With Ewan McGregor soon returning to screens as the titular Jedi in Disney+’s original series Obi-Wan Kenobi, now seems like a perfect time to reflect upon the actor’s unique and diverse filmography up to this point. Despite being most famous for playing the protagonist in the Star Wars sequels, the actor still has plenty more underrated gems under his belt.
McGregor has never allowed himself to be restrained to one particular genre, jumping between action, romance, sci-fi, and even musicals over the years. In celebration of his career, Ranker has put together a collection of his most iconic and beloved roles, according to the internet.
Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang (2010)
The Big Bang is the sequel to 2005’s iconic family favorite Nanny McPhee, which centers around Emma Thompson’s titular protagonist as she turns up on the doorstep of the Green family’s home and uses her magic to teach the children some important life lessons.
McGregor plays the patriarch of the family, Rory Green – though his role is only minor as the character spends most of the time away at war. But he’s still an important addition to the cast, as his relationship with the children plays a huge role in their individual stories.
The Impossible (2012)
The Impossible tells the tragic true story of a family caught in the middle of a deadly tsunami, separated from each other and struggling to keep themselves alive. It’s certainly not an easy film to watch, but its thrilling story is one that most audiences will find themselves unable to tear their eyes away from.
The Impossible also stars Tom Holland in one of his first (and best) movie roles to date, playing one of the Bennett family’s young children forced to survive when he’s torn away from his parents. McGregor also shines as Henry, the children’s distressed and anxious father.
Trainspotting (1996)
Directed by Danny Boyle, Trainspotting is a cult classic British comedy that follows the lives of several heroin users and their self-destructive habits. McGregor plays Mark Renton, the film’s protagonist and one of the most interesting and complex characters.
Despite its dark and mature themes, Trainspotting is widely considered to be a classic British comedy thanks to its sharp screenplay and gripping performances. It navigates its topic with the perfect levels of humor and tact, crafting a multi-layered story that showcases some exceptional character work.
Christopher Robin (2018)
Christopher Robin takes place in the world of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, starring Ewan McGregor as the fictional bear’s titular best friend. The film takes place several years after the original Winnie stories, with a now grown-up Christopher helping his old friend find the other animals lost in the Hundred Acre Wood.
Christopher Robin embodies the same youthful spirit that makes Winnie the Pooh such a fun character, with a nostalgic tone that brings the story to life for both children and adults alike. It might be a fairly simple and predictable narrative, but it does everything necessary to succeed as a sweet family movie.
Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
Although The Phantom Menace was met with wide criticism upon its release in 1999, the film is finally beginning to appeal to a new generation of fans thanks to its fun and less sinister take on the world of Star Wars. It’s still widely regarded as the worst in the franchise, but it isn’t as universally hated as it once was.
The film introduced audiences to Anakin Skywalker, the protagonist of the prequel trilogy who would go on to become the deadly Darth Vader. One of the highlights of this film is Anakin’s relationship with Obi-Wan, who becomes the former’s mentor throughout his formative years.
Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002)
Attack of the Clones might not be the most widely-adored installment in the Star Wars franchise, but most fans can agree that it does a good job of developing the Obi-Wan/Anakin relationship that fans were introduced to in the first film. They have an interesting dynamic that allows for plenty of gripping and compelling conflict throughout the trilogy.
One of the main criticisms of the prequel trilogy is that the stakes are too low; there isn’t much conflict, and the real dangers are hidden for most of the narrative. However, Attack of the Clones admittedly does a good job of demonstrating the rising tensions within the Republic and setting the stage for the trilogy’s explosive finale.
The Island (2005)
The Island is one of Michael Bay’s best movies to date, presenting a thoughtful story that actually has a lot to say about the future of technology and mankind. McGregor stars opposite Scarlett Johansson, with the pair displaying great on-screen chemistry and playing on each other’s strengths well.
The Island does admittedly suffer from the typical pitfalls of Michael Bay’s signature filmmaking style: tight cinematography, little character development, and a few too many unnecessary action sequences, but it’s still an entertaining and exciting watch regardless.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Over the past few years, Revenge of the Sith’s reputation among Star Wars fans has risen tenfold. Since its release in 2005, the film has pretty much been dismissed as the lackluster conclusion to an even more mediocre trilogy – but the film is actually much more thoughtful and well-crafted than it’s been given credit for.
Revenge of the Sith also features one of McGregor’s best performances to date, as Obi-Wan’s story comes to its conclusion in a tragic and emotional way. His raw emotion and power make the film one of the most impactful in the entire franchise, despite the remaining storytelling flaws.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! is often cited as one of the best movie musicals of all time, and a lot of that comes down to the expert performances of McGregor and his co-star Nicole Kidman. The pair prove that their talents exceed far beyond acting, but also singing and dancing too.
The film adopts an extremely eccentric and colorful tone throughout, fully adhering to the bold personality of the source material. It’s a timeless story that’s been adapted to the screen countless times, but Luhrmann’s version is undoubtedly the most beloved of all.
Big Fish (2003)
Directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Will Bloom, who undergoes a journey of self-discovery and realization as he attempts to discern the truth behind his late father’s unbelievable stories. It’s an extremely thoughtful and magical story, brought to life by Burton’s signature directorial style.
Like many of Burton’s best films, Big Fish blends multiple different genres together to make its story as unique and compelling as possible. It’s a fantasy story that’s grounded in reality, whilst also being a human drama without a hint of mundanity. Few people can provide a performance as unique as McGregor does here, and even fewer can tell a story as effectively as Tim Burton.
