While James McAvoy made his film debut in the 1995 thriller The Near Room, it wasn’t until 2003 when his career began to pick up. Since then, however, the Scottish actor has remained one of Hollywood’s most beloved.
McAvoy has taken on roles in a variety of films, from that of Mr. Tumnus in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to Charles Xavier in Marvel’s X-Men series. Most recently, he played Lord Asriel in the HBO fantasy drama His Dark Materials, and just before that, he was playing an adult Bill Denbrough in It Chapter Two. To celebrate his success, we thought it was time to look back at his greatest roles to date. To do this, we’ll be turning to IMDb.
The popular movie and TV show website has given ever McAvoy film a rating based on the votes of registered fans. The movies with the highest scores will be appearing below.
Before we get started, it’s worth noting that we won’t be including films in which McAvoy makes minor cameos in (like Deadpool 2).
With that said, it’s time to look back on James McAvoy’s best movies to date.
The Last Station (2009): 7.0
This 2009 biographical drama, based on Jay Parini’s 1990 novel of the same name, recounts Leo Tolstoy’s final months alive. He and his wife debate about what is to become of his writings after he dies.
Though Christopher Plummer took on the leading role, McAvoy played his private secretary, Valentin Fedorovich Bulgakov.
The performances of The Last Station‘s cast were both moving and intriguing.
Arthur Christmas (2011): 7.1
McAvoy tried his hand at voice acting in this 2011 animated Christmas comedy.
The film follows Arthur Claus, who hopes to live up to the legacy of Father Christmas by delivering a gift to a girl whose house got skipped on the Christmas eve route.
Funny and creative, Arthur Christmas stood out among the other animated holiday classic, even if it didn’t garner quite as much attention.
Becoming Jane (2007): 7.1
The early life of author Jane Austen is depicted in this 2007 British-Irish romantic drama.
Becoming Jane has the titular character (Anne Hathaway) fighting her parent’s desire for her to marry Lady Gresham’s wealthy nephew. She instead falls for the poor but charming Tom Lefroy (James McAvoy), who she knows will give her the creative freedom and love she desires.
McAvoy and Hathaway charmed as the leading couple. Their believable chemistry kept viewers entranced, making it a favorite James McAvoy flick.
Filth (2013): 7.1
McAvoy plays Edinburgh detective Bruce Robertson in the black comedy crime film Fifth. Though Robertson is entrapped in a cycle of drugs and alcohol, he must find a way to overcome his unhealthy patterns and solve the murder of a Japanese exchange student.
Filth‘s gritty and engrossing story was led by McAvoy’s believable performance.
Split (2016): 7.3
2016’s Split follows a man who suffers from 23 different personalities. Though his therapist hopes to help him through his dissociative identity disorder, this becomes an even bigger challenge after he decides to entrap three teen girls in an underground facility.
The 2016 horror-thriller was commended for its scary and suspenseful story.
Split received a sequel in 2018, Glass.
The Last King Of Scotland (2006): 7.7
This 2006 historical drama, based on Giles Foden’s novel of the same name, tells of a Scottish doctor who visits ’70s Uganda in order to become the President’s physician.
Though Forest Whitaker plays leader Idi Amin, McAvoy played doctor Nicholas Garrigan.
Combining a strong cast with a story of power and corruption, The Last King of Scotland captivated audiences. Forest Whitaker won Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance.
X-Men: First Class (2011): 7.7
As aforementioned, McAvoy is well-known for starring as the telepathic mutant leader Charles Xavier in the X-Men series. He was front-and-center in the fifth series installment, which premiered in 2011, X-Men: First Class.
This soft reboot has Xavier befriending mutant Erik Lehsherr during the Cold War in the ’60s. Though the two grow close as they hope to save humanity, they are eventually torn apart as their varied circumstances shape the future.
The strong cast delivered the memorable performances that fans were hoping for. Additionally, the stylized direction and well-crafted script brought fresh energy to the series. Of course, First Class earned a few sequels.
Rory O’Shea War Here (2004): 7.8
Also known under the title Inside I’m Dancing, this 2004 Irish comedy-drama tells of two men with disabilities who strive for independence despite the way society has tried to limit them. James McAvoy and Steven Robertson star as these two, and though some criticized the non-disabled casting, the story nonetheless gained attention.
Viewers loved the narrative for encouraging its leads to break through limitations and defy the boundaries put in place by others.
Atonement (2007): 7.8
In 2007, James McAvoy and Keira Knightley starred alongside each other in the romantic war drama, Atonement.
The film follows lovers Robbie and Cecilia, whose lives get torn apart after Cecilia’s younger sister lies about his involvement in a crime. Though their futures spiral downward because of this, the sister tries to redeem the couple’s story decades later as a writer.
The film’s engrossing plot, strong performances, and clever cinematography had it garnering praise from critics. It earned Best Original Score at the Academy Awards.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014): 8.0
Topping off the list is none other than the 2014 X-Men film, Days of Future Past.
In this superhero installment, Dr. Bolivar Trask hopes that the robotic Sentinel weapons will be able to eliminate the mutants. In modern times, Wolverine and the other X-Men decide to head back to the past in order to save their kind.
Of course, McAvoy reprised his role as a young Charles Xavier. Full of cinematic action and fast-paced fun, Days of Future Past is regarded as one of the best in the X-Men series. The film’s direct sequel, X-Men: Apocalypse, premiered in 2016.
