The 10 best Michael Gambon movies of all time - Ranked

Sir Michael Gambon has passed away, so it is a pertinent time to look back on some of his best movies.

On 28 September 2023, the acclaimed actor passed away, with the news breaking via a statement from his family.

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Gambon was one of the most acclaimed theatre actors of his generation. Along with Laurence Olivier, he was one of the founding members of the Royal National Theatre.

He won three Olivier awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards and four BAFTA awards. For services to acting and drama, he received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 1999.

To most movie fans, he is undoubtedly recognised most for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. Gambon did not actually start the franchise in the role, but for the third movie, The Prisoner of Azkaban, he was selected to replace Richard Harris, who passed away after filming The Chamber of Secrets.

Within our MovieMeter community, there are naturally various Michael Gambon 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.

It is no surprise to see that Harry Potter dominates the list of his 10 best movies. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II tops the list, while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I also feature,

In second place is The King's Speech in which he plays King George V. That movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Crime thriller The Insider is in at number three.

Best Michael Gambon movies

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II (2011)

3.86 (3424)

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

2. The King's Speech (2010

3.70 (2676)

The King's Speech (2010)

After his brother abdicates, George rather unwittingly becomes the new King of England and goes through life as George VI. Unfortunately, he stutters, which doesn't really sound like a royal. For this he enlists the help of the unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue. This results in a series of unusual techniques and a special friendship.

Directed by: Tom Hooper
Stars: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter

3. The Insider (1999)

3.70 (1890)

The Insider (1999)

'60 Minutes' producer Lowell Bergman smells a story when Jeff Wigand, a former researcher at tobacco company Brown & Williamson, refuses to talk to him. When the manufacturer forces Wigand to fulfill an agreement, he decides to confide in Bergman and reveal the truth about his employer. However, both Bergman and Wigand find out that this is not as easy as thought.

Directed by: Michael Mann
Stars: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe and Christopher Plummer

4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

3.65 (4583)

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

5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

3.65 (4491)

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

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (2010)

3.63 (3308)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

The whole of Britain is gripped by Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), who has only one goal in mind: to track down and kill Harry Potter (Daniel Radclife). While the whole country is at war, the bespectacled hero and his two best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) hide in the farthest reaches of the Muggle world. There they embark on a perilous quest for the remaining Horcruxes, the items that guarantee Voldemort's immortality.

Directed by: David Yates
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

7. Paddington 2 (2017)

3.60 (579)

Paddington 2 (2017)

Paddington is happy with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community. While searching for the perfect gift for his beloved Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, Paddington discovers a unique book in Mr. Gruber's antique shop. In order to buy the book, he takes a series of strange jobs. But when the book is stolen, it's up to Paddington and the Brown family to unmask the thief.

Directed by: Paul King
Stars: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson

8. The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

3.60 (531)

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

Every evening, the barbarian leader of a criminal gang, Albert Spica, visits the luxurious restaurant Le Hollandaise, which he co-owns, accompanied by his wife Georgina and a couple of accomplices. When Georgina meets a bookseller at the restaurant one night so different from the ravenous, racist brute that is her husband, she is immediately drawn to him. A passionate relationship develops, with the lovers passionately loving each other every night in a different place in the restaurant. The cook is their helper and accomplice, who always provides a safe place where they can make love. However, their romance is discovered. Spica and his accomplices take revenge in a gruesome way, but this is still child's play compared to what Georgina offers her husband.

Directed by: Peter Greenaway
Stars: Helen Mirren, Richard Bohringer and Michael Gambon

9. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

3.57 (3014)

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

The year is 1799 and we meet the misfit Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp). He is eagerly looking forward to the new century and tries to carry out his work as a New York agent objectively and scientifically. However, the 'modern' means he uses do not go down well with Judge Burgomaster (Christopher Lee). To get rid of him, he sends Crane to Sleepy Hollow, a strange town populated mainly by Dutch immigrants, and lately haunted by a seemingly invincible headless horseman. He lets his sword swing around and has already beheaded three people on Crane's arrival. The question now is whether Crane's alternative approach can solve the mystery.

Directed by: Tim Burton
Stars: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and Miranda Richardson

10. The Browning Version (1994)

3.56 (140)

The Browning Version (1994)

Classics teacher forced to retire. Hated by his students (nickname: Hitler) and colleagues. His wife despises and cheats on him. He looks back on his life and begins to become more human. In the end, he still gets the appreciation he deserves.

Directed by: Mike Figgis
Stars: Albert Finney, Greta Scacchi and Matthew Modine