All-Time Best James McAvoy Movies

James McAvoy starred as Simon Balcairn in the 2003 British comedy-drama film 'Bright Young Things.' The film follows a group of wealthy and eccentric young adults in London, who enjoy a life of partying and excess, only to find it all come crashing down. McAvoy's performance was praised by critics.

In the 2019 film "It Chapter Two," James McAvoy plays the adult version of Bill Denbrough. This movie is the second installment of the adaptation of Stephen King's novel "It," with the first part focusing on the characters as children and the second part on their adult lives. As an adult, Bill becomes a successful author but is haunted by the traumatic events of his past. In "It Chapter Two," he returns to his hometown of Derry when he learns that Pennywise has resurfaced, and the Losers must reunite to confront the ancient evil once more.

James McAvoy starred as Wesley Gibson in the 2008 action-thriller film Wanted. He played a frustrated office worker who discovers that he is the son of a professional assassin and is reluctantly recruited into the "Fraternity", a secret society in which his father worked.

In the 2017 film "Atomic Blonde," James McAvoy plays the character David Percival. The movie is a spy thriller set in Berlin during the Cold War era and stars Charlize Theron as the protagonist, Lorraine Broughton, who is an undercover MI6 agent. James McAvoy's character, David Percival, is a fellow MI6 agent stationed in Berlin. He has been operating in the city for an extended period, and his loyalties and motivations become a central part of the film's plot. Percival is a complex character with shades of ambiguity, and McAvoy's performance adds layers to the intrigue and suspense of the story.

In the 2006 film "Penelope," James McAvoy plays the character Max Campion. The film is a romantic fantasy that tells the story of Penelope Wilhern, played by Christina Ricci, a young woman born with a pig's snout instead of a nose due to a family curse. The curse can only be broken if she is loved by one of her own kind.Max plays a significant role in the narrative as the story unfolds. The film explores themes of self-acceptance, love, and breaking free from societal expectations.

James McAvoy stars as Brian Jackson in the 2006 British comedy-drama film Starter for 10. The film follows Brian, a working-class student from Essex who wins a place at a prestigious university, and ultimately learns about life and love.

James McAvoy stars as Conor Ludlow in 'The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him.' He plays the husband of Eleanor Rigby (Jessica Chastain), who mysteriously disappears, leaving Conor to try and figure out what happened. The film follows Conor as he struggles to come to terms with her disappearance and ultimately try and win her back.

James McAvoy stars as Simon in the 2013 psychological thriller 'Trance.' He plays a fine art auctioneer who is enlisted by a gang of criminals to help them steal a valuable painting. He suffers a head injury, leaving him with amnesia, and he must undergo hypnosis to recover his memories and help the gang find the painting.

James McAvoy stars as Frederick Aiken, a Union war hero, in the 2010 drama 'The Conspirator.' The film tells the story of Mary Surratt, the lone female charged as a conspirator in the assassination trial of Abraham Lincoln. Aiken is appointed as her defense attorney and must struggle with his loyalty to the Union while trying to prove her innocence.

    In the 2016 film "X-Men: Apocalypse," James McAvoy reprised his role as Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X. Professor X is a mutant with powerful telepathic abilities, and he is the founder and leader of the X-Men, a group of mutants dedicated to promoting peace and understanding between mutants and humans.

In "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her," the narrative focuses on the character of Eleanor Rigby, played by Jessica Chastain, and her experiences following a personal tragedy. Conor Ludlow, portrayed by James McAvoy, is Eleanor's estranged husband, and the film explores the aftermath of their relationship and the impact of the events on both characters. James McAvoy's performance in "Her" is nuanced and emotionally charged, depicting the complexities of love, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in the face of adversity.

James McAvoy did indeed play the character Mr. Tumnus in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Mr. Tumnus is a faun, a mythical creature with human and goat features. In the story, he is the first Narnian character encountered by the Pevensie siblings, who are the main protagonists of the film.

In the 2013 film "Filth," James McAvoy plays the character Bruce Robertson. The film is a dark comedy-drama directed by Jon S. Baird, and it's based on the novel of the same name by Irvine Welsh. Bruce Robertson is a Detective Sergeant in the Edinburgh police force. The character is complex, portraying a troubled and deeply flawed individual dealing with personal demons and struggling with various aspects of his life, including his mental health. The film explores themes of corruption, mental illness, and the consequences of one's actions.

James McAvoy plays the role of Valentin Bulgakov in the 2009 drama film 'The Last Station.' The film follows the story of the last days of Russian author and philosopher Leo Tolstoy (portrayed by Christopher Plummer) and his relationship with his wife Sofya (portrayed by Helen Mirren). McAvoy plays the role of Bulgakov, Tolstoy's personal secretary.

James McAvoy stars as the love interest of Jane Austen in the 2007 British-Irish biographical romantic drama film 'Becoming Jane.' McAvoy plays the character of Tom Lefroy, an Irish lawyer who falls in love with the young Jane Austen. The film follows the two as they explore the possibilities of a life together, despite the numerous obstacles in their way.

In the 2016 film "Split," James McAvoy plays the character Kevin Wendell Crumb. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, "Split" is a psychological horror-thriller that revolves around Kevin, a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), who has 23 distinct personalities. The central plot of the film follows Kevin as he abducts three teenage girls. As the girls attempt to escape, they discover the various personalities residing within Kevin, each with its own traits and behaviors. One of the prominent personalities is "The Beast," a powerful and dangerous alter ego. James McAvoy's performance in "Split" is widely acclaimed for his ability to portray the diverse and distinct personalities that make up Kevin's character. His nuanced acting contributes significantly to the suspense and tension of the film.

James McAvoy plays the role of Charles Xavier in 'X-Men: First Class.' The 2011 prequel stars McAvoy as the younger version of Professor X and is set in the early 1960s during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film follows the beginnings of the mutant superhero team, the X-Men, as they attempt to stop a global nuclear war.

In the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland," James McAvoy plays the character Dr. Nicholas Garrigan. The film, directed by Kevin Macdonald, is a political drama that follows the story of a Scottish doctor who becomes entangled with Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, played by Forest Whitaker. Dr. Nicholas Garrigan is a young and idealistic physician who travels to Uganda to work at a rural hospital. However, his life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes the personal physician to Idi Amin after a chance encounter. As Garrigan becomes closer to Amin, he discovers the darker side of the dictator's regime and the atrocities committed by the Ugandan government.

James McAvoy stars as Rory O'Shea, a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in the 2004 drama, 'Inside I'm Dancing.' Rory is determined to live a life of independence, despite his disability, and is determined to prove that he can live an independent life. He moves into a group home and meets Michael, a fellow cerebral palsy sufferer, and the two become close friends. McAvoy's performance is praised for its emotional depth.

In the 2007 film "Atonement," James McAvoy portrays the character Robbie Turner. Directed by Joe Wright and based on Ian McEwan's novel of the same name, "Atonement" is a drama that spans several decades and explores the consequences of a young girl's misunderstanding. Robbie Turner is a young man from a working-class background who works as the housekeeper's son for the Tallis family. The film follows the life-altering events that unfold after Briony Tallis, played by Saoirse Ronan as a child and Romola Garai as an adult, makes a false accusation against Robbie. This accusation has profound and lasting effects on the lives of Robbie and Briony's older sister, Cecilia Tallis, played by Keira Knightley.

In the 2014 film "X-Men: Days of Future Past," James McAvoy reprises his role as Charles Xavier, also known as Professor X. The film is directed by Bryan Singer and is part of the X-Men film series. As Professor X, James McAvoy brings his talent to the role, depicting the character's internal struggles and growth. The film explores themes of unity, sacrifice, and the consequences of choices.