This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Michael Palin Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Red Dress (1977)
8
2
Red Dress
8
2
Starring:
Directed By:
Michael J.F. Scott
2. Life of Brian (1979)
55
14
Life of Brian
R
55
14

Brian of Nazareth, who was born in a stable next-door to Jesus on the same night, is mistaken as the prophesied messiah by the three wise men. Out of love for the young rebel Judith and hatred for the occupying Romans, he joins the People's Front of Judea, and unwittingly gathers his own group of followers.

Directed By:
3. Brazil (1985)
32
8
Brazil
R
32
8

Sam Lowry often daydreams of being a winged superhero saving a woman in distress. When Archibald Buttle is killed mistakenly instead of revolutionary Archibald Tuttle, Sam encounters Jill, the woman from his dreams who is trying to help Mrs. Buttle. Sam ends up being caught in a web of lies and government bureaucracy with disastrous consequences.  

Directed By:
5. Monty Python Live (Mostly) (2014)
8
2
Monty Python Live (Mostly)
8
2
Role:
Spanish Man / Fourth Yorkshireman / Harry Blackitt / Mr. Anchovy / Lumberjack / Third Bruce / Interviewer / Himself / Pepperpot / TV Host / Second Poofy Judge / Nobby / Cardinal Ximenez / Argument Customer / Pet Shop Emplyee
Directed By:
6. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
23
8
A Fish Called Wanda
R
23
8

Gangsters George Thomason and his aide Ken Pile plan a diamond heist and draft in Americans, con-artist Wanda Gershwitz and weapons expert Otto West. After a successful heist, George is arrested but has hidden the diamonds. Comedic incidents follow as Wanda seduces George’s lawyer, Archie Leach, to get the location of the diamonds. 

Role:
Ken Pile
Starring:
Directed By:
Awards:
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
7. And Now for Something Completely Different (1971)
10
3
And Now for Something Completely Different
PG
10
3

This anthology film based on the popular British television series ‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’ features over 40 comedy sketches dealing with varied topics and animation shorts. The best of the sketches taken from the show’s first two series and re-filmed without studio audience include such classics as ‘Dead Parrot,’ ‘Hell’s Grannies,’ ‘Nudge Nudge,’ ‘Bank Robber,’ ‘The Lumberjack Song,’ ‘Kilimanjaro Expedition,’ and many more.

Directed By:
Ian MacNaughton
9. The Death of Stalin (2017)
17
7
The Death of Stalin
17
7

The Death of Stalin is a political satire black comedy film, which tells the story of the power struggle of the cronies of Joseph Stalin, after he passes away in 1953. 

Starring:
Olga Kurylenko, Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, Rupert Friend, Richard Brake, Andrea Riseborough, Jason Isaacs
Directed By:
Armando Iannucci
11. Three Men in a Boat (1975)
6
3
Three Men in a Boat
6
3
Role:
Harris
Starring:
Tim Curry, Stephen Moore, Michael Elphick, Bill Stewart
Directed By:
12. Time Bandits (1981)
13
6
Time Bandits
PG
13
6

Eleven-year-old history enthusiast, Kevin, is shocked to see six time-traveling dwarfs who have escaped their master, the Supreme Being, appear from his closet. These time bandits have stolen Supreme Being’s unique time-&-space map and now they take Kevil along as they travel through history leaping from one era to another, stealing treasures from historical conquerors. But then they run into Evil Genius.  

Starring:
Sean Connery, Tony Jay, Ian Holm, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond
Directed By:
13. The Dress (1984)
6
3
The Dress
6
3
Role:
Howard
Starring:
Phyllis Logan, Dave Hill, Derrick Branche, Elisabeth Croft
Directed By:
Eva Sereny
14. A Private Function (1984)
6
3
A Private Function
R
6
3
Role:
Gilbert Chilvers
Starring:
Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliott, Tony Haygarth, Richard Griffiths
Directed By:
Malcolm Mowbray
15. Fierce Creatures (1997)
7
4
Fierce Creatures
PG-13
7
4

Rod McCain is a multimillionaire who purchases a zoo in London. Soon the staff is pressurized to make higher profits or face closure. Meanwhile, the staff faces a lot of struggle dealing with the new policies.

Role:
Bugsy Malone
Starring:
Ronnie Corbett, Jamie Lee Curtis, John Cleese, Kevin Kline
Directed By:
Robert Young, Fred Schepisi
16. The Wind in the Willows (1996)
5
3
The Wind in the Willows
PG
5
3
Starring:
Steve Coogan, Stephen Fry, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Nicol Williamson
Directed By:
17. The Missionary (1982)
5
3
The Missionary
R
5
3
Role:
The Reverend Charles Fortescue
Starring:
Trevor Howard, Maggie Smith, Michael Hordern, Denholm Elliott
Directed By:
Richard Loncraine
18. Jabberwocky (1977)
6
4
Jabberwocky
PG
6
4

A young peasant is mistaken as the only hope for the kingdom, when the countryside is threaten by a monster.

Role:
Dennis Cooper
Starring:
Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Warren Mitchell, John Le Mesurier, Harry H. Corbett
Directed By:
19. The Last Day of WW1 (2008)
9
2
The Last Day of WW1
9
2
Directed By:
John Hayes Fisher
20. Tracey Ullman: A Class Act (1993)
8
2
Tracey Ullman: A Class Act
8
2
Role:
Various
Starring:
Gareth Armstrong, Tracey Ullman, Ellie Beaven, Selina Cadell
Directed By:
Les Blair
21. Henry Cleans Up (1979)
7
2
Henry Cleans Up
7
2
Role:
Henry
Starring:
Terry Jones, Carol Cleveland, Dick Graham, Tommy Mann
Directed By:
Digby Turpin
22. Michael Palin in Wyeth's World (2013)
7
2
Michael Palin in Wyeth's World
7
2
Role:
Himself - Presenter
Starring:
Andrew Wyeth, Helga Testorf
Directed By:
Eleanor Yule
23. The Wipers Times (2013)
6
3
The Wipers Times
6
3
Starring:
Ben Chaplin, Emilia Fox, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Patrick FitzSymons
Directed By:
Andy De Emmony
24. Ending It All (1970)
6
3
Ending It All
6
3
25. American Friends (1991)
5
3
American Friends
PG
5
3
Role:
Reverend Francis Ashby
Starring:
Alfred Molina, Connie Booth, Alun Armstrong, Bryan Pringle
Directed By:
Tristram Powell

Narrator/Dubbing

Himalaya with Michael Palin
8
2
Himalaya with Michael Palin
8
2
Role:
 Self - Presenter and Narrator 6 episodes, 2004
Starring:
Lama The Dalai
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
45
10
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
PG
45
10

King Arthur of Camelot is looking for courageous knights to join his Round Table and he succeeds in his quest when a few men come forward. A bit of partying and deliberation later, they decide to leave. However, now God himself sends them to find the Holy Grail. What follows is a series of adventure and an encounter with a mysterious enchanter named Tim.

Role:
First Swallow-Savvy Guard / Dennis / Peasant 2 / Right Head / Sir Galahad the Pure / Narrator / King of Swamp Castle / Brother Maynard's Brother / Leader of The Knights Who Say NI!
Starring:
Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Eric Idle, Connie Booth, Graham Chapman
Directed By:
Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python (1999)
8
2
Python Night: 30 Years of Monty Python
8
2
Role:
Luigi Vercotti / BBC Crewmember / Self / Gumby / Pepperpot / Magnus Magnusson / Gorilla / BBC Voice Over / Ken Shabby / Policeman / It's Man
Starring:
Meat Loaf, Barry Humphries, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, John Cleese
Directed By:
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
9
2
Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl
R
9
2

This documentary film shows us few performances of The Monty Python troupe at the Hollywood Bowl.

Role:
Polinski / Emcee / Third Bruce / Mr.Stagback / Silly Walker / Second Judge / Che Guevara / Nietzsche / Soccer commentator / Fourth Yorkshireman / Argument customer / Mr. Bounder / Demonstrator #1 / Storyteller / Detective-Parson / Mountie
Starring:
John Cleese, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman
Directed By:
Terry Hughes, Ian MacNaughton
Around the World in 20 Years (2008)
7
2
Around the World in 20 Years
7
2
Role:
Self - Narrator
Starring:
Mahesh Bhatt, Bill Nelson, Hassan Suleyman
Directed By:
Roger Mills
Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School (2003)
7
2
Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School
7
2
Role:
Mr. Thistlewaite / Narrator
Starring:
John Cleese, Terry Jones
Directed By:
The Meaning of Life (1983)
14
5
The Meaning of Life
R
14
5

‘The Meaning of Life’ is a musical presented through a series of sketches. It’s a film by the British comedy troupe Monty Python, portraying various stages of life from the miracle of birth to the mystery of death. The movie also depicts hilarious vignettes about religious service, sex education, war, organ donation – every possible thing, just to find ‘the meaning of life.’ 

Role:
Window Washer / Harry / Fish #5 / Mr. Pycroft / Dad / Narrator #1 / Chaplain / Carter / Spadger / Regimental Sergeant Major / Pakenham-Walsh / Rear End / Female TV Presenter / Mr. Marvin Hendy / Governor / Leaf Son / Debbie Katzenberg
Starring:
Jane Leeves, Michael Caine, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones
Directed By:
Absolutely Anything (2015)
6
4
Absolutely Anything
R
6
4

The alien galactic council debates whether the Earth should be destroyed, or to make humanity a member of their council. They eventually come up with a plan of bestowing limitless power to a schoolteacher, to see if the powers would be used for good or for evil. Thus, his actions would determine the fate of humanity. 

Role:
Kindly Alien (voice)
Starring:
Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Joanna Lumley, Robin Williams, Meera Syal, Eddie Izzard, John Cleese
Directed By:
The Box (1981)
4
3
The Box
4
3
Role:
(voice)
Starring:
Terry Jones, Charles McKeown, Andrew Lodge, Richard Verna
Directed By:

Animation Movies

The Wind in the Willows (1995)
8
3
The Wind in the Willows
8
3
Role:
Rat (voice)
Starring:
Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Bennett, Rik Mayall, James Villiers
Directed By:
Dave Unwin, Dennis Abey
The Willows in Winter (1996)
7
3
The Willows in Winter
7
3
Role:
Rat (voice)
Starring:
Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Bennett, Rik Mayall, Enn Reitel
Directed By:
Dave Unwin
Clangers
7
3
Clangers
7
3
Role:
 Narrator 43 episodes, 2015-2016
Arthur Christmas (2011)
31
13
Arthur Christmas
PG
31
13

Santa’s clumsy son Arthur, learns that because of a technical glitch, a little girl's Christmas present has been misplaced. Therefore, he sets out on a mission to deliver the present before it is too late. 

Role:
Ernie Clicker (voice)
Starring:
James McAvoy, Eva Longoria, Andy Serkis, Hugh Laurie, Laura Linney, Joan Cusack, Rhys Darby
Directed By:
Barry Cook, Sarah Smith
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind (2007)
5
3
Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind
5
3
Role:
Gariiiiiii (voice)
Starring:
Keira Knightley, Russell Brand, Harry Enfield, Ardal O'Hanlon, Jane Horrocks, Gillian Anderson, Keira Knightley
Directed By:
Donnie Anderson
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman (2012)
5
4
A Liar's Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python's Graham Chapman
R
5
4
Role:
Michael Palin / Graham's Father / Interview Don #1 / Hibbern / Queen Mother (voice)
Starring:
Cameron Diaz, John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones
Directed By:
Bill Jones, Jeff Simpson, Ben Timlett

Special Appearance/Cameo

The Witches (1990)
15
7
The Witches
PG
15
7

The Witches is an adventure comedy fantasy film, which tells the story of a young boy who stumbles onto a group of witch’s convention as they are preparing to get rid of all children in the world. They turn him into a mouse but he still attempts to stop them.

Role:
Witch at Meeting (uncredited)
Starring:
Rowan Atkinson, Bill Paterson, Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling
Directed By:
Nicolas Roeg
Inar gahined (1989)
3
4
Inar gahined
3
4
Role:
Man in elevator (uncredited)
Starring:
Nour El-Sherif

TV Shows

The Best of the Two Ronnies: Volume 2 (2003)
10
1
The Best of the Two Ronnies: Volume 2
10
1
Starring:
Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, Julia McKenzie, Laura Hart, Richard Caldicot
Directed By:
Terry Hughes, James Gilbert, Michael Hurll
Monty Python's Flying Circus
105
14
Monty Python's Flying Circus
TV-14
105
14
Role:
It's Man / ... (46 episodes, 1969-1974)
Starring:
John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Connie Booth, Graham Chapman
Directed By:
John Howard Davies, Ian MacNaughton
The Innes Book of Records
9
2
The Innes Book of Records
9
2
Starring:
Rowan Atkinson, Neil Innes
Directed By:
Andrew Gosling
Great Railway Journeys of the World
8
2
Great Railway Journeys of the World
8
2
Role:
Himself - Presenter (1 episode, 1980)
Starring:
Ludovic Kennedy, Michael Frayn, Miles Kington, Eric Robson
Himalaya with Michael Palin
10
2
Himalaya with Michael Palin
10
2
Starring:
Lama The Dalai
The Best of the Two Ronnies (2001)
8
2
The Best of the Two Ronnies
8
2
Starring:
Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker, Claire Nielson, Carol Hawkins, April Walker
Directed By:
Terry Hughes, James Gilbert, Michael Hurll
Black and Blue
8
2
Black and Blue
8
2
Starring:
Warren Mitchell, Clifford Rose, David Collings, Julian Holloway, Tony Robinson
Directed By:
Frost on Sunday
8
2
Frost on Sunday
8
2
Starring:
David Frost, Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker, Josephine Tewson
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
10
2
Monty Python's Fliegender Zirkus
10
2
Role:
Chairman / ... (1 episode, 1972)
Starring:
John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Connie Booth
Directed By:
Ian MacNaughton
Ripping Yarns
10
3
Ripping Yarns
10
3
Role:
Bank Manager / ... (9 episodes, 1976-1979)
Starring:
John Cleese, Terry Jones, Charles McKeown
Directed By:
Terry Hughes, Alan J.W. Bell, Jim Franklin
Complete and Utter History of Britain
7
2
Complete and Utter History of Britain
7
2
Role:
Various / ... (6 episodes, 1969)
Starring:
Terry Jones, Colin Gordon, Wallas Eaton, Diana Quick
The Two Ronnies
11
3
The Two Ronnies
11
3
Starring:
Charlton Heston, Christopher Timothy, Joanna Lumley, Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker
Directed By:
Terry Hughes, Paul Jackson, Marcus Mortimer, James Gilbert, Marcus Plantin
Hark at Barker
7
2
Hark at Barker
7
2
Starring:
Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker, Christopher Timothy, David Jason, Josephine Tewson
Twice a Fortnight
7
2
Twice a Fortnight
7
2
Starring:
Terry Jones, Tony Buffery, Ronald Fletcher, Graeme Garden
Great Railway Journeys
7
2
Great Railway Journeys
7
2
Role:
Himself - Presenter (1 episode, 1994)
Starring:
Danny Glover, Victoria Wood, Nick Hancock, Natalia Makarova
The Frost Report
7
2
The Frost Report
7
2
Starring:
John Cleese, David Frost, Ronnie Corbett, Ronnie Barker, Julie Felix
Directed By:
James Gilbert
David Frost Presents
7
2
David Frost Presents
7
2
Starring:
Graham Chapman, Connie Booth, Mary Hopkin, Paul McCartney
Directed By:
Ian Fordyce
Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School (2003)
7
2
Education Tips No. 41: Choosing a Really Expensive School
7
2
Role:
Mr. Thistlewaite / Narrator
Starring:
John Cleese, Terry Jones
Directed By:
The Unseen Frank Skinner TV Show (1997)
7
2
The Unseen Frank Skinner TV Show
7
2
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Frank Skinner, Eddie Izzard, Tony Blair
Directed By:
Tom Poole
Comic Roots
7
2
Comic Roots
7
2
Role:
Himself / ... (1 episode, 1983)
Starring:
Les Dawson, Nicholas Ball, Keith Allen, Roy Barraclough
OTT
6
2
OTT
6
2
Role:
Himself (2 episodes, 1982)
Starring:
Lenny Henry, Alexei Sayle, Bob Carolgees, Chris Tarrant
Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
7
3
Michael Palin's Hemingway Adventure
7
3
Role:
Himself (4 episodes, 1999)
Do Not Adjust Your Set
7
3
Do Not Adjust Your Set
7
3
Role:
Various Characters (21 episodes, 1967-1969)
Starring:
Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Denise Coffey, David Jason
Jackanory
6
3
Jackanory
6
3
Starring:
Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Kingsley, Dawn French, Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes
Directed By:
Michael Kerrigan, Philippa Langdale, Nigel Douglas, Marilyn Fox, Angela Beeching
Broaden Your Mind
6
2
Broaden Your Mind
6
2
Starring:
Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie, Roland MacLeod
Directed By:
Roger Race
The Late Show
6
2
The Late Show
6
2
Starring:
Barry Humphries, Malcolm Muggeridge, John Bird, John Fortune, John Wells
The Nicholas Craig Masterclass
5
3
The Nicholas Craig Masterclass
5
3
Role:
(1 episode, 1992)
Starring:
Nigel Planer, Mark Aiken, Miles Kington, Michael Wood
Full House
5
3
Full House
5
3
Starring:
Ben Kingsley, Joe Melia, Charlotte Rampling, John Bird
Directed By:
Clive Anderson All Talk
4
3
Clive Anderson All Talk
4
3
Role:
Himself - Guest (2 episodes, 1997-1999)
Starring:
Ben Elton, Steve Coogan, Frank Skinner, Stephen Fry
Home and Away
8
7
Home and Away
8
7
Starring:
Adam Garcia, Craig McLachlan, Martin Henderson, Daniel Lissing, Isabel Lucas, Dominic Purcell, Julian McMahon
Directed By:
David Gould, Geoffrey Nottage, Scott Hartford-Davis, Danny Raco, Mark Piper
Marty
0
0
Marty
0
0
Starring:
Marty Feldman, Terry Jones, Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Junkin, Roland MacLeod
Directed By:
Roger Race
A Christmas Night with the Stars
0
0
A Christmas Night with the Stars
0
0
Starring:
Benny Hill, Eric Idle, Steve Coogan, Graham Chapman, Marty Feldman, Terry Jones, Ronnie Barker
Directed By:
James Gilbert, Graeme Muir, Dennis Main-Wilson, Duncan Wood, Douglas Moodie

Michael Palin Awards

BAFTA Awards
A Fish Called Wanda Best Actor in a Supporting Role 1989