Top 30 British Actresses

Top 30 British Actresses

*Originally published by Molli in January of 2020, Updated by Emma in June of 2021, Updated by Vanessa in August 2022, Updated by Vanessa R in June 2023 and Updated by Felix in February 2024

The Brits have given us some of the best actresses of all time, in my opinion! There must be something in the water there. From dramas to action movies, to romantic comedies, the women I’ll be telling you about below have done it all!

No matter what kind of movies you’re into, you’ve likely heard of the 25 actresses I’ve selected for this list. Not only are they famous in their home country, but they are also well known around the world.

Keep reading for my top 25 British actresses!

1. Judi Dench

That’s Dame Judi Dench, actually! In 1970, Dench was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and in 1988, as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Both are very important honors in the United Kingdom, and are why Dench is referred to as “Dame.”

Dench has been performing since 1957, and has since gone on to be nominated for 7 Academy Awards and won 6 British Academy Film Awards. She’s also won 2 Gold Globes Awards, a Tony Award and 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In addition to movies and television, Dench has spent much of her career on stage. Notably, she starred in many plays by Shakespeare.

In film, her most famous roles would have to be her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, M in GoldenEye, the James Bond movie and Armande Voizin in Chocolat.

My favourite role: Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love

2. Maggie Smith

At the risk of repeating myself…that’s Dame Maggie Smith, to you! That’s right, Smith, like Dench, is referred to as “Dame.” She was also appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1970 and was then raised to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire status in 1990. The Brits are really serious about their awards!

Smith is one of my personal favourites! She has been in the biz for over 65 years, and has performed on stage, in film and on television. She is incredibly talented and is one of Britain’s most well-known actresses.

She has been awarded 2 Academy Awards: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. She is only 1 of 6 actresses in history to be awarded both! You probably recognize her from her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. Or, perhaps as Lady Crawley in Downton Abbey!

No matter what role Smith plays, she does it exceptionally well. She is definitely on my list of people I’d like to meet!

My favorite role: Lady Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey

3. Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter is another one of my personal favourites! Okay, so I guess everyone on this list is one of my personal favorites but…you get the idea! If you’re a fan of Tim Burton, you have definitely heard of Bonham Carter, as she starred in many of his films and was also married to him for 13 years.

She has been nominated for numerous awards, including 2 Academy Awards, 8 Golden Globe Awards, and she has won a BAFTA Award!

She has had a very varied career, playing darker roles like Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter. But, she has also played in more dramatic roles such as Queen Elizabeth in The King’s Speech.

That being said, Bonham Carter is definitely associated with creepy, macabre and quite frankly crazy characters, and she plays them extremely well! I especially love her as the Red Queen in Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. There’s just something about her acting style and look that really meshes with these characters!

My favorite role: The Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland

4. Emily Blunt

Fans of The Devil Wears Prada will recognize Emily Blunt as the snarky Emily that worked alongside the main character Andy. While this is definitely one of my favorite roles Blunt has played, she has also starred in many other movies and plays!

Blunt made her debut on stage in 2001. Then went on to act in several series and television movies before she had her breakthrough role in The Devil Wears Prada. She then earned starring roles in movies such as The Young Victoria and The Girl on the Train.

Blunt has been awarded a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and has been nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She won her Screen Actors Guild Award thanks to the recent Mary Poppins reboot, Mary Poppins Returns.

My favorite role: Rachel Watson in The Girl on the Train

5. Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet is a very well known British actress, and you may recognize her from everyone’s favorite historical drama, Titanic. In addition to this blockbuster, Winslet has starred in other popular movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Revolutionary Road and The Reader.

Over the course of her successful career, Winslet has won Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and Emmy Awards. She has also been awarded several BAFTA Awards, and has won 3 British Academy Film Awards! Like so few female actors, Winslet has actually been recognized for her talents.

One of my favorite projects Winslet has worked on is the mini-series called Mildred Pierce. It tells the story of a single mother (played by Winslet) during the Great Depression who is trying to make ends meet for herself and her daughter.

My favorite role: April Wheeler in Revolutionary Road

6. Emma Watson

Emma Watson rose to fame with her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series! Any other major fans out there?! As a huge Harry Potter reader, I was so happy with how Watson personified Hermione. Watson also starred in other movies such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Beauty and the Beast.

In addition to being a talented actress, Watson is an activist. She was appointed UN Women Goodwill ambassador in 2014, and works alongside the UN to work towards gender equality. Specifically, through the program she helped to launch called HeForShe.

I also love Watson for her interest in books and reading! She runs an Instagram page called Our Shared Shelf, which is a book club that focuses on intersectional feminism. It’s right up my alley!

She also plays Meg March in the recent film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, which happens to be one of my favorite books. Watson just seems to have a way with some of my favorite fictional characters!

My favorite role: Meg March in Little Women

7. Helen Mirren

Another Dame on my list, everyone! Introducing, Dame Helen Mirren. Like Dench and Smith, Mirren was awarded the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire honor in 2003.

Mirren is an acclaimed British actress who is one of the few people in the world to have earned what it called the Triple Crown of Acting. This means that she has won an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a Tony Award in acting.

You probably recognize Mirren from her roles in The Queen, The Madness of King George and Hitchcock. In addition to the other awards I’ve mentioned, Mirren has also won a Golden Globe and several BAFTA Awards!

My favorite role: Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen

8. Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan has played in several historical and period dramas, which just happen to be my favorite genres of movies in general. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’ve included her on my list!

Mulligan’s first major film role was as Kitty Bennet in Pride & Prejudice. She also played Bathsheba Everdene in Far from the Madding Crowd and Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby. Three of my favorite books!

But, she doesn’t only do historical dramas. She also played in Drive and Shame, dramas all the same, but definitely a different style than the others I’ve mentioned.

My favorite role: Bathsheba Everdene in Far from the Madding Crowd

9. Julie Andrews

The last Dame on my list is Dame Julie Andrews! She too was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Andrews has also won an Academy Award, several Golden Globe Awards, several Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards and many more!

She starred in the original Mary Poppins movie, The Sound of Music, and The Princess Diaries. I love all of these movies! Andrews isn’t just an actress, she is a really talented singer as well.

In recent years, Andrew has voiced various animated characters, such as Queen Lillian in the Shrek series and Marlena is the Despicable Me series.

My favorite role: Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music

10. Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley stars in my favorite movie of all time, Atonement, so naturally she had to appear on my list! I already mentioned that I love period dramas, and Knightley is no stranger to the genre. In addition to Atonement, she also starred in Pride & Prejudice, Anna Karenina and Colette.

You probably also recognise her from the blockbuster series Pirates of the Caribbean as Elizabeth Swann! She also starred in Bend it Like Beckham as Jules Paxton.

She has won various awards, and has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards.

My favorite role: Cecilia Tallis in Atonement

11. Rachel Weisz

Weisz began her acting career in the early 1990s on the stage, TV shows, and film sets, making a name for herself in the film Death Machine in 1994. This actress has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and British Academy Film Award. She has starred in numerous films in recent years, such as Constantine, The Foundation, The Lovely Bones, and a Streetcar Named Desire. 

My favorite role: Blanche Dubois in A Streetcar Named Desire

12. Sally Hawkins

Sally Hawkins is a well-loved British actress known for her varied and delightful performances. Born on April 27, 1976, in Dulwich, London, Hawkins has received widespread praise for her role as Elisa Esposito in the captivating film “The Shape of Water.” Her excellent acting skills and charming presence have made her a well-known figure in the entertainment world.

Besides her acclaimed role in “The Shape of Water,” Hawkins has shown her talent in various areas, including film, TV, and theatre. One of her notable roles is playing Ginger in the heartwarming film “Happy-Go-Lucky,” where she portrayed a cheerful and optimistic character. Hawkins’ dedication to her craft and her ability to bring characters to life have solidified her status as one of Britain’s cherished actresses.

My favorite role: Elisa Esposito in “The Shape of Water.”

13. Tilda Swinton

Swinton is well-known for her diverse roles in independent films, big-name movies, and TV shows. With the uncanny ability to transform into various roles during her career, Swinton has been nominated for numerous awards, such as the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, BAFTA Awards, and British Academy Scotland Awards.

First beginning her career in 1984, she has had important roles in movies like Constantine, The Deep End, Julia, and We Need to Talk About Kevin.

My favorite role: Eva in We Need to Talk About Kevin

14. Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale is an English actress and model who rose to prominence after her debut role in Much Ado About Nothing. Starring in small-scale films like Brokedown Palace and Pearl Harbor, she later received worldwide acclaim for her part in the comedy film Love & Friendship. 

My favorite role: Lady Susan Vernon in Love & Friendship

15.Michelle Dockery

Michelle Dockery is a well-known British actress admired for her varied and captivating performances. Born on December 15, 1981, in Romford, London, Dockery gained widespread fame for playing Lady Mary Crawley in the highly praised TV series “Downton Abbey.”

She is recognized for her excellent acting skills and bringing depth to her characters. Besides her famous role in “Downton Abbey,” Dockery has displayed her talent in different types of entertainment, including movies, TV, and theatre. One of her standout roles is Letty Raines in the TV series “Good Behavior,” where she portrayed a complex and morally ambiguous character. Dockery’s commitment to acting and her skill in capturing the subtleties of her roles have established her as one of the leading actresses in the industry.

My favorite role: Lady Mary Crawley in “Downton Abbey.”

16. Brenda Blethyn

Brenda is well-known for her numerous television and movie roles throughout the years, having begun her career in her late 20s. At now 75-years-old, she has won numerous awards throughout her time as an actress, such as one BAFTA, one Golden Globe, and two Academy Award nominations.

My favorite role: Vera Stanhope in the crime drama series, Vera 

17. Joanna Lumley

My favorite role: Patsy Stone in “Absolutely Fabulous.”

18. Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke is an English actress who first appeared on television in Doctors in 2009, with her appearance allowing her to be named one of the “UK Stars of Tomorrow”. She made her breakthrough by scoring a critical role in the infamous television series Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2019. 

My favorite role: Daenerys in Game of Thrones 

19. Hayley Atwell

Hayley is a British-American actress who has appeared in many film and stage productions throughout the years, earning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress due to her work in The Pillars of the Earth.

She rose to fame for her roles in the Marvel Universe films, along with her powerful acting parts on stage in plays like A View from the Bridge and The Pride. 

My favorite role: Peggy Carter in Captain America: The First Avenger

20. Julie Walters

Julie Walters is an English actress and author who has won numerous awards, like two International Emmy Awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and four British Academy Television Awards. After rising to fame back in 1983, Walters has made numerous appearances in a variety of films, such as the Harry Potter series, Driving Lessons, Mamma Mia, and Paddington.

My favourite role: Molly Weasley in the Harry Potter series

21. Vivien Leigh

Given that Vivien Leigh decided to part ways with her husband and kid to pursue her acting career, it is difficult to conceive that she would have avoided the social media backlash if she had started her career today. But it was in 1936, a time when rumours did not go as far or as quickly.

To be honest, Leigh had her share of physical and overall subpar mental health concerns. But none of this diminishes the fact that she plays Scarlett O’Hara, a part that many consider a natural fit for. Unusually, when she played Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire and won an Oscar for it, reviewers claimed that her new portrayal was more like real life translated into art.

My favourite role: Streetcar Named Desire

22. Audrey Hepburn

It would be simple to compare Audrey Hepburn’s early years to Gone with the Wind during World War II. She reached the point where, in order to survive, she had to eat tulip bulbs that she dug up from the ground because her father had abandoned her and her mother when they were living in The Netherlands.

She moved to the United States and started her acting profession in part to relieve her mother of the burden of working long hours at low-paying jobs to support the family. Her several well-known and well-liked films include My Fair Lady, Charade, Roman Holiday, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As she rose to greater popularity, she did not forget about her early years. She continued to actively participate until her passing in 1993.

My favourite role: Gone with the wind 

 23. Olivia de Havilland

Joan Fontaine and Errol Flynn are two actors that come to mind when you think about Olivia de Havilland. In no less than 7 films, including The Adventures of Robin Hood, Captain Blood, and The Charge of the Light Brigade, Flynn and de Havilland collaborated. Despite how well-liked those films were at the time, her award-winning films came far later in her career. Her lawsuit against Warner Brothers for restricting her playing roles by extending her contract under unethical terms is what Hollywood actors will remember her for a long time.

The court’s decision is now referred to as “the de Havilland statute” and favoured de Havilland. De Havilland is also known by the name of her sister, Joan Fontaine.  While Fontaine was a superb actress in her own right, de Havilland was simply the superior actress. Their decades-long quarrel made for terrific gossip column headlines.

My favourite role: The Charge of the Light Brigade

24. Millie Bobby Brown

Another well-known English actress who became well-known as a result of the Netflix smash series Stranger Things is Millie Bobby Brown.

Later, she had appearances in films like Godzilla: King of Monsters and Enola Holmes, where her outstanding acting abilities and attractive appearance gained her praise. She is, however, a young actress who is only 20 and still has a long way to go.

My favourite role: Stranger Things

25. Sophie Turner

In our list, Sophie Turner is a must-have. The English beauty became well-known for her role as the Queen of the North in Game of Thrones. She has starred in a number of other TV episodes and motion pictures and has gained worldwide fame as Sansa Stark. We are usually impressed by her smile and lovely feminine features.

My favourite role: Game of Thrones

26. Jodie Turner-Smith

A British actress and model named Jodie Turner-Smith appeared on television in 2013’s True Blood. Her roles in films like The Last Ship, Nightflyers, Queen & Slim, Without Remorse, and Jett, to mention a few, have earned her recognition. She is based in the United States of America.

The television series Anne Boleyn, in which she played Queen Anne Boleyn, got rave reviews for her performance. The metaphysical science fiction drama movie After Yang also has Jodie Smith in a supporting role.

My favourite role: True Blood

27. Charlotte Leah Salt

Actress Charlotte Leah Salt is known to have appeared in a number of productions in both the United Kingdom and the United States. She has appeared in a number of television programmes, including The Musketeers, Bedlam, and Casualty.

In addition, she has appeared in a number of films, including Beneath Silent Waters, Beowulf, Blood and Glory, Deep in the Valley, and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie.

My favourite role: Blood and Glory

28. Antonia Laura Thomas

British actress and singer Antonia Laura Thomas rose to fame after taking on the character of Alisha Daniels in the E4 comedy-drama series Misfits. The actress made headlines by appearing in shows like Lovesick and The Good Doctor after making her lead role in the television film Stanley Park. She has participated in various music videos and films, including Sunshine on Leith.

29. Olivia Hallinan

In an episode of the Just William television series from 1994, Olivia Hallinan began her career as an actress. The BBC TV series Lark Rise to Candleford, in which she starred as Laura Timmins, is her most well-known work.

Other television programmes in which the actress has appeared include Sugar Rush and Girls in Love.

My favourite role: Sugar Rush

30. Charlotte Frances Riley

On an episode of the TV show Grownups, Charlotte Frances Riley made her television debut that year.

She is perhaps best known for portraying Catherine Earnshaw in ITV’s production of Wuthering Heights, but she has also appeared in a number of notable feature films, including Easy Virtue, Edge of Tomorrow, and London Has Fallen, to mention a few. A Christmas Carol and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell are just a couple of the miniseries she has appeared in.

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed this British actress appreciation post! I’m sure you’ve heard of many, if not all, of the women I’ve mentioned, but I hope you’ve learned a little bit more about them! In any case, you’ve got a bunch of great movie suggestions out of it.

If you want to learn about famous Brits in general, I definitely recommend you check out our walking tours the next time you visit London!

The Best of British Cinema: 20 Must-See Films

As a lifelong fan of British cinema, I am always looking for opportunities to introduce people to some of the best films the UK has produced over the decades. There’s something special about British films – they have a certain charm, wit, and realism that I find utterly captivating. In this article, I will highlight what I consider to be the top must-see films of British cinema. From early classics like Brief Encounter and The Third Man, to more modern masterpieces such as Trainspotting and Shaun of the Dead, British cinema has it all.

The films I have chosen are, in my opinion, the most entertaining, impactful, and enduringly re-watchable. They contain iconic imagery, quotable dialogue, dazzling directing, and unforgettable acting. If you are interested in experiencing the finest that British cinema has to offer, you won’t want to miss this list. I will provide historical background, analysis, and trivia to enrich your viewing experience. So get some popcorn ready and join me as we dive into the best must-see films of British cinema.

The following are twenty must-see films from British cinema:

1. Black Narcissus (1947)

The first on the list is a must-watch British brooding psychological drama set in the Himalayas; Black Narcissus which follows a group of nuns struggling to establish a convent in an isolated palace. The stark clash of the ascetic nuns against the palace’s exotic opulence drives them to the brink of madness. With its intoxicating cinematography and Sexual tensions simmering beneath pious exteriors, Black Narcissus is a powerful allegory about the futile suppression of primal desires. The British film solidified director Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger as masters of visual storytelling, featuring iconic performances from Deborah Kerr and Kathleen Byron that sear this hothouse tale into the memory.

2. Trainspotting (1996)

With its gritty imagery and Iggy Pop-fuelled energy, Danny Boyle’s British film Trainspotting encapsulates the anarchic vibrancy of disaffected Scottish youth culture. Following a group of heroin addicts in economically depressed Edinburgh, the film delivers an unflinching portrayal of the euphoria and agony of drug addiction. Ewan McGregor is brilliant as the sardonic Renton, who struggles to break free from the self-destructive lifestyle. Though unabashedly dark, Trainspotting pulsates with Boyle’s dynamic visual flair. With its iconic “Choose life” monologue, this British cult strongly resonated with Gen X upon its release.

3. A Matter of Life and Death (1946)

Here is another masterpiece from the British cinema. An imaginative fantasy steeped in wartime spirit, A Matter of Life and Death, stars David Niven as an RAF pilot who miraculously survives a jump without a parachute, only to find himself on trial in the afterlife. He falls for an American radio operator, played radiantly by Kim Hunter. Is their love strong enough to earn Niven a second chance at life? Whimsical yet profound, A Matter of Life and Death endures as a British classic and a testament to filmmaking ingenuity.

4. The 39 Steps (1935)

Alfred Hitchcock hit his stride with this seminal British thriller that set the template for his signature suspense films. Robert Donat stars as an innocent man on the run after being falsely accused of murder. With sparse dialogue and breakneck pacing, Hitchcock ratchets up the tension as Donat seeks to clear his name and evade capture. Madeleine Carroll shines as the woman who unwillingly becomes his accomplice. Full of moody atmosphere, witty banter, and seething eroticism, The 39 Steps encapsulates why Hitchcock is revered as the master of suspense. Its clever plotting and iconic scenes, like the sequence with the farmer’s wife, make it essential in British films.

5. O Lucky Man! (1973)

A sprawling surrealist epic laced with satire, O Lucky Man! follows the misadventures of ambitious coffee salesman Mick Travis as he navigates a corrupt British society. Malcolm McDowell is superb in the demanding lead role, undergoing a Kafkaesque journey that director Lindsay Anderson uses to skewer capitalism, imperialism, and other social ills. The film’s absurdist vignettes are held together by Alan Price’s brilliant soundtrack, with the bandleader himself appearing throughout the story. Darkly funny and thought-provoking, O Lucky Man! stands as an ingenious work of countercultural British cinema. Its ambitious scale and scathing message make it a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.

6. Gregory’s Girl (1981)

Bill Forsyth’s charming coming-of-age tale follows awkward Scottish teenager Gregory as he pursues his crush on the female football player who takes his place on the school team. Gentle humor and the pastoral Glasgow suburbs form an endearing backdrop to Gregory’s fumbling attempts at romance. Touching on universal adolescent experiences with warmth and insight, Gregory’s Girl revels in the joys and frustrations of teen infatuation. From penguins wandering the soccer field to Gregory’s questionable dating advice from his ten-year-old sister, the film brims with whimsical flourishes. Sweet, low-key, and humorous, Gregory’s Girl stands as a British gem about the innocent pangs of young love.

7. Hunger (2008)

Steve McQueen’s uncompromising debut chronicles the 1981 Irish hunger strike in vivid detail. The film conveys the torture of the strike-through minimal dialogue and starkly visceral imagery. Michael Fassbender gives an intense, physical performance as Sands, who became a martyr. Unflinching and meticulously crafted, Hunger provides a gripping account of the sacrifice and conviction driving these impassioned prisoners. McQueen approaches the politically charged subject with an artistic eye, creating an indelible, hard-hitting portrait of life within the prison walls during this harrowing period.

8. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

With razor-sharp wit, Shaun of the Dead affectionately parodies the zombie genre while telling a charmingly British story of a slacker seeking to win back his ex-girlfriend amidst a horror movie outbreak. Simon Pegg is hilariously deadpan as the oblivious Shaun, stumbling through zombie attacks with the hapless determination of a man just trying to get to the pub. Edgar Wright directs with kinetic flair, packing each scene with visual gags and references. Equal parts romantic comedy, zombie horror, and satire, Shaun of the Dead struck a delicate tonal balance that made it an instant hit. This clever, gory romp remains a high point of British zombie comedy.

9. This is England (2006)

Gritty yet tender, This is England depicts how aimless twelve-year-old Shaun finds a sense of belonging with a group of young skinheads in 1983 England. But their brotherhood soon takes a dark turn under the influence of an older ex-con. Shane Meadows brings a raw authenticity to the film, capturing the volatility and disillusionment of working-class youth struggling with identity. Anchored by phenomenal child actor Thomas Turgoose as Shaun, This is England packs an emotional punch. The British movie provides a poignant look at how hate and trauma breed within disenfranchised communities.

10. Hobson’s Choice (1954)

David Lean directs this amusing comedy of manners set in nineteenth-century Lancashire. Charles Laughton is delightfully bombastic as the proud bootmaker Henry Hobson, whose drinking leaves his daughters under the charge of his domineering shop assistant Maggie. Sensing her moment, the shrewd Maggie, played to perfection by Brenda De Banzie, takes her future into her own hands. Full of witty dialogue and rich characters, Hobson’s Choice depicts Maggie’s ascension with humor and compassion. Lean deftly balances the comedic with the romantic, captured beautifully in the glowing cobblestone streets.

11. Brief Encounter (1945)

With poignant restraint, the late David Lean crafts an emotionally devastating tale of forbidden love in the British film Brief Encounter. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard are exceptional as two married strangers who stumble into a weekly romance they cannot consummate. Their clipped, polite exchanges take on a tragic undertone, with glances and gestures conveying deep longing and regret. Though focused on small moments, Brief Encounter expands into a heartbreaking depiction of British propriety and suffocating inner passion. Its nuanced central performances and sensitive direction explain why this remains one of British cinema’s most piercing stories of quiet, unfulfilled love.

12. The Third Man (1949)

Awash in a shadowy, expressionistic style, Carol Reed’s post-war thriller stars Joseph Cotten as an American searching post-war Vienna for his missing friend Harry Lime. He becomes entangled in mystery and corruption once sinister rumors swirl that Lime survived his reported death. Iconic images like the Ferris wheel confrontation and cracked sewer chase cement The Third Man as a hallmark of British noir. From Graham Greene’s story to Anton Karas’s score, the film builds an evocative mood of uncertainty and intrigue. With rich cinematography and a career-defining turn from Orson Welles as Lime, this film is a landmark British suspense film.

13. Kes (1969)

Ken Loach’s gritty drama Kes depicts the bond between a neglected schoolboy and a young kestrel. In a standout debut, David Bradley plays Billy, a boy coming of age in a bleak Northern England mining town. When Billy takes an injured bird under his wing and trains it, he finds purpose amidst the apathy surrounding him. Naturalistic and unsentimental yet tender, Kes captures the dignified resilience of a boy determined to rise above his circumstances. With poetic imagery of Billy and his kestrel soaring over open fields, this compassionate film casts an unflinching yet hopeful look at the struggle of the working class.

14. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

The grandeur and contradictions of British hero T.E. Lawrence during World War I are captured in David Lean’s expansive epic. The film centres on the mysterious outsider Lawrence, who rallies Arab tribes against the Turks, as it unfolds over the desert sands. As the multifaceted Lawrence, Peter O’Toole delivers a captivating and erratic performance. Lawrence of Arabia is a magnificent and thought-provoking film that represents the pinnacle of performance, score, and cinematography. Its enduring reputation as one of the best British films ever made is reinforced by its striking graphics and insightful character analysis.

15. The Red Shoes (1948)

Two legends, Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger teamed up to create a masterpiece. Moira Shearer is luminous as the ballerina consumed by her role in a ballet called The Red Shoes, struggling to choose between love and artistic fulfillment. The stunning, expressionistic dance sequences dazzle with color and motion. Alternately dreamy and nightmarish, The Red Shoes exerts a hypnotic pull as it builds towards its tragic finale. Ambitious and emotionally operatic, the film stands as an ode to artistic passion, with Powell and Pressburger conveying levels of meaning through ravishing cinematography. Its iconic imagery remains etched in the minds of all who fall under its spell.

16. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

British cinema viewers were lucky to have A Clockwork Orange. Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian masterpiece follows the horrific exploits of Alex, the sadistic leader of a gang of droogs in a disintegrating future Britain. Malcolm McDowell is chilling as the vicious yet charismatic Alex, whose brutal legacy of rape and violence lands him as the subject of an experimental rehabilitation program. Kubrick crafts a stark vision of social decay, using painstaking framing and an evocative synthesized score. Though highly controversial for its graphic content, A Clockwork Orange remains a seminal work of transgressive British cinema. Its unsettling primordial imagery continues to haunt and provoke decades later.

17. Barry Lyndon (1975)

Once again, Stanley Kubrick, on the lead, brings to life William Makepeace Thackeray’s nineteenth-century novel, following the exploits of Irish rogue Redmond Barry. With meticulous period detail and breath-taking cinematography using natural lighting, Kubrick transports British viewers to aristocratic eighteenth-century Britain. Ryan O’Neal plays the ambitious social climber Barry with icy calculation as he navigates schemes and scandals on his quest for status. Epic yet emotionally distant, Barry Lyndon unfurls like a meticulous painting come to life. Kubrick casts his detached, ironic gaze on Barry’s machinations in a sweeping costume drama that culminates in some of his most indelible images.

18. Don’t Look Now (1973)

Nicolas Roeg’s haunting giallo follows grieving parents in Venice haunted by a specter tied to their daughter’s drowning. Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland eloquently convey fear and anguish with minimal dialogue in hypnotic editing rhythms. Red flashes coat the Gothic imagery, building towards disturbing sequences questioning perceived reality. Innovative and nightmarish, Don’t Look Now chillingly confronts grief, fate, and the elusive nature of truth. Roeg’s enigmatic approach combines with a rich Venetian atmosphere, Christie’s raw performance, and one of cinema’s most memorable endings, cementing the film as a British horror masterpiece. This film is a must-watch for horror movie lovers.

19. The Remains of the Day (1993)

Adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, The Remains of the Day is a subtle yet powerful period drama. As an English butler serving Nazi sympathizers before WWII, Anthony Hopkins gives a master class on repressed emotion and dignity. Emma Thompson beautifully plays the head housekeeper. Meticulously crafted by Merchant Ivory, the film is an examination of regret, duty, and unrealized love unfolding against momentous historical events. The Remains of the Day movingly depicts how personal and political loyalties collide to determine the characters’ fates, told through virtuoso performances in the guise of a mannered costume drama.

20. About Time (2013)

In About Time, Richard Curtis fills the time travel romantic comedy formula with a sincere profundity. Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson, first utilizes the ability to travel in time for romantic benefit after learning that the men in his family could do so. But Tim discovers the deeper meaning of their shared gift through moving talks with his father. What starts as a silly fantasy develops into a real contemplation on family, accepting flaws, and living life to the fullest. Curtis balances life lessons and crowd-pleasing humor. About Time eloquently captures the delight of savoring every commonplace, remarkable moment.

After journeying through decades of British filmmaking, I am even more convinced these are the definitive must-see films from the UK. Though my list barely scratches the surface, I hope it provides a solid introduction to the most important and entertaining works in British cinema. I can’t wait to continue exploring this bottomless well of cinematic treasures.