Gary Oldman is one of the most versatile and talented actors in the industry and has made some incredible films throughout his career. The 65-year-old actor made his film debut in 1982, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s that he began to earn widespread acclaim for roles in films like JFK and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Oldman is known for disappearing into his performances, as a Method Actor and as someone who’s taken on characters with notable physical transformations.
Gary Oldman has earned acclaim in blockbuster superhero films, Academy Award-nominated biographical drams, and family-friendly adventure films, bringing prestige and excellence to every project. He’s known for playing numerous villains in his career, from Count Dracula to Egor Korshnukov in Air Force One though he has also played endearing supporting protagonists in The Dark Knight trilogy and Harry Potter films. Gary Oldman is one of the most well-regarded actors of his generation, with a deep filmography to explore.
10 Darkest Hour (2017)
Gary Oldman has surprisingly only been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards three times in his career, with his only win being for Darkest Hour. It’s not the strongest movie in his filmography, but it contains one of the actor’s most exceptional and transformative roles. Oldman’s performance as Winston Churchill is astoundingly detailed, effectively capturing the historical figure physically and in his mannerisms and voice.
9 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
The 2011 thriller contains another widely celebrated Gary Oldman performance, earning him another Best Actor nomination. Oldman portrays George Smiley, an MI6 agent brought to uncover a Soviet mole. The film sports a stellar ensemble cast and an intricate and complex espionage narrative which heavily rewards the viewer’s attention to detail. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy sees Oldman in one of his most controlled and subtle performances while remaining incredibly nuanced.
8 Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)
Gary Oldman stars in one of the best Planet of the Apes movies, which manages to balance its human characters well with the apes. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes introduced Matt Reeves to the franchise and starred Oldman as Dreyfus, the leader of a group of human survivors in the post-apocalyptic world. His character is essential in creating depth in the relationship between apes and humans, allowing the film to explore themes of communication and trust. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes proves that a blockbuster can be both visually exhilarating and thought-provoking.
7 Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Francis Ford Coppola made one of the greatest Dracula films ever with his 1992 adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel. While there are some common critiques of the film, it’s widely praised for its stylistic approach to the gothic horror genre with Gary Oldman’s performance being a stand-out. Oldman plays different variations of the titular Count throughout the film, from Vlad the Impaler to the weakened older version to the steampunk-styled Dracula who walks the streets of London. His seamless switching between incarnations of Dracula puts Gary Oldman’s versatility on full display.
6 The Fifth Element (1997)
The 1997 science fiction film is widely celebrated for its vibrant imagery and world-building. The Fifth Element is regarded as a cult classic of its genre. Gary Oldman plays Zorg, a corrupt industrialist who’s one of the film’s antagonists. It’s a classic Gary Oldman villain performance, managing to be both eccentric and quirky while also being distinctly menacing.
5 Léon: The Professional (1994)
Léon: The Professional is filled with emotionally charged performances, with Natalie Portman’s starring role as Mathilda often being the stand-out. Gary Oldman plays Norman Stansfield, a corrupt and unhinged DEA agent who murders Mathilda’s family. The crime classic contains one of Oldman’s most influential villain roles, as the unhinged, unpredictable type of antagonist wasn’t common in the era. Norman Stansfield was the launch-off point for many modern movie villains.
4 JFK (1991)
Gary Oldman plays a supporting but integral role in JFK as Lee Harvey Oswald, the real-life figure who’s infamous for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film is more about conspiracy, prompting viewers to consider various possibilities rather than honing in on Oswald as the singular culprit. Gary Oldman manages to play the character in a way that humanizes him but also doesn’t absolve him of suspicion, forcing the audience to consider his innocence but not completely rule out the possibility of his guilt. Oldman is hauntingly authentic in one of his most complex performances.
3 Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is arguably the best Harry Potter film, introducing Gary Oldman’s Sirius Black. Alfonso Cuarón’s style helped shift the tone of the wizarding world as the characters grew older and the story became more mature. Oldman brings warmth and vulnerability in his portrayal of the wrongly accused convict, providing Harry with a sense of family he hadn’t experienced yet in the series. His aptitude for playing villain characters helps sell the film’s twist, as he brings a touch of wildness to the role that could feasibly make Sirius Black a believable antagonist.
2 True Romance (1993)
Directed by Tony Scott and written by Quentin Tarantino, True Romance is an absolute blast. The unconventional love story has everything one would hope for in a Tarantino film, from witty dark humor to violent crime to an engaging ensemble of characters. Gary Oldman is almost unrecognizable as Drexl Spivey, a flamboyant and repulsive pimp. The role serves as a testament to Gary Oldman’s flexibility to morph into drastically different characters and make a memorable impact in a limited time. True Romance may not be Oldman’s most well-known work, but it’s a unique entry to the crime genre that deserves its praise.
1 The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is one of the greatest films ever and deserves praise for elevating and transcending the superhero genre in a way that hasn’t been repeated to the same degree since. Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is rightfully celebrated, but Gary Oldman’s contribution in the supporting role of Jim Gordon is essential to anchor the chaos of Christopher Nolan’s Gotham City. Gordon is the incorruptible moral compass of the saga, bringing a sense of grounding in a role, unlike Gary Oldman’s usual performances. Jim Gordon might not be the actor’s most nuanced character, but he’s excellent in the film, even delivering the epic closing monologue.
