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Michael Shannon, actor
Actor

Michael Shannon: Movies, Awards & Box Office

films
74
on screen
1976–2026
box office
$1.81B
nominations
8
average score
61
Born
August 7, 1974 (age 52)
Birthplace
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Full name
Michael Corbett Shannon
Citizenship
American
Occupations
Actor, Producer
Years active
1992-present
Spouses
Kate Arrington
Children
2
Known for

The Best Michael Shannon Movies

The highest-rated films Michael Shannon is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. The Shape of Water (2017) scores highest, at 85. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Michael Shannon's Career in Numbers

Michael Shannon's films in numbers — as an actor, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Michael Shannon works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Future Cop (1976) to Buddy (2026), and the 2010s were the busiest decade.

Michael Shannon Movies by Decade

  1. 1970s 2
  2. 1980s 6
  3. 1990s 7
  4. 2000s 9
  5. 2010s 30
  6. 2020s 15

The 2010s were Michael Shannon's busiest decade, with 30 films.

Michael Shannon Movies by Genre

  • Drama 31
  • Action 9
  • Tv movie 6
  • Biography 5
  • Horror 4
  • Comedy 4
  • Mystery 2
  • Adventure 2
  • Crime 1
  • History 1

Drama is the genre Michael Shannon has worked in most, with 31 films, ahead of action (9).

Michael Shannon Career Milestones

First film
Future Cop 1976
Biggest box office hit
Man of Steel $670M worldwide
Best-rated film
The Shape of Water Movie Echo Score 85
Newest film
Buddy 2026
74 credits

Michael Shannon Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Michael Shannon is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 61. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Michael Shannon Movies as an Actor

69
  1. 2026 Buddy (2026) movie poster Buddy as Willie · Horror
  2. 2025 Nuremberg (2025) movie poster Nuremberg as Robert H. Jackson · Biography Movie Echo Score: 78
  3. 2025 Death by Lightning (2025) movie poster Death by Lightning as James Garfield · Drama
  4. 2024 The End (2024) movie poster The End as Father · Drama Movie Echo Score: 62
  5. 2024 The Bikeriders (2024) movie poster The Bikeriders as Zipco · Crime Movie Echo Score: 70
  6. 2023 The Flash (2023) movie poster The Flash as General Zod · Action Movie Echo Score: 55
  7. 2023 A Little White Lie (2023) movie poster A Little White Lie as Shriver · Comedy Movie Echo Score: 68
  8. 2023 Waco: The Aftermath (2023) movie poster Waco: The Aftermath as Gary Noesner · Drama
  9. 2022 Amsterdam (2022) movie poster Amsterdam as Henry Norcross · Drama Movie Echo Score: 53
  10. 2022 Bullet Train (2022) movie poster Bullet Train as White Death · Action Movie Echo Score: 73
  11. 2022 Abandoned (2022) movie poster Abandoned as Renner · Horror Movie Echo Score: 41
  12. 2022 Night's End (2022) movie poster Night's End as Isaac Dees · Horror Movie Echo Score: 47
  13. 2021 Heart of Champions (2021) movie poster Heart of Champions as Coach Murphy · Drama Movie Echo Score: 64
  14. 2020 Echo Boomers (2020) movie poster Echo Boomers as Mel Donnelly · Action Movie Echo Score: 51
  15. 2020 The Quarry (2020) movie poster The Quarry as Chief John Moore · Mystery Movie Echo Score: 52
  16. 2019 The Current War: Director's Cut (2019) movie poster The Current War: Director's Cut as George Westinghouse · Biography Movie Echo Score: 64
  17. 2019 State Like Sleep (2019) movie poster State Like Sleep as Edward · Drama Movie Echo Score: 47
  18. 2018 What They Had (2018) movie poster What They Had as Nick · Drama Movie Echo Score: 70
  19. 2018 Long Way Back Home (2018) movie poster Long Way Back Home as Stanton · Drama
  20. 2018 Poor Boy (2018) movie poster Poor Boy as Blayde Griggs · Drama
  21. 2018 National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2018) movie poster National Theatre Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Drama
  22. 2018 12 Strong (2018) movie poster 12 Strong as Hal Spencer · Action Movie Echo Score: 60
  23. 2018 Waco (2018) movie poster Waco as Gary Noesner · Drama
  24. 2018 The Little Drummer Girl (2018) movie poster The Little Drummer Girl as Martin Kurtz · Drama
  25. 2017 The Shape of Water (2017) movie poster The Shape of Water as Richard Strickland · Adventure Movie Echo Score: 85
  26. 2017 Pottersville (2017) movie poster Pottersville as Maynard Greiger · Comedy Movie Echo Score: 65
  27. 2017 The Current War (2017) movie poster The Current War as George Westinghouse · Drama
  28. 2017 Wolves (2017) movie poster Wolves Drama
  29. 2016 Nocturnal Animals (2016) movie poster Nocturnal Animals Drama
  30. 2016 Elvis & Nixon (2016) movie poster Elvis & Nixon History
  31. 2015 Freeheld (2015) movie poster Freeheld Biography
  32. 2015 99 Homes (2015) movie poster 99 Homes Drama
  33. 2014 Young Ones (2014) movie poster Young Ones Action
  34. 2013 Choose You (2013) movie poster Choose You as Avicii · Drama
  35. 2013 Man of Steel (2013) movie poster Man of Steel Action
  36. 2013 The Iceman (2013) movie poster The Iceman Biography
  37. 2013 Mud (2013) movie poster Mud Drama
  38. 2013 Michael Shannon Reads the Insane Delta Gamma Sorority Letter (2013) movie poster Michael Shannon Reads the Insane Delta Gamma Sorority Letter Comedy
  39. 2013 Möbius (2013) movie poster Möbius as Alice's father · Drama
  40. 2012 Premium Rush (2012) movie poster Premium Rush Action
  41. 2011 Touch of Evil (2011) movie poster Touch of Evil as The Tycoon · Drama
  42. 2011 Take Shelter (2011) movie poster Take Shelter Drama
  43. 2011 The Broken Tower (2011) movie poster The Broken Tower Biography
  44. 2010 The Runaways (2010) movie poster The Runaways Drama
  45. 2010 Herbert White (2010) movie poster Herbert White as Herbert White · Drama
  46. 2007 You’ve Got a Friend (2007) movie poster You’ve Got a Friend as Brayton Jennings · Tv movie
  47. 2007 Bug (2007) movie poster Bug Drama
  48. 2007 Blackbird (2007) movie poster Blackbird as Murl · Drama
  49. 2006 Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006) movie poster Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut as President's Aide · Action
  50. 2004 Dead Birds (2004) movie poster Dead Birds as Clyde · Horror
  51. 2004 Zamboni Man (2004) movie poster Zamboni Man as Walt
  52. 2001 New Port South (2001) movie poster New Port South as Stanton · Drama
  53. 2000 The Photographer (2000) movie poster The Photographer as Maurice · Drama
  54. 2000 Mullitt (2000) movie poster Mullitt as Phil Kunz
  55. 1998 30 Years to Life (1998) movie poster 30 Years to Life as Graham · Tv movie
  56. 1998 Only Love (1998) movie poster Only Love as Dr. Duncan · Tv movie
  57. 1997 Chicago Cab (1997) movie poster Chicago Cab as Crack Head · Comedy
  58. 1997 Hostile Waters (1997) movie poster Hostile Waters as Admiral · Thriller
  59. 1995 The Affair (1995) movie poster The Affair as Capt. Ford · Drama
  60. 1994 Fatherland (1994) movie poster Fatherland as US Ambassador · Tv movie
  61. 1994 Royce (1994) movie poster Royce as Senator Scanlon · Tv movie
  62. 1989 Murder on the Moon (1989) movie poster Murder on the Moon as Ivanov · Mystery
  63. 1989 Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1989) movie poster Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story as Morley Kennerly · Drama
  64. 1987 The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (1987) movie poster The Two Mrs. Grenvilles as Jack Fisher · Drama
  65. 1984 Sheena (1984) movie poster Sheena as Phillip Ames · Adventure
  66. 1983 Afterward (1983) movie poster Afterward Tv movie
  67. 1982 Making Love (1982) movie poster Making Love as Marty · Romance
  68. 1978 Lillie (1978) movie poster Lillie as Freddie Gebhard · Drama
  69. 1976 Future Cop (1976) movie poster Future Cop as Haven · Action

Michael Shannon in Documentaries & Specials

5
  1. 2020 Knives Out: Making a Murder (2020) movie poster Knives Out: Making a Murder as Self · Documentary
  2. 2017 Bob Dylan - Trouble No More (2017) movie poster Bob Dylan - Trouble No More as Self · Documentary
  3. 2017 Ballad of a Righteous Merchant (2017) movie poster Ballad of a Righteous Merchant as Self · Documentary
  4. 2014 The Final Shot: A Farewell to Boardwalk Empire (2014) movie poster The Final Shot: A Farewell to Boardwalk Empire as Self · Documentary
  5. 2010 I am My Films, Part 2… 30 Years Later (2010) movie poster I am My Films, Part 2… 30 Years Later as Self · Documentary
8 nominations

Michael Shannon: Awards & Nominations

8 nominations across 5 award bodies, from 2009 to 2017. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.

All movie awards
  • Oscars logo Oscars 2 nominations
  • Critics' Choice logo Critics' Choice 2 nominations
  • Spirit Awards logo Spirit Awards 2 nominations
  • Actor Awards (SAG) logo Actor Awards (SAG) 1 nomination
  • Golden Globes logo Golden Globes 1 nomination
Biography

Who Is Michael Shannon?

Michael Shannon was born in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. in 1974 and is 52 years old. Credited on films since 1976, as an actor. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Michael Corbett Shannon, born August 7, 1974, is known for his outstanding performances in both film and theater. He first launched his illustrious career in 1992 and has captivated audiences ever since with his dynamic portrayals of diverse characters. Over his long and distinguished career, Shannon has earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor, for Revolutionary Road (2008), and Nocturnal Animals (2016). His other impactful performances include Groundhog Day (1993), The Iceman (2012), The Shape of Water (2017), and Knives Out (2019). He's also a frequent collaborator with director Jeff Nichols, appearing in all of Nichols' films to date.

In addition to his film career, Shannon widely recognized for his work on Broadway, debuting in the play 'Grace' in 2012. His performance as James Tyrone Jr. in the revival of Eugene O'Neill's 'Long Day's Journey into Night' landed him a Tony nomination in 2016. Moreover, his captivating portrayal of Nelson Van Alden in HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire' earned him two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Alongside his extensive performing career, Shannon is also known for creating the indie rock band Corporal, contributing through singing and writing lyrics. Despite his numerous commitments, Shannon balances his career with personal life, living in New York with his family.

Works with

Who Michael Shannon Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Michael Shannon shares the most films with. Shea Whigham comes first, with 6 films together, followed by Jeff Nichols (4).

FAQ

Michael Shannon: Questions & Answers

How many movies Michael Shannon has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Michael Shannon been in?

Michael Shannon is credited on 74 films, from 1976 to 2026. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Michael Shannon's highest-grossing movie?

Man of Steel (2013) is Michael Shannon's biggest box office hit, with $670M worldwide, ahead of The Flash (2023) ($271M). Across every film with box office figures, Michael Shannon's movies have made $1.81B.

Michael Shannon's biggest hits

What is the best Michael Shannon movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Michael Shannon's best-rated film is The Shape of Water (2017) with a score of 85, followed by Nuremberg (2025) (78).

Best Michael Shannon movies, ranked

Has Michael Shannon won an Oscar?

Michael Shannon has been nominated for 2 Oscars but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Michael Shannon has 0 wins from 8 nominations.

How old is Michael Shannon?

Michael Shannon is 52 years old, born on August 7, 1974 in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S..

What is Michael Shannon's newest movie?

The most recent film on Michael Shannon's filmography is Buddy (2026), in the role of Willie.

Who does Michael Shannon work with most often?

Michael Shannon shares the most films with Shea Whigham (6 films), Jeff Nichols (4 films) and Paul Sparks (4 films).

The Best Michael Shannon Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 74 credits.

See the ranking

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