Christopher Plummer movies: 12 greatest films ranked worst to best..

Christopher Plummer’s Greatest Movies: A Legacy of Iconic Roles

Hollywood legend Christopher Plummer left an indelible mark on cinema, delivering unforgettable performances across a range of genres. From grand historical epics to intimate character dramas, Plummer’s career spanned seven decades, and his roles brought him critical acclaim, countless awards, and generations of fans. Here, we delve into his 12 greatest films, ranked from worst to best, honoring a career that continued to impress audiences and critics alike.

Starting with The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), Plummer takes on the title role in Terry Gilliam’s visually stunning fantasy. As Doctor Parnassus, he leads audiences through a dark and imaginative world, capturing both the whimsy and weariness of an immortal character. Then in The Insider (1999), Plummer portrays the legendary CBS journalist Mike Wallace, where he shines in a complex tale of whistleblowing and media ethics, bringing intelligence and sharpness to his character alongside Al Pacino and Russell Crowe.

Plummer’s versatility shines through in his supporting role as a psychiatrist in A Beautiful Mind (2001), a film that won the Oscar for Best Picture. In the dark thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), he portrays Henrik Vanger, the wealthy patriarch who enlists journalist Mikael Blomkvist in a quest for justice. This suspenseful mystery thriller brought Plummer to a new generation of fans.

In The Man Who Would Be King (1975), Plummer delivers a standout performance as Rudyard Kipling, adding charm and wit to this adventure epic, which explores themes of power and friendship, alongside Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Waterloo (1970) casts him as the Duke of Wellington, where he is perfectly matched against Rod Steiger’s Napoleon, and the pair dramatize the legendary battle with skill and authenticity.

Later in his career, Knives Out (2019) showcased Plummer as Harlan Thrombey, a wealthy author whose death sets off a hilarious and suspenseful family drama. His nuanced performance elevated the ensemble cast in Rian Johnson’s modern mystery classic. His role as J. Paul Getty in All the Money in the World (2017) is another testament to his talent. Called in last-minute to replace Kevin Spacey, Plummer’s portrayal of the miserly billionaire received critical praise, and the performance earned him another Oscar nomination.

Plummer’s portrayal of Archbishop Vittorio in the hit miniseries The Thorn Birds (1983) stands as a memorable role on the small screen. In The Last Station (2009), Plummer received another Oscar nod for portraying Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, exploring the personal struggles of the literary icon with incredible emotional depth.

The actor finally won his long-deserved Oscar for Beginners (2010), a moving film where he played an elderly man who comes out as gay late in life, bringing warmth, wit, and vulnerability to the character.

But it’s his role as Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1965) that remains one of the most iconic in film history. Plummer played the reserved but loving father alongside Julie Andrews, turning this musical into a beloved classic and securing his place in cinema history.

Christopher Plummer’s body of work celebrates a legacy of versatility, range, and skill that will be cherished for generations. His films reveal not only the breadth of his talent but his ability to captivate audiences in any role, from aristocrats to adventurers and beyond.