Ewan McGregoris a Scottish-born star with a dazzling smile, known for his ability to transcend genres, hiding his accent and embodying every character to their core. He’s starred in major franchises likeStar Warsand the DC Universe’sBirds of Preywhile lending his talents to timeless Disney live-action characters inBeauty and the BeastandChristopher Robin. McGregor is a BAFTA and Emmy-winning star who transitions seamlessly from television to the big screen.His most iconic performancesare found in Oscar-nominated films, a blockbuster franchise, and a stylish musical.
McGregor is an actor who shapeshiftsinto the genre needs instead of existing as a typecasted big-budget star or an Indie movie leading man. He brings depth to each film, whether an original tale or an adaptation of real events or source material, leaving audiences with something to internalize by the time credits role.These are the best Ewan McGregor movies, ranging from comedy to historical drama to political thrillers. They will be ranked based on McGregor’s performance and contribution to the narrative, the films' legacies, and their overall quality.
10’The Impossible' (2012)
Directed by J.A. Bayona
This disaster movie is based on the real-life story ofthe 2004 Indian Ocean tsunamiand one family’s tale of survival through the destruction and aftermath of the historic storm.The Impossiblestars McGregor andNaomi Wattsas Henry and Maria, a couple vacationing in Thailand with their three sons (Tom Holland,Oaklee Pendergast, andSamuel Joslin). However, their Christmas getaway turns into a terrifying feat of survival by a devastating tsunami. Watts would earn an Oscar nomination for her performance.
The real family on whom the movie basesits premise wasMaría BelónandEnrique Álvarezand their three children, Lucas, Simón, and Tomás.The Impossibletook creative liberties, including changing the family’s names and nationalities, which drew criticism from viewers. Still, the real family had an active part in crafting the narrative and experiences of tragedy and loss, resulting ina crowd-pleasing tale of hope and faith in humanity.
The Impossible
9’The Ghost Writer' (2010)
Directed by Roman Polanski
With a sharp screenplay and McGregor’s engrossing performance,The Ghost Writerisa solid political thrillerelevated by itsbrooding backdrop and compelling conspiracies. In what was supposed to be the chance of a lifetime to finish the memoirs of England’s former prime minister, Adam Lang (Pierce Brosnan), a ghostwriter, The Ghost (McGregor), uncovers a trail of secrets that suggests Lang had the former ghostwriter killed.
Setting aside the association with the problematic director, audiences should choose to align their appreciation of this movie’s role as an adaptation ofRobert Harris' 2007 novel,The Ghost. The slow-burn nature ofThe Ghost Writerlends to the internal conflicts of The Ghost as he puts the puzzle pieces together to form a narrative far different from the one he’s hired to finish.
The Ghost Writer
8’I Love You Phillip Morris' (2009)
Directed by Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
In thiscathartic experience of a film, McGregor andJim Carreystar as prison lovers trying to build a life for themselves, a talebased on the true experiences of the menthey portray. A cop with a wife and family, Steven Russell (Carrey), winds up dropping it all after a car accident changes his life perspective, and he comes out, moves to Florida, and builds a lavish life on bad checks and credit card debt. While in prison for his spending snafus, Steven meets Phillip Morris (McGregor), a fellow inmate whom he falls hard for. Steven is determined to build the pair the life they deserve and goes on another crime spree to attain it.
I Love You Phillip Morrisfeatures comedic yet heartfelt performances from leads who weren’t afraid of the narrative. The movie arrived asa beacon for queer relationships, portrayed onscreen as nothing more than two misfits who place incredible value on love and life together. It’san underappreciated romantic comedythat depicts an authentic version of what true love looks like.
I Love You Phillip Morris
Watch on Amazon
7’Beginners' (2010)
Directed by Mike Mills
Beginnersis an emotional film aboutnew beginnings, the exploration of grief, and the pursuit of happiness. Following the deaths of both his parents, Oliver (McGregor) is overcome with loneliness as an onslaught of familial memories impacts his mental health and his failing career. All of that changes when he meets Anna (Mélanie Laurant), a free-spirited actress who shares his fear of commitment, but Oliver’s memories encourage him to be vulnerable and explore the idea of a true relationship.
Beginnersfeatures an Oscar-winning performance fromChristopher Plummeras Oliver’s father. Oliver’s memories are not only a driving narrative force but a vessel for romantic depth as he rediscovers the many stages of romance his father built while cultivating his own. At its core,Beginnersis a dramedy aboutthe pursuit of love at every stageof life.
6’Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio' (2022)
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
McGregor was no stranger to providing his voice for iconic children’s characters, having voiced Lumière in the live-actionBeauty and the Beast. In the brilliantGuillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, McGregor stars as Sebastian J. Cricket, the guiding conscience of a wooden puppet boy, Pinocchio (Gregory Mann). Brought to life on a magical wish by his father, Geppetto (David Bradley), Pinocchio explores the enchanting world of fascist Italy.
Told through beautiful stop-motion animation,Pinocchiowon the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. This visually stunning Netflix original is a uniqueadaptation that embraces the darker themesof the original narrative whilecapturing the beauty and joy of being alive through the eyes of an innocent creature.Pinocchiois hailed as one of del Toro’s best films and a profound masterclass in filmmaking.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
5’Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith' (2005)
Directed by George Lucas
Concluding a second trilogy in the blockbuster franchise,Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithis undoubtedly the best of the prequels. Three years after the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi (McGregor) contends with other threats across the galaxy, while Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) forms a bond with Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). As Anakin is lured to the Dark Side, he must make sacrifices, causing him to lose those closest to him, including Padmé (Natalie Portman) and Obi-Wan.
WhileRevenge of the Sithstill sits in the shadow of the original trilogy, it provides a satisfying segue to them, leaving room for future prequel/spin-off movies likeRogue One. For McGregor and Christensen, this final film gave them some of the most epic lightsaber battles, in addition to quotable lines and moments that would be ingrained in pop culture for decades to come. Rewatching this last dance betweenObi-Wan and Anakin is a nostalgic setupfor their return in the Disney+ seriesObi-Wan Kenobi.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
4’Black Hawk Down' (2001)
Directed by Ridley Scott
An Oscar-winning feature,Black Hawk Downis based on the true events of the October 1993 conflict between the U.S.’s attempt to destabilize the Somalian government while also bringing humanitarian aid. The film stars McGregor as Grimes, part of the 160 U.S. special forces soldiers assigned to the mission, who were dropped in Mogadishu after Somalian forces brought down two of the Black Hawk helicopters carrying them. A fiery battle ensued as the team was confronted by an extensive, heavily armed force of Somalian soldiers.
McGregor’s costars includedJosh Hartnett,Tom Sizemore,Eric Bana, andWilliam Fichtner, among a large cast.Black Hawk Downis a dramatized versionof the events documented in the biographical novelBlack Hawk Down: A Story of Modern WarbyMark Bowden. The film is hailed as one of thebest cinematic representations of waranda dissection of the evolution of war.
Black Hawk Down
3’Doctor Sleep' (2019)
Directed by Mike Flanagan
A perfect blend ofStephen KingandMark Flanagan’s horror styles,Doctor Sleepreturns audiences to the terrors of the Overlook Hotel. The movie is a sequel to the iconicThe Shining, where a now-adult Dan Torrance (McGregor) meets a young girl (Kyliegh Curran) who shares similar psychic abilities as him. However, he must sacrifice his peaceful existence to save her from a cult called The True Knot, which desires her powers for their immortality.
Loyal fans of the original applauded Flanagan’s ability todeliver a sequel that felt honorableto not onlyStanley Kubrick’s film but also King’s novel. McGregor provides a compelling performance andseamlessly creates an authentic adult version of Dannydespite the events taking place 40 years later. Following suit with many Flanagan projects,Doctor Sleepis a psychologically complex and emotionally challenging take on horror that ranks amongthe most underrated gems of the last decade.
Doctor Sleep
2’Moulin Rouge!' (2001)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
The stylish music spectacle is synonymous with McGregor’s name alongside directorBaz Luhrmannand costarNicole Kidman.Moulin Rouge!is a tale of romancebetween Christian (McGregor), a poet, and Satine (Kidman), the star of the infamous Parisian nightclub. Their love affair is complicated by the jealous Duke (Richard Roxburgh), who wants Satine for himself. The film was nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, and won two for Costume Design and Art Direction/Set Decoration.
Moulin Rouge!gave McGregor a chance to flex his singing talents, with the lavish musical inspiring the now-famous Broadway stage version. It’s equal parts a visual and emotional experience with outlandish creativity that fuels the chemistry between its leads.Moulin! Rouge!remainsan iconic musical and complicated romance moviethat stands out among McGregor’s filmography.
Moulin Rouge!
1’Trainspotting' (1996)
Directed by Danny Boyle
This dark comedy and early installment in McGregor’s career is perhapsthe best demonstration of his versatile talent and leading man abilities.Trainspottingchronicles the journey of Mark Renton (McGregor), a heroin addict, on a mission to get clean and maintain his sobriety despite the negative influence of his friends and life in Edinburgh. The top-rated movie is an adaptation ofIrvine Welsh’s novel of the same name, read as a collection ofshort stories about various Edinburgh drug addicts.
WatchingTrainspottingreplicates the exact experience it’s depicting: a curious invitation to a rough-around-the-edges experience that leads down a rabbit hole of total consumption of the premise; by the end of the runtime, viewers are left addicted to the characters and their lives. From McGregor’s leading performance to directorDanny Boyle’s harrowing accuracy in crafting this dark narrative,Trainspottingis intoxicating and one film audiences return to again and again.
Trainspotting
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