box office: $328K - 1981
Time Bandits Adventure Worldwide box office: $42.4M - 1981
The Box as (voice) · Comedy - 1979
The Secret Policeman’s Ball as Various Roles · Comedy - 1979
Roger of the Raj as Roger · Comedy - 1979
Golden Gordon as Gordon Ottershaw · Comedy - 1979
Monty Python's Life of Brian Comedy Worldwide box office: $20.8M - 1978
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash as Eric Manchester · Music - 1977
The Curse of the Claw as Kevin Orr / Uncle Jack · Comedy - 1977
Across the Andes by Frog as Captain Walter Snetterton · Comedy - 1977
Murder at Moorstones Manor as Charles Chiddingford · Comedy - 1977
Escape from Stalag Luft 112B as Major Errol Phipps · Comedy - 1977
The Testing of Eric Olthwaite as Eric Olthwaite / Bank Manager · Comedy - 1977
Jabberwocky as Dennis Cooper · Comedy - 1976
Tomkinson’s Schooldays as Tomkinson / Headmaster / TV Introducer / Mr Craffitt · Comedy - 1975
Three Men in a Boat as Harris · Drama - 1975
Monty Python and the Holy Grail Adventure Worldwide box office: $2.93M - 1974
Henry Cleans Up as Henry - 1973
Is This a Record? as Various · Documentary - 1973
Monty Python In The Netherlands - 1972
Monty Python’s Fliegender Zirkus as Various Characters · Comedy - 1971
The Great Birds Eye Peas Relaunch 1971 Comedy - 1971
And Now for Something Completely Different as Gumby / Man with tape recorder / Phrasebook Author / Arthur Pewtey / Second self - defence student / Second Tenant / Lost His Wallet / Shrill Petrol Announcer / Milkman / Ernest Scribbler / Pet shop employee / Lumberjack / Headwaiter Gilberto / Herbert A… · Comedy - 1971
Euroshow ’71: May Day Special as Various (as Montypython Flyingcircus) · Comedy - 1970
Monty Python: Who’s There? as Ken - 1970
Ending It All Documentary - 1966
Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World as Jazz Band Undertaker (uncredited) · Documentary
Michael Palin in Documentaries & Specials
58- 2025
When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain as Self · Documentary - 2025
The Academy of Armando as Self · Documentary - 2024
Michael Palin in Nigeria as Self · Documentary - 2023
Fawlty Towers: 50 Years of Laughs as Self · Documentary - 2022
The Fringe, Fame and Me as Self · Documentary - 2020
Peter Sellers: A State of Comic Ecstasy as Self · Documentary - 2019
Python at 50: Silly Talks and Holy Grails as Self (archive footage) · Comedy - 2019
An Accidental Studio as Self · Documentary - 2018
Michael Palin in North Korea as Himself - Host · Documentary - 2016
Attenborough at 90 as Self · Documentary - 2014
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule as Self · Documentary - 2014
Spike Milligan: Love, Light and Peace as Himself · Music - 2014
Monty Python: The Meaning of Live as Self · Documentary - 2014
Monty Python Live (Mostly) as Self, others · Documentary Worldwide box office: $2.39M - 2014
Monty Python: And Now for Something Rather Similar as Self · Documentary - 2014
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy as Self · Documentary - 2014
Monty Python’s Best Bits (Mostly) as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2013
Michael Palin In Wyeth’s World as Himself · Documentary - 2013
The Meaning of Monty Python as Self · Comedy - 2012
Anatomy of a Liar as Self · Documentary - 2012
The Secret Policeman’s Ball as Self · Comedy - 2012
Brazil with Michael Palin as Self (Presenter) · Documentary - 2011
Making Qi as Self · Documentary - 2011
Produced By George Martin as Self · Music - 2009
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened as Self · Documentary - 2009
Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) as Self · Documentary - 2008
Monty Python: Before the Flying Circus as Self · Comedy - 2008
The Seventh Python as Self · Documentary - 2008
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation as Self · Tv movie - 2008
Monty Python Conquers America as Self · Documentary - 2007
Michael Palin’s New Europe as Himself · Documentary - 2006
50 Films to See Before You Die as Self · Documentary - 2006
Monty Python’s Personal Best as Self / Various Characters · Animation - 2005
The Roots of Monty Python as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2005
John Peel’s Record Box as Self · Documentary - 2004
Remember the Secret Policeman’s Ball? as Self · Documentary - 2004
Best Sellers or: Peter Sellers and ‘Dr. Strangelove’ as Self · Documentary - 2004
Himalaya with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter · Documentary - 2003
The Meaning of Making ‘The Meaning of Life’ as Self · Documentary - 2002
Life on Air: David Attenborough’s 50 Years in Television as Himself - Presenter · Tv movie - 2002
Sahara with Michael Palin as Self - Presenter · Documentary - 2001
The Quest for the Holy Grail Locations as Self · Documentary - 2000
The Unknown Peter Sellers as Himself · Documentary - 1998
Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Self · Comedy - 1992
Pole to Pole as Himself · Documentary - 1990
Life of Python as Self / Various Roles · Documentary - 1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters · Comedy - 1989
Parrot Sketch Not Included: Twenty Years of Monty Python as Self / Various Characters · Comedy - 1989
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self · Comedy - 1989
Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days as Himself · Documentary - 1988
John Cleese’s First Farewell Performance as Self · Documentary - 1987
The Grand Knockout Tournament as Self · Comedy - 1985
What Is Brazil? as Self · Documentary - 1982
The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball as Self - Various Roles · Tv movie - 1980
Great Railway Journeys - Confessions of a Train Spotter as Himself · Documentary - 1979
The Pythons: Somewhere in Tunisia, Circa A.D. 1979 as Self · Documentary - 1976
Pleasure at Her Majesty’s as Self · Documentary - 1974
Monty Python & the Holy Grail Location Report as Self · Documentary
Michael Palin: Awards & Nominations
1 win from 1 nomination across 1 award body. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.
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42nd British Academy Film Awards- Michael Palin: Win Best Supporting Actor A Fish Called Wanda
Who Is Michael Palin?
Michael Palin was born in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England in 1943 and is 83 years old. Credited on films since 1966, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Sir Michael Edward Palin KCMG, CBE, FRGS, FRSGS, FRSL (/ˈpeɪlɪn/; born 5 May 1943) is an English actor, comedian, writer, and television presenter. He was a member of the Monty Python comedy group. Though he started in television working on programs including the Ken Dodd Show, The Frost Report, and Do Not Adjust Your Set, he became best known for joining Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974) alongside John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Graham Chapman, acting in many of the most famous Python sketches. He continued to work with Jones after Python, co-writing Ripping Yarns.
In addition to the Python repertoire, he co-wrote and starred in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983). He won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for A Fish Called Wanda (1988). Other notable films include Jabberwocky (1977), Time Bandits (1981), The Missionary (1982), A Private Function (1984), Fierce Creatures (1997), and The Death of Stalin (2017). Since 1980, he has made numerous television travel documentaries as a writer and presenter. His travels took him across the world, including the North and South Poles, the Sahara, the Himalayas, Eastern Europe, Brazil, and North Korea among others.
Who Michael Palin Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Michael Palin shares the most films with. John Cleese comes first, with 51 films together, followed by Terry Jones (50).
Michael Palin: Questions & Answers
How many movies Michael Palin has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Michael Palin been in?
Michael Palin is credited on 107 films, from 1966 to 2025. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.
What is Michael Palin's highest-grossing movie?
Time Bandits (1981) is Michael Palin's biggest box office hit, with $42.4M worldwide, ahead of The Death of Stalin (2018) ($24.6M). Across every film with box office figures, Michael Palin's movies have made $126M.
Michael Palin's biggest hits What is the best Michael Palin movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Michael Palin's best-rated film is The Death of Stalin (2018) with a score of 85.
Best Michael Palin movies, ranked Has Michael Palin won an Oscar?
Michael Palin has not been nominated for an Oscar. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Michael Palin has 1 win from 1 nomination.
How old is Michael Palin?
Michael Palin is 83 years old, born on May 5, 1943 in Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.
What is Michael Palin's newest movie?
The most recent film on Michael Palin's filmography is When Bruce Springsteen Came to Britain (2025), in the role of Self.
Who does Michael Palin work with most often?
Michael Palin shares the most films with John Cleese (51 films), Terry Jones (50 films) and Eric Idle (41 films).
The Best Michael Palin Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 107 credits.
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