The 50+ Best Brendan Gleeson Movies
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- 1Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly ReillyAn honest and good-hearted priest (Brendan Gleeson) wrestles with a cynical, spiteful community after he receives a death threat from an unknown parishioner.
2Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph FiennesIn Bruges is a dark comedy-drama that treads the cobblestone streets of an ancient Belgian city. Here, two Irish hitmen, Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson), find themselves hiding out after a job goes terribly awry. Sent by their unhinged boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes), they're shadowed by guilt, existential dread, and the idyllic beauty of Bruges itself. This BAFTA-winning film weaves intricate threads of humor and tragedy into its narrative fabric, with director Martin McDonagh orchestrating a symphony of nuanced performances. It's an exploration of morality, redemption, and the unexpected places where these themes collide.More In Bruges
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3Don Cheadle, Mark Strong, Brendan GleesonThe Guard is a 2011 comedy/thriller film written and directed by John Michael McDonagh. "Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a salty village cop in Ireland, has a subversive sense of humor, a caustic wit, and an uncanny knack for keeping people at arm’s length. When a straitlaced FBI agent chasing an international drug-smuggling ring hits town, Boyle has no intention of letting the arrival disrupt his routine of hookers and wisecracks. Initially, he relishes offending and ridiculing the agent, but a murder and a series of peculiar events draw the reluctant sergeant into the investigation. John Michael McDonagh’s crisply written debut feature transcends the rules of the buddy cop comedy, wryly offering genuine humor and thrills against an unexpectedly moving portrait of its protagonist. Brendan Gleeson’s beguiling portrayal of Boyle defies easy definition as hero or buffoon, hinting instead at the lonely, intelligent man behind the sharp retorts. The Guard is a clever, fresh character study, as well as a snappy joyride of an action comedy." Quoting the description from the 2011 Sundance Film Festival site.
4Brendan Gleeson, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinleyThis fact-based film begins with the murder of Martin Cahill (Brendan Gleeson), one of Ireland's most infamous and violent criminals. Dying, Cahill reflects on his life -- being raised on the hardscrabble streets of Dublin, his years in reform school, learning to steal at an early age and rising from petty thief to powerful crime boss known for his brazen armed robberies. And throughout, tenacious policeman Ned Kenny (Jon Voight) dedicatedly pursuing him.- 5
Frankie
Isabelle Huppert, Marisa Tomei, Greg KinnearA family confronts a life-altering crisis while vacationing in Portugal. - 6Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohanBraveheart is a historical war drama directed by Mel Gibson, who also stars as the film's protagonist, William Wallace. Set in late 13th century Scotland, the narrative follows Wallace's life from his childhood to his role in leading the Scottish against their English oppressors. The movie features an ensemble cast with notable performances from Sophie Marceau as Princess Isabelle and Patrick McGoohan as King Edward I. Braveheart won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, distinguishing itself for its epic battle scenes and compelling storytelling.
7Emily VanCamp, Brendan Gleeson, Melissa LeoBlack Irish is a 2007 drama film written and directed by Brad Gann.
8Eamonn Owens, Alan Boyle, Stephen ReaFrancie (Eamonn Owens) has a disastrous childhood and retreats into television and movies to escape the pain. His mother (Aisling O'Sullivan) is suicidal, and his alcoholic father (Stephen Rea) has little to do with him. Francie's tendency to project violent fantasies onto reality lands him in reform school, where he is sexually abused. Wildly looking to hold someone responsible for all the trauma visited on him, Francie targets his neighbor, Mrs. Nugent (Fiona Shaw).- 9Cillian Murphy, Noah Huntley, Naomie HarrisIn the suspenseful thriller 28 Days Later, London bike courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) awakens from a coma in an abandoned hospital. He finds the city eerily deserted, save for infected humans ravaged by a mysterious virus. Meeting a small group of survivors, including the stalwart Selena (Naomie Harris), they navigate the post-apocalyptic landscape, clinging to hope. Directed by Danny Boyle, this film masterfully combines elements of horror and drama, presenting a chilling scenario of societal collapse due to a relentless pandemic. Its raw depiction of survival amidst chaos earned critical acclaim and notable box-office success.More 28 Days Later
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10Gabriel Byrne, Colm Meaney, Ellen BarkinImpoverished in Dublin, youngsters Ossie (Ciaran Fitzgerald) and Tito (Ruaidhri Conroy) live with their widowed father (Gabriel Byrne), who drowns his grief in drink. Their grim existence is uplifted by the arrival of their itinerant grandfather (David Kelly), who has brought with him a magical horse from legend -- Tir na nOg. But when crooked cops discover the prized animal, they commandeer it, intending to sell it as a racing horse. Furious, the boys resolve to rescue the mythical creature.
11Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy IronsIn Kingdom of Heaven, Balian (Orlando Bloom), a blacksmith turned knight, embarks on a journey to Jerusalem during the 12th century Crusades. Upon arrival, he finds himself in the midst of political intrigue and war. King Baldwin (Edward Norton) is trying to maintain peace, while Guy de Lusignan (Marton Csokas) pushes for conflict with Saladin (Ghassan Massoud). Director Ridley Scott's historical drama is an epic tale of courage and redemption set against the backdrop of religious strife. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound Mixing.More Kingdom of Heaven- #79 of 264 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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12Brendan Gleeson, Peter McDonald, Peter CaffreyJust released from jail, Git Hynes (Peter McDonald) pays a visit to his best friend, Anto (David Wilmot), and lives to regret it. Git catches Anto being pummeled by gangsters who are collecting on a debt and, in defending his friend, Git unwittingly scars the nephew of a noted Dublin kingpin. As punishment, Anto agrees to work for the syndicate -- traveling with dull-headed hood Bunny Kelly (Brendan Gleeson) on an assignment that proves to be anything but simple.
13Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen ReaIn the early 20th century, Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) leads the Irish Republican Army with the help of his friends Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) and Eamon de Valera (Alan Rickman), in a violent battle for Ireland's independence from Britain. But, when he fears the defeat of his revolution, Collins negotiates a treaty with the British, deeming him a traitor to the IRA. When he receives orders to murder his friends, Collins must decide where his loyalties lie.More Michael Collins- #171 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
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14Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) enters his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the headship of Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). This year, Hogwarts hosts the Triwizard Tournament, a magical contest between three wizarding schools. Unexpectedly, Harry's name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire as an additional participant, plunging him into a deadly game. He battles dragons, dives underwater to rescue friends, and navigates a perilous maze. Meanwhile, the return of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) marks a dark turn for the wizarding world. The film won a BAFTA award for Best Production Design in 2006.- 15Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cameron DiazIn the gritty, historical drama Gangs of New York, director Martin Scorsese paints a vivid picture of 1860s Manhattan. The storyline follows Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), a young Irish immigrant seeking revenge against Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), the ruthless gang leader responsible for his father's death. As Vallon navigates the city's complex web of corruption and violence, he finds himself drawn into the political turmoil leading up to the infamous Draft Riots. The film, known for its meticulous historical accuracy, garnered ten Academy Award nominations.More Gangs of New York
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16Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Thomas GibsonJoseph (Tom Cruise) and his landlord's daughter, Shannon (Nicole Kidman), travel from Ireland to America in hopes of claiming free land in Oklahoma. The pair get sidetracked in Boston, where Joseph takes up boxing to support himself. When he loses a pivotal fight, the two are left penniless. Now faced with poverty, the two must find new ways to scrape by. As their affection for each other grows, Joseph questions whether he is truly what Shannon needs in her life.
17Andie MacDowell, David Strathairn, Elias KoteasPulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Harrison Lloyd (David Strathairn) is missing on assignment and presumed dead in a far-off country. Refusing to accept this, his wife Sarah (Andie MacDowell) embarks on a perilous journey to find him and bring him home. Armed with a camera, her determination and a group of Harrison's peers, Sarah enters a world that shocks her to her core.
18Brendan Gleeson, Ian Bannen, Julian FellowesThe Treaty is a 1991 Irish historical television film directed by Jonathan Lewis. The film is about the Anglo-Irish Treaty that Michael Collins bargained for with the British government in 1921. Low budget and originally made for television, this is a RTÉ - BBC co-production. Brendan Gleeson plays Michael Collins, Barry McGovern plays Éamon de Valera, Bosco Hogan plays Erskine Childers, John Warner plays George V, and Julian Fellowes plays Winston Churchill The plot has David Lloyd George, played by Ian Bannen, discussing the translation of the Irish word "poblacht" with de Valera.
19Breakfast on Pluto
Cillian Murphy, Liam Neeson, Stephen ReaAs a baby, Patrick (Cillian Murphy) is left by his mother on the steps of the rectory in their small Irish town. He's discovered by Father Liam (Liam Neeson), coincidentally his real father, and placed in an abusive foster home. By the time he's a teen, Patrick identifies himself as transgendered, renames himself Kitten and sets out for London with a rock group in hopes of finding his mother. Along the way he works variously as a magician's assistant, a prostitute and a dancer.
20Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part I, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) have left Hogwarts behind. They are now on a dangerous mission to find and destroy Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) Horcruxes. The trio faces grave challenges, dark forces, and an array of magical obstacles. As they uncover the existence of the Deathly Hallows, the stakes rise even higher. This film, directed by David Yates, is a blend of fantasy and adventure genres. It's part one of the epic conclusion to J.K. Rowling's globally celebrated series.
21Noreen
Brendan Gleeson, Brian Gleeson, Gerard ByrneNoreen is a 2010 short comedy film written and directed by Domhnall Gleeson.
22Brendan Gleeson, Iain Glen, Janet McTeerInto the Storm or Churchill at War is a 2009 biographical film about Winston Churchill and his days in office during World War II. The movie is directed by Thaddeus O'Sullivan and stars Brendan Gleeson, who plays the British Prime Minister. Into the Storm is a sequel to the 2002 television film The Gathering Storm, which details the life of Churchill in the years just prior the war. Into the Storm had its first public premiere on HBO and HBO Canada on 31 May 2009. Into the Storm was nominated for 14 Primetime Emmy Awards. Brendan Gleeson won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie.
23Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Oliver PlattIn the suspenseful horror-comedy Lake Placid, tranquil Black Lake, Maine becomes a nightmare when a giant, man-eating crocodile takes residence. Local sheriff Hank Keough (Brendan Gleeson), fish and game warden Jack Wells (Bill Pullman), and paleontologist Kelly Scott (Bridget Fonda) are left to confront this monstrous beast. They're joined by Hector Cyr (Oliver Platt), a flamboyant mythology professor who adds an eccentric touch to their desperate quest. As they unravel the mystery behind the crocodile's unlikely presence, their mission becomes increasingly perilous. A blend of thrills and laughs, Lake Placid delivers an unexpected twist on typical creature-feature narratives.More Lake Placid- #138 of 149 onMovies That Should Never Be Remade
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- 24Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry CondonSet against the backdrop of a remote Irish isle during the Civil War, The Banshees of Inisherin unfolds the darkly comedic tale of a sudden rift between two lifelong friends, Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson). When Colm inexplicably decides to end their friendship, Pádraic, aided by his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and troubled young islander Dominic (Barry Keoghan), struggles to salvage the bond, only to spark a series of events that lead to shocking consequences. Directed by Martin McDonagh, this film spotlights the themes of loneliness and existentialism. It reveals the complexity of human relationships, capturing the absurdity and tragedy of severed connections.
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25John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice EveIn 19th-century Baltimore, Detective Emmett Fields (Luke Evans) makes a horrifying discovery: The murders of a mother and daughter resemble a fictional crime described in a story by Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack).When another murder occurs, also seemingly inspired by Poe's writings, Fields realizes a serial killer is on the loose and enlists Poe's help in catching the felon. The stakes become personal for the struggling author when someone close to him may become the killer's next victim.More The Raven- #15 of 20 on20 Horror Movies About Birds That Could Give Anyone Ornithophobia
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26Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, Scott SpeedmanSet in the Los Angeles Police Department in 1992, "Dark Blue" is a thriller that takes place just days before the acquittal of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent L.A. riots. In this racially charged climate, the LAPD's elite Special Investigations Squad is assigned a quadruple homicide. As they work the case, detective Eldon (Kurt Russell), tutors SIS rookie Bobby (Scott Speedman) in the realities of police intimidation and corruption.More Dark Blue- #15 of 55 onThe Best Movies About Corrupt Cops
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27Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrien BrodyIn the suspense-filled film The Village, a secluded 19th-century Pennsylvania hamlet, led by Edward Walker (William Hurt), lives in fear of nameless creatures in the surrounding woods. Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), a quiet and bold young man, seeks to discover what lies beyond the forest. Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard), a blind girl with heightened senses, emerges as an unlikely heroine when their world is threatened. M. Night Shyamalan's atmospheric thriller explores themes of faith, fear, and love within a tight-knit community whose survival hinges on secrecy and collective bravery.More The Village- #87 of 252 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
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28Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renée ZellwegerSet against the backdrop of the American Civil War, Cold Mountain is a riveting drama starring Inman (Jude Law), an injured Confederate soldier. Struggling with the harsh realities of war, he embarks on a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain, North Carolina. Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman), a preacher's daughter and Inman's love interest, strives to maintain her deceased father's farm in his absence. Aided by Ruby Thewes (Renée Zellweger), an earthy woman who helps her survive, Ada awaits Inman's return. The film won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress (Zellweger). It weaves a tale of love, survival, and resilience amid conflict.More Cold Mountain- #11 of 27 onThe 25+ Best Civil War Movies Of All Time, Ranked
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29Pierce Brosnan, Geoffrey Rush, Jamie Lee CurtisHarry Pendel, a Cockney ex-con who has reinvented himself as a popular tailor to the rich and powerful of Panama, is famous for his storytelling as well as his suits -- but this time, his tales carry lethal repercussions. Preyed upon by ruthless, seductive British spy Osnard, Harry spins a yarn that inadvertently sets off a series of events to destroy everything he values most in life.
30Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Gabriel ByrnePerrier's Bounty is an Irish crime thriller comedy set in modern-day Dublin. Describing it as an "urban western", sophomore director Ian Fitzgibbon directed the film, which stars Brendan Gleeson, who plays the villainous title character, as well as Cillian Murphy and Jim Broadbent as son and father. Filming was completed in late January 2009, and premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. It was released in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 26 March 2010.
