20 best Gary Oldman films, ranked

It is a testament to his acting ability that it was years before I realized that Gary Oldman is British. With an ability to nail accents, the dedication to drastically change his appearance and the talent to convey the full spectrum of emotions, Oldman is one of the most eclectic and underrated actors of our time.

Born March 21, 1958, in London, Oldman began his acting career on the British stage in 1979, and made his film debut in “Remembrance” in 1982. In 1984, he reluctantly accepted the role of punk rocker Sid Vicious in “Sid and Nancy,” a performance which garnered him critical acclaim and launched a diverse and successful career that has spanned almost four decades, and includes everything from small indie films to blockbuster franchises.

Oldman is well-known for his portrayal of some of the most memorable villains in the history of the cinema, from the campy Zorg in “The Fifth Element” to the sensual vampire in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” to the punkish pimp Drexl in “True Romance.” His unhinged murderous DEA agent Norman Stansfield in “Léon: The Professional” is routinely cited as one of the best movie villains of all time. Many of these films have reached “cult” status, likely due to one-of-a-kind characters he creates. But as memorable as his villains are, he can just as adeptly play understated supporting characters to a hero, such as the steady Commissioner Jim Gordon to the vigilante superhero Batman, or the father figure Sirius Black to the orphaned young wizard Harry Potter.

With his ability to morph into any role, many times to the point of being unrecognizable, it’s no surprise that Oldman has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He won his first Academy Award and first Golden Globe for Best Actor in 2018 for “Darkest Hour,” and then received his third Oscar nomination for “Mank.” In 1997, he ventured behind the camera, writing, directing and co-producing the British film “Nil by Mouth,” winning the BAFTA for Best British Film and Best Original Screenplay. In 2001, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his guest stint on “Friends” as the boozy actor who almost causes Joey to miss Monica and Chandler’s wedding.

There is a general consensus among critics and actors alike that Oldman is one of the greatest living actors. Roger Ebert often praised his work, calling him “one of the great actors, able to play high, low, crass, noble.” From real-life characters ranging from the tormented German-born Ludwig van Beethoven in “Immortal Beloved” to the noble British statesman Winston Churchill, to fictional characters that include his Oscar-nominated role in “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” to a Russian terrorist, a New York mobster and a conniving Illinois Congressman, Oldman breathes life into a variety of characters in a way that is unmatched. Tour our photo gallery to see where we rank his films.