Gary Oldman is one of the finest actors of this generation, with his range and versatility being frequent topics of discussion in drama schools. The British actor has filled his acting coloring book with shades of various colors, playing daunting villains, leading men, and also being able to uplift a huge ensemble cast.
For fans and critics alike, the consensus regarding Gary Oldman as an actor is unanimous, he’s considered one of the greatest living actors. In what comes as high praise from Roger Ebert, the journalist stated “one of the great actors, able to play high, low, crass, noble.” This is especially reflected in the actor’s filmography, as he went from playing Dracula to stepping into Winston Churchill’s shoes.
The British actor’s efforts came to fruition in 2018 when he was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Here’s a look at some of his best movies ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10 State of Grace (1990) - 85%
Gary Oldman and Sean Penn were heavily praised for their performances in State of Grace, as they perfectly complimented each other as childhood friends. While Sean Penn was more somber and composed in his demeanor, Gary Oldman upped the antics with his craziness. Having been released in the same week as Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas, State of Grace fell under the comparison trap, but not before doing wonders for Oldman and Penn's careers.
9 The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - 87%
In one of his most somber performances, Gary Oldman played the role of Gotham City Police Officer Jim Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. The Dark Knight Rises is a testament to Oldman’s maturity and composure, as he understood the nuances of the narrative and downplayed Gordon to offset Batman and Bane’s antics.
8 Sid & Nancy (1986) - 88%
Based on the tumultuous relationship between Sex Pistols frontman Sid Vicious and his equally erratic girlfriend, Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb), Sid & Nancy put Gary Oldman on the map and skyrocketed him to stardom. Despite not being a major success at the box office, Sid & Nancy developed a cult following and the approval of respected critic Roger Ebert, who stated, “I tell you who definitely won’t be nominated and should be, and that’s a young British actor named Gary Oldman.”
7 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) - 88%
It’s difficult to stand out and make a mark as an actor when you’re offered very little screen time. This would come as a serious concern for many actors, but not Gary Oldman. Despite being seen only for a few scenes, Oldman’s endearing portrayal of Sirius Black managed to carve out a space in the heart of the Harry Potter faithful.
6 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - 90%
In one of the best plot twists ever; Oldman’s Sirius Black is painted as a dark character, loyal to his master Lord Voldemort. Throughout the film, Harry, Hermione, and Ron are constantly nervous about the rumors surrounding Sirius Black and his escape from Azkaban. It's only when Sirius Black meets Harry and reveals his true identity, that we see a shift in Oldman’s performance, as he edges from loud and creepy to soft and loving.
5 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2004) - 91%
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes picks up ten years after 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes, when the Simian Flu almost wiped out most of humanity and the apes. The film follows Dreyfus, (Gary Oldman) an ex-police officer leading a small group of humans to search for a place to call home. Taking over from Rupert Wyatt, Matt Reeves’ film is filled with raw emotion, nuanced performances, and an overall darker tone, making it a major upgrade from its predecessor.
4 True Romance (1993) - 93%
Drexyl from True Romance is one of Gary Oldman’s most memorable characters. A pimp who hides his malice behind a facade of humor, Drexyl’s dread locked hair and heavily-scarred face add to his intimidating persona. Understanding the need for him to break out of this conventional "bad guy" image, Oldman adds a few layers of insecurity and humor to Drexyl, immediately making him more relatable and memorable.
3 The Dark Knight (2008) - 94%
The Dark Knight is a Heath Ledger movie through and through. Never before has an antagonist’s performance garnered so much praise as Ledger's has with Joker. In such a landscape, Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Officer Jim Gordon works out as an amuse-bouche before the introduction of Batman and Joker’s incredibly spicy main course.
2 Prick Up Your Ears (1987) - 95%
Prick Up Your Ears is based on the story of famed playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) and his lover and writing partner (Alfred Molina). As the two lovers chart the course of their literary journey, Orton finds success while Halliwell doesn’t, makes the latter more bitter and jealous. Their troubled relationship hits rock bottom when Orton is asked to write a film for The Beatles, sending Halliwell down a spiral of negativity and depression.
Oldman’s performance as Joe Orton was heavily praised, earning him a BAFTA nomination, with the film winning an award for Best Artistic Contribution at Cannes.
1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) - 96%
Having evolved from being an alleged Voldemort-worshiping criminal to Harry’s loving godfather, Sirius Black has one of the best character arcs in the whole series. While Oldman has had other meatier roles where his talents were properly utilized, he's managed to carve out a space for himself in a huge ensemble and will always be remembered for being the kind and loving father figure Harry never had.
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