Gary Oldman is one of the most respected actors of his generation and has starred in a string of enormous hits and critically acclaimed awards darlings.
It was a long time coming in 2018 when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.
In addition to that victory for Darkest Hour, he has received two other Best Actor nominations for his performances in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Mank.
Oldman is one of the most successful actors in history as his movies have grossed over $11 billion in his illustrious career.
Within our MovieMeter community, there are naturally various Gary Oldman movies that have received hugely positive responses. By subscribing to become a member of the MovieMeter community HERE, you can rate all of your favourite movies - and some of your least favourite ones.
According to our community, Oldman's best movie is The Dark Knight, the second of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. In fact, all three movies in that trilogy make our top 10 list.
Oldman is known for combining smaller roles with parts in huge franchises, and it is franchises that dominate the list as in addition to three Batman movies we have three entries in the Harry Potter series.
In second place is perhaps Oldman's most famous villainous role - that of psychotic DEA agent Norman Stanfield in Leon.
Best Gary Oldman movies
1. The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (2008)
Bruce Wayne, aka Batman (Christian Bale), and Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman) join forces with newly appointed District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) in order to bring down the Mob as well as Gotham City's newest criminal, the Joker (Heath Ledger). Batman fights against his own morality and principles as the unhinged Joker releases chaos on the city, with fatal consequences.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Stars:
Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Heath Ledger
2. Leon
Léon (1994)
1994, New York. Léon (Jean Reno) is a hitman by profession. He observes the comings and goings of the inhabitants of a building. On the same floor of Léon lives a family whose father is a drug trafficker. The man is threatened by a man called Stansfield (Gary Oldman), a shady cop who returns the next day and kills the man and the rest of the family. Only twelve-year-old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) can escape. Mathilda is protected by Léon, and the girl is determined to take revenge and learns the tricks of the trade from Léon.
Directed by: Luc Besson
Stars:
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and Natalie Portman
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) continue their quest to vanquish the evil Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) once and for all. by finding and targeting Horcruxes. Just as things begin to look hopeless for the young wizards, Harry discovers a trio of magical objects that endow him with powers to rival Voldemort's formidable skills.
Directed by: David Yates
Stars:
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
4. True Romance
True Romance (1993)
Clarence works in a comic book store and spends most of his spare time at the cinema watching kung fu movies. One day he meets Alabama prostitute, whom he falls in love with. However, she can't just stop working and so Clarence has to deal with her pimp first. During the tumultuous confrontation with the pimp, Clarence accidentally comes into possession of a suitcase of cocaine. He decides to sell this huge amount on his own and moves to Los Angeles.
Directed by: Tony Scott
Stars:
Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette and Michael Rapaport
5. Batman Begins
Batman Begins (2005)
Driven by the tragic murder of his parents, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Stars:
Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman
6. The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has now retired as the caped crusader Batman and living life as a recluse in his mansion. However, he is forced to don his cowl again to deal with the brute known as Bane (Tom Hardy), a ruthless mercenary who presents the greatest physical threat Batman has ever faced. Meanwhile, Bruce deals with his feelings for cat burglar, Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway).
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Stars:
Christian Bale, Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway
7. JFK
JFK (1991)
1963: Jim Garrison takes on the task of investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Texas. Garrison is very suspicious of the official story being told by the FBI. What he already knows, and what he discovers next, leads him to suspect that there is more going on than what is being told to the public.
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Stars:
Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon and Tommy Lee Jones
8. Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (2023)
Scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer leads the top-secret Manhattan Project. The Hungarian scientist Edward Teller, who invented the hydrogen bomb, is involved in it, among others. Oppenheimer is married to Katherine, but has an affair with Jean Tatlock, a member of the Communist Party. The government considers her dangerous to the interests of American security. Oppenheimer is ultimately responsible for the invention of the atomic bomb.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Stars:
Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Matt Damon
9. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Harry goes to the Quidditch World Cup with his friends Ron and Hermione. Unfortunately, this event backfires when a group of Voldemort's followers, also known as Death Eaters, parade through the field. Fortunately there are no injuries or deaths, but the chance that Voldemort will return is increasing... At Hogwarts there is another event; the Triwizard Tournament. In it, three champions from three different wizarding schools must complete three dangerous tasks to win the Triwizard Trophy. These three champions are chosen by the Goblet of Fire. He chooses Fleur Delacour from Beauxbatons, Viktor Krum from Durmstrang and Carlo Kannewasser from Hogwarts. However, the Goblet of Fire spits out another name; Harry Potter...
Directed by: Mike Newell
Stars:
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint
10. Harry Potter and the Prison of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts. A dangerous mass murderer, Sirius Black, has escaped from Azkaban Prison, and everyone is convinced that he is out to kill Harry. As he learns to deal with the Dementors sent to Hogwarts to protect the school, Harry learns the disturbing story of Black, and his connections to Harry's family.
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars:
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
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