While many viewers know him as the Boy Who Lived, Daniel Radcliffe has been in a variety of films, ranging from big-budget movies to smaller indie films. He’s even tried his hand at Broadway productions, also with some success. Radcliffe can bounce from wacky and absurd characters to the most serious of villains, highlighting his prowess as an actor that didn’t stop after being in Harry Potter. If you want to explore more of his career, check out these six best Daniel Radcliffe movies now.
6. The Woman in Black (2012)
Starting our list of Daniel Radcliffe movies is The Woman in Black. His first role after playing a wizard, Radcliffe played a widowed lawyer, Arthur Kipps, in the film. Adapted from Susan Hill’s gothic horror novel, the film follows a similar tone, focusing on a creepy atmosphere rather than jump scares or gore. Kipps comes to a small village where a ghost is terrorizing its citizens, hell-bent on revenge.
5. Swiss Army Man (2016)
Fifth on our list of the best Daniel Radcliffe movies is Swiss Army Man. Paul Dano stars in the film as Hank Thompson, a lonely soul who’s lost in the wilderness. Just when he’s about to give up, Daniel Radcliffe’s character appears. However, he’s dead, and has flatulence so powerful it can power them across the ocean to safety. One of Radcliffe’s weirdest film appearances, he does well portraying a corpse nicknamed Manny, making him a fully rounded character to sympathize with.
4. Escape from Pretoria (2020)
Next on our list of the best Daniel Radcliffe movies is Escape from Pretoria, a true-life jailbreak drama. Radcliffe plays anti-apartheid activist Tim Jenkin, who is planning to break out of a South African prison. Jenkin joins two other political prisoners to pull off a daring escape from Pretoria Central Prison in 1979. Not only does Radcliffe nail the South African accent, but he fully embodies Jenkin’s dedication and determination to spread his beliefs.
3. The Lost City (2022)
Rounding out the top three best Daniel Radcliffe movies is The Lost City. Radcliffe tries his hand at a comedic villain in this romantic action film starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. He plays eccentric billionaire Abigail Fairfax, kidnapping Bullock’s character as he believes she knows the location of a hidden treasure on a remote island. Radcliffe went on to win an MTV Movie Award as the year’s “Best Villain.”
2. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
Second on our list of the best Daniel Radcliffe movies is Weird: The Al Yankovic Story. Praised by critics and fans alike, the film is a hysterical parody of musician biopics, featuring Weird Al’s odd sense of humor. Not only does Radcliffe portray Yankovic perfectly, and the film is full of funny moments, gags, and even a few guest star appearances, if you can spot them.
1. Harry Potter series (2001-2011)
Last but not least on our list of the best Daniel Radcliffe movies is the Harry Potter series. There is no point in just picking one when Radcliffe portrays Harry Potter exactly how we imagined from the popular book series. It’s one of the biggest blockbuster franchises of all time and is beloved by critics and fans. This role launched Radcliffe into the spotlight as a child actor, but someone to watch in his future appearances.