The 40 Best Charles Dance Movies And TV Shows

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Updated December 1, 2023 40 items
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578 votes
145 voters
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List of the best Charles Dance movies and TV shows, ranked best to worst. Charles Dance's highest-grossing movies and shows have received many accolades over the years, earning millions around the world. The order of these top Charles Dance movies and shows are decided by how many votes they receive, so only highly rated films and shows will be at the top of the list. Charles Dance has been in a lot of films and shows, so people often debate each other over what his greatest role of all time is. If you and a friend are arguing about this then use this list of the most entertaining Charles Dance films and shows to end the squabble once and for all.

If you think the best Charles Dance role isn't at the top, then upvote it so it has the chance to become number one. The greatest Charles Dance performances didn't necessarily come from the best movies or shows, but in most cases they go hand in hand.

List ranges from The Phantom of the Opera to Alien 3, plus much more.

"This list answers the questions, "What are the best Charles Dance movies and shows?" and "What are the greatest Charles Dance roles of all time?"

Most divisive: Starter for 10
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 40 Best Charles Dance Movies And TV Shows
  • Rebecca
    1
    TV Program
    25 votes
    Rebecca is a 1997 British/German television serial directed by Jim O'Brien. The teleplay by Arthur Hopcraft is based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. The serial was filmed for Carlton Television by Portman Productions in association with WGBH and Tele München. It was broadcast in the United States as a presentation of Masterpiece Theatre on PBS.
  • The Phantom of the Opera
    2

    The Phantom of the Opera

    TV Program
    27 votes
    A lonely, disfigured musician haunts the Paris Opera House.
  • Alien 3
    3
    Film (1992)
    25 votes
    In Alien 3, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor of an escape pod crash, finds herself in a maximum-security correctional facility on Fiorina Fury 161. She's surrounded by a motley crew of hardened criminals, played by skilled actors like Charles S. Dutton and Brian Glover. With no weapons to defend themselves from the alien creature that stowed away with Ripley, the inmates must rely on their wits and fortitude. Directed by David Fincher, this third installment in the Alien franchise is a suspenseful mix of science fiction and horror, its claustrophobic setting intensifying the terror. Despite mixed reviews at release, it has since gained appreciation for its atmospheric storytelling and strong performances.
  • Last Action Hero
    4
    Film (1993)
    21 votes
    In the thrilling adventure, Last Action Hero, young movie buff Danny Madigan (Austin O'Brien) finds himself transported into his favorite action film. This cinematic world is inhabited by fearless detective Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who battles villains with unparalleled bravado. His journey takes an unexpected turn when the line between reel and reality blurs, and both he and Slater must confront real-life danger. Directed by John McTiernan, this metafictional action-comedy cleverly satirizes genre conventions while delivering explosive thrills. Despite its box office underperformance, it remains a unique entry in Schwarzenegger's filmography.
  • The Golden Child
    5
    Film (1986)
    15 votes
    After a Tibetan boy, the mystical Golden Child (J.L. Reate), is kidnapped by the evil Sardo Numspa (Charles Dance), humankind's fate hangs in the balance. On the other side of the world in Los Angeles, the priestess Kee Nang (Charlotte Lewis) seeks the Chosen One, who will save the boy from death. When Nang sees social worker Chandler Jarrell (Eddie Murphy) on television discussing his ability to find missing children, she solicits his expertise, despite his skepticism over being "chosen."
  • Gosford Park
    6
    Film (2001)
    15 votes
    Gosford Park, a mystery drama directed by Robert Altman, is a tale of class, murder, and intrigue. Set in 1932 England, the story unfurls at an opulent countryside estate where Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) and his wife Lady Sylvia (Kristin Scott Thomas) play host to a motley group of affluent guests. Amongst them are Constance, Countess of Trentham (Maggie Smith) and film producer Morris Weissman (Bob Balaban). When Sir William is found murdered, everyone becomes a suspect. The movie's richly woven narrative won it an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
  • Pascali's Island
    7
    Film (1988)
    10 votes
    Basil Pascali (Ben Kingsley) is a Turkish secret agent who has spent years in the service of the Ottoman Empire. As Turkey's power wanes, Pascali is left to operate largely on his own. However, things change when he is assigned to work with English archeologist Anthony Bowles (Charles Dance) and artist Lydia Neuman (Helen Mirren) in planning the heist of a Greek artifact. As Pascali becomes more involved in the scheme, the plot takes some surprising turns.
  • For Your Eyes Only
    8
    16 votes
    When a British ship is sunk in foreign waters, the world's superpowers begin a feverish race to find its cargo: a nuclear submarine control system. And 007 (Roger Moore) is thrust into one of his most riveting adventures as he rushes to join the search ... and prevent global devastation!
  • White Mischief
    9
    Film (1987)
    22 votes
    When millionaire landowner Sir Jock Broughton (Joss Ackland) moves to colonized Kenya on the eve of World War II, his young trophy wife, Diana (Greta Scacchi), quickly grows tired of the man she married for money. Soon, she's carrying on with the debonair Earl Josslyn Hay (Charles Dance), and the English expatriates who populate the village know all about it. But unrest ensues when Hay is surprisingly murdered, with fingers pointing toward Broughton but proof hard to come by.
  • Going Postal
    10
    8 votes
    Terry Pratchett's Going Postal is a two-part television adaptation of Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, adapted by Richard Kurti and Bev Doyle and produced by The Mob, which was first broadcast on Sky1, and in high definition on Sky1 HD, at the end of May 2010. It is the third in a series of adaptations, following Terry Pratchett's Hogfather and Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic. It was announced as part of an investment of at least £10 million into adaptations of novels, including Chris Ryan's Strike Back and Skellig by David Almond. Filming began in May 2009 in Budapest. As is now traditional with The Mob's Discworld adaptations, several fans were invited to appear as extras.
  • Michael Collins
    11
    Film (1996)
    11 votes
    In 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.
  • Underworld: Awakening
    12
    11 votes
    In the years since she and her human-lycan lover, Michael, defeated Elder Marcus, vampire warrior Selene (Kate Beckinsale) has been taken captive by humans, while they wage an all-out war against both lycans and vampires. Awakening after more than a decade, Selene discovers that Michael is dead, but that she has given birth to his daughter, Eve. Shunned by nearly all surviving vampires, save one (Theo James), even Selene seems powerless against her latest opponent: a genetically enhanced lycan.
  • Bleak House
    13
    TV Program
    10 votes
    Adaptation of the classic novel by Charles Dickens.
  • Hilary and Jackie
    14
    9 votes
    Iris Du Pré (Celia Imrie) inspires a love of music -- and a healthy rivalry -- in her daughters, Hilary (Rachel Griffiths) and Jackie (Emily Watson). Cellist Jackie outshines her flutist sister when her skillful playing lands her in the international spotlight. Meanwhile, Hilary builds a quiet but happy family life. When Jackie buckles under mounting pressures in the high-stress world of elite classical musicians, she turns to Hilary for help, and may put her sister's love to the test.
  • Ali G Indahouse
    15
    Film (2002)
    12 votes
    Ali G, the U.K.'s hottest comic sensation, makes his way to American audiences with "Ali G Indahouse." In his big-screen debut, the chilled-out, hip-hopping, white gangsta-rapper wannabe finds himself in the bizarre position of having to resolve one of Great Britain's biggest national and political scandals. Abetted by his loyal crew, the West Staines Massive and long-suffering girlfriend Me Julie, he emerges as the unlikeliest of heroes.
  • Scoop
    16
    Film (2006)
    10 votes
    Even in death, British reporter Joe Strombel (Ian McShane) is dedicated to completing his final piece on London's notorious Tarot Card Killer, and American journalism student Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) discovers during a magician's (Woody Allen) performance that she can communicate with Joe. He hands her the story of a lifetime, and the chase leads directly to British aristocrat Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman), with whom she has fallen dangerously in love.
  • Starter for 10
    17
    Film (2006)
    10 votes
    Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a working-class youth from Essex, gets a chance to prove himself when he is accepted to respected Bristol University. As Brian navigates his way through his first year there, he finds romance with two pretty students (Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall) and tries out for a popular TV program called "University Challenge."
  • Dark Blue World
    18
    Film (2001)
    6 votes
    Jan Sverak ("Kolya") directs this uplifting film about a hallowed Czech fighter pilot (Ondrej Vetchý) who must train a much less experienced colleague (Krystof Hádek). When the country is invaded by the Nazis in 1939, the pilots are forced to work fast. Eventually they escape to England, where they band together with other pilots and join the RAF, a decision which will haunt the men years later.
  • Neverland
    19
    6 votes
    Raised on the streets of turn-of-the century London, orphaned Peter and his pals survive by their fearless wits as cunning young pickpockets. Now, they've been rounded up by their mentor Jimmy Hook to snatch a priceless, some believe, magical treasure which transports them to another world. Neverland is a realm of white jungles and legendary mysteries of eternal youth, where unknown friends and enemies snatched from time welcome the new travelers with both excitement and trepidation. These groups include a band of 18th century pirates led by the power-mad Elizabeth Bonny, and the Native American Kaw tribe led by a Holy Man, which has protected the secret of the tree spirits from Bonny and her gang for ages, and that has meant war. But as the fight to save this strange and beautiful world becomes vital, Hook, Peter, and the ragamuffin lost boys consider that growing old somewhere in time could be less important than growing up, right here in their new home called Neverland.
  • Your Highness
    20
    Film (2011)
    14 votes
    Prince Thadeous (Danny McBride) has always lived his life in the shadow of his brother, the heir apparent, Prince Fabious (James Franco). Tired of always being passed over, Thadeous is now content to slack off, drink mead and enjoy the company of a maiden or two, while Fabious has fabulous adventures. But when an evil wizard kidnaps Fabious' fiancee (Zooey Deschanel), Thadeous has no choice but to find his inner hero and join his brother's quest to save her.
  • Black and White
    21
    Film (2002)
    9 votes
    In 1958, an aboriginal man, Max Stuart (David Ngoombujarra), is tried for the alleged murder of a young white girl. A judge gives him the harshest punishment, execution, despite a lack of substantial proof, aside from a confession he signed despite his illiteracy. Several individuals spring up in response to the judge's swift decision. Stuart's defense lawyers (Robert Carlyle, Kerry Fox) fight the ruling, while a young Rupert Murdoch (Ben Mendelsohn) explores the issue in a newspaper.
  • Space Truckers
    22
    10 votes
    Space Truckers is a 1996 American/British/Irish comedy science-fiction film written and directed by Stuart Gordon and starring Dennis Hopper, Stephen Dorff, Debi Mazar and Charles Dance. It was filmed at Ardmore Studios, County Wicklow, Ireland. The story concerns John Canyon, one of the last independent space transport entrepreneurs. Bad times have forced him to carry suspicious cargo to Earth without asking questions. During the flight the cargo turns out to be a multitude of virtually unstoppable killer robots.
  • Ironclad
    23

    Ironclad

    Film
    7 votes
    Ironclad is a 2011 adventure film directed by Jonathan English. Written by English and Erick Kastel, based on a screenplay by Stephen McDool, the cast includes James Purefoy, Brian Cox, Vladimir Kulich, Mackenzie Crook, Jason Flemyng, Derek Jacobi and Kate Mara. The film chronicles the siege of Rochester Castle by King John in 1215. The film was shot entirely in Wales in 2009 and produced on a budget of $25 million.
  • Plenty
    24
    Film (1985)
    5 votes
    Susan Traherne (Meryl Streep) is trying to put find her purpose in the wake of World War II. After a brief but intense affair with a soldier, she stumbles into a job in politics. Her career brings her into contact with Raymond Brock (Charles Dance), who she ultimately marries. But after the two struggle to start a family, the union begins to crack. Struggling to find happiness, Susan is forced to confront the notion that she may have been happiest during the war.
  • The Commuter
    25

    The Commuter

    Short Film
    3 votes
    The Commuter is a 2010 action short film written and directed by Edward McHenry and Rory McHenry.
  • Evil Angels
    27
    9 votes
    Evil Angels, released as A Cry in the Dark outside of Australia and New Zealand, is a 1988 Australian film directed by Fred Schepisi. The screenplay by Schepisi and Robert Caswell is based on John Bryson's 1985 book of the same name. It chronicles the case of Azaria Chamberlain, a nine-week-old baby girl who disappeared from a camp-ground near Uluru in August 1980 and the struggle of her parents, Michael and Lindy, to prove their innocence to a public convinced that they were complicit in her death. Meryl Streep and Sam Neill star as the Chamberlains, and Streep was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance. The film was released less than two months after the Chamberlains were exonerated by the Northern Territory Court of Appeals of all charges filed against them.
  • Century
    28
    6 votes
    Century is a 1993 British film, written and directed by playwright Stephen Poliakoff. Clive Owen stars as a 19th-century Jewish doctor who, while studying at a research institute, discovers that the authoritative Doctor is sterilizing innocent women, in order to prevent them from breeding.
  • The Contractor
    29
    Film (2007)
    6 votes
    Framed for murder, a former assassin (Wesley Snipes) goes on the run to prove his innocence.
  • In the Warsaw ghetto during World War II, Rabbi Adam Heller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) and his family struggle to remain safe and sane. His headstrong son, Paul (Don McKellar), chafes against the humiliations he must endure, but the rabbi cautions him against exploding into violence. Tensions come to a head when the rabbi's daughter, Rachel (Elina Lowensohn), is raped by a Nazi officer. Yet out of this act of violence comes a ray of hope when a soldier comes forward and offers to help her escape.