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 James McAvoy Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
34
8
X-Men: Days of Future Past
PG-13
34
8

In 2023, mutants are pushed to the brink of extinction by Sentinels, robotic killing machines programmed to identify and exterminate them, as well as humans helping them. In a desperate attempt, Professor X, Magneto, Storm, and Kitty Pryde send volunteer Wolverine five decades back to stop a younger Mystique from attempting to assassinate Bolivar Trask, who created the Sentinels.

Role:
Charles Xavier
Directed By:
Bryan Singer
2. Atonement (2007)
21
5
Atonement
R
21
5

Based on Ian McEwan’s novel of the same name, the movie tells the tragic story of young lovers Cecelia Tallis and Robbie Turner. A lie from Cecelia’s jealous younger sister Briony sends Robbie to prison and then to World War II. Robbie and Cecelia both lose their lives in the war. 

Role:
Robbie Turner
Starring:
Directed By:
3. X: First Class (2011)
32
9
X: First Class
PG-13
32
9

The 5th movie in X-Men film series centres on the relationship of two very powerful mutants, Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr, as they join hands to prevent Sebastian Shaw, a dangerous mutant from starting a nuclear war. However, Eric has his own plan which causes a rift between the two friends.

Role:
Charles Xavier
Directed By:
Matthew Vaughn
4. The Last King of Scotland (2006)
15
4
The Last King of Scotland
R
15
4

The movie is based on Giles Foden's 1998 novel, The Last King of Scotland. Nicholas Garrigan, a young Scottish doctor is employed by the Ugandan President Idi Amin as his personal physician. Nicholas initial trusts Amin but soon realises that the latter is savage. He tries to flee from Uganda, but his life is endangered with Amin finding out the truth.

Role:
Dr. Nicholas Garrigan
Starring:
Forest Whitaker, Kerry Washington, David Oyelowo, Gillian Anderson, Simon McBurney
Directed By:
Kevin Macdonald
5. Inside I'm Dancing (2004)
10
3
Inside I'm Dancing
R
10
3

Michael Connoly is a 24 year old who is suffering from cerebral palsy. He has been admitted to the Carrigmore Residential Home for a long time. His life takes a turn with the arrival of Rory O’Shea, who is suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They soon begin to develop an unusual friendship with one another.

Role:
Rory O'Shea
Starring:
Romola Garai, Ruth McCabe, Brenda Fricker, Steven Robertson, Alan King
Directed By:
Damien O'Donnell
6. Split (2016)
26
8
Split
PG-13
26
8

Three teenage girls, Cassey, Claire and Marcia are kidnapped by Kevin Wendell who suffers from dissociative identity disorder with 23 different personalities. A 24th persona, the most sinister one, can appear anytime. The girls, therefore, have to find a way to escape, before it is too late for them.

Role:
Dennis / Patricia / Hedwig / The Beast / Kevin Wendell Crumb / Barry / Orwell / Jade
Starring:
Bruce Willis, M. Night Shyamalan, Betty Buckley, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson
Directed By:
7. Filth (2013)
10
4
Filth
R
10
4

In this adaptation of 1998 novel by Irvine Welsh, Bruce Robertson is a deceitful policeman who is awaiting his promotion and will do anything for it. When he is assigned to solve a murder case of a Japanese student, he begins scheming against his fellow cops. Soon, he looses his grip on himself and starts hallucinating. 

Role:
Bruce
Starring:
Imogen Poots, Eddie Marsan, Jamie Bell, Brian McCardie
Directed By:
Jon S. Baird
8. Becoming Jane (2007)
9
4
Becoming Jane
PG
9
4

Based on the life of British author Jane Austen, the film depicts her lasting love for Tom Lefroy, at that time a penniless apprentice lawyer. An aspiring writer, she has many wealthy suitors; but chooses not accept them because such union may hamper her creativity. She cannot marry Tom either because his entire family depends on him. 

Role:
Tom Lefroy
Directed By:
Julian Jarrold
9. The Last Station (2009)
7
3
The Last Station
R
7
3

Famed novelist Leo Tolstoy gets into an argument with his wife over the rights to Tolstoy’s literary legacy. His wife believes that he should bequeath them to her, but Tolstoy’s chief disciple believes that the rights should belong to the people of Russia.

Role:
Valentin
Starring:
Directed By:
Michael Hoffman
10. Regeneration (1997)
7
3
Regeneration
R
7
3
Starring:
Jonathan Pryce, Jonny Lee Miller, David Hayman, James Wilby
Directed By:
Gillies MacKinnon
11. Lorna Doone (2000)
7
3
Lorna Doone
7
3
Starring:
Jesse Spencer, Barbara Flynn, Aidan Gillen, Trevor Cooper, Ruth Sheen
Directed By:
Mike Barker
12. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
19
8
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
PG
19
8

Sent to a safe country house during WWII, four siblings find a secret passageway to the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe. The two brothers and two sisters soon learn that they are destined to free Narnia from the curse of an eternal winter by assisting the great lion Aslan against the evil White Witch, Jadis.

Role:
Mr. Tumnus
Starring:
Liam Neeson, Dawn French, Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley
Directed By:
Andrew Adamson
13. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
20
9
X-Men: Apocalypse
PG-13
20
9

En Sabah Nur, the first mutant worshipped as a god in ancient Egypt, wakes up thousands of years later and is extremely dissatisfied with the modern world. He recruits four powerful mutants, Storm, Psylocke, Angel and Magneto, to bring about Apocalypse to the world, which Professor Xavier and Mystique must prevent with the help of young recruits.

Role:
Professor Charles Xavier
Starring:
Ally Sheedy, Sophie Turner, Oscar Isaac, Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Evan Peters, Rose Byrne
Directed By:
Bryan Singer
14. Trance (2013)
10
4
Trance
R
10
4

Art auctioneer, Simon, teams with a gang led by Franck to steal a costly painting from his own auction house, but loses memory after receiving a blow in the head during the heist. After unsuccessfully torturing him to find where he hid the painting, Franck hires hypnotist Elizabeth to probe his mind, but she reaches deeper than they had anticipated.

Role:
Simon
Starring:
Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel, Danny Sapani, Matt Cross
Directed By:
15. The Conspirator (2010)
7
3
The Conspirator
PG-13
7
3

After President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated, seven men and one woman are arrested and charged with conspiracy against Lincoln, the Vice President and the Secretary of State. Although initially reluctant, lawyer Frederick Aiken soon starts to think that Mary, who is charged as co-conspirator may be innocent,

Role:
Frederick Aiken
Starring:
Kevin Kline, Robin Wright, Evan Rachel Wood, Norman Reedus, Alexis Bledel, Justin Long, Danny Huston
Directed By:
16. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (2013)
7
3
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her
R
7
3

This film is the second part of two films which revolve around the lives of Conor Ludlow and Eleanor Rigby, a young married couple living in New York. This film looks at their lives, from the point of view of Eleanor.  

Role:
Conor Ludlow
Starring:
Viola Davis, Isabelle Huppert, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Nina Arianda
Directed By:
Ned Benson
17. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2013)
7
3
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him
R
7
3

This romantic drama film tells the story of a couple, Connor and Eleanor, trying to  reclaim the love and the happy life that they once had. The film is shown through the perspective of Connor.

Role:
Conor Ludlow
Starring:
Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Viola Davis, Isabelle Huppert, Nina Arianda
Directed By:
Ned Benson
18. Wanted (2008)
19
8
Wanted
R
19
8

Wesley Gibson, an abused office worker frustrated with his job and personal life, learns that his estranged father was an assassin and was recently killed by a hitman named Cross, who is now after him. Rescued by the sexy assassin Fox, he must learn the ropes of the trade to be able to face Cross himself.

Role:
Wesley
Starring:
Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Chris Pratt, Terence Stamp, Thomas Kretschmann
Directed By:
Timur Bekmambetov
19. Penelope (2006)
9
4
Penelope
PG
9
4

Penelope Wilhern, heiress of an aristocratic family, is born with a pig-nose owing to a family curse which can break only if she finds true love with ‘one of her own kind.’ Raised alone hidden in mansion, when her family fails to find right suitor she escapes in the outside world and discovers her true self. Will she succeed in breaking the curse?     

Starring:
Christina Ricci, Peter Dinklage, Russell Brand, Lenny Henry, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Feast, Richard E. Grant
Directed By:
Mark Palansky
20. Atomic Blonde (2017)
13
6
Atomic Blonde
R
13
6

Atomic Blonde is a 2017 action thriller film, which tells the story of an undercover MI6 agent, who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent as well as recover a stolen list having the names of several exceptional secret agents. 

Role:
David Percival
Starring:
Charlize Theron, Sofia Boutella, John Goodman, Daniel Bernhardt, Til Schweiger, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones
Directed By:
David Leitch
21. Starter for 10 (2006)
8
4
Starter for 10
PG-13
8
4

An intelligent student joins the Bristol University where he soon becomes a part of the quiz team.  He soon finds himself confused regarding his feelings for two different girls: Alice and Rebecca.  

Starring:
Mark Gatiss, James Corden, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joseph Friend, James Gaddas, Catherine Tate, Robert Cawsey
Directed By:
Tom Vaughan
22. It Chapter Two (2019)
14
7
It Chapter Two
R
14
7

Based on It, the 1986 horror novel by Stephen King, the film shows Pennywise, the Dancing Clown, returning to the town of Derry after 27 years, once again terrorizing people. The seven youngsters, who have earlier defeated him, are now grown ups, busy with their own life. Yet they must unite once again if they want to save the mankind. 

Role:
Bill Denbrough
Starring:
Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Jessica Chastain, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, Isaiah Mustafa
Directed By:
Andy Muschietti
23. Bright Young Things (2003)
6
3
Bright Young Things
R
6
3

Bright Young Things is a comedy drama film which takes us to 1930s London. It revolves around Adam Fenwick, an aspiring novelist, who is trying to raise enough money for his marriage. However, things only get worse when his manuscript is confiscated by the officials. Therefore, he looks for a new way to arrange money for his wedding.

Role:
Simon Balcairn
Starring:
David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry, Dan Aykroyd, Peter O'Toole, Sir John Mills, Mark Gatiss
Directed By:
24. Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
6
4
Muppets Most Wanted
TV-PG
6
4

The Muppets set out on a grand world tour, performing in locations such as Madrid, Berlin, London and Dublin. However, just after finishing their performance in Berlin, they find themselves involved in a jewel heist.

Starring:
Ross Lynch, Tina Fey, Danny Trejo, Christoph Waltz, Ray Liotta, Frank Langella, Jemaine Clement
Directed By:
James Bobin
25. Wimbledon (2004)
7
4
Wimbledon
PG-13
7
4

After slipping to the rank of 119, British tennis pro Peter colt decides to retire from competitive tennis. As he appears for his last Wimbledon, he meets Lizzie Bradbury, an American rising star and the two fall in love. Peter once again  starts winning games. But Lizzie's overprotective father objects to the liaison, fearing it will hamper her career.    

Starring:
Kirsten Dunst, Paul Bettany, Sam Neill, Jon Favreau, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Bernard Hill
Directed By:
Richard Loncraine
26. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014)
6
3
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them
R
6
3

Conor and Eleanor's relationship goes sour after an incident. Conor manages to move on from that, but Elenor stays affected by it for long. However, Conor gets distressed when Elenor decides to take a break from their marriage.

Role:
Conor Ludlow
Starring:
Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Isabelle Huppert, Nina Arianda
Directed By:
Ned Benson
27. Together (2021)
6
4
Together
R
6
4
Role:
He
28. Welcome to the Punch (2013)
6
4
Welcome to the Punch
R
6
4

Welcome to the Punch is a British action thriller film which tells the story of a veteran detective, who gets a final chance to bring a notorious criminal to justice, when the latter is forced to return to London.

Role:
Max Lewinsky
Starring:
Mark Strong, Daniel Mays, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Harris
Directed By:
Eran Creevy
29. My Son (2021)
7
4
My Son
R
7
4

My Son is a mystery thriller film which tells the story of Edmond, who receives a call from his estranged ex-wife who tells him about his son’s disappearance. Determined to find his son, he begins to suspect that his ex-wife’s new partner Frank might be responsible. He ends up assaulting Frank and knocks him out unconscious. However, Frank refuses to file charges against Edmond. Edmond continues to investigate in search of his son.   

Role:
Edmond Murray
Starring:
Tom Cullen
30. Victor Frankenstein (2015)
7
4
Victor Frankenstein
PG-13
7
4

Eccentric medical student, Victor Frankenstein, strikes a friendship with amateur anatomist, and circus-clown Igor Straussman. With Igor’s help, Frankenstein conducts experiments to re-animate dead tissues to create life and overcome death by solving mysteries of creation; but it leads to alarming results, inviting public wrath. When Frankenstein’s obsession threatens to cross boundaries of sanity, Igor must save him from his monstrous creation. 

Role:
Victor Frankenstein
Starring:
Daniel Radcliffe, Jessica Brown Findlay, Mark Gatiss, Bronson Webb, Daniel Mays
Directed By:
Paul McGuigan
31. Dark Phoenix (2019)
9
7
Dark Phoenix
PG-13
9
7

This action science fiction superhero film, which is based on the Marvel Comics series X-Men revolves around Jean Gray, whose powers grow incredibly, turning her corrupt. Soon, the X-Men are forced to face her at full power.

Starring:
Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Jessica Chastain, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Evan Peters
Directed By:
Simon Kinberg
32. Swimming Pool - Der Tod feiert mit (2001)
3
3
Swimming Pool - Der Tod feiert mit
R
3
3
Starring:
Isla Fisher, Kristen Miller, Elena Uhlig, Paul Grasshoff
Directed By:
Boris von Sychowski
33. An Angel Passes By (1997)
7
3
An Angel Passes By
7
3
Role:
Local boy
Starring:
Kenneth Glenaan, Paul Young, Annette Whyte, Kate Donnelly
Directed By:
David Baillie
34. Submergence (2017)
4
4
Submergence
4
4
Role:
James More
Starring:
Alicia Vikander, Alexander Siddig, Celyn Jones, Reda Kateb
Directed By:
35. The Near Room (1995)
3
3
The Near Room
3
3
Starring:
Andy Serkis, Tom Watson, David Hayman, David O'Hara, Adrian Dunbar
Directed By:
David Hayman
36. Bollywood Queen (2002)
3
3
Bollywood Queen
3
3
Role:
Jay
Starring:
Ian McShane, Ciarán McMenamin, Ray Panthaki, Preeya Kalidas, Kat Bhathena
Directed By:
Jeremy Wooding

TV Shows

Band of Brothers
63
4
Band of Brothers
TV-MA
63
4
Starring:
Tom Hardy, Tom Hanks, Simon Pegg, Jimmy Fallon, Donnie Wahlberg, David Schwimmer, Damian Lewis
Directed By:
Foyle's War
10
2
Foyle's War
TV-14
10
2
Starring:
Charlotte Riley, Tamzin Outhwaite, Rosamund Pike, Corin Redgrave, Amber Rose Revah, Emily Blunt, Paul Giamatti
Directed By:
Jeremy Silberston, Stuart Orme, Gavin Millar, Tristram Powell, Giles Foster
Early Doors
8
1
Early Doors
8
1
Starring:
Mark Benton, Rita May, Lorraine Cheshire, John Henshaw
Directed By:
Adrian Shergold, Craig Cash
State of Play
9
2
State of Play
TV-14
9
2
Role:
Dan Foster
Starring:
Bill Nighy, Kelly Macdonald, David Morrissey, John Simm
Directed By:
David Yates
Shameless
10
2
Shameless
10
2
Starring:
Jason Manford, Joe Gilgun, Corin Redgrave, David Threlfall, Rebecca Atkinson, Alice Barry, Nicky Evans
Directed By:
Peter Lydon, Metin Hüseyin, David Evans, Mark Mylod, Dearbhla Walsh
ShakespeaRe-Told
7
2
ShakespeaRe-Told
7
2
Starring:
Johnny Vegas, Twiggy, Damian Lewis, Nick Malinowski, Russell Loten
Directed By:
David Richards, Ed Fraiman, Brian Percival, Mark Brozel
His Dark Materials
13
4
His Dark Materials
TV-14
13
4
Role:
Lord Asriel
Starring:
Kit Connor, Dafne Keen, Tyler Howitt , Archie Barnes
Directed By:
Tom Hooper, Otto Bathurst, Jamie Childs
Murder in Mind
7
2
Murder in Mind
7
2
Starring:
Archie Panjabi, Adam Faith, Rob Brydon, Joanna Scanlan, Nicholas Hoult, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Healy
Directed By:
Nick Jones, Coky Giedroyc, David Innes Edwards, Frank W. Smith, Ferdinand Fairfax
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
7
2
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
7
2
Starring:
Henry Cavill, Indira Varma, Idris Elba, Phyllis Logan, Mark Bonnar, Nathaniel Parker, Sharon Small
Directed By:
Richard Laxton, Brian Stirner, Alrick Riley, Robert Bierman
Children of Dune
7
3
Children of Dune
7
3
Role:
Leto Atreides II
Starring:
Susan Sarandon, Steven Berkoff, Ian McNeice, Julie Cox, Daniela Amavia
Directed By:
Greg Yaitanes
White Teeth
6
2
White Teeth
6
2
Starring:
Naomie Harris, Archie Panjabi, Russell Brand, Om Puri, Phil Davis
Directed By:
Julian Jarrold
The Bill
5
3
The Bill
5
3
Starring:
David Walliams, Colin Baker, Martin Kemp, Pam Ferris, Roger Daltrey, Jason Clarke, Emma Bunton
Directed By:
Steve Shill, David Yates, Peter Lydon, Jonathan Dent, Stuart Burge

Narrator/Dubbing

Strings (2004)
10
5
Strings
PG
10
5
Role:
Hal (voice)
Starring:
Derek Jacobi, Ian Hart, Catherine McCormack, Julian Glover
Directed By:
Anders Rønnow Klarlund

Animation Movies

Arthur Christmas (2011)
15
6
Arthur Christmas
PG
15
6

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:
Arthur (voice)
Starring:
Eva Longoria, Hugh Laurie, Michael Palin, Laura Linney, Joan Cusack, Rhys Darby, Danny John-Jules
Directed By:
Barry Cook, Sarah Smith
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
11
8
Gnomeo & Juliet
G
11
8

Gnomeo & Juliet is an animated romantic comedy film, which tells the story of Gnomeo and Juliet, two garden gnomes from opposing communities, who fall for each other. Now, they will need to overcome their respective clans in order to be with each other.   

Role:
Gnomeo (voice)
Starring:
Jason Statham, Emily Blunt, Patrick Stewart, Michael Caine, Dolly Parton, Stephen Merchant, Jim Cummings
Directed By:
Kelly Asbury
Sherlock Gnomes (2018)
5
5
Sherlock Gnomes
TV-G
5
5

Shortly after Sherlock Gnomes and his assistant Gnome Watson defeats their nemesis Moriarty, Gnomes is approached by Gnomeo and Julet who want to hire him to investigate the sudden disappearance of other gnomes.  

Role:
Gnomeo (voice)
Starring:
Johnny Depp, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matt Lucas, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Stephen Merchant
Directed By:
John Stevenson

Special Appearance/Cameo

Deadpool 2 (2018)
12
3
Deadpool 2
R
12
3

Blaming himself for his girlfriend's death, Deadpool makes a failed attempt at committing suicide and reluctantly joins the X-Men while recovering at the X-Mansion. His team rescues angry young mutant Russell Collins from an abusive orphanage, only to find out that Collins is being hunted by Cable, a cyborg soldier from the future, for murdering his family.

Role:
Charles Xavier (uncredited)
Starring:
Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Matt Damon
Directed By:
David Leitch