Ralph Fiennes’ 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Since making his film debut in 1992, Ralph Fiennes has been a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, as he has delivered one exceptional performance after another in countless incredible films. With the ability to excel in comedy, drama, and grand, sweeping epics, Fiennes’ skill as an actor brought to mind the best performers of earlier eras, as his stern commitment to the art of performing gave his best roles a timeless quality. Having worked with some of the greatest directors who ever lived, Fiennes has made a name for himself as one of Britain’s most well-known and popular actors.

The career of Fiennes has been an impressive journey from acclaimed roles in prestige dramas to memorable turns in some of the largest franchises of all time. Fiennes has proved himself equally comfortable in comedy and drama, and even after being around for decades, he has consistently given his all to every part he’s played. With three Academy Award nominations, including his recent Conclave, Fiennes has stood as one of the most talented performers yet to win an Oscar. His best movies have stood the test of time and are cemented in history as true modern classics.

10

The Menu (2022)

As Chef Slowik

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The Menu

R

Comedy

Horror

Thriller

12

8.8/10

Release Date

November 18, 2022

Runtime

106 minutes

Director

Mark Mylod

Writers

Seth Reiss, Will Tracy

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

  • Anya Taylor-Joy Profile Picture

    Anya Taylor-Joy

A darkly comedic horror-thriller, The Menu focuses on a group of diners invited to a high-end restaurant on a private island by one of the world’s greatest chefs. Shortly after arriving on the island, Margot Mills begins to realize something is strange beyond the perceived pompous nature of the menu. Her suspicions are confirmed when the night turns deadly as the restaurant staff begins to descend into a cult-like madness.

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

Searchlight Pictures

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The Menu was a fascinating social commentary that used the idea of fine dining to expose the hypocrites of the social elite and food snobbery. As an insightful blend of black comedy and horror, The Menu examined the power imbalances between waiters and diners in the food industry and took this idea to its absolute extreme. While food was the focus, at its core, The Menu dealt with class inequalities, wealth disparities, and the massive divide between everyday people and the 1%.

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Every Dish In The Menu & What They Really Mean

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Pulling all these themes together was Ralph Fiennes as the villainous Chef Slowik, a famous culinary artist bent on exacting his terrifying vengeance on customers who abused him. Fiennes served a delicious performance in The Menu as he channeled his more sinister side to perfection. The Menu powerfully explored the idea of dining as a theatrical experience and was one of the most unique and challenging films about the food industry in recent years, as its themes of class and power left viewers satiated.

9

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

As Lord Voldemort

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

PG-13

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Mystery

11

9.6/10

Release Date

July 15, 2011

Runtime

130 Minutes

Director

David Yates

Writers

Steve Kloves, J.K. Rowling

Prequel(s)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

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  •  Headshot of Daniel Radcliffe In The London screening of 'The Lost City'

    Daniel Radcliffe

  • Headshot Of Rupert Grint

    Rupert Grint

The conclusion to the film franchise based on the popular novel series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 centers on Harry and his allies as they prepare for the final battle against Lord Voldemort. The film follows Harry, Hermoine, and Ron as they continue to track down and destroy the Horcruxes to destroy Voldemort, all while the dark wizard approaches ever closer to Hogwarts with his army of followers.

Studio(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films

Distributor(s)

Warner Bros. Pictures

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While Ralph Fiennes was not the first actor to portray the twisted, muggle-hating wizard Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, he has been a mainstay of the franchise ever since he was introduced in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As the series’ primary antagonist, Fiennes was almost unrecognizable as he transformed himself into the noseless, pale, and eerie leader of the Death Eaters. With a truly unsettling performance, everything about Voldemort’s character came to a head in the final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort holding his hands near his face in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

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This was the final entry in the main Harry Potter series, which saw Harry and Voldemort face off for the last time in the grand climax of the Battle of Hogwarts. With a deeply malevolent presence that was also categorized by fear about Harry’s potential to defeat him, the epic showdown brought together everything terrifying and pathetic about Lord Voldemort. As Fiennes perfectly represented the hypocrisy at the heart of Voldemort’s fascistic obsession with pure-blooded wizards, his defeat was incredibly satisfying, as Fiennes had spent years embodying a character that viewers loved to hate.

8

The Reader (2008)

As Older Michael Berg

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The Reader

R

Drama

Romance

Mystery

Release Date

January 30, 2009

Runtime

124 Minutes

Director

Stephen Daldry

Writers

David Hare, Bernhard Schlink

Cast

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  • Headshot of Kate Winslet

    Kate Winslet

  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Bruno Ganz

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jeanette Hain

The Reader is a German-American drama film directed by Stephen Daldry, based on Bernhard Schlink’s 1995 novel of the same name. Starring Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, and David Kross, the story revolves around the post-World War II workings of a young man who has an affair with an older woman, only to discover years later that she is on trial for Nazi war crimes.

Main Genre

Drama

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While Kate Winslet took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her incredible performance in The Reader, the contribution of the rest of the cast to the power of this intense story cannot be underrated. Ralph Fiennes brought pathos and depth to his portrayal of the older Michael Berg, a man who, when he was 15 years old, had a sexual relationship with Hanna Schmitz. Years later, Berg encountered Hanna once again as she stood trial for war crimes stemming from her actions as a guard at a Nazi concentration camp.

The Reader was a deeply layered exploration of the horrific legacy of the Holocaust and the ethical challenges of addressing the fate of those who contributed to it. In his role, Fiennes captured the devastating emotional turmoil of being confronted with Hanna’s dark actions as the power imbalances and age discrepancy of their affair were juxtaposed with her actions as a Nazi guard. While The Reader has been criticized for romanticizing the Holocaust, the subtext highlighted Michael as a victim of abuse and stood as a metaphor for the previous generation passing their unresolved trauma onto the next.

7

The Constant Gardener (2005)

As Justin Quayle

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The Constant Gardener (2005)

R

Drama

Mystery

Romance

Thriller

Release Date

August 31, 2005

Runtime

129 Minutes

Director

Fernando Meirelles

Writers

Jeffrey Caine, John le Carré

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

  • Headshot Of Rachel Weisz

    Rachel Weisz

  • Headshot Of Danny Huston

    Danny Huston

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Hubert Koundé

The Constant Gardener is a political thriller directed by Fernando Meirelles and based on John le Carré’s novel. Ralph Fiennes stars as a British diplomat investigating his wife’s murder in Kenya, uncovering a conspiracy involving a pharmaceutical company. Rachel Weisz plays the wife in her Oscar-winning role, with the film delving into issues of corporate exploitation and human rights abuses.

Main Genre

Thriller

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The Constant Gardener was a compelling political thriller based on a John le Carré novel about a British diplomat whose activist wife was killed in Kenya. As Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) tirelessly sought to uncover the mystery of Tessa Abbott-Quayle’s (Rachel Weisz) death, he found himself increasingly embroiled in a conspiracy of abuse of the African people due to inhumane pharmaceutical testing. This clever and heartbreaking drama was loosely based on real-life medical experimentation seen in Kano, Nigeria.

With intense themes of betrayal, power, and hidden secrets, Fiennes gave a spectacular performance as viewers were taken on a journey through Justin and Tessa’s love for one another and the heartbreaking end of her life. At a loss for any explanation, Fiennes embodied the emotional turmoil of a man who would stop at nothing to get to the truth. The Constant Gardener was a passionate romance, an insightful political drama, and a thrilling murder mystery all at once.

6

Quiz Show (1994)

As Charles Van Doren

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Quiz Show

PG-13

Drama

Biography

History

Release Date

October 7, 1994

Runtime

133 Minutes

Director

Robert Redford

Writers

Paul Attanasio, Richard N. Goodwin

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

    Charles Van Doren

  • Headshot Of John Turturro In The Arrivals for 'The Batman' World Premiere

    John Turturro

    Herbie Stempel

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Rob Morrow

    Dick Goodwin

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Paul Scofield

    Mark Van Doren

Quiz Show is a drama film directed by Robert Redford. Set in the 1950s, the film follows the unraveling of a TV quiz show scandal where contestants, including Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), are given answers in advance. As a congressional investigator, played by Rob Morrow, delves into the deceit, the film explores themes of ethics, integrity, and the corrupting influence of fame and money.

Character(s)

Charles Van Doren, Herbie Stempel, Dick Goodwin, Mark Van Doren, Dan Enright, Albert Freedman, Jack Barry, Toby Stempel

Main Genre

Drama

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One of Ralph Fiennes’ most impressive and subtle performances came in the Robert Redford Best Picture nominee Quiz Show. This fascinating exploration of the real Twenty-One quiz show scandals of the 1950s highlighted corruption and deceit within the world of live television during an era when viewers had yet to become suspicious of the potential for exploitation within the world of televised game shows. Fiennes played Charles Van Doren, a popular quiz show contestant investigated for being given the correct answers by producers prior to the show’s filming.

With truly effective performances, Quiz Show examined the erosion of public standards on television as producers pulled the strings behind the scenes to get their desired results. Fiennes captured the pain of a man with the world at his fingertips who watched it all fall away through his own volition. Quiz Show was a mortality tale about the importance of integrity and maintaining one’s ethics amid enormous temptation.

5

Conclave (2024)

As Cardinal Lawrence

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Conclave

PG

Thriller

Drama

Mystery

28

8.3/10

Release Date

October 25, 2024

Runtime

120 Minutes

Director

Edward Berger

Writers

Peter Straughan, Robert Harris

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

    Cardinal Lawrence

  • Headshot Of Stanley Tucci

    Stanley Tucci

    Cardinal Bellini

Cardinal Lawrence leads the secretive papal election at the Vatican, where he uncovers a conspiracy and a secret that could destabilize the Church’s foundation as leaders gather from around the world.

Main Genre

Thriller

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Set in the modern-day Vatican, Conclave is a political conspiracy thriller featuring Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. Lawrence is tasked with handling the top-secret voting process to anoint a new Pope, which requires the participation of nearly 120 Cardinals from all over the globe. With its sharply written script, great ensemble cast, immersive production design, and authentic wardrobe choices, Conclave is one of the best films of 2024, a claim supported by its 8 Oscar nominations, including Best Actor for Fiennes and Best Picture. Conclave marks Fiennes’ third Oscar nomination and first since The English Patient (1996).

Cardinal Lawrence and Cardinal Bellini in the film Conclave

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Is Conclave Based On A True Story?

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Directed by Edward Berger, whose All Quiet on the Western Front adaptation won a surprising four Oscars in 2023, including Best International Feature, Conclave is an adaptation of the 2016 novel of the same name by author Robert Harris. Supported by an outstanding ensemble cast that includes John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and 2025 Best Actress Oscar nominee Isabella Rossellini, Conclave puts on a masterclass in dramatic acting. While Conclave’s ending has been somewhat divisive and could be considered the film’s Achilles Heel, the film as a whole is still compelling and suspenseful and surely marks one of Fiennes’ career-best efforts.

4

The English Patient (1996)

As Almásy

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The English Patient

R

Romance

Drama

War

Release Date

December 6, 1996

Runtime

162 Minutes

Director

Anthony Minghella

Writers

Michael Ondaatje, Anthony Minghella

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Jaliette Binoche

  • Headshot Of Willem Dafoe

    Willem Dafoe

  • Headshot Of Kristin Scott Thomas

    Kristin Scott Thomas

In the aftermath of World War II, a critically burned patient in an Italian monastery recounts his tragic love affair with a married woman. As memories unfold, the complexities of their romance and the secrets of the past come to light, intertwining with the present and revealing poignant truths.

Main Genre

Romance

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Anthony Minghella’s epic love story, The English Patient, was one of Ralph Fiennes’s most significant releases. As a grant narrative that brought to mind the works of David Lean, such as Lawrence of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago, The English Patient won an astounding nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. With Fiennes as the title character, the English patient Almásy, the film told the story of a man burned beyond all recognition whose extraordinary life and love story were told through a series of flashbacks.

As a highly ambitious film filled with incredible performances, The English Patient solidified Fiennes as a bona fide movie star after he had already proven himself in releases like Schindler’s List and Quiz Show. Although Elaine from Seinfeld famously disliked the movie in the Season 8 episode “The English Patient,” it seemed she was one of the few as it received universal praise from critics. As a major critical and commercial success, The English Patient grossed over $230 million worldwide (via The Numbers.)

3

In Bruges (2008)

As Harry Waters

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In Bruges

t

Comedy

Crime

Release Date

February 8, 2008

Runtime

107minutes

Director

Martin McDonagh

Writers

Martin McDonagh

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Colin Farrell In The Los Angeles Press Day For Apple TV+'s 'Sugar'

    Colin Farrell

  • Headshot Of Brendan Gleeson iN The 66th BFI London Film Festival

    Brendan Gleeson

  • Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes

Directed by Martin McDonagh, In Bruges stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as Ray and Ken, two Irish hitmen sent to Belgium to carry out an assignment for their boss Harry, played by Ralph Fiennes. When a previous botched mission leads Harry to give Ken unexpected orders regarding Ray, the two find themselves at odds with each other and must decide how to proceed. 

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Focus Features, Universal Pictures

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Although Ralph Fiennes first made a name for himself in historical biopics and prestige epic love stories, his comedic skills should never be underestimated. This was evident through Fiennes’ incredible performance as Harry Waters in Martin McDonagh’s black comedy crime thriller In Bruges. While In Bruges was led by two strong lead performances from Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, the film would not have been nearly as effective without Fiennes as the ill-tempered, foul-mouthed gangster who hired two assassins to lie low after killing a priest.

In Bruges - featured image

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In Bruges had a fantastic villain role that Fiennes played to perfection as he expertly juggled the movie’s more sinister elements with the consistent comedy and laughs that were seen throughout. With a truly unique and unpredictable story, In Bruges kept viewers guessing right to the very end as Fiennes became increasingly twisted as it built toward its epic conclusion. Fiennes was on top form in In Bruges as he played off the rest of the talented cast, delivered spectacularly well-written dialogue, and gave his all for director McDonagh.

2

Schindler’s List (1993)

As Amon Göth

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Schindler’s List

R

Drama

History

War

15

9.9/10

Release Date

December 15, 1993

Runtime

195 Minutes

Director

Steven Spielberg

Writers

Thomas Keneally, Steven Zaillian

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Liam Neeson In The UK premiere of Marlowe

    Liam Neeson

  • Headshot Of Ben Kingsley In The 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

    Ben Kingsley

Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg, chronicling the efforts of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes, the film vividly portrays the atrocities committed during World War II while highlighting Schindler’s transformation from a profit-driven industrialist to a humanitarian savior.

Studio(s)

Amblin Entertainment

Main Genre

Drama

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Ralph Fiennes’ breakout role was as Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List in 1993, a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Göth was a real SS Nazi commander and war criminal who ordered the enslavement and mass murder of Jewish people in the Kraków ghetto. In stark contrast to the noble endeavors of Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, Göth symbolized the darkest atrocities of the Holocaust as he took sadistic pleasure in enacting his cruelty.

A cutout of Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes) next to another cutout of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) hugging Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) against a yellow background.

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Schindler’s List was an extraordinary exploration of good versus evil that stood among Spielberg’s greatest accomplishments as a filmmaker. Fiennes was posed with a difficult challenge in portraying the irredeemable evil of Göth, as the abject horror of his actions was juxtaposed with the touching humanizing at the heart of Schindler’s selfless mission to help his Jewish workforce. In the decades since its release, Schindler’s List has not lost any of its innate power, partly due to Fiennes’ stern commitment to his immoral role.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

As Monsieur Gustave H.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel

R

Adventure

Comedy

Drama

9/10

Release Date

March 28, 2014

Runtime

100 Minutes

Director

Wes Anderson

Writers

Wes Anderson, Hugo Guinness

Cast

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  • Headshot Of Willem Dafoe

    Willem Dafoe

  • Headshot Of Jude Law

    Jude Law

From director Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the film’s titular hotel. Fiennes is joined by Tony Revolori as Zero, a newly hired bellhop who serves as Gustave’s partner-in-crime throughout the film. An older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, serves as the narrator for the story, which chronicles the adventures of Gustave and Zero after Gustave is framed for the murder of the wealthy Madame D., his patron and lover. 

Studio(s)

Searchlight Pictures

Distributor(s)

20th Century, Searchlight Pictures

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As a film boasting one of the most talented ensemble casts ever assembled in one movie, it’s a testament to Ralph Fiennes’s skill that he managed to stand out as the greatest part of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. Fiennes played the hotel’s renowned concierge, Monsieur Gustave H., to perfection as Anderson tapped into all the many facets that made him such an extraordinary actor. This was a role full of energy and passion that simultaneously maintained the air of professionalism and respectability that an esteemed hotel’s caretaker required.

The Grand Budapest Hotel was Fiennes at his absolute best, and the film perfectly encapsulated Anderson’s unique vision and idiosyncratic aesthetic. With a story that mixed comedy, drama, and suspense alongside a quest for a priceless Renaissance painting amid the backdrop of a festering fascist regime, The Grand Budapest Hotel truly had something for everybody. While quirk comedies may not be the first thing that comes to mind when viewers think of Fiennes, it’s a testament to his vast and varied skill as a performer that Ralph Fiennes excelled so well in this role.

Source: The Numbers

Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes

Birthdate

December 22, 1962

Birthplace

Ipswich, Suffolk, England, UK

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