The 60+ Best Films With Maggie Smith
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- 1Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill NighySome British retirees (Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy) decide to outsource their retirement to exotic -- and less expensive -- India. Lured by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and imagining a life of leisure in lush surroundings, they arrive and find that the Marigold is actually a shell of its former self. Though their new home is not quite what they had imagined, the retirees find that life and love can begin again when they let go of their pasts.
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- 2Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn the enchanting adventure film Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an orphaned young boy, discovers his magical heritage on his 11th birthday. He is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he befriends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). Their first year at Hogwarts sees them uncovering a dark secret tied to a mysterious artifact - the Sorcerer's Stone. As they delve deeper, they face challenges that test their courage and friendship. Steeped in mystery and magic, this movie sets the stage for the beloved Harry Potter series.
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- 3Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn the epic finale of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) faces his destiny as he squares off against Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). This fantasy film is directed by David Yates, offering breath-taking visuals and gripping storytelling. The plot sees Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) on a desperate hunt for Horcruxes - objects containing pieces of Voldemort's soul. In their quest, secrets unravel, alliances shift, and sacrifices are made. This movie won numerous awards, including the BAFTA for Special Visual Effects.
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- 4Maggie Smith, Pamela Franklin, Robert StephensJean Brodie (Maggie Smith) is a free-spirited teacher at a Scottish girls' school during the 1930s. She encourages her young pupils to embrace romantic ideals, educating them about love and art rather than hard facts. However, her controversial teaching philosophy draws the ire of the school's headmistress, Miss Mackey (Celia Johnson), and, as Miss Brodie becomes entangled in a love triangle, her behavior towards her favorite students becomes increasingly manipulative.
- 5Eileen Atkins, Bob Balaban, Alan BatesGosford 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.More Gosford Park
- #234 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
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- 6Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy NajimyIn Sister Act, Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) is a flashy Reno lounge singer. After witnessing a mob crime, Deloris enters witness protection, hidden within a convent's austere walls. Disguised as Sister Mary Clarence, she disrupts the quiet life of her fellow nuns. Under her influence, the choir transforms from tone-deaf to toe-tapping, gaining unexpected fame. Meanwhile, the mob is on her trail. The movie, an engaging mix of comedy and drama with music at its heart, earned Goldberg a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Motion Picture Comedy or Musical in 1993.More Sister Act
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- 7Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) embarks on his second year at Hogwarts School, accompanied by friends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). The school year is marred by a series of mysterious events, as students are found petrified and ominous messages appear on walls. As the trio investigates, they uncover a dark secret about the school's past. Directed by Chris Columbus, this fantasy film intertwines elements of mystery and adventure. The movie brings J.K. Rowling's second book to life with exceptional performances and stunning visual effects.
- 8Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Maggie SmithAdaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic fairy tale, "The Secret Garden." Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly) is an orphan sent to live with her uncle at his mansion that is full of secrets. She discovers a crippled cousin she never knew she had and a neglected garden she is determined to bring back to life.More The Secret Garden
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- 9Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle DockeryThe beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the king and queen of England soon unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue -- leaving the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
- 10Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Julian SandsIn this British drama based on the novel by E.M. Forster, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young Englishwoman, is touring Italy with her older cousin (Maggie Smith). At a hotel in Florence, Lucy meets the charming and free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Although intrigued by George, once she's back in England Lucy ponders settling down with the wealthy, staid Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis). When George reappears in her life, Lucy must decide between him and Cecil.
- 11Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonAs Death Eaters wreak havoc in both Muggle and Wizard worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for students. Though Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects there are new dangers lurking within the castle walls, Dumbledore is more intent than ever on preparing the young wizard for the final battle with Voldemort. Meanwhile, teenage hormones run rampant through Hogwarts, presenting a different sort of danger. Love may be in the air, but tragedy looms, and Hogwarts may never be the same again.
- 12Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn the third installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself in danger from Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), an escaped convict believed to be one of Lord Voldemort's old allies. The movie, directed by Alfonso Cuaron, takes a darker turn than its predecessors. Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) return as Harry's loyal friends, navigating the treacherous grounds of Hogwarts School. Aided by Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), they unravel secrets about Harry's past while tackling creatures like Dementors and Werewolves. This film won a BAFTA for Best Production Design in 2004.
- 13Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma WatsonIn Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) grapples with his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, under the watchful gaze of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). As Voldemort's (Ralph Fiennes) power grows, Harry forms a clandestine group, Dumbledore's Army, to train his fellow students for the looming war. The film, part of a globally acclaimed series, expertly balances fantasy and drama, interweaving elements of friendship and rebellion. With its complex plot and compelling performances, it remains an integral chapter in the Harry Potter saga.
- 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.
- 15Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, David NivenOn a luxurious cruise on the Nile River, a wealthy heiress, Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles), is murdered. Fortunately, among the passengers are famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) and his trusted companion, Colonel Race (David Niven), who immediately begin their investigation. But just as Poirot identifies a motley collection of would-be murderers, several of the suspects also meet their demise, which only deepens the mystery of the killer's identity.More Death on the Nile
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- 16Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, Maggie SmithFour comedic scenarios play out at a hotel in this adaptation of the Neil Simon play. Divorced couple Hannah (Jane Fonda) and Bill (Alan Alda) argue over custody of their daughter; an actress (Maggie Smith) frets over her Oscar nomination as her gay husband (Michael Caine) comes out of the closet; a businessman (Walter Matthau) finds a comatose prostitute in his bed, and two competitive doctors (Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby) settle their differences with a free-for-all tennis game.
- 17Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle DockeryDownton Abbey: A New Era transports viewers back to the grandeur of the Crawley family's estate as they face both change and opportunity. The film, a sequel to the series and its first movie adaptation, sees the return of beloved characters played by Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, and others. The plot revolves around a film crew that wishes to shoot a movie at the Downton estate, bringing the modern world into their traditional lives. Meanwhile, the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) unveils family secrets at a villa in France and prompts an overseas excursion. The themes of legacy, adaptation, and family ties frame the backdrop of the Roaring twenties.
- 18Cher, Judi Dench, Joan PlowrightIn 1930s fascist Italy, adolescent Luca (Charlie Lucas) just lost his mother. His father, a callous businessman, sends him to be taken care of by British expatriate Mary Wallace (Joan Plowright). Mary and her cultured friends -- including artist Arabella (Judi Dench), young widow Elsa (Cher) and archaeologist Georgie (Lily Tomlin) -- keep a watchful eye over the boy. But the women's cultivated lives take a dramatic turn when Allied forces declare war on Mussolini.
- 19Rowan Atkinson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie SmithWalter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson), vicar of the British village Little Wallop, is busy composing the perfect sermon. So busy, in fact, that he fails to notice his bored wife's (Kristin Scott Thomas) flirtation with her American golf instructor (Patrick Swayze), his daughter's revolving set of boyfriends, or his son's status as the favorite target of bullies. Enter Grace Hawkins (Maggie Smith), the new housekeeper, who has a drastic solution to the family's problems.
- 20Peter Falk, Peter Sellers, Truman CapoteFive diverse, infamous private eyes, including Sam Diamond (Peter Falk), Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers) and Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester), are invited to the mysterious Lionel Twain's castle for a dinner party. There, they are told that Twain plans an unsolvable murder in the house at midnight -- and he will pay $1 million to the one who determines the killer. But when Twain's blind butler, Bensonmum (Alec Guinness), dies long before the deadline, the stakes go up for the trapped sleuths.More Murder by Death
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- 21Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy ConnollyOnce-popular opera diva Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) creates a stir with her arrival at Beecham House, a home for retired performers. No one feels the uproar more than Reginald (Tom Courtenay), Jean's ex-husband, who still stings from her long-ago infidelity. Most of the other Beecham residents are delighted, and try to convince Jean to join them in a performance of "Rigoletto." Jean, however, knows that she is long past her prime and is reluctant to sully the memory of her once-lovely voice.More Quartet
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- 22Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Roger AllamIn 1973 London, playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings) develops an unlikely friendship with Miss Shepherd (Maggie Smith), a homeless woman who lives in a van in his driveway for the next 15 years.More The Lady in the Van
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- 23Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia RobertsIn the fantastical adventure film Hook, Peter Banning (Robin Williams), a high-powered corporate lawyer, grapples with a world beyond his comprehension. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually the grown-up Peter Pan, a fact revealed by the eccentric Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts). When his children are kidnapped by the nefarious Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Banning must rediscover his playful and courageous past life in Neverland to save them. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this whimsical twist on J.M. Barrie's classic tale won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, showcasing magical landscapes and swashbuckling pirate battles.More Hook
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- 24Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel BrühlAging spinster sisters Ursula (Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith) discover a young man (Daniel Brühl) near death on the beach by their home in a small Cornish fishing village. Taking him in, they discover that he is Andrea, a violinist from Krakow, Poland, who had been swept off an ocean liner on which he was sailing to a fresh start in America. Although Ursula feels an unfamiliar spark of infatuation for the handsome young musician, propriety suggests the attraction must remain unspoken.
- 25Maggie Smith, Chris Cooper, Timothy SpallAfter surviving a gruesome terrorist attack on an Italian train line, romance novelist Emily Delahunty (Maggie Smith) opens up her home and solitary life to a trio of stranded survivors. She soon forms friendships with each, but develops a special attachment to the young orphan Aimee (Emmy Clarke). So when Aimee's distant uncle (Chris Cooper) arrives to retrieve the girl, Emily strives to convince the cold, mourning man that Umbria is Aimee's rightful home.
- 26Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, Wendy HillerLonely spinster Judith Hearne (Maggie Smith) teaches piano and lives in a depressing boarding house in Dublin. Her life changes when she meets James Madden (Bob Hoskins), the enterprising brother of the owner. She quickly falls for him and, against all expectation, finds her love returned. As their romance develops, Judith becomes truly happy for the first time in her life. But, when it dawns on her that James has ulterior motives for pursuing their relationship, her world comes crashing down.
- 27Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Barnard HughesIn Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) makes a triumphant return. This time, she's masquerading as Sister Mary Clarence, a nun with an unconventional teaching style. She's been tasked to revitalize a lackluster music program at St. Francis Academy, a school threatened by closure. The film, a comedy-drama, is filled with vibrant musical numbers and memorable performances from Lauryn Hill and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Despite the uphill battle and resistance from skeptical students, Sister Mary Clarence uses her unique methods to breathe new life into the school and its choir.
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- 28Peter Ustinov, Colin Blakely, Jane BirkinAgatha Christie's Belgian sleuth, Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov), solves the murder of an actress at a Balkan resort.
- 29Sandra Bullock, Ellen Burstyn, Fionnula FlanaganA classic Southern tale of hilarious sadness set in a sleepy Louisiana parish. A group of lifelong friends stage a rather unorthodox intervention to help a young playwright unravel the truth about her complicated, eccentric mother, find forgiveness and acceptance, and let go of her painful past.
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- 30Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane KeatonIn The First Wives Club, a comedic romp, three middle-aged friends‚ Elise (Goldie Hawn), Brenda (Bette Midler), and Annie (Diane Keaton)‚ reunite after the death of a college classmate. Shockingly, they discover they've all been dumped for younger women by their husbands. This shared misfortune ignites a pact: to exact revenge on their exes. As the trio navigate the complexities of divorce, friendship, and vengeance in New York City's high society, the movie offers a comic yet poignant exploration of love and self-worth. Notable for its star-studded cast and witty dialogue, this film is a testament to female resilience and solidarity.More The First Wives Club
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