10 Best Ian McShane Movies, Ranked

Recently appearing in blockbuster hits like John Wick: Chapter 4 and the animated film Kung Fu Panda 4, Ian McShane is perhaps one of the most recognizable faces in film and television. With a career that spans over six decades, McShane’s talent has been recognized by critics and viewers alike. In fact, he has been nominated for prestigious awards and has received a Gloden Globe Award for his portrayal of Al Swearengen in the TV Show Deadwood.

In his impressive filmography, Ian McShane has portrayed a wide range of characters, from charming rogues to hardened villains. McShane inhabits the roles he plays with authenticity and charisma, making him incredibly memorable to watch. These are Ian McShane's best movies, a diverse yet no less entertaining bunch that proves he always brings a level of gravitas and intensity to his performances that command the attention of viewers.

10 'Jawbone' (2017)

Directed by Thomas Napper

The boxing movie Jawbone follows the story of Jimmy McCabe (Johnny Harris), a former boxing champion who returns to the sport after falling on hard times. To make a successful comeback, Jimmy must fearlessly battle his inner turmoils and accept the help of his old trainer and supporters.

In the movie, McShane portrays a boxing promoter named Joe Padgett. While his role is supporting, McShane makes Joe the perfect, charismatic antagonist to Jimmy, showing his knack for playing characters with dubious morals. Sports movie fans will surely enjoy Jawbone for its valiant realism and moving protagonist. While it’s not a popular boxing movie, Jawbone deserves to be just as talked about among the best boxing movies like Southpaw and Creed.

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9 'Coraline' (2009)

Directed by Henry Selick

One of the most popular stop-motion films of all time is Herny Selick’sCoraline. Based on the book of the same name penned by Neil Gaiman, Coraline follows the titular character (Dakota Fanning), who, in defiance of her parents, finds a secret door in her home that opens the way to a parallel universe. There, Coraline has a perfect life and perfect parents but soon discovers that her “other” parents have a dark agenda.

Mr Bobinsky, Coraline’s strange but friendly real-world neighbor, is voiced by McShane. The character is an eccentric Russian acrobat who is training circus mice. McShane, who usually plays antagonists, is the opposite of his usual dark characters as the encouraging and cordial Mr. Bobinsky. Fans of the actor should add the acclaimed Coraline to their watchlist (if they haven’t watched it yet) to see McShane’s versatility as a voice actor and fall in love with the film’s whimsical world.

Coraline

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8 'If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium' (1969)

Directed by Mel Stuart

The comedy film If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium sees American tourists who experience a slew of cultural differences that shock them while on a whirlwind trip to Europe. Humor-filled travel films were a popular genre in the 1960s, as the decade saw more American tourists exploring Europe, and the movie pokes fun at the stereotypical reactions of American tourists abroad.

McShane’s portrayal of Charlie Cartwright, the European tour guide of the Americans in the movie, shows how he’s also a talented comedic actor. With his charm and charisma, McShane plays Charlie with such finesse that even the viewers could easily fall in love with him. While it’s an underrated film, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium is one of the best 1960s films for its side-splitting hijinks, excellent ensemble cast, and nostalgic allure.

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7 'John Wick' (2014)

Directed by Chad Stahelski

Former stuntman and stunt coordinator Chad Stahelski made a splashing directorial debut with the action film John Wick. Played by Keanu Reeves, the titular character is a retired assassin who seeks retribution for the unfortunate passing of his dog, a gift from his dead wife. As he seeks out those responsible, he dives deeper into the hidden world of hitmen and shady figures.

In John Wick, McShane steals the scene as Winston, the owner of the infamous Continental Hotel, a supposed sacred and safe place for assassins. The film of the most memorable entries in his filmography, and McShane plays Winston with a unique mix of sinister charm to capture the hearts of viewers. Without Winston, John wouldn’t have been successful in seeking vengeance against those who wronged him.

John Wick

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6 'The Wild and the Willing' (1962)

Directed by Ralph Thomas

The British movie The Wild and the Willing puts the spotlight on a group of students enrolled in a fictional university named Kelminster, inspired by the University of Leicester. In the movie, a professor finds that his wife, Virginia (Virginia Maskell), becomes romantically entangled with a student named Harry Brown.

In one of his early roles, McShane plays Harry with enough broodiness and charm to seduce the professor’s wife. McShane is extremely convincing as Harry, a clever student who is struggling with his inner monsters. While it’s not as popular as McShane’s later works like American Star, The Wild and the Willing is a nuance-filled film that’s full of compelling and complex relationships. It was also a crucial film in Ian McShane’s career, showcasing his natural star power.

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5 'Villain' (1971)

Directed by Michael Tuchner

Villain is a crime thriller movie that explores loyalty and betrayal in the world of organized crime in London. In the movie, Vic Dakin (Richard Burton), a London mobster respected and feared for his ruthless nature, finds himself in a pinch when a police detective makes it his mission to bring his crimes to light. The two eventually catch up to each other, which causes a deadly confrontation.

Unlike his previous roles in more lighthearted films, Villain showed that McShane also had a flair for playing dramatic and intense characters.

McShane plays a supporting role as Wolfe Lissner, a former acquaintance of Dakin who becomes entangled in his illicit schemes. Subtle but highly effective, McShane is quite effective in the role, to the point where he holds his own opposite a revered thespian like Richard Burton. McShane’s excellent performance as Wolfe helped him become a more respected actor. Unlike his previous roles in more lighthearted films, Villain showed that McShane also had a flair for playing dramatic and intense characters, the kind he would play in the latter part of his career with great success.

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4 'The Last of Sheila' (1973)

Directed by Herbert Ross

With a screenplay penned by Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins, The Last of Sheila is highly regarded as a 1970s cult classic thriller. In the movie, a group of affluent friends attends a yacht party by an unknown host after the unfortunate death of their friend, Sheila (Yvonne Romain). But instead of enjoying the party, the guests participate in a scavenger hunt that exposes their darkest secrets.

McShane plays the role of Anthony Wood, an actor hoping to get his big break. However, it is soon revealed that Anthony’s ambitiousness reached a point where he'd betray his friends to get what he covets. Anthony was a pivotal role in McShane’s filmography, and the actor made the most out of the opportunity. He plays the character with enough depth and intrigue to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Last of Sheila

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3 'Kung Fu Panda' (2008)

Directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson

Without a doubt, Kung Fu Panda has now become a household name as one of the most successful animated franchises. The DreamWorks Animation movie centers on Po (Jack Black), a clumsy panda pursuing his dreams of becoming a kung fu master and fulfilling his destiny of becoming the Dragon Warrior. On his journey, he meets a peculiar group of kung fu masters and must train under the watchful eye of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).

McShane voices the main antagonist in the movie, Tai Lung, a malevolent snow leopard who wants to bring chaos to the Valley of Peace. McShane’s booming and sinister voice brings a powerful and threatening presence to Tai Lung. While he’s been beaten by Po at the end of Kung Fu Panda, he returns to Kung Fu Panda 4 and acknowledges Po as the rightful Dragon Warrior. Tai Lunng is among the best characters in the Kung Fu Panda movies, and it's largely thanks to McShane's performance.

Kung Fu Panda

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2 'John Wick Chapter 4' (2023)

Directed by Chad Stahelski

The mainline series of John Wick finally ends in its fourth installment. In the movie, Reeves reprises his role as the titular assassin seeking to end the High Table, an insidious organization that rules the world of contract killers.

Pursued by the egotistical and ruthless Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), John must launch one last stand against the High Table.

McShane comes back as Winston, once again delivering a singular brand of wisdom and poison. Beloved by fans of the franchise for his stern performance as the Continental’s manager as well as his enjoyable chemistry with Reeves, McShane's Winston is a crucial presence in the film, acting as John's ally and sole support. While John Wick’s story has now (allegedly) ended with John Wick: Chapter 4, Reeves and McShane will reprise their roles in the much-awaited spin-off Ballerina.

John Wick: Chapter 4

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1 'Deadwood: The Movie' (2019)

Directed by Daniel Minahan

The HBO series Deadwood eventually got its much-deserved conclusion in Deadwood: The Movie. Set 10 years after the events of the TV show, the movie gathers the residents of Deadwood, South Dakota, which includes Sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and saloon owner Al Swearengen (McShane). They must face a new threat, prompting them to address their past for a chance at a peaceful future.

McShane’s role in the HBO series is nothing short of iconic. Al Swearengen is half-evil and half-good, and his return as the owner of the shady owner of Gem Saloon in Deadwood: The Movie certainly made fans of the show happy. His performance as the brutal, cutthroat, relentless, and intelligent criminal figure has been noted by critics as one of the best in his career. Thank heavens that audiences got to see him again in the faithful conclusion to the beloved HBO series.

Deadwood: The Movie

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